In San Anto, MLK Jr. Day isn’t just an excuse to take a long weekend. Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., and San Antonio’s MLK Jr. March in particular, DreamWeek was founded to promote tolerance and equality and foster growth through discourse across cultures. Heartily embraced by the city, DreamWeek enters its seventh consecutive year bigger than ever, launching straight into a bevy of events that showcase some of the diverse talent that our city has to offer.
At the Scobee Education Center, the International Dark-Sky Association celebrates the night sky as both a scientific wonder and an inspiration for artistry in Aires Above Ground: The Backbone of Night with a screening of The City Dark in the planetarium and a premiere of local composer Dan Cook’s The Backbone of Night ($50-$75, 7:30-10pm Fri, Scobee Education Center, 1819 N. Main Ave., airesaboveground.com).
Teatro Audaz has timed its latest production to match up with the onset of DreamWeek festivities, putting a Latinx twist on the classic Shakespearean comedy The Taming of the Shrew by updating the setting to a border town in 2018 ($15, 7:30pm Thu-Sat, 2:30pm Sun, Palo Alto College Performing Arts Center, 1400 W. Villaret Blvd., teatroaudaz.com).
Feeling helpless in the face of each day’s dreadful political headlines? Texas State Senator José Menéndez wants to empower you to act — his educational lecture “Legislation Is for Everyone: Transforming Advocacy into Action” will demystify the legislative process and lay out how the average person can be empowered to participate, regardless of whether it’s an election year (free, 10am-12pm Sat, University of Incarnate Word, Mabee Library Auditorium, 4301 Broadway).
For its “Destino San Antonio” exhibition, the Briscoe dug into its archives to create an experiential exhibit on San Antonio history, featuring a selection of stereographs of the city from the 1860s to 1930, video documentaries, a replica arcade with 3-D image viewers and other interactive programming. Plus: it’s fully bilingual! ($8-10, on view 10am-5pm Wed-Sat, 10am-3pm Sun, 10am-5pm Mon, 10am-9pm Tue through January 21, Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W. Market St., briscoemuseum.org)
Of course, this is only a minute fraction of what’s scheduled for this and next week. Hit up dreamweek.org to take a gander at the full smorgasbord on offer.