March/April 2016

Ezine.com

ON THE TOWN Seventh Anniversary Issue

Debby Boone Nuestra Gente Jan Jarboe Russell Ballet San Antonio Kerrville Folk Festival Briscoe Night of Artists Culinaria Festival Week Plus 10 Additional Articles

March/April 2016

March April 2016 | On The Town 1

2 On The Town | March/April 2016

March April 2016 | On The Town 3

14

12

Features

20

Features Cont.

Experience the magic of incredible live entertainment! Big names and big shows are abundant in March and April

8

Made in Germany - Contemporary art from the 64 Rubell Family Collection: McNay exhibit runs through April 24

Ballet San Antonio: Striking a balance

14

San Antonio Theatre Coalition: Umbrella group covers all things theatre

18

San Antonio Museum of Art exhibit celebrates 68 Rodin: The Human Experience

Up close and personal with Debby Boone March 11 performance at the Tobin Center

20

Eat. Drink. Build a farm.

All in the name of Culinaria

42

William Chris Vineyard: Sharing a piece of their world

46

45th Annual Kerrville Folk Festival: May 11-15

The return of a classic: Frontier Burger 50 Grayze on Grayson: The latest business spawned by Pearl’s success

54

Nuestra Gente: Celebrating people past and 58 present: Exhibit featured at Centro de Artes in Market Square Briscoe Western Art Museum draws top Western artists for Night of Artists

4 On The Town | March/April 2016

62

74

35th Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival: 78 at Guadalupe Theatre and Rosedale Park

Departments Events Calendar

24

Book Talk: Jan Jarboe Russell - Journalist and author

82

Artistic Destination: Galveston’s enduring treasure: The Grand 1894 Opera House

88

Out & About With Greg Harrison

94

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

74

50

82

Cover Credits Contributors Front Cover Photo: © Jonnysek | Dreamstime.com

Mikel Allen creative director/ graphic designer

Performing Arts Cover Photo: One Night of Queen Courtesy Tobin Center

Rudy Arispe

Events Calendar Cover Photo: Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits Courtesy Tobin Center

Rosemary Catacalos

Culinary Arts Cover Photo: © Piotr Tomicki | Dreamstime.com Visual Arts Cover Photo: Primos by Carolina G. Flores Festivals & Celebrations Cover Photo: © Tomaalimos | Dreamstime.com

Greg Harrison staff photographer

Olivier J. Bourgoin (aka, Olivier the Wine Guy) Julie Catalano

Christian Lair operations manager/ webmaster Kay Lair Bob McCullough Ginger McAnear-Robinson

Thomas Duhon

Susan A. Merkner copy editor

Carolina G. Flores

Sarah Selango

Sharon Garcia

Allen Sheffield

Mario C. Garza

Juan Tejeda

Dan R. Goddard

Jasmina Wellinghoff

Literary Arts Cover Photo: © La Fabrika Pixel S.l. | Dreamstime.com Eclectics Cover Photo: Photo by Greg Harrison Out & About With Greg Harrison Cover Photo: Photo by Greg Harrison

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

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

March April 2016 | On The Town 5

6 On The Town | March/April 2016

Performing Arts 8-22

March April 2016 | On The Town 7

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF INCR

Big names and big shows are

8 On The Town | March/April 2016

REDIBLE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT!

abundant in March and April.

By Sara Selango

March April 2016 | On The Town 9

B

ig names and big shows come to town in March and April. For fans of touring live theater, the Tobin Center BMW Signature Series offers Woody Allen’s Bullets Over Broadway March 6 on the big stage followed by the 1970s disco hit Saturday Night Fever March 28. The Majestic gets into the act with an eight-performance North Park Lexus Broadway Series run of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella April 5-10. Just a few days before that, Stomp displays its rhythmic magic for three shows April 2-3, also at the Majestic. Arts San Antonio features a classic, Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight at Trinity’s Laurie Auditorium for one performance only March 24. Meanwhile, Boerne Performing Arts concludes its fifth anniversary season by presenting the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players in Pirates of Penzance April 8 at Champions Auditorium in Boerne. On the smaller stage at the Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater, the Tobin Center Edge Series features Sex Tips for Straight Women From a Gay Man for five performances March 17-19.

category, shows closing on the first weekend of March are Rock of Ages at the Woodlawn, Jesus Christ Superstar at Playhouse San Antonio, The Divas of Eastwood at Little Carver and The Seagull at the Classic Theater of San Antonio. Opening nights include Legends of the Oldies at the Josephine March 4, London Calling at Harlequin Dinner Theatre March 11, Reasons to be Pretty at the Cellar Theatre March 18, Secrets of a Soccer Mom from Attic Rep April 1, Memphis at the Woodlawn April 8 and Born Yesterday by the Classic Theatre of San Antonio April 29. Check the events calendar in this issue for all community theater offerings in San Antonio and the surrounding area.

The opportunity to enjoy great music in March and April awaits. If classical is your preference, the San Antonio Symphony starts things off March 3-4 with Brahms First Piano Concerto. Sebastian Lang-Lessing conducts and Peter Serkin is the piano soloist. The orchestra follows with Rachmaninoff, an evening featuring pianist Olga Kern March 25-26. Lang-Lessing Community theater chips in with some big-time conducts these two concerts as well. In addition, the presentations as well. From the “you better hurry” symphony, in conjunction with Opera San Antonio,

10 On The Town | March/April 2016

presents the concert version of Il Trovatore on March 31 and April 2. Jacques Lacombe serves as guest conductor for Mozart for Flute and Harp, spotlighting the talents of flutist Martha Long and harpist Rachel Ferris, April 29-30. All concerts mentioned are at the H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.

Still more classical performances are available in March and April beginning with San Antonio Chamber Choir’s performance of Mozart’s Just Desserts at the Carlos Alvarez March 5-6 and Arts San Antonio’s presentation of pianist Vadym Kholodenko at Trinity’s Ruth Taylor Recital Hall March 8. Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, under the direction of Troy Peters, offers Abbey Road Live March 14 at the Tobin, then Il Volo, the operatic pop trio, takes over the Majestic stage March 17. Next up are performances of Archduke by Camerata San Antonio in Boerne, Kerrville and San Antonio March 18-20, followed by the Dover String Quartet in concert for San Antonio Chamber Music Society April 3 at Temple Beth-El. San Antonio International Piano Competition’s Piano Series gives patrons the chance to hear pianist Sejoon Park and San Antonio

Symphony concertmaster Eric Thomas Gratz as they play Beethoven Sonata for Piano and Violin Concert No. 3 on the evening of April 9 at the UIW Recital Hall.

Mid-Texas Symphony Concert 5, Tuesday Music Club’s presentation of the Kostov Valkov Duo, Camerata San Antonio’s Bold Russian and Blanco Performing Arts‘ evening with pianist Jonathan Tsay round out the classical genre.

San Antonio Symphony pops concerts at the Tobin in March and April include Bond and Beyond March 11-13 and Fiesta Pops April 15-17. Michael Krajewski conducts Bond and Beyond and Broadway star Debbie Gravitte is the guest soloist. Fiesta Pops, under the direction of Akiko Fujimoto, features the Guadalupe Dance Company and Mariachi Campanas de America.

The discussion of dance begins with Shen Yun at the Tobin March 18-20 and continues with Celtic Nights at the same venue March 24. Ballet San Antonio also takes the Tobin stage for three performances of Ballet Alive! April 8-10. The same weekend, Tamara Adira’s Arte y Pasion is on the boards at the Carver’s Jo Long Theatre.

March April 2016 | On The Town 11

Now it’s time for some serious name-dropping. The list of famous folks and groups coming to the city and immediate area in March and April is quite impressive and includes Carrie Underwood, Anjelah Johnson, Yanni, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Jazz in Pink, Robert Plant, Lewis Black, Vocalosity, Lisa Fischer, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, Pat Boone, Debby Boone, Mickey Gilley and Johnny Lee of Urban Cowboy fame, Loreena McKennitt, Leon Russell, Leann Rimes, Mavis Staples and Nick Lowe, Steven Wright and Jay Mohr.

One final thought. There are many amazing, and in some cases historical, country and western music venues around old SA. An evening at John T. Floore Country Store, Gruene Hall, Leon Springs Dance Hall, Luckenbach Dance Hall, Blue Bonnet Palace, Whitewater Amphitheater or others nearby might just prove to be good for the soul, so to speak, not to mention a really good time.

There is so much to see and do. Get some tickets and go!

12 On The Town | March/April 2016

Photo Credits: Pages 8-9: Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella Photo by Carol Rosegg Pages 10-11 (L-R) Saturday Night Fever Courtesy Tobin Center Bullets Over Broadway Courtesy Tobin Center Stomp Courtesy Majestic Theatre Page 12 (L-R) Carrie Underwood Courtesy carrieunderwood.com Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy Courtesy Tobin Center

March April 2016 | On The Town 13

Jenni Colon 14 On The Town | March/April 2016

Ballet San Antonio: STRIKING A BALANCE

By Julie Catalano

W

.hen Ballet San Antonio was looking for new leadership at the tumultuous end of 2015, a chance meeting put communications and marketing whiz Jenni Colon in the path of Christine Varela Mayer, chair of the professional company’s board of directors. Recalled Colon: “I told her a little bit about what I did, and she said, ‘Hmm, would you be interested in being the executive director?’”

— Colon eager to implement her considerable administrative talents, and Shives fiercely committed to the “remarkable, talented, beautiful” dancers now in his charge. “It was love at first sight,” he said of the 32-member company.

“We haven’t yet had our strategic planning sessions,” Colon said, “but we’re certainly working on creating a three-year plan with one- and two-year marks.” Nor have The Puerto Rican-born Colon was intrigued. Her they discussed the 2016-17 season, except to hint that experience in corporate positions in Austin and “we are looking at doing four productions,” she said. “We San Antonio included handling public relations, want to see what the budget looks like.” Both described marketing, strategic analysis and more. Up for a new the board as incredibly supportive. challenge, Colon accepted the job. “The skills I have — project management, multitasking, setting timelines, High on the list of priorities is community outreach. overseeing various people all doing different things — I “It’s one of the things that really attracted me to the feel that that skill set transfers to the production of a company,” Colon said, “their mission statement of ballet. In the end everything needs to come together at making ballet accessible to everyone. We’re definitely the same time and be this beautiful, cohesive project.” continuing the youth performances and hope to grow them.”

There was just one little thing. “I let the board know right away that I have no dance background,” Colon said. It Shives couldn’t agree more. “We have great outreach was not a problem. “They thought it would be good to programs right now, and I want to push it even further. have someone more grounded in other areas to balance San Antonio needs to know that this ballet company out the organization and add that complementary is theirs.” element to the artistic side.”

Artistically, Shives envisions building on the company’s That artistic side was handily filled by acclaimed ballet existing foundation and reputation, keeping it rooted master Willy Shives, former leading dancer and later in “strong classical technique, of course the big ballets community outreach coordinator with the renowned because there’s already been a precedent of doing Joffrey Ballet and now the artistic director of Ballet San large ballets. Audiences love their story ballets, and Antonio. A native of Edinburg, Texas, Shives’ impressive there’s plenty out there to do.” His goals are ambitious career includes performing, choreography, teaching concerning a higher profile for the company. “I want master classes, directing, and staging works from them to be nationally recognized, and for this to be the contemporary masters such as Gerald Arpino, George ballet company of the Southwest,” he said.

Balanchine, Lew Christensen, John Cranko and more.

For now, the priority is rehearsing for their final Even with such disparate backgrounds, Colon and production of the season, Ballet Alive! at the Tobin Center Shives instantly hit it off and hit the ground running for the Performing Arts on April 8-10. The company Photo by Greg Harrison

March April 2016 | On The Town 15

Photo by Alexander Devora will perform Gerald Arpino’s lively Confetti, a nonstop tambourine-fest to music by Rossini. The repertory program also includes a pas de deux by Shives entitled Solace, set to Stanley Myers’ Cavatina from The Deer Hunter; choreographer Dominic Walsh’s The Whistling originally set on Ballet Austin; and Lew Christensen’s comic ballet Con Amore, with music by Rossini.

The duo’s energy and enthusiasm is infectious, and they both describe their new working relationship as serendipitous. Shives said they “laugh a lot, and when we get stressed out we start speaking Spanish.”

we feel the pressure, but we can’t think about that.

The important thing is the overall picture, focusing on moving in that direction, and taking things step by step.”

For more info, balletsanantonio.org.

Ballet Alive!

April 8-10 The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts 210-223-8624

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Colon may not be a dancer but she’s had no problem making the leap into the unknown. “Everybody keeps Photo of Jenni Colon and Willy Shives by Greg Harrison asking, ‘Have you gotten your feet wet?’ I say, oh no, I Photo from Ballet Alive by Still Life Photography by jumped right into the deep end.” She added: “Of course Alexander Devora

16 On The Town | March/April 2016

March April 2016 | On The Town 17

Mellissa Marlowe President SATCO Board 2016 18 On TheVolunteer Town | March/April

San Antonio Theatre Coalition: Umbrella group covers all things theatre

By Susan A. Merkner Photography Greg Harrison

F

..ans of community theater productions may .applaud the San Antonio Theatre Coalition, which spotlights current and upcoming shows, audition opportunities and paid production jobs on its website.

As the San Antonio metro area has grown in recent years, it has sparked the creation of new theaters in nearby communities, such as Boerne, Bulverde and New Braunfels.

SATCO serves as an umbrella organization for local theater In addition to expanding the theater audiences, the new professionals. The nonprofit organization was founded venues also have provided more jobs, although theater in 1995 to facilitate communication and cooperation remains largely dependent on volunteer talent. among the area’s theaters and drama professionals.

One measure of San Antonio’s growth in the arts is “Members of our organization help with promoting the availability of grants administered by the city’s theater in the community,” said Mellissa Marlowe, who department for culture and creative development, serves as president of SATCO’s volunteer board. “We like Marlowe said. to call attention to our art form and help the public with the many choices they have among local theaters.”

Like many groups, SATCO’s biggest organizational challenge is finding professionals willing to devote extra A visit to SATCO’s playbill page shows many upcoming time in their already busy work schedules to volunteer on productions, which this spring include Jesus Christ behalf of their craft, she said.

Superstar, The Seagull, Memphis and others. Techs and thespians can search the e-auditions section for future SATCO organizers hope to offer free or low-cost opportunities on both sides of the footlights. professional development workshops in acting and production. Marlowe said she would like to see the return “We receive lots of favorable feedback from the public,” of SATCO’s Theatre ASAP, last offered in September 2012.

Marlowe said. “They like the fact that they can consult In a 24-hour span, original plays are written, rehearsed one website and get all the information they need. Actors and presented in a Saturday evening performance open like the auditions function very much. It’s basically a one- to the public. stop shop for theater.”

One of SATCO’s founders was the late playwright and SATCO offers memberships to individual adults and actor Sterling Houston.“He envisioned an organization of producers, which provide benefits such as email notices of producers who would share resources and help promote upcoming shows, discounted tickets, online advertising theater in the community,” Marlowe said. and other perks.

“Raising awareness is good for everyone,” she said. “The Current membership is 114 individuals and 34 producers, more the theatre community is thriving, the better it is said Marlowe, whose“day job” is serving as program for all of us.” coordinator for the drama department at Northwest Vista College. She got involved with SATCO in 1996 while in For information: satheatre.com. graduate school.

March April 2016 | On The Town 19

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH DEBBY BOONE

March 11 performance at the Tobin Center

By Julie Catalano

W

hen talking to singer-actress Debby Boone it helps to have a family tree flowchart handy.

It’s needed to keep track of her family’s entertainment legends. Her maternal grandfather was country-western star Red Foley. Her father, Pat, is one of the most well-known entertainers in the world, with a career spanning more than 50 years. Her husband of 36 years is Episcopal priest Gabriel Ferrer, whose godfather 20 On The Town | March/April 2016

was Bing Crosby and parents were groundbreaking Puerto Rican actor/director Jose Ferrer and the fabled American songstress Rosemary Clooney.

“And don’t forget cousin George,” she adds. (How could we?)

The three-time Grammy winner rocketed to instant fame in 1977 when her signature song, You Light Up My Life,

written by Joe Brooks, shot to No. 1 on Billboard and stayed there for 10 consecutive weeks. The record sold more than 4 million copies and became a country crossover hit. Boone has appeared in numerous musical theater productions, and in 2013 released her 13th studio album, Swing This, with songs reminiscent of Las Vegas in the 1960s.

JC: You grew up in a showbiz family and married into a showbiz family. Are there big differences between the way you grew up and the way your own children grew up?

DB: My dad was such a megastar that we were exposed as really young kids to a lot of the Hollywood stuff even though my parents tried to keep us growing up in a normal family life, as much as they could raising kids on the corner of Beverly Drive and Sunset Boulevard.

Boone will be appearing for one night only, March 11, at the Tobin Center’s Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater as part of Tobin Studio Sessions. The 295-seat venue is ideal for JC: How did they accomplish that? what Boone calls “an intimate personal evening. What I love most is when (audiences) say, ‘We loved your stories. DB: I think the real bottom-line answer to that was their You have so many great stories.’” faith. It was very important that they instill their values and their faith in us. My dad was a very connected, handsYes, she does. on dad. His presence was felt even when he wasn’t there Julie Catalano: Tell us more about An Evening with because he was a serious disciplinarian, so my mother meant it when she said, “I’m going to tell your father” Debby Boone. (laughs). Church was nonnegotiable. We went Sunday Debby Boone: I’ll be doing this show with just a trio. morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night unless When I first started doing a tribute show to my mother-in- we were ill. (With my own kids) we had a similar style law, Rosemary Clooney, I did a more cabaret venue tour of parenting with morning devotionals and goodnight than I’d ever done before. That’s where I fell in love with prayers, and church too was nonnegotiable even though the opportunity to see faces and talk to people instead of it became harder because the culture was changing so being up on a big stage looking out into a sea of black. much. A lot of times sports practices and friends’ birthday I feel like the people who come will get to know me and parties were on Sunday. We’d think, what happened to hear stories that they wouldn’t otherwise hear about my Sunday being family day and church day? I was not as family and my extended family. strict a parent as the ones I grew up with, but I still think there were more similarities than differences.

JC: You perform so many different types of music: pop, country, swing, show tunes. Do you have a favorite?

JC: Tell us something about you that people may not know.

DB: Even as a teenager I was a Barbra Streisand fan. I loved Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald, but once I got involved with my husband and being exposed to what Rosemary did and got to work with her, that’s when I really fell in love with and started to realize that my heart is in the Great American Songbook -- just beautiful standards. I love musical theater and a lot of standards come from the shows. After Rosemary died, I inherited all of her arrangements, so I had access to all of these fantastic arrangers like Billy May, Nelson Riddle and John Oddo, who will be playing for me at the Tobin. He is now my musical director. He’s an incredible arranger -- I think one of the greatest arrangers alive today. I treasure the fact that I continue to get to work with him.

JC: Do you and your famous father ever perform together?

DB: I still get stage fright. That’s definitely my thorn in the flesh, and I kind of thought it would go away. Opening nights are nerve-wracking, and having certain people in the audience can be really intimidating, so yeah, I’m a fairly nervous performer but I just have to move through it.

JC: Next year is the 40th anniversary of You Light Up My Life, the song that made you famous. Do you sing it at every concert?

DB: It has never been the right choice to leave it out. I realize that some people don’t know anything else about me except that song and that’s why they’ve come. It may not fit with everything else I do, but it always belongs in my show.

An Evening with Debby Boone DB: Yes, we do. It’s very rare. It happened last year in 8 p.m. March 11 Indiana. We love working together; it just doesn’t happen Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater, The Tobin Center that often. He’s 81, and he still loves entertaining, but he’s for the Performing Arts Information and tickets at tobincenter.org. not so crazy about the travel part anymore.

March April 2016 | On The Town 21

22 On The Town | March/April 2016

Events Calendar 24-30

March April 2016 | On The Town 23

March/April 2016 Events Calendar Music Notes Gerorge Thorogood & The Destroyers 3/2, Wed @ 7pm Aztec Theatre Ladysmith Black Mambazo & Sweet Honey in the Rock 3/2, Wed @ 7:30pm H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center Vocalosity: The ACA-Perfect Concert Exerience 3/3, Thu @ 7:30pm H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center Experience Hendrix 3/4, Fri @ 8pm Majestic Theatre Bricks In the Wall 3/4, Fri @ 8pm Aztec Theatre Houston Marchman 3/4, Fri @ 8pm Gruene Hall Wagon Aces 3/4, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall David Nail 3/4, Fri @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store

San Antonio Symphony Brahms 1st Piano Concerto 3/4-5, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor Peter Serkin, piano H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center

Loreena McKennitt 3/6, Sun @ 7:30pm Majestic Theatre

Doug Moreland 3/11, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall

Arts San Antonio Vadym Kholodenko, piano 3/8, Tue @ 7:30pm Ruth Taylor Recital Hall at Trinity University

Charlie Robison 3/11, Fri @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store

Dusty Britches 3/5, Sat @ 7:30pm Luckenbach Dance Hall

Mavis Staples & Nick Lowe 3/8, Tue @ 7:30pm H-E-B Performance Hall at The Tobin Center

Marisela 3/5, Sat @ 8pm Majestic Theatre Cactus Country 3/5, Sat @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dance Hall Mayeux & Broussard 3/5, Sat @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Stoney Larue 3/5, Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall San Antonio Chamber Choir Mozart’s Just Desserts 3/5-6, Sat @ 7:30pm Sun @ 3pm Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater at the Tobin Center

24 On The Town | March/April 2016

UTSA Festival of New Music 3/8-10, Tue-Thu @ 7:30pm UTSA Recital Hall Future: The Purple Reign Tour 3/10, Thu @ 7pm Aztec Theatre Rick Cavender Band 3/11, Fri @ 6:30pm O’Brien’s in Bergheim Joe Satriani 3/11, Fri @ 7:30pm Laurie Auditorium at Trinity University A Special Evening with Debby Boone 3/11, Fri @ 8pm Carlos Alvarez Studio Theatre At the Tobin Center

The Trishas 3/11, Fri @ 8pm Gruene Hall San Antonio Symphony Pops Bond and Beyond 3/11-13, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2pm Michael Krajewski, guest conductor Debbie Gravitte, soloist H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center The Countrymen 3/11, Fri @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dance Hall Bennett & Hines 3/12, Sat @ 6:30pm O’Brien’s in Bergheim Urban Cowboy 35th Anniversary Reunion Tour: Mickey Gilley & Johnny Lee 3/12, Sat @ 7pm Majestic Theatre

March April 2016 | On The Town 25

Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Presents: Fetty WapWelcome to the Zoo 3/12, Sat @ 7pm Aztec Theatre The Music of Jerry Lee Lewis and The Blues Brothers 3/12, Sat @ 7:30pm Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre New Braunfels Carver Community Cultural Center Presentation: Jazz in Pink 3/12, Sat @ 8pm Jo Long Theatre at The Carver Landon Dodd 3/12, Sat @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dance Hall Gary P. Nunn 3/12, Sat @ 8:30pm Kendalia Halle Cody Jinks 3/12, Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall

The Noise Presents Cannibal Corpse 3/14, Mon @ 6:30pm Aztec Theatre Youth Orchestras of San Antonio Abbey Road Live 3/14, Mon @ 8pm Troy Peters, conductor H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center One Night of Queen 3/15, Tue @ 7:30pm H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center 4th Annual Two Ton Tuesday Spring Break Show 3/15. Tue @ 8:30pm Gruene Hall Killswitch Engage, Memphis May Fire, 36 Crazy Fists 3/16, Wed @ 6pm Aztec Theatre Il Volo 3/17, Thu @ 7:30pm Majestic Theatre

James McMurtry 3/12, Sat @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store

Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters 3/17, Thu @ 8pm H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center

Unforgettable 3/13, Sun @ 3pm Jo Long Theatre at The Carver

Almost Patsy Cline Band 3/18, Fri @ 6pm O’Brien’s in Bergheim

L7 3/13, Sun @ 7pm Aztec Theatre

Leon Russell 3/18, Fri @ 7pm Luckenbach Dance Hall

26 On The Town | March/April 2016

Pat Boone 3/18, Fri @ 7:30pm Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre New Braunfels

Jake Hooker and the Outsiders 3/19, Sat @ 8pm Anhalt Hall

Rocky King Band 3/18, Fri @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dance Hall

Billy Mata & Texas Tradition 3/19, Sat @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dance Hall

Roger Creager 3/18-19, Fri @ 8pm Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall Blue Water Highway Band 3/18, Fri @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Camerata San Antonio Archduke 3/18, Fri @ 7:30pm Boerne First United Methodist 3/19, Sat @ 3pm Kerrville First Presbyterian 3/20, Sun @ 3pm University of the Incarnate Word Recital Hall Mud Dauber Rock’N Billy Chili Fest (Billy Joe Shaver, Dale Watson, The Merles and more) 3/19, Sat @ 12pm Luckenbach Dance Hall Nightwish with special guest Delain 3/19, Sat @ 6:30pm Aztec Theatre Bobby Flores 3/19, Sat @ 7:30pm Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater Kerrville

Johnny Bush and The Bandoleros 3/19, Sat @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Fall Out Boy Wintour Is Coming 3/20, Sun @ 7pm Freeman Coliseum Tobin Center Studio Sessions Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone 3/20, Sat @ 2pm & 7pm Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater at the Tobin Center Arts San Antonio Spanish Harlem Orchestra 3/22, Tue @ 7:30pm Aztec Theatre Underoath 3/23, Wed @ 6:30pm Aztec Theatre Patty Griffin, Sara Watkins & Anais Mitchell 3/23, Wed @ 7:30pm H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center Moon Taxi 3/23, Wed @ 8pm Charline McCombs Empire Theatre

March April 2016 | On The Town 27

Trout Fishing in America with Dana Louise & The Glorious Birds 3/24, Thu @ 7:30pm Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater at the Tobin Center Phantom 46 Tribute to Stone Temple Pilots 3/24, Thu @ 7:30pm Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre New Braunfels

Granger Smith 3/26, Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Present: Issues 3/26, Sat @ 6pm Aztec Theatre The Spazmatics 3/26, Sat @ 8pm Blue Bonnet Palace

Yanni 3/24, Thu @ 8pm Majestic Theatre

Jerry Jeff Wlker 3/27, Sun @ 7pm Gruene Hall

Ben Rector: The Brand New Tour 3/25, Fri @ 7pm Aztec Theatre

TobyMac’s Hits Deep Tour 3/31, Thu @ 7pm AT&T Center

Band of Heathens 3/25, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall Tab Benoit 3/25, Fri @ 8pm Gruene Hall San Antonio Symphony Rachmaninoff 3/25-26, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor Olga Kern, piano H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center Randy Rogers Band 3/25-26, Fri-Sat @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Asleep at the Wheel 3/26, Sat @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall

La Santa Cecilia 4/1, Fri @ 8pm Charline McCombs Empire Theatre Max Stalling 4/1, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall Hunter A. Smith 4/1, Fri @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dance Hall Nick Lawrence 4/1, Fri @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Friends in Harmony 4/2, Sat @ 2pm Laurie Auditorium at Trinity University

28 On The Town | March/April 2016

Bennie Wheels & Walkin’ the Line The Ultimate Tribute to Johnny Cash 4/2, Sat @ 7:30pm Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre New Braunfels

Gunpowder Soup Band 4/8, Fri @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dance Hall

L&M Kings 4/2, Sat @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall

Kirk Franklin 4/9, Sat @ 6:30pm Aztec Theatre

Almost Patsy Cline Band 4/2, Sat @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dance Hall Cody Johnson 4/2, Sat @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store San Antonio Chamber Music Society Dover String Quartet 4/3, Sun @ 3:15pm Temple Beth-El Music Icons – Playing It Forward 4/4, Mon @ 7pm Jo Long Theatre at The Carver A Special Evening with Marcia Ball, Carolyn Wonderland and Shelly King 4/7, Thu @ 7:30pm Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre New Braunfels Los Lonely Boys 4/8, Fri @ 8pm Gruene Hall Midland 4/8, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall

Dwight Yoakam 4/8, Fri @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store

Close To You Music of the Carpenters 4/9, Sat @ 7:30pm Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre New Braunfels Monte Montgomery 4/9, Sat @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall SAIPC Piano Series Beethoven Sonata for Piano & Violin Concert #3 Sejoon Park, piano Eric Thomas Gratz, violin 4/9, Sat @ 8pm UIW Concert Hall Johnny Mata 4/9, Sat @ 8pm Kendalia Halle Cactus Country 4/9, Sat @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dance Hall An Evening with Leann Rimes 4/9, Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall Mid-Texas Symphony Concert 5 4/10, Sun @ 4pm David Mairs, Conductor Performing Arts Center at Canyon High School New Braunfels

March April 2016 | On The Town 29

Tuesday Music Club Lachezar Kostov, cello Viktor Valkov, piano 4/13, Tue @ 2pm Laurel Heights United Methodist The Noise Presents Amon Amarth 4/13, Wed @ 7pm Aztec Theatre Radney Foster & Friends featuring Darius Rucker and Kelly Willis 4/13, Wed @ 7:30pm H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center Drive-By Truckers 4/14, Thu @ 7pm Aztec Theatre Music for Your Eyes Tour: April in Paris 4/14, Thu @ 6:30pm Villa Finale Museum & Gardens Arts San Antonio Memories of Rio with Sergio and Odair Assad with Clarice Assad 4/14, Thu @ 7:30pm Charline McCombs Empire Theatre Gatlin Gospel Larry Gatlin and the Blackwood Quartet 4/15, Fri @ 7:30pm Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater Kerrville Delta Rae 4/15, Fri @ 8pm Charline McCombs Empire Theatre

The Merles 4/15, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard 4/15-17, Fri-Sat @ 7pm Sun @ 6pm Whitewater Amphitheater New Braunfels San Antonio Symphony Fiesta Pops 4-15-17, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2pm Akiko Fujimoto, conductor Mariachi Campanas de America Guadalupe Dance Company H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center Rey Lopez Entertainment Presents: Adore Delano # Queens 4/15, Fri “@ 10pm Aztec Theatre Thomas Michael Riley 4/16, Sat @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall Rocky King Band 4/16, Sat @ 8pm Anhalt Hall

Heart of Texas Band Music of the Alamo City 4/17, Sun @ 3pm McAllister Auditorium at San Antonio College Carrie Underwood: The Storyteller Tour 4/18, Mon @ 7pm AT&T Center Two Tons of Steel 4/22, Fri @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dance Hall Sirius XM Presents, the Jim Norton, Mouthful of Sham Tour 4/22, Fri @ 8:30pm Aztec Theatre Camerata San Antonio Bold Russian 4/22, Fri @ 7:30pm Boerne First United Methodist 4/23, Sat @ 3pm Kerrville First Presbyterian 4/24, Sun @ 3pm University of the Incarnate Word Recital Hall Lucinda Williams 4/22-23, Fri @ 8pm Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall

Moe Bandy 4/16, Sat @ 8pm Blue Bonnet Palace

Blanco Performing Arts Jonathan Tsay, piano 4/23, Sat @ 7:30pm Uptown Blanco Ballroom

Ha*Ash 4/16, Sat @ 8pm Aztec Theatre

Jake Worthington 4/23, Sat @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall

Delbert McClinton 4/16, Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall

JB & The Moonshine Band 4/23, Sat @ 8pm Blue Bonnet Palace

30 On The Town | March/April 2016

Hot Texas Swing Band 4/23, Sat @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dance Hall Cypress Hill: 25th Anniversary World Tour 4/26, Tue @ 8pm Aztec Theatre Symphony of the Hills A Night in Old Mexico 4/28, Thu @ 7:30pm Eugene Dowdy, Conductor Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater Kerrville Carver Community Cultural Center Presentation: Lisa Fischer 4/29, Fri @ 8pm Jo Long Theatre at The Carver Tessy Lou and the Shotgun Stars 4/29, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall Finger Pistol 4/29, Fri @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dance Hall Roger Creager 4/29, Fri @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store San Antonio Symphony Mozart for Flute and Harp 4/29-30, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Jacques Lacombe, conductor Martha Long, flute Rachel Ferris, harp H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center

Country Music Heroes Tribute to George Strait, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn and Patsy Cline 4/30, Sat @ 7:30pm Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre New Braunfels

Rock of Ages 3/4-6, Fri-Sat @ 7:30pm Sun @ 3pm Woodlawn Theatre

Victoria Symphony Orchestra Haochen Zhang, piano 4/30, Sat @ 7:30pm Victoria Fine Arts Center Victoria

Into the Woods 3/4-6, Fri-Sat @ 7:30 Sun @ 2pm Fredericksburg Theater Company Steve W. Shepherd Theater Fredericksburg

Gary P. Nunn 4/30, Sat @ 8pm Luckenbach Dance Hall

Jesus Christ Superstar 3/4-6, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 3pm Russell Hill Rogers Theatre at The Playhouse San Antonio

Landon Dodd 4/30, Sat @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dance Hall

Live Theater

Lend Me A Tenor The Wimberley Players 3/4-6, Fri-Sat @ 7:30pm Sun @ 2:30pm Wimberley Playhouse

Ruthless 3/4-6, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 3pm Performing Arts San Antonio Theatre

Color of Stars 3/4-6, Thu-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2:30pm Spotlight Theatre (S.T.A.G.E) Bulverde The Seagull 3/4-6, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 3pm The Classic Theatre of San Antonio The Divas of Eastwood Renaissance Guild Presentation 3/4-6, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 4pm Little Carver Theatre Creatures of the Night 3/4-12, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 7pm 3/18-20, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 3pm 3/25-26, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Greg Barrios Theater @ The Overtime Theater

Legends of the Oldies 3/4-4/3, Fri-Sat @ 7:30pm Sun @ 2:30pm Josephine Theatre BMW Signature Series Bullets Over Broadway 3/6, Sun @ 7pm H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center London Calling 3/11-4/16, Thu-Sat @ 8pm (dinner @ 6:15pm) Harlequin Dinner Theatre Tobin Center Edge Series Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man 3/17-19, Thu @ 7:30pm Fri @ 7pm & 10pm Sat @ 4pm & 8pm Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater at theTobin Center

March April 2016 | On The Town 31

Foxfire 3/18-20, Fri-Sat @ 7:30pm Sun @ 2pm 3/25-4/2, Fri-Sat @ 7:30pm Elizabeth Huth Coates Indoor Theatre Ingram Reasons to be Pretty 3/18-4/10, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 3m Cellar Theatre at The Playhouse San Antonio Arts San Antonio Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight!

3/24, Thu @ 7:30pm Laurie Auditorium at Trinity University BMW Signature Series Saturday Night Fever 3/28, Mon @ 7:30pm H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center Arts San Antonio Pedal Punk: Cirque Mechanics 4/1, Fri @ 7:30pm Majestic Theatre Center of The Universe 4/1-16 & 29-30, Fri-Sat @ 8pm, 4/10, Sun @ 3pm 4/24, Sun @ 7pm Overtime Theater Stomp 4/2-3, Sat @ 3pm & 8pm Sun @ 3pm Majestic Theatre North Park Lexus Majestic Broadway Series at the Majestic Rodgers and Hammersteins Cinderella 4/5-10, Tue-Thu @ 7:30pm

32 On The Town | January/February March/April 2016 2016

Fri @ 8pm Sat @ 2pm & 8pm Sun @ 2pm & 7:30pm Majestic Theatre Attic Rep Secrets of a Soccer Mom 4/7-17, Thu-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2:30pm Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater at the Tobin Center Boerne Performing Arts Pirates of Penzance 4/8, Fri @ 7:30pm Boerne Champion Auditorium Around the World in 80 Days 4/8-24, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2pm Circle Arts Theatre New Braunfels Is He Dead?

Playhouse 2000 4/8-9, Fri-Sat @ 7:30pm 4/15-24, Fri-Sat @ 7:30pm Sun @ 3pm V\K Garage Theatre Kerrville Memphis 4/8-5/8, Fri-Sat @ &:30pm Sun @ 3pm Woodlawn Theatre The Nerd 4/15-5/1, Fri-Sat @ 7:30 Sun @ 2pm Fredericksburg Theater Company Steve W. Shepherd Theater Fredericksburg Good People The Wimberley Players 4/15-5/8, Fri-Sat @ 7:30pm Sun @ 2:30pm Wimberley Playhouse

Alone Together Again 4/28-5/1, Thu-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2:30pm 5/5-7, Thu-Sat @ 8pm 5/12-15, Thu-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2:30pm S.T.A.G.E – Spotlight Theatre & Arts Group Bulverde Born Yesterday 4/29-5/22, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 3pm The Classic Theatre of San Antonio The Gingerbread Lady 4/29-5/28, Thu-Sat @ 8pm (dinner @ 6:15pm) Harlequin Dinner Theatre

Dance Shen Yun 2016 3/18-20, Fri @ 7:30pm Sat @ 2pm & 7pm Sun @ 2pm H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center Celtic Nights 3/24, Thu @ 7:30pm H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center Ballet San Antonio Ballet Alive!

4/8-10, Fri-Sat @ 7:30pm Sun @ 8pm H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center Arte y Pasion Tamara Adira 4/9-10, Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 4pm Jo Long Theatre at The Carver

Opera San Antonio Symphony Opera San Antonio Il Trovatore (concert version) 3/31 & 4/2, Thu @ 8pm Sat @ 8pm Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor Symphony Mastersingers (John Silantien, director) Julianna Di Giacomo, soprano Dolora Zajick, mezzosoprano Issachah Savage, tenor Lester Lynch, baritone H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center UTSA Lyric Theatre The Tender Land 4/1 & 3, Fri @ 7:30pm Sun @ 3pm UTSA Recital Hall

Comedy Drew Fraser 3/2-3, Wed-Thu @ 8:30pm 3/4-5, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm 3/6, Sun @ 8pm Improv Comedy Club San Antonio Rivercenter Nate Bargatze 3/3, Thu @ 8pm 3/4-5, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm 3/6, Sun @ 7pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club

March April 2016 | On The Town 33

Ladies Night Out Comedy Tour Joe Torry and Friends 3/4, Fri @ 8pm Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater at the Tobin Center Kevin Downey, Jr. 3/9-10, Wed-Thu @ 8:30pm 3/11-12, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm 3/13, Sun @ 8pm Improv Comedy Club San Antonio Rivercenter Dean Edwards 3/10, Thu @ 8pm 3/11-12, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm 3/13, Sun @ 7pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club

Al Ducharme 3/16-17, Wed-Thu @ 8:30pm 3/18-19, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm 3/20, Sun @ 8pm Improv Comedy Club San Antonio Rivercenter Maryellen Hooper 3/17, Thu @ 8pm 3/18-19, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm 3/20, Sun @ 7pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club The Comedy Get Down: George Lopez, Cedric “The Entertainer” Eddie Griffin, D.L. Hughley and Charlie Murphy 3/18, Fri @ 8pm AT&T Center

34 On The Town | January/February March/April 2016 2016

Ryan Stout 3/23-24, Wed-Thu @ 8pm 3/25-26, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club

Lewis Black The Emporer’s New Clothes: The Naked Truth Tour 3/31, Thu @ 8pm Majestic Theatre

Aida Rodriguez 3/23-24, Wed-Thu @ 8:30pm 3/25-26, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm 3/27, Sun @ 8pm Improv Comedy Club San Antonio Rivercenter

Steven Wright 4/1, Fri @ 8pm H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center

Vladimir Caamano 3/30-31, Wed-Thu @ 8:30pm 4/1-2, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm 4/3, Sun @ 8pm Improv Comedy Club San Antonio Rivercenter

Roy Wood Jr. 4/1-2, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy: We’ve Thinking Tour 4/3, Sun @ 5:30pm & 8pm H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center

Cleto Rodriguez 4/6-7, Wed-Thu @ 8:30pm 4/8-9, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm 4/10, Sun @ 8pm Improv Comedy Club San Antonio Rivercenter Maverick Music Festival 4/8-9, Fri-Sat @ 5pm Maverick Plaza in La Villita Nikki Glaser 4/8-9, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Sam Demaris 4/13-14, Wed-Thu @ 8:30pm 4/15-16, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm 4/17, Sun @ 8pm Improv Comedy Club San Antonio Rivercenter Jay Mohr 4/16, Sat @ 8pm Charline McCombs Empire Theatre Slade Ham 4/20, Wed @ 8pm 4/24, Sun @ 7pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Anjelah Johnson: Bon Qui Qui in Concert with Group 1 Crew 4/22, Fri @ 8pm Majestic Theatre

Godfrey 4/22-23, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Kristen Key 4/27-28, Wed-Thu @ 8pm 4/29-30, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm 5/1, Sun @ 7pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club BT Kingsley 4/27-28, Wed-Thu @ 8:30pm 4/29-30, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm 5/1, Sun @ 8pm Improv Comedy Club San Antonio Rivercenter

Children’s Tobin Kid Series Children’s Fine Art Series Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny 3/7, Mon @ 6:30pm H-E-B Performance Hall At the Tobin Center Cat in the Hat 3/9-17, Wed-Thu @ 10am Performing Arts San Antonio Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet 3/11-4/17 go to website for days/ times Magik Theatre

March April 2016 | On The Town 35

Magik Theatre Presents: Jungle Book 3/17-20, Thu-Sat @ 2pm & 6:30pm Sun @ 2pm Charline McCombs Empire Theatre Tobin Kid Series Children’s Fine Art Series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live!

4/3, Sun @ 2pm H-E-B Performance Hall At the Tobin Center Disney® Alice in Wonderland, Jr. 4/15-17, Fri @ 10:30am & 7:30pm Sat @ 2pm &7:30pm Sun @ 2pm Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre New Braunfels Kidz Bop 4/24, Sun @ 6pm H-E-B Performance Hall At the Tobin Center Charlotte’s Web 4/29-6/1 go to website for days/ times Magik Theatre

Exhibitions ARTPACE Spring 2016 Artists in Residence Exhibition Daniel Garcia Wu Tsang Andriana Corral Juan de Nieves, curator 3/17-5/15

Hudson Showroom Cordy Ryman Now thru 4/24 Window Works Chris Sauter Now thru 4/24 BLUE STAR CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM Open Call for Texas Artists 3/1-31 Blue Star Ice Company Colin Kloecker and Shanai Matteson 3/3-5/8 Going on Going Justin Boyd 3/3-5/8 Do it & Do it Curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist 3/3-5/8 BIHL HAUS ARTS Necessary Work: Bryce Milligan’s World of Words and Design Opens 4/9 Independent Publishing and Book Design Panel Discussion 4/23, Sat @ 2pm Readings by Wings Press Poets & Writers 4/30, Sat @ 2pm

36 On The Town | March/April 2016

BRISCOE WESTERN ART MUSEUM 210/West Gallery Talk Cataloging the Past 3/1, Tue @ 6:30pm Susanna Dickinson: Fact & Fabrication 4/5, Tue @ 6:30pm Briscoe Book Club Thousand Pieces of Gold Ruthanne Lum McCunn 3/8, Tue @ 6:30pm Lotería Mario Alberto Zambrano 4/12, Tue @ 6:30pm Native Film Series Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner 3/29, Tue @ 5:30pm Barking Water 4/29, Tue @ 6:30pm Night of Artist Exhibition 4/3-5/15 Voices of the West Distinguished Lecture Series Michael Horse 4/26, Tue @ 6:30pm INSTITUTE OF TEXAN CULTURES Faces of Survival Now thru 3/6 Sikhs: Legacy of the Punjab Now thru 4/24 Our Part of Victory Now thru 12/7

Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and Farm Workers 3/11-6/5 LINDA PACE FOUNDATION Secondary Stories

by Brazilian Artist Rivane Neuenschwander 4/30-7/29 Adam (Public Artwork)

By Arturo Herrera 25’ h x 98’ w, Frost Bank Garage Commerce at Main Now thru 12/2016 McNAY ART MUSEUM The Extraordinary Ordinary: Three Installations Now thru 4/10 Fait Accompli: Charles Dulac’s Masterpieces Reunited Now thru 4/10 Against the Grain: Robert L.B. Tobin and the Expressionist Print Now thru 4/10 Collecting in Context Now thru 4/17 Made in Germany: Contemporary Art from the Rubell Family Collection Now thru 4/24

Wildcat: Kahlil Joseph Now thru 4/24

SAN ANTONIO MUSEUM OF ART

TEXAS A&M CENTRO DE ARTES

My Royal Past: Cecil Beaton and the Art of Impersonation Now thru 6/5

Corita Kent and the Language of Pop Now thru 5/8

Nuestra Gente: Celebrating People Past and Present Now thru 5/8

Roberto de la Selva: Modern Mexican Masterpieces in Wood Now thru 6/26

WITTE MUSEUM

Dyeing of the River Green 3/12, Sat @ 2pm River Walk

Splendor on the Range: American Indians and the Horse 3/5-8/21

The Ziegenbock Festival 3/12, Sat / 2:30pm-11pm Retama Park

Dressed to Kill: Glam and Gore in Theatre Now thru 6/5 Stephan Westfall: The Holy Forest Now thru 7/31 SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDEN Wings of the City Now thru 6/5 Storybook Houses 3/5-7/10

Rodin: The Human Experience Selections from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Collections 3/5-5/29 SOUTHWEST SCHOOL OF ART Texas Draws IV Now thru 4/24 Caitlin G. McCollom: The Cloud of the Unknowing Now thru 4/24

Miscellaneous Contemporary Art Month 3/1-31 at galleries, art centers and museums citywide H-E-B Cinema on the Plaza Series Hoosiers 3/11, Fri @ 8pm River Walk Plaza at the Tobin Center

Paella Challenge at Pearl 3/11, Sun / 11am-4pm Pearl Complex

Murphy’s St. Patrick’s Day River Festival 3/12-13, Sat-Sun 12pm-6pm River Walk & Arneson River Theatre San Antonio Open WTA Series Event 3/14-19, Mon-Sat McFarlin Tennis Center

November/December March April 2015 2016 | On The Town 37

HEB Big League Weekend Texas Rangers vs.

Kansas City Royals 3/18-19, Fri @ 7pm Sat @ 2pm Alamodome Culinaria 5K Wine & Beer Run 3/19, Sun @ 9am The Shops at La Cantera San Antonio Flavor 3/24, Thu @ 7pm San Antonio Museum of Art San Antonio Book Festival 4/2, Sat / 10am-3pm Central Library

Behind the Lens with Henry Diltz and Pattie Boyd 4/9, Sat @ 4pm River Walk Plaza at the Tobin Center Fiesta® San Antonio 4/14-24 – for details www.fiesta-sa.org Valero Texas Open PGA Golf Tournament 4/18-24 TPC San Antonio NIOSA: A Night in Old San Antonio 4/19-22, Tue-Fri / 5:3010:30pm La Villita Ford Mariachi Festival 4/19-22, Tue-Fri / 7-10pm River Walk

38 On The Town | March/April 2016

The Coronation of the Queen of the Order of the Alamo 4/20, Wed @ 7:45pm Majestic Theatre Listen to Your Mother: Giving Motherhood a Microphone 4/23, Sat @ 2pm Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater at the Tobin Center

Photo Credits: Page 24 (L-R) Ladysmith Black Mambazo Photo by Luis Leal Sweet Honey in the Rock Photo by Dwight Carter

Vocalostity Photo by Jeremy Daniel Peter Serkin Courtesy San Antonio Symphony Page 26 (L-R) Loreena McKennitt Courtesy Majestic Theatre Vadym Kholodenko Courtesy vadymkholodenko.com The Trishas Photo by Jeff Fasano Michael Krajewski Photo by Michael Temmaro

Page 28 (L-R)

Page 33 (L-R)

Debbie Gravitte Courtesy San Antonio Symphony

Il Volvo Courtesy Majestic Theatre

Jerry Lee Lewis Tribute Courtesy Brauntex Theatre Pat Boone Courtesy Brauntex Theatre Sara Watkins Courtesy Tobin Center Page 30 (L-R) Olga Kern Photo by Chris Lee La Santa Cecilia Courtesy Arts San Antonio Marcia Ball Courtesy thekurlandagency.com Radney Foster Photo by Marshall Foster

Cinderella Photo by Carol Rosegg Page 35 (L-R) Bullets Over Broadway Courtesy Tobin Center Aida Rodriguez Courtesy Improv Comedy Club Page 36 (L-R) Maryellen Hooper Courtesy Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Jay Mohr Courtesy Empire Theatre Nikki Glaser Courtesy Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club

Page 32 (L-R)

Joe Torry Courtesy Tobin Center

Larry Gatlin Courtesy Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater

Page 39 (L-R) Steven Wright Courtesy Tobin Center

Lucinda Williams Courtesy lucindawilliams.com

Akiko Fujimoto Photo by Eric Green March April 2016 | On The Town 39

40 On The Town | March/April 2016

Culinary Arts

42-56

March April 2016 | On The Town 41

Eat. Drink. Build a Farm.

All in the name of Culinaria

By Ginger McAnear Robinson Photography courtesy Culinaria

I

f San Antonio residents have one thing in common, it’s the love of a great party. When that party turns into a multi-day celebration, not only will the community take part in the fun, but visitors will flock to the city, as well. This combination plays a role in the success of Culinaria events through the years and also helps build a farm this year.

have been credited with being “trendsetters” for festivals and events. Certainly not sticking to a particular format each year, but offering guests the foods, flavors, beverages and events they love or will soon learn to love has been a guiding force behind the schedule and will remain a part of this year’s plans -- with a few changes.

Before the seeds are planted and the realization of the Culinaria Farm comes to life this summer, Culinaria will host the event that started it all for the organization, the Festival, May 19-22. Through the years, the festival has evolved, and organizers

It is important to note that while the schedule will be changing slightly, Culinaria will definitely not be taking away some of the most popular events, such as Burgers, BBQ and Beer. In fact, what started out as a last-minute addition to the schedule

42 On The Town | March/April 2016

several years ago is now one of Culinaria’s biggest children. The evening Grand Tasting offers guests and most popular events and will remain as the the chance to sample bites from some buzzclosing activity for the festival. worthy restaurants in San Antonio and beyond while also showcasing a variety of wines and a Culinaria also will continue the traditional bigger emphasis on cocktails. Culinaria has a plan wine dinners on Thursday night, but will spice in place to add a few new elements of excitement things up a bit this year. Look for some unique to the atmosphere, but details are under wraps venues and not so classic menus that will seem for now. a bit more like dinner with friends rather than a drawn-out dinner.

Culinaria concludes the festival with Burgers, BBQ and Beer on Sunday.

Also remaining on this year’s schedule is the popular Becker Luncheon on Friday, where the Culinaria offers a VIP ticket package that allows guests Beckers host trendy chefs with visiting winemakers. to experience every event and all of the culinary From there, the schedule changes a bit, including creations, with proceeds from the package directly a new host for the weekend, as events Friday night benefiting the Culinaria Farm. The farm, a strategic through Sunday all take place at La Cantera Hill educational extension of Culinaria involving the Country Resort. efforts of many chefs, food professionals, farmers, volunteers, sponsors and a very passionate staff, is Saturday highlights include a Culinaria Market scheduled to come to life this summer. that will feature a variety of zones including wine, beer, cocktails, chef-driven stations and demos, For information, visit culinariasa.org or call 210the Taste Test Education series, and an area for 822-9555.

March April 2016 | On The Town 43

44 On The Town | March/April 2016

March April 2016 | On The Town 45

Bill Blackmon and Chris Brundett

William Chris Vineyard: Sharing a piece of their world

By Olivier J. Bourgoin, aka “Olivier, the Wine Guy”

G

rowing grapes is a labor of love in itself. Starting a winery from scratch and growing one’s own grapes under the rugged Texas climate while maintaining a high standard for producing quality wines -- and doing it while being committed to utilizing only grapes grown in Texas -- shows an uncommon level of determination and passion.

In fact, passion is one of the reasons William Chris Vineyards director of marketing Chloe De La Rosa took the job. “It’s a great place to work, very family 46 On The Town | March/April 2016

based,” De La Rosa said. “Originally, their story is what got me interested in the position but their passion is what made me stick.”

William Chris Vineyards is the baby of William Blackmon and Chris Brundett.

Since graduating from Texas Tech University with a degree in agriculture and economics, Blackmon has amassed more than 30 years of experience and a great reputation in the state as a vineyard

manager, working with some of the wineries that were at the forefront of the Texas wine industry in the Lubbock area. During the 1990s, he moved to the Fredericksburg area where he planted some of the oldest vineyards in that region, including the Granite Hill Vineyard in Willow City, which is now utilized as one of the William Chris estate vineyards.

The pair quit their jobs and opened a tasting room.

“We wanted to do things our way, and it took off. From 400 cases when we started in 2008, we are now up to 18,000 cases annually. It grew exponentially,” he said.

Brundett notes that 100% of the William Chris wines use Texas-grown grapes. For the sake of full disclosure, he added: “We have made a very small Brundett, who has a degree in horticulture from amount of wine from California grapes for other Texas A&M University, has built a reputation as a people, but never under the William Chris label. For talented grower and winemaker. our label, we use 100% grapes either grown on our property or from estate vineyards we manage, and The two met as professional acquaintances and soon others, we buy.” realized they shared many of the same winemaking philosophies.

Located in the Texas Hill Country town of Hye, the winery’s tasting room sits in a century-old farmhouse “In 2008 we both agreed to make a little bit of near a historic cemetery and a majestic oak grove. wine together, for other people,” Brundett said. “We thought it would be a fun thing.”

Tannat and Mourvèdre, two varietals that are fairly March April 2016 | On The Town 47

new to Texas, are gaining ground with help from William Chris, Brundett said.

days, and we can’t allow any more,” Brundett said.

“We already turn away so many people because we don’t have room. We want our patrons to get a feel for what real Texas wines taste like, and we want to be able to do that effectively so that each guest has a great experience and can be a part of our story and share a piece of our world,” he said.

“We are pushing at the forefront of what can be done with them,” he said. “In the past 10 years, there has been more Tannat and Mourvèdre planted in the state, and I think these have the opportunity to become the ‘Pinot’ of Texas. They grow fantastically well here. Texas can arguably make some of the best “We really want to provide not just a good experience Viognier in the world, but not every year. I’m not but an amazing experience.” interested in a program that we can farm only every other year.”

William Chris Vineyards The winery owners don’t anticipate further 10352 U.S. Highway 290, Hye 78635 expansion; instead, managing growth has been a 830-998-7654 bigger issue.

Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, “Typically, we can see as many as 1,000 people in noon to 5 p.m. Sunday a week, with peaks of 400 people per day on busy www.williamchriswines.com 48 On The Town | March/April 2016

March April 2016 | On The Town 49

Jimmy Hasslocher Frontier Enterprises 50 On The Town | March/April 2016

THE RETURN OF A CLASSIC

By Bob McCullough Photography Greg Harrison

T

he menu is ver y much the same but with some additions. The comfor table décor is somewhat familiar. About the only thing noticeably missing is the blur of carhops delivering burgers charbroiled to per fection and irresistible onion rings.

early 1980s, competition from national fast-food chains caused the drive -ins to lose momentum and created an impetus to open more Jim’s Coffee Shops.

Mr. Jim believed that a new generation of hungr y customers – along with fans from yester year – In many ways, the eater y ’s return is a tribute was ready for the smoky goodness of a Frontier to iconic restaurateur G. “Jim” Hasslocher, who burger along with hand-cut, hand-breaded firmly believed the time was right to revive the onion rings and other Frontier favorites such as Frontier Burger brand. Unfor tunately, “Mr. Jim” glazed apple and cherr y turnovers. The menu died last November at age 93 before he could looks much the same as it did 40 years ago, with celebrate Frontier ’s rebir th, but “his fingerprints the notable addition of tacos and other breakfast are all over this project,” said son Jimmy items for people on the go.

Hasslocher, who has now taken the reins at Frontier Enterprises. In fact, blueprints for the “People are in such a hurr y these days,” Jimmy new Frontier Burger at Crownhill and the Loop said, “so the challenge is to duplicate that smoky 410 frontage road just east of Broadway still sit Frontier flavor with the right ingredients and the on the coffee table in Mr. Jim’s office where he right seasonings and do it fast. We don’t have left them. carhops like we used to, so our drive -through is really going to be impor tant to our success, In 1947, the senior Hasslocher star ted out especially for younger customers.” renting bicycles and selling watermelon slices at a stand at the entrance to Brackenridge Park For those who’d rather enjoy their meal at a more on Broadway near Playland Park. He soon added leisurely pace, the Frontier Burger offers 84 seats charbroiled hamburgers and, in effect, launched amid a ranch bunkhouse decor with watermelon Frontier Enterprises, which today includes 19 red and green accents that ser ve as reminders Jim’s Coffee Shops in San Antonio and Austin, of Frontier ’s beginnings. Another visual link Magic Time Machine restaurants in San Antonio to the past is the smiling cowboy-on-his-horse and Dallas, and La Fonda restaurant in Alamo logo that the late San Antonio Express-News Heights. During its heyday, Frontier Burger ar tist Bob Dale created for Mr. Jim in the 1950s grew to nine locations, but in the late 1970s and for $100.

Jeff Balfour

January/February March April 2016 | On The Town 51

“ We also found the original recipe books for Frontier,” Jimmy said, “and we hired a former employee to ser ve as a consultant and teach our employees how to cook burgers, onion rings and other menu items. We’re tr ying to come as close to that legendar y Frontier Burger flavor profile as possible.”

Since word of a Frontier revival star ted to spread, many former fans have shared some great memories with Hasslocher. Like the justmarried couple who were so hungr y that they stopped at the Frontier Burger drive -in on Austin Highway en route to their wedding reception at For t Sam Houston. Or the former Trinity University student who generously shared half of his mouth-watering Frontier burger with his brother because money was so tight.

The shiny new Frontier Burger will rely on experienced pros from other Frontier Enterprises restaurants, especially in the early going, to tend to the stainless-steel, custom-built broilers that will cook burgers over a blend of hardwood and charcoal. Mr. Jim mandated that there won’t be any “floating patties” – meat patties cooked en masse in advance to languish in a pan awaiting a customer ’s order. “ There are five kids in our family, and we spent an inordinate amount of time together talking with my dad,” Jimmy said. “He was an avid reader, anything to do with business and especially the food business, so he had a lot of information to share. He also clearly demonstrated what he was talking about. As an example, he took several of us to the produce market to show us exactly what we need in terms of size and freshness to make good onion rings.”

If the prototype for the new Frontier Burger meets or exceeds expectations, sites for three additional units exist, he said.

If promise becomes reality, it will be the culmination of plenty of Frontier teamwork and Mr. Jim’s conviction that “I’m still right ” about the return of a classic.

52 On The Town | March/April 2016

March April 2016 | On The Town 53

James Moore 54 On The Town | March/April 2016

GRAYZE ON GRAYSON: The latest business spawned by the Pearl’s success

By Olivier J. Bourgoin, aka ‘Olivier, the Wine Guy’ Photography Greg Harrison

F

irst there was the Pearl Brewery development, and what had been a rather quiet neighborhood started to wake up. Just a few blocks east from the wildly successful Pearl, the Government Hill neighborhood began to experience a renewal of its own.

Bakery Loraine, which eventually moved to the Pearl, led the way, followed by the short-lived Grayson Street Café.

Then Jason Dady’s Shuck Shack moved in. Now, across the street from it in the same building where Grayson Street Café once stood, enters Grayze, where chef James Moore and his staff are offering patrons an eclectic but delicious assortment of tasty dishes.

redfish served with crystal remoulade and tomato relish; the So Cal, calamari frito misto with shishito chamoy and saffron aioli; Kiss My Grits, shrimp, tasso ham, shrimp butter broth, grits and pickled mustard greens; and the Belly Buns, glazed pork belly with cilantro served on steamed buns.

Center Cut Concepts is the name of a new group headed

by Moore and his three associates. Moore provides the primary restaurant and hospitality experience, while his partners, all from San Antonio, are well versed in real estate, law, public relations and marketing.

“There is a growing food and beverage scene in San By eclectic, I don’t mean anything odd or negative. I love Antonio but not just restaurants,” Moore said. “We want the original menu assembled by Moore and his right arm to capitalize on that trend, and we plan on being active in the kitchen, chef Pedro Cuellar, formerly of Arcade with catering events, coffee, take-out, bars.”

Midtown Kitchen. Both of them come to this new venture with great culinary pedigrees.

Moore also owns and operates TBA Lounge on North St. Mary’s Street, which he opened three years ago.

Growing up in San Antonio and a graduate of Alamo Heights High School, Moore started working at EZ’s Brick “The Pearl is the epicenter but I believe in the Oven and Grill when he was a teenager. After moving neighborhood spot concept,” Moore said. “Living in San to Austin and then returning to San Antonio, Moore Francisco and LA, it’s all about neighborhood and about worked under chef Brian Dupnick at Pour la France. This being self-supportive. I believe in the revitalization of this was followed by a plethora of interesting and diversified area. The Pearl was the genesis, and it created synergy. stints in California, Italy and Santa Fe. Moore ended up It’s a good area. We want to be approachable, casual, like back in San Antonio working as executive chef for the a little pocket of fun – a flavor pocket.”

Houston-based Lasco group, owners of Max’s Wine Dive and the Boiler House.

With a current staff of 25 in its 2,000-square-foot space, plus additional outdoor areas, the family-friendly eatery “From being a private chef or being in charge of a also is pet friendly. commercial kitchen for Whole Foods Market, working in a hotel environment before that, whether it’s a large- Grayze volume retail kitchen or a small neighborhood restaurant, 521 E. Grayson St., San Antonio, 78215 I like it all,” Moore said.

210-481-8776 Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 7 a.m.

The term “chef-driven menu” applies to Grayze. Among to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Sunday brunch the menu highlights are Cheeks ‘n’ Buns, barbacoa sliders beginning in March. made with cilantro ginger slaw; Fiery Red Head, blackened grayzeongrayson.com Jeff Balfour

January/February March April 2016 | On The Town 55

56 On The Town | March/April 2016

Visual Arts 58-72

March April 2016 | On The Town 57

58 On The Town | March/April 2016

NUESTRA GENTE: CELEBRATING PEOPLE PAST AND PRESENT EXHIBIT FEATURED AT CENTRO DE ARTES IN MARKET SQUARE

By Rosemary Catacalos, Texas Poet Laureate 2013, and the exhibiting artists

F

rom the earliest marks on cave walls to the palette. Beyond attempting to create a likeness of the ubiquitous selfies of today, the human figure is individuals, I submerge myself spiritually into their central to how we project, see and understand souls to try and release their spirit to the surface. ourselves and others.

Once a visitor to my studio told me, “I don’t doubt that In the compelling exhibition, Nuestra Gente: you have captured their likeness, but more than that, Celebrating People Past and Present, Carolina G. Flores you have reached in and pulled their hearts out.” and Mario C. Garza honor and fiercely engage the relationships between human form and being; that is, I hope that I have delivered a sense of place and shown between themselves as artists and their families and through my work that these are my roots, my family, communities, between daily life and history, between las casitas. These are the memories and stories that never die. In my dreams, I travel between both worlds beauty and an ever-complex truth. as if they were one. Distance evaporates, and we are all These are works that respect and celebrate la gente, together again. the people, whether in Flores’ painterly renditions of vintage West Texas family photographs or Garza’s mixed-media portraits reflecting conversations and Mario C. Garza digital photographs from the streets of downtown San Antonio.

I grew up on San Antonio’s East Side, and art was part of my childhood. Music and visual arts were Going beyond semblance to essence, these images abundant in our home on Gibbs Street. My parents, offer human context and stories, rich links from the Jorge and Olga, allowed my brothers Jorge, Roland, lives of others to our own. Our capacity for committed Rene and me to express ourselves through music empathy is nourished and enhanced. and art. Whether it was allowing us to paint large murals on our walls or practice our music with an eight-piece band ensemble in the living room, we Thoughts from the artists: were given room to be creative.

Carolina G. Flores Leaving home to study art left a big hole in my heart.

Two diverse worlds crashed into one another, divided by only 300-plus miles. Taking borrowed black and white photos from my abuela’s photo album, the series began over 40 years ago.

The figures and portraits are easily constructed on my canvas. Muted dark colors gave way to an intense

My inspiration for Nuestra Gente began in the early 1970s when I came across the book, The Family of Man, the 1955 Museum of Modern Art exhibit by Edward Steichen and other great photographers, such as Ansel Adams, Wynn Bullock and Helen Levitt.

What drew my attention was the photographic documentation of the human experience. Interested in portraiture, I began to study the works of Vermeer, Van Eyck, John Singer Sargent and Chuck Close.

March April 2016 | On The Town 59

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

I was drawn to downtown San Antonio and used photography to capture the gente as they worked and lived. I wanted to preserve the dignity of these individuals by painting them and giving them Photo Credits: prominence.

Page 58: For this exhibit I have tried to assemble a variety of mixed-media works that depict a diversity of Frankie individuals.

Oil / Canvas, 72” X 48”, Flores, 2014 A celebration of the people of San Antonio, one will never know the life of the people depicted in my Page 60 (L-R) paintings or their reality, but it is though this exhibit Little Man, Mi Tio Cacho Nuestra Gente that I wanted to honor them.

Oil / Canvas,96” x 60”, Flores, 2000 Nuestra Gente: Celebrating People Past and Present Through May 8 Texas A&M University-San Antonio Centro de Artes, 101 S. Santa Rosa Ave. 60 On The Town | March/April 2016

Blood Wedding Oil / Canvas, 77” x 56”, Flores, 2015

March April 2016 | On The Town 61

Briscoe Western Art Museum draws top Western artists for Night of Artists

By Sharon Garcia

F

or 15 years, the Briscoe Western Ar t Museum has been bringing together the countr y ’s leading Western ar tists, collec tors and ar t enthusiasts for its popular Night of Ar tists Ar t Sale and Exhibition. The annual event, which ser ves as the museum’s main fundraiser, k icks off the weekend of April 1-2 and features 70 of the countr y ’s most respec ted ar tists of the Western genre in paintings and sculpture.

ar tists at this show remains exceptional, and this year we are pleased to welcome new ar tists into the fold. The work will amaze.”

The exhibition in the museum’s Jack Guenther Pavilion begins with a Friday night ar tist reception and preview on April 1, followed by the Saturday evening ar t sale, dinner and awards on April 2. The Saturday night event will include the presentation of the Briscoe Museum Purchase Award and awards for painting, “Night of Ar tists has established itself as one sculpture, patron’s choice and ar tists’ choice. of the premier showcases for contemporar y This year marks the introduc tion of cash prizes Western ar t,” said Tom Livesay, executive for all award-winning ar tists. Saturday ’s event direc tor of the Briscoe Museum. “ The caliber of also includes live music, dinner and cocktails.

62 On The Town | March/April January/February 2016 2016

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The range of subjects reflects the vastness of the great American West from dreamy landscape vistas, rugged frontier cowboys, wildlife and detailed Native American tableaus. Nationally Photo Credits: recognized painters and sculptors include T.D. Kelsey, Cliff Cavin, Terry Kelly Moyers, Bill Nebeker, Page 62 (L-R) Sandy Scott, Martin Grelle, Billy Schenck, Kent Ullberg and Kim Wiggins.

High Plateau at Dawn Shawn Cameron “During opening weekend, the collec tors get a chance to interac t with the ar tists – that ’s Center of the World really a key focus to our show. I t ’s called Night Mark Kohler of Ar tists for a reason,” said Jessica Elliott, board chair of the Briscoe Museum. “Because the ar tists are ac tually there, talk ing about their Page 63 (L-R) ar twork , their inspiration, patrons get to k now Saturday in San Miguel them one on one.”

John Austin Hanna Night of Ar tists is the largest fundraiser for the Briscoe. Af ter opening weekend, the ar t is on The Dessert Traveler display and available for sale from April 3 to Billy Schenck May 15.

For more information or to purchase event tickets, visit BriscoeMuseum.org or call 210-299-4499.

March April 2016 | On The Town 63

64 On The Town | March/April 2016

Made in Germany:

Contemporary Art from the Rubell Family Collection McNay exhibit runs through April 24 Courtesy McNay Art Museum

T

....he McNay Art Museum presents an exclusive look at some of the most significant German art created over the last 35 years by masters and emerging artists in Made in Germany: Contemporary Art From the Rubell Family Collection. The exhibition, which opened in early February, continues through April 24.

The McNay is the sole venue to host the seminal exhibition, which is the first presentation of the Rubell Family Collection’s acclaimed German holdings.

The last three and a half decades have been an especially fertile period in German art, during which large-scale works –– particularly largescale photographs –– have notably evolved.

Comprising paintings, sculptures, photographs and works on paper, Made in Germany features established greats Anselm Kiefer, Sigmar Polke and Gerhard Richter; sculptors Katarina Fritsch and Thomas Schütte; influential photographers Bernd and Hilla Becher, Thomas Demand and Thomas Ruff ; and up-and-coming painters Kerstin Bratsch and David Ostrowski, among others.

Organized by chief curator/curator of contemporary art René Paul Barilleaux, the exhibition reflects the unique perspective of the Rubell Family Collection, one of the world’s largest privately owned contemporary art collections first established in 1964. The Rubell family has long been key collectors of German art, but no exhibition focusing on their German holdings has ever been presented –– until now. “ This exhibition is truly a landmark event,” Barilleaux said. “At the McNay, we have a pre-

eminent concentration of modern European art, but this presentation is our first exhibition of important European art from the last few decades.

It is also worth noting that in the late 1800s, Germans made up approximately one-third of the population here in Bexar County. In those two respects, Made in Germany is directly linked both to one of the McNay ’s foremost focuses and to the history of our wider San Antonio community.”

Rather than filtering the works solely through an encyclopedic lens, Made in Germany offers immediate insights into how German art has engaged collectors in recent years. The nearchronological presentation results in a compelling narrative that reveals how individual artists first gained attention; the dynamic interplay between students, teachers and peers; and the ongoing dialogue created as younger artists reflect on the achievements of the giants who proceed them.

This art is provocative, often exploring German social consciousness through narrative imagery and elements drawn from the real world.

“It is a tremendous honor to collaborate with Rene Paul Barilleaux and the McNay Art Museum,” said Juan Roselione-Valadez, director of the Rubell Family Collection/Contemporary Arts Foundation. “ The foundation of the Rubells’ collection is built on contemporary art made in America and Germany, and this exhibition is the first in-depth presentation of the latter. For the last 40 years Germany has been a wellspring for American artists, curators and collectors, and it is via visits to studios, museums and galleries in Cologne, Berlin and Leipzig that the Rubells made many of their most significant discoveries.

March April 2016 | On The Town 65

Thanks to the McNay, we are able to focus on and share these works with a greatly expanded audience in a world-class museum.”

Special educational events surrounding Made in Germany will include a conversation between Barilleaux and the Rubells, a Sunday afternoon family activity, a contemporary German film series, a program connecting German and Mexican cultures around polka and conjunto music, and more.

In an effort to include the entire community, the McNay also offers free school tours, a free family day that includes access to the exhibition, and free general admission and tours every Thursday evening and on the first Sunday of each month.

For more information, visit www.mcnayart.org.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • Photo Credits: Page 64 David Schnell, Park © 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn Page 66 (Above) Neo Rauch, Dikat © 2016 Courtesy galerie EIGEN + ART, Leipzig/Berlin and David Zwirner New York/London / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York (Below) Matthias Weischer, St. Ludgeru © 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn

66 On The Town | March/April January/February 2016 2016

March April 2016 | On The Town 67

SAMA EXHIBIT CELEBRATES RODIN:

THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE

By Dan R. Goddard

C

onsidered the most important sculptor of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, French artist Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) turned away from the heroic tradition of ancient Greek and Roman influenced academic sculpture to create more naturalistic, psychologically complex human forms that became a hallmark of modernism.

29 at the San Antonio Museum of Art.

“This exhibit celebrates the life of the most influential sculptor since Michelangelo,” said Merribell Parsons, SAMA curator of European art. “He broke the mold and set the standard for sculpture in the 20th century, and he remains influential in the 21st century. He transformed the idealized human figures of the academic tradition Including works derived from his masterpieces The Gates into a new, more expressive, realistic physiology. He of Hell and The Burghers of Calais, as well as portraits of revealed more of the intense emotion and pathos of the writers Victor Hugo and Honoré de Balzac, Rodin: The the human experience, sometimes breaking down Human Experience will be on view March 5 through May the figure into fragmentary or partial pieces. He’s 68 On The Town | March/April 2016

considered the first truly modern sculptor.”

“We’re lucky to join a number of museums around the globe that have benefited from Rodin exhibits organized The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, which has by the Cantor foundation,” Parsons said. “This exhibit amassed the world’s most comprehensive collection of is designed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Rodins in private hands, organized the national touring Rodin’s death in 2017.” exhibit. Bronx-born B. Gerald Cantor (1916-1996), who rose from hot dog seller at Yankee Stadium to prominent SAMA does not own any Rodins, although the McNay Wall Street financier, began collecting Rodin after seeing Art Museum does, including a miniature version of The his Hand of God in 1947 at New York’s Metropolitan Burghers of Calais, commissioned by the French city to Museum of Art. commemorate an event in 1347 during the Hundred Years War when six leading citizens volunteered to be Over the years, the Cantors and the foundation acquired put to death by the English King Edward III in exchange more than 750 Rodin-related sculptures, drawings, for ending an 11-month siege. Instead of depicting the prints and archive documents and distributed some city leaders as heroic, Rodin’s figures are despondent 450 works to more than 70 museums around the and tormented as they are marched to their death – world. Major donations included the establishment although they were spared at the last moment. of the largest center for Rodin research in the United States at Stanford University, as well as significant “This exhibit includes some large-scale studies for Rodin collections at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, North the figures,” Parsons said. “Rodin used local citizens of Carolina Museum of Art and New York’s Metropolitan. Calais for his models. We won’t be putting glass over The Cantors have been major supporters of the Musée the sculptures, so visitors will be able to walk around Rodin in Paris, which re-opened last fall after three them and see them in detail from all angles.” years of renovation.

March April 2016 | On The Town 69

Rodin considered The Man With the Broken Nose to be his first major work, but it was rejected twice by the Paris Salon. Rodin used a neighborhood handyman with a broken nose as his model, combining his rough features with aspects of Greek sculpture, such as blank eyes and classically modeled hair. When the back of the wet clay head broke off after being dropped, Rodin re-titled it The Mask of the Man With the Broken Nose.

The Gates of Hell was Rodin’s most ambitious work, commissioned for the doors of a never-built museum of decorative arts. Inspired by Dante’s Inferno, the work contains hundreds of figures, including ones Rodin transformed into his most famous sculptures, such as The Thinker and The Kiss. Although Rodin never finished Gates, the Cantor Foundation had it cast in bronze and produced an award-winning documentary, The Gates of Hell.

For information: samuseum.org.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • Photo Credits: Page 68 Auguste Rodin, French (1840-1917) Shown among his collection of antiques Page 69 (L-R) Bust of Young Balzac, modeled about 1893; Musée Rodin cast, 1988, Godard Foundry Bronze, h. 28 1/8 in.; w. 13 3/8 in.; d. 14 5/8 in.

Lent by the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation

Standing Female Nude Combing her Hair, after 1898; Musée Rodin cast, 1973, Georges Rudier Foundry Bronze, h. 11 in.; w. 5 in.; d. 5 in.

Parsons said this touring exhibit has been dogged Lent by the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation by some controversy because of claims the works are not authentic since they were not all made during Page 70 (L-R) Rodin’s lifetime.

Three Faunesses, before 1896; Musée Rodin cast, 1959, Georges Rudier Foundry “But Rodin never cast his works in bronze,” Parsons said. Bronze, h. 9 1/4 in.; w. 11 1/2 in.; d. 6 1/2 in.

“He modeled his works in clay and then had his assistants Lent by the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation do the casting. The bronzes commissioned by the Cantor Foundation were approved by the French government Iris, Messenger of the Gods, 1897; cast after 1952, according to strict procedures and are authentic in every Georges Rudier Foundry way recognized by museum curators and other experts. Bronze, h. 18 in.; w. 18 1/4 in.; d. 7 1/2 in.

There are no fakes in this exhibit.”

Lent by Iris Cantor 70 On The Town | November/December March/April 2016 2015

March April 2016 | On The Town 71

72 On The Town | March/April 2016

Festivals & Celebrations

74-80

March April 2016 | On The Town 73

74 On The Town | March/April 2016

45TH ANNUAL KERRVILLE FOLK FEST

By Rudy Arispe

Kerrville Folk Festival founder Rod Kennedy used to Now some 45 years later, Kennedy’s words ring true say, “We’re saving the world one song at a time.” and loud and continue to beckon prominent and upand-coming singers and songwriters from across the “I tell that to the artists all the time because what globe to the Kerrville Folk Festival that opens May they do is important,” folk fest producer Dalis Allen 26 and continues through June 12 on the grounds said. “They write about the world, about themselves, of the Quiet Valley Ranch. An expected 20,000 to and we can see ourselves in their songs sometimes. 30,000 attendees will enjoy 18 days of toe-tapping, Rod believed their music contributes to the health finger-snapping music and family fun under the Hill and longevity of our world, and we still believe that.” Country sun.

March April 2016 | On The Town 75

This year’s lineup includes Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Judy Collins, as well as Johnsmith, Billy Jonas, Brother Sun, Ruthie Foster, Dana Louise and the Glorious Birds, Peter Rowan, Trout Fishing in America, Bill Hearne Trio, and the Kerrville Symphony Orchestra, among more than 100 artists.

“The Kerrville Folk Festival enriches the already vast arts and culture atmosphere visitors can experience,” said Leslie Jones of the Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau. “People from all over the United States and the world find their way to our beautiful city to partake in music workshops, admire one-ofkind art and enjoy live entertainment, all while being in the heart of the beautiful Texas Hill Country.”

Allen said that it was in 1972 that Kennedy, who died in April 2014, was asked to come to Kerrville to plan a music event, eventually held in an auditorium in downtown Kerrville, centered around an arts and crafts fair. “Through that first experience, he knew by the next year that his life mission was to present emerging songwriters to the music community,” she said.

The folk fest settled into its new home in 1974 at its current location at the Quiet Valley Ranch. For those who are familiar with and may be big fans of the popular folk group Peter, Paul and Mary, who produced such gems as “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “Puff the Magic Dragon,” it’s interesting to note that Peter Yarrow assisted Kennedy in presenting emerging songwriters, which led to the creation of what is now the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition.

In addition to music, a number of workshops are conducted, including the Kerrville Ukulele and Guitar Workshops and the Kerrville Harmonica Workshop.

“We hire teachers who are artists, and they work with students to improve their performance on their instruments,” Allen said.

Organizing a music festival of such gargantuan proportions obviously requires much advance preparation, which is why Allen starts in October every year to plan for the next one held each spring. She and her team have to contend with logistics, selection of artists and recruiting an army of volunteers, to name a few tasks, as well as 76 On The Town | March/April 2016

maintaining the Quiet Valley Ranch year-round.

The annual music festival is part of the Kerrville Folk Festival Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose “We’re figuring out how the facility needs to be purpose is to educate the public about the benefits repaired, what supplies we’ll need, transportation and characteristics of folk music. and VIP for the artists, working with food and craft vendors, marketing and selling tickets,” she said.

For information and tickets: Kerrvillefolkfestival.org.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

The show couldn’t go on without the help of more than 600 volunteers, she said. “Many of them are fourth-generation volunteers. They are greatly Photo Credits: appreciated, and the ones who are too young to do other volunteer jobs, they can serve soft drinks and Page 74 smoothies.”

Judy Collins Although it can’t be independently verified by the Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Allen estimated that the economic impact of the Page 75 folk festival to the city is more than $1 million, considering the thousands of visitors from near and Ruthie Foster far who converge on Kerrville.

Page 76 But putting on the Kerrville Folk Festival each year, as Allen has since 2002, isn’t all work and no play.

Terri Hendrix “I get to see all the concerts; it’s part of the job,” she said.

“I truly enjoy the new folk competition because that’s Page 77 how we discover songwriters. I can’t travel to Wales, Alaska, California and all over the world to venues to Peter Yarrow see and hear musicians, so we bring them to us.”

March April 2016 | On The Town 77

Flaco Jimenez

Dwayne Verheyden

35th Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival: May 11-15 at Guadalupe Theatre and Rosedale Park

By Juan Tejeda

S

an Antonio will become the center of the conjunto music universe this May when the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center presents the 35th anniversary celebration of the Tejano Conjunto Festival from May 1115 at the historic Guadalupe Theater and Rosedale Park.

The Tejano Conjunto Festival in San Antonio is the “granddaddy� of all of the conjunto festivals because it was the first, and is the largest, festival dedicated to conjunto music. Conjunto is an original American musical ensemble and style of music that was created by the Texas-Mexicans during the early-to-mid-1900s using the button accordion and bajo sexto guitar as its principal instruments. It is a unique musical synthesis that combines German/European and Mexican/ American instruments and rhythms, such as polkas, waltzes and huapangos, with other national and 78 On The Town | March/April 2016

international musical influences that includes 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 popular destination for conjunto music lovers who travel from the United States, Mexico and elsewhere to hear the best in the genre.

The 35th celebration of the Tejano Conjunto Festival will feature more than 30 of the best bands in conjunto/ Tejano music, including the return of Conjunto Music Hall of Famers Flaco Jimenez, Eva Ybarra, Bene Medina,

Eva Ybarra

Juanito Castillo

Bernardo Martinez and Boni Mauricio.

Los Clasicos, Los Fantasmas del Valle, Jaime y Los Chamacos, The Hometown Boys, Los Garcia Bros., Los The Conjunto Festival begins with a free seniors conjunto Monarcas, Lazaro Perez y su Conjunto, Los Badd Boyz dance from 10 a.m. to noon May 11 at the Guadalupe del Valle, and the return of the award-winning button Theater, 1301 Guadalupe St., with music by button accordion sensation from Montford, Netherlands, accordion maestro Bene Medina y su Conjunto Aguila.

Dwayne Verheyden.

From 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. May 12 at the Guadalupe Theater, the festival will present the Alamo City premiere of Conjunto Blues, a theatrical/musical/ multimedia performance piece by San Antonio-based musician and theater artist Nicolรกs Valdez. Through live music, poetry, teatro and documentary video footage, Conjunto Blues explores the historical and social conditions that led to the creation and development of conjunto as an original American musical ensemble and style of music, as well as an expression of cultural resistance and liberation.

The festival continues May 13-15 at Rosedale Park with performances by some of the most popular conjuntos performing today, including Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers, Los Texmaniacs, Roberto Pulido y

Among the new bands performing for the first time at the festival will be Los Clavos del Wesso, whcich features young accordion wizard Juanito Castillo, Acero, Conjunto Los Deltaboyz, Los Nuevos Chachos de Jesse Gomez and the Conjunto Cats.

Other highlights will include new inductees into the Conjunto Music Hall of Fame; a conjunto student showcase; a festival poster contest exhibit and awards presentation; an accordion tuning, maintenance and repair workshop; Tex-Mex food and beverage booths; accordion raffles; and dancing and fun for the family in a friendly park environment.

For information and schedules, call 210-271-3151 or visit www.guadalupeculturalarts.org.

March April 2016 | On The Town 79

80 On The Town | March/April 2016

Literary Arts

82-86

March April 2016 | On The Town 81

Book Talk:

82 On The Town | March/April 2016

JAN JARBOE RUSSELL, Journalist and Author Story and Photography by Jasmina Wellinghoff

F

or ty years ago when Jan Jarboe Russell was a student at UT Austin and a repor ter for the student paper, she met Alan Taniguchi, then the chair of the architec ture depar tment and a prominent Japanese -American. He was the first Asian person she had ever encountered, so, curious, she asked him where he was from.

S ecret Prisoner Exchange Program and America’s Only Family Internment Camp During World War II. The book has attrac ted national attention and won a spot on the New York Times bestseller list. The Dallas Morning News said “Even readers with no par ticular interest in World War II – or ties to Texas – may find it hard to put this book down.” How true!

“He looked at me and you could see that he was offended,” she recalls. “He said he was from Russell tells the stor y of the families corralled California. Then I asked, ‘What brought you to in the deser t camp with a sk ill and accurac y of Texas?’ and he said ‘My family was in camp here.’“ a seasoned journalist and an almost cinematic eye for capturing the physical aspec ts of places She soon learned that his family spent the years and events. “I write scenes,” she says. “If I of W WII in the Cr ystal City I nternment Camp in can’t see it in my mind’s eye, I can’t write it.”

S. Texas, together with other Japanese, German She inter viewed 70 living sur vivors who were and some I talian nationals and their American- children in the 1940s, gained access to FBI files, born children. The young woman thought it camp documentation and other government “bizarre” but went on with her life. Then in 2010, documents which ultimately led her to discover Russell was in Austin one day and decided to more than she expec ted. pay a visit to Prof. Taniguchi only to find out that he had died. However, she was greeted There are “two hear ts” to the book , she by his son, also an architec t, who eventually explains, “Sumi and Ingrid.” She is referring to handed her a file that contained information two women, one Japanese -American, the other about Alan’s time in the camp and the names of German-American, whose personal stories his camp friends. “A year later, I decided to look ser ve as the back bone of the work . Both Sumi into this matter. I felt an obligation to Alan and and Ingrid were young teens when their fathers an obligation to histor y because I realized this were arrested as “dangerous enemy aliens” was histor y in my own back yard that had not without specific charges or trials. The same been fully discovered,” says Russell. thing happened to thousands of other men, all of whom were in this countr y legally but were The result of her painstak ing investigation is a still formally citizens of Germany, Japan or remark able book , The Train to Cr ystal Cit y : FDR’s I taly. Russell points out that Asians, including March April 2016 | On The Town 83

the Japanese, were ac tually banned from even applying for citizenship. Most of these immigrants were hard-work ing family men, loyal to the U.S. Lef t with no breadwinners and of ten deprived of their homes and scorned by neighbors, the wives and children agreed to join the men in Cr ystal City, the only existing family detention camp, which operated from 1942 to 1948. Though they were treated humanely, they lived the rest of their lives “in the shadow of Cr ystal City,” says Russell.

Neither Sumi nor I ngrid k new why their fathers were arrested, nor did the other children. I t fell to Russell to discover the secret behind Cr ystal City and bring the news to the now elderly “children.” Through her research, she found out that there was a special division in the State Depar tment, the Special War Problems Division, that operated a prisoner exchange program called Quiet Passage, and that “Cr ystal City was in the center of it.” I ndeed, toward the end of the war, I ngrid and her family were sent into war- devastated Germany, while Sumi and her parents were shipped to Japan. Americanborn and raised, both girls had a horrible time tr ying to adjust to their new circumstances.

Af ter the Axis powers lost the war, star vation was common in both countries. I ngrid, Sumi and other detainees from Cr ystal City were exchanged for American POWs and a small number of Jews who sur vived the concentration camps. Both girls eventually found their way back to the U.S. One of the Jews, a girl named I rene, is “the third hear t ” of the book . When I ngrid, who has since died, was told that I rene gained freedom thanks to the prisoner exchange program, she cried and said that maybe her family ’s suffering was not in vain af ter all. “ That was the highest moment of my life as a repor ter,” notes Russell.

That The Train to Cr ystal Cit y has been so well received is ver y gratifying to the author who also wrote a biography of Lady Bird Johnson and has had a long career as a journalist, editor and columnist. Writing Train has affec ted her deeply both as a person and as a writer. For one thing, she’s decided to abandon magazine 84 On The Town | March/April 2016

journalism to devote herself to books from now on. “A book has staying power,” she obser ves. “ This book has opened the gates of the world to me. I have never had this much exposure and I have written a lot of things. But books are also risk y. You spend years work ing on it and you never k now how successful it ’s going to be.

That ’s why you can’t do it for financial gain or for glor y. You have to do it for love.”

Her time with the former camp k ids affec ted her also as an American. “My whole definition of citizenship changed,” says Russell. “ These k ids who were in that camp are so solidly American despite ever ything they have been through. They understand that just being born here doesn’t make you an American. You have to do something for your countr y, you have to be involved, stand up to your countr y when it ’s wrong and stand with it when it ’s right. They are such patriots. They always vote, help the poor and are fully involved in civic life.”

A s we s i t i n h e r “ l i t t l e h o u s e” ( h e r o f f i c e n e x t t o h e r r e s i d e n c e ) t a l k i n g, we c a n h e a r a t r a i n z o o m i n g b y a t r e g u l a r i n t e r v a l s. I n o n e o f those strange coincidences that sometimes h a p p e n i n l i fe, R u s s e l l fo u n d o u t t h a t t h e f r e i g h t t r a i n s h e i s h e a r i n g e ve r y d a y t r a ve l s along the same line that the train to Crystal C i t y d i d 7 0 ye a r s a g o. I t s h e s t r a ye d f r o m h e r wo r k , t h e t r a i n c o u l d b e c o u n t e d o n t o r e m i n d h e r t o r e s u m e w r i t i n g. I t a l s o i n s p i r e d t h e l y r i c a l s o u n d i n g t i t l e.

Is there anything left in Crystal City today to remind locals and visitors of the 6,000 people who lived there as prisoners for several years? I ask.

Not much. The camp itself is completely gone but two modest monuments were placed by former Japanese -American and GermanAmerican detainees, respec tively.

More recently, the Texas Historical Commission placed some interpretive panels on the site. But what surprised the author the most was that the people of Cr ystal City, even those whose parents worked in the camp, k new nothing about what went on in their town in the 1940s. “ That was astonishing to me,” she says.

March April 2016 | On The Town 85

86 On The Town | March/April 2016

Eclectics 88-92

March April 2016 | On The Town 87

Artistic Destination:

Galveston’s enduring treasure: The 1894 Grand Opera House

By Julie Catalano Photography Allen Sheffield

E

ven in a city brimming with history, the 1894 Grand Opera House in Galveston stands apart.

A true survivor, the cherished structure lived through the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, economic downturns, a sad life as a seedy movie house, and yet another devastating hurricane.

Today it stands as a testament to stamina, 88 On The Town | March/April 2016

painstaking restoration, and a dedication to that theatrical battle cry: The show must go on.

Executive director Maureen Patton said it has been that way from the beginning. “The Grand was always a place where restoration was a priority because it was a place of public assembly,

a nonpartisan gathering place for the community as a whole. It was also a place of economic vitality for this city just as it is today,” she said. “Through the years, I think that everyone knew that it was important to get it back.”

Built during Galveston’s heyday as the “ Wall Street of the South,” the Grand originally was designed as a theater, with a hotel and shops, four stories high on Post Office Street. Opening night was Jan. 3, 1895, and featured classical music and a play, “Daughters of Eve,” starring actress Marie Wainwright.

disaster struck on Sept. 8, 1900, when the Great Galveston Hurricane took more than 6,000 lives and essentially destroyed the city. “ The back wall of the stage was blown out,” Patton said, “and the entire roof was gone, along with the beautiful cupola, which has never been replaced.”

Amazingly, the theater reopened less than a year later and heralded a new live theatrical golden era.

The Grand presented productions from American and European stages, and artists such as George M. Cohan, Lionel Barrymore, Lillian Russell, Sarah Bernhardt, Anna Pavlova and John Philip Sousa thrilled audiences. When motion pictures entered For almost six years the theater, and Galveston the scene, the movies shared the stage with the with it, enjoyed prosperity and growth until Ziegfeld Follies, the Marx Brothers, and Burns March April 2016 | On The Town 89

and Allen. The once-golden movie era, however, tarnished in the 1960s and ’70s, when the Interstate Theater chain owned the facility around the same time the neighborhood went downhill.

It wasn’t until the Galveston County Cultural Arts Council bought the Grand in 1974 that restoration efforts began in earnest. The ensuing years saw the reconstruction of the exterior carved stone arch, the extension of the grand staircase to the upper grand tier, and the bronze Greek goddess statue that replaced the original that could not be located. The 1986 restoration included new seating that brought the total to 1,008, with another 32 seats available over the orchestra pit.

The Grand was in yet another renovation mode when disaster dealt another blow. On Sept. 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike hit Galveston. The orchestra pit and the first eight rows were underwater, Patton said. “We ended up redoing all of the chairs 90 On The Town | March/April 2016

because they were due to be refurbished, and we had to replace the entire floor under the seats in the orchestra. We also had to replace the stage floor.” Fortunately, the hand-painted canvas stage curtain by Houston artist Earl Staley was spared.

One of the most touching reminders of the 2008 storm is in the Steinway conference room, so named because of its striking centerpiece — the salvaged sound board, or harp, of the original Steinway piano that had graced the theater since 1982. It originally was a gift from the parents of a daughter lost too soon, who provided funds for the restoration of the instrument bought at an estate sale.

After Ike, when the piano was discovered completely submerged in the floodwaters, the theater staff was stunned at the loss. Patton didn’t know what to do, except to declare that she would not let go of it. (“ That was supposed to be

”

a permanent tribute.”) She turned to restoration artist and musician John Weber, who had done extensive restoration and construction on the Grand’s interior, telling him that there was a need for an office conference table and could he do something with this? Weber’s initial sketches showed a rectangle of glass floating on top of the restored harp. Nice enough, but Patton wanted something more. The final piece is a 600-pound glass top cut in the shape of a piano, with legs of repurposed cast aluminum fence posts. “It was perfect,” Patton said. “aIt was about honoring that couple’s commitment even though they were no longer here. It was kind of like laughing in the face of disaster.”

summer camp for up to 50 children ages 7 to 17, culminating in a performance by the campers at week’s end. In addition, the Grand is a favorite place for special events—weddings, parties, receptions, conferences and more.

Through it all, the work of keeping the Grand alive goes on. “We are always in renovation mode because it’s an old building,” Patton said. “The exterior north wall was in bad shape. Mortar in 1894 was not like it is today, and it just didn’t hold up.” That wall is “essentially done,” she said, “and now we have to get started on the west wall.

That’s our current restoration project.” With a 121-year-old building, “there’s always something that needs to be done. It never stops.” And neither Today the Grand is a year-round facility, presenting will the people and organizations committed to a full season of bus-and-truck touring shows, preserving this grand old treasure. concerts, comedy, a summer season, children’s programming and educational outreach. The For more information: thegrand.com, 409-763Missoula Children’s Theatre holds a one-week 7173, 800-821-1894.

March April 2016 | On The Town 91

92 On The Town | March/April 2016

Out & About with Greg Harrison 94-99

March April 2016 | On The Town 93

94 On The Town | March/April 2016

March April 2016 | On The Town 95

96 On The Town | March/April 2016

March April 2016 | On The Town 97

98 On The Town | March/April 2016

March April 2016 | On The Town 99

100 On The Town | March/April 2016