News Roundup, June 15, 2023
NEWS ROUNDUP, June 15, 2023
Juneteenth celebrates June 19th 1865, the day that Texas slaves learned about the Emancipation Proclamation that freed all enslaved people. A number of commemorative events in honor of that historic event will take place in San Antonio in the next few days, including both solemn and fun happenings. Since we are an arts publication, we’ll focus on events with arts components.
Black History Film Series – I Am Not Your Negro
“I am not your Negro” is a 2016 documentary film and social critique film-essay directed by Raoul Peck, based on James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript, “Remember this House.” Narrated by actor Samuel Jackson, the film explores the history of racism in the U.S. through Baldwin’s recollections of civil rights
leaders Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr., as well as his personal observations of American history. The movie was nominated for Best Documentary Featire at the 89thth Academy Awards, and won the BAFTA Award for best documentary. Discussion will follow the screening. (June 15, 6 p.m. Magik Theater; free but registration required. Contact Lisa Jackson atlipmedia@gmail.com or lisa@lipmediauni.com; 210-364-2261)
The film “Selma” that focuses on the epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1964, will be screened for a PG-13 audience at Collins Garden Library. (June 15, 2-4 p.m.; 200 N. Park Blvd, 78204; 210-207-9120)
Juneteenth Festival, a fun event, will feature Larry Briggs as the featured performer though there will be others, including gospel artists. This event takes place in a park, with food, vendors kids’ activities, etc.
( June 16-17, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Comanche Park, 2600 Rigsby Ave.; free; for more info go to
www.juneteenthsanantonio.com)
Celebrating Freedom Exhibit is devoted to history and heritage. You can review Bexar County Clerk records of chattel slavery, emancipation and the post-emancipation period. (every day through July 1; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bexar Archives Building, 126 E. Nueva St., 78204; https://www.bexar.org/2965/Bexar-County-Spanish-Archives)
The crowning event of the festival is a gospel concert: Freedom: A Gospel Celebration of Juneteenth, sponsored by Bexar County and the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. The show will open with the San Antonio Gospel Heritage Choir. The featured soloist will be Icy Monroe, who will sing “Order my Steps” in honor to Mimi Redd. Also participating is the Houston Legends Choir. For the finale, you’ll hear Stellar Award-winner Brian Courtney Wilson, the Motown gospel artist whose songs reflect today’s culture of faith, community & social injustice, and our relationship with God. (June 19 at 4 p.m.; Tobin Center for the Performing Arts; 100 Auditorium Circle; 210-223-8624; tickets@tobincenter.org)
And there will be lots of other music in town.
The Classical Music Institute’s 2023 concert series continues with a concert tonight. On the program: compositions by Vivaldi, Heinrich Ignaz von Biber, C.P.E. Bach and Giuseppe Valentini. (7:30 p.m., Carlos Alvarez Theater, Tobin Center; tickets are $15, https://www.cmi-sa.org)
The AGARITA Chamber Players have one more, rather unusually structured concert, at the San Antonio Museum of Art before calling it quits for the summer. The program is “a collaboration between music and visual art, to be experienced in your own way and at your own pace.” Every musical piece they’ll play will connect to the art in the gallery that they are playing in. For instance, in the Viceregal Latin American Gallery that features Spanish Colonial style of painting, the music will reflect that through Baroque sounds of Scarlatti, Carlos Seixas and other 18th century masters. In the contemporary art gallery, they will play contemporary music, including a composition for violin and electronics. You get the idea!
At the end of that period, all will gather in the Great Hall for the concert finale. (June 20, 4-6:30 p.m.; SAMA, 200 W. Jones Ave., 78215; free; upon arrival, you have to register at the front desk.)
Moving beyond classical/art music, you’ll still have choices. At the Majestic Theater, you can catch the incredible Patti LaBelle, who keeps on singing and charming audiences like she has done throughout her long career. (June 17 at 8 p.m.; Majestic Theater, 224 East Houston; tickets are $59.50 to $104+; via Ticketmaster.)
And here’s good news for the fans of the musical “Hamilton.” You can see it again – or maybe for the first time – at the Majestic in a few days. That’s the show that was originally scheduled for January 7-16, 2022. Original tickets will be honored. (June 20-July 2; Majestic Theater, (See address above); tickets are $200-$450, via Ticketmaster. To see the dates and times, go to www.majesticempire.com/events/)
Tobin Entertainment and Patchwork have announced the upcoming performance of the alternative rock band Love & Rockets with special guest Visantos. (June 17 at 8 p.m.; Boeing Center at Tech Port; tickets online at www.boeingcentertechport.com or call 1-800-514-3849)
For yet another music genre, there’s Rodney Crowell, whose tour will stop at Gruene Hall this weekend
This guy has 15 number-one hits under his belt, and his songs have been recorded by other stars, including Emmylou Harris and Johnny Cash. (June 17 at 8 p.m., Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Rd., 78130; general admission tickets are $45; l830-606-1281; mail@grueneyexas.com)
Floore’s Country Store in Helotes has its “Dine & Dance” event – a Helotes tradition – on Sunday. Randy Carson is the featured entertainer. (June 18, 3-8 p.m.; doors open at 3 p.m. for dance lessons.; 14492 Old Bandera Rd., Helotes; free admission; The Free Sunday Dances are held the first and third Sunday of every month. Music and dancing are indoors; patio is open in good weather.; 210-695-8827, www.liveatfloores.com)
And here’s something for free: Shops at Rivercenter offer a free concert series. This weekend, the series will feature Mayeux and Broussard, who play with gritty intensity that makes them stand out among the Texas country music artists. (June 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; free; Rivercenter is at 849 E. Commerce St. Lagoon Area; for more info email mkinsey@shoprivercenter.com)
Another free concert is Summer Night City, downtown. Concerts are on Thursdays at 7:30 at Legacy Park. (Supported by Texas Public Radio. The park is at 103 West Houston St.)
At the San Antonio Zoo, you can dance your heart out during Jungle Boogie – Latin Nights with live Latin bands driving the beat. (Saturdays, June 17- Aug. 5,; free for members, included with admission for the rest of us.; 3903 N. St. Mary’s, 78212; information@sazoo.org, 210-734-7184.)
And, remember Fiesta Noche del Rio is in full swing at the Arneson River Theater. For details check last week’s entry in the News Roundup.
Last bit: Explore Opera for Kids. This is a project of Opera San Antonio. In collaboration with the San Antonio Library OSA introduces opera to youngsters. The presentations are done by OSA’s summer Voice Program Apprentice Artists who sing highlights from the upcoming season. (Free. To see the schedule, go to https://www.operasa.org)
No new openings at local theaters but there’s a show at the Empire Theater produced by Curtain Up Cancer Foundation. Titled “The Six 2023: Celebration of the Power Within,” it’s the story of six people who have been affected by cancer. Each year, the foundation selects six honorees and their stories are skillfully woven together into a theatrical musical performance. (June 16 at 7:30 p.m.; tickets are $30-$100, proceeds support the Curtain Up Foundation. Empire Theater, 226 N. St. Maty’s St., 210-226-5700; www.majesticempire.com/tickets)
The visual arts are always lively in San Antonio. Artpace is opening two shows, one in the Main Space and the other in the Hudson Showroom. The former, titled “We are Quilted Together” showcases the work of Angela Walley, who uses quilted dresses to to pay homage to the lineage of women who made clothing and quilts for the family. Walley realized that she’s made of disparate parts as wll, put together. Aren’t we all? The other exhbit called “2 for 99c” features the work of Artpace alumni arttists . Jim Mendiola and Ruben Ortiz-Torres. (Opening reception, JUne 22, 6-8 p.m., Artpace, 445 N. Main, 78205; 210-212-4900;)
The San Antonio Art League and Museum just opened “Wax and Wildflowers,” an exhibit of encaustic art. That means artists work with hot wax instead of regular paints. This is an international, juried exhibition, featuring 50 artworks by 38 artists. The SAALM gift shop will be selling small encaustic paintings. And there will be demonstrations and workshops during the run of the show. (SAALM, 130 King William St., 78204; 210-223-1140, www.saalm.org)
Luminaria has announced the recipients of the spring 2023 Working Artist Fund grant awards. Sixteen artists – out of 58 applicants – are to receive support for courses, travel, supplies and materials and other activities. All arts are represented by the winners, from theater and music to graphic art and even fashion.
for more info go to www.luminarissa.org.