Arts Alive San Antonio

Compiled by DON MATHIS From luminarias to the Riverwalk lights, San Antonio loves to light up the nights. Here is an abecedarium from Arts Alive San Antonio of the best in local holiday lights. Alamo Nights feature twinkling lights in the live oak and pecan trees on the Alamo grounds as well as larger-than-life decorated figures of the heroic defenders. …

‘Tis the season for “The Nutcracker,” so you have plenty of choices. Last week we told you about Ballet San Antonio’s production, which continues this weekend. Now under the artistic direction of the former internationally acclaimed ballerina, Sofiane Sylve, BSA is the only professional ballet company in San Antonio. This version of the iconic ballet was commissioned by the company …

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor Would you like to spend Christmas with C.S. Lewis? If you know who he is, you’ll probably say “YES,” a very affirmative “YES.” Well, the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts is giving you an opportunity to do just that by bringing to town the play, “Christmas with C.S. Lewis” by writer and actor David Payne. …

BY PHIL HOUSEAL, Contributing Writer “I love that I can see a dog show on Saturday and a ballet on Sunday.” That single statement sums up the value that a world-class entertainment venue brings to a smaller city. The city is Kerrville, the venue is the Kathleen C. Cailloux City Center for the Performing Arts, and the quote is from …

The holidays and “The Nutcracker” are inseparable in our “Nutcracker Nation.” The latter is actually the title of a book by Jennifer Fisher, who traces the path of this Russian ballet based on a German story, as it crossed the Atlantic Ocean and ultimately conquered North America. At this time of the year, a version of “The Nutcracker” is performed …

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor Is this musical, which ran in New York City annually for quite some time, the first musical version of the old tale?No. I know there was a 1970s’ version with Albert Finney, which was a film. I am not sure if there was a stage adaptation as well. But this version, that we are doing now, …

Thanksgiving weekend is for family gatherings and relaxation, so many arts organizations skip the holiday weekend altogether. Even Ballet San Antonio that used to present its annual “Nutcracker” right after Thanksgiving, has moved its shows into December this year. Hardly any concerts are scheduled for this Friday, Saturday or Sunday. But San Antonio theaters have risen to the occasion. In …

By BERIT MASON, Contributing Writer On a night of deadly snowstorms on the American east coast, San Antonio art lovers braved rainy temperatures in the low 40s to see the Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival. Touted as a “magical night of art,” Luminaria has found its niche in our culture.                         A simple map explained the many works, from stand-up …

UNDUP, 11/17/2022 There’s always lots of good music in San Antonio, ranging from classical to mariachi. And this weekend is a good opportunity to hear both. Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan will conclude the 28th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza Friday at the Lila Cockrell Theater. The concert is the final event of the Extravaganza weekend, which also includes vocal and original songwriting competitions …

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor Until a few months ago, most San Antonians had never heard of La Malinche, but that changed recently thanks to the San Antonio Museum of Art’s current exhibit, Traitor, Survivor, Icon: The Legacy of La Malinche, which focuses on a girl born on the Yucatan Peninsula in the Aztec Empire, centuries ago. This girl, first known …