Just because the year is coming to a close doesn’t mean things are winding down. Whether you want to catch a performance, fill your stomach, kick off a party or all of the above, it’s gonna be a piece of cake to fill your planner this season.
FALL FESTS
Oktoberbest
If you want an authentic Munich experience but can’t afford the international travel, get yourself over to the Beethoven for their annual two-weekend celebration of Oktoberfest. Nosh on schnitzel, sip a German brew and enjoy a slate of German music that features performances by the old-school singing society’s own choral ensembles – all while mingling with friends old and new in the biergarten’s communal seating area. $5, 5pm-midnight Fri, Oct. 5, Sat, Oct. 6, Fri, Oct. 12, Sat, Oct. 13, Beethoven Maennerchor Halle und Garten, 422 Pereida St., (210) 222-1521, beethovenmaennerchor.com.
Chalk It Up
For Artpace’s Chalk It Up festival, locally selected artists put their pastels to the pavement of Houston Street and North Main to create vivid murals, and attendees can also flex their creative muscles in designated “Freestyle Zones.” Whether or not you want to get your hands dusty, you can check out the art, grab some snacks from food trucks, hear live music by local performers and take part in various hands-on demonstrations. Free, 10am-4pm Sat, Oct. 13, downtown Houston St., (210) 212-4900, artpace.org.
Alamo City Comic Con
ACCC’s meteoric growth since its debut in 2013 has finally pushed it to a bigger venue — the Alamodome. Despite its short tenure, the con has become one of the largest events of its kind nationally, and lovers of all things geek will find plenty to enjoy. This year’s celebrity guests include beefcake-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger, “Suddenly Seymour” himself, Rick Moranis, O.G. Captain Kirk William Shatner, and the kooky and magnetic Jeff Goldblum. $10-$90, 3-8pm Fri, Oct. 26, 10am-8pm Sat, Oct. 27, 10am-6pm Sun, Oct. 28, Alamodome, 100 Montana St., (210) 207-3663, alamocitycomiccon.com.
Día de los Muertos
To say that San Anto goes all out for Día de los Muertos is certainly an understatement. With events running from Oct. 20 through Nov. 3, highlights include Muertos Fest at La Villita (Oct. 27-28), SAY Sí’s Muertitos Fest (Nov. 2-3), URBAN-15’s Carnaval de Los Muertos (Nov. 1-2), and more. Join the community to build ceremonial altars, witness processions of muertos characters, and venerate our ancestors in this vibrant Mexican holiday.
Diwali
Celebrate the annual Hindu Festival of Lights with a fete featuring authentic Indian cuisine, culture and color. The fest includes a river parade, a showcase of Indian dance and the traditional Diya Ceremony, in which candles are lit and floated in water, all capped off with a brilliant fireworks display. If you want to kick it off and really party, you can jump into some Bollywood Zumba or a Bhangra dance-along! Free, 5pm-midnight Sat, Nov. 3, Hemisfair (434 S. Alamo St.) & Arneson River Theater (418 Villita St.), diwalisa.com.
Luminaria
Luminaria curates a collection of artists and performers to light up the night downtown. For its 10th anniversary, which coincides with the city’s Tricentennial, the after-dark contemporary arts festival brings together 50 artists of all disciplines to exhibit new works and activate Hemisfair as a creative space. Art installations remain on display all night, accompanied by a slate of musicians, poets and performers. Free, 7pm-midnight Sat, Nov. 10, Hemisfair, 434 S. Alamo St., (210) 721-1670, luminariasa.org.
LOCAL TALENT
Avenue Q
It may be harsh to hear that “everyone’s a little bit racist, sometimes,” but the bitter pill is certainly easy to swallow when it comes wrapped in a catchy tune. If you’re aching to hear hits like “What Do You Do with a B.A. in English” and “Schadenfreude,” head to the Woodlawn this October for their take on the cult smash, puppet-populated satire Avenue Q. $18-$30, Fri, Oct. 12 - Sun, Nov. 4, Woodlawn Theatre, 1920 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 267-8388, woodlawntheatre.org.
Fun Home
Adapted from Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel/memoir of the same name, Fun Home chronicles Bechdel’s attempt to navigate her sexuality and her father’s untimely death while also grappling with the revelation that the man she thought she knew had troubling secrets roiling just under the surface. The heady material doesn’t pull its punches, and it’s hard to imagine it could, but it translates to the stage as a poignant rumination on family and self. $20-$35, Thu, Oct. 18 - Sun, Nov. 18, The Public Theater of San Antonio, 800 W. Ashby Pl., (210) 733-7258, thepublicsa.org.
Beauty and the Beast
To kick off its 2018-2019 season, Ballet San Antonio retells a tale as old as time. Featuring a new prequel to the story choreographed by Bruce Wells, the ballet recounts the unlikely romance between Belle and her Beast in two acts with a series of Divertissement, Pas de Deux and solos that will be sure to captivate fairy tale fans of all ages. $35-$114, Fri, Oct. 19 - Sun, Oct. 21, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 404-9641, balletsanantonio.org.
CATCH THEM WHILE THEY’RE HERE
New Chinese Acrobats
The internationally acclaimed New Chinese Acrobats preserve the art of ancient Chinese traditions of performance alongside modern acrobatic acts, tied together by virtuosic performers and innovative staging. Arts San Antonio brings the troupe to the perfect setting — the gilded proscenium of the Majestic Theater — for a performance featuring a series of ensemble and solo acts that showcase epic feats of balance, flexibility and artistry. $29-$99, 7:30pm Thu, Oct. 18, The Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., (210) 226-2891, artssa.org.
Flying Bach
Four-time world champion dancing troupe Flying Steps has put a new twist on something baroque in their latest touring performance. In Flying Bach, they breakdance to the music of “The Well Tempered Clavier,” and let me tell you, regardless of your opinion on our man JSB, this will certainly be a show to remember! $29.50-$85, 8pm Sat, Nov. 3, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter.org.
School of Rock: The Musical
Mom and Dad still won’t let your band practice in the garage? Well, try telling them that this musical is an educational tale about geology, and hope that the show’s real lesson about the importance of making room in your life for fun and performance sinks in. For better or worse, you’ll all at least get to enjoy this rockin’ stage adaptation of a hit comedic flick. $40-$150, Tue, Nov. 6 - Sun, Nov. 11, The Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., (210) 226-3333, majesticempire.com.
Napoleon Dynamite – A Conversation with Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez and Tina Majorino
Throw some tots in your pockets, and don’t forget to feed your llama, because Napoleon Dynamite is coming to town! After a screening of the film, actors Jon Heder (Napoleon), Efren Ramirez (Pedro), and Tina Majorino (Deb) will sit down for a panel discussion, followed by a meet-and-greet with the fans who nabbed VIP tickets. $29.50-$135, 8pm Thu, Nov. 15, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter.org.
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