Winter Texan Times

STC Theatre opens its 10th season October 17

20191016 STC Theater Miss Holmes 10.17 450x500 South Texas College Theatre celebrates their 10th anniversary with a season packed with classics and comedy. The Theatre invites the community to become a Season Pass subscriber for another year of fun and quality entertainment.

STC Theatre opens the season on October 17, at 7:30 p.m., with William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. The opening production runs through October 20 and is followed by Rick Johnston’s farce comedy Cahoots, from November 14-17.

In the spring, the STC Theatre will sing to their hearts’ content with William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin’s musical favorite Cyrano de Bergerac, February 20-23. The 2019-20 season wraps up with the Cooper Cabaret – an event celebrating the theatre’s 10th anniversary by showcasing local talent May 2-5.

“We wanted to celebrate our 10th anniversary by returning to the classics and farces that were a part of our earlier production seasons,” says Drama Department Chair Joel Jason Rodriguez. “We have grown so much in the past 10 years and we want to celebrate and honor that by ending the season with the Cooper Cabaret.

“Our productions have always been a mixture of STC and UTRGV students, graduates, and community members, and we believe this is what makes South Texas College Theatre so vibrant and rich,” Rodriguez said. “What better way to end a season than to showcase the talent that brought us to where we are today?”

All Sunday matinee productions are ASL interpreted by student interns from STC’s Interpreters Training Program. Individual ticket prices for Main Stage productions are $5 for students/faculty/senior citizens/military and $10 general admission. Studio productions cost $5 general admission.

Season passes are also available, allowing patrons to attend all the productions and choose between general or reserved seating. All subscribers also receive special deals for any additional guest performances that may arise throughout the year.

General season passes are $15 for students/faculty/senior citizens/military and $25 for the community. Reserved seating season subscriptions are $25 for students/faculty/senior citizens/military and $35 for the community. Season Passes can be purchased online at https://kioskportal.southtexascollege.edu/marketplace.aspx.

For more information about STC Theatre, call (956) 872-2301. All productions will be held at STC’s Cooper Center for Communication Arts, located at the Pecan Campus, 3201 W. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen

VSO announces 2019-20 concert season

20191016 VSO Announces worhwithus 2019 450x500 The Valley Symphony Orchestra and Peter Dabrowski, music director/conductor, announced the launch of the 2019-20 concert season in August at a special event. The season opened with a back to school concert in September.

The season will also include a performance of music from the James Bond films and a guest appearance from UTRGV’s Ballet Folklorico. Maestro Dabrowski announced that special guests Mariachi Aztlan will perform as part of the season finale concert.

“Mariachi Aztlan is one of the best ensembles in the United States, and we are thrilled that they will be performing with our orchestra,” said Dabrowski.

VSO Executive Director Katy Coy said the Symphony will be offering a three-concert subscription offering this year.

“Our patrons have been asking for a more flexible option, and we are pleased to offer a package this year that includes the music of the James Bond and Indiana Jones films, plus our beloved ‘A Touch of Frost’,” said Coy.

The James Bond Meets Brahms, two men of mystery – one incredible concert, will be held October 25. The concert will feature The Best of Bond (Barry/Tyzik), symphony No. 3 (Brahms), and Hungarian Dance No. 6 (Brahms/Schmeling).

The VSO’s annual holiday performance, A Touch of Frost, will take place December 13. The concert will feature the VSO Chorale, UTRGV’s Ballet Folklorico and selections from favorites such as Handel’s Messiah and The Nutcracker.

A musical adventure to the corners of the Earth and across the American west will feature Indiana Jones and the Wild West themed music on February 28. Music includes Scherzo Capriccioso by Dvorak, Trumpet Conerto by Artunian and featuring trumpetist Jared Broussard, The Big County Suite by Moross and Raiders of the Lost Ark: Raiders March by Williams.

The VSO Season Finale Event, designed by Dabrowski, will be held March 27. Music will include the Hungarian March by Berlioz, Violin Concerto No. 2, La Camanella by Paganini featuring violinist Geoffrey Wong, Crystal Horizon by Writer. Specials guests Mariachi Aztlan will perform Bolero by Ravel with the orchestra.

The three-concert, $125 package is currently available for purchase. Seats in all sections are still available. Subscriber benefits include guaranteed annual seat reservation period ahead of the general public, first notice on all upgrades, exclusive guest artist information and content, no hassle ticket replacements for lost or misplaced tickets and much more.

Concerts will be held at the McAllen Performing Arts Center, at 801 Convention Center Blvd. in McAllen, from 8 to 10 p.m. For a complete list of concerts, music repertoire and guest artist information, visit VSO online at www.valleyorchestra.org or call the office at 956-661-1615.

Santa Maria Bullring holds benefit bullfight

karla The Santa Maria Bullring will be presenting a benefit bullfight on Sunday, July 30 at 1 p.m. The benefit is for Matador David Renk who passed away last fall at 56 years of age.

The bullfight will feature Karla Santoyo of Aguascalientes who will face five animals. Cayetane Delgado of Monterry, Mexico, will also be performing.

There will also be music by the famed mariachi group Rey Azteca, food and beverages.

Tickets are only $20 for all seating, including ringside box seats, shade or sun. Kids under 12 are free. To make reservations call 956-481-3300 and pay when you arrive.

Santa Maria Bullring is located at 4877 FM1017 in La Gloria, TX.

McAllen Performing Arts Center announces entertainment for Broadway in McAllen series

The McAllen Performing Arts Center and the McAllen Society for the Performing Arts is pleased to announce the 2019-2020 Broadway in McAllen season. This exciting season will feature Cats, Blue Man Group, Finding Neverland, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and Rent.

The McAllen Live! Series will bring musical classics, family shows, and star attractions of all types, including We Will Rock You, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Jersey Boys, The Illusionists – Live from Broadway, and Rain – A Tribute to the Beatles.

You won’t want to miss a moment of the action! Beginning May 9, current Season Ticket Holders will be able to renew their Season Packages, and lock in the seats they had last season for another great year of entertainment at the McAllen Performing Arts Center.

Dates for some of the Broadway in McAllen line up are Cats, Friday October 18, 2019; Blue Man Group, Monday December 2, 2019; Finding Neverland, Tuesday January 28, 2020; Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Sunday March 15, 2020; and Rent, Tuesday April 28, 2020.

Dates for shows in the Live McAllen! Series are We Will Rock You, Saturday October 26, 2019; A Charlie Brown Christmas, Monday December 9, 2019; Jersey Boys, Tuesday March 3, 2020; The Illusionists, Sunday March 8, 2020; and Rain, Friday May 1, 2020.

The McAllen Performing Arts Center serves as a premiere venue for the performing arts in the Rio Grande Valley. Enhancing the range, quality and accessibility of cultural fare available to the public and promulgate arts education that contribute to the cultural life of McAllen, the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas and Northern Mexico.

“We believe the MPAC has dramatically enhanced our quality of life and offers new opportunities for cultural enrichment. The MPAC also allows us to raise the caliber of art education throughout the Rio Grande Valley, and in so doing stimulating the creative energy of our citizens, especially our children. To sum it up, I think we can say that in the city of McAllen, we believe that an investment in the arts is an investment in our future.” Yajaira Flores, Director of McAllen Convention Center Facilities.

This fiscal year the McAllen Performing Arts Center and Convention Center has generated $33.2 in million economic impact, hosting 221 events that brought over 287,000 attendees to the facilities.

The McAllen Performing Arts Center has five resident series including Valley Symphony Orchestra, McAllen Wind Ensemble and McAllen Community Concerts.
To learn more about all the exciting programming the McAllen Performing Arts Center has to offer please visit mcallenconventioncenter.net or visit www.facebook.com/McAllenPAC/.