The writers, editors and graphic designers out there may groan at the sight of “Lorem Ipsum” in print, but in the case of New York artist Cordy Ryman, it’s not placeholder or “dummy” text but the title of his new Artpace exhibition that may or may not have something to do with Roman philosopher Cicero’s 1st-century work De finibus bonorum et malorum (On the ends of good and evil). Hailed as “a champion of unabashed visual pleasure,” Ryman creates intriguing — and at times humorous — installations, sculptural objects and wall pieces crafted from such non-traditional materials as reclaimed wood, industrial paints, scrap metal, Velcro and Gorilla Glue. Whether roughly assembled or meticulously executed, Ryman’s works bring to mind a carpenter experiencing a stroke of genius — or possibly madness. One of several shows scheduled in celebration of Artpace’s 21st year, “Lorem Ipsum” opens in tandem with San Antonio artist Chris Sauter’s “Biography Construction Site (Cakes),” an installation that converts the front window gallery space into “a veritable bakery consisting of cakes constructed from cutout sheetrock forms, dummy cakes iced with drywall finishing mud and actual edible baked cakes.” Free, 6-9pm Thu, Artpace, 445 N. Main Ave., (210) 212-4900, artpace.org.— Bryan Rindfuss
Do you love cocktails, glitz and a total bash? Then don’t pass on this event which features plenty of craft cocktails and bites as you weave your way onto the Majestic’s stage (you may or may not want to re-enact that scene from The Book of Mormon while there). $85, 7-10pm Thu, The Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., (210) 472-2211, sananatoniococktailconference.com. — Jessica Elizarraras
Much like the Spurs, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been playing solid under-the-radar hoops, courtesy of the supernova Golden State Warriors. Unlike SA, the Cavs are still forging an identity on defense, after welcoming back Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert from injury. When he’s not delivering babies, Shumpert, in particular, has helped beef up Cleveland’s defensive stats. The return of King James generates the type of electricity reserved for a prizefight, in what those in Bexar County will view as a Finals preview. Watching Patty Mills square off against Matthew Dellavedova is an added bonus. $108-$2,052, 7pm Thu, AT&T Center, One AT&T Center Pkwy., (210) 444-5000, attcenter.com. — M. Solis
The Old West — with its cowboys, frontier life and sublime, untarnished wilderness — has long stimulated the imagination of American artists and writers. Following in this rich tradition, Denton-born, SA-based painter and performance artist Bryson Brooks, 40, has been painting bold, bright and surreal “Westerns” since his college days. Brooks’ latest exhibit “Home on the Range,” which opens Thursday with a beer and bourbon mixer, collects works from his efforts in this mode. The exhibit — full of whimsy, gold-leafed sunlight and daydreams of our bygone brethren — runs through January 30. Free, 6-8pm Thu, AnArte Gallery, 7959 Broadway, Suite 404, (210) 826-5674, anartegallery09.com.— James Courtney
DreamWeek, the “12-day summit [hosted in San Antonio and] developed to promote an exchange of ideas on universal issues facing our multicultural communities,” a true beacon of sanity and compassion, continues through next Tuesday. Rich with events of all types, focused on issues of social justice and tolerance, DreamWeek gives you more opportunities to engage than we can possibly enumerate here. However, here are a few standouts we’re looking forward to attending. On Saturday, you can meditate on the joy of diversity through food at the Taste the Dream Gala (6-11pm, Institute of Texas Cultures, 801 E. César E. Chávez Blvd.). Meanwhile, Sunday, a tragically timely expert panel discussion will look at the Intersection of Immigration and Civil Rights (2pm, La Orilla del Rio Ballroom, 203 S. St Mary’s St.). Lastly, on Monday, pat your city on the back for hosting such a swell event at the DreamWeek Freedom Party (6:30-9:30pm, Southwest School of Art, 1201 Navarro St.). Prices, times and locations vary, visit dreamweek.org or call (210) 444-2315 for details.— James Courtney
"Crazy" bands always seem disappointing. Almost without fail they’re unabashedly terrible (Crazy Frog, Crazy Town) or, even when they're good (Crazy Horse), far from anything their name should suggest. But what if a "crazy" band actually were, like, crazy? New York hardcore outfit Crazy Spirit certainly seems to fit the bill. For the past six years, they’ve been unrelentingly cranking out the same barely-audible scuzz-punk, furiously touring the country and generally terrifying audiences with their frenzied presence. They’ve also started drawing results from their relentless approach to hardcore, gathering a rapid following around their mosh-ready sound, especially their singer’s reptilian snarl, which sounds something like the Germs’ Darby Crash with a throat infection. Sharing the Paper Tiger bill with Crazy Spirit are Austin punk-stalwarts Total Abuse, whose sound leans a little cleaner but no less pummeling. They’ve ridden a 2013 reunion to an excellent new EP Looking For Love and an impressive number of shows, including an SA set last year. Opening are Houston post-punks Filthy, who’ll bring a melodic (if you consider Joy Division melodic) edge to the bill, and up-and-coming San Antonio outfit Hötzi. $5, 8pm Fri, Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersa.com. — J.D. Swerzenski
Legislate This! Burlesque Productions is wishing a happy “Vajanuary” to all Texas ladies. The group, spearheaded by dancers/activists Ginger Snaps (Austin), Tifa Tittlywinks (Houston) and Black Orchid (SA), originated three years ago in response to decreases in Planned Parenthood funding and misogyny in Texas politics. Saturday, you’re invited to experience the group’s latest, in the form of a huge burlesque show, in the intimate confines of The Uptown Studio. Titillating in and of itself, the event gives folks an opportunity to contribute much-needed funds to Planned Parenthood. $10, 8pm Sat, The Uptown Studio, 700 Fredericksburg Road, eventbrite.com. — JC
Evolving somewhat organically as a production/remix collaboration between like-minded musicians Jesse Cohen and Eric Emm, New York outfit Tanlines crafts danceable nostalgia that’s simultaneously melancholic and playful. With the enduring single “Real Life” (one of Rolling Stone’s 50 Best Songs of 2012), the duo solidified a sound NPR member station KCRW likened to “sitting on a front stoop on an early summer night drinking a piña colada-flavored Brooklyn bodega ICEE.” For a briefer on the band’s quirky sensibility, check out their witty Twitter feed or Cohen’s refreshingly candid podcast, No Effects. $16, 8pm Fri, Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersa.com. — BR
There will be an unlikely meeting of minds this weekend when Arte y Pasión present Algoritmos, a multidisciplinary collaborative project that “juxtaposes” flamenco with modern dance, and yes, opera. In this latest work, artistic director Tamara Adira leads an ever-evolving cast of dancers, musicians and vocalists as they stretch the boundaries of an ancient genre while attempting to remain true to its roots. After premiering Algoritmos back in November at the Uptown Studio, Adira brings the show to the intimate space at Jump-Start with new additions and special guest artists: dancer Melissa Cruz, guitarist Ricardo Diaz (both from the Bay Area) and San Antonio’s own renowned flamenco vocalist Chayito Champion. $25-$55, 7pm Sat, 3pm Sun, Jump-Start Performing Arts Center, 710 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 227-5867, facebook.com. — Marco Aquino
He may hate the word “electroclash,” but Chicago house hero Felix Stallings, Jr. (aka Felix Da Housecat) is among that fleeting genre’s most lauded survivors. Mentored by acid-house innovator DJ Pierre, Stallings broke into the mainstream via 2001’s Kittenz and Thee Glitz. Anchored by the singles “Madame Hollywood” and “Silver Screen Shower Scene” (both featuring French vocalist Miss Kittin), the album led to major remix projects and a collab with Sean Diddy Combs. Sober after years of raising hell as the “Mezcalateer,” the Grammy nominee lands at Jack Rabbit for a DJ set on the heels of 2015’s Narrative of Thee Blast Illusion. $16-$25, 9:30pm Sun, Jack Rabbit, 6322 San Pedro Ave., (210) 202-8989, facebook.com. — BR
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