Arts Alive San Antonio

Let’s start with theater news!

A year or so ago, the Woodlawn Theatre was about ready to open a show that the folks there were very proud of: “On Your Feet,” a musical about the life and art of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. And we were ready to report on it. But then… you already know what happened, COVID reared its ugly head and the show was put on hold.

But it’s back now, opening June 25 and running through July 18. It’s directed by artistic director Christopher Rodriguez, with music direction by Jaime Ramirez and choreography by Carla Sankey. Gloria and Emilio are portrayed by Jillian Sainz and Miguel Ochoa. All the songs you know and love will be there, including “Conga,” “Live for Loving You,” “1-2-3,” and “Rhythm is Going to Get You.”

“Music was the biggest thing that got us through our life,” Gloria Estefan is quoted as saying. Multiple Grammy Awards recognized their musical achievements and millions of fans hummed their tunes. And you’ll probably be leaving the theater humming their songs, too. “If you aren’t humming a Gloria Estefan hit when you leave the theater, it might be time to check your pulse,” wrote a critic for the Associated Press, back when the show first opened. (Shows Friday-Saturdays at 7 :30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.; no show July 4; tickets $18-$30,  www.woodlawntheatre.org/on-your-feet; tickets must be purchased online; masks and social distancing are required. Inquiries info@woodlawntheatre.org)

The Fresh Ink New Works Festival at the Public Theater of San Antonio is currently in progress. Two new plays are on the schedule at this time. First up is “Credible” by Caity-Shea Violette, a “raw, darkly funny and boldly theatrical one-woman show exploring gender bias in the medical system.” The play will be streamed online June 18-20, Friday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. To purchase tickets, go to https://bit.ly/3enRDdM. The next play is “Cleft” by Ron Fromstein, “a heartwarming and at times humorous look through the eyes of a child experiencing her parents’ divorce.” For tickets go to
https://bit.ly/3vbUr4a.

The Classic Theater of San Antonio is inviting thespian artists to audition for next season’s productions, all dealing with love and marriage. The lineup: “As You Like It” By William Shakespeare, “A Doll’s House, Part 2,” by Lucas Hnath, and “Misalliance” by George Bernard Shaw. Interested individuals should submit videos by June 25. For detailed instruction: https://www.classictheatre.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Season-14-Audition-Packet.pdf.

On the comedy front, the Tobin Center has a good one coming: seven performances showcasing the very funny Gabriel Iglesias, also known as Fluffy. You have probably seen him on Netfix or YouTube. His shows sell out even in the largest venues, not only in the US but everywhere where English is spoken, including Australia. He is quoted as saying, “I am out of toilet paper and fully vaccinated, time to hit the road!” So, he’s back touring and he will be here June 23-July 17. (Here Comes Fluffy;June 23 – July 17; tickets $55 – $65; tickets@tobincenter.org, 210-223-8624)

The flamenco company, Arte y Pasion, will present a live, in-person, dance show at the Brick at Blue Star
this Saturday, June 19, at 7:30 p.m., with special guest Wayne Holtz. Dancers Tamara Adira and Drea Pacot will be accompanied by guitarist Randy Cordero and singer Guille Gonzalez. Pop singer Wayne Holtz will open the show. Proceeds from the event will fund artistic director Adira’s trip to Spain where she intends to study with the legendary Belen Maya and Daniel Caballero. Hint: she’s already an accomplished dancer! (Brick is in the Blue Star Complex, 108 Blue Star; tickets $10. Sponsorships available. https://arteypasion.ticketleap.com/arteypasionliveatbrick/)

The Classical Music Institute continues its concert series though with some reshuffling of dates. The “Alliance of Animals and Nature” concert originally schedule for June 18 will take place Sunday June 20. On the program: works by Johan Strauss II, Haydn and Franz Schubert. (Tobin Center for the Performing Arts; 4 p.m., tickets@tobincenter.com or call 210-223-8624)

And don’t forget that Ruby City has reopened! If you don’t know what it is, please read our feature story from June 15 on this site, “Ruby City Ready to Welcome Visitors.” It’s a beautiful place.

And there’s also Fiesta!

Yes, a new version, adapted for the times and circumstances. But there will be a Parade on the river (7 p.m. Monday, June 21), that will include six opera singers belting out grand arias, and Night in Old San Antonio – NIOSA – will be back, too. (June 22-25, La Villita, downtown; $20 at www.niosa.org.) This event is a major fundraiser for the Conservation Society of San Antonio, which is a vital organization in our city. If you love mariachi music – and we do – visit the River Walk on the evenings of June 22-24 to be serenaded by mariachi players and Mexican folkloric dancers from area high schools. (Ford Mariachi Festival, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., free). Today, June 18, you can enjoy the Juneteenth Festival all day until 11 p.m. at the Comanche Park, 2600 Rigsby Ave. Lots of free music, a Gospel group, fish fry, a health fair, and more.

Speaking of Juneteenth, here’s something that may interest you in a special way: Juneteenth History Harvest will be presented by the San Antonio African-American Community Archive, also in Comanche Park, with the goal of collecting family histories. They invite you to bring your documents – yearbooks, church programs, report cards, etc. – and record your story in their video booth. Your story will become part of the archive.

 To see the full Fiesta schedule, go to https://fiestasanantonio.org.