News Roundup, Nov. 10, 2022
San Antonio art lovers and collectors always look forward to the Contemporary at Blue Star’s annual Red Dot Show and Art Sale, a major fundraiser for the oldest contemporary art organization in town, featuring the work of nearly 100 San Antonio artists. The event raises funds for the organization’s exhibitions, education programs and outreach initiatives. The proceeds from Red Dot are shared between the artist and the Contemporary, formerly known as the Blue Star Contemporary.
Each year, the art center also recognizes a couple of honorees whose “creative contributions have made a lasting impact on the city’s art community.” The 2022 honorees are artist, Andy Benavides, and arts patron, chef Johnny Hernandez. In addition, the arts education champion S.M.A.R.T., is also honored as a nonprofit that nurtures “creative minds and builds community through experiential art education.”
In a way, the Contemporary is a unique organization in San Antonio. It was actually founded by artists for artists back in 1986, when those artists felt that local museums were not interested in showing their work. Our editor was there at that first gathering, teaming with enthusiastic people in a non-air-conditioned big warehouse in the Blue Star industrial complex. Today, the place is run by a professional staff; hosts a series of events and exhibitions, including an international exchange program, and is often involved in collaborations with other arts organizations. (Opening night celebration is on Nov. 9, 7-10 p.m.; $50; on view through Jan. 8, 2023; 116 Blue Star, 78204; 210-227-6960, www.contemporarysa.org)
At the Briscoe Western Art Museum, you can have a very different arts experience during the museum’s upcoming Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival, which will highlight both traditional and contemporary Native American cultures. In addition to pow-wow drum circles and dancing, visual artists will demonstrate painting, printmaking, weaving and carving techniques and let you try your hand at all of those arts. You can make your own drum or birch-tree yarn painting, make a leather mendallion or a piece of pottery. For some, it may be the start of an interest – and perhaps career – in art. (Nov.19, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; 210 W. Market St., 210-299-4499 or www.briscoemuseum.org; free)
Lots happening in music as always.
The San Antonio Chamber Music Society is bringing to town the Imani Winds, the twice Grammy nominated ensemble that has led “both a revolution and evolution” of the wind quintet, through adventurous programming, collaborations and outreach efforts. They have expanded the wind quintet repertoire by commissioning music from contemporary composers. A review in the Philadelphia Inquirer said this: “The signature contribution of this group is a technical ease with extravagant gestures, intense production of sound, and the daring expressive liberties that come only after musicians have developed a sixth sense of ensemble bonding.” The program will include works by D’Rivera, Leon, Villa-Lobos, Pixinguinha, Del Aguila and Piazolla, chosen to represent Cuba, Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. This is the SACMS 80th season. (Nov. 13 at 3:15 p.m., Temple Beth-El; tickets are $25 at the door, students and military get free admission; www.sacms.org)
On Nov. 15, Tuesday Musical Club is bringing to town another distinguished musician – the 2017 Van Cliburn Bronze Medalist, Daniel Hsu. Described by the Philadelphia Inquirer as a “poet… (with) an expressive edge to his playing that charms, questions and coaxes, pianist Hsu is recognized for his easy virtuosity and bold musitianship.” (Nov. 15 at 2 p.m.; Laurel Heights United Methodist Church, 227 W. Woodlawn Ave., free parking; seating is first come-first served; tickets are $25 sold online or at the door; season tickets are $75.; www.satmc.org or call 210-710-7582 or satuesdaymusicalclub@gmail.com)
Agarita Chamber Players, a very busy quartet of talented and generous musicians, will present two of their Humble Hall concerts this Saturday, Nov. 12. “Humble Hall” refers to their free outdoor concerts performed from the back platform of a truck. (First concert at 11 a.m. at Johnston Library, 6307 Sun Valley Dr.; second concert at 3 p.m. at McAllister Park near the Pump Track; bring folding chairs or blankets.)
Two Agarita musicians will also join clarinetist, Mark Dover from the Imani Winds, in a concert tonight, Nov 10. On the program: music by Stravinsky, Brahms and Poulenc. San Antonio College.
If you would like to support the ensemble that’s offering so many free programs, a fundraiser is scheduled for Nov. 16 at the Roosevelt Library, which is an event venue, not a library. For more info go to www.agarita.org.
A couple of dance events have attracted our attention.
The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center is presenting an original production – “Soy Malintzin” – inspired by the exhibit “Traitor, Survivor, Icon: The Legacy of La Malinche” at the San Antonio Museum of Art. The Dance company will be accompanied by the Mariachi Azteca de America, the resident mariachi ensemble at the center. The production was commissioned by SAMA. The dance show re-envisions the controversial legacy of this indigenous girl who became Hernan Cortes’ interpreter, and eventually his mistress and mother of his first son, Martin. The dance production is choreographed by Juan Carlos Gaytan of Colima, Mexico. (Nov. 18, GCAC, 1301 Guadalupe St., 78207; tickets are $20-$30; 210-271-3151 or online www.guadalupeculturalarts.org)
Speaking of La Malinche, SAMA is presenting a lecture by Teresa Eckmann, professor of Modern and Contemporary Latin American history at UTSA: “Constructing the Indigenous Feminine Ideal: Alfredo Ramos Martinez.” Apparently, he greatly contributed to “Malinche’s visual history.” (Nov. 15 at 6 p.m.; free for members, $5 for non-members. If you join virtually, you can pay what you wish.)
The other dance event is about Puerto Rican folkloric dance. The Puerto Rican Heritage Society is bringing to town members of the Ballet Sangre Viva from Puerto Rico to present “Tres Culturas, Un Puerto Rico” a folkloric dance and music celebration of the three cultures that created Puerto Rican history: the Taino, who are the indigenous people of the island, Spaniards and Africans. (Nov. 12, 7 p.m.; McAllister Auditorium, 1300 San Pedro Ave., doors open at 6 p.m.; tickets $30 through Eventbrite; for more info visit www.coquisa.org)
The 28th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza hosts the largest mariachi group vocal and songwriting competition in the world, attracting more than 800 talented musicians, vocalists and composers from the U.S., culminating in a concert featuring competition winners, plus Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan. This competition is taking place here in San Antonio. (No. 17-18 at the Lila Cockrell Theater; the public is invited to attend. Admission wristbands can be purchased at the entrance. Tickets for the big event on Friday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com)
For music of a different kind, try Amon Amarth, a Swedish “melodic death metal band” inspired by Viking history. (Nov. 14, Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., 210-812-4355, www.theaztectheatre.com; two other groups are also included)
We rarely include comedy events but we can’t skip this one: Chris Rock’s tour “Ego Death Tour” (good name!) which stops at the Majestic Theater for several performances. (Nov. 10, 11 & 12 at 8 p.m.; Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston; tickets $49.50 – $350; 210-226-3333, www.majesticempire.com)
The Woodlawn Theater Company which has changed its name to Wonder Theater, is not quite ready to move to its new digs at the Wonderland of the Americas Mall. So, they will be producing shows at the Woodlawn Theater for another few months. They have announced the 2023 season which will start late, in March, with the Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime, which will be the final production in their old home. We’ll tell you more about their season as things develop. (Woodlawn Theater, www.woodlawntheatre.org)
A new theater company, Real Life Productions has a mission: “to provide low-cost, world-class theater productions and entertainment to underserved communities.” The main focus will be on seniors. There aren’t many plays & musicals written from the viewpoint of older people, and there are relatively few opportunities for older actors to perform. Those are great goals, especially since San Antonio has a good number of talented, experienced actors. The company’s first production is “The Sunset Club,” currently playing at the Cellar Theater of the Public Theater of San Antonio. The play is set in a retirement home for single women over 55 who have been or still are employed by the Motion Picture Industry. (Nov. 10-13 and Nov. 17-20; Thursday-Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.; the Public Theater is the resident company at the San Pedro Playhouse in San Pedro Park; tickets can be purchased by calling 210-891-9678 or on the website www.reallifeproductions.org/upcoming-events)
News in Brief:
The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center is the producer of the annual Tejano Conjunto Festival. At present, the organization is inviting interested individuals to submit designs for the fest’s poster. The contest is open to all, from middle schoolers to adults, and the winner will receive $2,000. The winning design will be used for all festival marketing materials. The fest returns May 17-21, 2023. The designs must include the words “Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio 2023.” The entry form can be downloaded from https://guadalupeculturalarts.org/tejano-conjunto-festival/
Ballet San Antonio is once again soliciting nomination for the Mother Ginger role in the “Nutcracker.” The person need not be a dancer. The nominees should be individuals who have contributed to the community in a meaningful way. Males and females can be nominated. Mother Ginger appears on stage wearing a huge, heavy skirt that hides the little polichinelles. If enough people are nominated, each performance – and there will be seven – will feature a different Mother Ginger. The scene with Mother Ginger is one of the most endearing and amusing moments in the ballet. To nominate go to www.balletsanantonio.org/mother-ginger-nomination/
Bihl Haus Arts is inviting the public to come to the talk with John Phillip Santos, who will discuss the current exhibit by artist Andy Villarreal – “Galactic Mayan Gods.” If you have not seen the exhibit, this is your opportunity. The artwork is unique, intriguing, beautiful and just plain fun. (Nov. 12, at 2 p.m.; Bihl Haus Arts, 2803 Fredericksburg Rd. 78201; 210-383-9723, www.bihlhausarts.org) For more, you can read the Q&A with the artist on this site.