Category: Non-profit organization news

Taco Cabana announces partnership with national nonprofit Apraxia Kids

Partnership will launch on May 14, 2022 on Apraxia Awareness Day. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Taco Cabana recently announced a partnership with national nonprofit Apraxia Kids that will kick off on Apraxia Awareness Day – Saturday, May 14, 2022. That Saturday, a portion of the proceeds from each chips and queso sold at Texas Taco Cabana locations will be donated to Apraxia Kids. (Taco Cabana, 2022)

Childhood apraxia of speech is a motor speech disorder that makes it difficult for children to communicate verbally. Children with the diagnosis generally have a good understanding of language and know what they want to say; however, they have difficulty learning or carrying out the complex sequenced movements that are necessary for intelligible speech. Apraxia Kids is the leading nonprofit that strengthens the support systems in the lives of children with Apraxia of speech by educating professionals and families, fostering community engagement and outreach and investing in the future through advocacy and research. 

“As someone with a personal connection to apraxia, I fully understand the challenges that are presented to the child and the family as they face this disorder every day,” said Taco Cabana Chief Operating Officer, Ulyses Camacho. “‘Together We Are’ is part of the Apraxia Kids branding, and those powerful words have such meaning to all apraxia families. We’re each searching for support and education, sharing stories and challenges, seeking answers and solutions. I couldn’t be more proud to partner the Taco Cabana family with Apraxia Kids.”      

The Taco Cabana and Apraxia Kids partnership will remain an ongoing effort for Brand TC. Additional details about upcoming fundraisers and promotions will be available at later dates as they develop, and individual donations can be made to the organization.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, tacos, freshly-made flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of May 1, 2022, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Apraxia Kids is the leading nonprofit that strengthens the support systems in the lives of children with apraxia of speech by educating professionals and families; facilitating community engagement and outreach; and investing in the future through advocacy and research. Since our inception in 2000, Apraxia Kids has provided support to thousands  of families  and  professionals. We envision  a world where every child with apraxia of speech reaches their highest communication potential through accurate diagnosis and appropriate timely treatment. We believe that every child deserves a voice.

Photo: Apraxia Kids, used with permission.

Children’s Ballet of San Antonio debuts ‘Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp’

Aladdin dancers at Estancia del Norte. Photo: Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, used with permission.

A poor young man, a beautiful princess, a wealthy Sultan, a powerful sorcerer, and a magical genie come together on stage in the enchanting, exotic adventure that is the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio’s debut production of ‘Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp’ at the Majestic Theatre. Set against the mystical background of the Arabian city of Agrabah, the ballet tells the story of Aladdin and how his quest for self-discovery ultimately becomes an adventure in true love. From flying carpets to other big surprises, this debut production will take audiences on a journey to far-off lands where wishes do come true. (Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, 2022)

Based on one of the most famous folktales from “The Book of One Thousand and One Nights,” the show features all the splendor and richness of the culture. Award-winning CBSA founder and artistic director Vanessa Bessler spent countless hours researching and immersing herself in all the details to provide the most authentic production for her audiences. The show will feature a combination of the classic Disney orchestral scores audiences loved from Aladdin, along with original live scores created specifically for CBSA by local French Lebanese composer Gabriel Nohra. Using traditional Arabic instruments including the Oud, Bendir, Darbuka, and Kanun, Nohra provides the musical backdrop for the talented array of young performers to showcase their skills. Award-winning choreographers Bessler and Nick Fearon, along with Feleacia Quezergue have created spectacular numbers that highlight the abilities of each dancer while integrating traditional numbers choreographed by Karen Barbee, who specializes in the cultural dances of the land of Aladdin. It is the perfect combination of culture and creativity, enhanced by the dazzling costumes brought in from London, Moscow, and the Far East. The final effect will cause the audience’s hearts to soar—no magic carpet required.

Featuring performers ranging from internationally acclaimed classical dancers to gifted special needs artists ages 3-19, the production showcases a variety of disciplines and talents. Award-winning dancers including hip-hop, jazz, tap, and contemporary will take the stage with a talented array of young performers including actors, musicians, gymnasts, and singers for this larger-than-life production. Leading this talented cast is founder and former Prima Ballerina and seven-time Youth America Grand Prix Outstanding Teacher Award winner Vanessa Bessler. Under her watchful eye, CBSA has become 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.

Performance dates and times
Friday, May 6, 7p.m. to 9p.m.
Saturday, May 7, 2p.m. to 4p.m.
Saturday, May 7, 7p.m. to 9p.m.

The Majestic Theatre
224 E. Houston Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
Tickets are available on the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio website.

Admission proceeds directly benefit CBSA 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.

The award-winning Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is an authentic, professional-level ballet company that produces professionally staged productions showcasing San Antonio’s most talented children. Dancers are selected by invitation or audition. The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio is a nonprofit organization 501(c)3. The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) seeks 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.

Hiatus Spa + Retreat’s Spa for a Cause during Earth Month

Hiatus Spa + Retreat will raffle off nine “Change Your Life HydraFacials” with proceeds benefitting charity: water. Photo: Hiatus Spa + Retreat, used with permission.

Hiatus Spa + Retreat, the award-winning Texas day spa with eight locations across the state, is delighted to announce their Spa For A Cause campaign to celebrate Earth month now taking place through April 30, 2022. Each Hiatus Spa location will be raffling off one of their most popular HydraFacial services with 100% of ticket proceeds benefiting charity: water, a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to millions of people around the world. (Hiatus Spa + Retreat, 2022)

Hiatus will be selling raffle tickets for the chance to win one of the nine raffled “Change Your Life HydraFacials” valued at $265 with all proceeds from ticket sales directly going toward charity: water. The Change Your Life HydraFacial® is the ultimate treatment that includes all the luxurious essentials of the HydraFacial System while balancing performance and relaxation. Guests can purchase one raffle ticket for $5 or five raffle tickets for $20 either in-spa at any of the eight locations or online here. Guests can also find the Hiatus Earth Month campaign on charity: water by searching here.

Hiatus will also offer their seasonal Epic Retreat, The Brazen Bee, featuring a sparkling citrus and honey foot soak, followed by a gentle coconut and sugar foot scrub to exfoliate and purify your skin. Available in Tips + Toes and Body Treatments. Cap it off with a sparkling Bee’s Knees cocktail and walk out feeling bold and refreshed. 

Hiatus strives to be Earth-friendly year-round and has made the environment a cornerstone of its business philosophy—from initial build-out to ongoing initiatives, 100 percent wind-powered energy, post-consumer recycled paper printed with soy ink, no-bottled-water policy, and VOC-free paint finishes, when available.

Longtime friends Sheila Garrison, Kristin Heaton Peabody, and Bill Garrison founded Hiatus Spa + Retreat in Dallas in 2007. Since the spa’s inception, Hiatus has received numerous accolades, including the Innovate Award, International Spa Association – 2013, Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies 2012 – 2020, American Spa Magazine – Favorite Day Spa 2016, D Magazine’s Best of Big D 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 – Best Spa, San Antonio Magazine’s – Best Spa 2021 and 2022 and Fort Worth Magazine’s Best Massage – 2021. Hiatus has eight successful locations in Dallas, Austin, Plano, San Antonio, Houston, Fort Worth, and Frisco, along with the signature product line Hiatus Everyday. 

First taste of Ladino: an exclusive meal by Chef Berty Richter

Richter to partner with Chef John Brand for Ladino preview dinner on April 19; proceeds to benefit the San Antonio Food Bank. Photo: Ladino, used with permission.

For one-night only, the highly anticipated restaurant from Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, Ladino will be hosting a sneak peek ticketed dinner in the Elephant Cellar at Hotel Emma on Tuesday, April 19 at 6:30p.m. Executive Chef of Ladino, Berty Richter is partnering with Chef John Brand to create a pre-fix menu featuring some of the dishes that will be at Ladino, which is slated to open in summer 2022. A portion of proceeds from the dinner will go to San Antonio Texas Food Bank. (Ladino, 2022)

Tickets are $225 and will include wine pairings. The menu is as follows (please note items are subject to change):

WELCOME DRINKS
Raki Cocktail

DIPS
(served with warm pita)
Zaalouk- fire roasted eggplant
Spiced green tahini
Muhamarra
Spicy whipped feta
Hummus
Schug, Amba

COLD MEZE
Fennel/Pomelo salad
Apio- Celery root in orange and olive oil

HOT MEZE
Saganaki- greek style fried cheese
Shishbarak- beef and chard dumplings, smokey tomato

MAIN
Lamb Shawarma- Roasted shoulder (think middle eastern “barbacoa”)
Fish Kebabs
Chicken-Halloumi Kebabs

Condiments
Onion Parsley sumac salad
Rocket
Beef fat “kaymak”

DESSERT
Knafe- with salted cream and smoke

Hotel Emma at Pearl
136 E Grayson St
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 448-8300

The team behind Emmer & Rye, the Austin-based, nationally renowned hospitality group, is excited to announce their latest concept and first concept for San Antonio, Ladino. Led by Executive Chef Berty Richter, Ladino will pay homage to Berty’s Sephardic roots with a menu centered around the charcoal grill which plays a lead role in the Middle Eastern and Balkan cuisines. Described as a Mediterranean Grill House, Ladino will be a celebration of all the cultures combined, starting from the decor, the ambiance and the music, to the beverages and food. Using a wood burning oven, Ladino will feature freshly made pita and other regional specialties accompanied by an abundance of Mezze, vegetables, spices, and herbs that are playful and bold. Ladino will be located in the Pearl at 200 E Grayson St #100, San Antonio, TX 78215 and is slated to open in summer 2022.

Heart of Texas Concert Band presents the music of Robert Russell Bennett

The Heart of Texas Concert Band will be performing music composed or arranged by Robert Russell Bennett this Sunday April 10, 2022. Photo: Heart of Texas Concert Band, used with permission.

Robert Russell Bennett will always be close to the top of the most influential American musicians. His association with the greatest figures of the 20th century including Richard Rodgers, George Gershwin, Igor Stravinsky, and Sergei Rachmaninoff is well documented. The Heart of Texas Concert Band has scheduled a performance consisting entirely of music either composed or arranged by Robert Russell Bennett, including “Suite of Old American Dances,” “Four Preludes,” “Rose Variations,” and “The Sound of Music.” This concert will be held this Sunday, April 10, 2022 at 3p.m. at Johnson High School. (Heart of Texas Concert Band, 2022)

Admission is free, no tickets are needed. Venue is wheelchair accessible.

Johnson High School 
23203 Bulverde Rd 
San Antonio, TX 78259

Other concerts coming up:
May 8- Mother’s Day Concert
In the British Isles

July 4 – “The Sounds of Freedom”
With the San Antonio Chorale Society and the River City Ringers

Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see our newest posts there. To make your secure online PayPal donation, visit Heart of Texas Concert Band.

For a mail-in contribution:
HTxCB
4128 Warm Winds
San Antonio, TX 78253

Mission:

  • To provide challenging performance opportunities for adult musicians of all ages.
  • To provide opportunities for qualified young musicians to enrich their musical education by playing in an adult ensemble.
  • To stress the importance of music as an integral part of the community culture and to actively pursue better integration and heightened awareness of the arts.
  • To interact in a cooperative spirit with all cultural organizations in the community.
  • To cooperate with the local schools and community organizations in planning all activities.

Sponsored Post

Don McLean releases new ‘Vincent’ music video in celebration of Van Gogh’s birthday

Don McLean releases new video in celebration of Van Gogh’s birthday and World Bipolar Day. Photo: Vivien Killilea-Getty Images for Lighthouse Immersive and Impact Museums, used with permission.

In collaboration with Immersive Van Gogh and the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD), folk rock legend Don McLean will release a new music video of his song “Vincent,” also known as “Starry, Starry Night.” The video was recorded at Immersive Van Gogh Los Angeles and is being released in commemoration of Van Gogh’s birthday and World Bipolar Day on Wednesday, March 30.  Viewers are encouraged to make a donation to support the ISBD. Anyone making a donation of $40 or more will receive a two-for-one coupon code (valid through April 30) to visit Immersive Van Gogh in any of the 14 cities where it is currently being presented. After making the donation, the donor will receive an email from ISBD with instructions on how to redeem the offer. The exhibition will open in San Antonio starting May 26 through September 5 of this year and tickets are now on sale here. To make a donation to the ISBD, click here. (Immersive Van Gogh, 2022)

Van Gogh, born March 30, 1853, is widely thought to have struggled with bipolar disorder or other mental illness, and tragically took his own life in 1890. World Bipolar Day, recognized annually on March 30, is a world-wide awareness initiative that provides a platform for education and discussion. The video release also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the song’s rise to No. 2 on Billboard Charts in March of 1972.

“I am excited to release this video in collaboration with Immersive Van Gogh and the International Society for Bipolar Disorders. Van Gogh himself struggled with mental health, and by launching this video, we hope to support mental health awareness as a tribute to Van Gogh on his birthday. This is an especially meaningful way for me to commemorate the 50 th anniversary of a song that so many people have told me has a special personal resonance for them.” – Don Mclean

“Don McLean’s song is truly a classic. We are grateful for the opportunity to bring wider awareness and understanding about bipolar disorders thanks to this collaboration.” – Immersive Van Gogh producer Corey Ross

“Approximately 2% of the general population has bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive illness, and it affects women and men equally of all ages. We are delighted to partner with Immersive Van Gogh through this initiative that celebrates both Van Gogh’s birthday and World Bipolar Day, to raise awareness of this illness and the important work of our organization and its members.” – President of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders Professor Gin Malhi

Don McLean is a Grammy award honoree, a Songwriter Hall of Fame member, and a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. His smash hit “American Pie” resides in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry and was named a top 5 song of the 20th Century by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA). A New York native, Don McLean is one of the most revered and respected songwriters in American history. After paying his dues in the New York club scene in the late ‘60s, he went on to score mega-hits like “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night),” “Castles in the Air” and many more. In 2021, Don received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, celebrated the 50th anniversary of “American Pie,” and recorded a version of the song with a cappella group Home Free.

The mission of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) is to foster international collaboration in education, research, and clinical care to improve the lives of those with bipolar disorder and related conditions. The ISBD has members from over 50 countries, and over the past two decades has become the leading source for emerging research in the field of bipolar disorders. This year will mark the ninth celebration of World Bipolar Day.

Lighthouse Immersive brings together two of Toronto’s preeminent production companies, Starvox Entertainment and Show One Productions, to bring the world premiere of Immersive Van Gogh, Immersive Frida Kahlo and Immersive Klimt: Revolution to over a dozen North American cities. Working directly with the Italian masters of immersive digital art and other leading global creators, Lighthouse Immersive has custom-designed all exhibits to distinctly envelop the various architectural settings they inhabit. To date, Lighthouse Immersive has sold over 4.8 million tickets to Immersive Van Gogh across North America, with Artnet recently commenting on the wave of immersive galleries, calling it “one of the largest coordinated art phenomena of all time.”

San Antonio Charter Moms hosting School Discovery Day event

The School Discovery Day will be held on Saturday March 26 at Greenline at Brooks. Photo: San Antonio Charter Moms, used with permission.

With San Antonio being home to hundreds of choice schools with many more under construction, parents have a world of options to choose from. However, it can be a very overwhelming process to navigate. San Antonio Charter Moms, the most trusted information source on education in the region, helps thousands of parents through the search process every year. This Saturday March 26 from 10a.m. to 2p.m., SACM is hosting the final School Discovery Day from their school fair event series. To be held at Greenline at Brooks, families will be able to visit with 17 top choice schools from San Antonio, get hands on advice from SA Charter Moms on how to navigate the search process, and enjoy free, family, friendly entertainment. (San Antonio Charter Moms, 2022)

The pandemic forced parents to be more engaged in their children’s education, causing many families to re-evaluate their school choices. All this change and turmoil has caused an uncharacteristically high number of openings in area charter and choice schools. Higher acceptance rates and shorter waitlists have brought good news to many families. As in-person enrollment regains pre-pandemic traction, navigating the application waters can seem like a game of musical chairs—and being prepared when the music stops is key. San Antonio Charter Moms has done the homework to ease anxiety and confusion and to guide parents and caregivers in securing at least one high-quality school that will be a good fit for their learner. The following are inside tips from San Antonio Charter Moms founder Inga Cotton. Follow these tips to increase your chances of a successful application process.

Charter school application forms are short, simple, and require no fee. However, timing can make all the difference in determining the best chances of receiving one, or ideally, multiple offers. The most important first step in achieving success is to begin the process early, early, early.

  • 9-12 months before start of school season: Research school options, develop a shortlist of appealing schools, and make note of open enrollment start and end dates as well as lottery details. Sign up on interest lists to receive notifications of important deadlines.
  • 6-9 months before start of school season: Submit applications to all schools on your wish list during their respective open enrollment periods for entry into the admissions lottery. Applications received after open enrollment periods are added to the bottom of the waiting list.
  • 3-6 months before start of school season: Monitor application feedback for offers of enrollment or waitlist placement. Consider any enrollment offers while continuing to gather school information, keeping in mind that waitlist positions may improve as others ahead in line decline offers.
  • 0-3 months before start of school season: You will hopefully have received at least one offer that fits your criteria. Once you make a final decision, be sure to decline any previously accepted offers promptly.

Challenging factors come into play when applying for charter school enrollment. Lotteries are based on random selection—apart from children of employees and siblings of current students. Waitlists can be overwhelmingly long and do not roll over, requiring families to re-apply each year. While frustrating, there are strategies for gaining more control and pointing the odds in your favor.

  • Apply for a school’s starting grade and during transition years. For your child’s best chance to enroll in a K-12 public charter school, apply for kindergarten, as opposed to first grade where most of those slots will be filled by existing, reenrolling students. Applying for middle and high school transition grades (sixth and ninth) – junctures when students commonly switch schools – can also open opportunities.
  • Apply to multiple schools. We recommend submitting three to five applications to improve your chances of receiving at least one enrollment offer in time for the start of the school year. You can accept an offer from your second choice while hoping your child will move up the waitlist at your first choice.
  • Respond quickly. A public charter school will typically mass email on lottery day notifying families about their enrollment or waitlist status. As the first day of school approaches—and passes—schools will ask for a faster response to offers, oftentimes within a day or two. Nimble parents who proactively monitor their student’s application status will be ready to act when schools communicate with them.

San Antonio Charter Moms exists to help parents make informed decisions when searching for the best program that fits their child’s educational needs. These resources are for you.

San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) began as a blog in 2012 when founder Inga Cotton was inspired to help San Antonio families more easily find good information about high-quality school options. Starting with a focus on the growing local charter school offerings, the blog has evolved into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that shares fair information about all types of schools. Established in 2018 as a nonprofit, SACM can accept funding that enables it to grow in ways that support accomplishing its mission of being the most trusted information source on education in the region. This growth includes Spanish-language blog post translations, surveying target publics, holding meetings with decisionmakers, supporting public speaking, community outreach and enhancing mobile technology.

County Line Community Band’s upcoming concert

The County Line Community Band will perform their ‘Composers Tribute Concert’ on March 20, 2022. Photo: County Line Community Band

On Sunday, March 20, 2022, the County Line Community Band will perform their “Composers Tribute Concert” in the beautiful Buena Vista Theater on the UTSA Downtown Campus from 3p.m. to 4p.m. This concert will feature music from San Antonio native Charles L. Booker who is a retired US Army Bandmaster and professor of music. Mr. Booker is a nationally recognized composer who recently was commissioned by the Texas Bandmasters Association to write a new composition in celebration of their 75th Anniversary this summer. This concert is free and open to the public. (County Line Community Band, 2022)

The County Line Community Band’s mission and endeavor is to create an environment whereby our all-volunteer organization can further their musical education and enjoyment through the performance of concert and symphonic music, to further the efficacy of music as an integral piece of the culture of the local community, to advocate for the synergistic integration of music education, to work with our cultural partners in our communities for the advancement of the arts and to be a source of pride for our members and the communities we serve.

In related news, the Greater San Antonio Community Bands Association will hold its first ever Community Band Music Festival on Saturday March 26, 2022 from 11:30a.m. to 8p.m. The GSACBA is composed of nine community bands in the San Antonio area and they have all teamed up to present some amazing wind band music for the public. They have partnered with the Beethoven Maennerchor to present this festival on their campus in the King William district. (422 Pereida St, San Antonio, TX 78207). (Greater San Antonio Community Bands Association, 2022)

The Greater San Antonio Community Bands Association is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit as recognized by the IRS. It is the overall purpose of the GSACBA to serve community bands with the following specific purposes: synergize the efforts of community bands in the greater San Antonio area, establish and manage the community bands music festival, harmonize efforts for musician recruitment among bands, offer performance planning coordination among bands, organize collaborative ventures with composers and arrangers, spearhead innovative fundraising initiatives and coordinate joint musical performance opportunities.

WB Liquors & Wine makes donation to Homes For Our Troops

WB Liquors & Wine Representatives John Herrmann, Owner & CEO and Vanessa Munson, Vice President with Home For Our Troops Representatives Matthew Murphy, Corporate Partnership Manager, and Bill Ivey, Executive Director and Marine Corporal Travis Echols, HFOT 2017 recipient and New Braunfels resident.

WB Liquors & Wine, a San Antonio family-owned company, recently hosted a check ceremony, presenting its 2021 WB Cares program fundraising efforts to Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), with the final amount revealed to be $152,000. (WB Liquors & Wine, 2022)

This year’s fundraiser was strong, surpassing the $100,000 mark with this final push for donations. HFOT is a nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans to enable them to rebuild their lives.

This year’s fundraising efforts will go to building a home for Texas veteran Marine Corporal Raymond D. Hennagir III who was severely injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion while serving on his second deployment in Iraq. The blast resulted in the loss of both his legs and several fingers on his left hand. Last summer, Hennagir competed at the highest-level winning silver as part of USA’s Wheelchair Rugby team at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

WB Liquors & Wine has helped Texans across the state celebrate their special occasions for more than 50 years. As a family-owned business, the brand specializes in convenient locations and a great variety of liquor, beer and wine – along with fast, personalized and expert-level service. As of October 2021, WB Liquors & Wine operates 59 locations across Texas, which includes 34 WB Liquors & Wine stores and 25 WB Liquor stores adjacent to COSTCO.

Agarita celebrates San Antonio Museum of Art’s anniversary

Agarita celebrates San Antonio Museum of Art’s 40th anniversary with free community concert. Photo: Agarita

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. (Agarita, 2021)

Agarita was recently named San Antonio Magazine’s Best of the City 2021: Culture winner for its collaboration with area partners. It works 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. The next event will take place on Sunday, December 12 at the San Antonio Museum of Art.

Agarita Celebrates SAMA’s 40th!
Date: Sunday, December 12, 2021
Time: 11a.m. – 12:15p.m.
Location: San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 West Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215
Collaborator: Highlights of SAMA’s permanent collection
Description: Agarita returns to the San Antonio Museum of Art for a concert celebrating the museum’s 40th anniversary. Musical selections will reflect artworks on display in the special exhibit. This concert is FREE and open to the public.