Arts Alive San Antonio

“Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons – The Last Encores” features Valli himself and the Four Seasons in a show at the Tobin Center. They are apparently still going strong despite advanced age. Valli’s career with the Four Seasons, and his solo career, have produced countless hit singles. Among his hits are “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” and many others. Some 200 artists have done cover versions of his songs. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons have sold 100 million records worldwide. The current tour is probably their last.  What’s more, The Broadway musical, “JERSEY BOYS” tells the group’s story in a dramatized format and is currently playing in cities across the U.S. (The Tobin show is on Oct. 26 at 8 p.m.; H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center; tickets are $73-$303, at tickets@tobincenter.org or call box office 210-223-8624)

Another big star will also grace the Tobin’s stage in a few days: Gladys Knight, who has recorded more than 38 albums in her career, including four solo albums. And she has been active on many fronts. This past March, she received the National Medal of Arts, and she will be honored as a 2024 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree. (Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m.; Tobin Center; tickets are $49.50-$159.50.
tickets@tobincenter.com or call box office 210-223-8624)

San Antonio-based Agarita Chamber Players quartet loves to collaborate with other artists. This time, the group has paired up with poet Jenny Browne, who was San Antonio’s third Poet Laureate. “The show invites poetry to the dance of musical expression The concert will also feature Samantha Bennett on violin and George Nickson on percussion,” says the press release. (Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m.; Kelso Center, San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Pl. 78209; free and open to all. Reception to follow; indoor, patio and lawn seating available.)

YOSA, the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, is presenting “Star-Crossed,” a program of passionate music inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless tale of tragic young love. The concert will feature Tchaikovsky’s lush
“Romeo and Juliet” Overture-Fantasy, and selections from Prokofiev’s dramatic “Romeo and Juliet” ballet. Reimagining the story in 20^th century New York city, Bernstein’s “West Side Story Overture inspires with jazz rhythms and harmonies. In addition, electric guitarist, James Moore, will be the featured soloist in the Texas premiere of Daron Hagen’s “Film Noir: electric guitar concerto. (Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.; Tobin Center; tickets $15 – $35; www.yosa.org/starcrossed)

The ROD WAVE Last Lap Tour stops at the Frost Bank Center on Oct. 30. The artist’s full name is Rodarius Marcell Green and he is considered a pioneer of “trap-soul” but also plays R&B, hip-hop and rap He rose to prominence with his 2019 single “Heart of Ice.” (Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. Frost Bank Center, 1 Frost Bank Center Way; tickets are $65.50 – $245+ at www.ticketmaster.com)

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in Concert will be at the Majestic Theater in a few days.
This is one of those spectacles where the movie is shown on a big screen while the music is performed live by an actual orchestra, plus percussion and electronic instrumentalists. For those not familiar with the story of Spider man, we will add that Spider-Man is a superhero of comic books published by Marvel Comics, created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. (Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.; Majestic Theater; 224 E. Houston; tickets are $25-$187 at www.majesticempire.com)

For something quite different, you may visit Stable Hall, which has become a successful concert venue. The upcoming show will feature musician Abraham Alexander who specializes in rustic folk blues, retro soul and contemporary R&B. (Oct. 26 at 8 p.m., doors at 7 p.m.; Stable Hall is at 307 Pearl Parkway; 726-230-8223)

Musical Offerings will team up with Chayito y Los Flamencos de San Antonio for an afternoon of song, flamenco dance and Spanish music for guitar, voice, percussion and strings. The program includes music by Manuel de Falla, Garcia Lorca, Gaspar Sans, and Ravel. (Oct. 27, 3-4:30 p.m.; San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place,78209; tickets are $5(for students) – $20. For more go to https://mymusicalofferings.org)

San Antonio’s longest-running Day of the Dead event – Dia de Los Muertos – at Hemisfair – celebrates its 12^th year with a free two-day festival. Listed as one of the “Seven Best Fall Festivals in the country” by National Geographic, the event merges Dia de los Muertos elements with curated local art, food and live music. The event includes a multi-stage lineup of live performances, dance and poetry. An arts market, featuring original Day of the Dead crafts and artwork is also part of the event. (every day through Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Hemisfair, 434 S. Alamo St., 78205; for more info call 210-709-4750 or
https://muertosfest.com)

And there are festivities at La Villita. Ten giant new skulls will be on display during the festival. They are new additions to San Antonio’s Calavera Collection, featuring 40 “stunning calaveras, hand-painted by local artists, including Connie Chapa, Carolina Flores, Dani Toral, Roma Sandoval, and others.
(Oct. 25-27; for more info contact rubiogallerysouth@gmail.com)

Let’s take a look at what’s going on in San Antonio theaters.

At the San Pedro Playhouse, you can still see “The Rocky Horror Show” through the end of the month. In fact, it will close on Halloween night. You can get $10 off of the ticket price for any remaining performances with promo code LAST10. It’s strictly for the 18+ theatergoers. Following the last performance, you can stay for a spooktacular post-show tour. (800 West Ashby Place. 78212; 210-733-7258, boxoffice@thepublicsa.org)

“Mother Courage and Her Children” by famed playwright Bertolt Brecht, will be staged at the McCreless
Theater at the San Antonio College. Set in the 17^th century, the play follows Mother Courage as she pulls her wagon through Europe’ religious wars. Anna Fierling, aka Mother Courage, is an itinerant trader who sells anything a soldier might need – boots, shirts, liquor- and she has no loyalty to any army. Her hope is that the war will continue so she can stay in business. Ultimately, each of the play’s characters stands to make money through conflict. (Tickets are $5-$15 at the door; Friday-Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.; McCreless Theater, 799 W. Dewey Place; for info call 210-486-0497) The play was produced with the cooperation of the heirs of Bertolt Brecht.

The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center has announced three plays for Teatro Salon Table Reading Series 2024. They are “Las Comadres de Morales Street,” by Irene Chavez; “Pass It On” by Amalia Ortiz, and
“El Monstro,” a play with music by Patricia Zamora. “Las Comadres” is on the schedule for Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. 30 p.m.) and (Nov.3 and 10 at 2:30 p.m.); Address: 702 Donaldson Ave., 78201. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at the door or through Eventbrite (not recommended for young audiences).

At the Woodlawn Point Center for Community and Ad Hoc Productions, you can see “Chapatti” by
Christian O’Reily, directed by well-known San Antonio stage director Tim Hedgepeth, with Linda Ford and Michael Howard portraying the characters. It’s a tender love story about two lonely older animal lovers whose chance encounter with their pets sparks the possibility of a new romance.  (Nov. 1,2,8, and 9 at 7:s from the visual arts front:  The McNay’s fall banner exhibition is “Whitfield Lovell: Passages, the most comprehensive exhibition to date of the artist’s masterful conte crayon drawings, assemblages and multi-sensory installations.” The McNay is the last of six stops for the national tour of “Passages,” presented by the American Federation of Arts. Whitfield Lovell creates exquisite drawings inspired by photos of unidentified African-Americans taken between the Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil Rights Movement. (McNay art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels, 78209)

Through Nov. 4, you can still honor those who passed with the Briscoe’s Community Ofrenda, a heartfelt tribute to loved ones from museum guests and staff. Photos, mementos and personal offerings are welcome. The Ofrenda will be available for viewing and participation during museum hours, every day through Nov.4. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W. Market St., 210-299-4499; www.briscoemuseum.org)
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