Day: March 28, 2019

Spring Jazz at the Falls at The Shops at La Cantera

SpyroGyra
Spyro Gyra will be performing as part of this year’s Spring Jazz at the Falls. Courtesy photo: used with permission. 

For the past nine years, the Spring Jazz at the Falls concerts at The Shops at La Cantera have earned a reputation for artistic creativity. This free, family-friendly event, located at The Falls near the Yard House, showcases and fosters an appreciation for all forms of jazz through free, quality, live musical performances. The Jazz at the Falls concert series has expanded to include local talent alongside national and international artists. This year’s jazz performances, presented by Porsche of San Antonio, are from 7p.m. to 9p.m., Wednesdays April 3, 10 and 17. The 2019 Spring Jazz at the Falls showcases Tejano Saxophonist Joe Posada; Latin Jazz by The Brew and Smooth Jazz by Spyro Gyra. Enjoy specialty sips, snacks, exclusive giveaways, photo opportunities and shopping incentives. Bring your lawn chairs; placement is allowed starting one hour prior to show at 6p.m. Schedule is subject to change. No outside coolers allowed. (The Shops at La Cantera, 2019)

Concert lineup:
Wednesday April 13 – Joe Posada, Jazz/Tejano Saxophonist
Joe Posada, one of Tejano music’s most celebrated saxophonists, is also recognized as a timeless vocalist and a well-versed lyricist. In November 2013, Posasda won his second Latin Grammy for a collaboration with David Lee Garza. A seven-time Tejano Award and four-time Tejano Academy Award winner, native San Antonian Posada, also is an accomplished composer. He has managed to successfully fuse the sounds of Jazz and Tejano by creating a melodic flow that music lovers find intriguing.

Wednesday April 10 – The Brew, Latin Jazz
The Brew consist of three brothers Michael Rodriguez (classical and electric guitar), Joe Rodriguez (harmonica, percussionist congas) and Mark Rodriguez (bassist). Continually inspired by jazz and Latin artists, The Brew has introduced a more organic, nouveau flamenco flavor into the band’s performances, following the influence of Ottmar Liebert, the Gipsy Kings, Jesse Cook and Strunz and Farah. An accomplished group with an incredible grass roots following, The Brew has opened for such diverse notables as the Rippingtons, George Howard, Everette Harp, Jeff Lorber, Chuchito Valdez, Hiroshima, Acoustic Alchemy, Larry Corryel and Kirk Whalum.

Wednesday April 17 – Spyro Gyra
Spyro Gyra has performed more than five thousand shows, released thirty-one albums (not counting “Best Of…” compilations) and sold over ten million albums while earning one platinum and two gold albums. Since the mid-1970s, long before the radio-generated buzzwords “New Adult Contemporary” or “Smooth Jazz,” Spyro Gyra was creating its own instrumental hybrid, incorporating elements of R&B, Latin, Brazilian and whatever struck their collective fancy into an infectious sound which coincidentally became a forerunner of today’s popular style. Signature songs include “The Shaker Song,” “Morning Dance” and “Catching the Sun.” The sound is described as smooth jazz with tropical flair.

The Shops at La Cantera
15900 La Cantera Parkway
The Falls, on the east end of Main Street near Yard House
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 582-6255

Theater review: ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at the Majestic Theatre

fiddlerontheroof
Cast performing The Bottle Dance from ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’ which plays at the Majestic Theatre until Sunday March 31. Photo: Broadway in San Antonio, used with permission. 

The Tony Award®- nominated Broadway revival of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ returns to the Majestic Theatre this week. It opened last night and will play for eight performances through Sunday March 31 with showtimes at 7:30p.m. through Thursday, 8p.m. on Friday, 2p.m. and 8p.m. Saturday and 2p.m. and 7:30p.m. on Sunday. Tickets start at $40 and are available through Ticketmaster online, by calling (800) 982-2787 or by visiting the Majestic Box Office. This acclaimed revival of the classic musical is the story of Tevye, a Jewish milkman whose three eldest daughters get married, each one moving further from traditional ways, as he copes with the growing anti-Jewish sentiment in his country.

‘Fiddler on the Roof’ is set in the Russian shtetl of Anatevka in 1905 where Tevye, (Yehezkel Lazarov) lives with his wife (Maite Uzal) and five daughters. The opening scene consists of Tevye pointing out the fiddler and explaining why he sits on rooftops and remains there despite the danger—because it is tradition. He goes on to explain the various Jewish customs, one of which is arranged marriages “Prologue: Tradition.” His three eldest daughters are not looking forward to their eventual arranged marriages “Matchmaker, Matchmaker.” When Yente (Carol Beaugard), the matchmaker, matches Tevye’s older daughter Tzeitel (Mel Weyn) with Lazar Wolf, the butcher (Jonathan Von Mering), she resists because she wants to marry her childhood friend Motel (Jesse Weil). Tevye gives in to her wishes and the family celebrates the wedding Tzeitel and Motel “The Wedding” until Russian soldiers interrupt it. Tevye’s two other daughters also wish to marry for love and their choice of husband is anything but traditional. The story ends on a somber note as the government forces everyone in the village to relocate “Anatevka.”

This revival production proudly introduces a new generation to the iconic musical adored across the globe. From the first mesmerizing notes of “Prologue: Tradition” to the reverence of “Sabbath Prayer,” it is a treat to experience live. Yehezkel Lazarov is outstanding as Tevye, especially during the infectious “If I Were a Rich Man.” His witty conversations with God make his character relatable. The breaking of the fourth wall draws the audience in to empathize with the characters and share in their human experience. Highlights include “Prologue: Tradition” by the Tevye and the Villagers, “To Life” as the men celebrate when Lazar Wolf is matched with Tzeitel and “The Wedding” which includes The Bottle Dance, a crowd pleaser that drew the most applause and cheers. At the center is the importance of family traditions and faith as the older generation tries to hold on to these values in the face of a changing world. With topics such as family and history, the occasional self-deprecating humor and spectacular dancing, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ is a must-see musical with universal appeal.