Breakfast With Friends

Here's a great boost to overcoming hump day: invite your colleagues in the non-profit arts to breakfast. Early Wednesday morning at MadHatters Tea House & Cafe, Rod Rubbo, Kathy LeMaster, and I hosted a meet-up with the Fund's affiliates to discuss social media collaboration. We had a fantastic turn-out, and I was inspired by how generous everyone was their time, experiences, and ideas.

In attendance, we had Linsey from the Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA), Shelley from the Southwest School of Art, Yonnie from the Carver Community Cultural Center, Aimee from the Magik Theatre, Di Ann from the San Pedro Playhouse, Emily and Zinnia from Blue Star Art, Lee from ARTS SA, Suzan from the SA Opera, Jennifer from Gemini Ink, Katrina from KLRN, Lee from San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, and Nicte from YOSA. We were also supported by fellow Fund volunteers Lauren, Anja, and Christina.

It was the first time the group met offline, getting to know the folks behind the Facebook Pages, Twitter feeds, and emails. We hope it's the springboard of many future collaborations and a stronger sense of identity and community among arts organizations throughout San Antonio.

Next month, many of us will be attending Action Camp - Social Media for Nonprofits; today is the last day to register at the discount rate of $25. And if you're interested in learning more about social media in San Antonio, there's no better resource than Social Media Mentoring.

Structural Visions and Photoshop

(Photo courtesy of Jennifer Monaghan.)

On Saturday, I attended the Jennifer Monaghan Community Photoshop Workshop at the Semmes Library. Photoshop is a complicated application that everyone wishes they knew how to use. Even if they do know how to use it, one can always learn more, so I was surprised that more people did not attend.

Jennifer’s work was displayed and provided an example of what can be done using Photoshop. Step-by- step, she demonstrated how she manipulated her photos to create intriguing artworks of unique scenes. I was in awe of the complexity of the process required in order to create this form of art, and I was amazed at how much I learned in a couple of hours with a good teacher.

Structural Visions is Monaghan's body of work that explores the subconscious mind by transforming everyday structures into surrealistic visions. These photographs have been processed and manipulated digitally to create a balance of surrealism and realism. "I want the viewer to become so involved with the work that, at first glance, they do not always realize it has been manipulated," says Monaghan, "but soon reality becomes unreality and realm of possibilities open." Curated by Alex Rubio, Program Instructor of ArtSmart Program at Blue Star Contemporary Art Complex, Structural Visions will be on exhibition in the Conference Gallery of the Julia Yates Semmes Public Library through October 30.

I also happily discovered that Blue Star's ARTsmart program hosts a series of rotating exhibits and other workshops at the Semmes Library. Several students’ artwork is on display in the Quiet Room and above the computer stations.

The Julia Laura Yates Semmes library is located at 15060 Judson Road in San Antonio. The exhibits are open to the public during regular library hours: Sunday – 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., Monday – 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday – 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday – 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

On Becoming a Fan of the Opera

When I was growing up, the opera was the one art discipline I did not have the chance to be exposed to. Consequently, until coming to work at theFund and having the opportunity to attend a few operas, I had not developed a taste for it. I believe that opera, like any other fine music, requires experience and time to develop an appreciation.

Opera is similar to learning a foreign language; you enter a new world. Music is one of the seven forms of human intelligence, and therefore requires development. For example, in my music classes in elementary school we learned about classical music and were expected to listen and analyze it. This assisted in my development of a love of classical music.

Friday night, I attended my third San Antonio Opera, two one acts, Suor Angelica and Pagliacci. For the first time, I was genuinely moved to tears, which is what I understand is supposed to happen. Just as any art, opera should elicit emotion. The two acts were a good mix, one demonstrating the humiliation and tragedy in the life of a man and the other the humiliation and tragedy of a woman. Sandra Lopez performed Sister Angelica in Suor Angelica and Nedda in Pagliacci. She totally captivated my focus. Besides enjoying her voice, I found her acting genuinely sincere and very compelling. Now, I am trying to convince my daughter to join me the next time I attend the opera and share in my conversion.

Have you considered aquiring an appreciation for opera? What kept me away from opera for many years was the fear of not understanding it. At the San Antonio Opera, there are English surtitles above the stage, so this is no longer a problem. I highly recommend reviewing the story line before attending a performance to enhance your enjoyment. I am looking forward to Marriage of Figaro, San Antonio Opera’s next performance; they will be back at the Lila Cockrell Theatre. Care to join me?

A Play for Mexico's Bicentennial

Two hundred years ago, a Mexican priest held mass and delivered the Grito de Dolores, also known as the battle cry for the Mexican War of Independence. Although Mexico’s independence from Spain was not recognized until a decade later, September 16 is celebrated as Mexico’s Independence Day, and the priest, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla is considered the “Father of the Nation.”

The inspiring life story of Padre Hidalgo is the subject of a new play written and performed by Teatro ALAS. Say Si's newest program, Teatro ALAS involves students in a high school performance company and middle school troupe who

“draw from their own experiences, observations, and insights to produce theatre of relevance to their lives and their communities.”

El Padre: The Story of Hidalgo's Revolution will be performed September 17th, 18th, 19th, and 24th. Details are here >>

SAY Sí is one of 27 affiliates of theFund. Donations to theFund help provide financial operating support to qualified arts and cultural organizations.

Get Ready for Some Opera!

In a place like Texas, where everything is larger than life, dramatic, and full of heart, the opera should be as popular as football, the rodeo, and country music.

Kathy LeMaster, Office Manager for theFund, took me to my first opera, Guiseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto, last June. We had great seats close to the stage, and I was blown by the performers’ sheer vocal athleticism. The dialog and storyline were more cunning than my prejudices had allowed a 19th century opera. And for those of us who don’t speak Italian, there are English surtitles; the lyrics are projected on a screen at the top of the stage. (In all the opera scenes I’ve seen in movies like Pretty Woman, they never showed the 1980’s Canadian invention of surtitles.)

The San Antonio Opera opens its 15th season this weekend with two one acts: Pagliacci led by the tenor Stuart Neill and Suor Angelica starring the lirico-spinto soprano Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs. Now this is not like a movie or a play at the San Pedro Playhouse; you can’t catch it next week. There are only three performances, this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the 17th through the 19th.

The divine Maria Callas once said “An opera begins long before the curtain goes up and ends long after it has come down. It starts in my imagination, it becomes my life, and it stays part of my life long after I've left the opera house.” An evening at the San Antonio Opera is perfect for an exotic date (fellow parents, you must get out) or just a few friends looking for an adventure. Get more cultured.

The 2010-2011 season has two more operas in store, The Marriage of Figaro and H.M.S Pinafore. The full calendar is here.

The San Antonio Opera is one of 27 affiliates of theFund. Donations to theFund help provide financial operating support to qualified arts and cultural organizations.

Girl Scout Troop 810 Celebrates the Arts with theFund

By Kathy LeMaster, Office Manager for theFund

Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending a recital, "Celebrate the Arts," by Girl Scouts, Nina Eng, Megan Obeid, and Sarina Obeid. Hosted by Cindi Obeid, Megan and Sarina’s mother, the recital was part of a Girl Scout advocacy project to achieve the Girl Scout’s highest and most honored award, the Gold Award.

The girls chose to "speak up for the Arts" and honor theFund as the recipient of the money they raised through cookie sales, nut sales, and sausage sales in their Girl Scouts Troop 810. Their recital program explains, "an advocate is someone who speaks up for lasting change." Having been blessed with the advantage of music, voice, dance and art, "they wanted to do a project to give other children who may not be as fortunate a chance to explore their inner talents."

Each of these girls proved to be very talented. Nina’s younger sister, Cassie, accompanied them on a recorder, as the three sang "Panis Angelicus" by Cesar Frank. Megan then played Waltz Opus 39, No15 on the piano, followed by Sarina Obeid singing Franz Schubert’s "Ave Maria," accompanied by Nina Eng on the piano. Both Megan and Sarina then played Beethoven, Sarina chose the First movement, Op. 27 No 2 of Moonlight Sonata, and Megan chose the first movement, in F Major of Sonatina No. 2. Nina Eng played the recital finale, Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy beautifully.

Following the performances, the girls introduced their special guest, Bassam Nashawati, 1st violinist for the San Antonio Symphony. He performed brilliantly. The San Antonio Symphony is a funded arts affiliate of theFund.

Steven Bull, accepted the donation on behalf of the Fund. Steven is a Director on theFund Board and an award-winning actor. He has served both on the board of San Pedro Playhouse and Classical Theatre. He was accompanied by his wife Mary who has been involved with Girls Scouts, beginning as a Scout, then a Troop leader of 3 troops and was the Service unit Director of the Alamo Heights Girl Scouts. Their daughters all earned their Gold Awards under her leadership.

Artist Biographies

Nina Eng is 15 years old and currently a junior attending Providence High School. She has been playing piano for 10 years, has played, and accompanied piano for various occasions including weddings, funerals, and school events.

Megan Obeid began piano when she was five. Besides studying piano, she also pursued her interest in singing. She is a junior at Health Careers High School, sings in the Madrigals, and is a participant in the TMEZ Regent Choir, and all-state solo and ensemble UIL. Megan plans to pursue a career in music.

Sarina Obeid has always been interested in music and began piano lessons at the age of 5. She is a freshman at The Atonement Academy and sings in Honors Choir. She studies voice and has been a prticipant in TPSMEA solo and ensemble competition for the last three years.

Cassie Eng is 11 years old and is in the 6th grade at Providence Preparatory School. She began piano lessons at the age of 5 and last year she studied recorder and earned the black belt in Recorder Karate. Cassie sings in the evening choir at her church.