Janurary/February 2012 Issue

Ezine.com

ON THE TOWN

January/February 2012

Asian Festival Robert Bonazzi Beethoven Festival Cheryl Bezuidenhout G.E. “Buddy” Mullan Boerne Performing Arts Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam Plus 7 Additional Articles

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Features

Cover Credits

January-February Performances Set the Stage for 2012

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Why Beethoven? 14 Arts Season in Bloom in the Hill Country

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Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam Coming to San Antonio March 14-18

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New Year, New Art 42 The Art of G.E. “Buddy” Mullan

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Cheryl Bezuidenhout: The Personal Touch

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Fête du Cuvée 58 Best of the Best in Food and Wine on March 3 Independent Book Stores: Local Sources for eBooks

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Asian Festival: Founders Look Back at 70 25 Years of Tradition

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Front Cover Photo: Grizabella the Glamour Cat from Cats Photo by Joan Marcus © 2010 Performing Arts Cover Photo: Bill Cosby Courtesy Majestic Theatre Events Calendar Cover Photo: Javert from Les Miserables Photo by Paul Kolnik Visual Arts Cover Photo: Louis Rhead (English-born American), 1857-1926 Woman with Peacocks (published in L’Estampe Moderne), 1897 Lithograph. 8.86 x 13.39 in.

Private Collection.

Courtesy McNay Art Museum Culinary Arts Cover Photo: © Guy Shapira / Dreamstime.com Literary Arts Cover Photo: © Karin Hildebrand Lau / Dreamstime.com Eclectics Cover Photo: Greg Harrison

Lair Creative, LLC would not knowingly publish misleading or erroneous information in editorial content or in any adv appear under any circumstances. Additionally, content in this electronic magazine does not necessarily reflect the view mances and exhibits, it is recommended that all times and dates of such events be confirmed by the reader prior to at

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Departments January-February 2012 Events Calendar

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Contributors 28

Mikel Allen, creative director/ graphic designer

Michele Krier Christian Lair, operations manager

Book Talk: Robert Bonazzi – Poet, Poetry 88 Reviewer and biographer of John Howard Griffin

James Benavides

Artistic Destination: New Dali Museum Makes Waves in St. Petersburg, Florida

Cynthia Clark

Claudia Maceo-Sharp

Thomas Duhon

Susan A. Merkner, copy editor

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Julie Catalano

Lisa Endicott OnTheTownEzine.com is published by Lair Creative, LLC 14122 Red Maple San Antonio, Texas 78247 210-771-8486 210-490-7950 (fax)

Jack Fishman

Kay Lair

Dawn Robinette Sara Selango

Dana Fossett Greg Harrison, staff photographer

vertisement in On The Town Ezine.com, nor does it assume responsibility if this type of editorial or advertising should ws or opinions of the management of Lair Creative, LLC. Since On The Town Ezine.com features information on perforttendance. The publisher assumes no responsibility for changes in times, dates, venues, exhibitions or performances.

Jasmina Wellinghoff Cassandra Yardeni

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Performing Arts 8-26

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January-February Performa

By Sara Selango

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ances Set the Stage for 2012

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or the past several years, I have ended my articles in this publication by saying, “Get some tickets and go!” Never has this directive been more relevant than now because the first two months of 2012 are super-jammed with outstanding performances you absolutely don’t want to miss.

The incredible inventory of opportunities begins with the Beethoven Festival. With the San Antonio Symphony as the catalyst, the festival combines the efforts of more than a dozen local presenters and performance groups.

During the festival, which stretches to the end of February, you can hear the symphony play all nine Beethoven symphonies over the course of four weekends. To call this a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for classical music aficionados would be an understatement. Thanks are owed to Jack Fishman, symphony president and CEO, and Sebastian Lang-Lessing, music director.

makes a major contribution to the festival as well by presenting all 32 Beethoven piano sonatas as played by seven world-class pianists. Included are Jeffrey Swann, Naoko Takao, Spencer Myer, Christopher Guzman, Audrey Andrist, Richard Dowling and Ryo Yanagitani – the SAIPC Gold Medal winner in 2009. The series begins on Jan. 7 and continues through Feb. 8.

Musical Bridges Around the World features Beethoven in the Style of Jazz plus two programs of violin sonatas, while Camerata San Antonio showcases the talents of cellist Kenneth Freudigman as he performs Beethoven’s cello Sonatas and Variations on two occasions. Also taking part in the festival are Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, Musical Offerings, San Antonio Chamber Music Society, Tuesday Musical Club, Olmos Ensemble, SOLI Chamber Ensemble and San Antonio Choral Society. Public broadcasters KLRN-TV and Texas Public Radio are supporting the venture with Beethoven-related programming.

San Antonio International Piano Competition The Beethoven Festival is the second such

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undertaking initiated by the San Antonio Symphony. Last year we enjoyed the musical genius of Tchaikovsky in festival form. Brahms is next, a year from now. Bravo to all involved.

Transitioning now from classical music to classic musicals, Les Miserables brings its 25th anniversary edition to the Majestic for eight performances Jan. 3-8. As a personal favorite of mine, I consider this a must-see. Cats is up next at the Majestic from Jan. 31 to Feb. 5. Even though I’ve been a face in the crowd at this song and dance spectacular many times, there’s a magic at work here that will surely lure me in “now and forever.” Also included in the Cadillac Broadway Series at the Majestic this year is Blue Man Group. You can catch BMG starting Feb. 21 and running through Feb. 26. The last time I saw the show it literally “blue” me away!

throughout the second month of the year. The grand musical Oklahoma! is offered at San Pedro Playhouse, and Rent plays the Woodlawn. Nonmusicals include Miss Evers Boys by the Renaissance Guild, Death of a Salesman at Rose Theatre Co., Ghosts in the Afternoon at Overtime Theater, Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap at the Harlequin, Six Degrees of Separation by The Classic Theatre San Antonio, and Jump Start Performance Company’s Big, Bad and Beautiful: Still Hungry. Out-of-towners are The Orphans at Boerne Community Theatre, Godspell by the Fredericksburg Theater Company, Nunsense at Circle Arts Theatre in New Braunfels, Moon Over Buffalo by Playhouse 2000 in Kerrville, Closure from S.T.A.G.E in Bulverde, and last but certainly not least, the intriguingly titled Sex Please, We’re Over Sixty! at Elizabeth Huth Coates Theatre in Ingram.

A special note – Mark Richter’s Off-Broadway In locally produced live theater during January and Productions inaugural presentation of Ain’t February, take in Same Time Next Year at the Cameo, Misbehavin’ starring Sherman Hemsley (from followed by I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. The Jeffersons) is slated for Jan. 20 to Feb. 11 at Also be sure to catch A View From the Bridge as it the Josephine Theatre. Two additional musicals takes center stage at the Sheldon Vexler Theatre are planned in his first season, plus three operas.

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Opera No. 1, Cosi fan tutte, can be seen Feb. 24 to I haven’t forgotten the appearance by Paddy March 18.

Moloney and The Chieftains on Feb. 29 (leap year).

They’re celebrating their 50th anniversary with this In other opera news, San Antonio Opera presents performance for Arts San Antonio at Lila Cockrell Don Giovanni at Lila Cockrell Theater Feb. 17-19.

Theater. Congratulations and much respect.

Additional shows to put on your calendar include a Majestic Theatre Bud Light Concert Series performance by Willie Nelson, Kelly Clarkson’s Stronger Tour 2012 at this theater too, Vienna Boys Choir presented by Boerne Performing Arts, Spirit of Uganda, Lionel Louke and James Lofton at the Carver, the Texas Tenors at the Brauntex in New Braunfels, Shawn Barker as Johnny Cash – The Man in Black, at the same venue, violinist Nancy Zhou at Coker United Methodist Church, Donald Braswell at Laurie Auditorium, San Antonio Symphony Pops’ Broadway Rocks, Ladysmith Black Mambazo in Seguin at Jackson Auditorium, and superstars of the 63rd annual San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, such as Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Ronnie Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Daughtry, Dierks Bentley and Alan Jackson.

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I need to wrap things up, but not before I say that some very impressive comedy is scheduled for January and February. The legendary Bill Cosby takes the Majestic stage for a matinee on Jan. 29, and Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias comes to town in February, as does Jeanne Robertson. Rivercenter and Laugh Out Loud Comedy Clubs feature tons of funny folks in the first 60 days of 2012. Check their websites for details, and asterisk special appearances by Felicia Michaels and Johnny Sanchez.

January and February performances set the stage for 2012. Get some tickets and go!

Photo Credits:

Page 11 (L-R)

Pages 8-9

Blue Man Group Photo by Paul Kolnik

Cats Photo by Joan Marcus Š 2010

Paddy Moloney of The Chieftains Courtesy thechieftains.com

Page 10 (L-R) Willie Nelson Courtesy Majestic Theatre

Kelly Clarkson Courtesy Majestic Theatre Page 12 (L-R)

Les Miserables Photo by Paul Kolnik Spirit of Uganda Courtesy Carver Community Cultural Center

Cats Photo by Joan Marcus Š 2010

Felicia Michaels Courtesy feliciamichaels.com Page 13 (L-R) Jeanne Robertson Courtesy jeannerobertson.com Lionel Louke Courtesy Carver Community Cultural Center Nancy Zhou Courtesy Arts at Coker

Les Miserables Photo by Paul Kolnik

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Why Beethoven?

By Jack Fishman, President & CEO, San Antonio Symphony

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hy have 13 ar ts organizations par tnered to create a citywide Beethoven Festival in Januar y and Februar y that will feature 35 concer ts focused on Beethoven?

Festival par tners include Camerata San Antonio, KLRN, KPAC, Musical Bridges Around the World, Musical tOfferings, Olmos Ensemble, San Antonio Chamber Music Society, San Antonio Symphony, San Antonio Symphony Mastersingers, San Antonio International Piano Competition, SOLI Chamber Ensemble, Tuesday Musical Club Ar tist Series, and the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio. ( The Beethoven Festival is sponsored by KCI. You can find out more concer t details at www. sasymphony.org/BeethovenFestival.)

Perhaps because no composer changed music histor y more profoundly than Ludwig van Beethoven. His symphonies, string quar tets, and piano, violin and cello sonatas set the standard that all future compositions are judged against.

Leonard Bernstein called him “the greatest composer who ever lived.” Bernstein once stated that many composers created beautiful music, “but this is all mere dust – nothing compared to the magic ingredient sought by them all: the inexplicable ability to know what the next note has to be. Beethoven had this gift in a degree that leaves them all panting in the rear guard.”

a more acute handicap—deafness beginning at age 23. He was unhappy in love, socially awkward and tormented. And still, he gave us the most profound, life -affirming, inspiring music ever written. His Ode to Joy from the Ninth Symphony still remains the universal expression of human freedom 184 years after his death.

For the San Antonio Symphony, the Beethoven Festival begins on Beethoven’s bir thday, Dec. 16, at 9 p.m. KLRN will broadcast a concer t per formed in its studios that features the final movements of his symphonies 1, 3, 5 and 7. The show will be rebroadcast in early Januar y. Bernstein said that celebrating Beethoven’s bir thday is “almost like celebrating the bir thday of music itself.”

San Antonio Symphony music director Sebastian Lang-Lessing has chosen these four finales because each Beethoven symphony marks an impor tant place in the transition from the Classical era to the Romantic era. By hearing four finales consecutively, something you’d never hear in a concer t hall, you begin to understand how profoundly Beethoven influenced music histor y. Maestro Lang-Lessing also discusses the changes in society that were occurring in Beethoven’s life and how they influenced his music. The French Revolution and growing personal liber ty were impor tant to Beethoven.

Who hasn’t been touched by Beethoven’s For an orchestra and its music director, there compelling life stor y? No other composer had is no mountain higher to climb than the nine January-February 2011 | On The Town 15

Beethoven Festival Calendar

symphonies of Beethoven. Per forming them over just five weeks allows the symphony to better master his style and his immense technical and musical challenges. This idea of a concentrated festival is one of Lang-Lessing’s signature programming ideas. His first season featured a Tchaikovsky festival and the symphony will offer Dec 16 9:00 a Brahms Festival in Februar y 2013 and a festival Jan 5 9:00 of music inspired by Shakespeare in 2014.

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Lang-Lessing has both internal and external Jan 7 7:30 goals for this festival. One of the roles of the Jan 8 3:00 music director is to constantly challenge the orchestra and make it grow ar tistically. Playing Jan 10 7:30 nine Beethoven symphonies in five weeks will Jan 12 7:00 cer tainly achieve that goal. But the larger goal Jan 13 8:00 is one of audience development. Many audience Jan 14 8:00 sur vey shows that Beethoven is the most well- Jan 15 3:00 known name in music. Impor tant recent ar ts marketing studies show that new audiences that Jan 15 6:30 come to more than two per formances in a season will develop the habit of future regular concer t- Jan 17 7:30 going at a much higher rate than someone who Jan. 20 8:00 tries just one concer t ever y few seasons.

Jan. 21 8:00 Jan. 22 3:00 What could be a better oppor tunity to get music lovers to tr y multiple concer ts than a Beethoven Jan. 22 4:00 festival? In addition to the nine symphonies, the Jan. 23 7:00 San Antonio International Piano Competition will present eight pianists in eight concer ts playing Jan. 23 7:30 all 32 piano sonatas. Camerata San Antonio is presenting the complete works for cello and Jan. 24 7:30 piano, and Musical Bridges Across the World is offering most of the violin and piano sonatas. I Jan. 24 7:30 can’t possibly describe all the exciting programs Jan. 26 7:30 in this festival in this shor t ar ticle. While the Jan. 27 8:00 ar tistic par tners don’t expect audiences to Jan. 28 4:30 attend all of the events, we do think this will Jan. 28 8:00 be a power ful force for building audiences for Jan. 29 3:15 classical music in San Antonio.

Jan. 29 6:30 Back to the question: Why Beethoven? Beethoven Jan. 31 2:00 told us that he thought the role of music was to Jan. 31 7:30 be “the mediator between the spiritual and the Feb. 7 7:30 sensual life.” Perhaps by immersing ourselves in Feb. 10 8:00 his incomprehensible genius, we will begin to Feb. 11 8:00 understand what Victor Hugo meant when he Feb. 12 7:00 said, “Music expresses that which cannot be said Feb. 14 7:30 and on which it is impossible to be silent.”

Feb. 18 7:30 April 1 3:15

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SA Symphony on KLRN SA Symphony on KLRN Camerata SA: Cello Sonatas and Variations SAIPC: Jeffrey Swann, piano Camerata SA: Cello Sonatas and Variations SAIPC: Naoko Takao, piano TPR Presents: Beethoven SA Symphony: 1 & 3 SA Symphony: 1 & 3 Musical Offerings: Piano Trio in D major, Ghost” Musical Bridges: Violin Sonatas SAIPC: Spencer Myer, piano SA Symphony: 2, 4 and 5 SA Symphony: 2, 4 and 5 Musical Bridges: Beethoven in the Style of Jazz YOSA with Abdiel Vázquez Musical Offerings: Texas Lutheran University, Seguin SOLI Chamber Ensemble: Beethoven R/Evolutions SOLI Chamber Ensemble: Beethoven R/Evolutions SAIPC: Christopher Guzman, piano TPR Cinema: A Clockwork Orange SA Symphony: 6 and 7 Olmos Ensemble SA Symphony: 6 and 7 SA Chamber Music Society: Pacifica Quartet Musical Bridges: Violin Sonatas Tuesday Musical Club Artist Series SAIPC: Audrey Andrist, piano SAIPC: Ryo Yanagitani, piano SA Symphony: 8 and 9 SA Symphony: 8 and 9 SA Symphony: 9 only SAIPC: Richard Dowling, piano SAIPC: Jeffrey Swann, pianist SA Chamber Music Society: Vienna Piano Trio

Full details at www.sasymphony.org/BeethovenFestival

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Arts Season in Bloom in Hill Country

By Michele Krier

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ariety is the spice of life -- and that’s exactly what the newly formed Boerne Performing Arts organization is bringing to the Hill Country. Their inaugural, 2012 arts season features a lineup of world-class performances from Canada to Europe and Asia with stops in Ireland, Vienna and Japan. Armchair travelers, it doesn’t get any better than this!

knock your socks off! I’ve seen Blue Man twice in Las Vegas, and Art of the Drum is nothing short of spectacular.

Tao has been seen in 17 countries and 400 cities, attracting more than 5 million spectators worldwide.

The show is an amazing and timeless drumming performance with a twist on the traditional Japanese drumming show. Calling it an entertainment A symbol of Austria, the Vienna Boys Choir, drumming show, the 13-strong member troupe also renowned for 500 years, will bring an early dances and features instruments such as bamboo Valentine to Boerne on Feb. 9 at the state-of- flutes and the huge Wadaido drums. the-art Champion High School auditorium. If you’re conjuring up images of grey bleacher seats A review in the Chicago Tribune raves, “Extraordinarily in a gym, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The talented... incomparable muscular zeal. Athletic auditorium is tastefully designed and a wonderful bodies and contemporary costumes meet explosive theatrical venue for artistic performances. Add Taiko drumming and innovative choreography in plenty of free parking, and convenience for Hill this show featuring Tao’s extraordinary precision, Country and San Antonio area residents, and you energy and stamina.” Translation: Don’t miss it! have the ingredients for a sellout.

Another personal favorite, Bowfire, hits the stage The Vienna Boys Choir is one of the oldest boys March 8. Yes, the shows are coming at you fast and choirs existing in the world. A founding document furious, but you can rest in April! Bowfire, which of Maximilian I in 1498 called the first dozen boys to I’ve seen twice and would never miss, is a stunning the imperial court as members of the newly formed blend of music and a fast-paced, theatrically staged court music band. The Vienna Boys Choir has given show. Fiddlers in the company are world-class step concerts under nearly all the great conductors of dancers and tap dancers. Liked Lord of the Dance? this century. And, as ever, every Sunday the Vienna You’re going to love Bowfire!

Boys Choir sings Mass in Vienna’s Hofburg chapel, continuing a tradition unbroken since 1498.

Bowfire presents an “All-star Show” of the finest lineup of fiddle and violin virtuosos ever assembled Writer’s note: I’ve been fortunate to see several on one stage. It moves seamlessly from jazz, classical, performances of the Vienna Boys Choir, beginning bluegrass, Celtic, rock, Gypsy, world, Texas swing with my semester at the Institute of European and Ottawa Valley and Cape Breton styles and mixes Studies in Vienna, Austria. This is a treat not to miss in incredible step and tap dancing and a beautiful when they are so tantalizingly close! voice. All of this gets wrapped around a fast-paced show that includes great sound, choreography, One of the most exciting shows I’ve seen in years dramatic lighting, set design and costumes. What’s is Tao: The Art of the Drum, coming on March 4. not to love? We’re talking piano/keyboards, bass, Fans of Blue Man Group, take note: This show will drums/percussion, guitars and cello.

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Kudos to the Boerne Performing Arts for bringing to the community three musical styles and three musical art forms, each with a world-class, distinctive style.

All shows begin at 7:30 p.m.

Dan Rogers, vice chairperson for Boerne Performing Arts and president/CEO of the Kendall County Economic Development Corporation, said, “ The addition of a world-class per forming arts organization is improving the quality of life for all our residents.”

The shows in the spring 2012 season are a hint of the high-caliber productions Boerne Performing Arts will bring to the area which will continue to grow as enthusiasm for the shows and the arts organization are fueled by community support.

Boerne Performing Arts operates under the auspices of the Hill Country Council for the Arts, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports a variety of arts organizations in the Texas Hill Country.

Ticket information is available at www. boerneperformingarts.com, in person at the Greater Boerne Area Chamber of Commerce or by phone at (830) 331-9079.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Photo Credits: Page 16 Boerne Champions HS Auditorium Photo by Sue Talford Page 18 (Above) TAO: The Art of Drumming Courtesy cami.com (Below) Bowfire Courtesy bowfire.com

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Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam Coming to San Antonio March 14-18

By Lisa Endicott Photography Matt Beard Costumes Dominique Lemieux (c) 2011 Cirque du Soleil

C

irque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities on six continents, and this spring, one of its most famous shows, will arrive at Freeman Coliseum at the AT&T Center in San Antonio for eight shows over five days from March 14-18.

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is now a company that has

5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from almost 50 countries.

Quidam premiered in Montreal under the Big Top in 1996. Since that time, the production has toured on five continents and been experienced by millions of people. Quidam has embarked on a new journey, performing the same captivating production, but now in arenas throughout North America. The international cast features 52 world-class acrobats, January-February 2011 | On The Town 23

musicians, singers and characters.

Unlike any other Cirque du Soleil show, Quidam does not take spectators to an imaginary realm of fanciful, larger-than-life characters. Rather, it is an examination of our own world – inhabited by real people with real-life concerns. Young Zoé is bored; her parents, distant and apathetic, ignore her. Her life has lost all meaning. Seeking to fill the void of her existence, she slides into an imaginary world – the world of Quidam – where she meets characters who encourage her to free her soul.

Quidam: a nameless passer-by, a solitary figure lingering on a street corner, a person rushing past and swallowed by the crowd. It could be anyone, anybody. Someone coming or going at the heart of our anonymous society. A member of the crowd, one of the silent majority. The one who cries out, sings and dreams within us all. This is the “quidam” whom this show allows to speak. This is the place that beckons—a place for dreaming and genuine relations where all quidams, by proclaiming their individuality, can finally emerge from anonymity.

Benoit Jutras’ passionate and intense music is performed live at every show by six musicians playing a wide variety of instruments such as the violin, cello, percussion, saxophone, electric and classical guitars and keyboard. In Quidam, Cirque du Soleil takes a new approach to vocals. For the first time, the fragility of a childlike voice combines with the strength of a man’s voice to create a powerful blend of sensitivity and intensity. The musicians follow the artists’ movements and ensure they are in sync with the act.

Evoking a monolithic structure like a train station or an airport where people constantly come and go, the minimalist set is dominated by a giant arch that spans 120 feet. The floor, built from perforated metal tiles, is illuminated from above and below and appears at times metallic, at times incandescent. Changes in the lighting – contrasts in hues, angles and light beams – can instantly transform the mood of a scene from comedy to tragedy. The revolving stage reflects an ever-changing, unpredictable world.

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For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

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Events Calendar 28-40

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January-February 2012 Events Calendar Music Notes Max Stalling 1/5, Thu, Floore Country Store Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers 1/6, Fri, Floore Country Store Sarah Jarosz 1/6, Fri, Gruene Hall Camerata San Antonio: Complete Beethoven Cello Sonatas/Variations 1/6, Fri, Christ Episcopal 1/8, Sun, Christ Episcopal Doug Moreland 1/6, 20, 27, Fri, Luckenbach Dancehall 2/10, 17, 24, Fri, Luckenbach Dancehall San Antonio Rose Live 1/6-2/26, Fri-Sun, Aztec Theatre RockBox TheaterFredericksburg 1/6-2/26, Fri-Sun

Thomas Michael Riley 1/7, Sat, Luckenbach Dancehall Donald Braswell 1/7, Sat, Laurie Auditorium Eli Young Band 1/7, Sat, Cowboys San Antonio The Gourds 1/7, Sat, Gruene Hall Mario Flores 1/7, Sat, Floore Country Store SA International Piano Competition: All 32 Beethoven Piano Sonatas Jeffrey Swann 1/7, Sat, Ruth Taylor Recital Hall Naoko Takao 1/10, Tue, St. Mark’s Episcopal Spencer Myer 1/17, Tue, St. Mark’s Episcopal Christopher Guzman 1/24, Tue, St. Mark’s Episcopal

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Audrey Andrist 1/31, Tue, St. Mark’s Episcopal Ryo Yanagitani 2/7, Tue, St. Mark’s Episcopal Richard Dowling 2/14, Tue, St. Mark’s Episcopal Jeffrey Swann 2/18, Sat, Ruth Taylor Recital Hall The Arts at Coker: Nancy Zhou 1/8, Sun, Coker United Methodist Ray Wylie Hubbard 1/12, Thu, Floore Country Store Jon Wolfe 1/13, Fri, Floore Country Store San Antonio Symphony: Beethoven 1 & 3 1/13-14, Fri-Sat, Majestic Theatre Rich O’Toole 1/14, Sat, Floore Country Store

Year of Jazz: West Side Horns 1/14, Sat, Guadalupe Theatre Curtis Grimes 1/14, Sat, Luckenbach Dancehall Dr. King Cool Jazz Celebration 1/14, Sat, Plaza Club @ Frost Bank Jesse Dayton with Brian Keane 1/14, Sat, Gruene Hall New Buddy Holly Band 1/14-15, Fri-Sat, Kathleen C. Cailloux Theatre – Kerrville Reckless Kelly 1/14, Sat, Cowboys San Antonio Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre Association: The Man in Black starring Shawn Barker 1/14, Sat, Brauntex Theatre-New Braunfels

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Musical Bridges Around The World: Beethoven Sonatas 7 & 8 1/15, Sun, San Fernando Cathedral Musical Offerings: Living in the Shadow of Beethoven 1/15, Sun, Christ Episcopal 1/23, Mon, Ayers Recital Hall-Seguin Fredericksburg Music Club: Gli Unici – Braswell, Chapman & Birt 1/15, Sun, Fredericksburg United Methodist Bud Light Concert Series: Willie Nelson 1/15, Sun, Majestic Theatre Rise Against 1/18, Wed, Alamodome Fredericksburg Music Club: Conspirare-Path of Miracles 1/19, Thu, St. Mary’s Catholic Granger Smith 1/19, Thu, Floore Country Store

San Antonio Symphony: Beethoven 2, 4 & 5 1/20-21, Fri-Sat, Majestic Theatre Wade Bowen 1/21, Sat, Gruene Hall Lonnie Spiker 1/21, Sat, Anhalt HallSpring Banch Ladysmith Black Mambazo 1/21, Sat, Jackson Auditorium-Seguin Charlie Robinson with Robyn Ludwick 1/21, Sat, Luckenbach Dancehall Youth Orchestras of San Antonio: Gold Series Beethoven and Orpheus 1/22, Sun, Laurie Auditorium Musical Bridges Around The World: Beethoven in the Style of Jazz 1/22, Sun, McAllister Auditorium

Zack Walther 1/20, Fri, Floore Country Store

SOLI Chamber Ensemble: Beethoven Revolutions 1/23, Mon, Gallery Nord 1/24, Tue, Ruth Taylor Recital Hall

Roger Creager 1/20, Fri, Cowboys San Antonio

Bleu Edmondson 1/26, Thu, Floore Country Store

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Casey Donahew 1/27, Fri, Gruene Hall Fred Eaglesmith 1/27, Fri, Floore Country Store San Antonio Symphony: Beethoven 6 & 7 1/27-28, Fri-Sat, Majestic Theatre

Tuesday Musical Club: Augustin Hadelich, violin 1/31, Tue, Laurel Heights United Methodist Chris Cagle 2/3, Fri, Cowboys San Antonio Old 97’s 2/3, Fri, Gruene Hall

5th Annual Blues Festival 1/28, Sat, Luckenbach Dancehall

Johnny Cooper 2/3, Fri, Floore Country Store

Olmos Ensemble: Beethoven Festival Performance 1/28, Sat, Majestic Theatre

San Antonio Symphony: Broadway Rocks 2/3-4, Fri-Sat, Laurie Auditorium

An Evening with Shelby Lynne 1/28, Sat, Gruene Hall

Lionel Louke 2/4, Sat, Jo Long Theatre at Carver Community Cultural Center

Wayne Hancock 1/28, Sat, Floore Country Store Musical Bridges Around The World: Beethoven Sonatas 1, 2 & 3 1/29, Sun, McAllister Auditorium San Antonio Chamber Music Society: Pacifica Quartet 1/29, Sun, Temple Beth-El

Roger Creager 2/4, Sat, Luckenbach Dancehall Musical Bridges Around The World: Beethoven Sonatas 4, 5 & 6 2/5, Sun, McAllister Auditorium Kelly Clarkson Stronger Tour 2012 2/6, Mon, Majestic Theatre

Boerne Peforming Arts: Vienna Boys Choir 2/9, Thu, Champion HS Auditorium Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre Association: Texas Tenors 2/9, Thu, Brauntex Theatre-New Braunfels 63rd Annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo: Chris Young 2/9, Thu, AT&T Center Luke Bryan 2/10, Fri, AT&T Center Keith Urban 2/11, Sat, AT&T Center Hot Chelle Rae 2/12, Sun, AT&T Center Ronnie Dunn 2/13, Mon, AT&T Center Tenth Avenue North 2/14, Tue, AT&T Center The Band Perry 2/15, Wed, AT&T Center Josh Abbott Band 2/16, Thu, AT&T Center Lady Antebellum 2/17, Fri, AT&T Center Jake Owen 2/18, Sat, AT&T Center Daughtry 2/18, Sat, AT&T Center

Joe Nichols 2/19, Sun, AT&T Center El Trono de Mexico 2/19, Sun, AT&T Center Terry Fator 2/20, Mon, AT&T Center Miranda Lambert 2/21, Tue, AT&T Center Rodney Atkins 2/22. Wed, AT&T Center Alan Jackson 2/23, Thu, AT&T Center Joan Jett and the Blackhearts 2/24, Fri, AT&T Center Trace Adkins 2/25, Sat, AT&T Center Dierks Bentley 2/25. Sat, AT&T Center Court Yard Hounds 2/10, Fri, Charline McCombs Empire Theatre Micky and the Motorcars 2/10, Fri, Floore Country Store Jason Boland & the Stragglers 2/10, Fri, Cowboys San Antonio San Antonio Symphony: Beethoven 8 & 9 2/10-11, Fri-Sat, Majestic Theatre January-February 2011 | On The Town 31

Gary P. Nunn 2/11, Sat, Luckenbach Dancehall Year of Jazz: Tribute to Miles Davis 2/11, Sat, Jo Long Theatre Jeff Lofton 2/11, Sat, Jo Long Theatre at Carver Community Cultural Center Bobby Jordan and the Ridgecreek Band 2/11, Sat, Kendalia Halle The Arts at Coker: Eugenia Zukerman, flute Milana Strezeva, piano 2/12, Sun, Coker United Methodist San Antonio Symphony: Beethoven 9 2/12, Sun, Majestic Theatre Youth Orchestras of San Antonio: City Series – Winter Lights 2/12, Sun, McAllister Auditorium Music at St. Mark’s: Choral Evensong 2/12, Sun, St. Mark’s Episcopal Bob Schneider 2/17, Fri, Floore Country Store

Mid-Texas Symphony: Appalachian Spring 2/18, Sat, Oakwood Baptist-New Braunfels Landon Dodd 2/18, Sat, Anhalt HallSpring Branch Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights 2/18, Sat, Gruene Hall Fredericksburg Music Club: Chris McGuire, Classical Guitar 2/19, Sun, Fredericksburg United Methodist Church Musical Bridges Around The World: Gerri Allen 2/19, Sun, McAllister Auditorium Cloverleaf Quintet at Mission San Jose 2/19, Sun, Mission San Jose Band of Heathens 2/24, Fri, Floore Country Store Aaron Watson 2/25, Sat, Gruene Hall San Antonio Symphony &Youth Orchestras of San Antonio: Side by Side Concert 2/26, Sun, Laurie Auditorium

32 On The Town | January-February 2011

Olmos Ensemble: Three Great Woodwind Quintets 2/27, Mon, First Unitarian Universalist Arts San Antonio: Paddy Moloney and the Chieftains 2/29, Wed, Lila Cockrell Theater

On Stage Cameo Theatre: Chicago 1/1, Sun Cadillac Broadway Series: Les Miserables 1/3-8, Tue-Sun, Majestic Theatre

The Overtime Theater: Ghosts in the Afternoon 1/13-2/11, Thu-Sun The Rose Theatre Company: The Guys You Slept With 1/20-28, Fri-Sat Jump Start Performance Co.: Big, Bad and Beautiful: Still Hungry 1/20-29, Fri-Sun, Sterling Houston Theatre at Blue Star San Pedro Playhouse: Oklahoma!

1/20-2/19, Fri-Sun (except 1/22) Russell Hill Rogers Theater

Jump-Start Performance Co.: Performance Party 27 1/7, Sat, Sterling Houston Theatre at Blue Star

Cameo Theatre @ Spaghetti Warehouse: Mamma Mia That’sa Murder!

1/21, 2/11 & 18, Sat

San Pedro Playhouse: PlayFest 2012 1/12-1/22, Thu-Sun, Cellar Theater

The Spirit of Michael Laser Spectacular 1/27, Friday, Lila Cockrell Theater

Harlequin Dinner Theatre: Mousetrap 1/12-2/18, Thu-Sat

Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular 1/27, Friday, Lila Cockrell Theater

The Rose Theatre Company: A Tale of Two Stoners 1/13-2/4, Fri-Sat

Boerne Community Theatre: The Orphans 1/27-2/11, Fri-Sun

January-February 2011 | On The Town 33

Woodlawn Theatre: Rent 1/27-2/26, Fri-Sun Cameo Theatre: Same Time Next Year 1/28-2/26, Fri-Sun Cadillac Broadway Series: Cats 1/31-2/5, Tue-Sun, Majestic Theatre Sheldon Vexler Theatre: A View From the Bridge 2/2-26, Thu, Sat-Sun Circle Arts TheatreNew Braufels Nunsense 2/2-26, Thu-Sun Playhouse 2000: Moon Over Buffalo 2/3-18, Fri-Sat, (Sun 2/12 only) Kathleen C. Cailloux Theatre-Kerrville

The Classic Theatre San Antonio: Six Degrees of Separation 2/10-26, Fri-Sun Sterling Houston Theatre at Blue Star

Cadillac Broadway Series: Blue Man Group 2/21-26, Tue-Sun, Majestic Theatre

Hill Country Arts Foundation: Sex Please, We’re Sixty!

2/10-3/3, Fri-Sun Elizabeth Huth Coates Theatre-Ingram

University of the Incarnate Word Theater: The Tempest 2/24-3/3, Fri-Sun The Coates Theatre

San Pedro Playhouse: Superior Donuts 2/10-3/11, Fri-Sun (except 2/12) Cellar Theater

Rivercenter Comedy Club: Kelly Morton 1/1, Sun Mike Robles 1/4-8, Wed-Sun Spanky 1/11-15, Wed-Sun Mike Yard 1/18-22, Wed-Sun Julian McCullough 1/25-29, Wed-Sun RC Smith 2/1-4, Wed-Sat Cristela Alonzo 2/8-12, Wed-Sun JP Justice 2/15-19, Wed-Sun Jesse Joyce 2/22-26, Wed-Sun Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club: Andy Gross 1/1, Sun Kyle Dunnigan 1/4-8, Wed-Sun

S.T.A.G.E: Closure 2/16-3/4, Thu-Sun (except 2/19) Krause Haus Bulverde

The Rose Theatre Company: Death of a Salesman 2/10-25, Fri-Sat

Trinity University Theater: The Robber’s Bridegroom 2/17-19, Fri-Sun 2/22-25, Wed-Sat Stieren Theatre

The Renaissance Guild: Miss Evers Boys 2/10-26, Fri-Sun, Little Carver Theatre

Fredericksburg Theater Company: Godspell 2/17-3/4, Fri-Sun Steve W. Shepard Theater

34 On The Town | January-February 2011

The Overtime Theater: Sleepers Wake 2/23-3/24, Thu-Sun @ 3pm

Comedy

Louis Ramey 1/11-15, Wed-Sun Ben Creed 1/18-22, Wed-Sun Felipe Esparza 1/26-29, Thu-Sun Cory Kahaney 2/1-4, Wed-Sat Tom Rhodes 2/8-12, Wed-Sun Felicia Michaels 2/14-19, Tue-Sun Johnny Sanchez 2/22-26, Wed-Sun Bill Cosby 1/29, Sun, Majestic Theatre Gabriel Iglesias 2/2, Thu, International Center- Eagle Pass 2/3, Fri, Illusions Theatre at the Alamodome Jeanne Robertson 2/25, Sat Charline McCombs Empire Theatre

Dance Jesus Munoz FlamencoSilencio 1/7-8, Sat-Sun, Jo Long Theatre at Carver Community Cultural Center Spirit of Uganda 1/14, Sat, Jo Long Theatre atCarver Community Cultural Center

January-February 2011 | On The Town 35

Opera San Antonio Opera: Don Giovanni 2/17-19, Lila Cockrell Theater

For The Kids Magik Theatre: Diary of a Worm, a Spider and a Fly 1/6-2/4, Tue-Sat Magik Theatre: Diary of a Worm, a Spider and a Fly 1/6-2/4, Tue-Sat The Rose Theatre Company: Little Red Riding Hood 1/11-26, Wed-Thu Children’s Fine Arts Series: Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters 1/20, Fri, Charline McCombs Empire Theatre Children’s Fine Arts Series: Cinderella 2/15, Fri, Charline McCombs Empire Theatre The Rose Theatre Company: Mother Goose 2/15-3/1, Wed-Thu

Magik Theatre: If You Take a Mouse to School 2/15-3/24, Tue-Sat (no show 3/10)

On Exhibit ARTPACE International Artist-In-Resident New Works: 11.3 Frank Benson Graham Fagen Jeff Williams Russell Ferguson, curator Thru 1/8 Hudson (Show) Room Tony Feher 1/12-4/29 Window Works Judith Cottrell 1/12-4/29 International ArtistIn-Resident New Works: 12.1 Adam Pendleton James Sham Florian Slotawa Jeffrey Grove, curator Opens 3/21 BIHL HAUS ARTS Sobreviviente: Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez Thru 1/28

36 On The Town | January-February July-August 2009 2011

“On & Off” Fredericksburg Road Studio Tour 2/18-19

Cassatt and the Orient: Japan’s Influence on Printmaking Thru 1/15

BLUE STAR CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER

Art + Present: Gifts from the Peter Norton Family Thru 1/15

The British Invasion: Phillip King, Phil Evett, Harold Wood Thru 2/12

Robert Melton: Hungry Heart Thru 1/29

INSTITUTE OF TEXAN CULTURES

Baroque to Bauhaus: Designs from the Tobin Collection 1/18-6/10

Griff Smith’s Texas: A Retrospective through the Lens & Images of Texas Highways Thru 3/31 40 Years of Texas Folklife Festival Memories Thru 8/26 Timeless Texas Toys Thru 8/5 McNAY ART MUSEUM Nightmare Before Christmas Thru 1/1 The Orient Expressed: Japan’s Influence on Western Art, 1854-1918 Thru 1/15

An El Greco Rediscovered Opening January 2012

Adolf Dehn’s Selected Tales of Guy de Maupassant 1/25-5/6 Drawn Forth: Contemporary Drawings from the Collection 2/1-5/6 Andy Warhol: Fame and Misfortune 2/1-5/20 MUSEO ALAMEDA Revolution & Renaissance: Mexico & San Antonio 1910-2010 Thru 3/18

SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDEN Art In The Garden: Texas Uprising – Selections from The Texas Sculpture Group Thru 1/12 Amazing Butterflies Thru 2/12 SAN ANTONIO MUSEUM OF ART

Animal Instinct: The Photographs of Daniel Lee Thru 2/19 5000 Years of Chinese Jade Thru 2/19 The Chinese Art of Cricket Keeping: The Ernest K.H. Lee Collection Thru 6/15

San Antonio Collects: African American Artists 1/17-5/6

Maria Swartz: Constant Churning Thru 2/12

Imagenes del Pueblo: Spanish Popular Graphics from the Permanent Collection 1/28-6/28

Sonya Clark: Solo Exhibition Thru 2/12

SOUTHWEST SCHOOL OF ART Shannon Brock: Gene Pool Therapy Thru 2/12

Maddy Rosenberg: Architectural Spaces 1/20-2/19 WITTE MUSEUM Odyssey’s SHIPWRECK! Pirates and Treasures Thru 1/8

January-February 2011 | On The Town 37

Opening the Witte Wardrobe: 85 Years of Collecting Textiles Thru 3/25 Out of the Vault 85 Years of Collecting at the Witte Museum Thru 4/29 Witte Through Time: 85 Years and Still Growing Thru 5/26 Darwin: How One Man’s Theory Turned the World on its Head 2/18-9/3

Miscellaneous U.S. Army All-American Bowl 1/7, Sat, Alamodome Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam 1/14-15, Sat-Sun, Alamodome Western Heritage Art Show 1/20, Fri, Pearl Studio

Harlem Globetrotters 1/26, Thu, AT&T Center

Photo Credits

Zack Walther Courtesy liveatfloores.com

San Antonio Cocktail Conference 1/26-28, Thu-Sat, Sheraton Gunter Hotel, Bohanan’s and other downtown locations

Max Stalling Courtesy maxstalling.com

Page 32 (L-R)

Asian Festival 1/28, Sat, Institute of Texan Cultures Amtrak 40th Anniversary Exhibit Train 1/28-29, Amtrak Station 63rd Annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo 2/9-26, Mon-Sun, AT&T Center Valentine’s Night Candlelight Dinner & Ghost Tour 2/14, Tue, Menger Hotel Miss Collegiate San Antonio 2012 2/18, Sat, UIW Auditorium Hand in Hand – A Night on the Runway to Benefit Morgan’s Wonderland 2/18, Sat, Morgan’s Wonderland

38 On The Town | January-February July-August 2011 2011

Kenneth Freudigman Camerata San Antonio Photo by Greg Harrison Donald Braswell Courtesy donaldbraswell. com Jeffery Swannn Courtesy melodybunting. com Page 30 (L-R) Spencer Myer Photo by Roger Mastroianni Sebastian Lang-Lessing Photo by Marks Moore Reckless Kelly Courtesy recklesskelly.com Musical Offerings Courtesy musicalofferings. com

Wade Bowen Courtesy liveatfloores.com Charlie Robison Courtesy liveatfloores.com Pacifica Quartet Courtesy pacificaquartet. com Lionel Louke Photo courtesy Carver Community Cultural Center Page 34 (L-R) Vienna Boys Choir Photo courtesy Boerne Performing Arts Lady Antebellum Courtesy ladyantebellum. com Alan Jackson Courtesy alanjackson.com

Page 31 (L-R) Willie Nelson Photo courtesy Majestic Theatre

Gary P. Nunn Courtesy liveatfloores.com Page 36 (L-R)

Jeff Lofton Photo courtesy Carver Community Cultural Center Eugenia Zukerman Photo by Angela Jimenez Bob Schneider Courtesy liveatfloores. com Paddy Moloney & The Chieftains Photo courtesy Arts San Antonio Page 37 (L-R) Les Miserables Photo by Deen van Meer Cats Photo by Joan Marcus Blue Man Group Photo by Ken Howard Cristela Alonzo Courtesy cristelaalonzo. com Page 38 (L-R) Felicia Michaels Photo courtesy Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club

Jeanne Robertson Photo courtesy Charline McCombs Empire Theatre Bear Late Western Han dynasty to Early Eastern Han dynasty, 1st century BC1st century AD Nephrite M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.: Gift of Arthur M. Sackler, S1987.25 Courtesy San Antonio Museum of Art Asian Festival Dancers Photo courtesy Institute of Texan Cultures

Page 39 (L-R) Shannon Brock Check Your Tension, 2009, pulp painting, 8.5� x 8.5 Photo courtesy Southwest School of Art Amazing Butterflies Photo courtesy San Antonio Botanical Center January-February 2011 | On The Town 39

40 On The Town | January-February 2011

Visual Arts

42-60

January-February 2011 | On The Town 41

New Year

by Cassandra Yardeni

42 On The Town | January-February 2011

r, New Art January-February 2011 | On The Town 43

2

012 is upon us! As you ring in the New Year, resolve to explore the arts scene in San Antonio, a community brimming with fresh and fascinating artwork, ranging in topic from Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution, to a British invasion, to the captivating work of Andy Warhol.

Beginning Feb. 18, discover Darwin’s revolutionary ideas at Darwin: How One Man’s Theory Turned the World on its Head, an internationally acclaimed exhibit making its first Texas stop at the Witte Museum through Sept. 3.

which showcases a variety of implements that have been collected around the China custom of cricket-keeping, a hobby which appealed to the elite, producing items commissioned from top Chinese artisans. The collection includes artifacts such as cages, food and water trays, brushes, tongs, cricket-catchers, fighting arenas, scales, carrying tubes, cricket coffins and even beds for crickets.

Also on display at SAMA is Imágenes del Pueblo: Spanish Popular Graphics From the Permanent Collection, a collection of more than 100 works of Spanish graphic art produced during the 18th and 19th centuries. From Jan. Darwin offers visitors a provocative exploration of 28 through June 10, view art largely printed on ordinary the scientist’s life and discoveries. Glimpse Darwin’s and inexpensive materials such as woodblock paper intellectual and personal world through specimens, and lithographs. The works speak to the state of graphic documents, film, fossils, interactive media, exact replicas arts and offer a glimpse into the Spanish culture of that of his personal effects and a reconstruction of his study. time. Subjects include religious images, romantic stories, lurid and often gruesome depictions of crimes and Experience the wonders Darwin witnessed on his historic, natural disasters alongside cleverly designed text used to five-year voyage as an adventurous young man aboard teach Spanish children the alphabet, and the names of the HMS Beagle to South America, the Galapagos Islands vegetables and animals, among others. and beyond. Younger visitors can engage in computer interactives and peek at the exhibit’s live animals!

In honor of the 25th anniversary of San Antonio’s annual Martin Luther King Jr., March, SAMA will present San Hop over to the San Antonio Museum of Art for The Antonio Collects: African American Artists, featuring works Chinese Art of Cricket-Keeping: The Ernest K.H. Lee Collection, from the Harriet and Harmon Kelley and Irene and Leo

44 On The Town | January-February November-December 2011 2011

Edwards collections, an installation of works by African Feb. 1. The collection includes more than 150 objects American artists spanning the last 200 years. The collection in a variety of media and examines Warhol’s lifelong will be on display from Jan. 17 through May 6. obsessions with both celebrity and disaster. Works include juxtaposed pop-culture icons, legendary entertainers, Don’t miss your last chance to experience Sobreviviente: art world luminaries and world leaders with images of Gunaa Xoo Transforming Life, an exhibition of metaphoric suicides, auto accidents, skulls and even an electric chair. new artworks, video and installation by Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez. Sobreviviente is hosted at Bihl Haus Arts and pays The British are coming! The British are coming! The British homage to the Gunaa Xoo (“strong woman” in Zapoteco, a Invasion exhibits have arrived at Blue Star Contemporary language of the Tehuanas), who challenge those who try Arts Center. English artists Philip King, Phil Evett and to dismantle their society of governance, which is one of Harold Wood present works that range in content from the last enduring matriarchies in the world. large-scale sculptures to abstract forms and art on canvas. King’s Four Decades With Colour, Evett’s Untitled Through a series of portraits and compositions on found, collection, and Wood’s Levelland (Points of Scale) will be discarded or repurposed materials, the exhibit showcases on display through Feb. 12. visual metaphors of mujeres who have survived abuse and have managed to thrive despite their circumstances. Peek into the world of pulp painting and paper at the The paintings are accompanied by Vasquez’s digitally Southwest School of Art’s Gene Pool Therapy. On display altered video that presents five of these women -- Adela through Feb. 12, this exhibit features work by BrooklynArrellano, Victoria Garcia, Andrea Figueroa, Marina based artist Shannon Brock. Her works, like the other Hernandez Renaud and Hortensia Zimmerman -- telling exhibitions opening at the art school, are grounded in their stories of survival in their own words. personal experience and cast her days on a rural farm into delicate and sometimes humorous form.

Drawn from the rich collections of the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, Andy Warhol: Fame and Misfortune Local artist Marie Swartz presents Constant Churning, will be on display at the McNay Art Museum beginning on display at SSA through Feb. 12. Swartz masterfully

November-December January-February 2011 | On The Town 45

marries elements from folk tales, personal viewpoints and mysterious happenings to produce out-of-thisworld digital collages. The catalog also contains an essay by Mimi Swartz, Marie’s daughter and a Texas Monthly editor and contributor. Mimi notes, “When I talk about my mother’s ‘work,’ I am not limiting it to these photo collages, but about a life in which she was always remaking and refining the world around her to comport with some inner ideal.”

photo editor of Texas Highways Magazine. Among the diverse collection is a cowboy silhouetted against a neon Texas flag, a stately lighthouse in Port Isabel and a trick roper from Bandera. The exhibit also examines the creative process of magazine publication, from concept to finished product.

Finally, scoot on down to the Institute of Texan Cultures for a restrospective ride down the state’s remarkable highways. Griff Smith’s Texas features more than 50 photographs taken by J. Griffis Smith,

Take a break from your weekend or weekday routine, and enjoy some of the many enthralling exhibits on the local arts and culture scene. There’s no better time than the new year to experience the new art all around you!

Timeless Texas Toys, an ITC exhibit on display through Aug. 5, is a veritable treasure chest for tots, teens and parents alike. The collection explores the cultural values, Rounding out SSA’s exciting roster of art is work by prolific ingenuity, art and design expressed in handmade folk Virginia artist Sonya Clark. In her Solo Exhibition, Clark toys. From fantasy make-believe to pretending to be explores the potency of ancestry and historical biases, adults, folk toys made from local materials, such as wood, mingling subversive humor with traditional American clay, cloth or even corn husks, reflect local life and culture. iconography. Her works include sculptures, photos and These humble materials come to life in a child’s hands mixed-media objects that evoke her cultural experiences; and present life in miniature. many are literally entwined with, or made from, her own hair or black thread or yarn. She interprets “simple objects Also through August, ITC’s 40 Years of Texas Folklife as culture,” connecting cloth, combs or woven hair both Festival Memories showcases the stories, images, sounds with her personal narrative and within the context of and artifacts from the Texas Folklife Festival’s most African-American women’s history. memorable moments.

46 On The Town | January-February 2011

Photo Credits: Pages 42-43 Andy Warhol: Fame and Misfortune Three Marilyns, 1962.

Acrylic, screenprinting ink, and graphite on linen, 14 × 33½ in. The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh; Founding Collection, Contribution The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc., 1998.1.60. © 2011 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc./Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Page 44 (L-R)

Page 45 (L-R)

Page 46 (L-R)

Darwin: How One Man’s Theory Turned the World on its Head Exhibit Courtesy Witte Museum

Timeless Toys Exhibit Teddy Bear, circa 1906 (replica) Courtesy Institute of Texan Cultures

Timeless Toys Exhibit Selection of wooden toys: climbing bear, propeller, cup and ball, top and alphabet blocks Courtesy Institute of Texan Cultures

Harold Wood Levelland [Points of Interest] Courtesy Blue Star Contemporary Art Center Eldzier Cortor American (b. 1916) The Streetcar, 1937 oil on canvas 39 1/2 x 17 3/4 in.

From the Harmon and Harriet Kelley Foundation for the Arts Courtesy San Antonio Museum of Art

Philip King Four Decades with Colour Darwin I Courtesy Blue Star Contemporary Art Center Carved Gourd Cricket Cage with Boys Playing with Crickets Qing Dynasty, 18th - 19th c.

Gourd, Ivory, Tortoiseshell 6 ¾ in. x 3 in.

On loan from Ernest K. H. Lee Courtesy San Antonio Musuem of Art

Maddy Rosenberg Architectural Spaces Courtesy Southwest School of Art Page 47 (L-R) Angel Rodriguez-Diaz Angel Ying Yang 2008, enamel on paper Sobreviviente Exhibit Courtesy Bihl Haus Arts Darwin: How One Man’s Theory Turned the World on its Head Exhibit Courtesy Witte Museum

January-February 2011 | On The Town 47

48 On The Town | January-February 2011

T he Art of G . E . "B uddy" M u l l an

By Susan A. Merkner Photography Greg Harrison

S

an Antonio artist G.E. “Buddy” Mullan has evolved his work from the colorful Southwestern works that gained him fame to contemporary religious art pieces that explore similar themes from a different perspective.

Despite the obvious reverence expressed in his art, Mullan brings a sense of humor and irreverence to life, cracking wise during an interview.

“I taught for a number of years, so I like to say I’m a recovering teacher,” Mullan said. Although enjoyable, teaching art was an expensive endeavor, as he typically had to pay for his own supplies.

Until the late 1980s, Mullan painted mostly contemporary Southwestern themes, such as landscapes, in a stylized way, with his work notable for its precise color overlaid on fluid washes, and his use of texture and visual activity.

“I was born in Tyler, Texas, only to be near my mother,” Mullan said. “I’m 68, going on 12.”

Mullan’s work, which then was sold primarily through galleries, included limited-edition posters Mullan grew up in Waco and Temple. “One of my and prints. He designed several winning posters for earliest memories is drawing,” he said. “In fact, I Fiesta events and the UTSA Folklife Festival, and got in trouble for it. I was in the first grade, and illustrated the 1984 book, “James Butler Bonham,” my mother had bought me a Big Chief tablet for by Jean Flynn. school. But by the time the first day of class came, I had already filled it up with pictures.”

A turning point came in 1987, when he was asked

by San Antonio Archbishop Patrick Flores to create He studied art at a community college and then a painting for Pope John Paul II for his visit to the transferred to St. Mary ’s University, where he Alamo City in September of that year. Flores also majored in history and philosophy. At his family ’s asked Mullan to make prints as gifts for the bishops urging, he prepared for a teaching career, being who would be attending the papal events locally. told that he would not be able to make a living Mullan painted San Antonio de Yanaguana, the as an artist. city’s patron saint.

January-February 2011 | On The Town 49

That work soon was followed by commissioned pieces for churches, religious orders, universities, hospitals and other organizations, as well as for individual patrons. Mullan’s work now is almost solely devoted to commissioned paintings featuring religious subjects. In addition, he has designed liturgical furnishings, such as altars, ambos and processional crosses.

On his website, Mullan describes his religious artwork as an adaptation of such diverse artistic traditions as the imagery of the Roman catacombs, the icons and mosaics of the Italo-Byzantine world, the illuminated manuscripts of Medieval Europe, and the santos of Mexico and the American Southwest.

In 2005, Mullan’s parish, St. Francis of Assisi, on San Antonio’s Northwest Side, was observing its 25th anniversary. His wife, Celina, asked the pastor if the Mullans could organize a pilgrimage to Assisi. They took 48 people to Italy, and before the two weeks were over, some of travelers were asking where they could all go next for a visit.

Since then, the couple has organized three trips to Italy, two to Spain and one to Ireland, Buddy Mullan said, and they now are planning a trip to Israel. The trips combine religious pilgrimage with sites known for their historic art.

Most of his recent work is paintings, often 7 to 9 feet high, but technically not murals, and most are site-specific, designed to fit a particular area or architectural feature. Mullan created several paintings for St. Francis College in New York for arched niches over doorways. He also was commissioned to create six paintings for a chapel in New Hampshire to hang across the space from existing stained-glass windows, so he echoed some of the windows’ colors in his art.

“People will ask me, ‘Isn’t it a drag to do what it didn’t occur to you to do?’ But I find it an interesting challenge, especially when I’m designing works for specific spaces,” the artist said.

In 2006, Mullan received the Saint Mother Teresa Award for his work in religious art from the Albuquerque, N.M., St. Bernadette Institute of 50 On The Town | January-February 2011

Sacred Art. Other award winners have been South African leader Nelson Mandela, poet Maya Angelou and former President Jimmy Carter.

In 2009, Mullan’s book “Canticle: Biblical Songs Illuminated,” was published by World Library Publications. It contains 20 paintings based on Old and New Testament verses, with commentary by John Shea.

Mullan remains open to whatever possibilities exist in the art world. “It’s a positive thing to make me think in new directions,” he said, with no trace of irreverence.

To view Mullan’s gemullanstudio.com.

catalogue,

visit

www.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • Photos Credits: Page 50 (Above) Saint Louise de Marillac (Below) Saint Anne Patron of Christian Mothers and Housewives Page 51 (Above) The Annunciation (Below) Saint Anthony de Padua

January-February 2011 | On The Town 51

52 On The Town | January-February 2011

Culinary Arts 54-60

January-February 2011 | On The Town 53

54 On The Town | January-February 2011

Cheryl Bezuidenhout: The Personal Touch

By Julie Catalano Photography Greg Harrison

I

n the late 1980s, an offhand comment by a friend The April 2010 move to Blanco Road inside at dinner changed Cheryl Bezuidenhout’s life Loop 410 was a turning point, reaching a whole forever. new audience with a bistro-style dinner menu featuring more sophisticated fare, a nice wine She laughs at the memory. “He owned a building list (“We’re adding more South African wines”), at the medical center, and said he wished he signature dishes such as Cape Milay Beef Curry knew somebody who would open a little lunch (“slightly fruitier compared to the Asian curries”), place there. I said, ‘Oh, I would like that!’ ” The and killer desserts such as Malva pudding and friend wasted no time, calling Bezuidenhout the Lemon Posset. “It’s a very old British dessert they next morning asking if she was serious. She was. used to give people who weren’t feeling well in the morning,” Bezuidenhout said, referring to the Picnikins was born in December 1988 as light, delectable concoction of fresh lemon juice, a 600-square-foot catering/take-out shop cream and sugar. that caught on fast. Husband Andre quit the homebuilding business that originally brought One thing that hasn’t changed – and won’t – is them to San Antonio to join his wife in their Bezuidenhout’s business philosophy. “Customer new venture. Not a classically trained chef, the service is the most important thing,” she said.

South African-born Bezuidenhout (whose name “We have a very personal approach. We believe means “south of the forest”) had taken only a that’s extremely important, and we’ve tried to few courses at the Cordon Bleu. No problem. “I’m carry that through.” a quick learner, I have a good palate, and I’m a per fectionist, so I know what needs to be done Nowhere is that more apparent than in Picnikins’ and how.” thriving catering business, with repeat customers trusting Bezuidenhout to the extent that they The combination worked, and Picnikins was call in the morning to send over “whatever we’re a success, serving fresh-made sandwiches, making today,” she said. “ They know it’s fresh soups and salads to the bustling medical center and good.” Delivery is citywide, with a flat $15 community and making a name for itself as a delivery fee. signature caterer. Several years ago, a “now-ornever ” moment occurred – youngest daughter “ This is a total family effort,” Bezuidenhout said.

Bronwyn was college-bound – and the couple “Andre and I have worked together since 1988, decided to step up their game. and we’re still married.” For 34 years, to be exact.

January-February 2011 | On The Town 55

“ We did whatever it took,” she said definitively.

“It was a struggle in the beginning, as all businesses are. You just do what you have to do.

You get it done.”

Pepper Soup (which prompted one online reviewer to write that she wished she could “swim in it”); and the meticulously prepared chicken salad, handmade daily in small batches.

The key, Bezuidenhout said, “is keeping it simple and fresh. More involved ingredients don’t always equal better.” Future plans include wine dinners beginning in the new year and possibly an expansion to a second location eventually.

In the beginning Bezuidenhout that meant enlisting young sons Barry and Geoff to fill a lastminute holiday order of 350 of their famous rum cakes. Baby Bronwyn would often have “a little bed under the desk” in those early days. “We did what we had to do,” Bezuidenhout said with emphasis. At 53, the former piano teacher said, “I’m not as “ They’ve all grown up around this.” Geoff still young as I used to be, but I love what I do.” She works in the administrative side of the business. added quickly: “I have to stress that I could not have done this without my husband and son.

Tall and soft spoken, with huge green eyes, We rely heavily on each other and working with Bezuidenhout loves to talk about food – preparing family can have its own issues, too, but at the end it, serving it, finding out what her customers like of the day that’s where it’s at.” Along with one and don’t like about it. Not that there’s anything other very important asset. “Here’s what else I not to like. Picnikins’ lunch and dinner menus are found – you need really good shoes.” diverse and satisfying, with seemingly something for everyone. Signature dishes bring customers For more information, visit picnikinspatiocafe. back for more, like the divine Roasted Poblano com.

56 On The Town | January-February 2011

January-February 2011 | On The Town 57

Fête du Cuvée Best of the Best in Food and Wine on March 3

By Dawn Robinette

A

.new event dots the San Antonio landscape this spring, and it’s one that food and wine enthusiasts don’t want to miss: the Junior League of San Antonio’s Fête du Cuvée Fine Wine Auction.

Mokara Hotel & Spa and Las Canarias at Omni La Mansión del Rio; Ernesto Estrada, chef de cuisine, Francesca’s at Sunset; and James Moore, executive chef, Max’s Wine Dive. The intimate evening also will include two additional chefs. A quick glimpse at the The name, Fête du Cuvée is a play on the term “tête “best of the best”: de cuvée,” which means the top of the line from any Champagne house. The event is a celebration Born and raised in Galveston, Jeffer y Balfour of the best of the best and features exclusive lots developed a love for his native cuisine and and unique offerings for wine connoisseurs, such as the freshest ingredients. Under his direction, large-format bottles, libraries and allotment wines. Citrus Restaurant has become known as one The live and silent auctions will include one-of-a-kind of San Antonio’s most innovative fine -dining offerings and fabulous wine-related experiences. restaurants. Balfour took first place at this year ’s Paella Challenge, where chefs from around the The evening will be highlighted by cuisine and wine countr y competed for the title. He also has pairings from select San Antonio chefs, including received one of the culinar y world’s top honors, Jeffrey Balfour, executive chef, Hotel Valencia being chosen to showcase his talents at the Riverwalk; John Brand, executive chef, Ostra at James Beard House in New York.

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Raised on a farm in the Midwest, John Brand developed a knack for tending animals and nurturing a garden at a young age. His handson experience cultivated a passion for locally sourced, fresh ingredients that he applies to both Ostra and Las Canarias. Brand’s vision for Las Canarias includes a broader variety of Hill Country game meats and incorporates vibrant, regional ingredients, including Native American greens and products such as quinoa that were once prevalent in the South Texas region.

more than 20 years of restaurant experience, world travel and knowledge of numerous styles of cuisine, as well as an insatiable curiosity, Moore adds a unique spin to the gourmet comfort food menu found at Max’s Wine Dive.

Fête du Cuvée is March 3 at The Bright Shawl. Net proceeds from the event will benefit the community programs and projects of the Junior League of San Antonio. The Junior League works with more than 60 local agencies each year, making it the nonprofit that supports other nonprofits in San Antonio.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Ernie Estrada has always had a passion for cooking, thanks to growing To learn more, visit sawineauction.com. up in Abuelita’s kitchen. He works with ingredients that arouse his culinary curiosities. Through the “farm-to-table experience,” Estrada works with local farmers and ranchers to have the best seasonal Photo Credits Page 59 (L-R) ingredients available, using the best of what South Texas has to offer to create signature dishes for Page 58 (L-R) Ernesto Estrada – Francesca’s at Sunset.

Jeffrey Balfour – Citrus Francesca’s at Sunset Photo by Al Rendon An Alamo Heights High School graduate, James Photo by Greg Harrison Moore’s travels from Texas to California to Tuscany James Moore – Max’s have influenced his approach to foods. Inspired by John Brand – Las Canarias / Ostra Wine Dive everything from foie gras to vodka, he has a passion Courtesy Max’s Wine Dive for food, wine, spirits and good music. Armed with Photo by Greg Harrison

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Literary Arts

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Book Talk:

ROBERT BONAZZI Poet, Poetry Reviewer and biographer of John Howard Griffin Story and Photo by Jasmina Wellinghoff

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n 1959, a determined white writer from Mansfield, Texas, changed the color of his skin and spent six weeks living like a black man in the segregated Deep South. His name was John Howard Griffin, and his account of that extraordinary experience was published in 1961 under the title “Black Like Me,” a book that shook up the white establishment and became an international bestseller. Americans, as well as people all around the world, have been reading it ever since.

Though his life seems intertwined with Griffin’s legacy, Bonazzi is a respected poet in his own right with five poetry collections to his name and a sixth one, “ The Scribbling Cure,” due soon from Pecan Grove Press. Naomi Shihab Nye called him “a legendary figure in Texas letters.” He currently writes a poetry column for the San Antonio Express-News and is hard at work on a book of literary criticism focusing on 12 Texas writers.

But with a new edition of “Black Like Me” (also It’s the kind of book that changes lives and that referred to as BLM below) issued by San Antoniocertainly turned out to be true for Robert Bonazzi based Wings Press in 2011, together with other who, as a young journalist involved in civil Griffin titles, Bonazzi is back in the public eye, rights at the University of Houston, interviewed discussing Griffin’s life and work. We talked to him Griffin in 1966 for his fledgling Latitudes literary in his cozy San Antonio studio where huge blackmagazine. Despite an age difference of more and-white photos of Griffin and Elizabeth hang than 20 years, the two men became friends and just behind his computer. Below are excerpts from intellectual colleagues, which ultimately led to our long and interesting conversation.

Bonazzi becoming Griffin’s literary executor and later biographer. A few years after Griffin’s death, JW: When did you first read “Black Like Me” and he married the author’s widow, Elizabeth, with what was your reaction to it? whom he edited and oversaw the publication of Griffin’s other works. The biography “Man in the RB: That was in 1962-63 while I was in college, Mirror: John Howard Griffin and the Story of ‘Black a year or two after it came out. I was involved Like Me’” was published in 1997 by Orbis Books. with the NAACP on campus and was interested in January-February 2011 | On The Town 63

the issues facing what was still then a segregated society in Houston. I had grown up in segregated schools but at the University of Houston there was no segregation. In fact, it was very integrated and that was an enlightening experience. So reading the book was a part of that new experience. At the time I was reading a lot of sophisticated black thinkers and writers. But it was the unique perspective of “Black Like Me” -- a white man disguised as a black man; I love that double perspective – that made the book so effective. Griffin had done something that none of us would have even thought of doing.

JW: In a recent panel discussion sponsored by Wings Press and Gemini Ink, you said that so many people have told you over the years that “Black Like Me” changed their lives. Did they explain further?

RB: Ninety-nine percent of those have been white people who had not been aware of their own inculcated racism until they read the book.

It opened their eyes to the kind of prejudices the white population ingested from the culture at large without even realizing it. In BLM, Griffin calls attention to his own unconscious racism that he had to face. That makes readers face theirs. To me, that’s the most extraordinary thing about Griffin’s undertaking. It’s not that he thought of it or that it was a very dangerous thing to do at the time, but that he faces his own racism and realizes that emotionally he is not liberated at all. Intellectually he was, but not emotionally.

RB: His real motivation was spiritual, a religious commitment. He viewed all of humanity the same. That sounds warm and fuzzy when you say it but when you act it out, it’s quite another thing. It’s interesting, however, that when black students asked that question – later on, students who were too young to remember segregation – they would ask (sincerely wondering), “Why in the world would you want to be black when you didn’t have to be?”

Intellectually, I think that he felt that white people wouldn’t be able to deny what he experienced (because he was white). Again, there was that blindness. They (whites) were not reading black writers; they didn’t want to know (how African Americans were forced to live).

JW: Griffin eventually became a sought-after lecturer and advocate for civil rights. How to you see BLM and his work in general in relation to the civil rights movement?

RB: BLM, as well as his lectures afterwards for 10 years, as well as all the other books he wrote about racism, all this work was very significant to the white community which was the community that needed to be penetrated. He lectured mostly to white students, which is what Dr. Martin Luther King had asked him to do. So I think his overall work was very, very significant for the civil rights movement. But he was a reluctant activist at first.

He had written novels earlier in life and he thought JW: Griffin reportedly disliked being asked why he was going to return to writing fiction. But BLM he did what he did. Yet, it seems like a legitimate propelled him into activism. The book has never question. Why did he object to it? been out of print since 1961; it’s been translated into 16 languages! On the other hand, hardly RB: First of all, he did not believe that we can fully anyone remembers his novels. Though I think he understand our own motives. And oftentimes he was a very good novelist. felt that it was a pointed question, like, ‘Why in hell would you, a white, privileged middle-class man, JW: You must have been busy during this 50th do something like that? Was it some sort of joke?’ anniversary year.

Part of the problem was that people who asked that question were either pushing their own agenda or RB: Yes, there have been dozens of interviews, from were totally clueless. If you read the book, you had the U.K., from France, from all over the U.S. You can a good idea why he might have done it. So what he find a list of articles based on interviews with me used to tell them was, “I don’t want my children to on the Wings Press website. In addition, there were grow up to be nasty little racists.” radio interviews. And the most frequent question was, “Is ‘Black Like Me’ still relevant and why?” I JW: Apparently, that was not what really motivated him. tell them, “It’s relevant because it’s an historical 64 On The Town | January-February 2011

document that beautifully gives you an inside look at the segregation era in the Deep South. And secondly, it’s a wonderful read.”

JW: What moves you to write a poem?

RB: I don’t begin by thinking “What I am trying to say?” A poem can begin with a line, an image In the last three years, new editions of “Black Like Me” or a metaphor, and then the subconscious goes have appeared in Europe (for which Bonazzi served to work and develops it further. I am more as editor). Though it has its level of excitement, I interested to see where this process is going to wish all of this had happened to me when I was in lead rather than where I can make it go to make my early 50s rather than now (laughs). (He is 69.) my point. I will follow the voice of the poem. Of course, there are revisions afterwards and a lot of JW: Why? conscious work, too.

RB: Because I would rather talk about other JW: According to recent announcements, San things now.

Antonio will become the first Texas city to have its own poet laureate. The Office of Cultural Affairs is JW: OK! You are a poet and a poetry critic. Let’s talk already accepting nominations. Would you like to about poetry. comment on that?

RB: I don’t take myself too seriously as a critic. I am more like a sophisticated reader of poetry, and I tend to write about what I think is good. I figure if a book of poetry is of some value, I would like to point that out, if it’s not, I just ignore it… For my Poetic Diversity column for the Express-News, they want me to review books with a Texas connection of some kind – from a Texas author or with the Texas theme. That’s OK. Texas poets are as good as the ones on the East Coast. San Antonio has lots of good ones. If Texas has 20 great poets, 10 of them are in San Antonio. (He later mentions Naomi Shihab Nye, Bryce Milligan, Marian Aitches and Jim LaVilla-Havelin as examples.)

JW: How do you approach the reviewing process?

RB: If I read a book with, say, five or six great poems, I focus on those and I look for a theme based on the best poems and lines. I reread them several times over two or three days. So the ultimate impression grows out of fragmented reading and note-taking.

I take my time. I am always looking for fresh and imaginative leaps, something I haven’t read 100 times before.

JW: What appeals to you about poetry?

RB: What I like is the telegraphic, instantaneous communication and insight that you can get from the best poetry. Poetry is a flash of insight. The greatest poems explode your imagination.

RB: Strictly as a promotional boost for poetry in San Antonio, it sounds good. But I have no idea what the city ’s standards are or who the judges may be. If it’s anything like the Poet Laureate of Texas one can expect a great deal of unevenness in the selection. On the other hand, there are more good poets here than in any other Texas city. These opinions (on who deserves the title) are obviously subjective. Poetry resists tangible criteria, like ratings.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • “Is Black Like Me still relevant and why? -- It’s relevant because it’s a historical document that beautifully gives you an inside look at the segregation era in the Deep South. And secondly, it’s a wonderful read.”

- Robert Bonazzi January-February 2011 | On The Town 65

Independent Book Stores: Local Sources for eBooks

By Claudia Maceo-Sharp

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’m guessing that over the holidays someone gave you a device with the potential of reading electronic books. Be it a single-function device, like a Nook, Sony Reader, a Kindle, one of their permutations, or a tablet or notebook, you now have the mechanical means and opportunity to buy ebooks. With this said, there are choices to be made.

Each vendor of these apparatuses sells electronic books that you can download from their individual websites. Google eBooks, however, can be downloaded onto any device. Local independent bookstores that participate in the electronic book program through the American Booksellers Association, such as The Twig Book Shop, make Google editions available through their websites. Additionally, the ABA’s IndieBound Reader app for Android has just debuted.

Developed by Bluefire Productions, an independent software company in Seattle, IndieBound Reader is available for devices using the Android operating system, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab and Droid smartphones by Motorola, and soon will be available for iOS devices.

“With the release of IndieBound Reader, independent bookstores are taking another major step forward as players on the digital stage,” said ABA technology director Matt Supko.

“A year after the launch of Google eBooks, indies have become a vital and fast-growing part of the ebook market, thanks to their creativity, marketing savvy, and knack for matching the customer with the best book for them -- print or digital,” Supko said.

“The IndieBound Reader app gives independent bookstores a home on the most popular mobile devices, making it easier than ever for customers to shop local when they shop digital.”

Independent bookstores partnered with Google in selling Google eBooks in 2010 because of its open and accessible platform. By doing this, they provided an easy way for customers to discover, read and buy ebooks while supporting local businesses.

The advent of IndiBound Reader also strongly supports the “buy from locals” premise. In addition to these advances in technology, the six largest publishers, which command the lion’s share of titles, electronic or otherwise, have agreed to sell books at the same price through all vendors. So there is every reason to continue to shop with your local independent bookstore.

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Eclectics 70-83

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Evelyn Crow’s Karilagan Dancers

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Asian Festival: Founders look back at 25 Years of Tradition

By James Benavides Photography courtesy Institute of Texan Cultures

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n 2012, the Asian Festival marks its 25th anniversary.

The “Year of the Dragon” celebration is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 28, at the Institute of Texan Cultures. Here, three members of the festival’s steering committee talk about its origins and how it has grown into one of San Antonio’s favorite cultural celebrations.

May Lam Asian Festival founder How did the Asian Festival begin?

Originally, we were at the San Antonio Museum of Art. I gave some “good luck money” -- a Chinese tradition -- to the new Asian wing. When they asked what to do with the money, I said plan a program for children and teach them about the Chinese New Year. Well, 2,000 people showed up.

How did the event grow into such a success?

The Asian Festival is successful because it’s community-based. It’s home-grown and a way for people to feel good about themselves and appreciate other peoples’ culture. We’ve opened the festival to participants from other countries and we’ve become friends. People come back every year to see the friends they’ve made. Also, we’re starting to see second-generation families attend.

The event is also successful thanks to the Institute of Texan Cultures, which has been an excellent partner since the festival moved there in 2000. The ITC is known for cultural celebrations. It’s where the festival should be.

With 25 years of history behind it, what’s in the Asian Festival’s future?

We have a prominent Cambodian living in San Antonio, Ambassador Sichan Siv, who was a United States ambassador to the United Nations. He arrived in the United States as a refugee in the 70s. On a recent trip to Cambodia, Ambassador Siv and his wife met with Cambodian government officials and began a dialog for future collaborations. In the next few years, we hope to bring a Cambodian dance company to perform at the festival.

We’ve had wonderful collaborations in the past, with friends from UTSA’s East Asia Institute, who helped bring the Taichung City Da Dun exhibition, the Mei Chiang Dancers of Taiwan and the Japanese Cultural Heritage photo exhibition, which coincided with past festivals. These are the types of relationships we hope to foster, which will give our community new opportunities to explore and appreciate other cultures.

Evelyn Crow President, Karilagan Philippine Cultural Group Crow arrived in San Antonio with her family in 1986.

She was asked to co-chair the Asian Festival in 1989.

What’s your favorite part of the festival?

When we see everything coming together on the day of the festival, after all the planning in the months before. We witness all the Asian organizations and participating groups working together to offer the community a glimpse of our cultures. It’s like being January-February 2011 | On The Town 71

in Asia without leaving San Antonio!

What does the Asian Festival mean to you?

Because most of us are immigrants, it is important for us to preserve our heritage, being far away from where we came. It’s critical for our children to know their roots -- where their parents and ancestors began their journey. The Asian Festival provides us a venue to showcase our customs and traditions through our dances, music, costumes, food and exhibits. Even though our origins are different -- language, religion, countries -- we have so many commonalities.

Reneé Park Owner, Aloha Entertainment Born and raised in San Antonio, Park credits her father with passing along his Hawaiian heritage and more.

In the festival’s formative years, she volunteered to perform the Chinese Lion Dance, a Chinese Ribbon Dance and a Thai folkdance, which she learned from her father. Hawaii is an example of how cultures interact. The observance of the Lunar New Year is one of the traditions that came to the island.

May Lam Renee Parks

What organization do you represent?

I’m the president of Hula Halau Ohana Elikapeka.

The group was established in 1995, but the Asian Festival was the catalyst for the group to form. A lot of our members are second and third generation; there aren’t many from the island anymore. You’ll find that in a lot of organizations today. The festival plays an important part in keeping us connected to our heritage.

What does the Asian Festival mean to you?

When you look into everyone’s history, not so many were willing to come together and share in this way.

There have been prejudices and wars between nations and peoples. For them to share their time, experiences and culture with everyone is a great opportunity. It shows that we have put aside our differences, and we can celebrate as a unified community.

The 25th Annual Asian Festival is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jan. 28 at the Institute of Texan Cultures. Check TexanCultures.com for the latest news and online ticket orders.

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Artistic Destination:

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New Dali Museum Makes Waves in St.Petersburg, Florida

By Julie Catalano | Photography courtesy Dali Museum

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aybe it’s the way the Florida sun gleams on the riveting structure rising from the waterfront of St. Petersburg, an architectural wonder with 900 triangular glass panels snaking over the sides. Or maybe it’s what’s inside: the largest collection of Salvador Dali’s work outside of his native Spain, honoring one of history’s most controversial and polarizing artists.

in The Persistence of Memory (1931)? Here they are again almost 20 years later, fragmented in smaller elements with rectangular blocks revealing more imagery and insight into the earlier work. Note: The original 1931 painting is at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, so don’t look for it here.

Dali’s spirit of playful imagination, disdain for authority, and a pervasive sense of humor and discovery reign supreme at the museum, where you don’t know where to look first. Take the excellent complimentary tour, where knowledgeable docents start at the third floor collection galleries. Or pick up a free, self-paced audio guide at the ticket desk. Both are indispensable in deciphering Dali’s complex works that often contain hidden images, puzzles, symbols and inside jokes.

For ticket info, videos, and calendar of events, go to thedali.org.

- You can’t really miss the monumentals, even if you Whatever the reason, the new $36 million Dali Museum wanted to. The Discovery of America by Christopher is wowing the worlds of art and architecture in its first Columbus (1959) and The Hallucinogenic Toreador (1968year. The Michelin Guide ranked it as the top museum 70) are two of the huge master works at the museum. in the American South. Attendance reached 200,000 The spectacular Gala Contemplating the Mediterranean in its first six months (the same number of annual Sea which at Twenty Meters Becomes a Portrait of visitors to the old location, also in St. Petersburg). Abraham Lincoln (1976) is one of the last paintings he Finally, it landed on AOL Travel’s list of “buildings you completed before his health began to fail – Dali died in have to see before you die.”

1989 – and one you’ll be telling your friends about for years. Note: Some of the monumentals may be on loan Housing more than 2,000 works of the master – 96 oil to other institutions in 2012. paintings including seven master works, watercolors, drawings, photographs, films, sculptures, and a Leave plenty of time to browse the extensive museum massive archive – the building (nicknamed “The gift shop, replete with melting clock merchandise and Glass Enigma”) was designed by internationally other images of Dali’s most famous works. Cafe Gala renowned architect Yann Weymouth. offers light fare with a Spanish flair, with indoor and outdoor seating and views of the waterfront. Visitors The museum is the culmination of a lifelong passion of can relax in the Avant-Garden with its mystifying maze the late Cleveland industrialist A. Reynolds Morse and of hedges, grotto pond with bridge, and native flora. his wife Eleanor, who died in 2010. Their fascination with Dali began after buying Daddy Longlegs of the Evening, From its stunning 75-foot spiral staircase sculpture Hope! (1940) for $800, as a wedding gift to each other in representing a single strand of DNA, to the continuously 1942, and eventually becoming close friends with the running loop of Un Chien Andalou (1929), considered artist and his wife/muse, Gala. When the Morses had no one of the greatest surrealistic films ever made and comore room for their growing collection, the first Dali directed by the master himself, the museum will leave museum opened in St. Petersburg in 1982, which they you dazed and yes, maybe a little confused. Even if also outgrew. At 66,400 square feet, the new museum – you’re not a fan of the mustachioed master, you can’t double the size of the old one – opened to great fanfare help but get caught up in Dali’s world – an irresistible on Jan. 11, 2011 (1-11-11) at 11:11 a.m. combination of pure genius and sheer madness.

What you need to know: St. Petersburg is 20 minutes from Tampa International Airport (TPA). The local community hosts monthly programs, classes, seminars, and children’s and senior activities at the museum.

Hotels also have gotten into the act: Check out the 2012 three-night “Dali for a Day” package at the Trade Winds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach, with two adult Highlights of the priceless collection include: museum admissions, Dali collection merchandise and more. Trolley service runs directly from the hotel to - The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory downtown St. Petersburg. For specific dates and rates, (1954). Remember Dali’s famous melting clocks go to justletgo.com or call (866) 587-8538.

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