Arts Alive San Antonio

Let’s start with some good news from the Public Theater. Just a few weeks ago they sent an alarming announcement about the lack of funds and appealed to the public to make contributions to save the company. They also cancelled the rest of the fall season. Clearly, the situation has improved and the company- which has joined forces with the Classic Theater – sent an email announcing the 2023-24 season, consisting of six shows.

J. Robert “Jimmy” Moore, who is producing-artistic director for both companies, will kick off the new season with a celebratory concert titled “111 Years & Counting! A Legacy of San Pedro Playhouse.” The concert/show will have four performances. It will feature San Antonio performers and Broadway hits

To avoid confusing readers, we would like to add that the Playhouse has housed different theatrical companies over that long time. And the Classic is a relatively new company, established by a group of San Antonio thespians in 2008.

And here’s what’s coming up in the 2023-24 season: “On Golden Pond” (Nov. 2-19, 2023); “A Christmas that have defined “our century-plus journey,” says the press release. Carol” (Dec. 1-17, 2023); “A Raisin in the Sun” (Feb. 8-25, 2024); “Midsummer Sueno” (April 9-14, 2024); “West Side Story” (May 10-June 2, 2024) and “The Boys on the Band” (June 6-23, 2024).
(To find out more and buy season tickets contact the Playhouse at 210-733-7258; https://thepublicsa.org)

The music scene continues to be lively. Several of our distinguished chamber groups have concerts in the upcoming days, and a choral ensemble as well.

Camerata San Antonio’s second concert of the season, “1918-1939: Breaking Away” will feature music composed during the musically rich period between the World Wars, that forges new paths in all directions. Represented composers are Leos Janacek, Germaine Tailleferre and Ernest Bloch. “Each work “breaks away” from the traditions of the 19^th century in uniquely personal directions.” (Sept 29 at 4 p.m., in Kerrville, at the First Presbyterian Church, 800 Jefferson St.; and Oct. 1 at 2 p.m., in San Antonio, at the Christ Episcopal Church, 510 Belknap Place.) Pianist Viktor Valkov will join Camerata members for this concert: violinists Matthew Zerweck and Laura Scalzo, violist Emily Freudigman and cellist Ken Freudigman. (Admission for general seating is $20; reserve tickets at www.cameratasa.org or by calling
210-492-9519. If you would like to find out more about the program, go to www.cameratasa.org)

The AGARITA Chamber Players will present a free solo cello recital by Ignacio Gallego, also on the 29^th. He will play compositions by J.S. Bach, Osvaldo Golijov, Andrea Casarrubios and Gaspar Cassado.
(Sept. 29 at 7 p.m.; Ruth Taylor Recital Hall, Trinity University; free)

The San Antonio Chamber Choir will be presenting “A Sacred Veil” as the opener for their 19^th season.

“We experience “a sacred veil” whenever we are fully engaged in bringing forth the best in ourselves and the best in our sacred circle of friends, family and beyond,” says the concert announcement.

The choir’s 2023-24 season explores this through music that is considered both sacred and secular. The first concert, “The Thirst of Youth” will feature composers from the last five centuries, such as William Byrd, J.S. Bach, Beethoven, Saint Saens, Lili Boulanger, Mozart, Schubert and Golovanov. It’s quite a list!
Contemporary voices are also included, such as Joni Mitchell, Lennon, McCartney and others. An original, commissioned work will also be included. The choir is directed by artistic director Richard Bjella (Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m.; UTSA Recital HALL, One UTSA Circle, 78249, and Oct.1 at 3 p.m. at Travis Park Church, 230 E. Travis St., 78205.)

The Heart of Texas Concert Band also has something special for its season opener, “Dancing the Night Away.” The dancing part will be done by the Alamo City Dance Company. The program includes:
“Four Scottish Dances” by Malcolm Arnold; Grainger’s “Country Gardens” scored for wind band by R. Mark Rogers; Four Dance Episodes from Aaron Copland’s “Rodeo”; Symphonic Dances from “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Five Dances for Five Clarinets” by Alfred Reed, and “Serenata” by Leroy Anderson. That’s sounds like fun! (Oct. 1 at 3 p.m.; Judson Performing Arts Center, 9443 Schaefer Rd., Converse, TX 78109.
Expected donation $10; for more www.HTxCB.org)

And more music! The folks behind the Cactus Pear Music Festival decided that San Antonians need their kind of music during the months between the festivals that take place in the summer. They have come up with a program of music soirees – three, to be specific – that will feature high-caliber music in special venues, combined with receptions and chats with the performing artists. The first upcoming soiree will feature pianist Jeffrey Sykes and vocalist, bass-baritone, Timothy Jones, who is well known to San Antonians. (For more info email cactusexecutive@aol.com.)

Will you be surprised to know that Kerrville is home to a symphony orchestra, charmingly named Symphony of the Hills. Not only do they have a symphony there, that symphony has a tradition of presenting new, commissioned pieces. This time, the Symphony of the Hills will premiere Donald Grantham’s “Everyone Sang” during its first concert of the season. The piece is written for soprano and orchestra in celebration of the 100^th anniversary of Schreiner University. The soloist is Haley Dove Montoya. The new work is based on a poem by Siegfried Sassoon, originally written to celebrate the end of World War 1, and engraved on one of the walls at The Hague. But there’s a lot more. (Oct. 5 at 7 p.m.; Cailloux Theater in Kerrville. The program also includes works by Brahms, Lalo, Elgar and others.; tickets star at $29; box office 830-896-9393)

We told last week about the Jazz’salive Festival, which has moved to the Hemisfair Park. (Sept. 29 at 4 – 11 p.m., and Sept. 30, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.; free; organized by the San Antonio Parks Foundation. For info call 210-709-4750.)

Some big stars are stopping in San Antonio this weekend. Among them is Alejandro Fernandez who will charm his fans at the Frost Bank Center (formerly the AT&T Center) Saturday, Sept. 30. His tour is named Amor y Patria U.S. Tour. He’s known for Mexican folk music. (Sept. 30 at 8:30 p.m.; tickets are $26-$219+)

Becky G’s Mi Casa Tu Casa Tour stops at the Majestic Theater, Sept 29 at 8 p.m.; She’s a superstar who won 4 Latin GRAMMYs, topped charts, and is, apparently, considered as one of the most influential artists of her generation. (Sept. 29, at 8 p.m.; Majestic Theater; tickets are $47 – $199, via Ticketmaster.)

The Jazz fusion “super Band” Spyro Gyra” will visit San Antonio again, stopping at the Carver Center for one of their usually memorable shows. (Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.; Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry, 78202; tickets $50-$62, vis Ticketmaster; For info call 210-207-2334)

On the visual art front, probably the most exciting event coming up is the annual Red Dot Show and sale.
It’s an annual survey that showcases the work of more than 100 San Antonio artists. Everything is for sale. The proceeds benefit the artists and the Contemporary at Blue Star, the longest-running nonprofit organization dedicated to contemporary art in San Antonio. The opening event is scheduled for Oct. 4. 7-10 p.m., at the gallery, at 116 Blue Star, 78204, in the Blue Star complex. Each year an artist is selected as the “honored” one and this year it’s Cathy Cunningham-Little.

You may also be interested in seeing, “This is How We Do It: Art & Family,” an unusual show, describedas “a dual exhibition that features a new series of mixed media portraits by Raul Rene Gonzalez, and a group exhibition of collaborating artists alongside their children. Gonzalez is known for focusing on family life in his paintings, which is quite unusual these days.

Collaborating artists include well-known names, such as Sarah Fox, Albert Gonzales and Caroline Gonzales, Jacqueline Saragosa McGilvray and Shea McGilvray; Daniela Oliver de Portillo and Carmen Oliver. Viewers are invited into the artists’ personal spaces and given a sense of how family might influence or affect their practice as artists. Their children’s art is also in the exhibit. (Clamp Light Studios & Gallery, open through Oct. 7, Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 1704 Blanco Rd. ste.104, 78212; 210-987-7276, clamplightstudios@gmail.com)