I’ve always been a movie lover, especially horror and culty stuff like Night of  Living Dead and The Fearless Vampire Killers. I had to fight with my mom to watch “Creature Feature” on Saturday night. She said that it was warping my mind. Well, I guess it was.

But back in the day, drive-in theaters would screen Italian and Spanish imports, dubbed into English and more shocking than their American counterparts.

And they were probably super cheap to rent. Here is where I discovered the incredible Barbara Steele, whose ethereal beauty elevated many an Italian horror film like Mario Bava’s masterful Mask of Satan.

In 2007, she narrated Brand Upon the Brain!, the Canadian director Guy Maddin’s opus that was filmed silent but was intended to include a live score, SFX and narration.

Of course, Maddin’s muse Isabella Rosselini served as one of tha narrators, as did Crispin Glover, Udo Kier, Karen Black (another of my late great loves), Laurie Anderson and Eli Wallach. But when I saw that the mysteriously beautiful Steele was going to be there, I had to go.

It was there at the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian in Hollywood that I got to meet my idol and get her autograph. It was one of the most exciting days of my life. She didn’t say a word, but she smiled and looked me straight in the eye as she handed the signed program back. And she smiled exactly as she did in the great original 1978 version of Piranha (see above).

But I digress. When I started college, I took a film course and my world expanded. No more fearless vampire killers. Along with the silent classics The Battleship Potemkin, Nosferatu and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, the instructor also showed us a sound movie — and my whole world changed.

Persona, made in 1966 by Ingmar Bergman, is a film that constantly reminds us that we’re indeed watching cinema. And it’s really a home movie. It was made on Faro Island, where Bergman lived and worked.

And his muse, the incredible Liv Ullmann, stars as Elisabet Vogler, an actress who has suddenly stopped speaking onstage because she was overwhelmed by the cruel reality of the world. Bibi Andersson is Alma, a young nurse hired to bring Elizabet out of her shell.

They go to live at a cottage on Faro, which is blissful at first. Elizabet still won’t talk, but she seems content.

Persona has much more on its mind, however. The late German film historian Thomas Elsaesser wrote, “Persona is instantly recognizable thanks to two shots that have become its emblems: a boy touching a woman’s face on a giant screen and two women looking at each other (and us) across an imaginary mirror.

“Defining images for the film, they also stand for an idea of the cinema — in fact, for two distinct but complementary metaphors of what cinema is: a portal, a window, a passage you can enter or (almost) touch, and a mirror, a reflection, a prism that gives you back only what you project onto it. Persona is also cinema about cinema — a point that Bergman makes clear with his six-minute prologue montage sequence — which is one of the reasons it is such an irresistible challenge for writers.”

Elizabet’s stony silence encourages Alma to talk and talk, turning her life into a confessional. As she describes all the dirty sex she’s had, she feels cleansed to have admitted it. For 1966, even in Sweden, this was some salty stuff. There’s also a flash cut of an erection during the opening montage to keep us on our toes.

Elizabet just watches her without a sound but with an occasional wistful smile. It’s only when Alma is taking their letters to the post office that she realizes her scandalous escapades have been chronicled to Elizabet’s husband, warts and all. But it’s her fault. She opened the letters that were supposed to be private.

She furiously storms back to the house and — when the women come face to face — the film rips apart, shredding their friendship. Later, Alma accidentally drops a glass on the patio. Picking up the broken pieces, she leaves one shard on purpose for Elizabet to step on. She does, and Alma smiles with grim satisfaction.

Now that the film has been broken, it also seems to be loosened of its traditional narrative fetters. We begin to wonder if Alma and Elizabet are two sides of the same woman, especially when the latter’s husband arrives and has sex with Alma — or does he? 

Persona is only 90 minutes long but it goes everywhere it needs to.

The post My Favorite Film of Them All appeared first on ArtScene SA.

Celebrate the art, traditions and living cultures of Native peoples at the Briscoe Western Art Museum’s annual Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival on Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The free, family-friendly festival fills the museum and its River Walk campus with Native artists, dance, drumming, storytelling, hands-on art and opportunities to connect with the cultures that helped shape the American West. Admission to the festival, all festival activities and the entire museum are free. Free event registration is available online.

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month and the influence of Native peoples on the American West, the celebration extends throughout the museum, where families can explore the Briscoe’s landmark exhibition, Tejano Legacy: Another American Origin Story, as well as Selena Forever /Siempre Selena and Kathy Sosa Revolutionary Women of Texas and Mexico, at no cost. Visitors can also experience the Briscoe’s new Valerie Urschel Guenther Four Pillars Gallery, featuring Beyond the Frontier: Four Pillars of Western Art, an immersive introduction to the people, cultures and landscapes that shape the West.

A Celebration of Living Traditions

The festival opens with a blessing and drum circle, followed by morning performances from United San Antonio Pow Wow with Enemy Horse Drumming.

Visitors are invited to participate with the powwow dancers and learn about the traditions expressed through their movements. In the afternoon, Hithla Dance Troupe shares the songs and stomp dancing of Southeastern Native American cultures. With members representing Chickasaw, Choctaw, Seminole and Creek communities, the troupe preserves and shares cultural traditions through performance and education.

Throughout the day, visitors can meet Native American artists, watch demonstrations and learn how materials, techniques and stories become works of art. Featured artists include:

• Shane Hendren, a Diné/Navajo jewelry maker and turquoise expert, sharing the artistry and materials behind Native American jewelry.
• Tim Blueflint Ramel, an enrolled member of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa, sharing his work as a flute and jewelry maker and performing Native American flute music.
• George Curtis Levi, a Southern Cheyenne artist with ties to the Arapaho and Oglala Lakota communities, demonstrates ledger art, a tradition that uses the pages of record books to share scenes and stories of Native life.
• Chase Kahwinhut Earles, a Caddo pottery artist dedicated to reviving and preserving the pottery techniques of his ancestors, sharing the craftsmanship and cultural knowledge carried through Caddo ceramics.
• Kevin Horace Quannie, a Hopi/Navajo artist who specializes in contemporary katsina carving using cottonwood roots.

Families can make their own art at free craft stations throughout the day and enjoy a screen-printing station where you can make a commemorative print of your own. Indigenous storytellers Joyous Windrider and Rosie Torres bring intergenerational stories to life through movement and a storytelling program that concludes on the bank of the San Antonio River as it runs along the museum campus. Tejano re-enactor Charles Lara portrays a Texas Delaware blanket trader of the 1820s–1850s, adding another perspective on the people and exchanges that shaped the region. Dona Kika’s food truck will be onsite with food available for purchase.

Explore the Connections Across the West

Yanaguana celebrates Native People of the Americas, one of the Briscoe’s Four Pillars of Western Art. Inside the new Four Pillars Gallery, Beyond the Frontier places that celebration within a broader story, introducing all four pillars: Wildlife & The Land; Native People of the Americas; Tejanos, Vaqueros & Spanish Heritage; and Cowboys & The American Frontier.

The 14-minute experience brings 85 works of art together with cinematic imagery, animation, music and narration on a nearly 20-foot digital canvas. Featuring Spanish subtitles and running continuously throughout the museum day, Beyond the Frontier invites visitors to see how the histories and cultures represented in Western art intersect, then carry those connections into the galleries.

Those connections are especially meaningful in Tejano Legacy: Another American Origin Story, the Briscoe’s largest and most ambitious exhibition. Exploring nearly 400 years of Tejano history, culture and identity, the bilingual exhibition includes a section examining the Indigenous peoples who inhabited the land and their interactions with Tejano communities. Art and historic objects help visitors understand those relationships as part of the larger story of Texas and the American West.

Two companion exhibitions bring that exploration into portraiture and contemporary art. Selena Forever / Siempre Selena features John Dyer’s large-scale photographs of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, celebrating an enduring figure of Tejano music and culture. Kathy Sosa Revolutionary Women of Texas and Mexico features more than 30 paintings, mixed-media works and sculptures that illuminate women’s roles in shaping the region and carrying its culture forward. All three exhibitions are included in the festival’s free museum admission.

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Families and music lovers can make a full day of celebrating at Brackenridge Park on Saturday, Nov. 14, with two back-to-back events bringing community, entertainment, food and plenty of fun to the iconic Sunken Garden Theater.

The afternoon kicks off with the Brackenridge Park Conservancy’s 3rd Annual Brack Bash, from noon to 3 p.m., followed by Cumbiaween: Back from the Dead, from 5 to 9 p.m. Together, the events offer a full day of activities, from family-friendly entertainment and a vintage car show to an evening of cumbia, dancing, costumes and a festive night market.

Brack Bash | Noon–3 p.m.

Brackenridge Park Conservancy invites the community to celebrate one of San Antonio’s most beloved public spaces at this free, family-friendly event. Guests can enjoy a vintage car show, live music, a petting zoo, face painting, community partners, food and beverages available for purchase, and more.

CumbiaWeen: Back from the Dead | 5–9 p.m.

After weather forced a postponement, CumbiaWeen is back for an evening of music, dancing and costumes at the Sunken Garden Theater. The all-ages Cumbia Rave, presented with support from Brackenridge Park Conservancy, invites everyone to bring back their Halloween costumes or simply come as they are for a night of San Antonio-style celebration.

The evening features live music by Gio Chamba, DJ sets by HELIOS, a costume contest with a $250 cash prize for best costume, food trucks, a night market and the Airstream Boombox sound and DJ booth.

Additional event details include free parking, coolers and picnics welcome, and BYOB for guests 21 and older. Admission is $15 for adults.

For more information, please visit www.BrackenridgePark.org.

Photos courtesy Brackenridge Park Conservancy.

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Live Demonstrations, Tastings and Cultural Events

A centuries-old Japanese cultural treasure is coming to San Antonio on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Japanese Tea Garden Pavilion. A distinguished delegation of master tea artisans from Shizuoka, Japan, is visiting the city to demonstrate Temomi (手揉み), the increasingly rare art of hand-rolling Japanese tea.

With approximately 300 years of history, Temomi is a traditional tea-making technique recognized for its cultural significance in Japan. The meticulous process requires artisans to carefully roll and shape tea leaves by hand over heated tables, relying on precision, patience and skills developed over decades of training.

Traditionally associated with ceremonial tea offerings, including presentations to the Emperor of Japan, Temomi represents generations of craftsmanship preserved by a small community of highly skilled artisans. The visiting masters come from Shizuoka, Japan’s largest tea-producing region, renowned for its rich tea heritage and dedication to traditional production methods.

• Rare live demonstrations of traditional Japanese hand-rolling tea techniques
• Close-up footage of master artisans meticulously shaping tea leaves by hand
• Traditional Japanese tea preparation and tastings
• Interviews with visiting Japanese tea masters and tour organizers
• Cultural exchange activities against the scenic backdrop of the Japanese Tea Garden

The San Antonio visit is part of the Temomi Tea Masters’ Texas Tour, which aims to preserve Japanese tea traditions, introduce audiences to premium Japanese teas and strengthen cultural connections between Japan and Texas. This event is in partnership with the US Temomi Preservation Society and is FREE to the public. For more information, attendees can visit this link.

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026
WHAT: Temomi Demonstration: 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Community & Cultural Day: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
WHERE: Japanese Tea Garden, 3853 St. Mary’s St., Main Pavilion

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Opening this coming Friday, Oct. 30, at the Santikos Casa Blanca is Brotherhood, a cinematic musical drama written and directed by Ross Boothe.

Brotherhood tells the story of two next-door neighbors. Jon is a lifelong US citizen and his neighbor, Fabián, is a Mexican immigrant who has been waiting more than a decade for progress on his US asylum application. As the two men and their families navigate a divided 2026 America, they are awakened to a new sense of their shared humanity and what it really means to love your neighbor.

San Antonio native Paulina Reyes is one of the stars of Brotherhood, and she graciously gave an exclusive interview to ArtScene SA about her experience making the film and where she plans to go next.

ArtScene SA: How were you cast as Sofia? How does your character fit into the story?

Paulina Reyes: My mom actually sent me the open casting call for Brotherhood on Instagram, and I remember reading the character description and immediately thinking, “Oh my gosh, that’s me!” I connected with Sofia right away because of our shared Mexican-American upbringing. After doing the initial audition, I received a callback and then joined a Zoom call with our director, Ross Boothe, and he offered me the role at the end of the call. It was such a surreal moment, especially because growing up, I always dreamed of being part of a movie musical.

Sofia is a 17-year-old girl born in Mexico who moved to the United States with her family when she was very young. Throughout the film, we see her navigate what it means to grow up between two cultures. At home, she’s surrounded by her Mexican heritage, but outside of her home, she experiences a different world through her friendships, particularly with her best friend, Landon.

She sometimes feels too Mexican in one environment and too American in another. Although Sofia and I have different experiences, I understood many of her feelings. To prepare for the role, I spoke with my mom, my aunt, and other family members about their experiences immigrating to the United States. I wanted to honor their stories while making Sofia feel like a real teenage girl trying to figure out where she belongs.

Being a native of San Antonio, do you think the film will be well-received here?

Absolutely! San Antonio has such a rich Mexican-American culture, and I think so many people in our community will be able to see themselves or their families reflected in this story. Growing up in San Antonio, I was surrounded by both Mexican and American traditions, and that’s something I’ve always been incredibly proud of. One of the things I love most about Brotherhood is that although it explores immigration and cultural identity, at its heart, it’s a story about family, friendship, love, and belonging.

These are universal experiences that can resonate with people from all backgrounds. Having the opportunity to bring this film back to my hometown has been incredibly special. San Antonio is where I first fell in love with performing, and being able to share this part of my journey with the community that helped shape me means so much. I hope audiences leave the theater feeling proud of their roots and reminded that our differences can bring us closer together.

What other productions have you participated in?

I’ve been fortunate to work on several film and theatre productions throughout my career. Some of my film credits include Before They Forget, Teenage Girl: Valerie’s Holiday, among others. Alongside film, musical theatre has always been a huge part of my life. I’m currently pursuing my BFA in Musical Theatre at Northeastern University in New York City, formerly Marymount Manhattan College.

I’m also the creator and producer of Canciones del Corazón, a concert series I started at 54 Below in New York City. The series celebrates Latin music and culture, and being able to create opportunities for other Latino artists while sharing the music I grew up listening to has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve always loved being able to explore different forms of storytelling, whether that’s through film, theatre, or music.

For you, what’s the most satisfying aspect of working in the performing arts? What’s most challenging?

For me, the most satisfying part of being a performer is having the opportunity to tell stories that make people feel something. I’ve always believed that storytelling has the power to bring people together, and there’s nothing more rewarding than knowing that something you’ve created has resonated with someone else. Working on Brotherhood reminded me of why I fell in love with performing in the first place. Being able to tell a story that reflects my culture and the experiences of people I love was incredibly meaningful, especially because I didn’t always see people who looked like me represented on screen in such authentic ways.

I think one of the biggest challenges of this industry is learning to navigate rejection and uncertainty. There are so many things outside of our control as performers, and it can be difficult not to take things personally. I’ve learned that it’s important to stay grounded in why I started performing and remember that my worth as an artist isn’t determined by whether or not I book a role.

What do you think of the growth of performing arts in San Antonio?

I think it’s incredibly exciting to see the performing arts community continue to grow in San Antonio. It’s a city filled with so much talent, culture, and creativity, and I think there’s something really special about the artistic community there. I grew up performing in San Antonio, and so much of who I am as an artist comes from the opportunities and training I received there. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the teachers, mentors, and fellow performers who encouraged me along the way.

Recently, I had the opportunity to return to my former high school, Communications Arts High School, to teach an acting workshop to the Taft Theatre department, and it was such a full-circle moment for me. Being able to share what I’ve learned with students who are now in the same position I was just a few years ago reminded me of how important arts education and mentorship are. I would love to see even more opportunities for young performers to pursue their passions professionally without feeling like they have to leave their hometown to do so. San Antonio has so many talented artists, and I think continuing to invest in arts education, local productions, and opportunities for emerging performers is incredibly important.

Would you like to work on a project here on your home turf?

Absolutely! San Antonio will always be home, and I would love the opportunity to work on a professional production here. It’s where I first discovered my passion for performing, so being able to return and work alongside artists from my hometown would be incredibly special. Even though I’m currently based in New York City, I still try to stay connected to the performing arts community in San Antonio.

I’ve had opportunities to teach and work with young actors back home, and that’s something I really value. I would especially love to see more film and theatre projects that highlight the stories and experiences of our community. San Antonio has such a unique cultural identity, and I think there are so many meaningful stories waiting to be told.

What’s next on the agenda for Paulina Reyes?

Right now, I’m in my senior year pursuing my BFA in Musical Theatre at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City, and I’m looking forward to graduating in the spring! I’m continuing to audition and pursue opportunities in both film and theatre. One of my biggest dreams is to perform on Broadway, but I also hope to continue working on film projects that tell meaningful stories and challenge the way Latino characters are represented on screen.

I’m also passionate about creating my own work and hope to continue expanding Canciones del Corazón, while finding new ways to celebrate Latin music and create opportunities for other artists. Ultimately, I want to continue growing as a performer, telling stories that matter, and hopefully inspiring other young Latina artists to believe that there’s a place for them in this industry.

Feature photo courtesy of Craftsman Films.

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Featuring a New and Enhanced Día de los Muertos Production

The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center will celebrate 30 years of La Vida de los Muertos, its traditional Día de los Muertos event, with a new and enhanced production on Monday, November 2, at the Plaza Guadalupe, 1327 Guadalupe St.  The community celebration will feature dance, music, vendors, workshops and food, culminating in the annual dance and music performance that brings the traditions, stories and spirit of Día de los Muertos.

The festivities begin at 5 p.m. with free workshops to learn the tradition of sugar skull decorating and paper flower making.  The performances begin at 6 p.m. with a procession and music by Guadalupe’s Mariachi Origen y Tradición followed by “La Vida de los Muertos” an engaging theatre/dance production by the Guadalupe Dance Company and Academy sponsored by AARP San Antonio.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts, the Guadalupe will feature new and enhanced programming. This year’s La Vida de los Muertos has been reimagined with new and improved production elements, including enhanced lighting and sound, an updated set and stage, new costumes and decorations, creating an even more vibrant experience for audiences of all ages.

“This year we are very excited to present a new and improved program celebrating 30 years of this unique show, thanks to extra support for Cultural Districts from Texas Commission on the Arts,” said Cristina Ballí, executive director of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. “La Vida de los Muertos is probably one of San Antonio’s best kept secrets – it is a delightful educational program for people young and old that teaches about this special and deeply meaningful Mexican tradition.  Already 1,000 people enjoy it each year, but we have room for more, so we want to invite everyone out.”

At this year’s dance production, the characters will gather to celebrate lives well lived, recount many memorable stories, and share great legends.  The story follows recently departed Don Chepe as he finds his way in search of his friends and family with help from Don Catrin and Doña Catrina and a cast of fantastical characters.

With its 30th anniversary and newly enhanced production, this year’s La Vida de los Muertos event offers audiences an exciting opportunity to experience one of San Antonio’s longstanding cultural traditions in a fresh and vibrant way. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own chairs.

Schedule

5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.: Free Workshops: Sugar Skull Decorating and Paper Flower Making
6:00 p.m.: Procession and Performance by the Guadalupe Mariachi Academy
6:30 p.m.: Día de los Muertos Music/Dance Performance Featuring the Guadalupe Dance Company and Dance Academy

Plaza Guadalupe, 1327 Guadalupe St.
Free and open to the public.  Audience members are encouraged to bring chairs.

Photos courtesy Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. Feature photo by Richard Vasquez.

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Three intimate evenings featuring American-inspired cuisine, champagne, Italian cheeses and wines.

This fall, San Antonio’s Agarita launches Music, Food & Wine at the Agarita Loft, a three-event series bringing live music together with thoughtfully curated culinary experiences in partnership with Clementine.

Each evening pairs a distinctive musical program with food and drink created specifically for the occasion by Clementine Chefs Elise Russ and John Russ.

From iconic American desserts and champagne to dishes celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary and a tasting of Italian cheeses and wines alongside Tchaikovsky, the series offers audiences a fresh way to experience music through the senses.

Event Details

American Desserts & Champagne
Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.

An evening of American song and musical storytelling, paired with iconic American desserts created by Clementine Chef Elise Russ and champagne.

Tickets: $75

Agarita Celebrates America 250
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 6:30 p.m.

A musical celebration of America’s 250th anniversary featuring works by American composers, paired with dishes created especially for the evening by Clementine Chef John Russ.
Tickets: $75

A Taste of Florence: Italian Cheeses & Wines
Friday, December 18, 2026 | 6:30 p.m.

Experience Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence alongside Italian cheeses selected by Clementine Chef John Russ and Italian wines from Alexander Vineyards.
Tickets: $75

WHERE:
Agarita Loft
724 S. Alamo St., Suite 2, second floor
San Antonio, TX
Access via stairs and chairlift.

Feature photo by Chris Stokes.

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Are you looking for a distinctive photo shoot location? Maybe a space for curated calm or a unique, intimate celebration?

Nathan Estrada’s The Gallery on the East Side of San Antonio is where you want to go. Not only does this space offer some fine examples of art…it’s a piece of art itself.

Estrada is a San Antonio residential designer and the principal of Estrada Design + Co. For twenty years he has collected vintage furniture, art and objects one piece at a time.

Now he has created The Gallery at 701 Montana, an appointment-only space where photographers, creators and private events can book the collection as a complete set. In celebration of the space’s Grand Opening, Mr. Estrada was kind enough to talk about it exclusively with ArtScene SA.

What was the inspiration behind the creation of the Gallery?

For twenty years I’ve bought furniture, art and objects I couldn’t walk away from, one piece at a time. None of it was bought to fill a room. At some point the collection outgrew any house I could put it in, and I realized what people responded to wasn’t any single piece. It was what happens when all of it is together. The Gallery is that place. It isn’t a store and it isn’t a traditional gallery. You book the room, not the things in it.

How did you find this historic location on San Antonio’s East Side?

I wasn’t looking for a storefront. I was looking for a building with enough history to hold twenty years of collecting without it feeling staged. 701 Montana had it: a historic two-story home on Montana Street, a short walk from the Alamodome and Hemisfair, in a neighborhood that’s starting to wake up. The moment the collection went inside, it looked like it had always been there.

What services and amenities does the Gallery offer?

There are three spaces you can book on their own or together. The Gallery itself is the main interior: oxblood walls, oil paintings floor to ceiling, mid-century furniture, a kitchen and a long communal table. It hosts photo and film shoots, podcasts, private dinners and brand launches, up to 25 guests for events. The Studio Room is a small private room for headshots, solo recordings, wellness sessions and one-on-ones.

The Yard is the lawn out back with a red pavilion and mural walls, for markets, pop-ups, food trucks and outdoor gatherings. There’s WiFi, a full bathroom with a shower, and accessible entry. We’re BYOB friendly, with licensed bar service on request, and you can bring your own caterer. We book by the hour, half day, full day or evening.

How were all of the distinctive art pieces found throughout the space located and curated?

Slowly, and never on purpose. Some pieces came from estate sales, some from dates, some from afternoons out on my own, and a lot of them came through my work as a designer. Some were inherited, pieces people loved and passed on to me, or that families trusted me with after losing someone.

Every piece was a decision I made one at a time over twenty years, not a sourced inventory. Nothing was bought for the opening. The collection came first, and as a designer, I built the room around it.

Who will most likely benefit from scheduling time at The Gallery?

Anyone who needs a room with character already built in. Photographers and content creators, film and podcast crews, brands launching a product, small private dinners and celebrations, workshops, and wellness practitioners who want a quiet room. No styling is needed. The space is a complete set the moment you walk in.

Tell us about Free Shoot Day.

Sunday, October 11, 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. is the latest, but more will come. Photographers and models claim a free one-hour slot, one photographer and one model per hour, and get the whole room to themselves. It’s trade-for-print: free room, free light, you keep the photos, and we just ask that you tag @thegalleryonmontana when you post. The last slot runs into golden hour on the lawn. It’s our way of introducing the room to the people who will fill it. Details and open slots here.

Parking downtown is always a challenge. How is it by the Gallery?

Easier than downtown proper. For now it’s street parking along Montana and the surrounding blocks. On Alamodome event nights, give yourself a few extra minutes.

You mentioned that the Gallery is one of the first places to be revitalized on Montana Street. What other developments can we expect to see?

More of the community coming through the gate. Opening weekend brings an antique market in the yard and a raffle, with seats at our first dinner party as one of the prizes, and the yard is already booked for a facial and Pilates event later this month. Free Shoot Day is something we plan to do more often, open days where photographers and models can come use the room at no cost. The murals going up on the block are part of the same story. The more people who make work and gather here, the more the street comes back to life.

Come see The Gallery. You can get in touch with them here.

The post East San Antonio Is Being Revitalized with The Gallery appeared first on ArtScene SA.

The Guadalupe Latino Bookstore & Gift Shop staff presents The Donkey Lady/A Graphic Parable on Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.

This free event will begin with a dramatic reading by author Carmen Tafolla and illustrator Thelma Ortiz Muraida followed by a costume contest and Donkey Lady pizza party! An exhibit of the book’s illustrations will be on display. Guests of all ages should arrive dressed in their Halloween costumes to enter the contest.

The Donkey Lady/A Graphic Parable tells the distinctly Southside San Antonio story of the Donkey Lady who has haunted the countryside surrounding the “Donkey Lady Bridge” for generations. At a time when stories of violence against women and cultural erasure persist, The Donkey Lady offers a powerful reimagining of a local myth and folk legend as a narrative of witness, survival, and resistance. Books will be available for purchase.

This dramatic reading includes violent content and is intended for audiences aged 9 years and up, but families with children of all ages are welcome. For the younger kids, we will host a picture book read-along session in the bookstore while The Donkey Lady presentation occurs in the Community Gallery. These spaces sit side by side, and guardians can move freely between them. Following the book presentations, we will bring the groups together for the costume contest and pizza party.

Carmen Tafolla, Ph.D., former San Antonio and Texas Poet Laureate and the author of more than forty books, is the recipient of an Américas Award, three Tomás Rivera Book Awards, and eight International Latino Book Awards. Her work centers on Mexican American culture, history and personal empowerment.

Thelma Ortiz Muraida is an accomplished artist and graphic designer whose work spans children’s books, poetry collections, and visual storytelling. She has collaborated with Dr. Tafolla on multiple titles, among them Tamales, Comadres and the Meaning of Civilization, bringing layered, expressive imagery to culturally rooted narratives.

Aztlan Libre Press is an independent publishing company based out of Yanawana/San Antonio, Texas that is dedicated to the publication, promotion and free expression of XicanX literature and art. Established in 2009 by Juan Tejeda and Anisa Onofre.

WHO: Carmen Tafolla and Thelma Ortiz Muraida

WHAT: The Guadalupe Latino Bookstore & Gift Shop presents The Donkey Lady/A Graphic Parable, a dramatic reading, costume contest, and pizza party, open to guests of all ages.

WHEN: Saturday, October 31, 2026, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Guadalupe Latino Bookstore
1300 Guadalupe St., San Antonio, TX 78207

DETAILS:

• Free and open to the public
• Dramatic reading (ages 9+), picture book read-along (ages 0-9), and costume contest and parade (all ages)
• Free pizza and prizes

About the Guadalupe Latino Bookstore:

In the heart of San Antonio’s Westside, the Guadalupe Latino Bookstore stands as a testament to resilience and pride. Operated by the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, this unique establishment is more than just a bookstore, it’s a sanctuary where stories of the Latino experience come alive. As the only Latino-focused bookstore in Texas, it offers a curated selection of works by Latino authors, reflecting the rich tapestry of the community’s history, art, and voices. From children’s books to scholarly texts, the shelves are filled with narratives that resonate deeply with our heritage.

Understanding the challenges faced by our community, the bookstore provides a 25% discount to Westside residents, encouraging youth to engage with literature that mirrors their own experiences and aspirations. Housed in the historic Progreso Pharmacy Building, the bookstore is part of a vibrant cultural hub that includes theaters and outdoor spaces, fostering a dynamic environment for artistic expression and community gatherings. In a neighborhood confronting issues like poverty and systemic disparities, the Guadalupe Latino Bookstore shines as a beacon of hope, education, and cultural affirmation.

Visit the Guadalupe Latino Bookstore at 1300 Guadalupe Street, Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00am – 4:00pm.  Contact us at: 210-271-3151, extension 250.

Photos courtesy Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center.

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The Guadalupe Latino Bookstore & Gift Shop staff is excited to present Who Were the Aztecs?: an interactive workshop for curious minds of all ages on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Local Mexican American Studies (MAS) educator Michael Dominguez will lead the presentation.

Travel more than 500 years into the past to experience the last great civilization of Mesoamerica. This workshop is open to everyone and will focus on interesting aspects of Aztec civilization.

Come learn about the culture, language, practices, and empire of the pre-Columbian people whose capital lies beneath Mexico City.

Mr. Dominguez brings passion and cultural authenticity to his role as a MAS educator, drawing from his rich background in social studies education and deep commitment to engagement.

He encourages people to be active participants instead of passive observers. As a teacher, mentor, and advocate for his students both in and out of the classroom, he teaches and preaches history to all.

• Free and open to the public
• Fun and interactive workshop
• Light refreshments provided

The Guadalupe Latino Bookstore is located at 1300 Guadalupe St., San Antonio, TX 78207.

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