Arts Alive San Antonio

Though making longer-term plans has become very challenging during these, COVID-19, times, OPERA San Antonio has just announced its 2020-21 season, adapted to fit the built-in uncertainty.

“As difficult as it is to reimagine the 2020-21 season, we are embracing the opportunity for change,” said OSA’s general and artistic director E. Loren Meeker in the announcement. “We will push our artistic and collaborative boundaries through digital interaction designed to connect us not only to our patrons and donors, but to the entire community of San Antonio.”

Instead of three productions, only one fully staged opera, Lucia de Lammermoor, is on the schedule right now for May 6 and 8 of 2021 at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. If everything goes according to plan, it will star Metropolitan Opera soprano Brenda Rae in the title role, baritone Scott Hendricks as Enrico and tenor Scott Quinn as Edgardo. All three are outstanding singers who have received glowing reviews for their performances.

Later this summer, on Aug. 25, Texas Public Radio (KPAC) will broadcast OSA’s live recording of “Tosca” on the station’s Tuesday Night at the Opera program. The production premiered in 2019. Digital programming will continue and there are tentative plans for a concert performance in the fall. (More about OSA in our upcoming feature story.)

The Cactus Pear Music Festival that we told you about last week, started today and will continue through July 19, with both concerts and master classes taking place online. All start at 3 p.m. For a complete schedule go to www.cpmf.us

Responding to current concerns, the Classic Theater of San Antonio has scheduled a virtual community conversation that will address the following question: “As a Black Woman, what choices have you had to make and how have they defined your life?” The discussion will be facilitated by writer Cynthia Freeman Gibbs and it will feature theater artist Danielle King, multidisciplinary artist Jasmine Jackson, educator and community leader Linda Nance, and the Classic’s board member Deborah Omowale, a retired civil servant. The event takes place July 15 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. It’s free but you have to register to participate. Go to www.classictheatre.org and look under Education/Community Events.

Most San Antonio museums are now open, albeit under new safety rules, but a few had to close again temporarily to review their safety protocols. The latest news comes from the Conservation Society of San Antonio which has decided to reopen the Edward Steves Homestead House Museum in the King William District. It will be open Saturdays and Sundays for self-guided tours. Admission is $10 per person, free for children under 12. Masks are required and visitors’ temperature will be taken at the door. (107 King William, 78204; www.saconservation.org)

The Briscoe Western Art Museum remains open. One of the museum’s “most treasured” annual events, the National Day of the Cowboy, is normally celebrated on the fourth Saturday of July each year, with fun, music and Western art. But that can’t be done this year. Instead, the Briscoe opted for something different – it created a “Bring Home the Briscoe” craft kits that celebrate the four pillars of Western art: cowboy heritage, wildlife, Native American heritage and Spanish/Mexican heritage. The kits are meant for children ages 5-10 and provide materials and ideas for crafts, art, games and storytelling. You can purchase a kit at the museum’s store or order from the store by calling 210-507-4852. You can also order online.

In addition, throughout this month, the Briscoe will be donating kits to various children’s organizations in town “to give children a chance to experience the West outside of the museum.” Donations in support of the project, dubbed Briscoe Buddies, will be gratefully accepted. If you sign up for membership, you’ll get a free kit, too. (Located on the River Walk, the Briscoe is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday Saturday and until 3 p.m. on Sundays; 210 W. Market St.)

Artpace, however, has decided “to pause public tours” for the time being. But it has sent out an open call to Texas artists interested and eligible for participation in Artpace’s International Artist-in-Residence program for the year 2022. No application fee is required and the deadline for applying is Aug. 21. To learn more go to https://artpace.org/home/exhibits/international-artist-in-residence/texas-open-call

A fun visual art event this month is the opening of “Dazzling Bestiary” at the AnArte Gallery in Alamo Heights. Featuring the work of Colombian-born, New York-based artist Sandra Mack-Valencia, the exhibit promises to, indeed, dazzle the eye and intrigue – and amuse – the mind. Mack-Valencia’s art has been shown at El Museo del Barrio and the Coney Island Museum in New York City as well as at the Museum of Modern Art and the MAJA Museum in Medellin, in her native Colombia. Unfortunately, there will be no opening reception as the artist is unable to come to San Antonio. The exhibit opens July 15. (AnArte Gallery, 7959 Broadway, #202, 78209; 210-826-5674)

Gemini Ink, San Antonio’s Writing Arts Center,always has something interesting going on and this week is no exception. Stop Author! Before Submitting that Poetry Manuscript, a Publisher Requests This From You is a workshop with editor and FlowerSong Press publisher Edward Vidaurre, the 2018-19 McAllen Poet Laureate and author of six collections of poetry. He will talk about how to prepare your manuscript for a good first impression “since publishers can judge a manuscript by its cover page.” (Saturdays, July 11 & 16, via Zoom. Cost $75 – $100.; To sign up go to  www.geminiink.org/classes/

Some time back, we told you about the search for muralists to embellish Mission San Jose and some downtown locations. The following artists have been selected: Sandra Gonzalez was picked for the San Jose project made possible by the San Antonio Missions Historical National Park and Mission Heritage Partners.

Four other artists – Suzy Gonzalez, Kat Cadena, Rudy Herrera and Joe De La Cruz – were selected for the “Art Everywhere” program, sponsored and managed by Centro San Antonio