Spring 2017 International Artist in Residence Exhibitions at Artpace

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The Spring 2017 International Artist in Residence exhibitions open on March 16, 2017. Photo: google

Artpace is a contemporary art space located in downtown San Antonio created to support artists with residences, exhibitions and educational programs to foster the creative process. Since it opened in 1995 Artpace has housed more than 200 artists through the International Artist In Residence program. Every year they host three residencies that include a Texas-based artist, one national artist and one international artist who are each chosen by a guest curator. After an eight week residency the artists will have their exhibits on site for two months. The purpose of these residencies is to give artists every opportunity to grow by giving them the resources they need.

The Spring 2017 International Artist In Residence program will feature artists Robert Hodge from Houston, Texas, Nicholas Frank from Milwaukee, Illinois and Kate Newby from New Zealand who were selected by guest curator Michelle Grabner from the University of Chicago. The opening reception will be on Thursday March 16 from 6p.m. to 9p.m. and will feature talks between the artists and Michelle Grabner starting at 7p.m. This event is free and open to the public and guests will be able to enjoy fare, refreshments provided by Alamo Beer Co and Pedernales Cellars and live music on the Artpace rooftop. The exhibitions will be on view until May 7, 2017. (Artpace, 2017)

Robert Hodge from Houston, Texas
Born and raised in Houston he studied visual art at the Pratt Institute in New York and the Atlanta College of Art. His work explores themes of memory and commemoration and he has had exhibitions in national and international institutions. He currently lives and works in Houston and his current projects include an album he executive produced titled “Two and 1⁄2 years: A Musical Celebration to the Spirit of Juneteenth” and his traveling installation titled “The Beauty Box.”

Nicholas Frank from Milwaukee, Illinois
He is an artist, writer and curator who blends these elements together in his new project, the Nicholas Frank Public Library in Milwaukee. His curatorial projects and artworks have been exhibited in institutions like the Tate Modern in London, Misako & Rosen and Lamp Gallery in Tokyo and New York and the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia. He currently writes curriculum and teaches in the New Studio Practice program at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design.

Kate Newby from New Zealand
Her work consists of site-specific projects that form relationships with locations through actions and draw directly from the locations in which they are presented. Recent solo exhibitions include Big Tree. Bird’s Eye, Michael Lett, Auckland, Tuesday evening. Sunday afternoon. Stony Lake. Cooper Cole, Toronto and The January February March, The Poor Farm, Wisconsin.

Artpace
445 North Main Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 212-4900

New release: ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ by Jonathan Kellerman

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‘Heartbreak Hotel’ is the new Alex Delaware novel by Jonathan Kellerman. Photo: amazon

Jonathan Kellerman is a psychologist and The New York Times bestselling author of suspense novels and nonfiction writings on psychology including “Savage Spawn: Reflections on Violent Children.” He is best known for his novels featuring child psychologist Alex Delaware who consults for the police with LAPD detective Milo Sturgis. “Heartbreak Hotel” is his most recent Alex Delaware novel that has Alex dealing with a patient who is almost one hundred years old.

According to Amazon, in “Heartbreak Hotel” Thalia Mars comes to see Alex with some unusual questions. He normally just treats children but the witty and charming woman convinces him to meet her in a suite at the Aventura, a luxury hotel that has a questionable history. During their session, she asks him disturbing questions about guilt, patterns of criminal behavior and victim selection. When asked why the fascination with the topic she promises answers during their next session but she is found dead the next morning. The investigation into her death turns out to be one of the most baffling cases Alex and Milo have come across in years. Her complicated life holds nearly a century of secrets that have violent connotations for everyone around her.

Born in New York City and raised in Los Angeles, Jonathan Kellerman worked his way through college as a cartoonist, illustrator, journalist and editor and received a BA in psychology at UCLA. He worked extensively with anxiety disorders and he used that experience to publish a book for parents titled “Helping the Fearful Child” in 1981. In 1985 he wrote his first novel “When the Bough Breaks” and it became a bestseller and was adapted into a TV movie. Since then he has written forty one crime novels, two children’s books and numerous nonfiction books.

Tickets on sale for ‘Matilda The Musical’ at the Majestic Theatre

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Tickets to ‘Matilda The Musical’ go on sale Friday March 3, 2017. Photo: google

‘Matilda The Musical’ is coming to the Majestic Theatre in June as part of the North Park Lexus Broadway In San Antonio season. It is produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Dodgers and will play at the Majestic Theatre for eight performances only from Tuesday June 6 through Sunday June 11, 2017.   Tickets go on sale this Friday March 3 at the Majestic Theatre box office, online, through Ticketmaster online or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Prices begin at $30 and orders for groups of ten or more can be made by calling (210) 226-5967. Single ticket orders must be done in person at the box office. Box office hours are 10a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday hours vary. Performances are 7:30p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8p.m. on Friday, 2p.m. and 8p.m. on Saturday and 2p.m. and 7:30p.m. on Sunday. (North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio, 2017)

‘Matilda The Musical’ is a musical based on the novel of the same name by best-selling author Roald Dahl. It is the story a Matilda, a precocious five year old girl with the gift of telekinesis who loves reading, overcomes obstacles caused by her family and school and helps her teacher reclaim her life. She dreams of a better life and armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind she dares to take a stand and changer her own destiny. Winner of four Tony Awards it is directed by Matthew Warchus with a book by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Australian comedian, musician and composer Tim Minchin.

Majestic Theatre
224 E Houston St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 226-5700

ChildSafe’s Cardboard Kids campaign

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ChildSafe’s Cardboard Kids campaign is aimed at raising awareness about child abuse and neglect. Photo: google

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Ingram Park Mall is partnering with ChildSafe’s Cardboard Kids® campaign to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect in Bexar County. Anyone interested in participating can get their very own Cardboard Kid for free on Friday March 3 from 1p.m. to 5p.m., Saturday March 4 from 10a.m. to 5p.m., Friday March 10 from 1p.m. to 5p.m. and Saturday March 11 from 10a.m. to 5p.m. This event is free and open to the public. (Ingram Park Mall, 2017)

Cardboard Kids are two feet tall cardboard figures shaped like children that represent one of the thousands of children in the community who suffer from abuse and neglect. Local businesses, clubs, organizations and individuals are encouraged to participate in this campaign by decorating and displaying their very own Cardboard Kid in a prominent place on Thursday April 6. They can then take a picture of their family’s cardboard kid and share it on social media using the hashtag #cardboardkidsSA. Parents are also encouraged to use this time to talk to their children about child about and personal safety. Tips on how to do this are available online.

Ingram Park Mall – lower level Dillard’s Court
6301 NW Loop 410
San Antonio, TX 78238
(210) 523-1228

First Thursday at Pearl: March

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The next First Thursday at Pearl is this Thursday March 2, 2017. Photo courtesy of Pearl, used with permission.

First Thursday at Pearl was created to give guests an evening of family fun and shopping deals. The next First Thursday is March 2 from 5p.m. to 7p.m. Pearl kicks off Spring Break this Thursday as guests will be able to take advantage of in-store specials at Pearl’s boutiques and restaurants and enjoy live music by surf rockers King Pelican. There will be a Chef Demo at Cured on pickling vegetables while pairing a Citrus & Mint Champagne Punch and 25% off all wine selection at Larder. (Pearl, 2017)

Pearl Brewery
303 Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 212-7260

The 9th Annual Rivertini competition

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The 9th Annual Rivertini competition is March 23, 2017.  Deadline to register is midnight tonight. Photo: google

The San Antonio River Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to continue to bring recreation, public art and educational opportunities along the San Antonio River expansions. In partnership with U.S. Bartender’s Guild San Antonio they are hosting the 9th Annual Rivertini, a premier cocktail competition. It will take place on Thursday March 23 from 6p.m. to 8:30p.m. at the Wyndham Garden Riverwalk – Museum Reach. Bartender registration and recipe submission deadline is 11:59p.m. on Tuesday February 28, 2017. Prizes include: 1st place – $1,000 cash, 2nd place – $500 cash, 3rd place – $250 cash, People’s Choice – $500 HEB gift card. There will be an after party at the Brooklynite for participating bartenders. (San Antonio River Foundation, 2017)

Guests will be able to sample cocktails from San Antonio’s top bars and restaurants as they the bartenders compete for cash prizes. It will be an evening by the River on the Museum Reach with music by JJ Lopez and hors d’oeuvres provided by Bourbon Street Seafood Kitchen. A panel of industry judges will choose the winner for top drink and guests will choose the People’s Choice cocktail. Tickets are $75 for general admission and $125 for VIP admission and are available online. This event will benefit the San Antonio River Foundation’s continuing efforts to bring dynamic contemporary art to the Museum and Mission Reaches for the public to enjoy.

Wyndham Garden Riverwalk – Museum Reach
103 9th St
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 515-4555

New release: ‘Bone Box’ by Faye Kellerman

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‘Bone Box’ is the new mystery novel by Faye Kellerman. Photo: amazon

Faye Kellerman is an author of mystery novels with the most popular being the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus series. Her stand-alone novels include “The Quality of Mercy,” “Moon Music” and “Straight Into Darkness” and overall her books have sold millions of copies worldwide. “Bone Box,” her newest Decker/Lazarus novel was released today and has Rina Lazarus making a shocking discovery in the woods of her upstate New York community.

According to Amazon, in “Bone Box,” Rina Decker is out for a walk when she stumbles upon human remains that were once buried deep beneath the forest. Her husband Peter, a former detective lieutenant with the LAPD who is now working for the local police is brought in to investigate the case. It turns out that the body had been buried for years and the evidence includes the skeleton of a young woman, a skull wound and long dark strands of hair surrounding the frame. The victim is identified as a missing student from the nearby college.  This leads Decker, his partner and Rina to investigate what turns out to be a series of gruesome, unsolved murders that point to a diabolical serial killer who has been hiding in plain sight for years. They are in a race to protect the community from a killer who is still in the area and in search of a new victim.

‘Rent’ rush: Special $25 tickets

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The touring production of ‘Rent’ opens at the Majestic Theatre this Friday March 3, 2017.  Photo: Gayle McCracken, used with permission.

The 20th anniversary of ‘Rent’ comes to the Majestic Theatre this week starting on Friday and North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio has announced a special deal on tickets. On each performance day, twenty first row seats in the orchestra section will be available for $25. These tickets are available for in-person purchases at the Majestic Theatre box office located at 226 East Houston on the day of each performance only and two hours prior to the show. They are cash only tickets and are limited to two tickets per person. (North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio, 2017)

The tradition of the $25 tickets began in 1996 in New York when the show moved to Broadway after a sold out run in a small downtown theater. The producers of the show are committed to continuing the tradition of offering orchestra seats for $25 in each city the show will play. ‘Rent’ will play five performances from Friday March 3 through Sunday March 5, 2017 as part of the North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio season. Performances are at 7:30p.m. on Friday, 2p.m. and 8p.m. on Saturday and 2p.m. and 7:30p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are available at the Majestic Theatre box office, online, through Ticketmaster online or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

The winner of the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical, it is a reimagining of Puccini’s La Bohème and follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven struggling artists in New York’s Lower East Side. With its universal themes of love and hardships it has become a pop culture phenomenon that appeals to people of all ages. Its message of joy and hope in the face of fear reminds people to measure their lives with love, which is the only thing that matters.

Majestic Theatre
224 E Houston St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 226-5700

Mardi Gras Night at Jazz,TX

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This Fat Tuesday, February 28, Jazz, TX will be having its first Mardi Gras celebration. Photo: Jazz, TX, used with permission.

Jazz, TX, the Pearl’s upscale jazz venue, is hosting its first Mardi Gras celebration on Fat Tuesday, February 28, 2017. There will be a special menu created by locally renowned guest chef John Russ previously from Luke and a special performance by Kyle Keener, Curtis Calderon and friends during happy hour from 5:30p.m. with no cover charge and Doc Watkins and friends from 8:30p.m. to 11:30p.m. with a $20 cover charge per guest. Guests will be able to enjoy specialty drinks such as a twist on the popular Hurricane and New Orleans menu items. Tickets are available online. (Jazz, TX, 2017)

Mardi Gras menu:
Finger-licking Good Y’all – marinated crab claws, broiled with parmesan
La Grande Vie – Gulf shrimp and celery root remoulade
Oysters en Brochette – wrapped in bacon, on buttered toast
Red Beans and Rice – fried quail tots, crystal
Crispy Rice Jambalaya – pulled pork, andouille, rice crispies
Popcorn Shrimp Po’ Boys – dressed or with buttered bread and pickles
King Cake – no babies

Jazz, TX
312 Pearl Pkwy, Building 6 Suite 6001
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 332-938

Theater review: ‘The Tempest’ at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio

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Allan Ross as Prospero, Grace Lamberson as Miranda and Hunter Wulff as Ferdinand in ‘The Tempest.’ Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Last Friday William Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ opened successfully at The Classic Theatre to a sold out audience with a library-themed set and newly renovated seating. With the weekend here, there’s three more chances to see quality classic theater in San Antonio. Thought to be one of Shakespeare’s last and greatest work it is part fairy tale and part romance with a touch of magic.

The story takes place on a remote island where Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place as princess of Milan. Years later he develops magical powers and taking advantage that Antonio and his men are in a ship nearby he summons a storm that maroons them on the island. He is aided by Ariel, a spirit, and the slave Caliban, played by John Stillwaggon, last seen at The Classic Theatre in ‘Santaland Diaries.’

Allan S Ross stars as the mature and intelligent Prospero and seems right at home doing Shakespeare. Grace Lamberson is equally impressive as the young Miranda. This time around the male roles are cast as females and the ladies rock the roles. The highlight of the show are the funny scenes, especially those with Linda Ford as Trinculo and Rick Clyde as Stephano. Their drunken shenanigans had the audience roaring with laughter. The most memorable quote from the show is “Hell is empty and all the devils are here.” Overall the cast and crew have done an excellent job in bring ‘The Tempest’ to the stage. It is a must see for classic theater fans and it does not disappoint.

‘The Tempest’ is now playing at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio through March 12, 2017. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8p.m. and Sundays at 3p.m. and tickets are available online or by calling the box office at (210) 589-8450