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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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Through Art, History and Culture at the Briscoe

The women who shaped Texas and Mexico were not simply witnesses to history. They were participants, survivors, cultural transmitters, laborers, activists, mothers, revolutionaries and community leaders whose resilience and determination helped shape the cultural landscape connecting Mexico, Texas and the American West

Opening Oct. 15 at the Briscoe Western Art Museum, Kathy Sosa: Revolutionary Women of Texas and Mexico brings those stories to the forefront through more than 30 works by San Antonio artist Kathy Sosa. On view through June 14, 2027, the exhibition complements the Briscoe’s landmark Tejano Legacy: Another American Origin Story and offers a contemporary artistic continuation of the history explored throughout that exhibition. Works featured include paintings, mixed media and sculpture.

“Women have always been essential to the story of the West, but too often their contributions have been minimized or left out altogether,” said Liz Jackson, President and CEO of the Briscoe Western Art Museum. “Kathy’s work gives these women the presence they deserve. Through her portraits, we encounter women who endured upheaval, crossed borders, preserved traditions, raised families, built communities and created change. The exhibition makes that history personal and reminds us that these women didn’t simply live through history – they helped shape the Texas and American West we know today.”

Revolutionary Women of Texas and Mexico will mark the reopening of the Briscoe’s Women of the West Gallery, currently closed as part of the museum’s ongoing renovation. The refreshed gallery will reopen in time to welcome Sosa’s exhibition and expand the stories of the women who built and shaped the West.

Revolutionary Women: History Through a Contemporary Lens

San Antonio artist Kathy Sosa is a self-taught artist whose work explores mestizaje and the distinctive cultural identity of the Texas-Mexico borderlands. A Spanish term for the mixing and blending of peoples and cultures, mestizaje historically referred to racial and ethnic mixing, particularly among Indigenous peoples and Europeans in the Americas. Over time, the term has also come to describe a broader cultural process: the convergence of traditions, languages, ideas, identities and ways of life.

For Sosa, mestizaje is not simply a historical concept. It is the living culture of the Texas-Mexico borderlands – the blending of peoples, races, ethnicities, languages, ideas, habits and cultures that she has experienced since childhood. In San Antonio, she sees it expressed in everything from language and music to food, clothing, family traditions and everyday life.

That exploration takes on a particularly human dimension in Revolutionary Women of Texas and Mexico. The exhibition draws upon Sosa’s book, Revolutionary Women of Texas and Mexico: Portraits of Soldaderas, Saints and Subversives, while also encompassing other women and acts Sosa considers revolutionary. The exhibition focuses on women whose lives and actions challenge conventional ideas about who shaped the history of Texas, Mexico and the American West. Her subjects were not simply witnesses to history. They were participants, survivors, cultural transmitters, laborers, activists, mothers, revolutionaries and community leaders.

After a career in Hispanic advertising and communications, Sosa began painting at age 48 and has spent more than two decades telling stories of borderlands culture through painting, mixed media, public art and altar installations. Her work draws inspiration from Mexican and Mesoamerican visual traditions, incorporating portraiture, textiles, pattern and symbolism to explore women, identity and memory. Her nationally recognized exhibition Huipiles: A Celebration debuted at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C., as part of the Smithsonian Latino Center’s “Mexico at the Smithsonian” before traveling to San Antonio’s Museo Alameda.

Sosa is the author of Mestizaje: The Feminist Art of Kathy Sosa and coeditor and illustrator of Revolutionary Women of Texas and Mexico: Portraits of Soldaderas, Saints, and Subversives. She is co-producer of the documentary series Children of the Revolución: How the Mexican Revolution Changed America’s Destiny, chronicling the history of the Texas-Mexico borderlands. Her work has been exhibited across the country and featured by national and regional media.

A Contemporary Companion to Nearly 400 Years of Tejano History

The concept of mestizaje also bridges Sosa’s work and Tejano Legacy: Another American Origin Story, the largest and most ambitious exhibition in the Briscoe’s history. On view through Jan. 18, 2027, Tejano Legacy explores nearly 400 years of Tejano history, culture and identity through more than 100 artworks and artifacts. Its scholarship examines the people, cultures, migrations, conflicts, faith, traditions and identities that shaped Texas and demonstrates how generations of cultural exchange created a distinctive borderlands culture that remains vibrant today.

Where Tejano Legacy presents that story through historical art, objects and scholarship, Revolutionary Women of Texas and Mexicooffers a focused, contemporary examination of its human dimensions. Sosa’s women reveal how culture and identity endure through periods of migration, conflict and profound change, carried forward through language, food, religion, family, music, storytelling, dress and memory. The connection is particularly fitting because Sosa is among the contemporary artists represented in Tejano Legacy, demonstrating how the history explored throughout the exhibition continues to inspire artists and shape cultural identity today.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Briscoe

With Tejano Legacy and Selena Forever | Siempre Selena currently on view, a full slate of fall programming and the October arrival ofRevolutionary Women of Texas and Mexico, the Briscoe offers visitors multiple opportunities to explore the breadth and continuing influence of Tejano and Mexican American history and culture during Hispanic Heritage Month and throughout the fall.

“Hispanic Heritage Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate stories and traditions that have shaped our community for generations and continue to shape it today,” Jackson said. “At the Briscoe, visitors can experience those connections across centuries – from the history and scholarship of Tejano Legacy to John Dyer’s photographs of Selena and Kathy Sosa’s contemporary interpretations of extraordinary women. Together, they show that Tejano and Mexican American stories not only deserve to be celebrated but are also essential to understanding Texas and the American West.”

Featuring more than 100 paintings, sculptures, maps, saddles, weapons and rare historical artifacts from museums and private collections across the United States and Mexico, Tejano Legacy includes several works considered part of Mexico’s cultural heritage that are being exhibited in the United States for the first time. An original documentary, immersive interactive experiences and a 208-page bilingual exhibition catalog further enrich the visitor experience.

Selena Forever | Siempre Selena, on view through Jan. 4, 2027, features photographer John Dyer’s images of Selena Quintanilla from sessions between 1992 and 1994, capturing a pivotal period in the Tejano superstar’s rise. Large-scale portraits are presented alongside boutique photographs, magazine covers and ephemera, celebrating Selena not only as an icon but as part of the continuing story of Tejano culture and its influence on Texas and beyond.

Fall at the Briscoe: Experience Tejano Culture Beyond the Galleries

The Briscoe brings the stories and themes of Tejano Legacy to life throughout the fall with programs exploring Tejano history, identity, art and living culture. From Lotería and scholarly conversations to hands-on art, live music and film, the lineup offers visitors opportunities to experience the culture celebrated throughout the exhibition in new ways.

Sept. 19 | Tejano Legacy Academic Symposium, 2–4 p.m.

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Make plans to attend Celebrando Tradiciones: Corazón y Raíz, a culturally authentic, traditional Folklorico dance production that reflects the heart and roots of our community on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, 7:30 p.m., at the Jo Long Theater at the Carver Cultural Center.

Showcasing the exceptional artistry of the Guadalupe Dance Company and Mariachi Azteca de América, this performance explores the cycle of life and the experiences that shape who we are as we celebrate our heritage, identity, and cultural pride.

Tickets are $30, $25 and $20 can be purchased at the Carver Box Office Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or through Ticketmaster at https://thecarver.org/events/.  A $60 VIP Package includes premium seating, a VIP gift, and a reception while the $45 Celebrando Package includes reserved seating along with the reception.

Feature photo courtesy Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center.

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Classic Silent Comedy with Live Musical Accompaniment

Step back into 1925 for a magical evening as Agarita performs Stephen Prutsman’s vibrant live score to Buster Keaton’s silent film Seven Chances. Experience the timeless comedy of the silver screen brought thrillingly to life through the energy of live chamber music. Featuring Joseph Conyers, bass, and Jessica Petrasek, flute.

Keaton stars as Jimmie Shannon, the junior partner in the brokerage firm of Meekin and Shannon, which is on the brink of financial ruin. A lawyer brings news: Jimmie will inherit seven million dollars from his late grandfather if he is married by 7:00 p.m. on his 27th birthday, which happens to be that same day.

Friday, September 11, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Jo Long Theatre at the Carver Community Cultural Center
226 N. Hackberry
San Antonio, TX 78202

Admission is free but please RSVP in advance: [Ticket link].

Thank you to the City of San Antonio and Bexar County Precinct 2 for their sponsorship of this concert.

About Agarita

Founded in 2018, Agarita is an innovative chamber ensemble dedicated to producing bold, collaborative musical events, offering a new way to experience classical and contemporary music. 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.

Through free performances, educational outreach, and innovative programming, Agarita brings high-quality music to audiences in nontraditional venues across the city, including schools, libraries, and public spaces.

Follow Agarita’s upcoming projects and future performances at www.agarita.org, on Facebook at @Agaritachamberplayers or on Instagram @Agarita_San_Antonio. For any questions, email agaritachamberplayers@gmail.com.

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The Guadalupe Latino Bookstore & Gift Shop will present Narratives of Gang Life in San Antonio, an evening with author Avelardo Valdez to celebrate his new book Homeboys Forever: The Lifetime Consequences of Gang Membership (June 2026) on Friday, August 28, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. This public event will feature a reading and an engaging discussion between Valdez and moderator Juan Tejeda of Aztlán Libre Press about the author’s 20-year study of gang involvement among men from the Westside of San Antonio. Books will be available on-site for purchase at this free event.

Avelardo Valdez is Professor Emeritus in the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and the department of sociology at the University of Southern California. He is the author of Mexican American Girls and Gang Violence: Beyond Risk and co-editor of Puro Conjunto: An Album in Words and Pictures.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Violence, addiction, imprisonment . . . we don’t have to look hard to see the negative consequences of gang involvement. But what does it look like to spend a life — from adolescence to adulthood — in gangs?

Sociologist Avelardo Valdez and his research team have been following the lives of Mexican American men in San Antonio, Texas, over a remarkable twenty years, watching and listening as they navigate adolescent delinquency and gang involvement, advance into a life of crime, and — sometimes — attempt to break from gang life and build lives in conventional society.

Mr. Valdez was kind enough to speak with ArtScene SA about his new book.

ArtScene SA: What is your connection to the Westside of San Antonio and the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center?

Avelardo Valdez: I have been conducting research on theb lives of Mexican Americans on the Westside since my appointment as a faculty member at UTSA in 1979. My early research on the Westside focused on housing segregation, small businesses, intermarriage, and immigration.

I was a board member of the GCAC from 1981 until 1995. Serving on the board prompted my interest in conjunto music, which resulted in several journal articles on the topic and a co-edited book (with Juan Tejeda) published by The University of Texas Press.

My insights into Mexican Americans are also influenced by the fact that my extended family on both my mother’s and father’s sides reside primarily in San Antonio.

What was the inspiration behind the Homeboys Forever book project?

The inspiration for this book was my overall interest in how, despite having the benefit of living in the U.S. for several generations, Mexican Americans continue to experience disparate social, economic, and health disparities. The goal of this book is for readers to look beyond individual fault or deficiencies when discussions of crime and drugs arise in our communities and realize that these problems are rooted in the systematic inequalities and discrimination that shape structural vulnerabilities. These factors, for many, lead to a lifetime of demonization, stressful interpersonal relationships, social isolation, and infinite personal consequences.

Who is your ideal audience for the book?

The audience for this book includes public policy advocates and members of the public interested in criminology, criminal justice, incarceration, education, and health issues affecting disadvantaged minority populations in the U.S. My hope is that non-academics who read this book will acquire new insights, a greater understanding, and empathy for the struggles of disadvantaged populations. As well, the book will appeal to undergraduate and graduate students across a range of disciplines, especially sociology, Latino studies, criminology, and life course studies.

Which books do you feel pair well with Homeboys Forever? Why these books?

There are many well-respected books on Mexican American and Latino gangs. But if you ask what pairs well with this book, I suggest the following non-gang publications: The Injustice Never Leaves You: Anti-Mexican Violence in Texas  by  Monica Muñoz Martinez and Forget the Alamo: The Rise and Fall of an American Myth by Bryan Burrough, Chris Tomlinson, and Jason Stanford.

Since one of my book’s objectives is to understand how a significant portion of Mexican Americans remain locked into lives of poverty, marginalization, and hopelessness despite living in this country for generations, the books I am recommending provide the historical precursors that influenced Mexican-Anglo relations in the Southwest and other parts of the U.S., and ultimately influenced the lives and experiences of the men in this study.

EVENT DETAILS

WHO: Avelardo Valdez (author) and Juan Tejeda (moderator)

WHAT: The Guadalupe Latino Bookstore & Gift Shop presents Narratives of Gang Life in San Antonio, an evening with author Avelardo Valdez about his new book Homeboys Forever: The Lifetime Consequences of Gang Membership.

WHEN: Friday, August 28, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.

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

• Free and open to the public
• Book for sale
• Author book signing
• Light refreshments provided

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Agarita, San Antonio’s acclaimed chamber music ensemble dedicated to making classical music accessible to all, has announced its 2026–2027 season. The new season builds on Agarita’s remarkable growth with an expansive lineup of free community concerts, citywide mobile performances, educational programming, and interdisciplinary collaborations that connect music with dance, poetry, and visual art.

With performances spanning intimate venues, historic spaces, and neighborhoods across all 10 city council districts and 4 precincts, Agarita continues to redefine how audiences experience classical music, removing barriers and bringing world-class artistry directly to the community.

“This season reflects everything we believe music can do, bring people together, tell powerful stories, and create meaningful connections across disciplines and communities,” said Marisa Bushman, violist, Executive Director, and co-founder of Agarita. “From Beethoven to Buster Keaton, from poetry to dance, we’re inviting audiences to experience music in ways that are both deeply personal and widely accessible.”

2026–2027 Community Concert Series

Agarita’s signature Community Concerts remain free and open to the public, featuring an inspiring range of programs and guest artists:

• September 11, 2026 —Step back into 1925 for a magical evening as Agarita performs Stephen Prutsman’s vibrant live score to Buster Keaton’s silent film Seven Chances. Experience the timeless comedy of the silver screen brought thrillingly to life through the energy of live chamber music, featuring Joseph Conyers (bass) and Jessica Petrasek (flute).
• October 25, 2026 — Join Agarita and the extraordinary soprano Meghan Picerno for a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary through music. From the blues to Broadway and beyond, this vibrant program explores the diverse traditions that have shaped America’s unique musical identity.
• December 5, 2026 — Experience the breathtaking acoustics of the Chapel of the Incarnate Word as Agarita expands into a chamber orchestra for an evening of music that soars through the space. Spanning centuries of repertoire, this transporting program celebrates the beauty and resonance of one of San Antonio’s most remarkable venues.
• February 13, 2027 — Internationally acclaimed guitarist Pablo Sáinz Villegas reunites with Agarita at Stable Hall, featuring violinist Isabelle Ai Durrenberger. The warmth and intimacy of this remarkable venue provide the perfect setting for Pablo’s expressive artistry and the ensemble’s celebrated musical chemistry. This performance coincides with the release of Agarita’s collaborative album with Pablo recorded earlier this year.
• March 26, 2027 — Marking the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death, violinist Suliman Tekalli joins Agarita to celebrate one of history’s greatest musical voices. This program explores the composer’s extraordinary emotional depth, from tenderness to triumph, humor to heartbreak.
• May 8, 2027 — At McAllister Auditorium, Agarita reunites with ballerina and choreographer Sofie Bertolini and an ensemble of dancers for a captivating evening where music and movement become one. This immersive collaboration transforms the concert experience, bringing chamber music vividly to life through dance.
• June 26, 2027 — Music and words intertwine as Agarita joins forces with the poets of Gemini Ink for an evening of storytelling through sound and language. Discover how poetry and chamber music illuminate one another in a performance that celebrates the power of both art forms.

Humble Hall: Music Across San Antonio

Agarita’s mobile concert hall, Humble Hall, will once again bring live performances to every corner of the city, reaching all 10 city council districts and all four Bexar County precincts. The season launches on September 19, 2026, with performances at Maverick Library (District 7) and Potranco Library (District 6), featuring folkloric singer Azul Barrientos, pianist David Kaplan, and violinist YuEun Kim. Agarita and the Humble Hall will also return to the King William Fair on April 24.

Agarita Inspires! Educational Reach

Agarita is thrilled to welcome fellow musician Aimee Lopez as Agarita’s new Education Coordinator. In this role, she will oversee programming as Agarita presents more than 40 Agarita Inspires! performances in schools and libraries throughout San Antonio. Last year, Agarita Inspires! reached more than 7,000 students, providing free, high-quality musical experiences at no cost to schools or families.

Agarita Loft: A Hub for Artistic Exploration

The Agarita Loft will host more than 30 events throughout the season, including performances, lectures, and special ticketed experiences. Highlights include:

• Programming celebrating America’s 250th anniversary,
• A multi-concert Beethoven commemoration marking the 200th anniversary of his death,
• Ticketed food and music series,
• Play It Back!, a lecture series led by Artistic Director Daniel Anastasio,
• Appearances by renowned guest artists including the Formosa Quartet; pianists David Kaplan, Adam Golka, Daniel del Pino, and Juan Carlos Fernández Nieto; and violinists Suliman Tekalli, Livia Sohn, and YuEun Kim

Agarita Loft Gallery: A Season of Visual Dialogue

Curated by Jon Hinojosa, the Agarita Loft Gallery’s 2026–2027 season explores the relationship between visual art, music, movement, and language. Through four exhibitions presented on a quarterly rhythm, the gallery continues its mission to elevate diverse and culturally specific artists while fostering community dialogue.

Exhibitions include:

• Between Form and Memory (Oct. 1 – Dec. 17, 2026)
• Listening in Color: Music, Abstraction, and the Emotional Score (Jan. 7 – Mar. 18, 2027)
• The Moving Line: Body, Gesture, and Language (Apr. 1 – Jun. 17, 2027)
• Afterimage: Place, Memory, and What Remains (July 1 – Sept. 16, 2027)

Together, the exhibitions create a visual counterpart to Agarita’s musical programming, transforming the Loft into a space for reflection, dialogue, and cultural exchange.

Programming is subject to change. Feature photo by Josh Huskin.

Support and Partnerships

The 2026–2027 season is made possible through the support of new and returning funders, including the Area Foundation Cultural Vibrancy Grant, San Antonio Symphony League, Kronkosky Foundation, and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Additional support is provided by the Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts, Bexar County Precinct 2, City of San Antonio City Council Project Funding, City of San Antonio Department of Arts and Culture, H-E-B, H-E-B Tournament of Champions, the Greehey Family Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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Long before the American cowboy became a symbol of the West, vaqueros perfected the horsemanship, ranching techniques and traditions that continue to define cowboy culture today. On Saturday, July 25, the Briscoe Western Art Museum invites visitors to experience that living legacy during its annual National Day of the Cowboy /Día Nacional del Vaquero celebration, a free day of live demonstrations, music, history and hands-on family activities celebrating cowboys and vaqueros, the original cowboys of the American West. The event is open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and is free to attend, though pre-registration is recommended.

Presented alongside the museum’s landmark exhibitions Tejano Legacy: Another American Origin Story and Selena Forever / Siempre Selena, this year’s celebration shines a spotlight on the people, traditions and cultures that shaped Texas and the American West while offering an unforgettable day of family fun along the San Antonio River Walk.

“Before there were cowboys, there were vaqueros,” said Liz Jackson, President and CEO of the Briscoe Western Art Museum. “National Day of the Cowboy – or Día Nacional del Vaquero – is about celebrating the people whose traditions shaped the American West. By honoring the vaquero this year, we’re telling a more complete story of our shared history and recognizing the extraordinary influence Tejanos and Spanish heritage have had on ranching, horsemanship and cowboy culture. It’s a story that belongs to all of us, and one we’re proud to share with our community.”

Why Día Nacional del Vaquero?

While National Day of the Cowboy honors the enduring spirit of the American cowboy, the Briscoe is embracing the Spanish translation – Día Nacional del Vaquero – to recognize the horsemen of Spain and Mexico whose horsemanship, ranching techniques and traditions became the foundation of cowboy culture throughout Texas and the American West.

This year’s Día Nacional del Vaquero celebrates the horsemen whose ranching traditions, horsemanship and innovations gave rise to the American cowboy. Long before the American cowboy became a symbol of the West, vaqueros developed many of the ranching practices, horsemanship skills and cattle-handling techniques still used today. From branding and roping to saddles, spurs and cattle drives, the vaquero tradition laid the foundation for ranching culture across Texas and the American Southwest.

Even many familiar cowboy terms have Spanish roots that reflect this enduring influence. Words such as lasso (from the Spanish lazo), rodeo, bronco, mustang and buckaroo – derived from vaquero – illustrate how deeply Spanish and Mexican traditions shaped the language and identity of the American cowboy.

Experience the Original Cowboys

One of the day’s signature attractions will be live charro demonstrations presented by the San Antonio Charro Association.

Charros are Mexico’s traditional horsemen, celebrated for their extraordinary horsemanship, precision roping and ranching skills. Their techniques, traditions and equipment influenced generations of Texas vaqueros before becoming the foundation of the American cowboy. Beginning at 10 a.m., visitors can watch the spectacular horseback demonstrations on Presa Street at Market Street, which will be temporarily closed during the morning performances to safely accommodate the horses and riders.

The day-long celebration includes performances by Danzavida de San Antonio Dance Company, cowboy ballads by the Sons of San Antone, cowboy poetry, trick roping demonstrations, storytelling and opportunities for everyone to try their own hand at roping with local rodeo cowboys.

Step Back in Time

History comes alive through immersive living history presentations that transport visitors to early Texas. Guests will meet historical reenactors portraying a Tejano ranchero and cowboy living in Texas during the 1820s and 1830s, sharing stories of ranch life, cattle culture and frontier living. Visitors will also encounter a Spanish Frontier Presidial Soldier stationed at Mission San Antonio de Valero—today’s Alamo—from 1718 through the 1730s, offering a glimpse into the military and cultural foundations that helped establish San Antonio and the Spanish frontier.

Together, these living history experiences provide an engaging look at the people whose traditions ultimately evolved into the ranching culture that defines the American West.

Roll Up Your Sleeves and Join the Fun

National Day of the Cowboy is designed to be experienced—not just observed. Families can create, play and explore through dozens of interactive activities throughout the museum, including:

• Screen print a commemorative National Day of the Cowboy print to take home.
• Create your own vaquero hat and decorative spur.
• Try silversmith etching inspired by traditional Western craftsmanship.
• Learn rawhide braiding techniques.
• Build stick ponies before racing them around the museum.
• Practice your roping skills in the Lil’ Buckaroo Corral.
• Toss felt horseshoes.
• Create accordion longhorns and other Western-inspired crafts.

Visitors can also meet Western artists demonstrating engraving, painting, sculpture and rawhide braiding throughout the day, offering a rare opportunity to see traditional craftsmanship in action.

Experience Tejano Legacy: Another American Origin Story

It’s fitting that Día Nacional del Vaquero takes place alongside Tejano Legacy: Another American Origin Story, the Briscoe’s landmark bilingual exhibition exploring nearly 400 years of Tejano history and culture. National Day of the Cowboy offers the perfect opportunity to experience the Briscoe’s landmark bilingual exhibition, Tejano Legacy: Another American Origin Story, opening July 24 – the day before National Day of the Cowboy – and on view through Jan. 18, 2027.

The largest and most ambitious exhibition in the museum’s history, Tejano Legacy explores Tejano history, culture and identity through more than 100 rare works of art and artifacts from collections throughout the United States and Mexico. Presented in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the exhibition reveals how Tejanos and vaqueros helped shape the American West while offering deeper context for many of the traditions celebrated throughout National Day of the Cowboy.

See Selena Forever / Siempre Selena

Visitors can also experience Selena Forever / Siempre Selena, on view through Jan. 4, 2027, featuring monumental photographs by acclaimed San Antonio photographer John Dyer captured during Selena Quintanilla-Pérez’s rise to international stardom.

Widely regarded as the most complete and comprehensive exhibition of large-scale Selena portraits ever presented, the exhibition also features never-before-seen boutique photographs, magazine covers and ephemera celebrating Selena’s enduring influence on Tejano culture and South Texas.

Free Family Fun for Everyone

Whether they’re watching charros, meeting frontier reenactors, creating a screenprinted keepsake, sampling cowboy grub from the chuck wagon or exploring the museum’s summer exhibitions, visitors of every age will leave with a deeper appreciation for the people and traditions that gave rise to the American cowboy.

Admission is free, and online pre-registration is encouraged for this popular annual celebration.

National Day of the Cowboy (Día Nacional del Vaquero)

Saturday, July 25
10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Briscoe Western Art Museum
210 W. Market Street
San Antonio, Texas 78205

Explore the American West in the Heart of Downtown San Antonio

Located on the River Walk near La Villita in downtown San Antonio, the Briscoe preserves and presents the art, history and culture of the American West through exhibitions and programming exploring Wildlife and the Land; Native People of the Americas; Tejanos, Vaqueros and Spanish heritage; and Cowboys and the American Frontier. The museum’s campus includes the McNutt Sculpture Garden and features 35 sculptures portraying various aspects of Western life in the garden and around the museum’s beautifully restored historic building that once housed the San Antonio Public Library. The museum is open Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday through Monday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and closed to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The Briscoe is located on the south end of the River Walk, near the Arneson River Theatre and La Villita, with convenient parking at the Riverbend Garage directly adjacent to the museum or one of many downtown surface lots. Museum hours, parking and admission details are available online.

Photos courtesy Briscoe Western Art Museum.

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Today we’re going to travel back to visit the generous catalogue of Lucio Fulci films, focusing on yet another one of his classics.

For those unfamiliar with the master’s films, Fulci had worked in all sorts of genres since the 1950s, but he really hit his stride with a response to George Romero’s epoch-making Dawn of the Dead (1978) with the Carribean-set Zombie (1980). Not a rip-off by any means, this film amps up the gore and tells a story of its own. Could it be…voodoo?

Or maybe you’ve heard of the subsequent Gates of Hell trilogy — City of the Living Dead, House By the Cemetery and The Beyond. They don’t have anything to do with each other aside from Lovecraftian themes, bloodshed, and “huh?” storylines. My friends and I spent many a Saturday night at Quentin Tarantino’s New Beverly Cinema, yokking it up over these epics and almost getting thrown out by an angry usher.

Fulci and his backers wanted to cash in on current trends whenever possible. In 1984, with films like Staying Alive and Flashdance capturing the zeitgeist (as well as Jazzercise), he felt that was time to put his own spin on the “dancing in leotards” genre. And boy, there’s plenty of dancing in this film. Not so many murders, but the constant gyrating — along with a couple of goofy dream sequences — keep it rolling along. Yes, this is the magnum opus known as Murderock.

Murderock stars Olga Karlatos (most memorable for getting a splinter through her eye in Zombie) as Candice Norman, the head of a prestigious New York dance academy. Preparing for an upcoming presentation, she puts her dancers through a grueling training schedule, which involves a lot of dancing. Lots of dancing. However, as this sampling of dialogue demonstrates, Candice clearly seems to have something else on her mind.

Candice: I’m sorry, Dick. Did you want to come in?
Dick Gibson: Well, do you really think I should? Besides, tomorrow you’d have told me about it. Wasn’t that the agreement?
Candice: No, Dick, this time I would have kept it to myself.
Dick: It must be pretty serious, then. More than just the usual one-night affair?
Candice: Look, just forget it, Dick, huh?

The film should really have been called Murder Boogie, as it features many more upbeat disco tunes than rock ballads. Surprisingly, the score was composed by Keith Emerson of the legendary prog-rock group, Emerson, Lake and Palmer!

Keith must have had a yen to put on his boogie shoes, because these songs get groovy in a far out kind of way. See the trailer here for a sample of the the music and the dancing. Did I mention that there’s a lot of dancing?

To intensify Candice’s stress, a mysterious murderer is also afoot. He’s picking off the dancers one by one, piercing their hearts with a large needle. Of course, he needs to open their tops to expose their breasts first. This drives Candice wa-a-a-y over the edge, which results in a couple of hilarious dream sequences.

So Candice sweats while other characters slink around looking suspicious. Will the killer be apprehended? Will they get to the recital on time? Will they be able to dance? Oh, yes. They’ll be able to dance.

Murderock (or Murder Rock: Dancing Death) is available through Amazon Prime and Shudder and AMC+. But if you really want to be a completist, you can grab the Blu-ray for under 30 bucks! That works out to be about a dollar a dance.

The post Retro Review: Lucio Fulci’s ‘Murderock’ appeared first on ArtScene SA.

The 47th edition of CineFestival San Antonio, the nation’s original and longest running Latinx film festival, returns July 9-12, 2026, exhibiting Chicanx, Latinx, and international Latin American cinema, with a strong focus on regional and local filmmakers.

In these uncertain times, this year’s CineFestival represents a return to some of its roots, presenting films that reflect the rich Latinx and Chicanx cultural and musical traditions of the U.S. Among the films featured is a large selection of short films made in San Antonio and the Lone Star State, the U.S. and Latin America.

They represent the creativity, talent and  fiercely independent voices of Latinx and Chicanx artists who continue to tell stories that matter to them and CineFestival audiences, many times at the fringes of the mainstream industry.

The festival will take place at the Carver Community Cultural Center (226 N Hackberry St.), opening July 9 at 6:30 p.m. with the San Antonio premiere of MEXICANAMERICAN, a beautiful and poignant documentary directed by newcomer Eddie Sanchez, who expertly weaves present-day interviews and the VHS home movies his family once sent across the border, exploring how and why his parents migrated to the U.S. from Mexico, revealing a personal mosaic of one family’s struggle to reconcile two cultures between two generations.

Sunday Closing night at 6 p.m. will feature the premiere of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award winner American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez, directed by Texas native David Alvarado.

This documentary traces the career of pioneering playwright, teatrista, screenwriter and director Luis Valdez, who pushed Chicano storytelling against political resistance and industry skepticism, from performing in the fields with his Teatro Campesino to writing and directing some of the most iconic Latinx films ever made, such as  Zoot Suit and La Bamba, proving that Chicanos aren’t marginal to America — they are America.

Other feature films in the program include Let the City Speak (Akira Boch, 2026), following the journey of Grammy Award-winning Chicano rock band Quetzal, emerging from East Los Angeles’ vibrant music and art scene in the mid 90’s to a lengthy career of powerful music making and deep grassroots activism. Los Tejanos: A 500-Year History (Joseph C. Stillman, 2025) traces the rich legacy of Tejano communities from Spanish colonial settlements to the present, highlighting their cultural, economic, and political contributions in South Texas.

Soul Searchin’ (Jesus Cruz, 2025) dives into the passionate world of rare soul record collectors who devote their lives to finding, preserving, and sharing Black and Chicano soul music. Who’s the Real Spanish Fly? (Blake Miranda, 2026) is an immersive journey into the heart of Latin Freestyle and Hip Hop culture in Texas, featuring the legendary Lil Young of Swishahouse Records.

The Mesquite Award nominees present some of the best short films produced by artists working in Texas in the past two years, including five documentaries and 13 short films that also include eight made in San Antonio.

Vistas de San Antonio presents a wide selection of short films including student and independent work, featuring an unprecedented 22 short films and the feature film Back on Road, directed by David Johnathan Pequeno.

“The large number of short films made in San Antonio represent a filmmaking scene currently brewing in the city. Preceded by a long tradition of local independent filmmaking, this local burgeoning scene is currently growing thanks to fiercely independent artists and others seeking to break through the mainstream industry,” said CineFestival Program Director Eugenio del Bosque. Their endeavors are supported by film programs from local universities, high schools and non-profit media programs, City of San Antonio Artist Grants and the San Antonio Film Commission. They are also encouraged by a community that makes possible the production of dozens of Latinx films every year.

“This creative ecosystem represents a new generation of filmmakers connecting with already established ones, who are willing to challenge industry norms and tell local stories that matter to them and CineFestival audiences,” he continued.

This year’s program also includes a Texas Showcase featuring short films made across the Lone Star State, a small selection of shorts made in the U.S by Latinx and Chicanx artists, and the return of the international short films, all of which represent a vast cultural and artistic reference from which audiences and local filmmakers can learn and grow.

A complete schedule and ticketing information can be found here.

Feature photo: David Johnathan Pequeno’s Back on Road. All photos and art courtesy of CineFestival.

The post 47th CineFestival San Antonio Begins Thursday, July 9 appeared first on ArtScene SA.

This summer, Teatro Audaz San Antonio proudly announces its 10th Anniversary Season, Audaz X: A Decade of Familia, with a new residency partnership that includes three mainstage productions and an SNL-inspired comedy series, marking a major milestone for the award-winning Latinx theater company and signaling an exciting new chapter in its continued growth.

This landmark season celebrates ten years of fearless storytelling rooted in community, resilience, and the elevation of underrepresented voices, all while continuing to find home in every corazón reached. Audaz X honors the journey that built this familia and looks ahead with a renewed commitment to bold, community-centered storytelling and the development of San Antonio artists.

“Audaz X stands as both a celebration and a call to action, highlighting the importance of continued investment in Latinx theatre, community storytelling, and the company’s future growth, including expanded programming, its new residency, and long-term sustainability efforts,” said Laura T. Garza, Co-Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Teatro Audaz. 

SEASONAL RESIDENCY PARTNERSHIP WITH SAY SÍ

This milestone season marks a significant evolution for Teatro Audaz through a seasonal residency partnership with SAY Sí at its 1310 S. Brazos St. campus.

For the first time in its history, Teatro Audaz will house its office, rehearsal, storage, and performance spaces under one roof, a major step forward in strengthening operations, artistic collaboration, and long-term sustainability.

“Having all of our work in one place, even for this season, is a meaningful step forward for our company,” said Garza. “This partnership with SAY Sí allows us to operate more intentionally, deepen our community connections, and continue building the kind of artistic home our artists and audiences deserve.”

2026 MAINSTAGE SEASON

Teatro Audaz will continue its commitment to developing new Latinx and underrepresented voices featuring three mainstage productions. These original works were selected with Teatro’s “familia” theme in mind and are all regional or San Antonio premieres.

Audaz to the MAXX: Sketchy Nights in San Antonio – This is comedy without limits. This is storytelling without fear.

This ain’t your abuela’s theatre! It’s fast, fearless, and Audaz to the MAXX – where bold comedy meets cabaret flair, local flavor, and sharp commentary. This monthly sketch comedy series blends SNL-style energy with puro San Anto flavor. Season 2 launches June 24, with additional performances throughout the summer and fall.

Performance dates: June 24, July 29, Sept. 30, Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. (lobby opens at 6:30 p.m.).

Tickets can be found here. General admission: $20, VIP: $35. Students/Military/Seniors/Educators (must present ID at the door).

Con Mis Manos: Everyone’s Familia, written by Misael Martinez and directed by Jillian Campos
July 9–19, 2026 (Education Night: July 9)

This is a bilingual production about how a Hispanic family comes to grips with their mother dying from cancer. Set in Deep South Texas, the drama centers around the Gutierrez family, and follows David as he looks back at his father’s way of handling his wife’s illness. “With these hands, your Papi can fix anything,” Con Mis Manos is a powerful work centered on identity, heritage, and the stories we carry.

Performance Dates:

EDUCATION NIGHT: Thursday, July 9, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION: Friday, July 10, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
TEATRO PA’ TODOS: Saturday, July 11, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
MATINEE: Sunday, July 12, 2026 – 2:30 p.m.
ASL NIGHT: Thursday, July 16, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 17, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 18, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
CLOSING MATINEE: Sunday, July 19, 2026 – 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are available here. General admission: $3

Aye No! A Modern Gay Fairy Tale, written by Liz Coronado-Castillo and directed by Laura T. Garza
August 27 – September 6, 2026

Aye, No!  is a play by Chicana writer Liz Coronado-Castillo that explores themes of sexual identity, cultural collision, and family acceptance in a small border town.  The story follows Alicia, a young woman who returns home from college to visit her family in a small Texas border town. She brings along her friend, Cathy, intending to introduce her to her family.

Performance Dates:

EDUCATION NIGHT:  Thursday, August 27, 2026 -7:30 p.m.
OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION: Friday, August 28, 2026 -7:30 p.m.
TEATRO PA’ TODOS:  Saturday, August 29, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
MATINEE:  Sunday, August 30, 2026 – 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 3, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
ASL NIGHT:  Friday, September 4, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 5, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
CLOSING MATINEE:  Sunday, September 6, 2026 – 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are available here. General admission: $35

Esperanza Rising, written by Alvaro Saar Rios and directed by AnaLisa Leos
December 16–22, 2026 (Education Night: Dec. 16)

Adapted by Alvaro Saar Rios from Pam Muñoz Ryan’s novel, Esperanza Rising is the story of a Mexican pampered landowner’s daughter who is suddenly forced to start over at the bottom as a migrant farmworker in the United States during the Great Depression.

Performance Dates:

EDUCATION NIGHT:  Wednesday, December 16, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION: Thursday, December 17, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
TEATRO PA’ TODOS:  Friday, December 18, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
ASL NIGHT:  Saturday, December 19, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
MATINEE:  Sunday, December 20, 2026 – 2:30 p.m.
Monday, December 21, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 22, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available here. General admission: $35.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING

Teatro Audaz’s season also includes youth and community engagement initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to cultivating the next generation of artists:

Camp Viva Broadway Summer Camp + Showcase (June 14–20, 2026)

Student Performance Showcase (June 20, 2026 from 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.) Novio Boy written by Gary Soto and directed by Isa de la Cerda and Briana Morales.

Join Teatro Audaz as they celebrate the incredible work of Camp Viva Broadway students and the next generation of storytellers. When ninth-grader Rudy lands a date with Patricia, an older eleventh-grade girl, he suddenly finds himself scrambling for money, confidence, and the right words to say. With plenty of advice from friends and family, Rudy embarks on a journey filled with laughter, awkward moments, and valuable lessons about growing up. 

To learn more about Novio Boy, click here: https://www.teatroaudaz.com/events/novio-boy.

Photos courtesy Teatro Audaz.

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