News Roundup, Oct.31, 2024

News and Commentary

NEWS ROUNDUP, Nov. 1, 2024

The best part of this season is the abundance of great music in our halls great and small.

Upcoming events range from symphonic music and choral events to theatrical humor combined with dazzling operatic singing.

The Mid-Texas Symphony will present Jean Sibelius’ Second Symphony that moves “from darkness to triumph, symbolically conveying Finland’s fight for Independence.” Also on the program is the powerful Trumpet Concerto by Armenian composer Alexander Arutiunian, which will be performed by the virtuosic Michah Wilkinson, principal trumpet of the Pittsburg Symphony. (Nov. 3 at 4 p.m.; Canyon
High School Performing Arts Center, 1510 I-35, New Braunfels, 78130; 830-463-5353; tickets $30-$55;
boxoffice@mtsymphony.org)

Alamo City Symphony VIVA will present “Dreams and Fate,” including Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, and Falla’s “Nights in the Gardens of Spain.” Falla was born in Andalusia and the work reflects the Hispano-Arabic past of the region. The VIVA musicians will be joined by pianist Paul Jensen in the Falla piece. (Nov. 3 at 4 p.m.; Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, 825 E. Basse Rd., 782209; visit www.AlamoCityArts.org for tickets and more information.)

Also, on Nov. 3, you will have a chance to enjoy the YOSA Philharmonic’s concert “Star-Crossed” that’ll feature “passionate music” that brings the famed Shakespeare’s lovers, Romeo and Juliet, to life. Featuring jazz-inspired music from “West Side Story” and James Moore on electric guitar, with YOSA’s Capriccio Strings and a Brass Fanfare, it promises to be a treat. (Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.; Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 115 Auditorium Circle, 78205; 210-223-8624; www.tobincenter.org)

Music from St. Mark’s will present Maurice Durufle’s Requiem to celebrate the Feast of All Saints. The work is scored for baritone and mezzo-soprano soloists, mixed choir, orchestra and organ. That’s bound to sound grand. (Nov. 3 at 4 p.m.; St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 315 Pecan St., 78205; 210-226-2426;
https://stmarks-sa.org)

Here’s an opportunity to hear American composer’s Kim Helweg’s “American Fantasy”, a composition for two pianos and two percussionists. Also on the program are Lutoslawski’s “Variations on a theme by Paganini.” The concert will be performed by the Lux Musicae Chamber Ensemble at Northwest Vista College. (Palmetto Center for the Arts at Northwest Vista College; 3535 N. Ellison Dr., 78251; 210-486-4527; NVC-Palmetto@alamo.edu)

And here’s a true treat! The San Antonio Philharmonic, the premier professional orchestra in the city, will perform the grand Symphony No. 9. By Beethoven, the first symphony that also features choral music. This concert celebrates the 200th anniversary of the work, that will be “crowned” by the powerful “Ode to Joy” finale. More about it next week) (Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. and 17at 2 p.m.; Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston; tickets $25-$110 at www.majesticempire.com/events/sa-phil-beethoven)

Organist Sabrina Adrian, who is the organist at First Presbyterian Church in Kerrville, will perform her
All Hallows’ Day pipe-organ concert this Friday. The concert is free and open to all. The concert will be light in spirit and welcoming to “saints and sinners.” (Nov. 1 at 4 p.m.; Kerrville First Presbyterian Church,
800 Jefferson in Kerrville). And there’s a concert in the famous Cave without a Name: “Songs and Prayers” – Joseph Kuipers (Nov. 9, 2024; for more info visit www.cavewithoutaname.com)

Shynyribs defies genres as a sonic melting pot. The Austin-based supergroup is led by Kevin Russell who is the frontman. The ensemble was named “Best Austin Band” at the Austin Chronicle’s Austin Music Awards in 2017 $ 18. (Nov. 2 at 6:30 p.m.; Arcadia Live Theater, 717 Water St., Kerrville, 78028; 830-315-5483; boxoffice@thearcadialive.org)

The country music band, Midland – known for its chart-topping hits -will be at the Tech Port Arena Saturday with special guest Wilder Blue. (Nov. 2 at 8 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m.; tickets are $49.50 – $89.50 at www.etix.com/tickets)

Let’s briefly explore other arts fronts.

 Just after closing its fall production of “Don Quixote,” Ballet San Antonio” has another ballet event for San Antonians; “Ballet in the Park,” specifically, Travis Park. They will present excerpts from “Don Quixote” and “The Nutcracker.” It’s a very pleasant experience that aspiring little ballerinas will love. Bring your chairs and blankets; food vendors will be on site; free. (Nov. 2 at 7 p.m., Travis Park, 301 E. Travis St.,)

For a different kind of dance, you can check the Karavan Studio’s show -belly dance – at the Jump-Start Theater, featuring Saqra and David of RaksBand and dancers from the local Karavan Studio. (Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. – Improvised Dance to Midlde Eastern Music.; Jump-Start Theater, 710 Fredericksburg Rd., 78201;
210-227-5867; www.jump=start.org)

The traditional Indian festival of Lights, Diwali SA, will take place Saturday at Hemisfair and the Arneson River Theater downtown. It will feature the traditional floating candles and fireworks, as well as folk dances, food and art. (4:30 p.m. – midnight; free)

Centro Cultural Aztlan is continuing its tradition by presenting its 47th annual Dia de Los Muertos with a dual exhibition. Galeria Expresion 1 will feature Las Catrinas exhibition by Frank W. Harris III, a series of paintings depicting the folkloric image of La Catrina in different traditional regional regalia. The other exhibit – the 47th Annual Altares y Ofrendas – will be in Galeria Expresion II. This one illustrates the artistic, cultural and religious facets of this popular pre-Columbian tradition where death is seen as a natural part of life, and this reality is approached with humor and celebration of life. Seven artists created the Altar exhibits. (Centro Aztlan, 1899 Fredericksburg RD, 103; 78201; 210-432-1896;
https://centroaztlan.org/)
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