Arts Alive San Antonio

You have all heard about the spectacular acrobatic show called Cirque du Soleil, right? Here’s the good news: it’s come back to San Antonio. This version is called Cirque du Soleil BAZZAR, and it will be here until Dec. 3. According to the press kit, “the troupe bands together to invent a whimsical one-of-a-kind universe.” Music, dancers, acrobats, jugglers, trapeze artists, and others, contrive an awe-inspiring spectacle – one full of utter chaos and uplifting beauty,” says the press release. Inspired by the traditional Middle Eastern bazar (market) the show captures the bustling kinetic environment of the centuries-old, open-air market settings with an ensemble of diverse characters. Originally created in 2018, BAZZAR only toured in India and the Middle East before it crossed seas and continents to perform in Brazil., Colombia and Argentina and finally coming to the US for the first time. It is the company’s first return to San Antonio since 2019.

BAZZAR is also a homage to the beginnings of Cirque du Soleil when a small troupe of street artists amazed crowds more than 30 years ago. (Nov. 5 – Dec. 3, 2023; Under the Big Top built at Nelson Wolff Stadium, 5757 US-90 W, 78227; tickets, $46-$56, at www.cirquedusoleil.com/bazzar.

Now let’s look at everything else, including great music. The San Antonio Philharmonic will present its third classics concert this weekend, conducted by guest conductor Stephen Mulligan. The program includes Mozart’s Overture to “The Magik Flute,” Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella Suite,” and Antonin Dvorak’s famed Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.” (Nov. 3 and 4&4 at 7:30 p.m.; First Baptist Church of San Antonio, 515 McCullough Ave., 78216; tickets are $35-$75, available at www.saphil.org or by calling 210-201-6006)

The Classical Music Institute’s concertmaster, Francisco Fullana, will lead the CMI Orchestra in a Baroque music, all-Vivaldi program, ending with the famed “Four Seasons.” (Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m.; pre-show discussion at 6:30 p.m.; Alvarez Theater at the Tobin Center, 100 Auditorium Circle,; info 210-364-3884 or info@cmi-sa.org; tickets $15-$45;  at Tobin box office or tickets@tobincenter.org)

The Hill Country Vocal Arts Society/Hill Country Chorale will present a concert of songs from favorite Broadway musicals like “Wicked,” “Rent,” “Chicago,” “Aspects of Love” and others. (Nov. 4 at 4 p.m.; Tucker Hall, 320 St. Peter St., 78028; 830-257-8162; $15, https://www.stpeterskerrville.com)

Luis Miguel, the Mexican singer and record producer, will be at the Frost Bank Center Saturday. Born in Puerto Rico of a Spanish father and Italian mother, he became the youngest artist in history to win a Grammy at age 14 for a duet with Sheena Easton.  His repertoire includes ballads, boleros, jazz and mariachi music. (Nov. 4 at 8 p.m.; Frost Bank Center, 1 Frost Bank Center Drive, 78219; tickets are $159 – $211+; www.ticketmaster.com)

Corrido artist Junior H will perform at the Freeman Coliseum Sunday. His full name is Antonio Herrera Perez and he calls his current tour the Sad Boyz 2023 Tour. He is quoted as saying that he chose the name Junior H to protect himself from being embarrassed in case his song “Dicen” did not become a hit. So, the failure of the song would not be linked to him (Nov. 5 at 8 p.m.; Freeman Coliseum, 3201 E. Houston St., 78219; Tickets are $102 – $252+ at www.ticketmaster.com)

Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox is a musical collective founded by pianist Scott Bradlee in 2011. The group specializes in reworking popular contemporary music into different older genres, such as swing and jazz. Sound intriguing! (Nov. 4 at 8 p.m., Tobin Center, 100 Auditorium Circle; tickets are $39-$184 at tickets@tobincenter.org or at box office in person, and by calling 210-223-8624)

On Nov 9, superstar Wynonna Judd will headline the Tobin’s Annual Benefit Concert. She’s often referred to as the greatest country singer since Patsy Cline. That can be debated but she certainly is a powerful singer. (Nov. 9 at 8 p.m.; Tobin Center (see address above); tickets start at $69.50; to purchase tickets see above.)

Texas Public Radio presents five-time-Grammy-winner, Christopher Cross at the Espee, the outdoor downtown venue in St. Paul Square. In 1980, He received five Grammys for his debut album, winning the most prestigious awards – Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist.
(Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.; The Espee, 1174 E. Commerce, 78205; tickets are $25-$190. For info call 210-614-8977, http://tpr.org)

The theater scene is still fairly quiet but there are a few shows we want to tell you about. On Golden
Pond, the famous play by Ernest Thompson, is a heartwarming story about love, aging, and family bonds while also exposing the challenges presented by coping with Alzheimer disease. It’s a play that connects with theatergoers on a number of levels. The play was chosen by the Classic Theater of San Antonio “to celebrate longtime Classic Theatre performers and founders, as well as the continued impact of artists 65 and older,” many of whom are still active thespians. Two of the founders will star in the play – Allan Ross and his wife Terri Pena Ross. (Nov. 2-19, the Classic Theater of San Antonio in the Cellar Theater at the San Pedro Playhouse.; tickets, $24 – $39, available at www.ClassicTheatre.org; The San Pedro Playhouse is located in San Pedro Park, at 800 W. Ashby, 78212; 210-733-7258; performances start at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday)

There are always developments on the visual arts scene. The fall artists in residence at Artpace are Sandra Brewster from Toronto, Canada, Aeron Bergman and Alejandra Salinas from Detroit, Michigan and Alexandra Robinson from Austin, Texas. Their creations will be shown in three new exhibitions at the art center, with an opening reception and Artist Talk happening on Nov. 9. The three were selected by guest curator Missla Libsekal. The artists have been in residence at Artpace for eight weeks. Artpace is always free and open to the public, so you can stop by to see the exhibitions. (Opening reception is Nov. 9, 6-9 p.m.; Artpace, 445 N. Main Ave., 78205; for more info go to www.artpace.org)

And speaking of Artpace, the non-profit just announced that it received $100,000 Award from the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative. The funds will be used to install solar panels on the renovated rooftop of the building. That project is part of a more extensive rooftop renovation that will create an event space for a greatly expanded schedule of arts programming and an additional venue for building rentals.

At the Witte Museum, they are bringing “Cultural Icons” to discuss the Art of Al Rendon, the photographer who over many years captured distinctive aspects of life in San Antonio. His photo exhibit is currently at the Witte Museum. The dignitaries who will participate in the discussion include Eduardo Diaz, deputy director of the National Museum of the American Latino at the Smithsonian Institution; Chicano Studies scholar Dr. Tomas Ybarra Frausto; Texas History curator at the Witte, Bruce Shackelford, and a few others. The museum’s CEO, Marise McDermott will lead the discussion. (Nov. 5 at 2 p.m.; Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway, 78209; free with museum admission; for more info visit www.WitteMuseum.org)

A unique event will take place at the Carver Community Cultural Center on Monday. The event is titled
“Long Bridge to Freedom” and it will featurea presentation/conversation with Christo Brand, the former prison guard of Nelson Mandela, who became Mandela’s friend, and later was part of his government. He offers authentic insight into Mandela’s thoughts, reflections and hopes for humanity. An organization called SOS – Students of Service, has brought this author to San Antonio. (Nov. 6 at 6 p.m.; Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry, 78202; 210-207-2234; free and books will be sold. https://thecarver.org/event/j-darius/)

Let’s also mention the inaugural Trinity Autumn Festival of the Arts, at Trinity University. Live music, artworks, live theater, dance and more will contribute to the fest. (Starts Nov. 3 and continues through Nov. 15. (Ruth Taylor Fine Arts Center, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Trinity University campus, 1 Trinity Place, 78212; 210-999-7011 or email marketing@trinity.edu)