Arts Alive San Antonio

Thanksgiving weekend is for family gatherings and relaxation, so many arts organizations skip the holiday weekend altogether. Even Ballet San Antonio that used to present its annual “Nutcracker” right after Thanksgiving, has moved its shows into December this year. Hardly any concerts are scheduled for this Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

But San Antonio theaters have risen to the occasion. In the last NEWS ROUNDUP, we told you about “A Christmas Carol – the Musical” which is opening Friday at the Public theater. It’s a familiar story but it is a new production, starring Vincent Hardy as Ebenezer Scrooge under the direction of Tim Hedgepeth. The director was quoted as saying that “all the beloved characters and the memorable lessons jump to life in a spectacular collection of songs and dances, inspiring us to trust the possibilities of kindness and redemption.”

Kindness and redemption and great music! That’s sounds like a winning formula. This musical version ran in NYC annually from 1994 to 2003. In 2004, it was adapted for television, presented by Hallmark Entertainment for NBC In fact, it was also previously staged in San Antonio. (Nov. 25 – Dec. 8; Friday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.; Public Theater of San Antonio, 800 W Ashby, 78212; tickets are $15-$45; call 210-733-7258; https://thepublicsa.org)

Another Christmas story, “White Christmas” is also opening Friday at the Woodlawn Theater.  Lizel Sandoval is the director and Jane Haas is the music director. Songs include “Blue Skies,” “I love a Piano,”
“How Deep is the Ocean” and the title sing “White Christmas.” It’s an uplifting show that’s perfect for the holiday season. (Fridays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. through Dec.23; Woodlawn Theater, 1920 Fredericksburg Rd., tickets are &18-$32; 210-267-8388, www.woodlawntheatre.org)

And the Magik Theater is presenting “The Velveteen Rabbit” about a toy rabbit who yearns to be real. This story has been part of American childhood sine 1922. (Nov. 19-Dec. 24; Magik Theatre, 420 S Alamo; tickets $18 for kids, $22.50 for adults. https://www.magiktheatre.org/thevelveteen-rabbit/ )

Our theaters deserve applause for providing quality entertainment for kids and adults this holiday weekend.

But we did find a couple of concerts and one production of “The Nutcracker.”

On Sunday evening, Nov. 27, The San Antonio Recorder Quartet will observe the first Sunday in Advent with a program featuring traditional Advent music from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque period, along with a few “contemporary arrangements.” The recorders they will use are versions of old recorders from the above-mentioned periods. It’s a unique opportunity to experience this kind of music. (Nov. 27 at 6 p.m.; Christ Lutheran Church of Alamo Heights; 6720 Broadway; 78209, 210-822-3394; You can reach the San Antonio Recorder Quartet by calling 210-434-2040 or gself@att.net)

The San Antonio Choral Society is presenting its Eighth Annual Charity MESSIAH, featuring a chamber orchestra and soloists. A portion of ticket sales will go to support youth literacy. This is the Society’s 58^th season. (Nov. 27 at 4 p.m.; St. John’s Lutheran Church, 502 E Nueva St.; www.sanantoniochoralsociety.org)

Another notable concert, Winterlude, will be performed by the UTSA Orchestra and Choirs. Actually, it’s a series of concerts featuring students from all areas in the UTSA School of Music. The final night features the orchestra and choirs coming together for a grand finale, to conclude the fall 2022 semester. They will perform both classical and modern works “in the spirit of the holidays.” (Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.; UTSA Recital Hall, One UTSA Circle, 78249: tickets $10, 210-458-4011; www.music.utsa.edu)

The Quenedit Dance Theater, a junior dance company, will present its eighth annual performance of “The Nutcracker” ballet with the help of professional dancers Rafael Quenedit and Melissa Gelfin De-Poli, who are principal dancers of the Cincinnati Ballet. The two will dance the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. (Nov. 26 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov.27 at 2 p.m.; Lila Cockrell Theatre, 200 E. Market St., 78201; tickets $40; 210-207-8500; https://queneditdance.org/; the company’s phone is 210-535-4165)

Murals are all the rage in San Antonio and two new ones are being unveiled Monday. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and community celebration event will dedicate the two art murals at the Ramirez Community Center in Council District 4. The massive murals, titled “Motivated Community” and “Joyful Momentum” can be seen on two exterior walls of the center. They are the work of an artistic team consisting of Adriana Garcia, Manila Ramirez and Maria Ramirez. The project is the first painted mural with a sports and recreation theme in the city’s public art collection, which is steadily growing. (Monday, Nov. 28, event starts at 5 p.m.; Ramirez Community Center, 1011 Gillette Blvd.)

November is Veterans Month at the Bihl Haus Arts. Veteran and artist Patrick Putze ‘s exhibit titled Perception-Reality-Projections,officially opens Nov. 26. In this body of work, Putze explores his love of film along with his 21 years of military service in the Air Force, and how the two intersected and profoundly impacted him. (Nov. 26 at 5 p.m.; Bihl Haus Arts, 2803 Fredericksburg Rd., 78201, on the property of the Sorento Apartments. It’s free but RSVPs are expected, 210-383-9723 or www.bihlhausarts.org

Every year, the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library recognize individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the arts in our community. (Our editor was one of them) This year marks the 50th anniversary of the award ceremony. The 2022 event is scheduled for Nov. 25, 2-4 p.m.at the Mission Library, 3134 Roosevelt Ave., 78214, 210-207-2704; http://www.friendsofsapl.org

Holiday shopping is upon us and holiday markets are popping up, including one at South Park Mall. Museums are joining in, too. They are inviting you to explore their gift shops, especially this Sunday, Nov. 27. All local art museums are participating in this effort: The Briscoe Western Art Museum, the McNay Art Museum, the San Antonio Museum of Art and the Witte Museum. This year, more than 1,800 museum stores across the U.S. are participating. (Museum Store Sunday is Nov. 27, during normal museum hours.) And while you are there, you may as well take a look at the exhibits and collections.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OUR READERS