A fixture on the Alamo City’s contemporary art landscape since 1993 and a champion of First Friday’s original mission, UTSA’s off-campus Satellite Space breaks in its new digs at SAY Sí this week with a group show culled from an open call for submissions. As epic as the gallery’s departure from the Blue Star Arts Complex might seem to some, “Monumental” doesn’t address the hop across the tracks or the end of an era, but the “formal properties of texture, immediacy and space, alongside the unifying theme of personal and social indulgences.” Curated by Katherine Garner, the exhibition of large-scale drawings, paintings and prints unites artists from San Antonio, Houston, San Marcos and Dripping Springs (including Garner, Michael Villarreal, Lisa Samson, Daniel Gray, Alyssa Moody, Julio Barrientos, Krista Quiroga and Megan Spacek) in a visual dialogue touching on themes of violence, mapping, communication and consumerism. Free, 6-9pm Thursday-Friday, UTSA Satellite Space (located inside SAY Sí), 1518 S Alamo, (210) 458-4391, art.utsa.edu.
2. Carla Morrison
Carla Morrison was already a cult figure by the time she won two Latin Grammy awards in 2012 (Best Alternative Music Album for Déjenme Llorar and Best Alternative Song for its namesake). The wins turned her into an instant heir to a long list of female Mexican songstresses that enjoy both critical acclaim and a substantial fan base (Julieta Venegas, Ely Guerra, Ximena Sariñana, Natalia Lafourcade, and the list continues). A skilled songwriter who uses alternative folk, rock and pop, she’s all about Mexican-style melancholy: a colorful type of darkness that lifts your spirits instead of bringing you down. In probably the least dance-oriented Échale event yet, she’ll share the bill with Austin’s Davíd Garza, a top-notch singer-songwriter himself who shares with Morrison the same passion for artistic integrity. Free, 7-10pm Friday, Pearl Amphitheatre, 100 E Grayson, pearlechale.com.
3. ‘Night of the Living Dead’
George Romero’s 1968 low-budget horror flick Night of the Living Dead is the granddaddy of the zombie culture that’s taken over the world. It’s gotten the royal treatment in everything from novels to video games, so it was only a matter of time until it made it to the theater. In a way, the Overtime picked perfect property for live zombie dramatics; Night of the Living Dead is on a smaller, more intimate scale than most undead fiction and lends itself to the close, unsettling scares promised by its creators. There’s also an interactive element, which ought to provide plenty of jumping in one’s seat. The film that started it all was a tight little thriller packed with irony and chills; its successors have all gone big, but the Overtime’s instinct in making it small again should prove dead on. $10-$14, 8pm Friday-Saturday, The Overtime Theater, 1203 Camden, (210) 557-7562, theovertimetheater.org.
4. ‘Every Story Tells a Picture: A Night of Music, Video & Conversation
“Every Story Tells a Picture: A Night of Music, Video & Conversation,” is more than just a CD release party for its author, Joël Dilley. He’s a hell of a bassist, with a reputation as one of the most original and versatile players on the local scene unquestioned. Dilley’s latest, Lullaby of the Flatlands (part of the ongoing Mandala Music series) doubles down on his fascination with diverse music cultures, its 12 tracks feeling more like an aural travelogue than a record. True to the impressionistic nature of Lullaby, Dilley will premiere the Guillermina Zabala-directed video for “A Night in December” (full disclosure: Zabala is the wife of the Current’s Music and Screens editor) and will be backed by singer/pianist Bett Butler, percussionist Nina Rodríguez and singer/guitarist Azul Barrientos (also featured in the video) to bring the soundscapes of Lullaby to life. $5, 7pm Saturday, Esperanza Peace & Justice Center, 922 San Pedro, (210) 228-0201, esperanzacenter.org.
5. Mission Reach Grand Opening
At long last, bikers, runners, walkers and even paddlers will be able to enjoy the Mission Reach in her complete 8-mile glory, marking one big step closer to realizing the 13-mile San Antonio River Improvements Project. In an appropriately grand fashion, the San Antonio River Authority and friends have planned a big bash between Mission and Acequia parks along the Mission Reach to celebrate, with food trucks, live music (including Current picks the Swindles, In and Outlaws, Villela, Juanito Castillo and Nicolette Good), kids nature activities and a paddling flotilla complete with shuttle service. There’s way too much cool stuff to detail here, so check the website for a full schedule and prepare to fête one of the best things to ever happen to SA. Free (food and drink for purchase), 10am-8pm Saturday, various locations (VIA park and ride at Wonderland of the Americas Mall), sanantonioriver.org.
6. Huevos Rancheros Gala
San Anto Cultural Arts’ signature fundraiser adopts a 3D look this year with “Huevovision: Looking into the Future,” an apt theme for an nonprofit that just broke ground on an addition that will benefit youth enrolled in its multimedia, community mural and public art programs. Casual and all-inclusive, the event is expected to attract nearly 800 supporters to enjoy huevos rancheros from True Flavors Catering, live music by Los #3 Dinners, an exhibit and silent auction, and the crowning of King Huevo and Queen Huevo 2013. Chosen for the impact they’ve made “on the cultural and artistic vibrancy of our community,” UTSA President Dr. Ricardo Romo and National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures Executive Director Maria Lopez De León are this year’s honorees, inheriting crowns from Alex Rubio and Carmen Tafolla. By donation, 9am-noon Saturday, Plaza Guadalupe, 1327 Guadalupe, (210) 226-7466, sananto.org.
7. Chastity Bites
The San Antonio AIDS Foundation hosts the Texas premiere of John V. Knowles’ horror comedy Chastity Bites. In the vein of Heathers and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the film follows Countess Elizabeth Bathory, a serial killer/abstinence educator whose secret to staying young and beautiful (slaughtering virgins and bathing in their blood) is threatened by Leah Ratliff, an ambitious feminist blogger. The evening includes a pre-party on the terrace with music by DJ Lando (9:30-11:45pm) and a screening of Ryan Staake’s new music video for “Set It Off” by Diplo featuring Lazerdisk Party Sex. $10 (benefiting SAAF), pre-party at 9:30pm, Chastity Bites at midnight Saturday, Santikos Palladium, 17703 IH-10 W, (210) 558-1012, chastitybitessa.eventbrite.com.
8. Diavolo Dance Theater
Founded in 1992 and officially recognized as a cultural treasure by the City of Los Angeles in 2007, Diavolo Dance Theater is a modern acrobatic dance company known for stunning, innovative movement on oversized surrealistic sets and everyday structures. Works from the Diavolo repertoire employ wheels, doors, cage-like structures, a wall peppered with protruding metal bars and an 18-foot aluminum and steel “spinning web.” $29-$110, 7:30pm Saturday, Lila Cockrell Theatre, 200 E Market, (210) 224-9600, artssa.org.
9. Stars and Garters Burlesque: The Live Band Show
Stars and Garters All-Stars Suki Jones, Foxxy Blue Orchid, Black Orchid and Pystol Whips and special guests Delia Dread and Vixy Van Hellen bump and grind to live music by Pete Anderson—a Grammy-winning producer and guitarist who’s known best for his work with country star Dwight Yoakam but has also collaborated with the likes of Mark Chestnutt, k.d. Lang and Lucinda Williams. General admission $13, table seating $25, 8pm Saturday, The Sterling Houston Theater at Jump-Start, 108 Blue Star, (210) 227-JUMP, starsandgartersburlesque.com.
10. The Official Dignowity Hill Pushcart Derby
Initiated in 2004 as a public art intervention, the Official Dignowity Hill Pushcart Derby encourages community involvement while presenting SA’s East Side as a safe place to live and play. Teams of three (two pushers and a driver) race in adult and kids (13 and under) divisions in pushcarts constructed from recycled materials (sturdiness, safety, and creativity should all be considered). Sponsored by the Friendly Spot, Alamo Street Eat Bar, the Dignowity Hill Neighborhood Association, Boneshakers and Xpress Signs and Flags, this year’s event features beer samples and cash prizes for the winning teams. Teams can register online through October 3 ($40 at dignowityderby2013.eventbrite.com) or at the event for $75. Free, noon-5pm Sunday, Lockwood Park, 800 N Olive, facebook.com/TheOfficialDignowityHillPushcartDerby.
