Arts Alive San Antonio

Since last week’s NEWS ROUNDUP was dislodged from its regular spot due to the Thanksgiving holiday, we are offering this abbreviated version, covering upcoming arts events and developments.

Let’s begin with the laughs! Funny guy, Jaston Williams – he of the “Greater Tuna” fame – will bring the new version of his solo show, “Blood and Holly” to the Tobin Center for several performances in the Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater, starting on Friday, Dec. 3. The show was inspired by his memories of Christmas in his childhood home. Don’t expect sweet nostalgia. The situation is described as “a warped hybrid of Toyland and Franco’s Spain.” Laughs are guaranteed. (Dec. 3 at 8:30 p.m.; Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 5 at 2 p.m.; tickets $34.50 – $44. 50; Alvarez Theater, Tobin Center, 100 Auditorium Circle; tickets@tobincenter.org.

A different holiday show is playing at the Woodlawn Theater. “Elf the Musical” is based on the 2003 New Line Cinema film, about a young orphan who accidentally crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and ends up transported to the North Pole. Considered an elf, he grows up unaware that he is a human being. But he eventually travels back to earth to discover who he really is.  Directed by Chris Rodriguez, the show features Ivan Ortega in the title role.  Throughout the run, the Woodlawn will be collecting donations for the Food Bank. To see which foods are needed, go the www.woodlawntheatre,org. (The show runs through Dec. 23, with special performances Dec. 21^st, 22^nd, and 23rd at 7 p.m. Regular Friday-Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.; tickets $18-$30; call 210-267-8338 or go to the website.)

Another funny show, “Las Nuevas Tamaleras, will be staged at the Carver Community Cultural Center, this week. Produced by Burras Finas Productions, this heartwarming play has been around a long time. It focuses on women just learning to make tamales while the spirits of more experienced predecessors, Dona Mercedes and Dona Juanita, interact with them. (Dec. 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec 5 at 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.; tickets $25, Carver Center, 226 N. Hackberry; Carver box office 210-207-2234, www.thecarver.org)

A big musical event that happens only once a year is the upcoming 27^th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza, one of the largest and longest-running mariachi music festivals in the U.S. It has been held annually in San Antonio since 1995, thanks to the initiative and efforts of the Munoz Public Relations agency led by Cynthia Munoz. The Mexico City-based 14-member Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan are the main attraction. In addition to performing, the ensemble members conduct various workshops and judge instrumental and vocal competitions of the young and upcoming artists. These opportunities attract nearly 1,000 student musicians. According to the press release, San Antonio is the “undisputed birthplace of the U.S. mariachi festival movement. The 2021 Extravaganza event is sponsored by Cano Health. (Mariachi Vargas’ performance is Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lila Cockrell Theater; tickets at www.ticketmaster.com and the Alamodome Box Office, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Mariachi competitions will be held Dec. 3-4, also at the Lila Cockrell.; for more info go to www.munozpublicrelations.com)

The Symphony of the Hills will offer a free livestream of its “Holiday Hopes” concert on Thursday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cailloux Theater in Kerrville. (910 Main)The special concert will feature 50 singers from UTSA and a 60-piece orchestra conducted by the organization’s Music Director Eugene Dowdy. On the program: Overture to “Hansel and Gretel” by Englebert Humperdinck; “Christmas in Lapland” by Peter Lawson, Christmas Carol Sing along, and, most notably, Beethoven’s Symphony No.9, Finale. (To reserve seats, go to www.caillouxperformingarts.com or call 830-896-9393; tickets start at $25; for more info go to www.symphonyofthehills.org; The online stream can be accessed by visiting the latter website. It’s free although donations are encouraged.)

The big dance event is, of course, Ballet San Antonio’s “The Nutcracker” which once again will feature a huge cast, including 100 kids, in addition to the BSA professional company. As in previous recent years, the choreography is by Easton and Haley Smith, former baller dancers who now reside in New Braunfels. Various San Antonio personalities will appear in the role of Mother Ginger. (Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 5 at 2 p.m.; another group of performances will take place Dec. 10- Dec. 12 as follows: Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 12 at 2 p.m.; Tobin Center, 100 Auditorium Circle; tickets at tickets@tobincenter.org or call 210-223-8624)

The literary organization, VOICES DE LA LUNA, is presenting its first December workshop on the topic seldom considered in poetry: humor. It will take place via Zoom Dec. 2 at 6 p.m., led by poet Dario Beniquez. Voices Workshop Registration Form (google.com)

Another poetry event, a reading, is scheduled for this coming Thursday also online, via Zoom. Several poets whose poems are included in the recently published “Easing the Edges” collection will read and talk about their work, including Martha K. Grant, Chara Booker, Spirit Thom, Sandi Stromberg & Susan Donnelly. To join the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/i/82651889296.