May/June 2013 Issue

Ezine.com

ON THE TOWN

May/June 2013

Lionel Sosa Becker Vineyards Art in the Garden Texas Folklife Festival Asia and Art on KLRN Pasi贸n Popular at SAMA Cactus Pear Music Festival Plus 5 Additional Articles May/June 2013 | On The Town 1

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Features

Cover Credits

New Opera, Great Performances and A Cowboy Rides Away May and June are Loaded with Incredible Entertainment Opportunities

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Asia and the Arts on KLRN

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Cinema Tuesdays: Season 13 16 Geronimo Lopez-Monascal 38 Rediscovering the New World Becker Vineyards 42 Pioneer of the Texas Wine Industry is Going Stronger Than Ever Visual Arts Round-Up: Traditions on Display

Every Object Opens a World Pasión Popular at SAMA

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Art in the Garden: New Sculptures 60 Arrive at San Antonio Botanical Garden San Antonio Artist Franco Mondini-Ruiz Exhibit at New York Art Show

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Dreams & Prayers: Cactus Pear Music Festival’s 17th Season

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Defining Texan Culture: San Antonio 72 Prepares 2013 Texas Folklife Festival

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Front Cover Photo: Mairead Nesbitt of Celtic Woman Photo by Agata Stoinska Performing Arts Cover Photo Flashdance Photo by Kyle Froman Events Calendar Photo: Jerry Seinfeld Courtesy Majestic Theatre Culinary Arts Cover Photo: Lamps Courtesy Culinary Institute of America Visual Arts Cover Photo: Photo by Greg Harrison Festivals & Celebrations Cover Photo: © Ken Hurst / Dreamstime.com Literary Arts Cover Photo: © 350jb / Dreamstime.com

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

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Departments

78

Contributors

Events Calendar

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Gary Albright

Michele Krier

Book Talk: Lionel Sosa – Marketing Consultant, Portrait Artist, Producer and Author

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Mikel Allen, creative director / graphic designer

Christian Lair, operations manager / webmaster

Out & About With Greg Harrison

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Betsy Beckmann

Kay Lair

James M. Benavides

Tracy Lowe

Olivier J. Bourgoin (aka. Olivier the Wine Guy)

Susan A. Merkner, copy editor

Thomas Duhon

Bill Peary

Chris Dunn

Angela Rabke

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

Dana Fossett Peabo Fowler

Sara Selango Jasmina Wellinghoff Liz Garza-Williams

Greg Harrison, staff photographer

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

Cassandra Yardeni

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Performing Arts

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NEW OPERA, GREAT PERFORMANC MAY AND JUNE ARE LOADED WITH INCRE

By Sara Selango

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CES AND A COWBOY RIDES AWAY EDIBLE ENTERTAINMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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would like to begin by mentioning the inaugural per formance of The Opera San Antonio on May 23 at the Majestic. Their Opening Gala Concert of Stars, in collaboration with the San Antonio Symphony, features eight accomplished voices, including the likes of Patrida Racette, Eric Owens, Susannah Biller and Alex Shrader. The evening represents the start of great things to come from TOSA. Congratulations to this new and exciting per forming arts organization.

the aforementioned pops performance. See it at Trinity ’s Laurie Auditorium May 10-11.

The San Antonio Symphony concludes its 201213 season with three classical concerts and one pops offering during May and June. Sebastian Lang-Lessing leads the orchestra in classical per formances of Beethoven and Sibelius featuring pianist Andreas Bach (May-3-4), Mozart and Shostakovich with pianist Michel Dalberto (May 17-18) and Mahler 3, the season finale, highlighted by the appearance of mezzo-soprano Beth Miller (May 31-June 1). All per formances are at the Majestic. Live and Let Die – A Symphonic Tribute to the Music of Paul McCartney, starring Tony Kishman and conducted by Mark Herman, is

Continuing in the classical genre, Musical Bridges Around the World brings Russian Extravaganza with Barynya to the McAllister Auditorium stage May 19. That same day, pianist Emile Pandolfi per forms for the Fredericksburg Musical Club.

Power of the Story by SOLI Chamber Ensemble follows on May 21 at Ruth Taylor Recital Hall and on May 22 at Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum.

Other classical per formances can be found in the events calendar of this magazine.

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Two other area symphony orchestras play their final concerts of the season as well. Symphony of the Hills closes with Symphony Greatest Hits at the Kathleen C. Callouix Theater in Kerrville on May 2. Three days later, Mid-Texas Symphony presents Ends with a Bang! at the Civic & Convention Center in New Braunfels.

Switching hats, I want to explore the sea of country music possibilities that exists in and

around San Antonio. Since I don’t have the space in this article to go into detail, let me just say that there is no better time than right now to take in shows at legendary area dancehalls.

Check out doings at John T. Floore Country Store, Luckenbach Dancehall or Gruene Hall to list a few.

Big names in the C&W industry play these places on a regular basis. Next you might want to turn your attention to Whitewater Amphitheatre in New Braunfels. Big names frequent this outdoor venue too, like The Band Perry for example. A monster list of country per formances is listed in the events calendar.

The biggest highlight on the C&W horizon is a sad one. On June 1, George Strait per forms at the Alamodome in his Cowboy Rides Away Tour.

Special guests include Mar tina McBride and M iranda Lamber t. Is this really the last time we will see him in concer t? Most likely it is.

Af ter 30 years of touring, he’s mak ing that one last round. I f you can get a ticket to see this unparalleled superstar, get one. With 59 number one hits and 60 major awards to his credit, it is

safe to say, no one else comes close. June 1, the cowboy rides away.

On a happier note, there are majestic evenings in our future, beginning with Diana Krall playing the big theater on Houston Street May 5. Il Divo is up next on May 14 followed by Celtic Woman May 19. Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen get together for an acoustic evening at the Majestic May 24 with Cheap Trick taking the stage exactly one month later. Biggies at the AT&T Center include Barry Manilow May 18 and Taylor Swift’s The Red Tour May 22. Pat Benatar and Neil Geraldo play next door at Freeman Coliseum June 18.

Turning to the Broadway stage, The Addams Family brings its tour to the Majestic May 7-12.

Flashdance: The Musical follows as the last offering of the 2012-13 Cadillac Broadway in San Antonio Series on June 18-23. The 2013-14 Season kicksoff with The Book of Mormon in September. For details go to www.sanantonio.broadway.com.

May-June highlights in locally-produced theater

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include Spring Awakening at The Playhouse San Antonio, In The Heights at the Woodlawn, Little Shop of Horrors at the Sheldon Vexler, The Rat Pack Lounge plus All Shook Up! at the Cameo and Last of the Red Hot Lovers at Harlequin Dinner Theatre. Also featured are Picnic at The Playhouse San Antonio’s Cellar Theatre, Boogie Back to Texas at Carmack Per forming Arts Center, The Classic Theatre San Antonio’s Scapin, Henchmen at the Overtime and The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs at the Woodlawn Black Box. Outof-towners are Oklahoma by the Fredericksburg Theater Company, Snow White: The Untold Story at the Smith-Rich Point Theater in Ingram and The Psychic at Boerne Community Theatre.

Dance and comedy opportunities round out this discussion. Arts San Antonio presents Romeo & Juliet by Mejia Ballet International on May 1 at the Majestic and The Carver features Philadanco (Philadelphia Dance Company) May 3 at the Jo Long. Funny stuff includes Amy Shumer at the Charline McCombs Empire May 16 followed by Latin Comedy Jam the next evening at the same

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venue. Tracy Morgan takes the mic at the Empire May 31. Jerry Seinfeld is next up with two shows at the Majestic June 7 while Rob Schneider per forms a five-show engagement at Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club June 7-9.

Oops! I don’t want to close without mentioning a wonder ful oppor tunity happening south of San Antonio in the sparkling city by the sea. Blue Man Group makes a tour stop in Corpus Christi at American Bank Center ’s Selena Auditorium with shows on both May 28 and 29. Drive a little, enjoy a lot.

That’s it for now. Get some tickets and go!

Photo Credits:

Jerry Seinfeld Courtesy Majestic Theatre

Pages 8-9 Flashdance: The Musical Photo by Kyle Froman

Pages 12-13 (L-R)

Pages 10-11 (L-R)

Pat Benatar and Neil Geraldo Courtesy Webster & Associates, Inc.

George Strait Courtesy georgestrait.com

Robert Earl Keen Courtesy Majestic Theatre

Dana Miller Courtesy danamiller.com

Celtic Woman Courtesy Majestic Theatre

The Addams Family Photo by Carol Rosegg

Lyle Lovett Courtesy Majestic Theatre

Patrida Racette Photo by Devon Cass

Diana Krall Photo by Mark Seliger

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ASIA AND ARTS ON KLRN

By Angela Rabke Photography Greg Harrison

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an Antonio has always had a vibrant creative community, but for many years those individuals and organizations in the local art scene quietly went about their business without a lot of attention from the broader community.

with has amazing, positive experiences with her.”

Ciaravino is equally enthusiastic about what the show brings to the community.

“There is art in everything, and that is really what the Changes in development, accessibility and media show talks about, about how art is alive and thriving,” in recent years have led to a surge of interest in and she said. “It is out there, and this show helps people support for the artists/arts institutions that have pay attention—it gives us the ability to spotlight called San Antonio home for years. Recently, KLRN the underdogs and the artists that wouldn’t have (San Antonio’s local PBS affiliate) and Asia Ciaravino, opportunities for exposure at this level.” president of the San Pedro Playhouse (as well as co-founder of the Classic Theatre of San Antonio), Ciaravino said she admires the flexible format of the combined forces to introduce Arts, a new PBS show show and looks forward to how it might evolve in featuring local arts and cultural news, as well as stories its second season. “We have learned how to put the about arts and culture from around the country. show together more efficiently, and I see us having

the ability to offer even more local content and stories The arts program is a newer concept introduced by that connect with younger people.”

PBS and was conceptualized when general managers from 30 top PBS markets came together. The program KLRN agrees in the sense of purpose and direction for allows different markets to develop local segments the program, Kehoe said. and upload those segments to a shared portal, along with graphics and other tools that allow each local “For many years, our focus was on a lot of different station to provide consistency with the PBS brand things, fundraising, etc.,” Kehoe said. “The team that along with personalization for their market. is here has really taken the direction of the station to

‘let’s be more local.’ We are really focused on bringing San Antonio was among the first to jump on the local information, and starting a conversation about bandwagon, and more than 22 episodes have been our local community. recorded since October. The show, hosted by Ciaravino, always includes a focus on an art form in our area, as “We want the people watching our programming well as segments from several additional markets. to see local people and news that are relevant to our viewing areas, and remind them how great this “It was very easy to select Asia — she is such a natural community is,” she said. “Arts is a part of that focus.” fit,” said Katrina Kehoe, vice president of marketing and public relations for KLRN. “Asia is both arts oriented Arts airs at 8:30 p.m. Fridays and also is available 24/7 and community oriented. When you have someone on KLRN’s website: www.KLRN.org. in that role, someone who is going to represent your The Arts tab also offers a calendar featuring various station, it’s my job to think about how that person arts-related events in San Antonio and the surrounding will reflect KLRN — and every single person we spoke communities.

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16 On The Town | May/June 2013

Cinema Tuesdays: Season 13

By Peabo Fowler All photos courtesy of Texas Public Radio

O

.nly in Texas Public Radio’s Cinema Tuesdays .series could “Big Bottom” butt up against one of the most revered Catholic saints. But the common thread between This Is Spinal Tap and Flowers of St. Francis is that they’re both great movies, according to Nathan Cone, director of marketing and digital content at TPR, and the curator of the popular summertime film series.

bringing the David Lean epic to the big screen has long been requested by Cinema Tuesdays attendees, and now’s the time to show it off. “It’ll look so real, you’ll want to bring a pitcher of water with you,” Cone joked.

Lawrence of Arabia opens the Cinema Tuesdays series on May 28. Although most screenings start at 7:30 p.m. each Tuesday during the summer, Lawrence of Arabia will screen at 7 p.m. “It’s a four-hour movie,” Cone said.

“We do want to finish before the next day!”

Cinema Tuesdays, now in its 13th season, features classic films, rare and well-known, on the big screen Admission for the Cinema Tuesdays series is by at the Santikos Bijou theater in the Wonderland of the suggested donation of $10 for members of Texas Public Americas mall near Interstate 10 and Loop 410.

Radio or $12 for non-members. All proceeds benefit Texas Public Radio. More information is online at tpr.org.

Cone drew from audience feedback, as well as his own knowledge of film history, to program the series, whose diversity is inspired by the late Roger Ebert.

Photo Credits: “Not only did I look up to Roger Ebert as a great film writer,” Cone said, “but he used his Ebertfest event Page 16 to share that love of film with friends. He was a great festival programmer.”

(Above L-R)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Like Ebertfest, Cinema Tuesdays does not hew to one particular theme. Most of the films shown are 20+ years old. The oldest of this year’s titles is celebrating its 90th anniversary. Harold Lloyd, one of the great silent comedians, is often overlooked in favor of Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton. But even if you don’t know Lloyd by name, you may know the iconic image of a man hanging off the hands of a clock over a crowded Los Angeles street. That famous image is one of many memorable moments in Safety Last, screening July 23.

King Kong with Fay Wray Harold Lloyd in Safety Last (Center L-R) Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds and Gene Kelly in Singing in the Rain

Flowers of St. Francis Other highlights this summer include the original King Kong, starring Fay Wray, and a digital restoration of (Below) Lawrence of Arabia that knocked the socks off audiences in Los Angeles and New York last year. Cone said This Is Spinal Tap May/June 2013 | On The Town 17

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Events Calendar 20-38

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May-June 2013 Events Calendar Music Notes County Line Music Series Cody & Willy Braun (Acoustic) 5/1, Wed @ 6:30pm County Line BBQ – IH10 Houston Grand Opera Studio Of Clowns and Queens 5/2, Thu @ 6:30pm Leeper Auditorium McNay Art Museum Symphony of the Hills Symphony Greatest Hits 5/2, Thu @ 7:30pm Dr. Jay Dunnahoo, conductor Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater Kerrville Rockbox Theater Fredericksburg 5/3-6/30, Fri @ 8pm, Sat @ 4:30 & 8pm, Sun @ 2pm Ray Price 5/3, Fri @ 8pm Gruene Hall

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Bob Bennett 5/3, Fri @ 8pm Josephine Theatre Drugstore Cowboys 5/3, Fri @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dancehall Pat Green 5/3, Fri @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store San Antonio Symphony Beethoven & Sibelius 5/3-4, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor Andreas Bach, piano Majestic Theatre Billy Mata & Texas Tradition 5/4, Sat @ 8pm Anhalt Hall Thompson Lee & Company 5/4, Sat @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dancehall Emmerson Biggins 5/4, Sat @ 9pm Twin Sisters Dancehall

Stewart Mann & the Statesboro Revue 5/4, Sat @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Charlie Robison 5/4, Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall Mid-Texas Symphony End with a Bang!

5/5, Sun @ 4pm David Mairs, conductor Civic & Convention Center New Braunfels Diana Krall 5/5, Sun @ 7pm Majestic Theatre San Antonio Brass The Sonic Arcade 5/5, Sun @ 4pm St. Mark’s Presbyterian Boerne 5/7, Tue @ 7pm First United Methodist New Braunfels 5/12, Sun @ 2pm Beacon Hill Presbyterian 5/14, Tue @ 7pm Abiding Presence Lutheran Olmos Ensemble Four Quintets, Familiar and New! 5/6, Mon @ 7:30pm First Unitarian Universalist

Youth Orchestras of San Antonio Gold Series – Fate and Redemption Troy Peters, conductor 5/6, Mon @ 7:30pm Laurie Auditorium @ Trinity County Line Music Series Micky & The Motorcars 5/8, Wed @ 6:3opm County Line BBQ – IH10 KRTU Jazz 91.7 Presents Moonstruck Thursday: Jazz Date Night at Blue Star 5/9, Thu @ 6pm Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum Aaron Lewis of Staind 5/10, Fri @ 7pm (doors open) Cowboys San Antonio Eli Young Band 5/10, Fri @ 8pm Whitewater Amphitheater New Braunfels Shooter Jennings 5/10, Fri @ 8pm Gruene Hall

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Drugstore Cowboys 5/10, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dancehall Almost Patsy Cline 5/10, Fri @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dancehall Hispanic Heritage Society La Gran Serenata con Voces de San Antonio y Mariachi International 5/10-11, Fri-Sat @ 7pm Josephine Theatre San Antonio Symphony Live and Let Die A Symphonic Tribute to the Music of Paul McCartney Starring Tony Kishman Mark Herman, conductor 5/10-11, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Laurie Auditorium @ Trinity Mark Schultz 5/11, Sat @ 7pm Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater Kerrville Cactus Country Band 5/11, Sat @ 8pm Kendalia Halle San Antonio Chamber Choir Three Saints in Two Acts 5/11, Sat @ 8pm St. Louis King of France Catholic Church – Austin 5/12, Sun @ 3pm St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church – San Antonio

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Felix Truvere & The Open Road Band 5/11, Sat @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dancehall Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros 5/11, Sat @ 9pm Luckenbach Dancehall Dirty River Band 5/11, Sat @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Marshall Tucker Band 5/11, Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall Sunday Jazz at the Witte Bett Butler and Joel Dilley 5/12, Sun @ 3pm Will Smith Amphitheater Witte Museum The Best of IL Divo 5/14, Tue @ 8pm Majestic Theatre County Line Music Series Cody Johnson 5/15, Wed @ 6:30pm County Line BBQ – IH10 2013 Tejano Conjunto Festival 5/16, Thu @ 7pm Guadalupe Theatre 5/17-19, Fri @ 5:30pm Sat @ 12pm, Sun @ 1pm Rosedale Park An Evening with Dwight Yoakam 5/16, Thu @ 9pm Gruene Hall

Dale Watson 5/17, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dancehall Carver Community Cultural Center Ethel with Robert Mirabal 5/17, Fri @ 8pm Jo Long Theatre @ The Carver Chris Saucedo & The New Age Outlawz 5/17, Fri @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dancehall Jon Wolfe 5/17, Fri @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store San Antonio Symphony Mozart & Shostakovich 5/17-18, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sebastian Lang-Lessing, Conductor Michel Dalberto, piano Majestic Theatre Jerry Jeff Walker 5/17-18, Fri-Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall Barry Manilow 5/18, Sat @ 7:30pm AT&T Center Brauntex Presents The Highwaymen 5/18, Sat @ 7:30pm Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre – New Braunfels Cactus Country Band 5/18, Sat @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dancehall

Old 97’s 5/18, Sat @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store 17th Annual KNBT 92.1FM Americana Music Jam 5/19, Sun @ 12:30pm Gruene Hall San Antonio Symphony Columbus and his Musical Voyages 5/19, Sun @ 2:30pm Akiko Fujimoto, conductor Laurie Auditorium @ Trinity Musical Bridges Around The World Russian Extravaganza with Barynya 5/19, Sun @ 3pm McAllister Auditorium @ SAC Celtic Woman 5/19, Sun @ 3pm Majestic Theatre San Antonio Choral Society Beyond The Horizon: Music of the 20th & 21st Century 5/21, Sun @ 3pm Travis Park United Methodist Fredericksburg Music Club Emile Pandolfi 5/19, Sun @ 3pm Fredericksburg United Methodist

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SOLI Chamber Ensemble Power of the Story 5/21, Tues @ 7:30pm Ruth Taylor Recital Hall @ Trinity 5/22, Wed @ 7:30pm Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum County Line Music Series Cody Canada 5/22, Wed @ 6:30pm County Line BBQ – IH10

Almost Patsy Cline 5/24, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dancehall Max Stalling 5/24, Fri @ 8pm Gruene Hall Tovar Brothers 5/24, Fri @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dancehall

Taylor Swift: The Red Tour 5/22, Wed @ 7pm AT&T Center

Ruby Dee & The Snakehandlers 5/24, Fri @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store

The Opera San Antonio Opening Gala Concert of Stars 5/23, Thu @ 7pm Majestic Theatre

The Josh Abbot Band with Kevin Fowler 5/25, Sat @ 8pm Whitewater Amphitheater New Braunfels

Jolie Holliday 5/24, Fri @ 7:30pm Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater Kerrville

Johnny Lee & The Urban Cowboy Band 5/25, Sat @ 8pm Bluebonnet Palace

An Acoustic Evening with Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen 5/24, Fri @ 8pm Majestic Theatre The Band Perry with Kyle Park 5/24, Fri @ 8pm Whitewater Amphitheater New Braunfels Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds 5/24, Fri @ 8pm Lila Cockrell Theater

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Rocky King 5/25, Sat @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dancehall Turnpike Troubadours & Hayes Carll 5/25, Sat @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Charlie Robison 5/25, Sat @ 9pm Luckenbach Dancehall Brandon Rhyder 5/25, Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall

The Bud Light River City Rockfest 5/26, Sun @ 12pm AT&T Center Gary P. Nunn 5/26, Sun @ 8pm Gruene Hall The Spazmatics 5/26, Sun @ 8pm Whitewater Amphitheater New Braunfels Bob Schneider’s Texas Bluegrass Massacre 5/26, Sun @ 9pm Luckenbach Dancehall Two Ton Tuesday Two Tons of Steel 5/28, 6/4, 11, 18 & 25 Tue @ 8:30pm Gruene Hall County Line Music Series Curtis Grimes 5/29, Wed @ 6:30pm County Line BBQ – IH10 Ray Wylie Hubbard 5/31, Fri @ 8pm Gruene Hall Chris Story 5/24, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dancehall The Countrymen 5/31, Fri @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dancehall Doug Moreland 5/31, Fri @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store

San Antonio Symphony Mahler 3 5/31-6/1, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor Dana Miller, Alto Majestic Theatre George Strait: Cowboy Rides Away Tour Special guests Martina McBride and Miranda Lambert 6/1, Sat @ 5:30pm Alamodome Paul Thorn 6/1, Sat @ 9pm Luckenbach Dancehall Bimbo and Borderline Band 6/1, Sat @ 9pm Twin Sisters Dancehall County Line Music Series Jason Boland and the Stragglers 6/5, Wed @ 6:30pm County Line BBQ – IH10 Rockwell Sings America 6/6, Thu @ 6:30pm 6/9, Sun @ 2pm Leeper Auditorium McNay Art Museum Bart Crow Band 6/7, Fri @ 7pm (doors open) Cowboys San Antonio Drugstore Cowboys 6/7, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dancehall

Meyer Anderson Band 6/7, Fri @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dancehall Zack Walthers 6/7, Fri @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Janice Maynard 6/8, Sat @ 8pm Kendalia Halle Bob Schneider 6/8, Sat @ 8pm Whitewater Amphitheater New Braunfels Landon Dodd 6/8, Sat @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dancehall James McMurtry 6/8, Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall Cory Morrow 6/8, Sat @ 9pm Luckenbach Dancehall Sunday Jazz at the Witte The Jazz Protagonists 6/9, Sun @ 3pm Will Smith Amphitheater Witte Museum South Texas Jazz Presents Brent Watkins – The Sound of the Trio: A Tribute to Oscar Peterson 6/11, Tue @ 7:30pm Charline McCombs Empire Theatre

Concert Under the Stars The Powerhouse Big Band 6/13, Thu @ 6:30pm (gates open) San Antonio Botanical Garden Kendrick Lamar 6/13, Thu @ 8pm Whitewater Amphitheater New Braunfels Mark Chesnutt 6/14, Fri @ 7pm (doors open) Cowboys San Antonio Almost Patsy Cline 6/14, Fri @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dancehall T.J. Smith 6/15, Sat @ 7:30pm Kathleen C. Cailloux Theater Kerrville Carver Community Cultural Center Ronnie Laws with T om Browne 6/15, Sat @ 8pm Jo Long Theatre @ The Carver Darrell McCall & Justin Trevino 6/15, Sat @ 8pm Anhalt Hall Randy Rogers Band 6/15, Sat @ 8pm Whitewater Amphitheater New Braunfels May/June 2013 | On The Town 25

Billy Garza Band 6/15, Sat @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dancehall Bleu Edmondson 6/15, Sat @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Summer Jazz Concert Series: Ken Slavin 6/16, Sun @ 12:30pm Leeper Auditorium McNay Art Museum Pat Benatar & Neil Geraldo 6/18, Tue @ 7:30pm Freeman Coliseum County Line Music Series Roger Creager 6/19, Wed @ 6:30pm County Line BBQ – IH10 Merle Haggard 6/21, Fri @ 8pm Gruene Hall Cactus Country Band 6/21, Fri @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dancehall Micky and the Motorcars 6/22, Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall Cheap Trick 6/24, Mon @ 7:30pm Majestic Theatre Pitbull & Kesha 6/24, Mon @ 7:30pm AT&T Center

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County Line Music Series Dirty River Boys 6/26, Wed @ 6:30pm County Line BBQ – IH10 Leon Russell 6/28, Fri @ 8pm Gruene Hall Almost Patsy Cline 6/28, Fri @ 8pm Luckenbach Dancehall SAIPC Piano Series Gustavo Romero 6/29, Sat @ 7:30pm Ruth Taylor Recital Hall @ Trinity Stoney LaRue 6/29, Sat @ 8pm Whitewater Amphitheater New Braunfels Billy Mata & Texas Tradition 6/29, Sat @ 8:15pm Leon Springs Dancehall Charlie Robison 6/29, Sat @ 9pm John T. Floore Country Store Todd Rundgren 6/29, Sat @ 9pm Gruene Hall

On Stage The Overtime Theater Masquerade 5/2-4, Thu-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2pm Greg Barrios Theater

S.T.A.G.E FBI Girl: How I Cracked My Father’s Code 5/2-19, Thu-Sat @ 8pm (Dinner optional @ 6:30pm) 3/3 & 10, Sun @ 2:30pm (Lunch optional @ 1pm) Kraus Haus – Bulverde Woodlawn Theatre The Producers 5/3-5, Fri-Sat @ 7:30pm Sun @ 3:30pm Boerne Community Theatre The Psychic 5/3-18, Thu @ 7:30pm Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2:30pm The Playhouse San Antonio Picnic 5/3-26, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2:30pm Cellar Theatre Cadillac Broadway in San Antonio The Addams Family 5/7-12, Tue-Fri @ 8pm Sat @ 2pm & 8pm Sun @2pm & 7:30pm Majestic Theatre Harlequin Dinner Theatre Last of the Red Hot Lovers 5/9-6/8, Thu-Sat @ 8pm (Dinner @ 6:15pm)

Sheldon Vexler Theatre Little Shop of Horrors 5/9-6/9, Thu @ 7:30pm Sat @ 8pm, Sun @ 2:30pm (no show on Fridays) Barshop JCC The Renaissance Guild Act One Series – XVI 5/10-11, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Little Carver Theatre The Classic Theatre San Antonio Scapin 5/10-25, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 3pm (additional performance @ 3pm on Saturday, 5/25) Sterling Houston Theatre Blue Star Arts Complex Woodlawn Black Box The Agony and The Ecstasy of Steve Jobs 5/10-12, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2:30pm 5/14-15, Tue @ 8pm Wed @ 2:30pm 5/17-18, Fri @ 8pm Sat @ 2:30pm 5/24-26, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2:30pm Woodlawn Theatre Attic Rep in Residency at Trinity Hell Cab 5/16-6/2, Thu-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2:30pm Attic Theatre Trinity University

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The Playhouse San Antonio Spring Awakening 5/17-6/9, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2:30pm Russell Hill Rogers Theatre The Overtime Theater Henchmen 5/17-6/15, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Thu @ 7pm (5/30 & 6/13) Sun @ 2:30pm (5/26) Sun @ 7pm (6/9) Little Overtime Theater The Rat Pack Lounge 5/18-6/9, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 4pm Cameo Theatre Boogie Back to Texas 5/18-7/7, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2pm Pat Berlet Memorial Theatre @ Carmack Performing Arts Complex Las Casas Foundation 2013 Scholarship Performance 5/19, Sun @ 6pm Charline McCombs Empire Theatre Woodlawn Theatre In The Heights 5/24-6/23, Fri-Sat @ 7:30pm Sun @ 3:30pm Shakespeare in the Park 5/29-6/1, Wed-Fri @ 6:30pm (gates open) Performance @ 8pm San Antonio Botanical Garden

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Hill Country Arts Foundation Snow White: The Untold Story 6/14-16, Fri-Sun @ 8:30pm 6/20-29, Thu-Sat @ 8:30pm Smith-Ritch Point Theatre (Outdoors) Ingram Cadillac Broadway in San Antonio Flashdance 6/18-23, Tue-Fri @ 8pm Sat @ 2pm & 8pm Sun @2pm & 7:30pm Majestic Theatre The Playhouse San Antonio Charley’s Aunt 6/21-7/14, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2:30pm Cellar Theatre All Shook Up! The Music of Elvis Presley 6/22-7/14, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 4pm Cameo Theatre Harlequin Dinner Theatre The Masters of Music 6/27-8/10, Thu-Sat @ 8pm (Dinner @ 6:15pm) Fredericksburg Theater Company Oklahoma 6/28-7/14, Fri-Sat @ 7:30pm, Sun @ 2pm Steve W. Shepherd Theater

Woodlawn Black Box When Pigs Fly 6/28-7/21, Fri-Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2:30pm Woodlawn Theatre

Opera The Opera San Antonio Opening Gala Concert of Stars (with San Antonio Symphony) Featuring Patrida Racette, Eric Owens, Susannah Biller, Jay Hunter Morris, Lucas Meacham, Daniela Mack, Dolora Zajick, Alex Shrader 5/23, Thu @ 7pm Majestic Theatre The Metropolitan Opera Series: Giulio Cesare (On screen encore presentation) 515, Wed @ 6:30pm The Rialto, Cielo Vista 18, Huebner 14 & McCreeles Cinema

Dance Arts San Antonio Romeo & Juliet

By Mejia Ballet International 5/1, Wed @ 7:30pm

Carver Community Cultural Center Presents Philadanco 5/3, Fri @ 8pm Jo Long Theatre @ The Carver Alamo Arts Ballet Theatre Alice! A Ballet Wonderland 5/4-5, Sat @ 7:30pm Sun @ 3pm Performing Arts Center Palo Alto College Collective Dance Artistry’s Spring Performance 2013 5/21, Tue @ 7pm Jo Long Theatre @ The Carver Circus

By Quenedit Ballet School 5/24, Fri @ 7pm Jo Long Theatre @ The Carver Sleeping Beauty

By Quenedit Ballet School 5/25, Sat @ 7pm Jo Long Theatre @ The Carver

Children’s Magik Children’s Theatre The Velveteen Rabbit 5/1-11, Tue-Thu @ 9:45am & 11:30am, Fri @ 9:45am, 11:30am & 7pm Sat @ 2pm

Children’s Fine Arts Series Sleeping Beauty 5/3, Fri @ 6:30pm Charline McCombs Empire Theatre Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. 5/3-12, Fri @ 7:30pm Sat-Sun @ 4pm Cameo Theatre Suessical Jr. The Musical 5/10-12, Youth Performances Fri @ 7pm, Sat-Sun @ 3pm 5/11-13, Teen Performances Sat-Mon @ 7pm Woodlawn Theatre Magik Children’s Theatre Freckleface Strawberry: The Musical 5/22-6/15, Tue-Thu @ 9:45am & 11:30am, Fri @ 9:45am, 11:30am & 7pm Sat @ 2pm Scooby-Doo Live!

Musical Mysteries 6/1-2, Sat @ 8pm Sun @ 2pm Majestic Theatre Children’s Fine Arts Series The Comic Adventures of Old Mother Hubbard and Her Dog 6/14, Fri @ 6:30pm Charline McCombs Empire Theatre

Magik Children’s Theatre Treasure Island 6/26-7/27, Fri @ 7pm Sat @ 2pm

Comedy Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Warren Holstein 5/1, Wed @ 8pm Rivercenter Comedy Club Greg Vaccariello 5/1-5, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8:30pm Fri-Sat @ 8:30pm & 10:30pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Brad Williams 5/2-5, Thu & Sun @ 8pm Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Rivercenter Comedy Club Darrell Joyce 5/8-12, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8:30pm Fri-Sat @ 8:30pm & 10:30pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club April Macie 5/8-12, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8pm Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Rivercenter Comedy Club Al Ducharme 5/15-19, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8:30pm Fri-Sat @ 8:30pm & 10:30pm

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Amy Shumer 5/16, Thu @ 8pm Charline McCombs Empire Theatre Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Patrick DeGuire 5/16, Thu @ 8pm Latin Comedy Jam 5/17, Fri @ 7:30pm Charline McCombs Empire Theatre Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Bruce Bruce 5/17-19, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Sun @ 8pm Rivercenter Comedy Club Andreas Fernandez 5/22-26, Wed-Thu @ 8:30pm Fri-Sun @ 8:30pm & 10:30pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Patti Vasquez 5/22-26, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8pm Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Rivercenter Comedy Club Willie Barcena 5/29-6/2, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8:30pm Fri-Sat @ 8:30pm & 10:30pm

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Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Baron Vaughn 5/29-6/2, Wed-Thu @ 8pm Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10pm Tracy Morgan: Excuse My French 5/31, Fri @ 8pm Charline McCombs Empire Theatre Rivercenter Comedy Club Larry Reeb 6/5-9, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8pm Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Jerry Seinfeld 6/7, Fri @ 7pm & 9:30pm Majestic Theatre Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Rob Schneider 6/7-9, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Sun @ 8pm Rivercenter Comedy Club Andy Gross 6/12-16, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8:30pm Fri-Sat @ 8:30pm & 10:30pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Carlos Oscar 6/12-16, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8pm Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Sun @ 8pm

Rivercenter Comedy Club Cleto Rodriguez 6/19-23, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8:30pm Fri-Sat @ 8:30pm & 10:30pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Jessica Kirson 6/19-23, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8pm Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Sullivan & Son Comedy Tour 6/26, Wed @ 8pm

On Exhibit ARTPACE International Artist-InResident New Works: 13.1 Tala Madani Adam Putnam J. Parker Valentine Suzanne Cotter, curator Ongoing Hudson Showroom Anya Gallacio 5/2-9/1 Window Works Michael Menchaca 5/2-9/1 BIHL HAUS ARTS

Rivercenter Comedy Club Erin Jackson 6/26-30, Wed-Thu & Sun @ 8:30pm Fri-Sat @ 8:30pm & 10:30pm Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Andy Beningo 6/27, Thu @ 8pm

Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Jon Reep 6/28-30, Fri-Sat @ 8pm & 10:15pm Sun @ 8pm

ICONS: Contemporary Cuban Art by Adrian Rumbaut Thru 5/25 BLUE STAR CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER Continuum Thru 5/11 Lloyd Walsh: Solo Exhibition Thru 5/11 Gary Sweeney: A FortyYear Overview (1973-2013) Thru 5/11

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Renaissance 5/2-11 BRISCOE WESTERN ART MUSEUM Grand Opening Coming Soon INSTITUTE OF TEXAN CULTURES Texas Contemporary Artists Series: Luisa Wheeler Thru 5/3 Arte Chihuahua Thru 5/5 Progression of a Dream Thru 6/30 Fiesta Medal Mania Thru 7/8 Girl Power!

Thru 7/14 Made in Texas Thru 9/29 Why We Came: The Immigration Experience Thru 3/30/14 INSTITUTO CULTURAL de MEXICO Talavera de Uriarte Thru 6/23 Monarch Butterfly Thru 6/26

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Grandes Aportaciones de Mexico a la Humanidad Opens 5/9

Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera 6/5-9/1

Pueblos Magicos Opens 5/9

SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDEN

McNAY ART MUSEUM

Art in the Garden 2013 (In conjunction with Blue Star Contemporary Art Center) Thru 3/2014

Printed in San Antonio Thru 5/12 Leonard Brooks of San Miguel de Allende Thru 5/19 Real/Surreal: Selections from the Whitney Museum of Modern Art Thru 5/19 The Human Face and Form Thru 5/19 Chris Larson: Deep North Thru 5/21 Fiesta, Fete, Festival Thru 6/9 Majority Rules: A Decade of Contemporary Art Acquisitions Thru 9/15 The America of Grant Wood and Thomas Hart Benton 5/29-9/8 Beth van Hoesen at The McNay 5/29-9/20

SAN ANTONIO MUSEUM OF ART Artists of SAMOMA from the SAMA Collection Thru 5/26 Pasion Popular: Spanish and Latin American Folk Art from The Cecere Collection Thru 8/18 The Jameel Prize: Art Inspired by the Islamic Tradition 5/24-8/11 SOUTHWEST SCHOOL OF ART Trish Ramsay Equivalent Forms 5/9-7/5 Michael James Organizing Nature 5/9-7/7 Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga A Tradition of Strings 5/9-7/7

WITTE MUSEUM Robert J. and Helen C. Kleberg South Texas Heritage Center at The Witte Museum Now Open Artists on the Texas Frontier Thru 5/27 Wanderlust: From German to Texan Thru 6/9 Witte Through Time: 85 Years and Still Growing Thru 8/13 Dinosaurs Unearthed: Bigger. Better.

Feathered.

Thru 9/2 Patriotism and Pageantry: Fiesta Honors the Military Thru 8/18 Texas Impressionism: Branding with Brushstroke and Color 1885-1935 6/15-9/8 The World Through Magic Lanterns 6/29-1/2014

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Miscellaneous Witte Museum Boot Scoot & 5K Run presented by New Balance 5/4, Sat @ 7am Cinco de Mayo Celebration 5/4-5, Sat / 10am-10pm Sun / 10am-9pm Market Square Tejas Rodeo 5/4-6/29, Sat @ 7:30pm Arts San Antonio Floating Feastival 5/8-9, Wed-Thu @ 6pm River Walk 57th Annual Fiesta Noche del Rio 5/10-8/10, Fri-Sat @ 8:30pm Arneson River Theatre Culinaria Wine & Culinary Arts Festival 5/15-19, Various Venues www.culinariasa.org Red Dot Sale 5/22, Wed – Time TBD Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum Cesar Millan Live!

5/29, Wed @ 7:30pm Lila Cockrell Theater Texas Folklife Festival 6/7-9, Fri / 5pm-11pm Sat / 11am-11pm Sun 12pm-7pm Institute of Texan Cultures

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Photo Credits

Sebastian Lang-Lessing Photo by Marks Moore

Josh Abbott Band Courtesy liveatfloores.com

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Page 25 (L-R)

Page 30 (L-R)

Ray Price Courtesy liveatfloores.com

Tracy Morgan Courtesy Majestic Theatre

Kevin Fowler Courtesy kevinfowler.com

Pat Green Courtesy liveatfloores.com

Rob Schneider Courtesy robschneider. com

Johnny Lee Courtesy liveatfloores,com

Charlie Robison Courtesy liveatfloores.com David Mairs Courtesy mtsymphony. com Page 22 (L-R) Diana Krall Photo by Mark Seliger Troy Peters Courtesy yosa.org Eli Young Band Courtesy eliyoungband. com

Page 26 (L-R)

Brandon Rhyder Courtesy liveatfloores.com

Akiko Fujimoto Photo by Eric Green

Gary P. Nunn Courtesy liveatfloores.com

Mairead Nesbitt-Celtic Woman Photo by Agata Stoinska

Page 32 (L-R)

Emile Pandolfi Courtesy fredericksburgmusicclub. com SOLI Chamber Ensemble Photo by Kemp Davis Page 28 (L-R)

Almost Patsy Cline Band Courtesy almostpatsyclineband.com

Cody Canada and The Departed Courtesy liveatfloores.com

Page 24 (L-R)

Taylor Swift Courtesy taylorswift.com

Bett Butler Courtesy musicaltheatregeniuses. com

Ethel Courtesy ethelcentral.com

Dale Watson Courtesy liveatfloores.com Jon Wolfe Courtesy liveatfloores.com

Kyle Park Courtesy liveatfloores.com Page 29 (L-R) Max Stalling Courtesy maxstalling.com

The Spazmatics Courtesy thespazmatics. net Two Tons of Steel Courtesy twotons.com Dana Miller Courtesy danamiller.com George Strait Courtesy georgestrait.com Page 34 (L-R) Roger Creager Courtesy rogercreager. com The Addams Family Photo by Carol Rosegg Flashdance Photo by Kyle Froman Patrida Racette Photo by Devon Cass

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November-December 2012 | On The Town 36

Culinary Arts 38-48

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38 On The Town | May/June 2013

Geronimo Lopez-Monascal

REDISCOVERING THE NEW WORLD

By Chris Dunn

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...n case you haven’t noticed, Peruvian ceviches, replete with aji amarillo and leche de tigre, are showing up on menus across the country; Brazilian farofa (toasted manioc root) and ” Argentinian chimichurri are now appearing nightly at a steakhouse near you; and dishes with names like Tlayudas Oaxaqueñas, Enfrijoladas, and Cochinta Pibil are starting to make Mexican restaurants seem … well, more Mexican.

Lopez took his Latin influences with him during a 10year stint with Four Seasons Hotels. His travels took him to Mexico City, Las Vegas and Hawaii, where he was exposed to many new cultures and cuisines. “It was a game-changer for me,” he said. “Hotel business is a very different monster to handle. The chaos is bigger … in Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, you need to put on a lot of different hats to meet everyone’s expectations.”

Now at Nao (pronounced “nay-oh”), Lopez has found the perfect outlet for his wide-ranging experience.

Staff and student chefs utilize ancient and cuttingedge techniques in the preparation of the constantly changing menu items. The traditional wood-fired comal, parilla grill and hearth oven are often used in conjunction with ultramodern tools, such as sous vide thermal immersion circulators, to create many of the dishes.

“There’s a big movement going on,” said Geronimo Lopez-Monascal, describing the growing interest in Central and South American, interior Mexican and Caribbean cuisines. Lopez is executive chef at Nao: New World Flavors, the Culinary Institute of America’s restaurant at the Pearl Brewery complex in San Antonio. He is also an instructor for the school’s Latin Cuisines Certificate and Associate programs.

This dual role gives him a unique opportunity to help shape the New World food movement in the United The varied techniques also give the five to nine States, both now and in the future. students from the Culinary Institute of America, who work with Lopez and his permanent staff of At age 38, Lopez already has more than 20 years of five cooks and a sous chef, hands=on experience experience in the restaurant business. His interest with every kind of cooking method imaginable. “We in cooking began when he was in high school in his want to show them how it is done,” he said. The 24home town of Caracas, Venezuela, where he started seat tapas lounge and 78-seat formal dining room working in restaurants for free to gain experience. also provide students an opportunity to gain frontSubsequently, he had the opportunity to participate of-the-house experience. in a government-sponsored program to study the culinary arts in France. “At the time there were no “We have created a system where the students have culinary schools [in Venezuela],” he said. to develop the dishes,” Lopez said. “I give them the general idea. They have to investigate the products, When he returned home, he began the process of the recipes, the traditions.” taking what he had learned abroad and applying it to his native cuisine. “I was searching for my style. There One of the standout menu items created this way is was always that French love that I have, but there the “Tostadas” de Sierra —crispy plantain cones filled were also the ingredients we had in Venezuela.” with a spicy green “sierra” ceviche, avocado cream, and hibiscus caviar (made from tapioca pearls). Another Lopez said he was one of the first generation of highlight is the Octopus “Al Olivo” — rosemary and Venezuelan chefs who “stepped out of the home garlic octopus that has been cooked sous vide, then and into the kitchen,” bringing with them their rich wood grilled and served with salt-crusted baby heritage of indigenous foods and native cuisine. potatoes and bitter greens.

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With so many cultures, cuisines and cooking styles to draw on, Lopez said developing dishes for the menu was a challenge. “In the beginning, it was difficult. So, we focused on product that we could find, that was produced in Texas. Then, we thought about techniques and flavors that would work with those ingredients. We want to be true to the flavors of the country [of origin], but it is reflected in a way that is understandable to Americans.” Lopez said fellow instructors at the school, including Hinnerk von Bargen, Elizabeth Johnson-Kossick, Brian West and the school’s director, David Kellaway, have provided tremendous ideas and support throughout the process.

The restaurant is further enhanced by visiting Central and South American, Mexican and Caribbean celebrity chefs who work with Lopez and the students and present special dinners that showcase their countries’ cuisines. Recent visitors included Pedro Miguel Schiaffino from Peru, Yara Castro Roberts from Brazil, Eric Calderon from Bolivia, and Huberto O’Farrel from Argentina. The program will resume in August or September of this year, and a limited number of tickets for these special dinners will be available to the public.

Under the watchful eye of Lopez, Nao has become a great resource not only for the school but also the city San Antonio, nurturing the creativity of its chefs and the patrons who dine there. Lopez said, “We want people to be amazed and surprised and bring back some memories.”

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Photo Credits: Page 38 Geronimo Lopez-Monascal Photo by Dana Fossett Page 40 (Above) Exterior of Nao at CIA San Antonio Photo courtesy Culinary Institute of America (Center) Main dining room at Nao Photo courtesy of Culinary Institute of America

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(Below) Causitas Photo courtesy of Culinary Institute of America

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BECKER VINEYARDS Pioneer of the Texas Wine Industry is Going Stronger Than Ever

By Olivier J. Bourgoin; (aka. Olivier the Wine Guy).

Photography Bill Peary his is the first in a series of articles about the Texas wine industry. For this inaugural article, your editor and I chose to feature Becker Vineyards, one of the premier and better-established Texas wineries. I hope you will enjoy discovering with us all that Texas has to offer in the fascinating world of winemaking. Cheers!

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Although still a practicing and respected endocrinologist, Dr. Becker is passionate about his second career as a winery owner and executive winemaker. “We have steadily increased our vineyards holdings over the years to where we currently farm and manage a total of 125 acres of land,” he said.

“This includes vineyards in Mason and Ballinger, Texas, Long gone are the days when Bunny Becker used in addition to the 46 estate acres at the winery proper,” to personally hand-deliver cases of wine to local Dr. Becker said. “On this land we grow a number of restaurants and retailers out of the trunk of her car, different grape varietals, from Cabernet Franc to with a folding dolly. Established in 1992, Becker Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Syrah, Vineyard’s first harvest was completed in 1995, and Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Viognier.” since the late ’90s, their wines have been distributed across Texas. The widely acclaimed brand’s renown Becker was the first winery in Texas to grow the French now extends well beyond the state’s borders.

Viognier grape, and it did so in such remarkable fashion that their Viognier has been the recipient of It all started innocently enough, as a leisurely trip numerous awards. In all, Becker now produces more to the Hill Country, in search of a place to buy as a than 30 types of wines, some of which are sold only weekend getaway. Richard Becker, M.D., and his wife, at the winery.

Bunny, fell in love with a little corner of heaven-onearth in Stonewall, off Highway 290 about halfway “We also buy grapes from 15 other Texas growers, and between Fredericksburg and Johnson City. Twenty- we also source some Cabernet and Chardonnay juice plus years later, “the rest is history.” from out of state, which is delivered to us via refrigerated trucks, and we make the wine right here at the winery The Beckers’ vision of establishing a winery in the in Stonewall,” Dr. Becker said. “If I could buy everything I Hill Country has since matured into a full-fledged, need in Texas, I would. There just aren’t enough quality state-of-the-art operation, with 50 employees and grapes available to satisfy our production.” an annual production of roughly 100,000 cases per year (about 238,000 gallons).

Besides the grape-growing gig, the Becker Estate also is known for its 3 acres of lavender fields, Keeping with the spirit of the Hill Country and as a which were planted in 1998 with 10,000 lavender nod to the numerous German immigrant families who plants from four varietals, Lavandula angustifolia, helped settle the area, the just over 10,000-square-foot Lavandula intermedia grosso, Lavandula intermedia winery’s architecture is modeled after that of a late provence, and Lavandula stoechas. A number of 19th century German stone barn. Under the watchful items made from lavender extracts and oils from the eye of current winemaker Jon Leahy, it now houses 64 plants grown there are available for purchase in the tanks and more than 2,000 barrels, as well as a top-of- gift shop, including soaps, linen sprays and candles. the-line bottling machine which can crank up to one bottle per second when working at full capacity.

Another staple at Becker’s are the many fun events May/June 2013 | On The Town 43

that take place at the winery throughout the year.

There is the ubiquitous Grape Stomp, which occurs each year on the last weekend of August, preceded by the Fourth of July festival which benefits Habitat for Humanity.

Other events include a chili cook-off, and a Port and Stilton (a deliciously pungent English blue cheese) festival. Then there is the always wellattended Lavender Festival, followed by the Blues, Bluebonnets and Barbecue festival and the popular “Port and Chocolate” event around Valentine’s Day.

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As if the place was not busy enough, there is also the constant happy buzz from the many weddings that take place at the winery (about 40 per year), “not to mention the countless bachelorette parties in addition to the weddings,” said Becker’s public relations and tasting room coordinator, long-time employee Nicole Bendele.

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On any given day, one can belly-up to the tasting bar for some samples of the various wines made by the estate. Ask French native and tasting-room salesman Henri Delobbe to tell you a story; he knows a few and if not, he’ll make one up for you, but either way, he will keep you entertained.

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Delobbe’s overall favorite Becker wine? The Canada Vineyard Reserve Cab (made from North Texas grapes grown on the Canada Vineyard located in Plains, Texas, southwest of Lubbock) and the Rosé Provençal made from a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Enter the tasting room and for $ 10, visitors may sample up to six selections from the 25-plus wines available and take home the sampling glass.

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Serious wine aficionados may make a reservation for a library tasting, starting with a tour of the production area, followed by a sampling directly from the tanks and barrels, and then a taste of reserve wines from a special portfolio of vintages Dr. and Mrs. Becker personally have held back.

44 On The Town | May/June 2013

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“We purchase more oak barrels, both French and American, and we crush more grapes per year than any other winery in the state of Texas,” Dr. Becker said.

“We receive visitors from all corners of the world, and we are continually making improvements to our facilities in order to welcome everyone in a comfortable atmosphere,” he said.

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‘We have plenty of parking and plenty of wine to sample.

If you’ve never been here, come see us! If you’ve already visited, please come back.”

Becker Farms Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671; (830) 6442681; www.beckervineyards.com.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Photo Credits: Page 42 (Above) Bunny and Dr. Richard Becker (Below) The Estate, home to 46 acres of vineyards, The Winery with three tank rooms, a barrel / bottling haus and tasting room, The Library, Lavender Haus, Lavender fields and more.

Page 44 (Above) Main Tasting Room (Below) One of the over 2,000 Oak barrels at the winery Page 45 (Above) A selection of Becker Wines (Below) The Library

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48 On The Town | May/June 2013

Visual Arts

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May/June 2013 | On The Town 49

Visual Arts Round Up: Traditions on Display

By Cassandra Yardeni

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ith summer approaching and Springtime and Fiesta season coming to a close, San Antonio’s art scene is heating up. Local galleries and museums are brimming with a variety of work, with pride and patriotism taking center stage from a retrospective on Girl Scouts, to art inspired by Islamic tradition, to graphic illustrations based on Mesoamerica.

Institute of Texan Cultures UTSA HemisFair Park Campus 801 E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd.

TexanCultures.com

Now through July 14 and in partnership with Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, Girl Power! is an exhibit that heralds the next century of Girl Scouting. The exhibit offers visitors a unique perspective on the iconic organization.

Through personal stories, artifacts and memorabilia, the exhibit will highlight the values and traditions of Girl Scouts that are as relevant today as when the movement was founded in 1912.

Cowboy boots and computers. Salsa and Texas-shaped tortilla chips. Jalapeño jelly and prickly pear wine. Ancient stone tools and artificial hearts. What do these all have in common? Texas! Through September 29, Made in Texas explores a diverse array of Texan-made objects which add to the fabric of life not only in our state, but across the globe.

What began with 18 girls on March 12, 1912 in Savannah, Georgia, set into motion the nation’s premier leadership program for girls. A century ago, Juliette Gordon Low believed that all girls should be given the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually. These values have empowered more than 59 million American women to advance and achieve, taking their places as leaders in community, business, and government.

Finally, whether it was 10,000 years ago or 10 days ago, everyone in Texas today is here because someone endured a life-changing journey.

Explore objects, concepts, ideas and expressions of culture which originate in, are made in, or have strong ties to Texas: foodways, arts and crafts, agriculture and manufacturing, music, ways of making a living, furniture, clothing, inventions and architecture. Discover the impact Texas has had on the world and how Texas culture has influenced others.

Why We Came: The Immigration Experience is a fun way to immerse yourself in the modern-day experience of immigrating. Step onto a life-sized game board and make the journey alongside actual immigrants. Learn the process and understand the motivations, emotions, challenges, and experiences faced by those who create a new life in a new land. See if you can pass a citizenship

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test and then share a story of your own family’s saga of becoming Texan.

Witte Museum 3801 Broadway 210.357.1900 WitteMuseum.org Through September 2, Dinosaurs Unearthed: Bigger.

Better. Feathered... allows curiosities to soar. Step back in time to discover the most fascinating creatures to have roamed the Earth. Don’t miss life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, skeletons, fossils, a hands-on dig site, the opportunity to explore the most current scientific findings and augmented reality-where dinosaurs become 3D right before your eyes! Bring your own iPad, iPhone or Android, download the app and use augmented reality in the palm of your hand. Highlighting the latest discoveries in paleontology, Dinosaurs Unearthed includes evidence suggesting some dinosaurs are the ancestors of modern day birds rather than modern reptiles. The story of feathered dinosaurs is an interactive visual spectacle that visitors of all ages can enjoy. Be sure to visit “Patty” the Apatosaurus, who at 60 feet long, will meet you in the Witte frontyard and a 14 foot T. rex in the Witte courtyard!

adhere to a few Impressionist requirements for a painting to be included in the exhibition, namely the work must have been painted between 1885 and 1935, have a highkeyed palette bordering on and including the pastel colors and include active brushwork with short strokes applied quickly over the surface. Featured artists include Julian Onderdonk, Robert Onderdonk, José Arpa, Edward G. Eisenlohr and Ella Koepke Mewhinney, among others.

Bihl Haus Arts 2803 Fredericksburg Rd. 210.383.9723 BihlHausArts.org

The Cubans are here! On display through May 25, Icons: Contemporary Cuban Art is a powerful exhibit of paintings and multiples by Cuban artist Adrian Rumbaut.

Forming two bodies of work, “Icons” first explores, through Contraparte/Counterpart, a “visual duality” through the super-imposition of the symbolic images and iconic paired portraits of Marilyn Monroe and Ché Guevara, two of the most recognized and commercialized faces of the 20th century. In this work, Adrian fuses the pictorial with the graphic by combining painting and fabric design. In each pair of paintings, the reverse image of the alternate is embedded on the canvas. In Beginning June 15, the Witte Museum’s Russell Hill Rogers the second, Diagramas Pictóricos/Pictorial Diagrams, the Texas Art Gallery Texas Impressionism: Branding with artist questions the rules of pictorial traditions such as Brushstroke and Color, 1885-1935 breaks the stereotypes composition and equilibrium. In them, iconic portraits of about Texas artists in the American Impressionism Marilyn, Ché, Marx, Mickey Mouse, etc., have been cut up movement. Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs and and recombined to create new faces, multiplied images Curator of Art Michael R. Grauer has chosen to rigidly that mimic reality itself.

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In Counterpoise, opening June 1, curator Laurel Gibson has chosen works that balance idiosyncratic worlds with ‘real’ ones centered on the vulnerability of Mother Earth.

They establish equilibrium between modern cultural and environmental awareness and the fantastical. Through these works, it is ok to dream, to ponder, to contemplate the mythical while remaining keenly aware of the fragility of our very existence.

exhibition exploring in depth Rockwell’s richly detailed study photographs, commissioned by the artist as references for his iconic paintings. Opening June 5 and organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum, this presentation reveals a rarely seen yet fundamental aspect of Rockwell’s creative process, and unveils a significant new body of Rockwell imagery in an unexpected medium.

Artists Stacy Elko, Linda Rael and Susie Monday symbolically transport the viewer into extraordinary worlds in which fish become flying bomb-ships embossed with hennaed North African symbols; shamans emerge from embellished skulls and bones that signify rebirth; and La Sirena and other powerful figures emit mysterious messages. These artworks function as visual stories and embody, as defined by Josef Campbell, the four key elements of mythology: mystical, cosmological, sociological, and pedagogical. The mystical is the awakening of a sense of wonder and participation in the universe. The cosmological functions to fill every particle of the current world image with a mystical one.

The sociological is validated through moral systems and cultural customs. The pedagogical is the passage of life through childhood into maturity. Symbols, materials and life experiences create the mythological stories surrounding the viewer.

Early in his career, Rockwell hired professional models to pose for the characters in his paintings. Beginning in the mid-1930s, however, the evolving naturalism of his work led him to embrace photography. For Rockwell, the camera brought a new flesh-and-blood realism to his work, and opened a window to the keenly observed authenticity that defines his art. Working with friends and neighbors rather than professional models fired Rockwell’s imagination by providing a wide array of everyday faces.

McNay Art Museum 6000 N. New Braunfels 210.824.5368 McNayArt.org Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera is a landmark 52 On The Town | May/June 2013

Bringing together paintings, drawings, tear sheets, magazine covers, and prints of Rockwell study photographs results in a frame-by-frame view of the development of some of Rockwell’s most indelible images.

Printing Perfection: The Art of Beth Van Hoesen is on view beginning May 29. Beth Van Hoesen, who lived and worked for most of her life in San Francisco, was born in Boise, Idaho, in 1926. After graduating with a BA from Stanford in 1948, she went on to study in Paris and Mexico City. She dedicated herself exclusively to printmaking in 1956 and excelled at the intaglio processes of etching, drypoint, and aquatint. In 1959, Van Hoesen and her husband, artist Mark Adams, purchased a 1910 firehouse in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood and made it their

home and studio. Along with fellow artists, including Wayne Thiebaud, Van Hoesen and Adams hired models for weekly drawing sessions in the firehouse, making it a nexus for the Bay Area’s art community.

a panel of judges chose a shortlist of ten artists and designers. The ten finalists were invited to submit work for an exhibition at the V&A that was held in the summer of 2011 Algerian-born artist Rachid Koraïchi received the second Jameel Prize, worth £25,000, for his selection of Van Hoesen’s prints are first and foremost examples embroidered cloth banners from the series, Les Maîtres of great technical achievement. Renowned for her Invisibles (2008). Also included in this exhibition are perfectionism, Van Hoesen often created many working works that range from sculptural installations and digital proofs with detailed notes for changes she wanted made, collages to mirror mosaic and textiles. before finally getting an image that met her incredibly high standards of refinement and finish. Typical of her Artpace method is Sally, a complicated combination of etching, 445 N Main Ave drypoint, aquatint, and roulette; the image went through 210.212.4900 at least twelve revisions, what the artist called “stages,” ArtPace.org before getting what she wanted. Van Hoesen combined this technical virtuosity with her keen eye for texture, Beginning May 2, Artist Anya Gallaccio returns to Artpace color, and line to create her alluring prints.

16 years after her International Artist-in-Residence exhibition, they said there was a paradise way out west, San Antonio Museum of Art debuted alongside projects by fellow residents Nancy 200 W Jones Ave Rubins and Kathy Vargas. Known for her site-specific 210.978.8100 installations that often incorporate organic material SAMuseum.org referencing the physical nature of the site, Gallaccio will unveil new work in the Hudson (Show)Room composed Beginning May 24, The Jameel Prize: Art Inspired by the of native Texas rock.

Islamic Tradition, explores the cultural dialogue between the Islamic artistic tradition and contemporary practice, Also on display is work from artist Michael Menchaca. and to contribute to a broader debate about Islamic culture. San Antonio-based artist Michael Menchaca’s colorful The Jameel Prize, inaugurated in 2009, is an international illustrations and videos draw inspiration from pictorial art prize for contemporary artists and designers inspired history books of ancient Mesoamerica known as “codices”

by Islamic traditions of art, craft and design. that traced history, religion, and geography through a codified, symbolic language. Using this historical Leading curators, designers, artists and cultural figures precedent, he creates a visual allegory to address around the world were invited to nominate candidates. sociopolitical issues surrounding the US-Mexican Nearly 200 submissions were received, and from these, border. For Artpace’s Main Avenue windows, his multiMay/June 2013 | On The Town 53

dimensional installation--”AUTOS SACRAMENTALES”-depicts self-sacrifice in homage to El Diedad del Queso, a rat god, and Aquilas, an eagle deity.

Southwest School of Art 300 Augusta 210.224.1848 SWSchool.org Trish Ramsay: Equivalent Forms opens May 9, showcasing Texas artist Trish Ramsay’s use of pliant materials such as felt, paper, wax and string to explore spatial tension.

This exhibition pairs a new series of mixed media on the Ursuline Campus with one of her constructed linear installations on the Navarro Campus. A pop-up garden piece will also be included on the historic grounds of the art school. Ramsay received her BFA from the University of the Arts, Pennsylvania and MFA from Syracuse University, New York, and has held residencies in Japan and Finland.

Also on display is Micharl James: Organizing Nature.

Professor of Textiles at the University of NebraskaLincoln, Michael James’ art references natural forms but occupies the ambiguous realm between the recognizable and the indeterminate, the physical and the psychic environments that we straddle daily. Using digital techniques, he manipulates images to achieve the desired color and textural qualities, then pulls from traditional quilt techniques to gain an ordered sense of pattern.

Finally, Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga: A Tradition of Strings, also on display beginning May 9, features San Antonio artist Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga’s work. Crossing boundaries by merging African artistic traditions and contemporary concepts, she has used unconventional materials such as string, plant fiber and tin cans since she was a child growing up among the Kikuyu people in Kenya.

These new pieces repurpose disposed materials and incorporate stitching, twisting, crocheting and weaving to honor her heritage. Gakunga has degrees in art from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and the University of California, Los Angeles and currently has work included in the 14th International Triennial of Tapestry in Poland.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Photo Credits: Page 50 (L-R) Reference photo for Norman Rockwell’s Expense Account, 1957.

Photographer unidentified. Licensed by Norman Rockwell Licensing, Niles, IL. Norman Rockwell Museum Collections.

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Expense Account, Norman Rockwell, 1957 Oil on canvas, 38” x 35 3/4’” Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, September 20, 1958. ©1957 SEPS: Licensed by Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, IN. Norman Rockwell Museum Collections.

Page 51 (L-R) Reference photo for Norman Rockwell’s Breakfast Table Political Argument, 1948 Photos by Gene Pelham. Licensed by Norman Rockwell Licensing, Niles, IL. Norman Rockwell Museum Collections.

Breakfast Table Political Argument, Norman Rockwell, 1948 Tear Sheet Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, October 30, 1948 ©1948 SEPS: Licensed by Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, IN. Norman Rockwell Museum Digital Collections Page 52 Made in Texas exhibit at the Institute of Texan Cultures thru September 29 Page 53 Allosaurus with Yangchuanosaurus skeleton in background. Dinosaurs Unearthed: Bigger, Better, Feathered exhibit at Witte Museum thru September 2 Page 54 (Above) Pictorial Diagram, Mixed Media Adrian Rumbaut – ICONS exhibit at Bihl Haus Arts thru May 25 (Below) Polygon #2, 2010, Mixed Media on panel, 12 x 12 x 2 in.

Trish Ramsay – Equivalent Forms exhibit at Southwest School of Art thru July 5 Page 55 (Above) Tranquil Afternoon, 1929 Oil on canvas board, 30 x 36 in.

Louis Oscar Griffith Texas Impressionism: Branding with Brushstrokes and Color, 1885-1935 exhibit at Witte Museum thru September 8 (Below) Closer to You XVI, 2009 Mixed Media Adrian Rumbaut – ICONS exhibit at Bihl Haus Arts thru May 25

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EVERY OBJECT OPENS A WORLD:

Pasión Popular at SAMA

By Betsy Beckmann Photography courtesy San Antonio Museum of Art

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quiet, industrious magic has unfolded at the San Antonio Museum of Art. Dr. Marion Oettinger, curator of Latin American art, has put the finishing touches on a long-considered and carefully detailed exhibition – Pasión Popular: Spanish and Latin American Folk Art from the Cecere Collection, on view through Aug. 11. Peter P. Cecere, a former cultural affairs officer stationed in Spain and throughout Latin America, is a dedicated collector of folk art who has donated nearly 400 pieces to SAMA over the past 10 years.

approximately 200 objects, dating from the 18th century to modern times, and originating in different Hispanic cultures throughout Spain and Latin America.

The pieces are crafted of wood, cloth, metal, stone, clay, tar, tin, paper, leather, cork — whatever media were best known and at hand — and their sizes vary from small to monumental. Oettinger organized this great variety by function, dividing the material into five sections titled The Faces of Folk Art, The Beauty of Utility, The Shape of Belief, The Art of Diversion and Art for the Sake of Beauty and Memory.

“You’ve never seen anything like this,” Oettinger said.

“These are such remarkable pieces — there are no clichés here.”

The scope of this exhibition is daunting: it includes

“This is a collection of unparalleled quality — the pieces are unique, and for the most part very rare,” Oettinger said. “Folk art is ephemeral: The objects are usually made to use and use up. If it’s a candle, it burns away; if it’s ceremonial bread, it is eaten. Even items

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that were designed to be more permanent are often made from fleeting, inexpensive materials. So to find pieces from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries of this caliber is pretty extraordinary.”

Rare as the objects are, Oettinger expressly planned their display to feel immediate and human, showing pieces “as is” and stressing their function in their display. Walking sticks float as is if in use, carousel figures are staggered on poles on a circular platform as at a fair, and toy airplanes swarm the airspace.

Oettinger avoided isolating these pieces as purely aesthetic objects, not only by placing them in the context of their use but also by situating them among images from traditional portraiture and more popular press of the people who might have made and used them. The Faces of Folk Art is both the opening section and a philosophical underpinning of the exhibition. Enlargements of oficios — iconic images of butchers, painters, potters, masons, etc., that were used in exemplary broadsheets to educate children on a range of trades in 18th century Spain — along with prints documenting regional dress, portraits, photographs and genre paintings deliberately foreground the people behind the objects.

Scale also can be a challenge for the exhibition of a large body of folk art since many collected pieces tend to be of a similar, human size, but Pasión Popular includes a number of very large pieces, like a 10-foot-long cast-iron butcher-shop sign, as well as exquisite small objects, like finely detailed bread stamps for personalizing loaves in a communal oven and wooden nutcrackers, their simple pincer form efficiently designed for function, but embellished with ornate carving.

In many instances, objects from Cecere’s collection expand or complement the meaning of pieces that Oettinger has collected separately. For example, a large Ecuadorean game cloth that was already in SAMA’s collection is shown with the curious bone dice acquired by Cecere, used to play a high-stakes game of heaven and hell.

“When Cecere bought the dice in a flea market, I don’t think he was entirely sure of their use,” Oettinger said, “but the game cloth completes the picture.” During a wake, the shaman will throw the dice on the cloth to determine the fate of the departed soul. This allegorical drama, which may include a person on his death bed, surrounded by grieving relations, symbols of temptation, and angels and demons in competition May/June 2013 | On The Town 57

for his soul, is a traditional motif depicted in other pieces in the exhibition. A Spanish portrait of a lañador, an itinerant craftsman who mends broken pottery with metallic “stitches,” is accompanied by beautiful vessels that have been repaired in just this ingenious traditional fashion.

At a table covered with masks for ceremonial use, Oettinger said every object in the exhibition seems to unfold with detail. “Each object just opens up.

Take a dance mask: the mask is part of a costume, which is part of a dance group; the performance is part of the celebration of a particular saint, and that celebration is part of the specific calendar of a village’s life. It all just expands. Every piece here is pregnant with cultural knowledge and provides a passage into understanding.”

Visit SAMA’s Latin American Galleries this summer, and let the stories unfold. Pasión Popular remains on display through Aug. 11.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Photo Credits: Page 56 Boxers, Mid 20th Century Ecuador Painted wood; avg. 13 ¾ x 5 x 4 1/2 in.

Gift of Peter P. Cecere 2006.1. 289a, b Page 57 Carousel Mermaid, 20th Century Mexico Painted wood, metal; 12 1/8 x 12 1/8 x 29 in.

Gift of Peter P. Cecere 2006.1.129 Page 58 (Above) Dr. Marion Oettinger, curator of Latin American Art, with Ecuadorian game cloth (Below)

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Cherub, 18th Century Central Spain Wood, glass; 16 ½ x 10 ¼ x 6 ¾ in.

Gift of Peter P. Cecere 99.21.3

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ART IN THE GARDEN: New Sculptures Arrive at San Antonio Botanical Garden

By Tracy Lowe Photography Courtesy San Antonio Botanical Garden

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nce again, San Antonio Botanical Garden is host to Art in the Garden, an annual collaboration with Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum.

This year’s opening reception was held in March during Contemporary Art Month, and the sculptures are on display through February 2014.

As part of the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s “Cultivate Yourself” message, both young and mature guests are able to appreciate the beauty and creativity of nature and humans.

Curated by renowned Chicago sculptor Richard Hunt, this year’s exhibit features works by members of the The installation features 10 contemporary sculptures Texas Sculpture Group, the Mid-South Alliance and installed within the garden grounds. Incorporating Chicago Sculpture International. For more than 40 these artistic pieces into the garden landscape offers years, Hunt’s work has been displayed at a multitude of visitors a unique look at and experience with sculpture. public installations. Working in metal, steel and bronze, 60 On The Town | May/June 2013

Hunt has had solo exhibitions and commissioned works across the United States. In 2009, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Sculpture Center.

“We are fortunate to have an artist such as Richard Hunt curate our show this year,” said Bob Brackman with the San Antonio Botanical Garden. “The sculptures installed are simply amazing, and we welcome all of San Antonio to come spend time walking through the garden and experiencing these contemporary pieces.”

Selected works are fabricated from steel, bronze, limestone, wood and more. Visitors will partake in a visual feast, as the backdrop for the sculptures is the lush, green plant life along the walk to the Texas Native Trail.

Featured sculptors and their works Include:

Mid-South Sculpture Alliance: Isaac Duncan III Precarious-C, Andrew Light - Waiting, Linda Walden Altar to an Unknown God, and Bret Price – Sfera.

Mid-South Sculpture Alliance advances the creation and awareness of sculpture in its many and varied forms, promoting a supportive environment for sculpture and sculptors. The alliance seeks to advance the understanding that sculpture educates; effects social change; and engages artists, art professionals and the community in dialogue.

Texas Sculpture Group: Danville Chadbourne - The Natural Liberation of the Source, and Julia Ousley Skyline II. Founded by a group of artists from San Antonio, Austin and Houston, Texas Sculpture Group is one of three affiliates operating in cooperation with the International May/June 2013 | On The Town 61

Sculpture Group (ISG.) This gathering of professional sculptors, dealers, curators and collectors formed to promote both public and art-world awareness through exhibitions, publication and networking.

Chicago Sculpture International: Jean Jacques Porret - Legacy II, Ted Sitting Crow Garner – Bumble, and Ben Woitena - Traveler and Shadow Land.

Chicago Sculpture International advances the understanding and creation of sculpture as a unique and vital contribution to society. The CSI seeks to expand public understanding and appreciation of Chicago sculpture through exhibits and public forums on sculpture. The CSI engages artists and art professionals in a dialogue to advance the art form and promote a supportive environment for sculpture and sculptors.

The San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place at North New Braunfels Avenue, is operated under the auspices of the City of San Antonio Department of Parks and Recreation. The garden is open year-round except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For more information, visit www.sabot.org or call 210-207-3250.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Photo Credits: Page 60 Sefera - Brett Price Page 61 Traveler and the Shadowland – Ben Woitena Page 62 (Above) The Natural Liberation of the Source – Daniel Chadbourne (Below) Legacy II – Jean Jacques Porret 62 On The Town | May/June 2013

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San Antonio Artist Franco MondiniRuiz Exhibited at New York Art Show

By Michele Krier Photography Greg Harrison

Charismatic San Antonio artist Franco MondiniRuiz has painted his way into the heart of the city.

Welcomed into the homes of the rich and famous, Mondini-Ruiz himself is at home deep on the West Side, a short distance from the fairytale spires of Our Lady of the Lake University.

Biennial. In 2004, he was awarded the Rome Prize for a residency at the American Academy in Rome.

Now collected in museums as far away as Helsinki and New York, Mondini-Ruiz’s artwork will be included in the permanent Smithsonian collection this summer.

His home exudes the same magical and whimsical quality -- lush gardens, Alice-in –Wonderland-like Creative Capital, part of the Andy Warhol hallways, and a glassed-in studio with spiral stairs Foundation, has arranged for Mondini-Ruiz to be leading up to an outdoor bedroom. exhibited at the Pulse Art Show in New York May 9-12. The artist was busy painting again just days Primping peacocks, rabbits and baby goats meander after his successful open house to be ready for the in the lovely gardens of the artist’s sprawling New York show. bungalow. Over the Easter holiday, Mondini-Ruiz opened his home and studio to the public, inviting The son of an Italian father and a Mexican mother, everyone to drop in to see and discover his art.

Mondini-Ruiz became a lawyer before devoting his career to art in 1995. Known for his off-beat “My art is for everyone,” Mondini-Ruiz said. “My whimsical pieces, Mondini-Ruiz also paints Gustav work deals a lot with the hybridity of culture, class Klimt-inspired pieces such as Afternoon on a Klimt and viewpoints on art.” that sell to art collectors from across the globe.

Lovely slender women silhouetted against the Eiffel Tower with tiny dogs in tow and tongue-incheek work such as Rabbit With a Habit (a cigarette dangling out of the rabbit’s mouth) give an example of Mondini-Ruiz’s range, which also includes nods to Goya, with a floating empty dress on a dark background, and hauntingly beautiful works with outlines of cathedrals and buildings beginning to disappear, seemingly melting into the background.

A show at a local gallery in San Antonio last fall also featured Mondini-Ruiz’s smaller canvases, affordable for students and budget-minded art fans.

“I like to make art available and truly accessible to a broad audience,” he said. “I want everyone to be able to have beautiful paintings -- they’re not just for wealthy arts patrons.”

The San Antonio Museum of Art’s permanent Born in San Antonio, Mondini-Ruiz attended school exhibit includes some of Mondini-Ruiz’s sculpture. in Boerne on the edge of the fabled Hill Country. This influence later appeared in his stunning series of Mondini-Ruiz has exhibited at the Taylor Gallery in landscapes Almost an Onderdonk, inspired by a 2008 New York, Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum, book, Julian Onderdonk. The complete series was San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Light Box purchased by the University of Texas at San Antonio. Gallery in Los Angeles, and the Metropolitan in New York, as well as at El Museo del Barrio and in Florence Mondini-Ruiz was discovered in the mid-1990s, and and Rome, among many other gallery exhibits. by 2000 was selected for the prestigious Whitney May/June 2013 | On The Town 65

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Festivals & Celebrations 68-76

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Dreams & Prayers: Cactus Pear Music Festival’s 17th Season

by Gary Albright Photography Courtesy CPMF

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.actus Pear Music Festival’s founder and artistic director Stephanie Sant’Ambrogio has had a lifetime of musical dreams, one of them most prominently giving rise, in San Antonio and the South Texas region, to the chamber music festival she conceived 17 years ago dreaming an evening away on the River Walk.

different: The dreams — and prayers — live on.

Since then, the concert venues of San Antonio and surrounding cities have played host to some of the best classical music artists from America and abroad, and shimmered with the most exquisite chamber music masterpieces, traditional and modern. This July is no

“Golijov’s music then inspired me to create an entire program by Jewish composers; but, I really had too many masterpieces to choose from. It was a challenge,” she said.

“Czech composer Gideon Klein perished during the Holocaust in Terezìn in 1945, but he brought hope to the

“The festival theme this season is inspired by an amazing work that I’ve programmed on the final concert, The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind,” Sant’Ambrogio said.

“Grammy award-winning Argentine composer Osvaldo Golijov wrote this deeply spiritual piece for klezmer Sant’Ambrogio still is not sure if it was more the Zuni Grill clarinet and string quartet in 1994, and I first became signature cactus pear margaritas, which most definitely aware of it almost a decade later. I’ve wanted to program influenced the festival’s name, or the dearth of summer it for many years, but it is an extremely difficult and classical music offerings that shaped her dream into a complex work. So I have waited until I found just the right reality. Her desire for a world-class music festival came group who could play this with our own outstanding San together in July 1996.

Antonio Symphony principal clarinet, Ilya Shterenberg.

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hearts of the inmates through his music. His String Trio opens the program, which also includes Alan Shulman’s Rendez-vous written for Benny Goodman, and Erich Korngold’s sumptuous String Sextet in D. That program is going to be a fantastic season finale,” Sant’Ambrogio said.

“The four earlier programs will still challenge this one for ‘Best of the Season.’ They are all terrific.”

Again hosted by Coker United Methodist Church, the festival’s San Antonio concerts take place on consecutive Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. starting July 5. Love’s Geometry opens with works by the Schumanns, Clara and Robert, with Johannes Brahms rounding out the evening, musically and romantically: The love Brahms held for Clara, in this most-famous of triangles, was certainly Brahms’ muse for many of his masterpieces. Sant’Ambrogio is joined by her Argenta Trio colleagues, pianist James Winn and cellist Dmitri Atapine, as well as the New York-based and long-time CP.M.F violist Daniel Panner.

Program II, Into the Mystic, performed only in San Antonio at 7 p.m. July 6, features Shterenberg in Olivier Messiaen’s transcendent Quartet for the End of Time. The eminent Austin composer and pianist Kathryn Mishell joins Sant’Ambrogio for her own mystical Elegy for violin and piano. Works by Pierre Jalbert, Witold Lutoslawski and a fiery Arabian Waltz by Rabih Abou-Khalil complete the evening’s journey into the sublime.

On the Winds of Dreams, Program III, presents The Aeolus String Quartet, the young, emerging all-American quartet that has been awarded prizes at nearly every major competition in the United States and has performed across the globe. The quartet will perform classics by Haydn and Ravel, and contemporary works by Alexandra Bryant and Dan Visconti. The concert will be at 7 p.m. July 7, in Boerne’s acoustically crystal-clear and intimate First United Methodist Church.

Program IV, Celestial Strings, presented on Friday evening, July 12, in San Antonio, and Sunday afternoon, July 14, in Boerne, is filled with the ethereal notes of quintets by Mozart, Brahms and Glazunov. The sensational young Bulgarian violinist Bella Hristova, who made her CP.M.F debut last summer, shares the stage with another stellar young violinist, Elena Urioste, who was recently selected as a BBC New Generation Artist. CP.M.F favorites, cellists Tony Ross and Beth Rapier, and violist Ara Gregorian, return to the festival stage after a several-year hiatus.

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The festival concludes with Program V, its thematic namesake, the all-Jewish program Dreams and Prayers.

Performances are Saturday evening, July 13, in San Antonio, and Sunday evening, July 14, in Boerne.

“Music, in my mind, really gives voice to all our dreams and prayers. In fact, I feel that music is the manifestation of just that … dreams and prayers,” Sant’Ambrogio said.

“What’s more beautiful than letting our dreams and prayers be carried ever upward on the strains of music?

We try to make that happen at every concert!” Who could argue with that dreamy sentiment?

A complete listing of program pieces and artists is available at http://www.cp.m.f.us/cp.m.f_season.html.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • Photo Credits: Page 68 Stephanie Sant’Ambrogio Photo by Liz Garza Williams Page 69 (L-R) Illya Shterenberg Clarinet Elena Urioste Violin Page 70 (Above) Daniel Panner Viola (Below) Beth Rapier Cello Page 71 (Above) Bella Hristova Violin (Below) Dmitri Atapine Cello

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Defining Texan Culture San Antonio Prepares 2013 Texas Folklife Festival

By James Benavides, Institute of Texan Cultures Photography courtesy ITC

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very summer, one event reconnects Texas with its roots and introduces strangers to the state’s heritage in a way no other can. Over the course of three days, the world almost literally comes to HemisFair Park in San Antonio. Harkening back to the 1968 World’s Fair, when people from all over the world came to San Antonio, the Texas Folklife Festival reminds everyone that being a Texan means being from a place built by many cultures.

The Texas Folklife Festival convenes June 7-9 to share the music, dance, stories, arts and foods of the state. The signature event for the Institute of Texan Cultures, Folklife is marked by the drone of Scottish bagpipes, the pounding of Japanese

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Daiko drums and the bellow of accordions playing zydeco, polka and conjunto. It is the one event that truly captures the diversity of Texan cultures and showcases the Texas identity.

The Texas Folklife Festival has a faithful contingent of participants and volunteers, many with a 40-plus-year history at the festival. Founding organizations representing the Belgians, Greeks, Lebanese and others have welcomed cultures new to the festival and new to Texas: the Guamanians, the Nigerian Igbo people, the Jamaicans, the Colombians, the Argentineans and several more who have added their distinct folkways to Texas culture.

The festival features multiple stages for music and dance performances, and the styles are as varied as the cultures. A Chinese lion dance might be taking place a short distance away from an Argentine tango or a clog dance. Blues may be playing on one stage while on another, a cowboy balladeer or master of Spanish guitar serenades the audience.

The other component of Texas’ pioneering spirit comes from the state’s frontier days, reaching back even before Spanish exploration, then coming through the American Revolution, the Civil War and Reconstruction. Living historians remind visitors of the Texas connection to pivotal moments in state and national history. Buffalo Soldiers groups demonstrate an era after the Civil War, when AfricanAmericans earned a place in a full-time, standing U.S. Army. These soldiers opened Texas to exploration and settlement. Other groups show Texas’ involvements in the Civil War, whether fighting to keep Texas in the Union or fighting for the Confederacy. Other living historians go back further, to the early Spanish Colonial days of Texas, San Antonio, the Spanish Missions and the Native Americans who first settled this land.

Preserving music and dance is part of keeping cultures alive, as is preserving the crafts and craftsmanship that helped Texans settle the frontier. At the Institute of Texan Cultures’ “Back 40” outdoor education area, two distinct groups gather: craftsmen and living historians. Craftsmen demonstrate a variety of skills and give guests the opportunity to get hands-on with a piece of Texas heritage. They can learn how to make jelly, weave a basket, work leather or carve their own toys from wood. While considered a craft or hobby in modern society, many of these skills were A day at the Texas Folklife Festival would not be necessities on the frontier, when self-sufficiency was complete without a meal and the festival has an the law of the land. estimated 150 menu items. Festival organizers often May/June 2013 | On The Town 73

smile when asked, “How many types of sausage do you serve?” and the answer hovers around seven: Belgian, Polish kielbasa, Cajun boudin, three or four Germanstyle wursts, and occasionally spicy Italian or chorizos from Mexico and South America.

Aside from sausages, the culinary delights of the festival might include Wendish noodles, Hawaiian kalua pork, Chinese stir-fry, Indian samosas, NativeAmerican fry bread tacos, Lebanese shish-kebab, Scotch eggs, Polish pierogi, Greek gyros, Turkish coffee, and dozens of other choices.

The Texas Folklife Festival is a distillation of the Texas identity into three days of celebration. It is shaped by the diversity of cultures participating and offering others the opportunity to celebrate with them. It’s not an easy task to define what it is that makes a Texan, but the Texas Folklife Festival makes it a bit easier to experience it.

The 2013 Texas Folklife Festival is June 7-9 at the Institute of Texan Cultures. Ticket information and more details are available at www.TexasFolklifeFestival.org or 210-458-2300.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Photo Credits: Page 72 St. George Maronite Church prepares Lebanese and Mediterranean foods Page 73 Living historians portray various periods in Texas History Page 74 (Above) A stone carver practices his craft (Below)

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Ritmo Columbiano celebrated their first year at the festival in 2012

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Literary Arts 78-82

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LIONEL SOSA, Marketing Consultant, Portrait Artist, Producer and Author Story and Photo by Jasmina Wellinghoff 78 On The Town | May/June 2013

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ionel Sosa has been one of the most prominent marketing and political consultants in San Antonio and on the state and national scenes for decades. He is the founder of Sosa, Bromley, Aguilar & Associates – currently Bromley Communications – which is now the largest Hispanic advertising agency in the country. His advice on how to approach Hispanic voters has been sought by multiple politicians, including presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, as well as presidential candidates John McCain and Newt Gingrich.

A member of the Texas Business Hall of Fame, Sosa is also a renaissance man who is good at a lot of things.

He is an outstanding portrait painter, an education advocate, the author of several books on how to achieve success, and more recently, the producer and editor of, respectively, the PBS-TV series and the book titled The Children of the Revolucion: How the Mexican Revolution Changed America. The latter combines excellent historical accounts written by Dr. Naftali Garcia, with stories told by descendants of the Mexican refugees who sought a new life in Texas in the first decades of the 20th century. Among them are Henry Cisneros, UTSA president Ricardo Romo, former city manager Alex Briseno and Sosa himself.

the refugees) had never been recorded as part of history. So I thought it would be a good idea to make a TV documentary. If we didn’t tell these stories, pretty soon, they might be forgotten.

JW: Producing a TV series could not have been cheap.

Were you in charge of raising the money?

LS: I went to my friend (former KLRN CEO) Bill Moll to ask if he thought this would be a good idea. He said, “Of course I like the idea, and I’ll run the programs but you have to find the funding.” I was able to raise $125,000 from the Texas Dow Employees Credit Union from Houston. (TDECU’s director) Edward Speed thought it would be a good thing to sponsor because it was going to be shown on the Houston PBS station as well. So we were able to produce the first six episodes with that money but we couldn’t stop at that. The production company we were using, My Story (founded by Jesus Ramirez), and I got so engrossed in the project that we just kept going and funding it out of our own pockets. We completed 20 episodes that included not only family stories but historical footage, too, and we told little-known aspects of the revolution, like the role of women soldiers, the soldaderas, also known as Adelitas. All the PBS stations in Texas broadcast the series, except Dallas.

It is in connection with the latter that we interviewed him at his San Antonio pied-a-terre that he shares with JW: Why did you want to do a book as well? wife and fellow painter Kathy Sosa when they are in town. Below are excerpts from our conversation.

LS: When the series was completed, I got a call from the University of Texas Press, a young lady by the name JW: Please tell us about the genesis of the TV series and later of Celeste Mendoza, who said, “This has to become a the book. What compelled you to undertake this project? book.” She told me that they would distribute it if I would publish it. So, again, it was a matter of not being LS: About five years ago, my wife observed that able to stop. the 100th anniversary of the start of the Mexican Revolution was approaching, and how it would be a JW: What did you personally learn from this project? grand time to do something about how that historical event affected families here in San Antonio. This idea LS: I certainly learned about Mexican history. I am not came to her because for years I’ve been telling her the a historian nor pretend to be one. And I got insights stories of my two grandmothers, both of whom came into the heroisms of the families who came to a new here from Mexico to escape the revolution. And they country and had to learn a new language and a new came without husbands and with children in tow. Kathy way of being. Despite that, they were able to provide said, ‘I wonder how many more people have stories like a good life for themselves and their children. One yours.’ So I began asking my contemporaries, and most of my grandmothers, for instance, started washing of them had similar stories about their grandparents and ironing clothes for the neighbors. My other who came here in the period between 1910 and going grandmother came with her brothers, who were good all the way to the early 1930s. Even after the revolution carpenters and masons. They helped build some of the was over, life in Mexico was still in chaos. People no buildings that are still standing today. That’s something longer felt comfortable or safe there. The stories (of immigrants have always done in this country – they May/June 2013 | On The Town 79

have contributed to the community. But, amazingly, the newest immigrant is never welcomed. Right now, it’s the Latino but it looks like we are finally about to find a solution to the immigration problem.

JW: How many Mexicans came to the United States following the revolution?

LS: It is estimated that about a million came between 1910 and 1930. Most settled in Texas in the beginning but then a lot of them left for California, Arizona, a few for New Mexico and Nevada. They started the Latinization of the Southwest.

JW: San Antonio played a big role in this story, right?

LS: San Antonio was always a popular place for Mexicans to visit. They didn’t look at the Rio Grande as a border. People went back and forth. Restrictions became a little more strict in the 1920s and even more so in the 1930s and ’40s, but you could still come across fairly freely. When the revolution was in the planning stages, the leaders moved here for a while. Francisco Madero, who became the first revolutionary president of Mexico, wrote the Mexican version of the Declaration of Independence, the Plan de San Luis, while living in San Antonio. (It was printed later in San Luis Potosi.) It was from here that he and his followers announced it, and then marched into Mexico to gather support.

JW: How did you choose which family stories to include in the book?

LS: We picked the most complete stories that had a beginning, middle and an end, the fullest stories. Some people had better records of their family histories than others, like the families of Henry Cisneros and Ricardo Romo, for example.

JW: What do the stories of the families featured in the book have in common?

LS: The tenacity of the refugees that helped them prosper despite the obstacles. Often, the women held the family together when their men left or were killed.

A lot of them thought they would go back to Mexico some day. But the turmoil (in Mexico) continued while life here was getting better. The Mexican Revolution did not really stop until 1920; it may be the longest 80 On The Town | May/June 2013

revolution in world history.

to the king of England anymore, we are our own people. (The influence of that concept) became more JW: How and where did you grow up? powerful than the influence of suppression that came from Spain. And, of course, another obvious influence LS: Most Mexicans lived in these vecindarios, which was that of the Catholic Church versus the Protestant were temporary housing communities consisting of Church in the United States. The Catholic Church two-room huts without running water and electricity. teaches you to be subservient.

I remember them well because I visited my aunts and uncles there. Everybody gathered on front porches to JW: How good are your family’s records? Are you tempted talk and tell stories. But my father (the laundress’ son) now to write a more complete family biography? had learned the laundry and dry cleaning business, and opened his own business in Prospect Hill, which at the LS: As a matter of fact, I did a video with my family. time was all Germans and Anglos. He opened it at age That encouraged a lot of my family members – myself 21 and closed it at 65. So that’s where we grew up. He included – to dig further. I never knew anybody beyond provided a good life for us. Still, Spanish was my first my grandmother. Now, through Ancestry.com and the language. I entered first grade not knowing English. help of my daughter, who has really gotten involved in this, I know who my great-grandmother was. We JW: You became very successful and a role model. are now eight generations of Sosas since I have greatWould you say you have embraced the values of the grandchildren and they know who I am. And pretty American culture? soon I’ll have great-great-grandchildren. Then, along the way, you find additional things. For example, my LS: I think my values are really conservative values: mother’s father had abandoned the family and joined take care of the family, work hard, do more than you are the U.S. Army as a clarinetist during the Mexican being paid for, take advantage of every opportunity. revolution. My mother always wandered where her It’s a combination of my parents’ teaching and what father was and if he was even alive. It turned out that this country teaches you, a combination of Mexican for a lot of my mother’s life her father was alive but he and American values. American values are based on never contacted her or any other of his kids. We found the independence of the individual, so hard work, out that he made a couple of other families; married personal responsibility and giving value for the money somebody in Oklahoma without divorcing, and then you receive are embraced. Mexican values are more went on to marry yet another woman in California, interdependent. You look at family first. You think more again without divorcing the previous one. He had of sacrificing than paying your dues. An American other children. In fact, tomorrow is the funeral of my would say, “I am paying my dues right now but one mother’s half-brother who she never knew she had. day it will be better.” In the Mexican culture, you can Also, we are gathering stories between us cousins. sacrifice your entire life and still be a respected person. Everyone has different stories.

JW: Today, 100 years after the revolution, Mexico still has huge economic and social problems.

JW: Would you like to add any other comment about The Children of the Revolucion?

LS: The same Mexico! Mexico’s culture is I-bettertake-it-from-you-before-you-take-it-from-me. There’s LS: The thing that turned out to be a pleasant surprise incredible mistrust. Everybody is out looking over their was its many aspects. Not only is it a history of the shoulder wondering who is going to take what. That’s Mexican revolution and the history of the people who the culture of Mexico. came here, but the book also looks at different issues, like immigration and education and at the turmoil that JW: Why do you think Mexico and the United States, both continues to this day. It’s a multi-layered book.

New World countries, followed such different paths?

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

LS: I think it had to do with the English mindset that Children of the Revolucion: How the Mexican Revolution started with the American Revolution, the idea of Changed America is available at the Twig Book Shop, complete freedom: We are not going to pay attention Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com.

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