Arts Alive San Antonio

The big event this weekend is the Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival, the oldest and longest-running conjunto fest in the country.  Organized by the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, this year’s event “Is shaping up to be an incredible Tejano Conjunto Festival a great line-up and more enthusiasm than ever from conjunto fans,” according the GCAC executive director, Cristina Balli.

Most of the festivities take place in Rosedale Park, where conjunto and Tejano bands will entertain more than 10,000 fans over three days. The fun starts Friday – 6 – 11:45 p.m. – with a great line-up of performers, including Joe Zimmerle y Su Conjunto; Los Tellez; Javier Solis y Los Unikos; Ruben de la Cruz and Ruben Garza; South Texas Homies, and Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers.

On Saturday, the line-up features Conjunto Cats; Isaac de Los Santos y La Sangre Chicana; Los Chachos; Ricky Guzman; Conjunto Baraja de Oro; Los Cucuys de Rodney Rodriguez; Los Fantasmas; Los Monarcas de Pete y Mario Diaz; Lazaro Perez y Nautraleza; Los Garcia Brothers, and Tony Saenz y La Rosa de Oro.

On Sunday, music returns  with Cyndi Ramos y su Conjunto; Grupo Azido; Tejano Boys; Los Badd Boyz; Santiago Garza y Naturaleza; Conjunto Kingz de Flavio Longoria; Edgar Vasquez; Eva Ybarra; Los Texmaniacs with Flaco Jimenez, and Boni Nauricio y Los Maximos.

The music is for dancing and young & old enthusiastically participate.

In addition to Rosedale Park music & dancing fun, the festival also includes inductions into the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame, which this year will honor conjunto pioneer, Mike Garza; singer and bass player, Ramon Gutierrez of San Antonio, and singer, Cruz V. Martinez of Elsa/Edcouch. And for the first time, an organization will be included as well. It’s the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center of Los Fresnos.

 And there’s more. To see the complete schedule go to conjunto@gudalupeculturalarts.org; tickets for Rosedale Park concerts are $45 for a weekend pass or $20 per day. You can also buy tickets in person at the Guadalupe Latino Bookstore, 1300 Guadalupe St.; for info call 210-271-3151.

But there will be lots more music in San Antonio this weekend!

The San Antonio Philharmonic is about to conclude its season with a concert to be conducted by Akiko Fujimoto, and featuring pianist Jon Kimura Parker as soloist. They call it “Closing our season with a bang.” The musicians have good reasons to celebrate the success of their first season as SA Phil, which was created by the musicians of the former San Antonio Symphony about a year ago. The concert includes Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, but a new work by composer Carlos Simon, titled “Fate Now Conquers” is also on the program. The piece was inspired by a 1815 entry in Beethoven’s journal – itself taken from the Iliad. The press announcement doesn’t tell what that journal entry says but describes it as “mysterious.” The concert will conclude with Brahm’s “magnificent” Symphony No.2. (May 26-27 at 7:30 p.m.; First Baptist Church of San Antonio, 515 McCullough Ave., 78215; tickets are $30-$65 at
sales@saphil.org)

It’s news to us, but May is National Chamber Music Month.

We found out thanks to the Prickly Pear Clarinet Ensemble, which will mark the occasion with a joint concert with Adelante Winds. On the program: ”Rubispheres” by Valerie Coleman; “Salve Regina” by Juan Gutierrez de Padilla; Suite” Caribeana,” arranged by Ailem Carvajal-Gomez; “La Lucha” by Fredy Pinzon Aguilar, and Divertimento  in B by Mozart. Sounds interesting! (May 21 at 7 p.m.; Madison Square Presbyterian Church, 319 Camden St., 78215; no tickets necessary but suggested donation is $10 or give what you can. To find out more about the two ensembles go to www.adelantewinds.com and  www.facebook.com/pricklypearclarinetensemble)

The South Texas Symphonic Orchestra will present a concert this weekend, as well. One of the compositions that will be performed is “Hope and Glory” by San Antonio composer Charles Booker. The piece is dedicated to first responders and medical professionals who “gave their all in the defense of humanity during the 2021-2023 pandemic.” The program will also include “Finlandia” by Sibelius and the overture to “Die Meistersinger” by Richard Wagner, and more. (May 21 at 2 p.m.; Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building, UTSA, 1604 at Hausmann Rd.; free and open to the public.)

The San Antonio Choral Society has an enticing choral concert planned for this weekend as well. (Mid-May is clearly end-of season time!) The event is titled “The Voice of Humanity,” implying that music gives a voice to people when words fail. The production is under the direction of Jennifer Seighman, who is the director of Music and organist at St, John’s Lutheran Church downtown. This concerts also “gives voice” to composers from several cultures, including Arabic, Jewish, Hungarian and Latvian ones. The program listing is too long to include here but it looks enticing. (May 21 at 3 p.m.; St. John’s Lutheran Church, 502 E. Nueva St.; tickets are $5-$18 available at the door or at https://sachoralsociety.ticketbud.com)

And here’s another “final concert of the season”: The San Antonio Wind Symphony’s Finale features the musical legacy of the Sturchio Family. It’s not explained who they are. Titled “From Italy to America” the evening will feature L’ Arlesienne Suite No. 2 and Act III from Tosca, “two grand works for wind band that endure the test of time.” (May 21 at 4 p.m.; University of the Incarnate World Bennack Concert Hall, 4301 Broadway; for info www.sawinds.com)

The Cactus Pear Music Festival, which has a new artistic director this year – Jeffrey Sykes – has announced the dates and programming for the upcoming summer chamber music festival, which will start July 6 with a Wimberley concert. It’s too much info to squeeze here, so, all of you, chamber music fans, go explore the website at www.cpmf.us.  Altogether there will be four programs performed by 15 top musicians. Tickets are on sale now.

The Heart of Texas Concert Band will conclude its season with a showcase featuring composers, arrangers, soloists and guest conductors drawn from the membership of the band. Two composers’ works will be on the program: Richard Marple’s “fanfare written for the band,” and “The Legacy of the Valley,” by Mike Childress. (May 21 at 3 p.m.; Edgewood Theatre of Performing Arts, 402 Lance St., free, no tickets necessary. For more go to https://heartoftexasconcertband.org)

For jazz lovers, there’s a show starring the super-talented Matthew Whitaker at the Craver Center that’s bound to be a big draw. (May 20 at 8 p.m.; Jo long Theater, Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry; tickets are $35 by calling 210-207-2234 or go to www.thecarver.org

Rain, a Tribute to the Beatles, will be at the Majestic Theater, tomorrow.  “It’s the next best thing to seeing the Beatles.” (May 19 at 3 & 8 p.m.; Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston St.; tickets are $39.50 – $84.50 at 210-226-3333 or www.majesticempire.com)

Rodrigo y Gabriela will be at the Espee this Saturday. (May 20 at 8 p.m., tickets are $39.50 – $59. 50; www.theespee.com) and Theresa Caputo Live will be at the Majestic. (Tickets $49.50 – &99.50; see above)

Matteo Lane: The Al Dente Tour, stops at the Tobin Center May 19. He’ a comedian whose stand-up special can be see on Netflix’s The Comedy Lineup, and who has appeared on a number of TV shows. Fluent in five languages and a good singer, Matteo lived in Italy as a painter and opera singer before embarking on a comedy career. (May 19 at 8 p.m.; Tobin Center, 100 Auditorium Circle; tickets@tobincenter.com or call 210-223-8624) And they actually answer the phone!

The visual arts scene is almost as dynamic as its music counterpart, although – thank God! – exhbits last long enough to allow you plenty of time to visit and explore them.

If you haven’t been at the Briscoe Western Art Museum in a while, here’s a reason to visit: “Southwest Rising: Contemporary Art and the Legacy of Elaine Horwitch,” which opens May 26. The exhibition celebrates one of the most influential art dealers in Arizona and New Mexico history. She has helped launch the careers of hundreds of artists and was a leader in fostering “new Western art” or “Southwest pop.” The show features 45 works from some of the best-known artists featured in her galleries. Artists from this time of change include Tom Palmore, Billy Schenck, John Fincher, Anne Coe, Marilyn Levine, Bob Wade, and others.  (Exhibit: May 26-September 4; free for kids 12 and under and military on active duty; 210 W. Market St. on the River Walk; 210-299-4499; www.briscoemuseum.org)

Artpace has announced its 2023 Summer and Fall International Artists-in-residence. The summer guest curator, Alejo Benedetti selected Xin Liu, from London, England but born in China; Michi Meko, from Atlanta, and Ryan Takaba from San Antonio. They will begin their residency May 22 and their exhibits will open to the public July 13. (Artpace, 445 N. Main Ave., 78205; free parking nearby on Flores)

It seems early, but the Contemporary at Blue Star has issued a call for RED DOT artist submissions and the deadline is May 19. Red Dot will open Oct. 4. It’s the non-profit’s major fundraiser.

If you have been avoiding downtown due to constant street repairs and lack of parking, here’s an opportunity to experience a pleasant side of the city center: a Downtown Mural Walking Tour, presented by Casa Navarro, 228 S. Laredo St., 78207 (Saturday, May 20 at 10 a.m.; wear comfy shoes; for info call 210-226-4801 or email casa-navarro@thc.texas.gov)

The theater scene has not been exactly lively lately but here’s something new: the Pan-African Cultural Community invites you to join them for the stage presentation of “Message to the People – A Story of Malcolm X, described as a historical dramatization of the life and words of Malcolm X. It’s a musical play featuring Baba Aundar Maat with original music and images from Black history. (May 19-20 at 7 p.m.; Ella Austin Community Center, 1023 N. Pine ST., 78292; tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. For more info contact Melaneyes Media at 210-560-1733; https://www.melaneyesmedia.com/)

Let’s end this NEWS ROUNDUP with dance.

Ballet Nepantla, The New York-based dance company founded by Texan, Andrea Guajardo, is a dance company that integrates ballet and contemporary dance with Mexican folk dances. Its show “Valentina” explores the role of women in the Mexican revolution. The shortened version of the show will be presented in San Antonio in the upcoming days, featuring local student dancers in addition to the pros. It’s a very engaging and colorful presentation. Here is where to see it: May 22, Somerset ISD; Somerset Perming Arts Center, 1 p.m., followed by a class & Q&A.; May 24-25, at 8 p.m., Tobin Center, 100 Auditorium Circle; and May 26 at 10 a.m. at the Harlandale HS Auditorium, 114 Gerald. The May 24 Tobin evening performance is free.

* Kathak is a form of North Indian classical dance that’s known for its intricate footwork and elegant movements. The Rhythmics School of Kathak Dance in San Antonio is presenting a dance showcase that includes both teachers and students. (May 21 at 3 p.m.; Nimitz Middle School Auditorium; for more info visit https://rhythmicskathak.com