Arts Alive San Antonio

Plenty of news on all fronts!

The Briscoe Western Art Museum is about to open a new exhibit that focuses on the photography of Thomas D. Mangelsen, one of the most important wildlife photographers of our time. According to the press release, the show “includes a stunning scale of images,” including his best-known works, such as “Catch of the Day,” a photo that is often referred to as “the most famous wildlife photograph in the world.” Though he was a hunter early in life, Mangelsen is now an advocate for the preservation and protection of wild animals and their habitat. The exhibit features 40 photographs taken across the American West and beyond.

Photos of bears may attract special attention. Included in the exhibit are two famous ones – “Polar Dance” that shows polar bears “dancing” and “Mountain Outlaw” which captures a grizzly bear charging through the snow.

 Mangelsen was named the 2011 Conservation Photographer of the Year by Nature’s Best Photography, and his photos are in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in D.C. (Opens Sept 30; on view through Jan. 29, 2023; Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W. Market St.; 210-299-4499, for hours and tickets go to www.briscoemuseum.org; )

The McNay Art Museum is also about to open a new exhibit, True Believers: Benny Andrews & Deborah Roberts, which looks at the Black experience in America through the work of these two artists from different generations. The exhibition was organized by the museum’s head of curatorial affairs, Rene Barilleaux and assistant curator, Lauren Thompson. Roberts is a contemporary artist living in Austin, while Andrews lived mostly in the 20^th century, though he died in 2006. He was an activist who fought for greater inclusion of African-American artists and curators in New York City’s art institutions. Barilleaux found “a deep connection” between the two artists, who both used collage elements in their work, and explored themes of racial injustice, activism, family and religion. (Opens Oct. 6; on view through Jan. 22, 2023; McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels, 78209, 210-824-5368, www.mcnayart.org.

Another exhibit at the McNay you may not be aware of is “Something Wicked: Susan Hilferty Costumes” located in the Tobin Theater Arts and Brown Galleries. Hilferty won the Tony Award for Best Costume Design for the costumes she created for the musical “Wicked” in 2004. A number of people worked on this exhibit, including curator R.Scott Blackshire and Hilferty herself.(On view through March 26, 2023; for address and contact info, see above.)

The Witte Museum has a whole lineup of exhibits this fall, starting with “Monster Fish: In Search of the Last River Giants, which opens next week. Though not an art show, we are including it here as an educational adventure. These giants swim in rivers, not in oceans, and play an important role in both culture and ecosystems. (Opens Oct. 8, on view through Jan. 2023; Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway, 78209; www.wittemuseum.org; a special exhibit ticket required.)

For a different kind of art experience, get downtown for the 2022 Chalk It Up, organizedby Artpace.  The event started downtown and it’s now back there after being more delocalized across the city in the most recent years. Though we liked the less centralized, city-wide approach, if you want to participate or watch this year, you have to get yourself to Houston St. The 2022 Chalk-It-Up will include local artists, school and community teams, and the public. The theme is The San Antonio River.

In addition, Artpace is commissioning artists to create 8’x10’ murals during that day. Quite a few artists are involved, including Margaret Craig, Sarah Fox, Andrei Renteria, Brittany Ham, Crystal Rocha, Ana Hernandez and others. (Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Houston St. between N. Presa and N. Flores)

Our city’s airport is also home to many art works by San Antonio artists. The latest addition, which we believe is temporary is “Don’t Leave it to Chance,” a colorful, visually attractive “sculpture” created by SAY SI’s Visual Art high-school students to encourage breast cancer screenings. The piece is constructed with bras and ties donated by breast cancer survivors and those who support them. At first glance, the sculpture looks like a large flower with eight petals. One petal is pink and symbolizes how one in eight women will be diagnosed with the nasty disease. The work was supported by Methodist Health Care Ministries.

More news from the visual arts front: The venerable Blue Star Contemporary, the first contemporary art gallery/center in San Antonio, which was created by artists back in 1986 is shaking things up a bit. It’s tweaking its name to the Contemporary at Blue Star to more clearly differentiate itself from other entities in the Blue Star Complex whose names also start with “Blue Star.” And it is also aligning its name with a new trend of contemporary arts centers calling themselves “the Contemporary” in Austin, Atlanta and other cities. So, they are basically updating their brand, The substance of their programming will remain the same, said executive director Mary Heathcott. The new website and logo were designed by graphic designer Jamie Stolarski. The legal name of the organization has always been Contemporary Art for San Antonio. To celebrate a sort of a new beginning, there will be a big party on First Friday, Oct. 7, 6-8 p.m.

Let’s shift to music! Last week we mentioned the Allegro Stage Company’s “Broadway Babes” at the Cave Without Name, near Boerne. The four “babes” are fabulous stage performers, with lots of experience in musical theater. We did not have their photo last week but we are including it here. Direction and script by Tim Hedgepeth and music direction and arrangement by Tom Masinter. (Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m.; tickets and more info at: www.cavewithoutaname.com)

For a different kind of music there is the concert by Sonido Barroco, a group devoted to, as its name says, to Baroque music. The ensemble will play a concert titled “Terra Antiqua, Terra Nova,” featuring music by J.S. Bach and Manuel de Zumaya on period instruments, in a historical place – Mission Conception. (Sept.30 at 7 p.m.; 807 Mission Rd., 78210; free)

For yet another type of music, there is Weird Al Yankovic who has been entertaining audiences for a few decades now with his parodies of popular songs, singers and culture. He has recorded 14 albums, appeared in radio and TV shows, won five GRAMMY Awards, written a couple of children’s books, and God knows what else. He’s pretty fearless when it comes to what he chooses to make fun of. He’s even turned the musical “Hamilton” into polka songs. He also happens to be an accomplished accordionist.
And a movie about him is in the works. (Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m.; Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston; tickets $39.50 to $59.50; 210-226-5700; www.majesticempire.com)

A press release from the new San Antonio Philharmonic informed us that new symphonic music organization has purchased “assets” from the defunct San Antonio Symphony. These assets include musical instruments, a music library, historical archives and recordings. These assets are currently held at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. The music library is housed in a specially designed room outfitted with movable shelves, that SAS paid $100,000 for. The purchase was made possible by David Wood and Colette Holt, and by the American Federation of Musicians Local 23. The music library holds thousands of works that have been acquired over more than 80 years.

And here’s something unusual: The Ukrainian Charity Fashion Show featuring the designs of Roksolana Bogutska, coupled with a collection by the MARCH11 brand, which is based in San Antonio. According to the press info, Bogutska is “widely regarded as one of the most accomplished couture designers in Ukraine.” Her signature look combines traditional ethnic Ukrainian motifs with modern fashion trends in a sophisticated way. The MARCH11 brand was established in New York City by Ukrainian fashion editor Roberta Mishchenko but all the pieces in the collection were made entirely in Ukraine, using traditional handwork techniques. The brand has famous customers such as the songstress Adele and the Danish Crown Princess. The brand is still employing workers in Ukraine. (Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.; Will Naylor Smith Riverwalk Plaza at the Tobin Center; doors open at 6 p.m.; $75; 210-223-8624; organized by Ukrainian San Antonio)

We love poetry, here at Arts Alive, so we want to let you know about a couple of poetry opportunities. The talented Alexandra van de Kamp, who also happens to be the executive director of Gemini Ink, in addition to being an outstanding poet, will have a reading this Friday, Sept. 30 in Comfort, organized by Ursa Vineyards. Also reading will be poet Jenny Browne. (Sept. 30, 6:30 – 8 p.m., Ursa at Branch on High, 704 High St., Comfort, TX; 830-995-3394; www.bendingbranchwinery.cpm/ursa)

The literary magazine, VOICES DE LA LUNA, is offering a class, Elements of Poetry, with poet Dario Beniquez. This class will focus on prose poems. (Oct. 6, 6-8 p.m.; via Zoom. Find out how to register by emailing to voicesdelaluna22@gmail.com)

Also on Oct. 6, poet and writer Carmen Tafolla, San Antonio’s first city poet laureate, will offer a performance called “My Heart Speaks a Different language.” (She is a great performer!) (Oct. 6, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; Performing Arts Center (auditorium), Palo Alto College, free)

The Third Coast Rhythm Project is San Antonio’s best known – and possibly the only tap dance studio and performance company. It has just announced a new five-week session to begin Oct. 1. Even if you don’t become a virtuosic tap dancer, you’ll gain skills and benefit your health. They also present a summer tap festival and the next one will take place in the summer of 2023. If you join now, you may be part of the fest. (1923 Lockhill-Selma, Suite 101, 78213; www.thirdcoastrhythm.com.)