Winter Texan Times

VSO ‘Touch of Frost’ returns Dec. 7

Details: Published: Wednesday, 28 November 2018 16:51; Written by Carina Brunson

20181128 Touch of Frost VSO w Chorale A “Touch of Frost” is in the forecast for the Rio Grande Valley.

But, before you rush outside to cover the plants and bring the animals indoors, this is a musical “Touch of Frost,” as the Valley Symphony Orchestra prepares to present its holiday concert Dec. 7 at the McAllen Performing Arts Center.

The concert, featuring beloved music for the holiday season, is the third in the VSO’s 2018-19 season.

Joined by the Orchestra Chorale directed by Dr. David Means, the symphony will perform many seasonal favorites, including “Sleigh Ride,” selections from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” and Handel’s “Messiah.” Soloist Nereida Garcia (soprano) will perform Schubert’s “Ave Maria” and David Sadlier (tenor) will perform Finkelstein’s “Yah Ribon.”

TubaChristmas concert to make world-record attempt Dec. 2

Details: Published: Wednesday, 21 November 2018 08:44; Written by Carina Brunson

The 30th annual Rio Grande Valley TubaChristmas Concert will try to make it official this year by establishing a Guinness World Record.

“Last year we had more than 600 performers which is more than the present Guinness World Record,” Coordinator Jim Egger, McAllen ISD’s Fine Arts Director, said. “This year, we have applied with Guinness to establish the Rio Grande Valley TubaChristmas Concert in McAllen as the new record for the largest tuba ensemble.”

This free performance will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 2, at the McAllen Convention Center (700 Convention Center Blvd.) in McAllen. It is a unique and entertaining concert of Christmas music.

A Tejano Christmas Carol at Pharr Community Theater

Details: Published: Wednesday, 21 November 2018 08:42; Written by Carina Brunson

PHARR — Pedro Garcia says he was “cut out” to play the shyster Ezequiel Codos (also known as Scrooge) in Pharr Community Theater’s “A Tejano Christmas Carol.”

“I seldom cast myself in our plays, but this is a part I feel I was cut to play, especially now that I’ve gotten older. Codos is a fun character because he’s mean.” Garcia joked. “I allow myself to try different intonations with him.”

This is the third consecutive year that the theater will present the classic Charles Dickens play adapted for the Rio Grande Valley.

The play runs Nov. 28 - Dec. 2 at Pharr Community Theater at 213 W. Newcombe Ave. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday. The Saturday, Dec. 1 show will coincide with the City of Pharr Christmas Posada. It is advised to come earlier that day to find parking in the surrounding vicinity of the theater.

Refurbished Science on a Sphere Re-opens at the IMAS

Details: Published: Wednesday, 21 November 2018 08:38; Written by Carina Brunson

McALLEN — The doors to the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) Theater re-opened to the public on Nov. 16, now that the Science on a Sphere® exhibit has been fully refurbished and is ready for the public.

“Science On a Sphere®,” also known as SOS, is a revolutionary, state-of-the-art exhibit designed by NASA and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to illustrate planetary and celestial systems like never before.
Educator-led presentations take place every day, featuring stunning images from the Hubble Space Telescope, orbital satellites, space probes, and other sources shown on this three-dimensional, six-foot-wide sphere.

McAllen Holiday Parade celebrates ‘Christmas Around the World’

Details: Published: Wednesday, 21 November 2018 08:28; Written by Carina Brunson

If you don’t know how Christmas is celebrated in other parts of the world, the City of McAllen’s Holiday Parade will attempt to give everyone a sneak peek this year.

“Christmas Around the World” takes the idea that different cultures, different countries celebrate this magical holiday in very different ways. But ultimately, it is the spirit of the holiday: peace on Earth and goodwill towards men that will have the entire Rio Grande Valley rejoicing.”

The parade begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 and begins at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, located at 2155 N. Bicentennial Blvd., McAllen, and will march south to U.S. Bus. 83. There is reserved seating at the stadium for purchase and bleachers along the parade route. Spectators can also bring their own seats.

Sweetwater brings sweet music, dancing to WT resorts

Details: Published: Wednesday, 14 November 2018 07:28; Written by Carina Brunson

20181110 Sweetwater band at Trophy Gardens Miller 2272 It didn’t take long for the dancing to kick into high gear. In fact, the dance floor was a popular place as soon as long-time band Sweetwater played its first song on Saturday at Trophy Gardens RV Resort in Alamo.

The dancing really didn’t stop. Whether the band played “Going to Kansas City,” “Amarillo by Morning,” “Mustang Sally,” or “Footloose,” the crowd had a case of the happy feet and enjoyed the evening.

Teresa Howard twirled in her patriotic long skirt, laced with red, white and blue. Terry and Gayle Steinbeck power two-stepped around and around the dance floor at Trophy Gardens. The resort rec hall was a hot spot while Sweetwater just kept pumping out the tunes to the delight of a nearly full house.

UTRGV presents ‘Barefoot in the Park’ Nov. 14-18

Details: Published: Tuesday, 06 November 2018 22:16; Written by Carina Brunson

Neil Simon’s classic play “Barefoot in the Park” will be performed at the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre in Nov. 14-18. This UTRGV Mainstage production is directed by Trey Mikolasky. Showtimes on all dates are 7:30, except for Sundays, which will be 2 p.m. matinees.

Barefoot in the Park was a 1967 comedy film starring Robert Redford as Paul and Jane Fonda as Corie. It was based on Neil Simon’s 1963 play of the same name and focuses on newlyweds Corie and Paul and their adventures living in a tiny sixth floor walk-up apartment in a Greenwich Village brownstone.