Wednesday, November 12 – Wednesday, December 31
“Go Spurs Show”
Hailed as “an artistic tribute and convergence of professional basketball and fine arts,” the team-spirited exhibit “Go Spurs Show” unites more than 20 local artists – Agosto Cuellar, Amada Clair Miller, Ana Fernandez, Vincent Valdez, Ethel Shipton, Jake Zollie Harper and Avi Avalos (AKA Mr. Piñata) among them – in a multimedia celebration of “what it means to be a fan of the San Antonio Spurs.” Free, by appointment only, Studio One Zero Three, 721 S Presa, (210) 573-8947. –Bryan Rindfuss
Wednesday, November 12
An Evening with Rebecca Solnit
Rebecca Solnit, the originator of the term “mansplaining,” will be speaking at Trinity University this Wednesday. Solnit will discuss her new book of collected essays, Encyclopedia of Trouble and Spaciousness, which explores issues of history, justice, and catastrophe around the world. Free, Wednesday 5:30-6:30pm, Trinity University Holt Center, 106 Oakmount, (210) 999-8884, tupress.org
Wednesday, November 12
David Brooks
In his bi-weekly op-ed for The New York Times, David Brooks is a shark among dolphins (or vice-versa), occupying some of the few column inches in the paper reserved strictly for conservative thought. Blue bloods, don’t let that red tinge color you disinterested—Brooks is a brilliant thinker and lucid writer appearing regularly on PBS’ Newshour and NPR’s All Things Considered. In recent weeks, the Toronto native has written about Ebola’s ability to exploit “weaknesses in our cultural fabric,” the errors of politicians “microtargeting” voters and political idealism after Obama. Free, 7:30pm, Laurie Auditorium, 1 Trinity Place, (210) 999-8117, trinity.edu. —Matt Stieb
Thursday, November 13
Diplomatico Cocktails at Blue Box
The boys at Blue Box are beefing up their islander spirit know-how with Diplomatico rum owner Nino Cubelo. Learn more about the spirit from the man himself and pick up a few tips on making awesome cocktails via the U.S. Bartender’s Guild-San Antonio chapter. Free, but seating is limited, Thursday 1pm, 312 Pearl Pkway, contact Stephan Mendez for reservations at Stephan@bluebox.com. –Jessica Elizarraras
Thursday, November 13
Second Thursday at McNay Art Museum featuring Lucas Jack
This week marks the final McNay Second Thursday of the year. Join us for a night of free fun on the museum grounds, featuring live music from singer, songwriter and pianist Lucas Jack. Food is available for purchase from some of San Antonio’s best food trucks, plus there’s free beer courtesy of Crispin Ciders and wine courtesy of Becker Vineyards. Docent-led tours of the collection begin at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.. This event is a partnership with the San Antonio Current. Free, 6pm-9pm Thu, McNay Art Museum, 6000 N New Braunfels, (210) 824-5368, mcnayart.org
Thursday, November 13
Good Morning, Vietnam
Santikos Bijou is choosing to honor the late, great Robin Williams yet again this week with a free showing of Good Morning, Vietnam, in which Williams stars as a hammy Radio DJ during the Vietnam War. Free, Thursday 7pm, 4522 Fredericksburg Rd, (210) 734-4522
Thursday, November 13
Artpace International Artists-in-Residence
An emerging force at Washington D.C.’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, curator Mika Yoshitake notably served as project coordinator for the Museum of Contemporary Art–Los Angeles’ traveling Takashi Murakami retrospective (from 2005 to 2009) and brings her sharp take on contemporary art to San Antonio as ringleader of Artpace’s final International Artists-in-Residence exhibition of 2014. Representing three months of work (September to November) and on view through January of 2015, the endeavor united Tokyo-based Takashi Arai, Austinite Anna Krachey and New Yorker Adam Helms. A contemporary photographer championing the daguerreotype, Arai creates images that chiefly celebrate the aesthetics of the archaic process Louis Daguerre introduced in the 1800s. Also experimenting with historical references and archival sensibilities, Helms addresses themes of violence, unrest and decay via charcoal drawings, prints, assemblages and tintypes depicting militants, in durgent movements and rebel soldiers. A native of New Hampshire, Krachey lectures at St. Edwards University and is one of 11 members of the artist collective Lakes Were Rivers. Informed by domestic narratives and everyday objects, her photographic vignettes explore “the relationship between the beholder and the work of art.” Free, 6-9pm (artists’ dialogue at 7pm), Artpace, 445 N Main, (219) 212-4900, artpace.org. –Bryan Rindfuss
Saturday, November 15
The Amazing Spiderman 2
District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran and Slab Cinema co-host director Marc Webb’s 2014 film starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, and Jamie Foxx. Free, Saturday 6pm, Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt, (210) 554-1000
Saturday, November 15 – Sunday, November 16
Tamalada in the Plaza at Historic Market Square
This two-day culinary event includes hands-on tamal-making demonstrations led by Jesus de La Torre of Colectivo Cultural. Free, Sat-Sun, noon-6pm, Market Square, 514 W Commerce, (210) 207-8600, marketsquaresa.com
This article appears in Luminaria 2014.