For the first time since her unforgettable 2004 concert event, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Lila Downs returns to San Antonio for Encanto en la lucha con Lila Downs presented by the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. This FREE open-air concert will take place on Friday, March 27, 2009 at the historic Sunken Garden Theater, 3975 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, Texas, 78212. Grounds open at 5:00 pm and will feature a Mercado with local artisans, vendors, and concession sales.

Fresh off her performance at the 2009 Grammy Awards where her latest album Shake Away was nominated in the Best Contemporary World Music category, Downs is eager to return to the city where she last drew an audience of over 3,000 fans. Joining Downs for this can’t miss performance are opening acts Azul with San Antonio musicians Bett Butler, Joel Dilley, Maya Guirao, and Paul Ward. Also on the bill are Rita Vidaurri, Beatriz Llamas, Blanca Rosa, and Janet Cortez, known as Las Tesoros del Westside, and accompanied by Mariachi Las Alteñas.

Encanto en la lucha con Lila Downs takes place on Friday, March 27, 2009 at the Sunken Garden Theater at 3975 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, Texas, 78212. Although admission to the concert is FREE, donations will be accepted and concessions will be sold. Copies of Lila Downs’ latest CD Shake Away will be available for purchase. This event is co-sponsored  by the San Antonio Office of Cultural Affairs. For interview requests contact Manuel Solis at esperanza@esperanzacenter.org or (210) 228-0201.

WHAT:    The Esperanza Center presents
Encanto en la lucha con Lila Downs
WHERE:    Sunken Garden Theater, 3975 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, Texas, 78212
WHEN:    Friday March 27, 2009
        5:00 pm – Grounds open for seating and Mercado
        6:00 pm – Azul
        7:00 pm – Las Tesoros del Westside
        8:00 pm – Lila Downs

April 17 – August 16, 2009

A new exhibit opening April 17 in the Upper Gallery of the Art Museum of South Texas features the grandeur of one of America’s best-loved natural wonders in The Grand Canyon: From Dream to Icon.  The exhibition, which originally was organized by the Tucson Museum of Art, runs through mid-August at the Art Museum.

The Grand Canyon is one of the most compelling places on earth.   Capturing its vastness and beauty has been a creative challenge for artists since the mid-1800s and continues to be a source of inspiration for artists today. This breathtaking new exhibition selectively touches upon a range of works including early historic depictions of the Canyon, 20th Century illustrations, contemporary interpretations of its beauty, and conceptual investigations of the Canyon’s impact on our senses and society. 

Thomas Moran (1837-1926), the most significant early artist to document the Canyon, was also the artist whose depictions of Yellowstone facilitated the government’s decision to designate it as a national park 90 years ago this year.  His pictures continue to provide a first-hand look that is visually expansive.  Jack Dykinga, perhaps one of the most popular of the Grand Canyon photographers, creates richly colored images that appear dreamlike in their focus on atmospheric qualities of the area.  Merrill Mahaffey is one of the best known contemporary artists from the Southwest who has focused primarily on the Canyon, exploring and photographing it extensively for inspiration in his paintings. 

The Grand Canyon: From Dream to Icon offers viewers a chance to see how the Canyon continues to be an inspiration for generations of artists. Throughout the exhibition, educational programs will help visitors understand and respond to this American icon and the artists who depicted it.   Local support for this exhibition comes from the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, Sam Frech Fund for the Arts.

Lunch Amongst the Masters
Julie Sasse, Chief Curator for the Tucson Museum of Art since 2006, will present a talk on The Grand Canyon: From Dream to Icon on Friday, May 15 at the Art Museum of South Texas.  Sasse currently is completing her Ph.D. in Art History and Theory from the University of Arizona, Tucson.  RSVPs and payment in advance are required for this program to 361/825-3504.  The cost is $15-members, and $18-nonmembers.

Restored location that offers live music, facility rental opportunities and full bar with 30 imported beers to celebrate grand opening Thursday June 9, 2009 CORPUS CHRISTI  House of Rock, the Corpus Christi Downtown trademark rock bar and live music venue, will open a restored entertainment space called The Venue, this Thursday, June 11, 2009, at the corner of Starr & Mesquite Street. The Venue aims to be the premiere Downtown Corpus Christi rental space for events and parties and also plans to offer discounts to non-profit charities to host fundraising activities and celebrations. House of Rock is approaching its 4th year in business and to celebrate we have remolded part of our establishment to reopen it called The Venue, Casey Lain, owner and operator of House of Rock, said. We hope The Venue helps to showcase Downtown Corpus Christi as premiere destination for event, parties, live music and charity fundraisers. The Venue at House of Rock will focus expanding House of Rocks signature Songwriter Showcase hosted by Ty Dietz. Songwriter Showcase has featured featuring musicians such as Billy Joe Shaver, Todd Snider, Wayne Hancock and Susan Gibson. The Venue will also serve as a rental space for private events, parties and fundraisers and will offer special discounts to 501(c) 3 charities. The Venue will also be home to current House of Rock home grown events such as the annual Zombie Prom, Dia De Los Muertos party, Art and Photography Auction for Brown Bag Challenge and Rock Paper Scissors Tournament. The Venue remodel consists new stucco, new bar cabinets, new lights and new, larger bathrooms. Local artist Patrick Richards designed the new look of The Venue. Rentals will include the use of a state-of-the-art sound system, 24 x 20 stage, professional stage lighting, video projector with screen and top notch bar staff. In addition to special events, The Venue will be open 7 days a week. No cover charge applies after midnight. THE VENUE GRAND OPENING SCHEDULE 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Ribbon Cutting 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Scarecrow People 11:30p.m. to 12:45 a.m. Hobo This event is free and open to the public.

SING N SIZZLE Free vocal instruction Free Learning CDs Free sheet music When? EVERY Tuesday, beginning June 23, 2009 through July 28, 2009 starting at 6:30 p.m. Who? Women ages 13 and older Where? Parkway Presbyterian Church (Choir Room) 3707 Santa Fe (just north of Doddridge), Corpus Christi, Tx Learn the art of four-part, a cappella harmony while having tons of fun! Learn two songs to sing along with the Sweet Adelines Chorus at the Sing N Sizzle free Concert on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. A raffle with great prizes and free refreshments will make our concert even more fun! Sight reading of music is helpful but not a requirement. For information call (361) 992-0325 or our contact us through our website at www.sweetadelines.net

Corpus Christi Downtown has an eclectic mix of restaurants, shops and art galleries and is only minutes from the beach and Marina with its' spectacular views of the bay. Plenty to do for families throughout the day and in the evening there are bars and clubs to suit all tastes. Visit the Downtown Management District website at http://www.dtowncc.com for up to the minute information on Downtown businesses and events.

The Janet F. Harte Public Library invites everyone to a free art exhibition by local artist Carolyn Utigard Thomas. The exhibit is being held through July 30, 2009 at the Noel McArdle Gallery in the library, 2629 Waldron Road. Carolyn is a contemporary artist who works primarily in watercolor. Originally from Chicago, she grew up in St. Paul and Indianapolis and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Cincinnati, with Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Science in Education degrees. Carolyns varied career has taken her from designing for Hallmark in Kansas City to working for Astroworld in Houston. While there, she designed and painted everything from posters and murals to stage sets. She has also owned a commercial art business. Carolyn began painting full-time in watercolors in 1978. Since then, she has won many awards for her works, which are displayed in public and private collections around the world The hours for the Noel McCardle Gallery are: Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. For more information, please contact the library at 937 6569.