News Roundup. May 11, 2023
The San Antonio Philharmonic will present a great concert this weekend! One of the classical repertoire’s most famous and admired symphonies – Beethoven’s Symphony No.3, “Eroica” will be the centerpiece, conducted by Noam Aviel, the former San Antonio Symphony associate conductor. Since leaving San Antonio, Aviel has gained recognition on the international scene with engagements in Iceland, Israel, and with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra in South Africa.
The upcoming pair of concerts will also include Piazzolla’s “Double Concerto for Cello, Guitar and Orchestra,” and one of our favorite music compositions: Rodrigo’s eloquent “Concierto de Aranjuez,” which must be the best-known guitar concerto in the world. The two Russian musicians who recently performed at an MBAW concert at the San Fernando Cathedral, will be part of SA Phil’s concerts, too. Guitarist Dimitri Illarionov is likely to shine in “Aranjuez.” Cellist Boris Andrianov, winner of the bronze medal at the International Tchaikovsky Competition, was the first Russian laureate at the International Rostropovich Competition in Paris. (May 12 & 13 at 7:30 p.m.; First Baptist Church of San Antonio, 515 McCullough, 78215; tickets are $30-$65 at sales@saphil.org)
An evening of piano music, presented by the Tuesday Musical Club, will feature three pianists: Geraldine Ong, Daniel Anastasio, and Jean Park. They will present a combination of solo and two-piano works by Mozart, Erickson, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff and Ravel. (May 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Tuesday Musical Club, 3755 N. St. Mary’s St., 78212; free and open to the public; satuesdaymusicalclub@gmail.com)
The San Antonio Museum of Art has a special musical offering this week, SongScapes, a recital celebrating its exhibit “Roman Landscapes: Visions of Nature and Myth from Rome and Pompei,” which will soon close. The musical selections “explore how the character of the landscape influences cultures and how this is reflected in music.” The songs will be performed by soprano Bronwyn White, in several languages, French, German, English and Mandarin, and she will introduce each selection. (May 12 at 7 p.m.; San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 West Jones Ave., 78215, 210-978-8100; tickets $20; https://www.samuseum.org)
Our Voices… Our Stories is a concert by the Children’s Chorus of San Antonio, featuring collaborative pieces sung by the organization’s different groups. A specially commissioned work by Texas-native, Mari Esabel Valverde, “shares the stories of CCSA’s young singers through song.” At the end, all 200 children will take part in singing “This is Our Time.” (May 14 at 4 p.m.; Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 115 Auditorium Circle, 78205; tickets at tickets@tobincenter.org; to reach Children’s Chorus call 210-826-3447; http://ChildrensChorisSA.org)
Have you ever experienced handbell music? Here’s an opportunity: River City Ringers have announced their 2023 Spring Handbell Concert Series, “In Honor Of.” (May 11 at 7 p.m.; Army Residence Community, 7400 Crestway Rd/ May 13 at 4 p.m. at Second Baptist Church, 3310 E. Commerce St/ May 18 at 7 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church, 9944 Leslie/ and May 19 at 7 p.m., Christ Lutheran Church of Alamo Heights, Broadway. For more visit www.RiverCityRingers.org)
A group called Natural Information Society will perform at the Ruby City’s Sculpture Garden Friday. You are invited to an evening “of music, contemporary art, refreshments and connection”. Led by Joshua Abrams, the music ensemble is known for “its mesmerizing aural environments that incorporate traditional and contemporary orchestration informed by jazz, minimalism and traditional music styles.” Band member, Lisa Alvarado is from San Antonio and she also designs the group’s album covers, and backdrops used in performances. The group is celebrating the release of its 7th album. (May 12 at 7 p.m.; Ruby City, 150 Camp St., 78204; 210-781-7189; https://rubycity.org)
And we are sure that fans of the Beatles will love to see a tribute band which will appear at the Majestic Theater next week. Billed as Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles, the group will be here May 19. (May 19 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston; tickets are $39.50 – $84.50; www.majesticempire.com)
Grammy, Emmy and Tony winner, Billy Porter, will bring his Black Mona Lisa Tour to the Tobin Center on Friday. It’s billed as his first-ever career-spanning tour. (May 12 at 8 p.m.; Tobin Center, 100 Auditorium Circle; tickets start at $49.50; tickets@tobincenter.org or call 210-223-8624)
And get ready for the biggie: The 41st Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival, scheduled for May 19-21. Tickets can be found online at https://guadalupeculturalarts.otg/; More next week.
On the dance front, here’s a show that the whole family can enjoy for Mother’s Day: The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio’s “Sleeping Beauty,” featuring two stars from the New York-based American Ballet Theater: Skylar Brandt and Herman Cornejo. Both are in San Antonio for the first time. The press release promises that this “Sleeping beauty” “has all the romance, enchantment and beauty you wouls expect from this classic fairytale, told through the magic of dance.”
The New York stars will appear on stage with some 200 young dancers, ages 3-19, trained at the Children’s Ballet studios under the direction of artistic director Vanessa Bessler who won the Youth American Grand Prix Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award for eight consecutive years, winning every year since she started CBSA. A number of her students have gone to pursue further training at the most famous ballet schools/companies. (May 12 at 7 p.m., May 13 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston, 78205; tickets, $45-$55 are available on the CBSA’s website. www.childrensballetofsanantonio.org)
The San Antonio Youth Ballet has a new show, too. Choreographed by the former Ballet San Antonio artistic director, Gabriel Zertuche, the ensemble will present “Firebird” danced to Stravinsky’s great score. Dancers range in age from 3 to 17. (May 14 at 7 p.m. and May 14 at 2 p.m. Tobin Center. Alvarez Studio Theater (see address above); $25; for more info www.sanantonioballetschool.com)
And there’s another dance show by young dancers: “Animalia” by Alamo City Arts. According to the press release, the production promises to be a charming celebration of the animal kingdom, through music, dance and storytelling. The music will bring together two beloved classics: “Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saens and “The Tales of Beatrix Potter” in a unique way. The Alamo City Symphony Viva will provide live music. Sounds like fun! (May 13 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Fort Sam Houston Theater, 2472 Stanley Rd., and May 20 at 2 and 7 p.m. at the McAllister Auditorium, 1300 San Pedro Ave.; tickets are $30 – $45; call 210-369-8311 or go to https://ticketpeak.co/acpaa/events)
Not much going on in San Antonio theaters. One exception at this time is the Classic Theater which is opening a new production of “Measure for Measure” by Shakespeare. It’s the timeless tale of power, morality and justice, set in Vienna of a few centuries ago. For more about the play and production, see our article published earlier in the week. The performances will be indoor this time. (May 11-28, performances Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.; free student show Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.; Radius Center, 106 Auditorium Circle, 2nd Floor, 78205; for tickets call 210-589-8450 or go to the Classic’s website – https://www.classictheatre.org)
And here’s a quick look at visual arts developments. Two exhibits at the San Antonio Museum of art are about to close. “Roman Landscapes: Visions of Nature and Myth from Rome and Pompei,” closes May 21. And the sculpture that became the object of interest a few months ago because it was purchased in a Goodwill store but later found to be from the first century AD, is also leaving on that same day. It was eventually established that the sculpture originally came from a museum in Bavaria, and it will now be returned to that museum. So, you have a few more days to say goodbye
(SAMA, 200 W. Jones Ave., 210-978-8140; https://www.samuseum.com)
On the contemporary-art side of things, SALA DIAZ is opening a new exhibit: “When the Stones Speak,” curated by Adonay Bermudez. Featured artists include: Hayfer Brea, Rigoberto Camacho, Teresa Corres, Joey Fauerso, Magan Harrison, Gil Rocha and Avelino Sala. These artists present “new readings of landscape, natural or urban, beginning with a fundamental element: stone,” says the press release. Installations, video performances, painting, collage and sculptures are included. (Opening reception May 13, 6-9 p.m.; 517 Stieren St.; on view through May 25 by appointment; 512-809-9283 or by writing to casie@saladiazart.org)
Contemporary at Blue Star will have a Free Family Saturday this Saturday, May 13. There will be workshops led by artists, and you will have the opportunity to see Hiromi Stringer’s “The Dog Show: Time Traveler Umeyama’s Drawings from the 21st Century.” Can’t tell you more than that. A special highlight will be the unveiling of “A Monument for the People” which invites you to reimagine the concept of monuments and their significance in the community. (May 13, 1-4 p.m.; 116 Blue Star; 210-227-6960)
There’s a new “community space” called Poet’s Pointe, created by artists Kim Bishop and Luis Valderas downtown. You are invited “celebrate it” Saturday, May 13, from 10-11 a.m. it’s located near the corner of Magnolia & Mistletoe (2509 W. Mistletoe) in Council District 7. This news came from the Department of Arts & Culture.
And here’s something for mothers and children for Mother’s Day: Painting with Gio at the Briscoe Museum. Moms and kids older than 5 will enjoy painting sessions led by artist Gio DiZurita. She will help participants to paint a hummingbird in acrylic paints on 11×14 canvases. The subject matter was chosen because those birds are like mothers: intelligent, beautiful, devoted and loving. But they are also respected as fierce fighters and defenders of their territory. Does that sound like MOM? (May 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Briscoe Western Art Museum; 210 W. Market St.; 210-299-4499; www.briscoemuseum.org)
The McNay Art Museum has received a $250,000 grant from the John R. and Greli N. Less Charitable Trust for new artwork acquisition. That’s the best of all grants!