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ON THE TOWN Sixth Anniversary Issue
Gini Gini Garcia Garcia Eugene Eugene Simor Simor Culinaria Culinaria Festival Festival Dr. Dr. William William Chiego Chiego Fiesta速 Fiesta速 San San Antonio Antonio Ballet Ballet SA SA Balanchine Balanchine Briscoe Briscoe Night Night of of Artists Artists Plus Plus 12 12 Additional Additional Articles Articles
March/April 2015
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Features Baroque to Broadway, Balanchine to Blue Man, Annie to Abba: March and April have it all Uniting People One Concert at a Time 2015 International Music Festival kicks off in May
Features Cont. 8
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Ballet San Antonio Presents Balanchine 18 in a San Antonio first International Puppet Festival: 22 A first for Texas Culinaria Festival Week Makes an 48 Exciting Return Eugene Simor’s Alamo Golden Ale now 52 brewed and bottled in new facility with visitor center Pedernales Cellars: The pride of a sixth 56 generation Texas family A Conversation with William J. Chiego: 62 Director of McNay Art Museum Briscoe Western Art Museum’s Night of 66 Artists brings the best of the west to San Antonio
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Arte y Tradición Beyond Borders: A Curator’s Notes
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Gini Garcia: Glass Artist Fiesta® San Antonio returns for 124th year
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Discover the Rain Forest at the San Antonio Botanical Garden
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34th Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival: May 13-17 at historic Guadalupe Theatre and Rosedale Park
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Departments
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Events Calendar
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Artistic Destination: Houston’s 28th Annual Art Car Parade takes to the street on April 11
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Book Talk: Jim La-Villa-Havelin – Poet, 82 Teacher, Poetry Month Coordinator Random Thoughts: Pistol Packin’ Paula, 94 Majestic Broadway and all that jazz Out & About With Greg Harrison
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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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Cover Credits Contributors Front Cover Photo: Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Courtesy aspensantafeballet.org
Mikel Allen, creative director / graphic designer
Performing Arts Cover Photo Tango Buenos Aires © 2013 Columbia Artists Management Inc.
Olivier J. Bourgoin (aka, Olivier the Wine Guy)
Events Calendar Cover Photo Once Photo by Joan Marcus Culinary Arts Cover Photo © Tomajestic | Dreamstime.com Visual Arts Cover Photo © Rinderart | Dreamstime.com Literary Arts Cover Photo © H368k742 | Dreamstime.com Eclectics Cover Photo: Photo by Greg Harrison
Julie Catalano Thomas Duhon Sharon Garcia Vivienne Gautraux Dan R. Goddard
Christian Lair, operations manager / webmaster Kay Lair Tracy Lowe Veronica Luna Marlo Mason-Marie Ginger McAneerRobinson Susan A. Merkner, copy editor Angela Rabke Sara Selango
Greg Harrison, staff photographer
Juan Tejada
Sharon HuntingtonHoughtaling
Jasmina Wellinghoff
Alicia Viera
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Performing Arts 8-26
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Baroque to Broadway, Balanchine March and April have it all. Pick y By Sara Salengo
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e to Blue Man, Annie to Abba: your favorites, go and enjoy!
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S
ince the opening of the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, I have attended four symphony classical concerts, one symphony pops concert, three Broadway shows and two holiday performances. That’s a nice, round total of 10 at this incredible new venue. In addition, in that same time period, I have enjoyed being in the crowd for five Broadway musicals at the venerable Majestic Theatre, including one of my alltime favorites, Chicago: The Musical, plus the theatrical spectacular, The Lion King. I am thrilled with the worldclass entertainment I’ve enjoyed in San Antonio at these two venues and others, as I am sure you are as well. Without question, we have entered a new era in the city and surrounding environs, one of abundance in live performance opportunities.
starting with music. Representing the classical genre, San Antonio Symphony gets things started with The Baroque Series: The Brandenburg Concertos at San Fernando Cathedral March 1; Akiko Fujimoto conducts. Next up are noted soprano Ava Pine in an appearance for the Tuesday Musical Club March 3, Copperleaf Quintet at the McNay Art Museum March 8, Apollo Chamber Players as part of the Fredericksburg Music Club season March 15, and the symphony’s Petrushka featuring pianist Alexei Volodin March 20-22 at the Tobin. Continuing on, Camerata San Antonio offers Salon Camerata in Boerne, Kerrville and San Antonio March 27-29, and San Antonio Chamber Music Society concludes its season with Elias Quartet at Temple BethEl March 29. On the same day, Mid-Texas Symphony features oboist Jennifer Berg in a program titled River As validation, let me offer that the months of March of Time at the Canyon Performing Arts Center in New and April overflow with great evenings and matinees, Braunfels. Musical Offerings closes out March with starting with Arts San Antonio’s presentation of 2Cellos Jazz Meets Classical: Billy Strayhorn Centennial Tribute at at the Majestic March 1, Lang Lang at the Tobin March 2, SAMA March 30 and Christ Episcopal March 31. and Once at the Majestic March 3-8. Quite an auspicious beginning, wouldn’t you say? San Antonio Symphony has two classical concerts scheduled in April: Handel’s Messiah with the Symphony In order to succinctly cover what’s happening in this Mastersingers at the Majestic April 2, and Rodrigo: two-month period, let me organize things by category, Concierto de Aranjuez featuring guitarist Pablo Sainz
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Villegas at the Tobin April 10-12. Rocco Brass Quintet follows April 19 in Fredericksburg, and Camerata San Antonio returns with Road to Tango, again in Boerne, Kerrville and San Antonio, April 24-26. Rounding out the month and the classical category are Chamber Orchestra of San Antonio’s The Chamber Symphony with Raul Gomez conducting at the Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater at the Tobin April 25, and Bach and His Disciples: The Legacy of a Musical Genius performed by Symphony of the Hills at Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater in Kerrville April 30 under the direction of Dr. Jay Dunnahoo. Pop performances in March and April begin with John Mellencamp March 5 and the symphony’s The Music of Abba the next day through March 8 in the Tobin’s big hall. After that, Juan Gabriel performs at the Freeman March 7, the Temptations and the Four Tops share the Majestic stage March 12, and Neil Berg’s 102 Years of Broadway, presented by Boerne Performing Arts, comes to Champions Auditorium March 15. Fiesta Pops, always a local favorite, is on tap for the symphony with a threeday run at the Tobin April 17-19, and the Doobie Brothers come to the Majestic April 24.
include performances by the likes of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Pat Green, Cory Morrow, Asleep at the Wheel, David Nail, Joe Ely, Gary Allan and many more. Check the events calendar in this magazine for dates and times. Comedy shines, too, with Penn and Teller, Kevin James and Craig Ferguson at the Majestic, Gary Gulman and John Mulaney at the Empire, Pauly Shore at Rivercenter Comedy Club, and Gilbert Gottfried at Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club. Check your local listings for times and dates.
Live theater takes center stage next with Broadway in San Antonio touring performances at the Majestic of Blue Man Group March 27-29 and Annie April 14-19. Local theater highlights include Gypsy at the Playhouse San Antonio through March 8, GLAAD to Know You every weekend in March at the Overtime Theatre, The Addams Family at the Woodlawn through March 15 followed by La Cage Aux Folles the entire month of April, Mary Poppins at the Cameo starting March 14, and Irish Curse presented by Attic Rep at the Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater March 25 to April 5. Another show at the Carlos Country and Western music in the two-month stretch Alvarez is One Man Star Wars Trilogy April 10-12.
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The dance card for March and April is full. MJ Live! A Michael Jackson Dance Tribute Experience plays the Cameo March 7, Tango Buenos Aires pays a visit to the Jo Long Theatre at the Carver March 14, and Shen Yun spends three nights at the Tobin March 15-17. Ballet aficionados will certainly enjoy Ballet San Antonio’s Balanchine March 27-29 at the Tobin and the St. Petersburg Ballet as it makes a one-night appearance at the Lila Cockrell Theater for the Performing Arts April 16. There always seems to be more to mention, such as Opera San Antonio’s Il Segreto di Susanna and La Voix Humaine at the Carlos Alvarez March 12 and 15, plus Dr. Suess’ Cat in the Hat presented by Magik Children’s Theatre March 10-15 at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre. And I can’t forget that the new Broadway season has been announced at
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the Majestic, and we can look forward to Phantom of the Opera, Kinky Boots, Motown, Book of Mormon and six more shows. The Playhouse San Antonio is on the board for 2015-16 as well with The Music Man, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Chorus Line and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
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As I mentioned before, to check out a big-time listing of goingson in and around the city, flip to the events calendar in this magazine. After doing a bit of research, make your decisions, get some tickets and go!
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Blue Man Group Photo by Paul Kolnik Akiko Fujimoto Photo by Eric Green
Lang Lang Photo by Peter Honnemann Once Photo by Joan Marcus Page 12 (L-R)
Photo Credits Pages 8-9
Riverdance Photo by Jack Hartin
Annie Photo by Joan Marcus
Elias String Quartet Courtesy eliasstringgquartet.com
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EntreFlamenco
UNITING PEOPLE
ONE CONCERT AT A TIME
2015 International Music Festival Kicks off in May By Jasmina Wellinghoff Photography courtesy MBAW
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he adage that music is the universal language is taken very seriously at Musical Bridges Around the World. Founded by Russian-born pianist Anya Grokhovski, the organization has been bringing to town high-caliber musicians from around the world since 1998. Last year, MBAW went one step further by launching an annual international music festival that features ethnically diverse artists inclined to explore multiple genres and cross musical borders. The 2015 edition is scheduled for May 14-24.
unites people,” said Grokhovski, now the CEO and artistic director of MBAW. “I chose the artists who are relevant to our mission – we unite people by highlighting cultural diversity in all our programs.”
Some of the artists already are familiar to San Antonio audiences while others will be appearing here for the first time. Among the former is Cristina Pato, a native of Galicia, Spain, who will open the fest with Latina, a program based on her new album by the same name. A classical pianist who has gained fame by “The idea behind the festival is to show that music playing Galician bagpipes, she and her band will take 14 On The Town | March/April 2015
Edmar Castaneda the listeners on a unique tour of Latin sounds, based on the characteristic 6/8 rhythm that underlines the traditional music of many Latin countries. Taking the term “Latina” to its Italian origin, her guided tour starts with the tarantella, then travels to Spain/Galicia with a muineira and hops over to South America with the Venezuelan joropo and Peruvian lando, all incorporated in new and original compositions.
Other concerts will feature the highly acclaimed Columbian electric harpist Edmar Castaneda, the local flamenco group EntreFlamenco, and the revered jazz musician Randy Weston, known for his efforts to incorporate authentic African rhythms in his compositions. But in this town, the most popular show will probably be Argentina Espectacular by a group San Antonio has not yet had a chance to see. Conceived by composer and bandoneon player JP Jofre, the concert “We have had Cristina many times,” Grokhovski is a collage of Astor Piazzolla tango numbers, a tango said. “She’s an extremely talented musician who ballet by Argentinean dancer/choreographer Claudio has also helped me get in touch with other artists Asprea, Jofre’s own contemporary tango music and the we are featuring. When I met her, I felt like I had St. Petersburg String Quartet. Altogether 34 artists will found a goldmine. She and her band are really good present a total of seven concerts. communicators as well, not just musicians.” Though they hail from various lands, all these musicians Also returning this May is Syrian-born composer and now live in the United States, Grokhovski said. Otherwise clarinetist Kinan Azmeh, who will appear with Syrian- it would be too expensive to bring them to San Antonio. Armenian visual artist Kevork Mourad in Home Within, All concerts are one-hour long and free but the venues – a multimedia project that honors the thousands killed Tobin Center’s Alvarez Studio Theater, Trinity University’s in the Syrian civil war. The two men hope to raise Ruth Taylor Concert Hall and the San Fernando Cathedral awareness of the crisis in their native land. Indian- – are not very big. Reservations are required and priority American jazz pianist and Harvard music professor will be given to MBAW members. Vijay Iyer also has been here before but this time he will perform with the well-known Brentano String Quartet, MBAW has enjoyed significant growth both artistically mixing classical music with jazz and Indian ragas. and financially in the past several years. In addition to March/April 2015 | On The Town 15
being able to offer free concerts, the organization has established an office-cum-gallery on Interstate 10, just north of Dominion Drive, and now employs four fulltime people, including development director Suhail Arastu and new development assistant Vanessa Sanchez. Grokhovski gives credit to the board of directors. “We have a fantastic board,” she said. “They decided that we needed a full-time effort in development and marketing and made it happen. Then when I complained about not having enough personnel, our president hired Vanessa on his payroll. Where else did you see that kind of dedication?! Arastu has already brought “new demographics” to support MBAW, such as younger people and new civic groups. Furthermore, the festival is expected to attract members of the local Syrian, Colombian, Argentinean and other communities, exposing more San Antonians to new and diverse musical traditions and trends. “We connect people with their own culture and with each other’s cultures,” the artistic director said.
Christina Pato JP Jofre
• • • • • • • • • • • • • MBAW International Music Festival Schedule LATINA - May 14, 7:30pm San Fernando Cathedral Time, Place, Action - May 15, 7:30pm Alvarez Studio Theater, Tobin Center Columbia Unbound - May 16, 7:30pm San Fernando Cathedral Home Within - May 17, 3pm Alvarez Studio Theater, Tobin Center Viva Espana - May 20, 7:3opm Alvarez Studio Theater, Tobin Center Argentina Espectacular - May 21, 7:30pm San Fernando Cathedral African Rhythms - May 24, 6pm Ruth Taylor Concert Hall, Trinity University For more information go to www.musicalbridges.org.
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BALLET SAN ANTONIO PRESENTS
Balanchine in a San Antonio First By Julie Catalano Photography Alexander Devora
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hen the curtain goes up at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts from March 27-29, San Antonio audiences will see something they’ve never seen before — a Balanchine ballet performed by a locally based company. Ballet San Antonio (BSA), the Tobin’s resident professional ballet company, will present Donizetti Variations, a buoyant, breezy, critically acclaimed work set to excerpts from the opera Don Sebastian by Gaetano Donizetti.
the Houston Ballet, who will work with Neal as they prepare for this landmark performance.
And because they can’t have just anybody attempting to recreate some of the world’s most beloved ballets, the trust assigns an official repetiteur (French for “repeat”) to shepherd an approved company through the process from first step to last.
How do you work through the process of staging?
How long have you been a repetiteur for the George Balanchine Trust?
Neal: About four years. I retired from NYCB in 2010 after 23 years, 17 of those as principal dancer. As my professional performing career was winding down, the trust thought I would be a good candidate, staging and The legendary director of the New York City Ballet (NYCB), teaching these works that I had performed in. Donizetti George Balanchine was universally praised as the leading Variations is something I’ve danced quite a bit, so I know contemporary ballet choreographer. He died in 1993, it very well. I’m looking forward to staging it because it’s but his artistic legacy lives forever in the form of the not a tremendous amount of homework for me. It’s not George Balanchine Trust, whose mission is “preserving as complicated as, say, Igor Stravinsky’s music. and protecting Balanchine’s creative works,” according to their website, balanchine.com. Are some Balanchine ballets more difficult to stage than others? BSA artistic director Gabriel Zertuche said he couldn’t be more thrilled at the prospect of seeing Balanchine’s work Neal: Yes. I just staged a very complicated ballet for come alive in the studio and ultimately the Tobin stage. Boston Ballet called Episodes, with a difficult score by Anton von Webern. It’s one of Balanchine’s neoclassic “The Balanchine Trust granted its approval after we works, just black leotard and pink tights. It’s great but provided background about our artistic accomplishments, very mathematical and extremely challenging. It took including videos of our recent productions,” Zertuche me two months of notations and creating a bible. With said. “This major milestone underscores our successes Balanchine, it’s endless creativity and all the ballets he in elevating the company’s artistic level and gaining created are so different. You can sit down for a Balanchine increased national recognition for our highly skilled and evening and see three completely different works by the talented dancers.” same man. I never get bored with what I do.
Neal: As a repetiteur I am repeating for the dancers the steps of the ballet. It’s not my choreography, it’s just repeating the steps as they were originally choreographed. Another part of what I do is work with Enter Philip Neal, a choreographer and teacher in his the artistic director in casting, and really just being in own right (philipnealdance.com), former longtime charge of the whole look of it. principal dancer with the NYCB, and now repetiteur for the George Balanchine Trust. During the first hour of Fote: Philip will be here for two weeks to set the his first visit to San Antonio, we visited with Neal and entire work, and then it will be up to [BSA’s] artistic BSA ballet mistress Amy Fote, former principal with staff to continue to groom and really work with the March/April 2015 | On The Town 19
BALLET SA FP EDITORIAL
dancers. I know that there will be some steps that will need more attention than others, certain phrases of movement to be executed in the right way. This will be our goal. Then Philip will rejoin us the week we are [rehearsing] at the Tobin. He will put the final polishing touches on the dancers. Neal: Often when you start teaching ballet dancers they want to know the count of the music. I’m so used to the music I had stopped counting it years ago. That’s what happens when you dance a part for decades, so I had to go back and relearn it for the counts. Dancers want to know is this an eight or a 10 or a 12? After they rehearse for two weeks they stop counting and listen to the notes.
are changes in the two. Very often it’s just that one will have a different tempo because the conductor conducted it differently. With Balanchine, it’s all about the music. He liked to say that when you’re looking at his ballets you’re seeing the music manifested in dance. All of his ballets are motivated by his musical selection. He’s not trying to fit steps into a score.
Fote: His work is timeless. To see a Balanchine ballet is fantastic, so musical, creatively moving the dancers around the stage, finding interesting rhythms throughout. In something like Donizetti Variations you are inspired by the movement and then execute it in the sharp precision that is needed. I think it’s going to be great for audiences to witness something like this. Is there any technology involved in staging and …………………………………………………………… recreating, or is everything in your head? Ballet San Antonio Donizetti Variations, George Balanchine Neal: There is technology in that I will have the Balanchine Repertory Program, Gabriel Zertuche Trust send me links to performances, and I typically work March 27-29 from current NYCB programs, and then I’ll work from Tobin Center for the Performing Arts something maybe 20 or 30 years old. I look to see if there For more information: balletsanantonio.org 20 On The Town | March/April 2015
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International Puppet Festival: A First for Texas By Angela Rabke
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or the past 31 years, the Children’s Fine Arts Series, under the direction of its creator and sole director Kathleen Miller, has brought premier performing arts programs by acclaimed national and international touring companies to the young children of San Antonio and South Texas.
all between 45 minutes and an hour long, will be offered during the festival.
“Puppetry is a popular and ancient genre of performing arts,” Miller said. “It is an art form dating back to the medieval ages, yet it is as captivating today. There is something magical about a miniature It has long been a dream of Miller’s to expand her inanimate ‘character’ that comes to life, speaks, sings series to include an international puppet festival for and dances. The professional touring companies we children. From May 6-12, Miller’s dream becomes are bringing to the Puppet Festival are some of the a reality with the Children’s International Puppet best and most skilled in the world.” Festival, the first of its kind in Texas. Seven companies from France, England, Vietnam and the United Indeed, the performances promise to engage States will present unique and whimsical shows children and adults alike. The Tears of Joy Theatre, geared to children ages 3 to 10. The Tobin Center for of Portland, Ore., will perform an innovative show the Performing Arts provides performance spaces called When Animals Were People and The Lazy Bee, for an intriguing array of shows: 59 performances, bringing to life folktales from Mexico and Argentina. 22 On The Town | March/April 2015
They are inspired by a tale from the Huichol Indians of Mexico, descendants of the Aztecs, and a story by Horacio Quiroga of Argentina. The script, spun from tales of friendship, dedication and family, is spare and sweet, with clever touches of adult-level wordplay. The puppets use whimsical vocal characterizations and deft maneuvering to elicit delight and sorrow.
which is now more than a thousand years old, offers a glimpse of a cultural tradition that defines the essence of Vietnam. The program consists of short vignettes, which contrast lyrical contentment with playful action and comic turns. We learn the myth and folklore of this bright and bold country through inspired and centuries-old choreography and dance, as well as the daily life of the fishing and Fragile will be performed by Le Clan des Songes, a farming villages. The action is accompanied by the company from Venerque, France. Embarking on music of a small orchestra played on centuries-old a strange journey, a small, fragile and lonely man instruments. The musicians sing and provide voices has a unique companion: a bag enclosing an entire for the puppets. magical world. This is a poetic show that explores imbalance, instability and an upside-down universe Another international company, the Mimika Theatre in which happiness is won when we cross our own of Leeds, Yorkshire, England, presents Landscapes, limits. In silent theater, music becomes language as a nonverbal exploration of the atmosphere, much as the images and the lighting. The puppeteers movements, rhythms and sounds of four contrasting mainly use the Bunraku theater technique, which areas of the natural world. A theater of remarkable gives the moving object its magic by allowing rapid visual effects and transformations is set inside a movement and weightlessness. beautiful calico dome. Experience the desert, the rainforest, the sea and the Antarctic in an entirely The Golden Dragon Water Puppets of Saigon is one new and unexpected way. of Vietnam’s national treasures, a company that furthers the magical and time-honored tradition Escape from the Zoo! by Wood and Strings Theatre of puppetry on water. This astonishing art form, of Centerville, Tenn., is a free event that folks won’t March/April 2015 | On The Town 23
want to miss at the Tobin’s River Walk Plaza. This is an interactive strolling puppet experience featuring a truly wild cast of characters. For months they have planned the per fect escape, a breakout from the city zoo. They are free from their cages and on the run. With the determined (but dim) zookeeper hot on their tails, net in hand, the fugitive animals must blend in with the regular folk. Wood and Strings Theatre uses the captivating and comprehensive nature of ar t to engage the imagination, create experiences full of meaning, and provide tools to build positive solutions for life’s challenges.
Photo Credits: All photos courtesy of Children’s Fine Arts Series
Several other per formances will be offered during the festival. Four- and six-per formance ticket packages are available for the Puppet Festival, as are individual tickets. The public can purchase tickets for the weekday evening and weekend daytime/evening shows at https:// tobi.tobincenter.org/childrensfinear ts/Online/ default.asp.
Little Red Riding Hood By Paul Messner Puppet
For more information, and to view videos of some of the theater companies, or to purchase tickets for weekday shows, visit www.childrensfineartseries.org. 24 On The Town | March/April 2015
Page 22 (L-R) Fragile By Le Clan des Songes When Animals Were People and The Lazy Bee By Tears of Joy Theatre Page 23 (L-R)
Golden Dragon Water Puppets of Saigon Page 24 (L-R) Landscapes By Mimika Theatre Escape From The Zoo By Wood and Strings Theatre
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Events Calendar 28-46
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March/April 2015 Events Calendar Music Notes San Antonio Symphony The Baroque Series: The Brandenburg Concertos 3/1, Sun @ 7pm Akiko Fujimoto, conductor San Fernando Cathedral Arts San Antonio Presentation 3/1, Sun @ 7:30pm Majestic Theatre Lang Lang Presented by San Antonio Symphony and Tobin Center for the Performing Arts 3/2, Mon @ 7:30pm H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts First Fine Arts: Lenten Series 3/3, Kassandra Keeling, piano 3/17, Linda Poetschke, soprano 3/24, Olmos Ensemble 3/31, Baylor Chamber Singers All performances are at 12:00pm First Baptist Church of San Antonio
Ava Pine, soprano Tuesday Musical Club Presentation 3/3, Tue @ 2pm Laurel Heights Methodist Heart of Texas Concert Band Talent Showcase 3/3, Tue @ 7pm Dr. Mark Rogers, conductor McAllister Auditorium San Antonio College Ryan Bingham & Lucero 3/3, Tue @ 7:30pm Gruene Hall Hans De Jong saxophone Texas State Presents 3/3, Tue @ 8pm Performing Arts Center Recital Hall at Texas State University San Marcos Donny Edwards: Elvis Tribute 3/4-5, Wed-Thu @ 7pm Rockbox Theater Fredericksburg John Mellencamp Plain Spoken Tour 3/5, Thu @ 7:30pm H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
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Friday Night Live @ County Line 3/6 - Joe Moreno 3/13- Kerosene Drifters 3./20 – Luke Huggins 3/27 – Meyer Anderson 4/3 – Will Owen Gage 4/10 – Johnny Kiser 4/17 – James Pardo 4/24 – Jonathan Garcia All performances @ 7pmCounty Line BBQ IH-10
Hurray for The Riff Raff with special Guest Jo Pug 3/6, Fri @ 8pm Gruene Hall
Creative Minds Matter: Julliard Joins Texas State University Arts 3/6, Fri @ 7:30pm Evans Auditorium Texas State University San Marcos
Texas Independence Day Celebration Doug Moreland & Brian Burns 3/7, Sat / 12pm-5pm Luckenbach Dance Hall
San Antonio Symphony Pops Arrival from Sweden / The Music of Abba 3/6-8, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 3pm H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Stars in the Hills 3/6-4/25, Fri @ 8pm Sat @ 4:30pm & 8pm Rockbox Theater Fredericksburg
Cody Joe Hodges 3/6, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall Sean McConnell 3/6, Fri @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store
Juan Gabriel 3/7, Sat @ 8pm Freeman Coliseum The Dirty River Boy 3/7, Sat @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store James McMurtry 3/7, Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall Copperleaf Quintet 3/8, Sun @ 2pm McNay Art Museum
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Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Cailloux Performance Series 3/8, Sun @ 3pm Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater Kerrville The Temptations & The Four Tops 3/12, Thu @ 7:30pm Majestic Theatre 2015 Fort Sam Houston Jazz Series Rick Braun & Steve Cole 3/13, Fri @ 8pm (doors @ 7pm) Fort Sam Houston Theater Mother Falcon with Special Guest Ruby Jane 3/13, Fri @ 8pm Steve W. Shepherd Theater Fredericksburg Thomas Michael Riley 3/13, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall Roger Creager 3/13-14, Fri @ 8pm Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall The Georges 3/13, Fri @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Kim Burrell Live! One Night Only 3/14, Sat @ 7pm H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
Reckless Kelly & Micky and the Motorcars 3/14, Sat @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall Bush 3/14, Sat @ 8pm Majestic Theatre Gary Allan 3/14, Sat @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Apollo Chamber Players Fredericksburg Music Club Presentation 3/15, Sun @ 3pm Fredericksburg United Methodist Delta Showcase of Talent Gospel Fest 3/15, Sun @ 4pm Jo Long Theatre @ The Carver Neil Berg’s 102 Years of Broadway Boerne Performing Arts Presentation 3/15, Sun @ 7:30pm Boerne Champion Auditorium Two Ton Tuesday with Two Tons of Steel 3/17, Tue @ 8:30pm Gruene Hall Tribal Seeds 3/18, Wed @ 7pm Aztec Theatre
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The Pink Floyd Experience 3/18, Wed @ 8pm H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Aaron Lewis 3/18, Wed @ 8pm Majestic Theatre U.S. Naval Academy Women’s Glee Club Music from St. Mark’s Presentation 3/20, Fri @ 7pm St. Mark’s Episcopal San Antonio Symphony Petrushka 3/20-22, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 3pm Daniel Raiskin, conductor Alexei Volodin, piano H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
Max Stalling 3/20, Fri @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Cody Johnson 3/21, Sat @ 8:30pm John T. Floore Country Store Granger Smith 3/21, Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall Seth Nelson, organ First Fine Arts Series Presentation 3/22, Sun @ 3pm First Baptist Church Con Brio String Quartet The Arts @ Coker Presentation 3/22, Sun @ 3pm Coker United Methodist
Chase Bryant 3/20, Fri @ 8pm Gruene Hall
Kim Perlak, classical guitar Texas State Presents 3/23, Mon @ 6pm Performing Arts Center Recital Hall at Texas State University San Marcos
Mud Dauber Rock’N Bill Chili Fest with Billy Joe Shaver, Two Tons of Steel, Dale Watson and More 3/21, Sat / 12pm-11:45pm Luckenbach Dance Hall
Douglas Rubio, classical guitar UTSA Guest Artist Recital Series 3/23, Mon @ 7:30pm Recital Hall @ UTSA Main Campus
Rosie Flores 3/20, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall
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Marina Piccinni, flute International Concert Series 3/24, Tue @ 7:30pm Performing Arts Center Recital Hall at Texas State University San Marcos Seth James Band featuring Jessica Murray Tribute to Eric Clapton 3/26, Thu @ 7:30pm Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre New Braunfels Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard 3/26-28, Thu-Sat @ 6:30pm (gates open) Whitewater Amphitheater New Braunfels Celebration of Motown Music with Masters of Soul 3/27, Fri @ 7:30pm Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre New Braunfels Camerata San Antonio Salon Camerata 3/27, Fri @ 7:30pm Boerne First United Methodist 3/28, Sat @ 3pm Kerrville First Presbyterian 3/28, Sat @ 7:30pm San Antonio Christ Episcopal
Kyle Park 3/27, Fri @ 8pm Gruene Hall Almost Patsy Cline Band 3/27, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall Charlie Robison 3/27, Fri @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Joe Ely Band 3/28, Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall Cameran Nelson 3/28, Sat @ 9pm Luckenbach Dance Hall David Nail 3/28, Sat @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Elias Quartet San Antonio Chamber Music Society Presentation 3/29, Sun @ 3:15pm Temple Beth-El Mid-Texas Symphony River of Time 3/29, Sun @ 4pm David Mairs, conductor Jennifer Berg, oboe Canyon Performing Arts Center New Braunfels Buddy Guy 3/29, Sun @ 7pm Aztec Theatre
32 On The Town | March/April 2015
Jerry Jeff Walker Texas Bash 2015 3/29, Sun @ 7pm Gruene Hall Mary Chapin Carpenter 3/29, Sun @ 7:30pm Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre New Braunfels Musical Offerings Jazz Meets Classical: Billy Strayhorn Centennial Tribute 3/30, Mon @ 7pm San Antonio Museum of Art 3/31, Tue @ 7pm Christ Episcopal Church Ariana Grande with special guest Rixton 3/31, Tue @ 7:30pm AT&T Center Patrick Sheridan - Tuba Texas State Presents 3/31, Tue @ 8pm Performing Arts Center Recital Hall at Texas State University San Marcos Sean McConnell 4/3, Fri @ 7pm Aztec Theatre San Antonio Symphony Handel’s Messiah with Symphony Mastersingers 4/2, Thu @ 7:30pm Majestic Theatre
San Antonio Symphony Bugs Bunny at the Symphony II 4/3-4, Fri-Sat @ 8pm George Daugherty, conductor Majestic Theatre Bob Schneider 4/3, Fri @ 8pm Gruene Hall Wagon Aces 4/3, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall The Texas Jamm Band (featuring members of George Strait’s Ace in the Hole Band) 4/3, Fri @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Libera In America: Angels Sing 4/4, Sat @ 7:30pm H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Vusi Mahlasela Carver Community Cultural Center Presentation 4/4, Sat @ 8pm Jo Long Theatre @ The Carver Cody Jinks 4/4, Sat @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall Testament 4/6, Mon @ 6pm Aztec Theatre
San Antonio Symphony Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez 4/10-12, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 3pm Pedro Halffter, conductor Pablo Sainz Villegas, guitar H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Cody Joe Hodges 4/10, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall
Poteet Strawberry Festival Concert Schedule 4/10, Friday Roger Creager @ 8:30pm David Lee Garza @ 10:30pm 4/11, Saturday Dustin Lynch @ 5:30pm, Duelo @8:30pm Kevin Fowler @ 11:30pm 4/12, Sunday Francesca Battistelli @ 2:30pm Johnny Lee @ 3pm Josh Abbott Band @ 5pm Festival Grounds in Poteet
Jon Wolfe 4/10, Fri @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Phoebe Hunt Sings the New American Songbook 4/11, Sat @ 7:30pm Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre New Braunfels Welcome to Night Vale 4/11, Sat @ 8pm Aztec Theatre
Pat Green & Cory Morrow 4/11, Sat @ 8:30pm John T. Floore Country Store Stoney Larue 4/11, Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall Cosmic Dust Devils 4/11, Sat @ 9pm Luckenbach Dance Hall The Live Forever Tour with Matthew West and Colton Dixon 4/12, Sun @ 7pm Laurie Auditorium @ Trinity University
March/April 2015 | On The Town 33
Simone Pedroni, piano Texas State Presents 4/12, Sun @ 8pm Performing Arts Center Recital Hall at Texas State University San Marcos San Antonio Symphony Pops Fiesta Pops 4/17-19, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 3pm Akiko Fujimoto, conductor Mariachi Campanas de America Guadalupe Dance Company H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Bob Schneider 4/17, Fri @ 9pm Luckenbach Dance Hall Jake Hooker and the Outsiders 4/18, Sat @ 8pm Anhalt Hall Spring Branch Thomas Michael Riley 4/18, Sat @ 9pm Luckenbach Dance Hall Heart of Texas Concert Band 5th Annual Side-by-Sice 4/19, Sun @ 3pm Dr. Mark Rogers, conductor Performing Arts Center Palo Alto College
Rocco Brass Quintet Fredericksburg Music Club Presentation 4/19, Sun @ 3pm Fredericksburg United Methodist Stone Temple Pilots 4/19, Sun @ 7pm Aztec Theatre Ok Go 4/20, Mon @ 7pm Aztec Theatre Texas State Jazz Artist Septet featuring Butch Miles International Concert Series 4/21, Tue @ 7:30pm Performing Arts Center Recital Hall at Texas State University San Marcos Ryan Adams 4/23, Thu @ 8pm Gruene Hall The Four Freshmen 4/24, Fri @ 7:30pm Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre New Braunfels The Doobie Brothers 4/24, Fri @ 8pm Majestic Theatre
34 On The Town | March/April 2015
Camerata San Antonio Road to Tango 4/24, Fri @ 7:30pm Boerne First United Methodist 4/25, Sat @ 3pm CCAC Ballroom @ Schreiner University - Kerrville 4/26, Sun @ 3pm San Antonio Christ Episcopal Gary P. Nunn & Almost Patsy Cline Band 4/24, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall Tessy Lou and the Shotgun Stars 4/25, Sat @ 9pm Luckenbach Dance Hall The Bible Tour 4/25, Sat @ 7pm Laurie Auditorium @ Trinity University Chamber Orchestra of San Antonio The Chamber Symphony Raul Gomez, conductor 4/25, Sat @ 7:30pm Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Fiesta Concert: Music of J.S. Bach Music from St. Mark’s Presentation 4/26, Sun @ 5pm St. Mark’s Episcopal
Zappa Plays Zappa 4/30, Thu @ 7pm Aztec Theatre Symphony of the Hills Bach and His Disciples: The Legacy of a Musical Genius 4/30, Thu @ 7:30pm Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater Kerrville Asleep at the Wheel 4/30-5/1, Thu-Fri @ 8pm Gruene Hall
Live Theatre 50 Shades! The Musical Parody 3/1, Sun @ 2pm & 6:30pm Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater Tobin Center for the Performing Arts The Great American Trailer Park Musical 3/1, Sun @ 2pm Circle Arts Theatre New Braunfels Talley’s Folly 3/1, Sun @ 2:30pm Sheldon Vexler Theatre @ Barshop Jewish Community Center Merchant of Venice 3/1, Sun @ 3pm The Classic Theatre of San Antonio Hairspray: The Musical 3/1, Sun @ 4:30pm Cameo Theatre
Second Samuel 3/1-8, Thu-Sat @ 6:30pm (dinner) 8pm (performance) Sun @ 1:30pm (lunch) 2:30pm (performance) S.T.A.G.E. in Bulverde Once – a New Musical (touring) North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio 3/3-8, Tue-Thu @ 7:30pm Fri @ 8pm Sat @ 2pm & 8pm Sun @ 2pm & 7:30pm Majestic Theatre
The Last Romance 3/5-14, Thu @ 7:30pm Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2:30pm Boerne Community Theatre GLAAD to Know You 3/5-28, Thu-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 7pm Greg Barrios Theater @ The Overtime Theater Gypsy 3/6-8, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 3pm Russell Hill Rogers Theatre @ Playhouse San Antonio
The Addams Family 3/6-15, Fri-Sat @ 7:30pm Sun @ 3pm Woodlawn Theatre Mary Poppins 3/14-4/19, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 4:30pm Cameo Theatre Wait Until Dark 3/6-22, Fri-Sat @ 7:30pm Sun @ 2:30pm The Wimberley Players
Fiddler on the Roof Fredericksburg Theater Company 3/7-8, Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2pm Steve W. Shepherd Theater Fredericksburg For This Moment Alone 3/13-15, Fri-Sat @ 7:30pm Sun @ 2pm 3/19-28, Thu-Sat @ 7:30pm Elizabeth Huth Coates Indoor Theatre Ingram
March/April 2015 | On The Town 35
A Numbers Game 3/13-28, Fri-Sat @ 8pm 3/22, Sun @ 2:30pm 3/29, Sun @ 7pm 4/2-11, Thu-Sat @ 8pm Little Overtime Theater
Making God Laugh 4/10-26 Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2pm Circle Arts Theatre New Braunfels
Crime & Punishment 3/13-4/5, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 3pm Cellar Theatre @ Playhouse San Antonio
Crimes of the Heart Fredericksburg Theater Company 4/10-26 Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2pm Steve W. Shepherd Theater Fredericksburg
Irish Curse Presented by Attic Rep 3/25-4/5, Wed-Fri @ 8pm Sat @ 2:30pm & 8pm Sun @ 2:30pm Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Blue Man Group (touring) North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio 3/27-29, Fri @ 8pm Sat @ 2pm & 8pm Sun @ 2pm & 7:30pm Majestic Theatre La Cage Aux Folles 4/3-5/3, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 3pm Woodlawn Theatre One Man Star Wars Trilogy (touring) 4/10-12, Fri @ 8pm Sat @ 2pm & 8pm Sun @ 2pm & 7pm Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
Lucky Woman 4/10-5/16 Thu-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 7pm Greg Barrios Theater @ The Overtime Theater Annie (touring) North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio 4/14-19 Tue-Thu @ 7:30pm Fri @ 8pm Sat @ 2pm & 8pm Sun @ 2pm & 7:30pm Majestic Theatre
Opera UTSA Lyric Theatre Two One Acts: The Old Maid and the Thief / Suor Angelica (Sister Angelica) 3/1, Sun @ 3pm Dr. Eugene Dowdy, conductor Buena Vista Theatre – UTSA Downtown Campus Opera San Antonio A Captivating Italian / French Double Bill (Il Segreto di Susanna & La Voix Humaine) 3/12 & 15, Thu @ 7:30pm Sat @ 2pm Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
Dance
No Soldier Left Behind 4/16-17 Thu-Fri @ 8pm Jo Long Theatre @ The Carver
Synergy 2015 3/1, Sat @ 7:30pm Jo Long Theatre @ The Carver
Greater Tuna 4/24-5/17 Fri-Sat @ 7:30pm Sun @ 2:30pm The Wimberley Players
MJ Live! A Michael Jackson Dance Tribute Experience 3/7, Sat @ 2pm Cameo Theatre
36 On The Town | March/April 2015
Tango Buenos Aires Carver Community Cultural Center Presentation 3/14, Sat @ 8pm Jo Long Theatre @ The Carver Shen Yun 2015 3/15-17, Sun @ 7pm Mon-Tue @ 7:30pm H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Ballet San Antonio Balanchine 3/27-29, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2pm H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Arts San Antonio Presentation 4/10, Fri @ 7:30pm Majestic Theatre St. Petersburg Ballet 4/16, Thu @ 7:30pm Lila Cockrell Theatre
Comedy Shane Mauss 3/1, Sun @ 8pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Shawn Cornelius 3/1, Sun @ 8:30pm Rivercenter Comedy Club
Gabriel Rutledge 3/4-8, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8:30pm Fri-Sat @ 8:30pm & 10:30pm Rivercenter Comedy Club Charlie Murphy 3/5-8, Thu & Sun @ 8pm Fri-Sat @ 8:15pm & 10:15pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Kevin James 3/10, Tue @ 7pm Majestic Theatre
Rich Voss 3/11-15, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8pm Fri-Sat @ 8:15pm & 10:15pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club JP Justice 3/11-15, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8:30pm Fri-Sat @ 8:30pm & 10:30pm Rivercenter Comedy Club
The Hideout Theatre Improv 3/14, Sat @ 8pm Steve W. Shepherd Theater Fredericksburg
Penn & Teller 3/20, Fri @ 8pm Majestic Theatre
Craig Ferguson’s Hot & Grumpy Tour: Walking the Earth 3/15, Sun @ 8pm Majestic Theatre
Pauly Shore 3/20-21, Fri @ 8:30pm & 10:30pm Sat @ 7:15pm & 9:30pm Rivercenter Comedy Club
Ruben Paul 3/18-23, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8pm Fri-Sat @ 8:15pm & 10:15pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club
Ivy Stand-Up The Ivy League of Comedy 3/21, Sat @ 7:30pm Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater Kerrville
March/April 2015 | On The Town 37
Barry Friedman 3/25-29, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8:30pm Fri-Sat @ 8:30pm & 10:30pm Rivercenter Comedy Club
Chris Strait 4/15-19, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8:30pm Fri-Sat @ 8:30pm & 10:30pm Rivercenter Comedy Club
Godfrey 3/27-29, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Sun @ 8pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club
Gary Gulman: It’s About Time Tour 4/16, Thu @ 8pm Charline McCombs Empire Theatre April Macie 4/22-26, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8pm Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club
Justin Worsham 4/1-4, Wed-Thu @ 8:30pm Fri-Sat @ 8:30pm & 10:30pm Rivercenter Comedy Club Sara Contreras 4/8-12, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8:30pm Fri-Sat @ 8:30pm & 10:30pm Rivercenter Comedy Club Kevin Hart: What Now Tour 4/9, Thu @ 7pm AT&T Center Gilbert Gottfried 4/10-12, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Sun @ 8pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club JR Brow 4/15-19, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8pm Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club
Comedia-A-Go-Go: A Night in Pinche San Antonio 4/22-26, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8:30pm Fri-Sat @ 8:30pm & 10:30pm Rivercenter Comedy Club John Mulaney 4/24, Fri @ 7:30pm Charline McCombs Empire Theatre Kris Shaw 4/29-5/3, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8:30pm Fri-Sat @ 8:30pm & 10:30pm Rivercenter Comedy Club Moshe Kasher 4/30-5/3, Thu & Sun @ 8pm Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club
38 On The Town | March/April 2015
Children’s Elephant & Piggie 3/6-8, Fri @ 11:30am & 7pm Sat @ 10:30am & 2pm Sun @ 2pm 3/10-15, Tue-Thu @ 9:45am & 11:30am Fri @ 9:45am, 11:30am & 7pm Sat-Sun @ 2pm 3/17-22, Tue-Wed @ 9:45am Thu @ 9:45& 11:30am Fri @ 9:45am, 11:30am & 7pm Sat-Sun @ 2pm 3/24-29, Tue @ 9:45am Wed-Thu @ 9:45& 11:30am Fri @ 9:45am, 11:30am & 7pm Sat-Sun @ 2pm 3/31-4/4, Tue-Thu @ 9:45a, & 11am Fri @ 11:30am & 7pm Sat @ 2pm 4/7-19, Tue-Thu @ 9:45am & 11:30am Fri @ 9:45am, 11:30am & 7pm Sat-Sun @ 2pm The Magik Theatre Dr. Suess’ Cat in the Hat Presented by Magik Children’s Theatre 3/10-15, Tue-Sat @ 2pm & 6:30pm Sun @ 2pm Charline McCombs Empire Theatre
Disney on Ice Presents Frozen 4/2-5, Thu @ 7:30pm Fri @ 1pm & 7:30pm Sat @ 11:30am, 1pm & 7:30pm Sun @ 10:30am, 2:30pm & 6:30pm Alamodome
Exhibitions ARTPACE Spring 2015 International Artist-In-Residence Oscar Murillo Henry Taylor Autumn Knight Cesar Garcia, curator Exhibition – 3/19-5/17 Hudson Showroom Hare & Hound Press + Artpace: The Art of Collaboration Now thru 5/17 Window Works Untitled (Beginning), 1994 Felix Gonzalez-Torres Now thru 5/17 BLUE STAR CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM Back From Berlin Featuring Richard Amendariz, Cathy Cunningham-Little, Karen Mahaffy & Vincent Valdez Angelika Jansen, curator 3/5-5/10
BIHL HAUS ARTS
McNAY ART MUSEUM
New Paintings by Elizabeth Rodriguez: A Women’s History and Contemporary Art Month Exhibit 3/17-5/2
Chris Doyle: Video Works Now thru 5/17
BRISCOE WESTERN ART MUSEUM
Rodin to Warhol: 60th Anniversary Gifts and Recent Acquistions Now thru 5/17
14th Annual Night of Artists Exhibit 3/29-4/26 Jack Guenther Pavilion INSTITUTE OF TEXAN CULTURES Texas, Our Texas Now thru 5/30 Patriots & Peacemakers Now thru 6/14 Sikhs: Legacy of the Punjab Now thru 10/18 LINDA PACE FOUNDATION Parallax by Shahzia Sikander Now thru 3/7 SPACE:The Linda Pace Foundation Gallery Adam (Public Artwork) By Arturo Herrera 25’ h x 98’ w, Frost Bank Garage Commerce at Main Now thru 12/2016
Regarding Ruscha Now thru 5/17
All the Rage in Paris Now thru 6/21 Design, Fashion, Theatre Now thru 6/21 Villinski Now thru 7/26 MUSEO GUADALUPE 2015 CAM Perennial Exhibition Curated by Amy Mackie 3/13-5/23 SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDEN Rainforest Adventure 3/7-9/20 One Way Trail-Art in the Garden 2015 (In conjunction with Blue Star Contemporary Art Center) 3/12- 1/31/16
March/April 2015 | On The Town 39
SAN ANTONIO MUSEUM OF ART
SOUTHWEST SCHOOL OF ART
Diego Rivera in San Antonio: A Small Focus Exhibition (On Display at Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art at SAMA)
Confections and Fictions Now thru 4/26
Raices Americanas: Recent Acquistions of Pre-Columbian Art Now thru 2/28 Nelson Rockefeller’s Picassos: Tapestries Commissioned for Kykuit Now thru 3/8 Dos Mujeres: Diego Rivera’s Cubist Masterpiece A special loan that is on display to complement Nelson Rockefeller’s Picassos: Tapestries Commissioned for Kykuit exhibition Ancient to Modern: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics and their Sources Now thru 4/4 The Three Worlds of Jose Arpa y Perea: Spain, Mexico and San Antonio 4/18-6/21 Jamie Wyeth 4/25-7/5
Institute for Figuring’s Crochet Coral Reef Now thru 4/26 Jeremiah Teutsch: Epicaricacy Now thru 4/24 TEXAS A&M EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL ART CENTER Arte y Tradicion de La Frontera: The U.S. – Mexico Borderlands in the Works of Santa Barraza and Carmen Lomas Garza Alicia Viera, curator Now thru 5/30 WITTE MUSEUM Jewels of the Court: A Journey Through Fiesta’s Coronation 3/27-5/3
On Screen Bolshoi Ballet Romeo & Juliet 3/8, Sunday Santikos Rialto @ 11:55am Regal Huebner Oaks 14 @ 12:55pm
40 On The Town | March/April 2015
The Metropolitan Opera La Donna del Lago 3/14, Sat @ 11:55am (live) Santikos Rialto, Regal Huebner Oaks 14, Regal Cielo Vista 18, Cinemark McCreeles Market 3/18, Wed @ 6:30pm (encore) Regal Huebner Oaks 14, Regal Cielo Vista 18, Cinemark McCreeles Market The Royal Ballet Swan Lake 3/19, Thu @ 7pm Santikos Rialto, Regal Huebner Oaks 14 The Breakfast Club 30th Anniversary 3/26 & 31, Thursday@ Tuesday Santikos Rialto @ 7pm Regal Huebner Oaks 14, Regal Cielo Vista 18 @ 7:30pm Stratford Festival King Lear 4/8, Wed @ 8pm Santikos Rialto, Regal Huebner Oaks 14 The Sound of Music 50th Anniversary 4/19 & 22 – Sunday & Wednesday Theaters and Times TBD
The Metropolitan Opera Cavalleria Rusticana / Pagliacci 4/25, Sat @ 11:30am (live) Santikos Rialto, Regal Huebner Oaks 14, Regal Cielo Vista 18, Cinemark McCreeles Market 3/29, Wed @ 6:30pm (encore) Regal Huebner Oaks 14, Regal Cielo Vista 18, Cinemark McCreeles Market
Miscellaneous 30th Annual Contemporary Art Month 3/1-31 @ museums and galleries citywide HBO Boxing 3/12, Thu @ 5pm Freeman Coliseum Murphy’s Pub Crawl 3/12, Thu / 6-10pm Rio Rio 6-7, Original Mexican Restaurant & Bar 7-7:30, The Worm 7:30-8, Mad Dogs 8-8:30, Biergarten 8:30-9, Swig 9-9:30, Dick’s Last Resort 9:30-10 Tejano Music Awards Fan Fair 2015 3/12-15 / 12pm-11pm Historic Market Square
Bill O’Reilly and Dennis Miller: Don’t Be A Pinhead Tour 2015 3/13, Fri @ 8pm Majestic Theatre St. Patrick’s Day Arts & Crafts Show 3/13-15, Fri-Sun / 11am-11pm River Walk Murphy’s St. Patrick’s Day River Parade & Festival 3/14-15, Sat-Sun Live entertainment at Arneson River Theater both days from 12pm-6pm Dyeing O’ the River Green and River Parade at 3pm on Sunday
57th Annual San Antonio Folk Dance Festival 3/14, Sat @ 7:30pm Thiry Auditorium Our Lady of the Lake University HEB Big League Weekend Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Dodgers 3/20-21, Fri @ 7:05pm Sat @ 1:05pm Alamodome San Antonio Children’s Museum Celebrates 20 Years! 3/21, Sat / 9am-6pm San Antonio Children’s Museum
Valero Texas Open PGA Tour Event 3/23-3/29 TPC San Antonio 7th Annual RiverTini Pour-Off 3/26, Thu @ 6pm Wyndham Garden River Walk Museum Reach Spring Jazz at The Falls 3/28, 4/2, 9 & 11 The Shops of La Cantera For details on each performance theshopsatlacantera.com
Alton Brown Live! The Edible Inevitable Tour 4/3, Fri @ 7:30pm H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Deepak Chopra The Future of Wellbeing 4/8, Wed @ 7:30pm H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Maverick Music Festival 4/10-11, Fri-Sat @ 5pm La Villita Historic Arts Village
March/April 2015 | On The Town 41
Poteet Strawberry Festival 4/10-4/12, Fri-Sun Complete schedule of events go to www. strawberryfestival.com Cutting Edge Fiesta Fashion Show 35th Annual Presentation 4/14, Tue @ 6pm H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts U.S. National Soccer Team vs. Mexico 4/15, Wed @ 7:30pm Alamodome Fiesta® San Antonio 4/16-26 Citywide For a complete schedule of events go to www.fiestasa.org Adam Trent: Magician 4/20-21, Mon-Tue @ 7pm Rockbox Theater Fredericksburg Texas Cavaliers River Parade 4/20, Mon @ 7pm San Antonio River Walk Battle of Flowers® Parade 4/24, Fri @ 11:30am Downtown city streets Fiesta Flambeau® Parade 4/25, Sat @ 7:30pm Downtown city streets
Coming Soon 2015 Fort Sam Houston Jazz Series Marc Antoine & Joe McBride 5/1, Fort Sam Houston Theater San Antonio Symphony Beethoven 7 5/1-2, H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Rumors 5/2-31, Sheldon Vexler Theatre San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet Dance Kaleidoscope 5/3, Majestic Theatre Chicago: The Band 5/6, Majestic Theatre Children’s Fine Arts Series International Puppet Festival 5/6-12, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts www.childrensfineart series.org San Antonio Symphony Pops Cirque de la Symphonie 5/8-10, H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Bob Dylan and His Band 5/7, Majestic Theatre
42 On The Town | March/April 2015
Christine Ebersole & Seth Rudetsky 5/9, Woodlawn Theatre Celtic Woman: 10th Anniversary Tour 5/10, Majestic Theatre Newsie’s (touring) 5/12-17, Majestic Theatre Musical Bridges Around the World International Music Festival: 5/14, San Fernando Cathedral 5/15, Alvarez Studio Theater Tobin Center 5/16, San Fernando Cathedral 5/17, Alvarez Studio Theater Tobin Center 5/20, Alvarez Studio Theater Tobin Center 5/21, San Fernando Cathedral 5/24, Ruth Taylor Concert Hall Trinity University www.musicalbridges.org A Streetcar Named Desire The Scottish Ballet Company Arts San Antonio Presentation 5/12 - H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts San Antonio Symphony Pops Star Wars and More: The Music of John Williams 5/22-23, H-E-B Performance Hall Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
The Mystery of Edwin Drood 5/29-6/21, The Playhouse San Antonio And Much More!
Photo Credits Page 28 (L-R) Akiko Fujimoto Courtesy San Antonio Symphony 2Cellos Courtesy 2cellos.com Sebastian Lang-Lessing Courtesy San Antonio Symphony Lang Lang Photo by Peter Honnemann Page 30 (L-R) Olmos Ensemble Courtesy olmosensemble. com Ava Pine Photo by Diane M. Lott Donny Edwards Courtesy donnyedwardslive.com Arrival from Sweden Courtesy themusicofabba. com Page 32 (L-R) James McMurtry Courtesy liveatfloores.com Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Courtesy Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater
Roger Creager Courtesy rogercreager. com Apollo Chamber Players Courtesy apollochamberplayers.org Page 33 (L-R) Neil Berg’s 102 Years of Broadway Courtesy neilberg.com Two Tons of Steel Courtesy twotons.net Alexei Volodin Photo by Marco Borggreve Rosie Flores Courtesy rosieflores.com Page 34 (L-R) Dale Watson Courtesy liveatfloores.com Max Stalling Courtesy maxstalling.com Granger Smith Courtesy grangersmith. com
Kyle Park Courtesy kylepark.com Almost Patsy Cline Band Courtesy liveatfloores.com Page 36 (L-R) Charlie Robison Courtesy charlierobison. com Elias String Quartet Courtesy eliasstringquartet.com Troy Peters Courtesy Youth Orchestras of SA David Mairs Courtesy Mid-Texas Symphony Page 37 (L-R) Buddy Guy Photo by Christian Lantry Jerry Jeff Walker Courtesy jerryjeff.com Mary Chapin Carpenter Photo by Russ Harrington
Marina Piccinini Musical Offerings Courtesy Peabody Institute Courtesy musicalofferings. Johns Hopkins University org Page 35 Willie Nelson Courtesy Majestic Theatre
Page 38 (L-R) Vusi Mahlasela Courtesy vusimalasela.com
Merle Haggard Photo by Dillon Photography
Pablo Sainz Villegas Courtesy pablovillegas. com March/April 2015 | On The Town 43
Kevin Fowler Courtesy kevinfowler.com
Johnny Bush Courtesy liveatfloores.com
Phoebe Hunt Courtesy phoebehuntmusic.com
Raul Gomez Photo by R.L. Smith
Page 39 (L-R) Pat Green Courtesy patgreen.com Stone Temple Pilots Photo by Harry Reese
Page 41 (L-R) Once Photo by Joan Marcus GLAAD To Know You Photo by Edward Wise Photography
Page 40 (L-R) The Doobie Brothers Photo by Tyler Habrecht
Blue Man Group Photo by Paul Kolnik
Gary P. Nunn Courtesy liveatfloores.com
Annie Photo by Joan Marcus
44 On The Town | March/April 2015
Page 42 (L-R) Anna Caterina Antonacci Courtesy Opera San Antonio Tango Buenos Aires Courtesy cami.com Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Photo by Rosalie O’Connor Sara Contreras Courtesy River Center Comedy Club Page 43 (L-R) Ken Slavin Courtesy theshopsatlacantera.com
Nina Diaz Courtesy maverickmusicfestival.com Page 44 (L-R) Cake Courtesy maverickmusicfestival.com Dennis Miller Courtesy dennismillerradio.com Adam Trent Courtesy adamtrent.com Tune-Yards Courtesy maverickmusicfestival.com
March/April 2015 | On The Town 45
46 On The Town | March/April 2015
Culinary Arts
48-60
March/April 2015 | On The Town 47
Culinaria Festival Week Makes an Exciting Return By Ginger McAneer-Robinson Photography Veronica Luna
C
ulinaria is hosting five days of pure food bliss. Festival Week is back and delivering delicious events on the must-do lists of every San Antonio food fan. It’s the culinary infusion of San Antonio’s finest chefs and their premium culinary expertise that makes Culinaria’s Festival Week stand out. This week draws in a diverse crowd of locals – and guests who even travel from all over the nation - to experience 48 On The Town | March/April 2015
the fabulous eats. Whether your tastes lie in an intimate evening of wine and fine cuisine or a family-friendly burger chow down, Culinaria’s Festival Week has something for everyone. It all kicks off May13, with exquisite back-to-back evenings of winemaker dinners. These dinners host a few of San Antonio’s finest chefs and winemakers to craft menus and wine pairings
for an intimate, yet educational, dinner on the town. Now if you’re seeking a more casual event, Culinaria has you covered. The Food Truck event at the H-E-B Alon Market is a fan favorite. Local food trucks cook up some delicious and affordable dishes to make for an exciting familyfriendly evening.
visiting guest chefs craft Mexican dishes with a creative twist – and complement it all with the beverages of Mexico including, tequila, cocktails, beer and wine.
I t is one thing to enjoy the scrumptious cuisine during Festival Week , but Culinaria also provides visitors with an educational experience as well. This Festival is just getting started and there is Brought back by popular demand, the Taste Test definitely more food to be enjoyed, especially at Education features one -hour tasting sessions the fabulous Becker Luncheon hosted by Dr. and that educate attendees on ever ything from Mrs. Becker. Guest winemakers and San Antonio’s wine and food pairings to understanding the finest chefs collaborate to create a delicate menu ar t of winemak ing. appropriate for a tasty and informative afternoon. Guests can also choose to experience red carpet With the weekend, it’s time to mix up your taste status through the Grand Tasting. The Bubble buds. Make way to The Shops at La Cantera to Room is a VIP treatment of early access, limited celebrate the Best of Mexico – a culinary tour of guests, and, of course, bubbles with select Mexico right here in San Antonio. Local chefs with spirits and fine wines. Chefs prepare small bites March/April 2015 | On The Town 49
for sampling and you are given a red carpet entrance as you make way to the Grand Tasting. Not to mention, with your all-inclusive access, you have the opportunity to personally engage with the carefully chosen chefs who present their premium culinary creations. Dazzling wine and cocktails also accompany the evening as you enjoy the entertainment and bid on the silent auction. The Grand Tasting is an ever so popular event during Festival Week and raises the bar for culinary expertise across San Antonio.
The temptations and decisions to be made for Culinaria Festival Week must be overwhelming as the opportunities are endless! Rather than just picking one or two events, Culinaria offers a VIP ticket package that allows guests to experience every event and all of the culinary creations. Proceeds from the ticket package directly benefit the Culinaria Urban Farm, a project that is underway for the non-profit organization and falls under their Hope for Hospitality umbrella of programs. Culinaria promotes San Antonio as a culinary destination while also providing culinary Culinaria closes the festivities with Burgers & scholarships to local students and helps chefs Beer – a family-friendly event with one of the best enduring personal hardships. culinary combinations that exist. When chefs put a spin on burgers, you will reconsider your old choice To enjoy one or more of the events of Culinaria and for a creative creation. The endless possibilities to learn more, visit their website at culinariasa. these talented chefs grill up are amazing – and all org, find them on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram you have to do is choose your favorites and grab or reach them by phone at (210) 822-9555. an ice-cold beer or glass of wine. 50 On The Town | March/April 2015
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EUGENE SIMOR’S ALAMO GOLDEN ALE NOW BREWED AND BOTTLED IN NEW FACILITY WITH VISITORS CENTER
By: Olivier J. Bourgoin, aka. Olivier the Wine Guy Photography Greg Harrison
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ince Eugene Simor released his first batch of Alamo Golden Ale to the local market in 2003, he has been on a mission to grow his brand and on a quest to join the ranks of major players in the Texas beer industry. With the ribbon-cutting ceremony in December for a 20,000-square-foot brewing, bottling and packing facility, Simor took a giant step toward his goal. “Our first full year of commercial distribution, we shipped about 3,600 cases, and 11 years later (October marked the 11th anniversary of the first Alamo suds hitting the streets), we were up to 45,000 cases for 2014.” That’s a 12 percent increase from a year ago.
Asked to describe the taste and style of Alamo Golden Ale (for the benefit of those poor souls who have yet to imbibe the luscious liquid), Simor said the best way to describe it is as a “smooth and refreshing golden ale made in a lighter style but that it is not a light beer,” He said: “In the new facility, I plan on adding some lines of products, including a lager which will be historically closer to what the original Alamo Beer probably tasted like in the 1880s, plus three or four seasonal beers, with most likely a summer wheat and a bock, and maybe one or two more that I haven’t figured out yet. I have not finalized that yet, but there will always be some beers offered at the brewery which you will not find in the marketplace.”
“When our new facility becomes fully operational, which I expect to happen within five to seven years -- that’s our timeline -- we should be producing between 500,000 and 550,000 cases of beer per year, and we will employ 30 to 40 people,” he said.
March 1 will mark the first time that Alamo Beer will be brewed at the new facility, with the week of Feb. 9 having been the last time it was brewed at Real Ale Brewing Co. in Blanco, where it has been brewed through a licensing agreement for a number of years. Alamo Beer is distributed statewide by Ben Simor plans on brewing four styles of beer, including E. Keith Distributors. the eponymous Alamo Golden Ale we’ve all come to love, and three new ones: Alamo Amber Lager, Alamo Located at 415 Burnet St., the 2-acre brewery site is German Style Pale Ale and Alamo Pilsner. adjacent to the Hays Street Bridge which sits on its northern boundary at the edge of what was until The name “Alamo Beer” is not new, however. Before now a vacant lot. Registered as a historic site in the prohibition, a brand named Alamo was brewed National Register of Historic Places, the 1,200-footand sold in San Antonio as early as 1884. During long metal structure was built in the 1880s and prohibition, the trade name went dormant and when assembled from two separate metal sections which prohibition ended in 1933, the name somehow got were taken from other existing bridges originally left behind and forgotten. After performing some located at other sites and moved to San Antonio in research followed by due diligence, Simor claimed the early 1900s. It partially spans another lot also the name and trademarked it, to the delight of local owned by Simor, and its integrity will be protected beer aficionados and their collective taste buds. Once and incorporated into the architectural scheme again, “Alamo Golden Ale -- brewed with a fiercely which includes a beer garden directly under it. Upon independent spirit,” began to flow on both sides of completion, the brewery and its visitors center will be the River Walk and beyond. poised to become two new major tourist destinations March/April 2015 | On The Town 53
within walking distance from the Alamo and the River Walk. Although the brewery proper is on Burnet Street, the guests’ parking lot is around the corner at 202 Lamar St., “which is less than a 15-minute walk from the front door of the Alamo,” Simor said. “This has been a long time in the making, and I am very excited about being open to the public soon. I’ve always liked beer,” said the California native who was born in downtown Los Angeles and grew up in Santa Ana (Orange County), during a recent phone interview. “But it’s when I went to college, while working on my degree in Industrial technology and management at Cal Poly (California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo) that I really discovered a special affinity for craft beers and micro-brewery products,” Simor said. “There was a place near campus called Spike’s, and they had this program where if you tasted 40 different beers, they would put a plaque with your name on it on their wall. That was good enough of an incentive for me to start a new hobby,” Simor said. After college, he went to work for Johnson Controls, enjoying a successful career in his field of expertise, but after a few years he decided that he needed a change of pace. That’s when he made a very sensible decision: take a sabbatical year off and travel the world. “Throughout my travels, I continued to enjoy craft beers, and I developed a real penchant for seeking out the locally brewed brands whenever I could find them.” After deliberately choosing San Antonio as his next place to live, Simor met his wife, Neriza (Neri), who hails from Celaya, Guanajuato, eight years ago. “We met through the Rotary Club, which is NOT a dating service,” Simor said. With four children together, they are building a family and are about to open a stateof-the-art brewery. Tentative hours of operation are 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit www.alamobeer.com. NOTE: Portions of this article were published previously in Local News community newspapers.
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Pedernales Cellars: The Pride of a Sixth Generation Texas Family By Olivier Bourgoin, aka “The Wine Guy� Photography courtesy of Pedernales Cellars
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..................or the past 40-plus years, finding the ...right grapes .to grow in Texas has been a test of patience and frustration as well as a sometimes painful exercise in trial and error for Texas vintners. Countless harvests have been devoted to this process over the years, since the Lone Star State began to earn its place among the fraternity of major wine-producing states. 56 On The Town | March/April 2015
Now solidly entrenched in fifth place in total number of gallons produced, and this for more than two decades, Texas growers began to experiment with grapes that were perhaps less well known in the United States, although they had proven themselves and were common household names in other parts of the world. Tempranillo is one such varietal. The most widely
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planted grape in Spain, it took a little while to gain popularity in these parts. In recent years, however, it has become the darling of several area wineries. The hearty workhorse Spanish grape has found a welcoming home under the Texas skies, and Pedernales Cellars makes some of the best of it, extracting all of its fragrant juice and making fantastic wines. Tempranillo, as its name indicates (it is a diminutive form of the word “temprano,” which means “early”), ripens several weeks earlier that most other varietals.
“My brother had just finished his MBA degree, and he had already decided he was not going to go the corporate route,” Julie Kuhlken said. “We started talking and that is what precipitated the start of the winery.” It all started in 1995, when David and Julie’s parents, Jeanine and Larry, decided to plant four acres of vineyard on their property.
“Our parents met when they were working together on the Apollo 11 mission,” Kuhlken said. “IBM trained my dad Owned and operated by winemaker David Kuhlken, to do the coding (for NASA). My mom was a math major, his sister, Julie Kuhlken, and her husband, Fredrik and my dad was an engineering student. They were the Osterberg, Pedernales Cellars was founded in 2005. first generation of computer programmers.” Julie and Fredrik, who hails from Sweden, met in Paris where they were both studying French. After living in “When they first planted the vineyard in 1995, there was the United Kingdom for six years, they moved back no intention of starting a winery. At the time they were to Texas around the same time her brother David just growing grapes and selling them to several wineries around, including Becker and others,” she said. “Originally, completed graduate school. March/April 2015 | On The Town 57
they planted chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, merlot and cabernet sauvignon -- what customers wanted. The whites never thrived, but we still have some of the merlot and cab, and it goes into an estate blend called Block Zero sourced entirely from that first vineyard. We released our first vintage in 2006. Then we built the winery in 2007, and the doors were opened in 2008.”
some tannat and trying other things. One of the other things coming up this spring is the release of our 2014 Texas Viognier, after a year hiatus when it was not possible to make a viognier because of difficult harvest conditions in 2013. The previous release, our 2012 Texas Viognier, won Best Texas Wine at the Houston Rodeo Competition, and the 2012 Texas Viognier Reserve won double gold in Lyon’s International Wine Competition. Véronique Cecilia “Ceci” Barretto, a sommelier, is the Needless to say, we are very happy to be able to make brand ambassador, outside sales and events coordinator Texas Viognier again with the 2014 vintage. We are at Pedernales Cellars. The Estate Tempranillo 2012 is her also releasing our first Texas Vermentino this spring current favorite. Before coming to work at Pedernales (a 2014 vintage). It is another white variety that does Winery, Barretto followed a course of studies in Dijon, well in the Texas climate, and so we are very excited to France. She also owned and operated a wine store and a add it to our whites program.” wine blog called Vinously Speaking. “Spring is so dominated by festivals, we do not host too “I am really excited to be here, and I am grateful for the many events at the winery, but you’ll see us all around support I have been given while I am continuing to the state. We have a presence at the many festivals that study to get my level four (sommelier) certification,” take place all across Texas. We also have Wine Until Barretto said. Nine event in July with music, and our grape stomp in August. We are also the official winery sponsor for the Kuhlken said tempranillo does extremely well in Texas Hill Country Film Festival, which is in its sixth year and because it does not mind the heat. “We are also planting which takes place April 30 to May 3, and we host the 58 On The Town | March/April 2015
grand finale V.I.P event,” she said. Since the winery does not have a restaurant space now, Kuhlken said, the business is starting with intimate dinners quarterly, on a very small scale such as 16 people. They also do cooking demos and have some basic offerings such as cheese plates. “Ultimately, our success is really going to depend on the success of the Texas wine industry as a whole,” Kuhlken said. “To that effect, we started the Texas Fine Wine Marketing Initiative Co-op to grow consumer awareness about the increase in the quality of Texas wines.” Asked about her favorite wine from her winery, she said: “I don’t have a favorite, truly. We like all our children.” PEDERNALES CELLARS 2916 Upper Albert Road Stonewall, TX 78671 830-644-2037 Open 10am-5pm, Monday through Thursday. 10am6pm, Friday and Saturday. Noon to 6pm, Sunday. www.pedernalescellars.com.
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Visual Arts
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A Conversation with William J. Chiego, Director of McNay Art Museum By Dan R. Goddard Photography by Greg Harrison
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n the midst of celebrating the 60 th anniversary of the McNay Art Museum, director William J. Chiego is busy planning for the future of the first modern art museum in Texas. During his 24year tenure, Chiego has seen the museum’s annual budget grow from $1.6 million in 1991 to the current $7.5 million, while the staff has expanded from 26 employees to more than 90. The McNay now has a $55 million endowment, and the collection has grown from 10,000 objects to more than 20,000. Founder Marion Koogler McNay’s original 24-room Spanish Colonial-Revival mansion designed by San Antonio architects Atlee and Robert Ayres in 1927 has grown to include the Tobin Collection of Theater Arts, which celebrated its 30 th anniversary last year, and Chiego oversaw construction of the Jane and Arthur Stieren Center for Exhibitions designed by French architect Jean-Paul Viguier, which opened in 2008 and added more than 45,000 square feet to the museum, including a large, flexible gallery for major exhibits, a lecture hall and classrooms for the museum’s many educational programs. “ That’s a lot of growth in the past two decades,” Chiego said. “ The McNay is twice the size it was when I became director. But we are now working on a master plan to look at what the future might hold. We want to plan carefully so the potential of the museum is fully realized. But we don’t want to change for change’s sake. A lot of our planning will focus on the grounds, making our 23-acres more pedestrian friendly and making our campus both more functional and appealing.”
To create a master plan, the McNay has commissioned the Boston-based architecture and urban design firm of Rodolfo Machado and Jorge Silvetti, who specialize in art museums, and the New York/Massachusetts landscape architecture firm of MVVA led by Michael Van Valkenburgh, which designed the 15-acre park at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas. “ We star ted working on the plan last year, and we hope to have something to show people by next fall,” Chiego said. “ While we don’t expect to have another major expansion like the Stieren Center, the mansion has been added to in bits and pieces over the years, and we want to come up with a logical plan for how it can be improved and made more efficient. I wanted Machado and Silvetti for the architectural plans because of the sensitive job they did with the Bowdoin College Museum of Ar t in Brunswick, Maine, which holds one of the oldest collegiate ar t collections in the countr y. They worked with the historic architecture while finding a way to gracefully expand the facilities.” Coming up with a comprehensive plan for the McNay’s grounds will be a first for the museum, Chiego said, though preserving the natural beauty that has made the McNay one of the most popular locations in the city for wedding photographers will be a top priority. “Mainly, we’re talking about more pathways and landscaping, but we’re also going to have to plan for more parking,” Chiego said. “We’re also looking at creating a new main entrance.” March/April 2015 | On The Town 63
The current entrance on Broadway is difficult to negotiate, he said. The McNay now owns the triangular piece of land at Austin Highway and Broadway and hopes that San Antonio officials will agree to close the portion of Rittiman Road currently separating it from the museum’s grounds. The Terrell Hills City Council approved a letter of support for the change last November. “I don’t know if that’s the best location for an entrance,” Chiego said. “That’s something we’ll have to figure out as part of the master plan.” A restaurant is a major amenity visitors often request, but museum restaurants tend to be hit or miss affairs, Chiego said. “I’ve proposed a free-standing dining pavilion that could be open during different hours than the museum, but it’s still up in the air,” Chiego said. “We have to consider whether or not the number of visitors (about 100,000 to 125,000 a year) we have can support a restaurant and whether we can find the right restaurateur to make it a success.” Meanwhile, the McNay is presenting Rodin to Warhol: 60 th Anniversary Gifts and Recent Acquisitions on view through May 17. Rodin’s Head of Pierre de Wissant is a promised gift by Don Douglass. Warhol’s Little Red Book made up of 19 Polaroid Type 108 prints and Untitled (Boots) are from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts/Artists Rights Society in New York. Prominent Latino art collectors Harriett and Ricardo Romo contributed Sonia Romero’s Sacred Heart and African American art collectors Harriet and Harmon Kelley made a gift of Robert Gwathmey’s Hoeing. “ This exhibit is designed to give people insight into how museums build their collections,” Chiego said. “We have such an overheated art market -driven by wealthy Russian and Chinese collectors -- it is difficult for museums to compete. But we have many generous patrons who have helped make the McNay one of the best small modern art museums you’ll find anywhere.” For information, visit www.mcnayart.org.
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Briscoe Western Art Museum’s Night of Artists brings the best of the West to San Antonio By Sharon Garcia
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he Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W. Market St. in downtown San Antonio, presents the 14th annual Night of Artists Art Sale and Exhibition featuring 70 of the country’s top Western artists. The show kicks off with the popular art sale and reception March 28, where attendees have the opportunity to
bid on exquisite paintings and sculptures by artists such as T.D. Kelsey, Sandy Scott, Ed Mell, Doug Hyde, Billy Schenck, Kent Ullberg and Kim Wiggins. Complete with a gourmet buffet, cocktails and live music, the art sale and reception has become the Briscoe Museum’s biggest annual fundraiser. March/April 2015 | On The Town 67
The Night of Artists exhibition opens to the public March 29 for a month-long show that is free with museum admission. The exhibit continues through Fiesta, closing April 26, in the Jack Guenther Pavilion adjacent to the historic museum building.
past eight years, the award has been given to an artist whose body of work has left a lasting impact upon the Western art world. Other show awards include Artist’s Choice, Committee’s Choice and Patrons’ Choice.
This year’s Briscoe Legacy Award recipient is noted “The Briscoe Museum’s Night of Artists art sale and painter David Halbach who makes his home in the exhibition represents one of the region’s leading mountains of northern California. Halbach began his contemporary Western art shows,” said Tom Livesay, the career as an animator at Walt Disney Studios and later Briscoe’s executive director. “We are pleased and excited spent many years as an art teacher in five districts of to invite both Western art collectors and San Antonio’s the Los Angeles Unified School System. In 1985, he many visitors to view this impressive compilation of was invited to become a member of the prestigious works created by many of the top Western artists today.” Cowboy Artists of America and since then, he has won numerous CAA gold and silver medals. The range of subjects will reflect the vastness of the great American West, from dreamy landscape vistas The Night of Artists art sale and reception from 5 to rugged frontier cowboys, historic missions, and p.m. to 11 p.m. March 28 is a ticketed event. Tickets detailed Native American subjects. are $200 and include art sale with bid book, beer/ wine/cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, buffet dinner and An important part of the Night of Artists show is the live entertainment. The event is supported by the presentation of the Briscoe Legacy Award. For the GM Foundation. 68 On The Town | March/April 2015
ABOUT THE BRISCOE WESTERN ART MUSEUM The Briscoe Western Art Museum, named in honor of the late Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr., and his wife, Janey Slaughter Briscoe, preserves and interprets the art, history and culture of the American West through engaging exhibitions, educational programs, and public events reflective of the region’s rich traditions and shared heritage. Located along the San Antonio River Walk, its campus is inclusive of the restored historic 1930s Art Deco/neoclassical former San Antonio Public Library building which now serves as the museum space with nine galleries on three levels; the new, three-story Jack Guenther Pavilion designed by the nationally recognized architecture firm Lake|Flato and used for event rentals and programs; and the outdoor McNutt Courtyard and Sculpture Garden used for rentals and programs.
Photo Credits: Page 66 Scott Burdick Plumed Regalia Oil, 30” s 30” Page 67 Billy Schenck Burning Daylight Oil on canvas, 30” x 26” Page 68 Tom Browning Stirrin’ It Up 12” x 12” Page 69
Tony Eubanks For information and tickets, call 210-299-4499 or The Color of Thunder visit BriscoeMuseum.org. Oil, 26” x 21” March/April 2015 | On The Town 69
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new art exhibition is open to the public at the Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s Educational and Cultural Arts Center in the historic Market Square in downtown San Antonio.
In their work, both Barraza and Lomas Garza show their strong commitment to helping their communities and their continuous efforts to validate their culture, find meanings and heal wounds. Their works also reveal their relentless determination to understand and Under the title of “Arte y Tradición de la Frontera: help others understand and be proud of their own The U.S.-México Borderlands in the Works of Santa Mexican American identity and heritage. However, the Barraza and Carmen Lomas Garza,” the exhibition artists have developed very distinctive styles in their explores the artistic career of two prominent individual quests to inspire and empower others. Mexican American artists from South Texas. Pairing these two women of power in what is now their first Barraza has studied and explored the structural formats two-person exhibition was an exciting enterprise of the ancient Mexican and Mesoamerican codices. and a classic compare-and-contrast exercise. Their She also has studied ancient myths, rituals and stories, art reflects their personal responses to their own which have influenced the development of her own experiences growing up in Kingsville, Texas. It also identity as a mestiza, Tejana and Chicana artist. Barraza shows their distinctive journeys of self-discovery as has continuously revered women in her works through individuals and artists, and their unique processes a number of portraits and has explored the mythical, of self-healing through art. the religious and the symbolic throughout her artistic 70 On The Town | March/April 2015
journey. She has made the traditional Mexican retablos and ancient codices her own through her recreation and appropriation of symbols and formats in a body of work that includes photographic realism as well as expressionistic techniques.
60 works of art, including drawings, paintings, prints, paper and metal cutouts as well as videos and children’s books. The exhibition is open until May 24. Admission is free.
On the other hand, Lomas Garza has repeatedly revered her memories of family, childhood and traditions. She is well known for her depictions of everyday events, as well as characters, objects, locations and intimate moments of her childhood and upbringing. Lomas Garza has kept a commitment to portraying positive representations of Mexican American culture in her artworks and bilingual children’s books to facilitate its understanding and to empower future generations of Mexican Americans.
NOTE: Alicia Viera is curator of the “Arte y Tradición de la Frontera: The U.S.-México Borderlands in the Works of Santa Barraza and Carmen Lomas Garza.”
For information: www.tamusa-ecac.com.
Photo Credits: Pages 70-71 (L-R)
Santa Barraza Mujeres Nobles Series: Both artists validate and share their Mexican American Frances con el Árbol de la Vida, 2011 culture in their works through their own cultural Acrylic on Amate paper narratives. Their art is a form of self-healing and an act Santa Barraza of self-recovery for them, but it also is a call for us all Nepantla, 2012 to remember our roots, to be proud of our culture and Giclée print heritage, and to respect the background and personal experiences of others different from ourselves. Carmen Lomas Garza Nopalitos 2000, 2000 Arte y Tradición de la Frontera is a compilation of more than Digital print on paper March/April 2015 | On The Town 71
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Gini Garcia: Glass Artist By Dan R. Goddard Photography Greg Harrison
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.n 1998, Gini Garcia began selling her art glass pieces a massive chandelier at the Lingner Castle, and her work at crafts fairs after giving up a thriving career as a can be seen at the European Museum for Modern Glass. ..graphic designer. She struggled at first, but following Garcia earned a BFA in industrial design from the Kansas her muse has paid off. City Art Institute in 1983, and she worked as a graphic Today, she is San Antonio’s best-known glass artist with a designer for several years, eventually heading her own glassblowing studio in King William and a gallery at the firm in New Orleans. But in 1996 at age 30, she sold her Hyatt Regency on the River Walk. Her company, Garcia Art company to learn how to make glass. Glass, has 14 employees and annual sales of more than $1 million. While not busy doing lighting and art glass “I just decided that graphic design wasn’t what I wanted designs for major hotels, restaurants and corporations, to be doing for the rest of my life, and I wanted to make a change while I was still young enough,” she said. she’s venturing into furniture design. “The first few years were tough just selling at craft shows, but everything changed for me in 2003 when I spent six months in Murano, Italy, and became certified from the Scola del Vetro Abate Zanetti in the art of Venetian chandelier,” Garcia said. “Chandelier-making just exploded, and it’s become the biggest part of my business with both corporate and private residential commissions. We’ve done custom-designed chandeliers for clients throughout the United States and in Europe.”
After beginning at the New Orleans School of Glassworks, she traveled around the country to study glass-making techniques at Urban Glass in New York, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine and Texas Tech University before she opened Garcia Art Glass.
“I get to do what makes me happy, which is working with clients to design exactly what they want,” Garcia said. “I begin with simple doodles and then make more detailed sketches. Everything is custom-made. We Currently, her five-member glassblowing team is working weld the armatures and make the glass for site-specific on an 80-foot-long, 14-foot-wide ceiling installation installations. But the biggest challenge is figuring out based on the design of a Fiesta gown for the St. Anthony how to tell the client’s story.” Hotel which she hopes to have installed by this summer. Her large ocean-inspired chandelier made up of 525 She’s able to transform glass into anything a client wants, pieces of hand-blown glass can be viewed in the lobby from a giant cluster of grapes to a massive flower bouquet. of the Hyatt Regency. In Dresden, Germany, she installed But if you want one of Garcia’s chandeliers for your home, March/April 2015 | On The Town 73
be prepared to wait for at least a year – that’s how long the waiting list is. She generally requires a $5,000 down payment and the finished chandeliers are priced from about $8,000 to $50,000. Her studio also does commissions for the city and major corporations, often art glass pieces intended as gifts. For example, she made 150 glass pieces for a Warner Brothers’ Harry Potter premiere party in London. She has created a wide variety of glass gifts for the mayor’s office and the city’s Department of International Affairs to present to visiting dignitaries.
artists working in craft disciplines. She contributed a piece, From the Dark, Light, to the Let There Be Light gala last October benefiting art education scholarships at St. Mary’s University. She has created glass butterflies for a fundraiser at the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas. “We do lots of nonprofit work because I believe in giving back to the community,” Garcia said.
Garcia said her studio uses about two tons of glass a month, but she’s also collected huge piles of leftover broken glass that she’s found a new way of recycling – “Citicorp ordered 1,000 glass flowers for a conference incorporating the glass pieces into mosaic-like tabletops it’s having here,” Garcia said. “Corporations are usually for her new line of furniture. looking for something unique and our custom-made pieces are just the thing.” “We’ve been doing the furniture for about three years now, and it really feels like my soul work,” Garcia said. Recent corporate collectors include AT&T, Wells Fargo, United Way, Volvo, Benchmark Hospitality, Westin Hotels She launched her art glass furniture in 2012 at the HD International and Philippe Starke International. Design Boutique Show in Miami to enthusiastic reviews. Often featuring brightly colored powdered stainless steel However, Garcia also is known for her generous support frames decorated with blown glass in a wide variety of nonprofit charities. She currently serves on the of shapes and hues, her art glass furniture manages to board of the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), which combine the practical with the whimsical in one-of-aprovides direct financial and educational assistance to kind creations. 74 On The Town | March/April 2015
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Artistic Destination:
Houston’s 28th Annual Art Car Parade takes to the street on April 11 By Julie Catalano
Photos by Morris Malakoff, Jeremy Keas and Isidro Urena
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ild, wacky and wonderful, the annual Houston Art Car Parade is one of the city’s most eagerly anticipated events. One look at the eye-popping, off-the-wall and over-the-top creations explains why: there’s 76 On The Town | March/April 2015
simply nothing quite like it on or off the road. Celebrating its 28 th year on April 11, the parade is considered the oldest and largest in the country, and artists come from all over, along with the media
— The New York Times, History Channel, HGTV, to out cars, trucks, bicycles, golf car ts, go-car ts, name just a few, have covered the iconic event. skater groups, sofas on wheels, giant cupcakes on wheels, ever ything on wheels. “If it ’s on “Everyone recognizes Houston as the art car capital wheels, it can be in the parade.” of the world,” said Jonathan Beitler, director of communications for the Orange Show Center for As much fun as the crowds have, the artists are Visionary Art, which has presented the parade having a blast. Artist Nicole Strine is president of since 1988, when 40 cars were viewed by about the Houston Art Car Klub (houstonartcarklub.com), 2,000 people. formed in 1993. She made her first art car, The Cat’s Meow, in 1994, complete with a loudspeaker that The family-friendly spectacular has grown to 250- blasted nonstop meowing for the entire route. plus entries delighting up to 300,000 paradegoers, sporting names such as Hen-A-Tron, Noah’s This year, Strine will be driving her well-known Reject, Antarticar and more. and much quieter Shattered Vanity, a glittering creation from 2007 covered entirely in hand“It gets bigger ever y year, and ever y year we cut mirror tiles in a silicon glue base, and she’s make it louder and more color ful,” Beitler said. ready for the adrenaline rush when the ar tists The rolling panoply is a craz y salad of tricked- take to the road. March/April 2015 | On The Town 77
“I don’t know if it’s serotonin or what, but it goes guiding mostly teenagers through the process. through the roof when you roll through the parade,” Strine said. “Everybody’s screaming, clapping and “We are rocking away,” Bass said, with this year’s cheering. It’s an extraordinary experience.” Jimi Hendrix-themed entry, Electric Ladyland. A 1981 Mercedes will feature sculptures, flameThe fun continues later that night with the shooting propane tanks — a nod to Hendrix’s Illuminated Cruise featuring lighted vehicles, which guitar-burning concerts -- and a small stage on Strine described as “a processional, not a parade. board with a student singing live. The streets are not blocked.” The catch is that no one knows the route until it’s time to roll. Artists meet Bass noted the rewards of watching young people at a designated spot, and only then are they given create, gathered around the blank “canvas” of a a map to start wending their way through the city used car, brainstorming in ways they never have (inside the loop only) alongside regular traffic. before. “I get to watch them grow, creating a community-based collaborative piece of art that is “People never know where we’ll turn up,” Strine challenging, learning how to get along and work said, “and we don’t know either, which we love.” together,” she said. A labor of love drives Rebecca Bass, former middle school art teacher at Houston ISD for 30 years, working with her students on parade entries. Thirty cars later, the retired Bass is back as a parttime art car teacher at the school district, this time 78 On The Town | March/April 2015
The parade is the centerpiece of what has become a long weekend of events with something for everybody: Main Street Drag, Sneak Peek at Discovery Green, the Legendary Art Car Ball presented by Arts Brookfield, VIPit Party, and the
Awards Ceremony at Smither Park, where cash prizes For more information: thehoustonartcarparade. are handed out in categories including painted car, com and orangeshow.org political statement, performance, music, low-riders, skater, cycle, and contraption.
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For the art cars that aren’t donated to museums, end up in private collections, or are traveling the country Photo Credits: to appear in other art car parades, they often can be seen in Houston throughout the year. Page 76
“People and companies request the cars for special events. So you might see them at Discovery Green, Electrolux Delux a big party, or a corporate event,” said Strine, who remembers the days when an art car sighting left Page 77 people perplexed, confused and even intimidated. “People would ask, ‘Why do you have that stuff Fusion of Contradiction glued all over your car? Why is it painted like that?’ by Randi Rene Hammond ” Now, she said with a laugh, “It’s, ‘Oh, look! It’s an art car!’ We’re so mainstream now. We’re not the Page 78 crazy folk anymore.” HOUSTON ART CAR PARADE Earth Rover 1 2 pm to 4pm, April 11 starting at Allen Parkway at by Dion Laurent Crosby Street
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Literary Arts
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Book Talk:
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JIM LAVILLA-HAVELIN, Poet, Teacher, Poetry Month Coordinator Story and Photography by Jasmina Wellinghoff
J
im LaVilla-Havelin came to San Antonio in 1995 to become the first director of the San Antonio Children’s Museum, but soon moved to the Southwest School of Art where he worked for 17 years as the director of the Young Artists Programs. A life-long poet and poetry advocate, he eventually joined the local literary community, and in 2008, became the founder of the National Poetry Month San Antonio. The month-long celebration of poetry takes place in April. In addition, La Villa-Havelin has served as the volunteer poetry editor for the San Antonio Express-News for the last three years. “He is one of the most important figures in San Antonio in terms of poetry,” says Kellen Kee McIntyre, the founder and director of the Bihl Haus, a gallery and arts center where La Villa-Havelin teaches creative writing. The author of three previous poetry books – two of which focused on his beloved sport of baseball – LaVilla-Havelin more recently published his fourth collection, Counting, which encompasses poems written over a 30-year time span. “Counting touches deeply as a heartbreaking elegy that lucidly observes our disappearing world,” wrote reviewer Robert Bonazzi in the ExpressNews. “Count it among our most sophisticated and truthful books of the new millennium.” LaVilla-Havelin’s poems also have appeared in a number of journals, magazines and anthologies, including the Texas Observer and multiple editions of the Texas Poetry Calendar. Throughout his career, he has been an active presenter of literary events,
teacher and workshop leader, both here in Texas and in the Northeast where he previously lived. JW: Since Poetry Month is coming up, could you tell us a little about your efforts to make it happen in San Antonio? JLH: About seven years ago (poet) Jesse Castro and I, knowing that National Poetry Month was celebrated in other cities, decided that we should also celebrate poetry and the literary community here in San Antonio. The first year we did just a few events, had an exhibit of words and pictures at the central library, and it grew from there. A couple of years ago, largely thanks to the establishment of the Poet Laureate program, the city’s Department of Culture and Creative Development took over the gathering of information and the production and dissemination of the Poetry Month calendar. But for many years, that whole process was on my desk. The city gave us some funds to help us do it but I was the one to hire the designer, collect the information, take care of the copy for the ads, which we sold to cover the cost, etc. I still do a lot of the collecting of information because there are lots of smaller organizations that tend to operate below the radar. We try to include and celebrate all of them, from the most humble to the city-sponsored. I list myself as a “coordinator” now. JW: Who participates and who organizes the events? JLH: It’s a decidedly populist set of events, from slam poetry by kids (older teens and young adults) in bars and coffee houses to performance pieces, jazz poetry and academic work. Venues range from March/April 2015 | On The Town 83
the libraries and the Twig Book Shop to schools, galleries, theaters, all sorts of venues, including the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center that organizes one of my favorite programs called Words for Birds. We develop some events but we also try to find things that are already happening. I jokingly talk about our cultural imperialism … that we simply go around and collect everybody else’s events and put them on our calendar. But it isn’t our calendar, it’s the community’s. For me, Poetry Month starts with Poetry on the Move (poems displayed on VIA buses) which begins with a reading in late March, and runs through the Young Pegasus Awards event at the library in May, and even to the Mother’s Day event at the McNay, which started two years ago. You can’t keep poetry segregated into a single month. JW: How many events and poets do you expect to take part this year?
JW: You are also the poetry editor for the ExpressNews. How many submissions do you get and what are your criteria in choosing the poems that get published? JLH: We get several hundred every couple of months. I go through every single one of them and read them seriously. I try to bring to the process of selection an openness to every way of bringing words together … To start with, the poem has to move me. I listen to the poem’s music. I also look for craft and a personal vision. I am not big on gimmicks, and I don’t respond to highly rhetorical poetry that doesn’t ground itself in something tangible. I include a wide range of voices. I have even included some that I loved less but which had a weight about them that made them difficult to ignore. In addition, I go to a lot of readings and sometimes I hear a poem that I requisition for the paper.
The idea has been floated that an anthology should JLH: Probably about 80 events and about 150 poets. be put together with a selection of poems published There will be days with three or four readings. We by the Express-News. I don’t know if we can do it but have some new things this year. One is Go Poe at that would be very nice. the Bihl Haus on April 4. Our students, the “goldens” (older adults), will be reading. There’s a great event JW: Let’s talk about your own poetry. Your collection of university professors from multiple colleges and Counting appeared more than a quarter-century their students reading together. For many years after the publication of your last book. How come? it was at the Twig but it’s morphing somewhat. I think this year Natalia Trevino is going to bring it to JLH: My day job got in the way a little bit (laughs). Northwest Vista College. I was working as an arts administrator and loving it. I’ve been writing all along but until I joined the Every year we run something called Slam the Town small critique group that I belong to now (with other on April 1. Everyone who wants to – writer or non- writers), I wasn’t sending out anything … Finally, writer -- is asked to send or give a poem to someone I put a manuscript together and sent it to Pecan else or to many people. They can slide the poem Grove Press (a St. Mary’s University-based press) for under a door, leave it on people’s windshields, email their annual contest. I didn’t win but Palmer (Palmer it to everyone they know, hand it out to people on Hall, the former director of Pecan Grove) wrote me the street. We have people all over San Antonio a note saying that part of what they did with the giving poems away. contest entry money was to print books they cared about. He liked my book and wanted to publish it. JW: What do you do on April 1? Wonderful surprise! I am not waiting that long with the next book or it will be posthumous (laughs). JLH: I email a poem to everyone on my email list and Being retired and teaching creative writing helps tell them to forward it further and also to email me me write more. back something. This and Poetry on the Move are probably the most out-of-the-ivory-tower ways to JW: Could you talk about Counting, the title and the extend poetry’s reach out into the world … I am really content? interested in having poetry reach a broad audience and having them find joy and meaning in it. JLH: In many ways it’s an anti-war book, so there’s 84 On The Town | March/April 2015
that kind of counting (of the dead, displaced, frightened) and accounting. There are other things as well but the book shaped itself around the Iraq war. At the end of the book there is a table of counts, not simply the war counts but other losses such as children dying of hunger and the extinction of animal species. It’s also a book about living here, in San Antonio and in Lytle (where his home is), about coming to grips with a totally different part of the world. That theme is more developed in my next manuscript called West. There are also a few word play experiments in what is otherwise a pretty straightforward book. And, shockingly, there are more than a few elegies in Counting and that’s because we lost so many fine people (from the San Antonio community). JW: If a person could read only three poems from Counting, which ones would you recommend? JLH: (hesitates) I would pick What We Can’t Know, which was engraved in the Poets Walk in front of the museum I worked for in Rochester, N.Y., the Memorial Art Gallery. Then, The Limits of Metaphor (about watching cows being driven to the slaughter house), and The Hopeless Dictionary because it’s a newer piece, and it has that tangibility that I think is important. JW: What have you been working on since the publication of Counting? JLH: In addition to West which is making the rounds of publishers, I’ve been working on two anthologies, one about Fiesta that will include poems, memoirs, fiction, essays and photos; and the other is Leveling the Field, an anthology of poems about sports. Also a book-length poem about jazz. JW: Who are your favorite San Antonio poets? JLH: Oh, that’s going to get me in trouble! But Naomi, certainly (Naomi Shihab Nye), Robert Bonazzi, Rosemary Catacalos, Laurie Ann Guerrero, Carmen (Tafolla)… -----------t------------------------
8 What We Can’t Know Jim LaVilla-Havelin
the number of the dead the stretch of an hour a bird’s heart how our embrace feels to the embraced the moment of a flower’s opening dirt’s weight outermost ripples of friendship and love peace what our hands do while we sleep a lie’s uncurling the depth of loss an insect’s view silence morning brushing against treetops how we are remembered From Counting, Pecan Grove Press
8
LaVilla-Havelin’s comments have been edited for space and clarity. To see the Poetry Month Calendar, go to www.npmsa.com; also available at libraries. March/April 2015 | On The Town 85
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Eclectics 88-98
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®
Fiesta San Antonio Returns for 124th Year By Shannon Huntington-Houghtaling
F
iesta® San Antonio is a fusion of arts, heritage and exhibits, parades, Fiesta® royalty and more. culture and culminates every year in April to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the NEW EVENTS Battle of San Jacinto, celebrating the diverse heritage, Six new events have been added to the official culture and spirit that make up the city of San Antonio. calendar this year. Children will have a healthy competition at the Southwest Independent School 2015 marks the 124th anniversary of Fiesta® and District’s Southwest Olympic Fiesta® April 18; the promises to be among the most exciting years yet! San Antonio Humane Society will crown the most Returning to the 11-day schedule, April 16-26, Fiesta® royal canine during the El Rey Fido Coronation April literally has something for everyone, with more than 110 18; get some laughs as the Priest Holmes Foundation events ranging in highlights from music, food, sports presents the Fiesta® Comedy Explosion April 23; and pageantry to military and patriotic observances, rev your engines for the Circle of Life’s Motor Rally 88 On The Town | March/April 2015
FOR A GOOD CAUSE Aside from the multi-generational traditions and fun with family and friends, participating in Fiesta® also means giving back to the community. Each Fiesta® event is presented by a local nonprofit. The money earned at each event is returned to the sponsoring OFFICIAL POSTER organization. Some nonprofits fund their entire annual The unveiling of the official annual Fiesta® poster operation with just one Fiesta® event. The nonprofits has become a much-anticipated local tradition. that represent Fiesta® provide education, religious Submissions were received from 55 local artists for ministries, arts, athletic opportunities for youth, health this year’s Fiesta® Commission annual poster contest. services and the country’s defense. Upon review by committee, one design was chosen to be the official 2015 Fiesta® poster. The 2015 winning Additionally, San Antonio’s economy is strengthened artist, Antonio Barrera, credits his inspiration for this by Fiesta®. More 3.5 million people attend Fiesta® San year’s poster, “La Musica,” to his childhood experiences. Antonio, with 20 percent coming from out of town. This As a native San Antonian, Barrera’s life and art were generates an economic impact of more than $300 million, influenced by Fiesta®, music and art. Since he was 12 making Fiesta® by far the biggest festival in the city. years old, his love of music and art grew increasingly imaginative and creative. Listening to music helps Since 1959, the Fiesta® San Antonio Commission, an inspire his imagination and creativity. The poster, independent nonprofit organization, has overseen along with a wide array of poster merchandise, is this massive effort. The commission is governed available at the Fiesta Store® on Broadway or online by an all-volunteer board of community leaders at www.fiesta-sa.org. and representatives from 100-plus local nonprofit April 25; the American Lung Association will raise awareness with its Lung Living Force 5K Run/Walk April 25; and confetti will reign and rain at Texas A&M University San Antonio’s Festival de Cascarónes April 26.
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participating member organizations. The group works year-round to coordinate the thousands of details and day-to-day tasks essential to plan this huge citywide event. The commission also serves as a liaison between the nonprofit members, local military organizations and the City of San Antonio. City services are essential to the conduct a successful Fiesta®.
helps preserve the traditions while building new ones. The Fiesta® San Antonio Foundation works to create a safe, healthy and educational Fiesta® through a series of projects. From educational outreach for school children to honoring achievement among the armed forces, the Fiesta® San Antonio Foundation invests in future leaders.
The Fiesta® Commission returns more than $1 million to the community each year through allocations to Fiesta® events that are not financially self-supporting; providing bleachers and logistical infrastructure to the Battle of Flowers and Fiesta Flambeau Parade associations; and licensing more than 100 other small nonprofit groups (church groups, youth groups, civic organizations) to sell street chairs along the parade route.
Give a gift today to help the Fiesta® San Antonio Commission preserve and promote the culture, history, heritage and traditions of this great city, through the largest, city-wide celebration in San Antonio. Visit the website for easy ways to donate.
PRESERVE THE TRADITIONS … AND BUILD NEW ONES Fiesta® has celebrated San Antonio’s vibrant and diverse culture for 124 years. The larger it grows, the more event proceeds help our community. Funding operating expenses and outreach efforts is done through the Fiesta® San Antonio Foundation, which 90 On The Town | March/April 2015
A full schedule of events can be found at www.fiestasa.org. Start planning your itinerary now and download the free app, where customized schedules can be created and much more. Plan to kick off Fiesta® 2015 at the official opening ceremonies, Fiesta® Fiesta at the Alamo, at 5 p.m. April 16. Viva Fiesta®!
FIESTA速 BY THE NUMBERS
Photo Credits:
$300 million in Economic Impact
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3.5 million Attendees
Battle of Flowers Parade Photo by Jonathan Alonzo
75,000 Volunteers 17,000 Medals Sold at The Fiesta Store速 124 Years 110+ Events 52 Stages 35 Concerts 33 Food Events 14 Parades 11 Days 10 Military Ambassadors
Page 89 Miss Fiesta 2014 Texas Cavaliers River Parade Photo by Jonathan Alonzo Page 90 Fiesta Carnival Photo by Victor Martins
9 Official Royalty
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6 New Events
Fiesta Flambeau Parade Photo by Jonathan Alonzo
1 FIESTA速
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DISCOVER
THE RAINFOREST at the
San Antonio Botanical Garden By Tracy Lowe Photography courtesy SABOT
G
rab yo u r pi th h el met a n d h ea d to t he S an Anto ni o B o ta n i ca l G a rden for a t ro p i c al rai n fo rest jo u r n ey w it h t he ne west ex h i b i t, R ai n fo rest Adventu re. Vis i tor s c an ex p l ore o n e o f th e l ea st-k nown 92 On The Town | March/April 2015
hab it at s on Ear t h in t he m aze exh i b i t, c h o c k full of t he sight s and sound s o f a t ro p i c a l rainforest : swing like a sp id er mon ke y, di s cove r a rod ent t hat weighs m ore t han 1 0 0 p o u n ds, o r lear n ab out a b eet le t hat c an c ar r y mo re t h a n 850 t im es it s own weight.
Th e i ma gi n ar y j o ur n ey begi n s i n th e highest tre etops s u r ro u n ded by mi grato r y bi rd s and rad i a nt s u n l ig ht. I n a n ef fo r t to reac h t he fore st f l o o r, vi s ito rs a n swer qu esti o n s ab out the ra i n fo re s t. I n co r rec t a n swers l ea d to d ead en d s, w h i l e co r re c t a n swers l ea d deep er into the fou r l aye rs o f th e ra i n fo rest: emergent, ca n opy, u n d e rs to r y a n d fo rest f l o o r. R a i n fore s t s are s o me o f th e mo st en dangered eco syste m s o n t he pl a n et, a n d th e ex hib it a dd re sse s why i t ’s i mpo r ta nt to u n de r st and how v i t al t h e y a re a n d h ow th ey c an b e pro te c te d. R ai n fo rests h el p to cl ea n t he air a nd provid e m e d i ci n a l i n gredi ents. We even have ra in fo re s t s to th a n k fo r a n u mber of t ast y foo ds, s u ch as co f fee, ch o co l ate, gi n ger and ma c a dam ia n u t s.
Sponsors who have made Rainforest Adventure possible are the Rober t J. Kleberg Jr., and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation; Gretchen Swanson Family Foundation Inc.; USAA Foundation; Chipotle Mexican Grill and Dickson-Allen Foundation. Explore the Rainforest Adventure maze from March 7 through Sept. 20. Special opening-day activities are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 7. S an Antonio B ot anic al G ard en, 5 5 5 Fu n s to n Place, is op erated und er t he aus p i ce s o f t h e Cit y of S an Antonio D ep ar t m ent o f Pa r ks a n d R ec reat ion, and is op en year-ro u n d exce p t Thanksgiving, C hr ist mas and Ne w Ye a r ’s D ay. Par k ing is free. For information: www.sabot.org or 210-207-3250. March/April 2015 | On The Town 93
Random Thoughts: Pistol Packin’ Paula, Majestic Broadway and all that jazz! By Vivienne Gautraux
I
f you were to go to www.onthetownezine.com and click 2010 under previous issues, then go to the one for July-August, you would see a story about Pistol Packin’ Paula, “the best lady gun spinner” in America. The article mentions that you can see her perform at Enchanted Springs Ranch just outside of Boerne. What isn’t mentioned is that she was severely injured in a 94 On The Town | March/April 2015
rollover accident a few years back and her dog, Pepper, who was with her at the time and uninjured, ran for help. This was an amazing feat, to say the least. Now, Pepper and Paula are the main characters of a movie titled The Adventures of Pepper and Paula. Mindy Raymond plays Paula and Uno portrays Pepper. If you would like to see a screening of the movie before it
comes out, go to www.tugg.com for details on a Mar. 11 showing at the Starplex Boerne Cinemas 11 and one on Apr. 2 at the Santikos Palladium IMAX in San Antonio. It’s family entertainment all the way.
Cantera have earned a reputation for artistic creativity. The outdoor event showcases and fosters an appreciation for all forms of jazz through free, live musical performances. Performances begin at 7:30pm on two Saturdays, Mar. 28 and Apr. 11, plus two Thursdays, Apr. 2 & 9. The 2015 Since this column is called Random Thoughts, I am Spring Jazz at the Falls showcases saxophonist Tom moving on to an entirely different subject, that being Braxton; R&B, jazz vocalist Melina; crooner Ken Slavin; and the recent announcement of the 2015-16 Season of Eric Marienthal. Bring blankets and chairs. For complete Broadway in San Antonio at the Majestic. Ten touring event details visit www.theshopsatlacantera.com. shows are on this season’s schedule starting with The Little Mermaid in September followed by Beauty and the Beast in October. After that it’s Phantom of the Opera then The Book of Moorman and Kinky Boots. The Photo Credits: remaining five are Riverdance, I Love Lucy Live on Stage, Cinderella, Motown The Musical and The Wizard of Oz. Page 94-95 (L-R) Please bear in mind that there are still five shows to go in The Adventures of Pepper the ’14-15 season as well – Once, Blue Man Group, Annie, and Paula Movie Poster Newsies and Mamma Mia. Never have we had a run of Courtesy adventuresofpepperandpaula.com 15 shows like this to choose from in the past. This is bigtime Broadway for SA! And, I wouldn’t be surprised if The Phantom of the Opera more shows are added along the way. I am jazzed! Photo by Matthew Murphy
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Speaking of jazz, Spring Jazz at the Falls is back again this Ken Slavin year. The free jazz concerts at the Falls at The Shops at La Courtesy shopsatlacantera.com March/April 2015 | On The Town 95
Flaco Jimenez
Mingo Saldivar
34th Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival:
May 13-17 at historic Guadalupe Theatre and Rosedale Park By Juan Tejeda
C
ucuy accordionists will be “invading” San Antonio in May when the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center presents the 34th Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio 2015 from May 13-17 at the historic Guadalupe Theatre and Rosedale Park. Local artist John Medina won this year’s Tejano Conjunto Festival poster contest with his graphic design of the “cucuy (boogey men and women) accordionists’ invasion.”
Chris Strachwitz, the guiding force behind legendary Arhoolie Records, as he takes viewers on a hip-shaking stomp from Texas to New Orleans, Cajun country to Appalachia, in his passionate quest for the musical soul of America. There will be a discussion after the film with Strachwitz, producer-directors Maureen Gosling and Chris Simon. Recent Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award-winner Flaco Jiménez and his brother, Conjunto Music Hall of Famer Santiago Jiménez Jr., who are th The 34 edition of the Tejano Conjunto Festival, which will featured in the film, also will be present. feature more than 30 of the best bands in Conjunto/Tejano music, begins at 10am May 13 a free seniors conjunto The Conjunto Fest continues at Rosedale Park May dance at the Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe St., 15-17 with the return of nine Conjunto Music Hall of with music by Tim Rodríguez y Oro de Tejas until noon. Famers, including Flaco Jiménez, Mingo Saldivar, Bene From 7pm-9 pm May 14 at the Guadalupe Theater there Medina, Gilberto Garcia and Rubén Garza from Los will be a free special screening of the documentary film Dos Gilbertos, Gilberto Pérez, Santiago Jiménez Jr., Eva “This Ain’t No Mouse Music!” about roots music icon Ybarra and Beatriz Llamas. 96 On The Town | March/April 2015
Eva Ybarra Ybarra and Llamas, along with Linda Escobar, will be headlining a Women in Conjunto Music Tardeada Showcase May 17 featuring the first-time Tejano Conjunto Festival musical presentations of Leti y Conjunto Central, Katie Lee Ledezma, Savannah Votion, Tejano Roze y La Nueva Sensación, Grupo Imagen and Las Tesoros de San Antonio.
Santiago Jimenez, Jr. other national and international musical influences that include blues, rock, jazz, Colombian cumbias and Cuban boleros, among others. The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center created the Tejano Conjunto Festival to preserve and promote Conjunto music, to honor its pioneering artists, to present the best in the genre, and to foster a better understanding and appreciation for Chicano music and culture. Over the years the festival has become a cultural institution for San Antonio and a popular destination for Conjunto music lovers who travel from all over the United States and the world to hear the genre’s best.
May 15 will feature Los Hijos de las Leyendas (Sons of the Legends), those sons who are carrying on the tradition and music of their legendary fathers, some of the most important innovators and stylists within the Conjunto genre. Performing that evening will be Gil Jiménez/The Legacy, The D Boys, Flavio Longoria and the Conjunto Kingz, Rubén Vela Jr. y su Conjunto, Rio Jordán with Juanito Castillo and Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers. Other 34th Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival highlights include accordion and bajo sexto workshops, inductions Conjunto is an original American musical ensemble and into the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame, Tex-Mex food and style of music created by the Texas-Mexicans during the beverage booths, accordion raffles, conjunto student early-to-mid-1900s which utilizes the button accordion recitals, and plenty of dancing and fun for the entire and bajo sexto guitar as its principal instruments. It is family in a friendly park environment. a unique musical synthesis that combines German/ European and Mexican/American instruments and For the complete schedule of events, visit www. rhythms such as polkas, waltzes and huapangos with guadalupeculturalarts.org or call 210-271-3151. March/April 2015 | On The Town 97
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