Arts Alive San Antonio

As summer is approaching, the classical music-performing groups wind down their seasons. No Philharmonic concerts, few chamber music ones. Most musicians leave town to take part in summer festivals around the U.S. and beyond. But music will not disappear. In fact, there are multiple choices.

Let’s begin with Proyecto Pax Music Showcase and Preview Film Screening featuring local Xicano Musicians. The music showcase will feature five local bands that span a range of musical styles, each representing a niche in the San Antonio music scene. The event will also be filmed and included in “PAX,” a documentary project produced and directed by Nicolas R. Valdez.  The documentary project explores the struggles facing musicians, bands and venue owners, as well as cultural ties. The participating bands are: Felipe Jr & The Free Thinkers; Bexar Brass; Combo Cosmico; Joaquin & the Glowliners; and Los Nahuatlatos with special guest Nick Gaitan. Community members will be invited to participate in the filming of this live event for a documentary on the San Antonio Xicano music scene.
(May 25, 7-11 p.m.; Dakota East Side Ice House, 433 S. Hackberry, 78203; free; for more info go to www.conjuntoblues.com)

 Hell, Fire and Chaos – The Best of British Rock & Metal is the title of the upcoming US tour by two British legends of the genres:  Uriah Heep and Saxon. With almost 50 studio albums and numerous live records, these artists will truly bring to us “the best of British Rock and Metal.” (May 30 at 7:30 p.m.; Tobin Center; tickets via phone 210-223-8624 or in person at the box office, 100 Auditorium Circle, 78205; tickets start at $49.50)

Speaking of the Tobin, the venue will host five shows of a local production of Rock of Ages at the smaller Alvarez Studio Theater. It’s 1980’s rock & roll, described as “insanely fun.”  What you’ll hear is the music of Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi and others. (May 23-26, times vary, check website; tickets $49 – $!09; to purchase see above.)

Big star, Justin Timberlake’s Tomorrow World Tour stops at Frost Bank Center May 29. (May 29 at 7:30 p.m.; 1 Frost Bank Center Drive, 78219; tickets are $59-$319+; get tickets at www.stubhub.com-justin-timberlake-san-antonio-tickets-5-29-2024)

Another big star, Miranda Lambert and guests Wade Bowen and Adam Hood, will entertain crowds for three consecutive days: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at the Whitewater Amphitheater. Her “Palomino” solo album from 2022 is considered one of the best Country albums of the year. (Whitewater Amphitheater, 11860 FM 306, New Braunfels; tickets are $101.64 – $184; www.whitewaterrocks.com)

Sarah Jarosz was nominated for a GRAMMY when she released her first album at the age of 18. To date, she has released six studio albums, received ten GRAMMY nominations and four GRAMMY wins. She will perform in San Antonio at Stable Hall. (May 25 at 8 p.m.; Stable Hall, 307 Pearl Parkway, 78215; tickets start at $35; www.stablehall.com)

In Boerne, you may want to check out Music on the Mile an event created for music lovers to enjoy a variety of popular solo and small group performances. (Music scheduled from noon to 10 p.m.; Boerne Hill Country Mile, South Main St., Boerne, 78006; 830-249-8192; www.musiconthemile.com/ Visit the site to see list of performers.)

And there are some upcoming dance shows!  Flamenco enthusiasts will not want to miss “Ida y Vuelta
Flamenco Night” featuring Julia Alcantara, who is a dancer and singer, in addition to being the director of the show. She’s based in North Texas and has performed in Dallas, San Francisco, in Spain and South Korea. The cast includes male dancer Jorge Robledo, singer/guitarist Marcos Bastian and Carlos Abejorro, dancer and guitar & cajon player. (May 24 at 8 p.m.; Stable Hall, 307 Pearl Parkway, 78215; info@stablehall.com; www.stablehall.com)

The San Antonio Youth Ballet will present excerpts from “Don Quixote” at the Arneson River Theater downtown. (Sunday, May 26 at 6:15 p.m.; 418 La Villita, 78205; 210-269-8581; you can call Youth Ballet at 210-802-7931 or email at info@sanantonioballetschool.com)

The visual arts scene is quite lively in San Antonio and the Hill Country. Here’s a major event that looks promising: The 21^st Annual Texas Masters of Fine Art & Craft Invitational Show will be held May 24-26 with 25 award-winning Texas Artists exhibiting their work. It’s open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; YO Resort Hotel, 2033 Sidney Baker (Hwy 16), Kerrville, Texas 78028’ for info call 469-223-4162; www.texasmasters.com)

Carros y Cultura: Lowriding Legacies in Texas Exhibition. The exhibit at the Bullock Museum in Austin, includes multiple lowrider cars, bikes, and artifacts from San Antonio’s lowrider community and features prominently the work of San Antonio well-known photographer, Al Rendon. You’ll have a chance to learn what makes a custom car a lowrider car in an interactive touchscreen mural. Learn about how car and driver maintain a legacy that has been nurtured across generations. (Every day through Sept. 2; Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave., Austin, 78701; 512-936-8746; www.thestoryoftexas.com/visit/exhibits/carros-y-cultura

There’s a new exhibit at the Prudencia Gallery, featuring the work of artist Steven G. Smith under the title “Postcards.” The opening reception is this Saturday, May 25, from 2-4 p.m. An artist talk will take place June 15 at 3 p.m. Art Gallery Prudencia, 2518 N. Main, 78212, 210-422-8681

The 5^th Antique Barn Sale, organized by the New Braunfels Conservation Society will have a wide-range of antiques and craft items for sale. It can be a nice Sunday outing. (May 26, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Historic Old Town Museum, 1300 Church Hill Drive, New Braunfels 78130.) This is one day out of the year that Conservation Society opens its historic barn full of antiques.  They call it the “honey hole” event.

And here’s something for all of you dog lovers: “Dogs in Art” featuring works by local artists, including
Finis Collins, Gaby Flores, Kally O’Connor, Bill Bristol, Toryn Autry, and a few others. The event benefits Vision Guide Dogs. (May 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Makers Studio, 1100 Austin Hwy, 78209; 210-859-6638)

Serbian-American artist, Maya Sokovic, is hosting a Pop Art Sale of her work. Her work explores the impact of our environment, using color as the driving force (May 25, 3-8 p.m.; The Artist Collective, 6702 N. New Braunfels Ave.)

Artpace San Antonio has announced its fall 2024 International Artists in Residence. They are:
Celia Eberle from Ennis, Texas; Consuelo Jimenez Underwood from California, and Julianny Volquez, from the Dominican Republic. They were selected by guest curator Beverly Adams. They begin their residency July 22 and their work will be exhibited at a public opening on Sept. 12, 2024. Note: The Artpace building is undergoing maintenance work and will be closed through July 5.

The Overtime Theater is presenting “In a Margaret Atwood Minute,” a new dystopian drama by Anne Valentino. The story takes place in the not-too-distant future with a country under siege – books are being banned, education on gender and ethnic studies are a thing of the past. Even flags that dare stray outside the carefully colored lines of “patriotism” are no longer allowed. The play centers around Luce Calderon, representative of the “Books for a Better Life” lobby who embarks on a hero journey “fit for a Margaret Atwood saga.” (Runs June 7- June 29; Fridays & Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.; tickets are $18 general admission. Overtime Theater, 5409 Bandera Rd.., Ste 205, 78238; 210-577-7562; www.theovertimetheater.org)

And you can still catch “West Side Story’ at the San Pedro Playhouse until June 2. Reviews are positive and we are all familiar with the beautiful music and the energetic dance that we have seen on film and stage. (Tickets are $20-$50, including fees; San Pedro Playhouse in San Pedro Park. Get tickets at
www.stubhub.com/west-side-story-san-antonio-tickets)