Category: Entertainment News

Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival at Hemisfair

Texas artists and groups representing over 200 individual artists will showcase live music, large-scale art installations, film, dance, fine art, theatre, poetry, and fashion at San Antonio’s iconic nighttime celebration of the arts. Photo: Luminaria

On Saturday November 13, the opening ceremonies at 5:30p.m. will kick off the official 2021 Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival, the most prominent arts festival in South Texas. The ceremony will begin with a blessing from the elders of Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation, followed by remarks from Yadhira Lozano, Luminaria Executive Director, and Jesse Borrego, 2021 Honorary Curatorial Committee Chair. City of San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Mayor Phil Hardberger, founder of Luminaria, will be onsite as honorary guests. (Luminaria, 2021)

The Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival, a nighttime celebration of the arts, will be held from 6pm to midnight featuring more than 200 individual artists from across Texas, highlighting live music, fine arts, film, digital art, dance, theatre, fashion, poetry, and large-scale art installations.

Casa De Ojos founder and award-winning artist, Fabian Alejandro Diaz, will present a fashion show, “Metamorphosis.” Deanna Arriaga will offer “An Immersive Experience” light show. Justin Parr and Adam Smolensky will present a large, neon sculpture honoring San Antonio’s famed Rose Window. URBAN-15’s performance will feature lasers and a drumming show. Breathe Collective, a BIPOC San-Antonio-based artist collective, will offer creative experiences of reflection and healing through breathing. Austin-based dadaLab will install four lit towers to offer an immersive art, technology and science designing experience.

This festival is free and open to the public and it will be held at Hemisfair, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, and the San Antonio Riverwalk with plenty of outdoor space to socially distance and enjoy the art. Full festival lineup is available online. 

Hemisfair, Luminaria Main Stage
434 S Alamo St.
San Antonio, TX 78205 (between Yanaguana Garden and the Mexican Cultural Institute)

Main Stage at Hemisfair
6p.m. IlaIla Minori
7p.m. Jeremy Kingg/Satara
8p.m. Heartless The Monster
9p.m. Bombasta
10p.m. Los Texmaniacs feat. Flaco Jimenez
11p.m. Pop Pistol

Film Stage at River Walk
6p.m. Film Loop
7p.m. Anna De Luna
7p.m. Film Loop
8:30p.m. URBAN-15
9p.m. Film Loop
9:30p.m. Casa De Ojos
10:30p.m. URBAN-15
11p.m. Film Loop
11:45p.m. End

Market Stage at Convention Center (Merida Plaza)
6p.m. Eddie Vega
6:45p.m. Paula Cortez
7:45p.m. DeAnna Brown
8:45p.m. Ballet Folklórico Sol de San Antonio
9:45p.m. Patricia Vonne

TikTok star Galvancillo launches Regional Mexican music career and music label

Part of a growing trend of using social media to launch music careers, twenty year old influencer makes the jump from custom car TikTok videos and Instagram fashion posts to Regional Mexican singer-songwriter. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

With social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram becoming a legitimate outlet for breaking new musical acts, social media influencer Galvancillo, aka Lorenzo Ochoa, pivots from posting custom car videos and fashion photos to that of “Regional Mexican” singer-songwriter. (Galvancillo, 2021)

Twenty year-old Galvancillo’s more than four million followers know him for his custom car videos that he shoots from his friend’s auto shop and posts on TikTok. He also has a burgeoning modeling career. Now in addition to his good looks, cute smile, fashion sense, eye for style, and amazing personality, he is adding to his resume the title of singer-songwriter. Building off the TikTok videos that made him famous, Galvancillo stays true to the fans of his custom car videos and fashion posts by centering his debut single and music video on the same subjects that made him famous.

TikTok has become an important platform for the independent music scene with an increasing number of musical talents using the social media platform to reach millions of fans in ways only previously available through radio airplay which often appeared to be completely booked up by major record labels. In contrast today, a relatively unknown artist can use a simple TikTok post to launch their career. Since TikTok is the platform that made him known it only makes sense that Galvancillo will use that outlet to launch his musical career.

Says Lorenzo Ochoa, the man known as Galvancillo, “I wanted the song and music video for Placozo Mi Estilo to be similar to what people already know me for, but more extravagant.”

Lyrically the song is an expression of overcoming, of moving from locked door, to locked door until you find that one that opens for you. Visually the music video, directed by rising filmmaker known as “Barf,” features Lorenzo Ochoa’s home town of Houston Texas. The custom auto shop where he shot many of his TikTok videos has been sexily lit to look more like a night club and the finest of tricked out trucks and low rider cars are featured along with flossy fashion that Galvancillo is known for modeling.

“In the end it’s what I relate to and what my TikTok fans relate to, that life of luxury and exuberant experiences that we all wish for and work so hard to get. Of course it’s extra and over the top, but that’s the fun pretend part.” Adds Ochoa.

Galvancillo / Lorenzo Ochoa is not creating music completely independently though. He has started his own music label, “De La H Music,” and has joined forces with Fausto Juárez, CEO of Lamat Records and renowned producer of Regional Mexican music artists. Fausto will be managing Galvancillo’s artistic development and distribution of music, coordinating tours and of course promotion.

Lamat Records will use all the traditional musical mediums, but will also heavily involve social media platforms such as TikTok to expose Galvancillo’s charisma, with posts that maintain his approachable humility.

Galvancillo’s TikTok fans identify with Ochoa because he is a young dreamer just like them, full of goals which they work hard to attain each and every day. Galvancillo’s TikTok videos and now his songs and music videos demonstrate that anything can be achieved through perseverance, ingenuity, and most importantly to remain unique, try not to copy anyone, but instead stay true to yourself and your audience.

 

Feature documentary Young Plato to have world premiere at DOC NYC 2021

Young Plato will premiere at this year’s DOC NYC. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

An inspiring documentary from the filmmakers of School Life, Young Plato charts the dream of Elvis-loving school headmaster Kevin McArevey – a maverick who is determined to change the fortunes of an inner-city community plagued by urban decay, sectarian aggression, poverty, and drugs. The all-boys primary school in post-conflict Belfast, Northern Ireland, becomes a hot house for questioning violence, as the headmaster sends his young wards home each day armed with the wisdom of the ancient Greek philosophers. The boys challenge their parents and neighbors to forsake the prejudice that has kept this low-level civil war on the boil for decades. Young Plato hums with the confidence of youth, a tribute to the power of the possible. (Young Plato, 2021)

Young Plato (Section: International Competition)
World Premiere
Directors: Neasa Ní Chianáín and Declan McGrath
Producer: David Rane
Running time: 102 Minutes
Language: English Country: Ireland (Feature Documentary)

Public screenings of Young Plato at DOC NYC 2021
Sunday, November 14 at 4:05p.m.
Location: Cinepolis Chelsea

Monday, November 15 at 1:15p.m.
Location: Cinepolis Chelsea

Tickets available online.

Neasa Ní Chianáín (Director) is one of Ireland’s most established documentary talents. She has directed nine documentaries (four feature length) and one TV series. Recent films include the award-winning Frank Ned & Busy Lizzie, Fairytale of Kathmandu, and The Stranger, which screened at the 67th Locarno Film Festival. Neasa is currently in post-production on a new feature documentary, ‘The Alexander Complex’ and has recently completed ‘Young Plato’ which will have its World Premiere at DOC NYC 2021.

Her last film, ‘In Loco Parentis’ (aka ‘School Life’), has been a world-wide success, premiering in competition at both IDFA 2016 and Sundance 2017. ‘School Life’ won the Special Jury Prize in the Golden Gate Awards at the San Francisco Film Festival, and an Audience Award (Prix du Public) at Visions du Réel in Nyon. Neasa was also chosen to take part in the Sydney Film Festival’s ‘Europe! Voices of Women in Film,’ which selected 10 of Europe’s most promising women directors.

Declan McGrath (Director) is a filmmaker whose recent credits include the award-winning ‘Lomax in Éirinn ‘ (TG4) and ‘Mary McAleese & The Man Who Saved Europe ‘(RTE, BBC). He has written two books on the craft of filmmaking (Screencraft: ‘Editing & Post Productions’ and Screencraft: ‘Scriptwriting’), both translated into five languages. He is also a regular contributor to the New York film journal, Cineaste. Declan also directed the TV series ‘Seinn Liom’ and ‘Cad É An Scéal’ (BBC) and has worked as an editor for over twenty-five years, cutting numerous award-winning dramas and documentaries.

His credits as a director include the acclaimed: ‘Lomax in Éirinn,’ which screened at festivals worldwide, ‘My Struggle For Life,’ ‘Tír Eoghain: The Unbreakable Bond,’ ‘Mary McAleese & The Man Who Saved Europe’ and ‘Women Of The Oireachtas.’ His most recent film ‘Young Plato’ will have its World Premiere at DOC NYC 2021.

His credits as a producer include: ‘The Occupation,’ which was nominated for the New York Festivals Film and TV Awards in 2018.

The Children’s Nutcracker creates magical holiday extravaganza

The Children’s Nutcracker, Santa, sugarplums, and shopping come together in a magical holiday extravaganza. Photo: The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, used with permission.

From Snow Queens and Sugarplum Fairies to dashing princes and dancing mice, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker has been a part of family holiday traditions for decades. The enchanting tale of Clara’s beloved doll coming to life has inspired many a young dancer to take the stage and has fostered a love of the arts in not only the young, but also the young at heart. This year, the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio will take the magic to whole new level, combining this timeless classic with immersive and interactive elements, wrapping several cherished holiday traditions into one entertaining and exciting event. From a holiday market to photos with Santa and the Nutcracker cast, magical makeovers, and plenty of sweets and treats it is an unforgettable experience straight out of a sugarplum dream. With a condensed 1.5 hour performance, even the tiniest attendees will be captivated. Tickets are available on the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio website. (Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, 2021)

The Children’s Nutcracker:
Friday, December 10, 7p.m.
Saturday, December 11, 2p.m.
Saturday, December 11, 7p.m.
Holiday Market and Photos with Santa opens one hour prior to showtime.

The fun starts from the moment guests enter the theatre and find themselves in a holiday market where they can browse the extensive selection of dress-up items, including tutus and Sugarplum Fairy wands, Mouse King swords, as well as home décor including ornaments and, of course, nutcrackers. Hair and makeup stylists will be on site to offer magical makeovers transforming little ones into regal royals for a glittering good time. Key cast members from princes to queens, and fairies, along with Santa himself, will be on hand for contactless photos on a first come first served basis. Because no holiday is complete without treats, there will be plenty of holiday fare including cocoa, holiday cookies and other seasonal favorites along with hot dogs, mini-burgers, and popcorn.

Award-winning dancers and a talented array of young performers share the stage for this production filled with dazzling costumes, multimedia integrated scenery, and an interactive surprise or two for the audience members. Featuring performers ranging from internationally acclaimed classical dancers to gifted special needs artists ages 3-19, the production highlights a variety of disciplines and talents. Led by founder and former Prima Ballerina and six-time Youth America Grand Prix Outstanding Teacher Award winner Vanessa Bessler, CBSA has created a gateway for young artists interested in pursuing a professional dance career. The elite artists have had the privilege to train in some of the world’s best academies including the Royal Ballet School in London, the Bolshoi Ballet in Russia, and the School of American Ballet in New York City, to name a few. Through recognition, awards, and scholarships from the most prestigious ballet competitions and schools in the world for many of its dancers, CBSA has elevated San Antonio to the world stage, making it a strong player in the arts world.

The Lila Cockrell Theatre
200 E. Market Street
San Antonio, TX 78205

Masks are required at the Lila Cockrell Theatre, hand washing stations and sanitizer are available on site to encourage a safe environment. The Children’s Ballet continues to enforce extensive safety protocols to include both virtual and limited capacity in-person rehearsals, screenings, masks, gloves, long sleeves, social distancing, and more.

Admission proceeds and holiday market profits directly benefit Children’s Ballet of San Antonio in fulfilling its mission to inspire the pursuit of excellence and prepare children for productive and creative lives through dance by offering extensive training and performance opportunities for talented children from all backgrounds. Donations from the event will benefit dance scholarships for special needs and underserved youth, as well as the transportation and organization of several hundred Title 1 school students to attend each performance. Funds also go to the production costs of theatre, costumes, lights, and special effects that allow these dancers to perform in San Antonio’s top theatres in professional productions as part of their professional level training.

Pearl celebrates the holiday season with various events

Pearl to celebrate the holiday season with Posada, Chanukah Celebration, Holiday night markets, and more. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

Pearl is excited to announce various programs and events happening on campus this holiday season. The property will begin the festivities with the installation and lighting of the Christmas tree later this month. In December, Pearl will provide guests with Holiday Night Markets, Chanukah celebration, Posada carols, and more. (Pearl, 2021)

The 2021 holiday programming is as follows:

CHRISTMAS TREE INSTALLATION & LIGHTING – November 19
Pearl will welcome a 25-foot Fraser Fir sourced from the mountains of North Carolina later this month. Following delivery, Ginger Diaz, owner of Feliz Modern POP and Rancho Diaz at Pearl, will decorate the tree, which will be officially lit on November 19. The tree will stay up in Pearl Park throughout the holidays for guests to enjoy.

CHANUKAH – December 1 from 6p.m. to 8p.m.
Pearl and Young & Jewish San Antonio will gather to celebrate Chanukah with the lighting of the menorah on property as well as a special message from Rabbi Eli Block about the meaning of the holiday. Austin-based Klezmer band Mazel Tov Kocktail Hour will also perform at the lighting ceremony from 6p.m. to 8p.m. The menorah will be lit at the Pearl Shade Structure each night of Chanukah.

HOLIDAY NIGHT MARKETS – Wednesdays in December leading up to Christmas at varying times
Each Wednesday in December leading up to Christmas, Pearl will host its Holiday Night Market featuring a wide variety of local vendors to help make holiday shopping easier. Guests can find unique gifts ranging from pottery and fine art to artisan chocolates and much more. Local bands and musicians will also be onsite throughout Pearl to perform festive sets. See below for specific times and dates for the Holiday Night Markets and the music performances.

December 1, 6p.m. – 8p.m.
Mazel Tov Kocktail Hour
Location: Near Menorah
In coordination with Chanukah

December 8, 5p.m. – 8p.m.
Noah Harris
Location: Parkito

December 15, 5p.m. – 8p.m.
Mariachi Las Coronelas
Location: Gustav’s Geysers / Park

December 22, 5p.m. – 8p.m.
Groupo Tan Tan
Location: Parkito

HOLIDAY STROLL – December 9 from 5p.m. to 8p.m.
In addition to its Holiday Night Markets, Pearl is also hosting Holiday Stroll on Thursday, December 9, a special shopping event with extended retail hours, retail and restaurant specials and live music. Guests can shop local while enjoying the sounds of San Antonio-favorite Buttercup.

POSADA – December 16 from 6p.m. to 7:30p.m.
In honor of the traditional Latin American Christmas celebration, Pearl will once again host the Mission Concepcion choir for an evening of carols in Pearl Park. Since 2017, Pearl has partnered with Father David and the Mission Conception’s choir and congregation to share a message of welcoming and inclusion. The procession, representing the journey of Mary and Joseph seeking refuge, will begin at 6p.m. on December 16.

Pearl is a dynamic neighborhood built around the historic Pearl Brewery, which operated from 1883 to 1999. Located just north of downtown San Antonio on the banks of the San Antonio River, it is home to architecturally significant buildings like the brewhouse and stable—both built in 1894—and numerous plazas. Today, Pearl is home to dozens of unique culinary concepts, one-of-a-kind retail, weekend markets, residential communities, innovative office tenants, the San Antonio campus of the Culinary Institute of America, and the award-winning Hotel Emma. Pearl is a vibrant district where community gathers to play, work, and live; it is a place where things are made and celebrated with purpose and sincerity. We invite all to gather and experience the best of what San Antonio has to offer.

Tickets now on sale for ‘Tootsie’ at the Majestic Theatre

‘Tootsie’ will play at the Majestic Theatre in March 2022. Tickets are now on sale. Photo: google

‘Tootsie,’ the hilarious Tony Award-winning musical, performs at Majestic Theatre in San Antonio as part of North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio season for a limited one-week engagement March 1 – 6, 2022. Show dates are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:30p.m., Friday at 8p.m., Saturday at 8p.m and 2p.m., and Sunday 7:30p.m. and 2p.m. Tickets begin at $45 and are now on sale online through the Majestic Theatre, Broadway in San Antonio, or in person at the Majestic Theatre Box Office. Call it “musical comedy heaven” (Rolling Stone). ‘Tootsie’ is based on the story by Don McGuire and Larry Gelbart and the Columbia Pictures Motion Picture produced by Punch Productions and starring Dustin Hoffman. The National Tour of ‘Tootsie’ is produced and managed by TROIKA Entertainment. (Broadway in San Antonio, 2021)

Call it Tootsie! This laugh-out-loud love letter to the theater tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime. Featuring a hilarious Tony®-winning book by Robert Horn and an outrageously clever score by 2018 Tony-winner David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), this New York Times Critic’s Pick is “a joyful delight” (The Washington Post) that’s “so packed with punchlines, it should be called a jokebox musical!” (Bloomberg). “In these turbulent times, when the world seems out of balance, we need a place to let the good times roll,” raves Rolling Stone. “Tootsie is it!”

The creative team for ‘Tootsie’ includes director Dave Solomon (Broadway associate director), Broadway choreography by Denis Jones, and associate choreographer Chip Abbott. The design team for ‘Tootsie’ includes original scenic designer David Rockwell, tour scenic designer Christine Peters, costume designer William Ivey Long, associate costume designer Christopher Vergara, lighting designer Donald Holder, associate lighting designers Vivien Leone & Coby Chasman-Beck and assistant lighting designer Colleen Doherty, sound designer Brian Ronan, associate sound designer Cody Spencer, hair and wig design by Paul Huntley, assistant hair and wig designer Loryn Pretorius, and make-up design by Angelina Avallone. Casting is by Binder Casting, Chad Murnane CSA. Supervising Music Supervisor Andrea Grody, Music Supervision by Dean Sharenow, vocal & incidental arrangements by Andrea Grody, dance arrangements by David Chase, orchestrations by Simon Hale, and music coordination by Talitha Fehr.

Ella Enchanted at the Magik Theatre this holiday season

In time for the holidays, the Magik Theatre will be presenting Ella Enchanted. Photo: Magik Theatre

Magik Theatre will be turning the much-beloved story of Cinderella upside down when it presents ‘Ella Enchanted: The Musical’ from November 19 to December 24. This special two-act production, adapted by Karen Zacarías as a play from a children’s book by The New York Times bestselling author Gail Carson Levine, will feature music by Deborah Wicks La Puma. (Magik Theater, 2021)

In this fairytale, at birth, Ella of Frell is given the “gift” of obedience by her misguided fairy godmother. But as a teenager, strong-willed Ella chooses to reject her fate and embarks on a quest to break the curse forever. Through her adventures, Ella must outwit evil stepsisters, escape hungry ogres, and save the prince before she can claim her real voice. Ella Enchanted: The Musical emphasizes the importance of self-empowerment, perseverance in the face of insurmountable obstacles, and an eagerness to learn. In this heart-warming and powerful tale, children of all ages are encouraged to discover the power of words within their own voice.

Tickets are now on sale. Single tickets are on sale now for $25 per adult and children $20 ages 2 to 17, with discounts available for educators, military, students, and seniors. The production is recommended for ages 5 and over. Group rates are available to parties of eight or more people.

The special production, which is recommended for ages five (5) and above, runs approximately seventy-five (75) minutes including an intermission, with a five-minute question-and-answer session.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES

Opening Day
The official opening day is on Sunday, November 20 at 6p.m.

Military and First Responder Appreciation
The production on Sunday, November 21 at 3p.m. will feature Military Appreciation Day, in which active or retired members of the military with an I.D. pay a discounted price of $11.50 per ticket for their entire party.

Pay What You Wish
On Saturday, November 27 at 6p.m., Magik Theatre will offer one of its Pay What You Wish performances, in which tickets are available only at the door on the day of the production.

American Sign Language Interpreted Performance (ASL)
At the performance on Saturday, December 11 at 2p.m., Robert Cardoza, the San Antonio theatre community’s primary sign-language interpreter, will be available for patrons who require American sign language as their primary form of communication.

“It gives our theatre company a great sense of pride for families to experience the joy and wonder of their favorite children’s book come to life, and we know this next production will not disappoint. Ella Enchanted is the perfect addition to this holiday season.” – Magik Theatre Artistic Director Anthony Runfola.

Magik Theatre is San Antonio’s professional family theatre. Founded in 1994, it has presented more than 160 main stage and touring productions for more than two (2) million children and their families. Magik Theatre’s mission is to utilize the power of theatre to create Magikal storytelling for children that Activates imagination, Grows young minds and Inspires creativity and a love of learning that is the Key to a more literate future for our community. Magik Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For information about Magik’s COVID-19 health and safety measure, click HERE.

Photo: Magik Theatre

George Lopez adds two new shows at the Majestic Theatre

Late shows have been added for Friday, December 3 and Saturday December 4, 2021. Photo: google

Due to overwhelming demand, Grammy-nominated comedian, actor, and TV host George Lopez announces 10p.m. performances for his already scheduled show dates, Friday – Saturday, December 3 and 4, at the Majestic Theatre. Tickets for these new performances are on sale now. A limited number of tickets remain for his early shows. Please visit the Majestic Theatre online to purchase tickets or for more information. (Majestic Theatre, 2021)

George Lopez’ multi-faceted career encompasses television, film, standup comedy, and late-night television. Lopez teamed with Bill Burr and Al Madrigal’s All Things Comedy on his new podcast OMG Hi! with George Lopez with new episodes released on Mondays via George Lopez online, ATC’s YouTube channel, and audio available everywhere you get podcasts. Last year Lopez was on the road for his nationwide stand-up comedy tour. He also completed his tour for The Comedy Get Down, along with Eddie Griffin, D.L. Hughley, and Cedric the Entertainer. The comedians also debuted their BET scripted comedy series based on the tour.

Lopez also has a Netflix original comedy special We’ll Do It For Half which premiered globally in June 2020. Lopez has been featured in four HBO specials, The Wall in August 2017, It’s Not Me, It’s You in 2012, GRAMMY nominated Best Comedy Album Tall, Dark and Chicano in 2009, and America’s Mexican in 2007. Lopez also performed as part of HBO and TBS’ Comic Relief 2006. His acclaimed comedy concert Why You Crying? debuted on Showtime in 2004. He released his third standup CD, El Mas Chingon, in 2006, which also earned Lopez a GRAMMY nomination in the category of Best Comedy Album. In 2004, he was nominated for a GRAMMY in the same category for his CD Team Leader.

He also starred in Lopez on TV Land. Produced by Lopez, the series explored how he struggled between his two worlds and crises that are often of his own making. The half hour single camera serialized comedy aired for two seasons. Lopez Tonight, a late-night television talk show on TBS, also ran for two seasons. It represented Lopez’ return to series television after co-creating, writing, producing, and starring in Warner Bros. Television’s groundbreaking hit sitcom George Lopez, which ran for six seasons on ABC. George Lopez remains a hit with viewers in syndication on both broadcast stations and cable’s Nick at Nite, ranking as one of the top-rated shows on the network and among the top five comedies and top 20 weekly programs in syndication.

Photo: google

Agarita continues to bring the arts to the community through mobile concerts

Agarita was founded by Daniel Anastasio (piano), Marisa Bushman (viola), Ignacio Gallego (cello), and Sarah Silver Manzke (violin). The new mobile concert hall is scheduled to complete its season run through all ten city districts. Photo: Agarita

Agarita, San Antonio’s innovative chamber ensemble, has announced that it will be performing six more of its unique Humble Hall mobile concerts during the remainder of the year. The outdoor, open-air concerts, featuring classical and contemporary music, are part of a series taking place in all the city’s 10 districts. (Agarita, 2021)

“At a time where classical music and the arts are needed even more to connect, we’re thrilled to continue to bring free concerts to San Antonio and throughout South Texas. Our theme is bringing the music to you without financial barriers and without the extra expense of traveling to a concert hall or venue. We’re excited to have fulfilled our goal, by the end of year, to have performed in every district in San Antonio, exposing our live music and artist expression to new audiences.” – Marisa Bushman, viola and Agarita executive director.

All ages are welcome and attendees are invited to bring a chair or blanket. The concerts, which are outdoors, are sponsored by the Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts. Performances will be held at the following times and locations:

Saturday, October 30
1p.m., Castle Hills, The Commons, 207 Lemonwood Drive
4p.m., District 4, Christus Santa Rosa, 2827 Babcock Road

Sunday, November 7
11a.m., District 4, Pearsall Park, 5102 Old Pearsall Road
3p.m. District 5, Roosevelt Park, 331 Roosevelt Ave.

Saturday, December 18
11a.m., District 6, location TBD
3p.m., Districts 9 and 10, McAllister Park, 13102 Jones Maltsberger Road

Agarita’s Humble Hall, the first of its kind in Texas, debuted in December 2020 and provides easy public access to world-class performances while reinventing the traditional concert experience. The concerts are bilingual and open to the public. They last approximately 45 minutes, with no intermission, and include members of Agarita discussing their art with audiences, thereby forging a deeper connection with them.

Other sponsors for The Humble Hall series include Blossom Storage Ltd., US Signs New Braunfels, Humble House Foods, Terra Nova Violins, Chula Boyle, Marco Chalaby, Angela Pfeiffer, Wine Guys, Alexander Vineyards, Pulmonary Consultants of San Antonio, San Antonio Symphony League, H-E-B, and the Paulena F. Mitchell Testament Trust.

An innovative chamber ensemble dedicated to producing bold, collaborative musical events, Agarita offers a new way to experience classical and contemporary music. Rooted in San Antonio and founded by Daniel Anastasio (piano), Marisa Bushman (viola), Ignacio Gallego (cello), and Sarah Silver Manzke (violin), Agarita nourishes the local community through artistic collaborations, community engagement and free, adventurous programming. With concise, eclectic performances that are “splendid – unified, spirited, [and] well prepared” (Greenberg, Incident Light), the young chamber group offers a new, open-armed experience for listeners.

Agarita was recently named San Antonio Magazine’s Best of the City 2021: Culture winner for its collaboration with area partners. It collaborates intimately with local artists of various genres to weave cross-artistic narratives for each concert. Agarita’s past collaborations have included the McNay Art Museum’s Pop América exhibit, lighting artist Chuck Drew, Cameron Beauchamp from the Grammy Award-winning vocal group Roomful of Teeth, chef Elizabeth Johnson and Pharm Table restaurant, poet Laura Van Prooyen, sculptor Danville Chadbourne, educational arts institution SAY Sí and the Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival for a concert inside San Antonio’s historic Mission San José.

As a nonprofit organization, Agarita believes that the arts should be accessible to everyone in its community. Agarita presents free public concerts, performs at local schools, and offers opportunities for other artists through its collaborations.

Barry Waldrep honors Tony Rice with all-star tribute album

Barry Waldrep and Friends Celebrate Tony Rice is due out December 24, 2021. Photo: google

Barry Waldrep is an American Bluegrass, Jam Band, Americana instrumentalist, songwriter, composer and record producer who co-founded the bluegrass/jam band Rollin’ in the Hay in July 1993. Rollin’ In The Hay soon became a full-time band touring the Jam Band circuit of festivals and college campuses across the country until May 2009. The band produced 7 CDs and performed over 300 dates per year for 16 years. During this time, Waldrep recorded 21 bluegrass tribute albums with CMH Records in Los Angeles for Eric Clapton, The Black Crowes, Widespread Panic, Phish, R.E.M., Tim McGraw, The Allman Brothers, Neil Diamond, and others. He was also featured on the CD Masterworks of American Bluegrass also produced by CMH Records. (Barry Waldrep, 2021)

In the era of modern music, describing anybody as the “greatest of all time” is usually met with resistance—if for no other reason than the ever-evolving tastes of both musicians and fans—but if the topic is bluegrass guitar players, there is a universally correct answer to “who’s the best;” the late, great Tony Rice. Rice was one of the most influential, inventive, and beloved musicians in all of bluegrass and Americana music and after he passed away in late 2020, his songs and stylings continue to live on in the musicians he inspired. This year, on the one-year anniversary of Rice’s passing, bluegrass instrumentalist and producer Barry Waldrep will be releasing a tribute to Mr. Rice with the 21-song, special-guest loaded Barry Waldrep and Friends Celebrate Tony Rice. When looking through Waldrep’s list of friends, it is apparent how far Rice’s music reached beyond just bluegrass. Americana greats Rodney Crowell and Jim Lauderdale and Jam-band royalty Warren Haynes and Oteil Burbridge make appearances alongside Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Spooner Oldham and Patrick Simmons and country superstars Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris. And that is just a fraction of who has contributed to this celebration of the music of Tony Rice. Barry Waldrep and Friends Celebrate Tony Rice will be available everywhere on December 24 and can be pre-ordered or pre-saved now at this link.

“Music knows no boundaries and Tony created so many great examples of that. When you cross the line of other genres, that’s when you expand the audience and turn people on to other styles that they would not normally be interested in. The intent of this album and the artists involved is to show what a powerhouse master Tony Rice was at bringing musicians and fans together from different genres.” – Barry Waldrep

A full list of contributors is below and more information is available online.

Featured artists: Jimmy Hall, Rodney Crowell, Darrell Scott, Marty Raybon, Mike Farris, Kim Richey, Warren Haynes, Vince Gill, Radney Foster, Teresa Williams & Larry Campbell, Jim Lauderdale, John Berry, Patrick Simmons, John Paul White, Jacob Bunton, John Jorgenson, Rory Feek, Donna Hall & Kelli Johnson, and John Cowan.

Musicians: Barry Waldrep, Emmylou Harris, Tammy Rogers, Andrea Zonn, Aubrey Haynie, Bryan Hall, Caelan Berry, Spooner Oldham, Oteil Burbridge, James “Hutch” Hutchinson, Jason Bailey, Bryn Davies, Scott Vestal, Benji Shanks, Dillon Hodges, and Heidi Feek.

Barry Waldrep and Friends Celebrate Tony Rice track list:
Why You Been Gone So Long – Featuring Jimmy Hall
Song For The Life – Featuring Rodney Crowell
10 Degrees and Getting Colder – Featuring Darrell Scott
Blue Railroad Train – Featuring Marty Raybon
Walk On Boy – Featuring Mike Farris
Early Morning Rain – Featuring Kim Richey
Wayfaring Stranger – Featuring Warren Haynes
I’ll Stay Around – Featuring Vince Gill
Song For A Winter Night – Featuring Radney Foster
EMD – Featuring Barry Waldrep, Tammy Rogers, John Jorgenson and John Cowan
You Were There For Me – Featuring Teresa Williams and Larry Cambell
Church Street Blues – Featuring Jim Lauderdale
This Old House – Featuring John Berry
9 Pound Hammer – Featuring Pat Simmons
Four Strong Winds – Featuring John Paul White
More Pretty Girls Than One – Featuring Jacob Bunton
Summer Wages – Featuring Barry Waldrep, Tammy Rogers, Spooner Oldham
It’s Cold On The Shoulder – Featuring John Jorgenson
Bury Me Beneath The Willow – Featuring Rory Feek
Where The Soul Never Dies – Featuring Donna Hall and Kelli Johnson
Me And My Guitar – Featuring John Cowan

Courtesy photo, used with permission.
2021-12-24T14:41:00

  days

  hours  minutes  seconds

until

Barry Waldrep and Friends Celebrate Tony Rice release date