Black Friday Cosmopalooza
Here’s a delightfully trippy group of local acts that you can dig for free as you try and escape the lingering turkey smell in your house. Carnival in Romans—the experimental trio of cellist/guitarist/vocalist Sean McCarrey, bassist Peter Hensel and drummer Chris Maddin—makes oddball ambient tunes adorned by fractured waves of gentle pop. You can grab their new album for free at carnivalinromans.bandcamp.com. Meanwhile, Vegan St. Tacos and Josh Glenn (above) play, respectively, jazz and Americana-inflected indie-pop and experimental-folk hallmarked by looped acoustic guitar explorations. Free, 10pm Fri, Bottom Bracket Social Club, 1603 N Colorado, (210) 267-9160. —James Courtney
Fri 11/28
Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony
One of the country’s only nighttime river parades, SA’s colorful kickoff to the holiday season boasts 122,000 twinkling lights that form a “magical canopy” for 25 tricked-out floats carrying bands, local celebs and plenty of cheer. This year’s theme is Holiday Celebrations around the World and Gordan Hartman, prominent philanthropist and San Antonio native, leads the parade as Grand Marshal. $10-$25, 7-9pm Fri, San Antonio Riverwalk, (210) 227-4262, thesanantonioriverwalk.com. —Ainsley Caffrey
Fri 11/28
3BallMTY & Los Rakas
Comprised of Erick Rincon, Sergio Zavala, and Alberto Presenda, Nuevo León-based DJ trio 3BallMTY (pronounced Tribal Monterrey) brings some culture to the stage with their Guaracha tribal music. They have won the Latin Grammy in 2012 for Best New Artist on the strength of chart-toppers like “Inténtalo." Performing with them is Los Rakas, a band from Oakland via Panama, who bring the best of bilingual rap, blending USA hip-hop with reggaeton and dancehall rhythms. Los Rakas’ unique style even got the duo a collab with Blondie on the band’s 2014 LP Blondie 4(0) Ever. $21, 7pm Fri, 210 Kapone’s, 1223 E Houston, (210) 422-6274, 210kapones.com.
Fri 11/28 - Sat 11/29
Murder at the Chateau Le Shadow
Things are not what they seem at the Chateau Le Shadow, an English estate where strangers meet, mysteries occur and the stench of death lingers in the air. The Overtime Theater presents Murder at the Chateau Le Shadow, the newest play by Scott McDowell. This choose-your-own-adventure murder mystery allows the audience to take the reins in an experience where anything is possible, including four different endings on any given night. Consistently voted Best Theater Company in the Current’s Best of San Antonio readers’ poll, the OT has produced more than 50 shows, including six original musicals, in an effort to provide the Alamo City with “innovative and accessible entertainment at an affordable price.” Emily Fitzgerald directs the production. $10-$14, 8pm Fri-Sat, The Overtime Theater, 1203 Camden, (210) 557-7562, theovertimetheater.org. —Murphi Cook
Fri 11/28 - Sat 11/29
25th Annual International Peace Market
The International Peace Market (Mercado de Paz) celebrates 25 years of combining the arts with economic empowerment, international and cultural exchange, and social consciousness. More than 100 international and local artists and artisans (Irene Aguilar, Teresa Lopez Jimenez and Veronica Quiroz, to name a few) will offer shoppers a variety of handmade items, including hand-woven rugs, handcrafted pottery, textiles, hand-embroidered clothing, paintings, sculptures and more. Free, 10am-6pm Fri-Sat, Esperanza Peace & Justice Center, 922 San Pedro, (210) 288-0201, esperanzacenter.org.
Fri 11/28 - Sun 11/30
Las Nuevas Tamaleras
Like the tamale-making gatherings that inspired it, Las Nuevas Tamaleras is a colorful yuletide tradition seasoned with plenty of local flavor. Penned by Brownsville native Alicia Mena in 1990 and first presented in San Antonio in 1993, the one-act comedy paints a comical portrait of three Latinas struggling to make their first ever batch of tamales with assistance from the spirits of veteran tamaleras Doña Mercedes and Doña Juanita. A must for diehard fans, Saturday’s Reception Night ($45) features dinner, drinks and live music by Conjunto Heritage Taller founder Rodolfo Lopez. $12-$45, 8pm Fri-Sat, 3pm Sun, Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe, (210) 271-3151, tamaleras.com. —Bryan Rindfuss
Fri 11/28 - Sun 11/30
The Nutcracker
The San Antonio Symphony and Ballet San Antonio ring in holiday cheer with The Nutcracker’s debut at the Tobin. Adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story The Nutcracker and The Mouse King and scored by Russian composer Tchaikovsky, the two-act ballet follows the escapades of a young girl named Clara who receives an enchanted nutcracker on Christmas Eve. Choreographed by Gabriel Zertuche and starring professional dancers alongside 170 local children, SA’s own production of the wintertime classic promises to entrance audience members of all ages. $23.10-$115, 2pm & 7pm Fri-Sun, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter.org. —Abby Mangel
Sat 11/29
Eva Ybarra
AL RENDON
La Reina del Acordeón, Eva Ybarra’s work exists on secret-spot taco-joint status: It’s so nice that we almost want to keep the word to ourselves to avoid undesired hype. From up-tempo stompers to slow, string-laced tragedies, Ybarra’s piquant conjunto appeals to newcomers and veterans of the genre. On “A Mi San Antonio,” Ybarra shares her love for the city, weaving through accordion runs. “I wouldn’t change my hometown for nothing, nada, not another beautiful town,” Ybarra told the Current earlier this year. And with brilliant shredding like hers, there’s no one we’d rather have. With D.T. Buffkin and DJ Rae D. Cabello. $5, 10pm Sat, Hi-Tones, 621 E Dewey, (210) 785-8777. —MS
Sat 11/29
Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE! Music is Awesome!
It’s time to grab the kids and yell “Yo Gabba Gabba!” at Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE! Music is Awesome! Following DJ Lance Rock and a colorful gang of globular creatures, the award-winning TV show has been rocking living rooms with its unique formula and hip popping tunes since 2007. Now fans can see their favorite characters in a live production that combines music, singing, dancing and animation. Featuring internet sensation Leslie Hall, beat box elite Biz Markie and a set list packed with earworms, the show seeks to “inspire the next generation of music lovers.” $31-$38, 2pm & 5pm Sat, Laurie Auditorium, Trinity University, One Trinity, (210) 999-8117,
yogabbagabbalive.com. —Murphi Cook
Sun 11/30
Ed Wilson Artist Talk/Last Chance Reception
FL!GHT Gallery hosts an artist talk and a reception for the last chance to view Ed Wilson's "One-Offs," which encapsulates a variety of Wilson's work created throughout the last 18 years, from castings to large-scale sculpture. The Houston-based artist was recently chosen by a panel to create a large stainless-steel mobile for the new lobby being built for the George R. Brown Convention Center in time for the 2017 Superbowl. However, after receiving a draft contract for the $830,000 project, the Houston Arts Alliance reportedly withdrew the contract without any explanation. Free, noon-3pm Sun, FL!GHT Gallery, 134 Blue Star, (210) 872-2586, facebook.com. —Ainsley Caffrey
