News Roundup, Sept. 30, 2021
Five years ago, the folks at the Patrick Heath Public Library in Boerne decided to give local writers and writers published by small presses “a day to show their books” on library grounds. From that modest beginning, a new book festival has emerged, with the support of the library and the entire community. The 2021 version, named, Boerne Book & Arts Fest, takes place Saturday, Oct. 2, on Main Plaza “with the celebration of all things literary, live performances, panel discussion with authors, and children’s activities.”
Books and panel discussions mostly focus on three themes: “Texas Ranchers and Texas Rangers,” “Heroines of WWII,” and “Early Roads and the Old Spanish Trail.” Fifteen authors are listed on the fest’s website, including John Erickson, Katherine Sharp Landdeck, Diana Lopez, Charlotte Kahl, Thomas O. McDonald, Patricia Portales, Bruce Shackelford, Mike Cox, and others. Since Erickson’s book, “Bad Smoke, Good Smoke,” about the wildfire that destroyed his ranch, doesn’t fit into the above-mentioned themes, he will open the proceeding at the Gazebo on Main Plaza all by himself. The other presentations and panel discussions will follow. Children’s literature is represented by Diana Lopez’s books celebrating the life of the late Tejano star Selena.
Of course, you can’t have a book fest without poetry. Thus, a poetry reading is scheduled for the afternoon, featuring poems and poets from the just published anthology titled “Easing the Edges: A Collection of Everyday Miracles.”
Kids’ activities include arts & crafts, and a special ballet performed by the Terpischore Dance Company, a group of young dancers, studying ballet at the Performing Arts School in San Antonio. The ballet is based on a book about the famed French painter Edgar Degas. For complete schedule go to www.boernebookfest.com.
Speaking of literary events, here’s another one that may interest you: “Then. Now. Now Then? – Two Places, Two Poets at the Intersection of Our Times.” The two poets are Naomi Shihab Nye, who hardly needs an introduction around here, and Irish poet, theologian and conflict mediator, Padraig O‘ Tuama. Scheduled for Oct. 3, 2 p.m. Texas time; 8 p.m. Ireland time, the meeting of the two minds is “brought to the world” by the peaceCENTER of San Antonio, “currently doing business as Compassionate San Antonio. (Free but you need to register; http://sacompation.net)
There are several dance performances this weekend, including the Guadalupe Dance Company’s 30th anniversary celebration which we told you about in an earlier NEWS ROUNDUP. It will go on as scheduled but it will not be outdoors. Since it may rain, the shows are moving inside the Guadalupe Theater. Folkloric dances of various Mexican states will be performed to music by the Mariachi Azteca. In-person tickets are available for both evenings. (Oct.1-2 at 8 p.m.; $30; to purchase a table call 210-271-3151; https://guadalupeculturalarts.org/celebrando-30-years-of-the-guadalupe-dance-company)
A very different style of dance is cultivated by the Karavan Studio where dancing pro Karen Barbee has taught belly dancing for a couple of decades. For years, she and her more accomplished students have also staged a show called Give Belly Dance a Chance. This weekend, this group of talented women will present the 2021 Give Belly Dance a Chance with three belly dance shows, plus a concert by the National Arab Orchestra Takht Ensemble, collectively showcasing the work of 50 dancers and 20 musicians. On Friday, the orchestra and Karavan dancers will be joined by guest dancers Bahaia from Austin, Jamie Lynn from San Marcos and Leila Farid from Cairo, Egypt. In addition, vocalist Usama Baalbaki will sing Arabic classics with the musicians. (Friday, Oct.1 at 8 p.m.) More dancing Saturday, with different guest artists and musicians, plus Karavan students who will dance to recorded music. (Saturday, Oct.2 at 3 p.m.) And on Sunday, Oct. 3, Karavan dancers will be accompanied by the Ghafour Brothers Band from Houston at 6 p.m. All shows will take place at the Buena Vista Theater on UTSA’s downtown campus. This may sound exotic to many readers but it’s a great opportunity to see the dances and sounds of another culture that Barbee has almost single-handedly practiced and taught in San Antonio. Livestream of the performances are also available. (Tickets $20-$50, www.buenavistalive.showare.com; for info call 210-785-9889, https://tv.karavansa.com)
We recently told you that the Cactus Pear Music Festival has a new artistic director, Ryo Yanagatani, who will replace founder Stephanie Sant’Ambrogio in the near future. A special celebratory concert is planned for Sunday, Oct.3, featuring both Sant’Ambrogio and Yanagatani, plus San Antonio Symphony’s principal clarinetist, Ilya Shterenberg. It’s a free concert to mark and celebrate the passing of the “musical baton” after 25 years of Sant’Ambrogio’s leadership. (Fanning Foyer at Trinity Baptist Church; to register https://conta.cc/3CuybXf)
Some months ago, we did a story on Rudi Harst and the organization he and his wife founded quite a few years ago: the Celebration Circle, a multi-faith spiritual community. Their “Sacred Art of Altars: One People, Many Paths,” is the fundraising exhibit of tiny, creative altars made by more than 50 artists. Each piece has the same size (12’’x16”) and shape, but the artists use their own imagination to create the content with a wide variety of materials, from paint, wax and fabric to glass, metal and ceramics. Last year’s display of these small personalized shrines was enchanting. The list of participating artists is too long to include here, but you can find them on the bidding page https://bit.ly/CCAltars2021.
The 2021 exhibit- and-auction is a hybrid event, starting with an online kick-off on Friday, Oct. 1, from 7 to 8 p.m. The bidding then continues through Oct. 20, when an in-person reception will wrap up the proceedings. The latter will be held at the Brick at Blue Star, starting at 6 p.m.
Another exhibit of interest, “Above and Below the Waves” is opening at Bihl Haus Arts, Oct.2. It’s a show of photographic works by Mark Mayfield who has had a “life-long passion for the inhabitants of coral reefs around the world.” In addition to coral reefs, he also photographs birds and plants, documenting the riches and beauty of the planet. (Opening reception, 6-8 p.m., Oct.2, at the gallery, 2803 Fredericksburg Rd. The exhibition will be on view through Nov.6. For more information call 210-383-9723, or go to www.BihlHausArts.org)
Now, how about some laughs! Tim Allen, Live on Stage will be on the Majestic Theater’s stage for one night only, Friday Oct. 1. The show is recommended for “mature audiences,” which tells you something about his comedy style. America knows him from TV, now San Antonians have a chance to see him live.
(Oct.1, 8 p.m.; Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston Ste.; 210-226-3333; Tickets for the originally scheduled April 30 show are valid. Available tickets start at $69.50)
The musical event you may not want to miss next week is the season-opening production of “Don Giovanni” by Opera San Antonio. Featuring great vocalists, Mozart’s version of the legend of Don Juan, the serial seducer of women, is a comedic take on the popular story. More about “Don Giovanni” in an upcoming article. (Oct. 7 & 9, Tobin Center; tickets@tobincenter.org; 210-223-8624)
On the popular music front, things are kind of quiet this weekend but Skillet, the Christian rock band, may stir up some excitement with its show Friday, at the Aztec Theater. The band, that released 10 albums, sold millions of them and continues to tour, is always tweaking its style, which is sometimes called symphonic metal or Christian metal. The four members of Skillet include founder John Cooper, his wife Korey Cooper, lead guitarist Seth Morison and Jen Ledger. (7 p.m., Oct 1, Aztec Theater, 104 N. St. Mary’s St.; tickets $27.50 – $49.50; 210-812-4355, www.theaztectheatre.com)
Did you know that there is a Black International Film Festival in San Antonio? Well, there is, and it is now in its third year of presenting “different Black perspectives, genres and images from across the globe.” With COVID-19 still threatening our health and well-being, the fest will be an online, virtual event. This year’s theme, SISTAHRZ IN CINEMA, shines the spotlight on creative women both in-front-of and behind-the-camera. To see the schedule and purchase tickets go to https://sabiff.tv/plans/select/.
San Antonio-based, Centro Cultural Aztlan, has been selected by the United States Postal Service to host the unveiling of the first ever Day of the Dead stamp. The new stamp was designed by artist Luis Fitch.
“This is a great honor for Centro Cultural Aztlan,” said the press announcement, “acknowledging our history as the first organization in San Antonio to celebrate this centuries-old tradition.” The public is invited to join the memorable unveiling on Friday, Oct. 1, from 6-9 p.m. (1800 Fredericksburg Rd. Suite 103, 78201; 210-432-1896)