Staff Picks: What to Do Friday, December 11

click to enlarge Throw in some tacos, and it's a party. - Albert Salazar
Albert Salazar
Throw in some tacos, and it's a party.
Selena Lotería: If there isn't a Selena-themed lotería set that can be purchased at your neighborhood botánica, there really should be. (Get on that, Abe.) Just think how La Reina de Tex-Mex could be reimagined as the figures depicted in a traditional deck. Selena illustrated la dama, for example, or la corona, la estrella, or even el corazon. "Como la Flor" could be referenced on la rosa or la maceta. You could easily gender-swap el musico. La Sirena would be renamed la Selena, obviously. (She'd still be a mermaid, though.) El tambor? Clearly Suzette. And la mano? Abe. El valiente? Chris Perez. La botella? Well, that card is required to reference her deal with Coca-Cola.   And, because it's unavoidable, reviled murderer Yolanda Saldivar would appear as la diabla, la muerte, as well as la per(r)a. Andale mijos! Someone make this happen. Until someone does, enjoy the next best thing, Selena Lotería. The evening showcases works by 10 local artists in which Selena Quintanilla-Perez, the source of all light, is merged with the popular game to unite two disparate, yet important touchstones to Mexican and Mexican-American culture. Featuring live performances from Xylo, Pink Leche and Calico Club, plus a holiday market offering holiday gifts and handmade wares from local artisans, including my current Instagram obsession, Very That. $3, 7pm-11pm, Southwest Workers Union, 1413 E. Commerce St., facebook.com. — Albert Salazar, @aesalazar80

Progressive Opening Party: OPEN Holiday Market shops are back, making downtown the place to pick up gifts this season. Join the Center City Development and Operations Department during this opening party which starts off with Alex Herrera on sax, apps via Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery and a Pedernales Cellars wine tasting at CANVAS (140 E. Houston St., 5-5:30pm), followed by sweet and savory appetizers at Zelle Boutique (5:30-6); Stop by the Gift Market at 231 E. Houston where the party will include Ghostpizza Empire, aerial artists, beer from Guadalupe Brewing, specialty cocktails, and treats from Bakery Lorraine (6-6:30pm). Cap off your eve with tapas from Box Street Social, cookies from Meemo's bakery, jams and at the art and vintage portion of OPEN (6:30-7pm). Free, 5-7pm, along Houston St., opensanantonio.com— Jessica Elizarraras, @JessElizarraras

Gary Wilson & The Blind Dates: 
In short, Gary Wilson is strange and sincere. A life-long musician of multiple instruments, student of John Cage, home recording prodigy and performance artist, Wilson has experienced a career almost as peculiar as his romantically charged electronic lounge jams and as unpredictable as his mock teen idol shows — performances that include throwing sacks of flour, splashing paint, duct-taping a mannequin to his back or covering himself with a bed sheet and crying — all of which is just part of what he describes as “Gary Wilson Music.” You couldn’t call it anything else with much conviction. Although, it’s fair to say his particular brand of outsider pop music has influenced an impressive lineup of artists from the highly evident Ariel Pink to more surprising musicians like Earl Sweatshirt of rap collective Odd Future. $8-$10, 8:30pm Fri, K23 Gallery, 702 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 776-5635, facebook.com/k23gallery. — Travis Buffkin, @dtbuffkin

San Antonio | The Saga Creator Xavier de Richemont: Meet the man behind the captivating video projection installation that graces the San Fernando Cathedral. Xavier de Richemont will be signing copies of the new book San Antonio | The Saga that chronicles the artwork, including Richemont's storyboard, with notes and comments, and photos of the images displayed on the cathedral. Richemont will be in San Antonio through Sunday. Free, 6-8pm, The Drury Plaza Hotel Riverwalk, 105 S St Mary's St., xavier-de-richemont.com. —Mark Reagan, @210Reagan

KEEP SA CURRENT!

Since 1986, the SA Current has served as the free, independent voice of San Antonio, and we want to keep it that way.

Becoming an SA Current Supporter for as little as $5 a month allows us to continue offering readers access to our coverage of local news, food, nightlife, events, and culture with no paywalls.

Join today to keep San Antonio Current.

Scroll to read more Arts Stories & Interviews articles

Join SA Current Newsletters

Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox.