Arts Alive San Antonio

We already told you about the upcoming San Antonio premiere of “On Your Feet” but it’s here now!  The show that had to close before it opened due to COVID-19, is a musical that just might have you “on your feet” dancing as you exit the theater. The show tells the story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan who, independently, emigrated from Cuba, met in Miami and, together, won 26 Grammy Awards. She was the singer, he, the musician and producer. In the Woodlawn Theatre’s production they will be portrayed by Jillian Sainz and Miguel Ochoa. (Shows Fridays-Saturdays 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m.; no show July 4; tickets $18-$30; www.woodlawntheatre.org/on-your-feet; masks and social distancing required)

Centro Cultural Aztlan, which is celebrating its 44 Anniversary, will be presenting the last of its June celebratory events, El Gran Mes de los Artistas, Friday, June 25. The neighborhood-based community fest, presented in collaboration with the Jefferson/Woodlawn Lake Community Development Corporation, highlights the “immense” artistic talent of the city’s historic Deco District. Friday’s featured artists are musicians, Jorge & Nicole, a guitar and bass duo who will “serenade us with their sultry and traditional world music during a virtual concert.” (To view go to Facebook.com/CentroCulturalAztlan or the center’s YouTube Channel; 7 p.m. June 25.)

Live and in-person music will once again enliven the reopened St. Mary’s Street honky-tonk, Lonesome Rose, this weekend. Scheduled: Sunjammer @ Pinky Ring at 9 p.m. Saturday, June 26, and Riley Downing, Sam Doores and Pink Stones at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 27.(2114 N. St. Mary’s St.; 210-455-0233; www.thelonesomerose.com)

Sam’s Burger Joint has been open for live music for months already. This weekend’s lineup starts Friday night with San Antonio-based Mothership band that will play a Tribute to Led Zappelin (June 25,9 p.m.), and continues with Q: The Music of Queen on Saturday (June 26, 9 p.m.) Doors open at 8 p.m. (330 E. Grayson, 78215; for tickets go to www.samsburgerjoint.com/calendar)

For a free outdoor concert that’s part of Fiesta celebrations, head down to St. Paul Square Saturday night where the Austin-based trio of sisters, known as the Tiarra Girls, will entertain the crowd at the Courtyard. The group won the Austin Music Award three times. (June 26 at 9 p.m.; 1160 E. Commerce, Suite 200; www.stpaulsq.com)

On the classical music front, the Classical Music Institute continues its summer series of concerts with “Infinite Roots,” a student and faculty concert, featuring Leonardo Pineda as conductor, and two violin soloists- Daniela Diaz and Francisco Fullana. The program includes music by the phenomenal Clarice Assad, Yahushua Akutagawa, popular Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla, and the world premiere of Edna Longoria’s “Partita Latina.” (Alvarez Theater, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle; June 26, 7:30 p.m.; tickets@tobincenter.org)

The Agarita Chamber Players quartet is presenting American Vignettes at the Radius Center on Wednesday, June 30. “America’s journey to find its place in the European-dominated classical repertory has led to a beautiful variety of compositional styles over the past 150 years,” says the press announcement. We agree. To showcase that variety, the program includes elements of American Folk, European-style romanticism, spirituals, country dances, jazz “and the developing voices of contemporary American composers.” Wow! How can one miss this show! (June 30 at 7 p.m.; Radius Center, 106 Auditorium Circle, 78205; 210-227-8111. For free reserved seating email agaritachamberplayers@gmail.com or just show up. Masks required if not vaccinated.)

The big news in the local visual arts world this week is the opening of “League of Women” at the San Antonio Art League and Museum, an exhibit that features outstanding women artists from the organization’s permanent collection. The latter consists of works by artists who were named Artist of the Year, and the winners of the Onderdonk Purchase Prize, both SAALM programs. Though the organization was founded by women and, to this day, the majority of members are women, most of those “winners” are men. Only about a third are women, said Donna Walston, SAALM’s president.

So, Walston set out to showcase the work of “some of the most talented women” in that famed collection.

“As I researched the biographies, I was blown away with the talent, dedication and selflessness of these women,” she wrote in a press statement. “I want to make everyone aware of the huge role the women artists and leaders of San Antonio have had in creating the culture that is now San Antonio.”

The current exhibit focuses on the past 70 years, featuring the work of 51 artists, many of whom are still alive and well and continuing to work. Among the latter are names like Brenda Kingery, Bernice Appelin-Williams, Jane Dunnewold, Linda Hammond, Zelime Matthews, Paula Sussman, Kathy Vargas, Alexandra Nelipa and others. Walston is hoping that these artists will be present at the opening.

Walston has also put together a 40-page book “A League of Women” with images of the art and the artists’ biographies, which you can purchase for $60. (Opening reception, June 27, 3-5 p.m., free; SAALM, 130 King William St., 78204; www.saalm.org)

Speaking of exhibits, we want to remind you of two other visual art exhibitions you should see: American Impressionism: Echoes of a Revolution” at the San Antonio Museum of Art, and the opening exhibit at Ruby City which features many internationally known contemporary artists. It’s a unique treasure. (See articles on this site, respectively from June 17 and June 15.)

And a lot is going on at the Blues Star Contemporary! In addition to its current exhibit, ”The Sitter,” (definitely worth seeing), three new solo shows are opening July 1, featuring the work of Terran Last Gun, a Santa Fe-based artist and printmaker; Joanna Keane Lopez from Albuquerque, and  Doerte Weber from San Antonio.

Blue Star has also announced a new opportunity for contemporary artists. Through a partnership with the Darmstadter Sezession (das), an artist association in San Antonio’s sister city of Darmstadt in Germany, Blue Star will co-host an international competition for video artwork, followed by an exhibition, called “Projection/Projektion.” San Antonio’s camera artists are invited to submit one video work of no more than 10 minutes in length. A selection of works will be screened at multiple sites in San Antonio alongside works by the members of the German group. The local open-air screenings will be presented in partnership with the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office during the 6^th World Heritage Festival. From this selection, a winner will be chosen and will receive a $6,000 prize. (For details go to https://bluestarcontemporary.org/open-calls/projection-projektion/)

Jump-Start Performance Co. is presenting MinuVistas this weekend, a one-minute message video series, featuring original videos by a range of people. The virtual show will be hosted by Jump-Start member Lisa Suarez and artist Barbie Hurtado. (June 26 & 27 at 4 p.m. Choose what you pay, from $0 to $20. A Zoom link will be provided to ticket holders; tickets at www.jump-start.org)

The Magik Theatre has extended its run of “Charlotte’s Web” through July 1. (For tickets and info: www.magiktheatre.org)

The Third Coast Rhythm Project is back! San Antonio’s tap dancing center is again offering dance classes live and in-person in 5-week sessions, through Aug. 28. But on June 27, you can take a class with Anthony & Staci Lo Cascio, of the Taplife Company from New York City. And more news: the San Antonio Swing Dance Society will now share space with Third Coast. It offers both partnered and solo classes. (Third Coast Rhythm Project, 1923 Lockhill Selma Rd., Suite 101, 78213; info@thirdcoastrhythm.com)

And here’s a treat – a recording of the San Antonio Chamber Choir to enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fGJUajIvk8