Arts Alive San Antonio

Did you know that June 21 is the Make Music Day, here, in San Antonio, and apparently world-wide.
The day is dedicated to the celebration of music on the summer solstice “that’s performed by everyone and enjoyed by everyone.” The city of San Antonio Arts and Culture Department brought it to our city.
Apparently, it all started in France with “La Fete de la Musique” inaugurated in 1982. Celebrations now take place in more than 750 cities in 120 countries. According to Arts & Culture, everyone is invited to join an event, host one and post pictures and videos from events.  If you are a musician – professional or amateur – who would like to participate, go to www.makemusicday.org/sanantonio for more info.

At present, there’s a list of events in a number of places, including Hemisfair (The AM Project);
San Antonio Botanical Gardens (Alamo City Performing Arts); Tobin Center (Children’s Chorus of San Antonio; Mexican Cultural Institute (Musical Bridges Around the World); San Antonio Public Library Parman Branch (Opera San Antonio) and a few others.  The featured performing groups’ names are in parenthesis.

At Texas Public Radio Headquarters downtown, they are planning a whole day of music by various performers, from 12, noon, to 10 p.m. But, there’s also a “Harmony Workshop” where you’ll get to sing “Hey Jude” in a 4-part harmony. (June 21, 12:00, noon, to 10 p.m. Of course, you can start your own event in your neighborhood, or elsewhere. All musical styles are welcome.

To see the full lineup of Make Music Day, go to www.makemusicday.org/sanantonio.

It all sounds like a wonderful addition to the cultural life and fun in the city.

The San Antonio Philharmonic is still in town, and will, in fact, play a concert at the Majestic Theater: “The Music of Led Zeppelin.” The concert will be conducted by guest conductor, Brent Haven and feature guest vocalist, Randy Jackson, who is the lead singer/guitarist of the band Zebra. That sounds like a no-miss: a symphony orchestra with a rock band! (June 22 at 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theater; Tickets are $39 – $200; www.majesticempire.com/events/)

For music and dance, don’t forget Fiesta Noche del Rio at the Arneson River Theater on the San Antonio River, downtown. (Fridays-Saturdays, through Aug. 3; $8-$20, at the door.) This fun event features excellent dancers and musicians who will make you dance in your seat. For more info call 210-226-4651.)

And more music: Uncle Lucius with Cactus Lee and Colton James will perform at Stable Hall, presenting numbers from their new album, after a 5-year break. (June 21 at 8 p.m.; Stable Hall, 307 Pearl Parkway; tickets are $25-$45; 210-212-7260)

Pop star Melanie Martinez will stop at the Frost Bank Center in a couple of days, on her Trilogy Tour.
(June 23 at 7 p.m.; tickets are $87 – $129+ through www.ticketmaster)

The San Antonio Harmonica Showcase will play at the Dakota East Side Ice House, 433 S. Hackberry; June 22, 2-8 p.m.; free; 210-705-9740.

The CMI/OSA Festival concludes with “Cantamos Zarzuela,” a concert performed by “young artists”featuring “a rich tapestry of Spanish musical heritage. (June 22. 7-9 p.m.; Alvarez Theater at the Tobin Center;210-223-TOBI (8624)

The Children’s Chorus of San Antonio will conclude its season with “Sounds of Summer” at a concert at the Tobin Center; 100 Auditorium Circle (June 21, 6-7 p.m.; free; 210-826-3447)

Louie The Singer – Desperado Tour (June 21 at 8 p.m.; Aztec Theater; tickets are $34.95 – $59.95; 210-812-4355)

And for something different: If you are curious about Black history in San Antonio, you may want to take a history tour of the Eastside. (June 22, 10 a.m. – 12, noon, or 1-3 p.m. Catch the bus at the Carver Branch Library, 3350 Commerce St.)

Mariachi Extravaganza usually has a big showcase closer to the holidays but now it has another treat for us: the Summer Recital, featuring national local finalists and summer camp participants. The singing and dancing will be accompanied by UTSA’s Mariachi Los Paisanos. (June 24 at 7:30 p.m.; Alvarez Theater at the Tobin Center; tickets are available at tickets@tobincenter.org

Luminaria, the organization in charge of the fall arts festival by the same name, is keeping busy with other projects, too. It is currently presenting “The Music and Poetry Pop Up” as part of the Make Music Day initiative that has spread all over the world, it seems. The new event will take place in the Luminaria Pop Up Art Gallery., and features an eclectic mix of music, poetry and improv, with art gracing the premises. The exhibition “She is/Ella es” was curated by Andrea Rivas, and will be on display on June 21, 2-9 p.m. All included artists are women. (126 Gonzales, 78205; $5 donation suggested at the door.)

Scratchboard Art Workshop.  Scratch art is a form of direct engraving where the artist scratches off dark ink to reveal a white or colored layer beneath. If you missed it, let’s hope there will be another one soon, at the Briscoe Museum or elsewhere. Even if you missed the workshop, you may want to return to the museum to see the exhibit “Survival of the fittest: Envisioning Wildlife and Wilderness with the Big Four. The “big four” are the four painters who are internationally recognized for their paintings of wildlife. (Briscoe Museum, on the River Walk at W. Market Street;

Theater News: What caught our attention is the one-man show about the Serbian-American genius scientist – and inventor of alternating currents – Nikola Tesla. When he died, government agents descended on his rooms to get his papers. The current show takes place at the Mammen Family Public Library in Bulverde. (Saturday, June 22 at 1 p.m.; 131 Bulverde Crossing, 78163; 830-438-4864;
https://mfplibrary.org/)

On a much different note, The Wonder Theater is presenting “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” based on the novel by Roald Dahl. The show features an original score but pays homage to the 1971 film. Willy Wonka will embark on a life-changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination that includes chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels, and a great glass elevator, all to be revealed by Wonka’s army of curious Oompa-Loompas. Directed by Chris Rodriguez and choreographed by Alonzo Corona, performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. through July 14. (Wonder Theater, 4522 Fredericksburg Rd., Ste. A-90, inside the Wonderland of the Americas Mall; Balcones Heights, 78201; 210-267-8388; info@wondertheatre.org)

The Magik Theater is offering summer camps for kids, grades 1-5 and Grades 6-12. If you have questions,
contact the Education Department at education@magiktheatre.org.

The literary organization, Gemini Ink, is inviting writers to “Unleash their inner storyteller” at a Spoken word workshop with award-winning artist, Amanda Eke, who will guide participants in crafting narratives by fusing poetry with rich storytelling traditions. Open to all via Zoom (June 22, on Zoom; go online to sign up.)