Below is a list of select events taking place in the San Antonio area. Have a local event you would like Focus On San Antonio to promote? Email all the details to eortiz@journalist.com.
STAGE
May 7-June 7
Classic Theatre of San Antonio presents “Steel Magnolias,” the renowned tale of a group of strong, witty women who bond in a small Louisiana beauty salon. Many shows are already sold out, so check the event website for available performances.Tickets start at $33. San Pedro Playhouse, 800 W. Ashby Place
May 8-9
Children’s Ballet of San Antonio will perform “Don Quixote,” based on the famed Spanish novel centered around the misadventures of Don Quixote, a comically delusional knight. 7 p.m. May 8, and 2 p.m. May 9. Tickets start at $42.70. Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St.
May 14-15
Extended Run Players perform “Spoon River Anthology,” a play based on Edgar Lee Masters’ series of short, free-verse poems that are inspired by the epitaphs of permanent occupants of a cemetery in a fictional Midwestern town. 2:30 p.m. May 14 and 15. Admission by suggested $20 donation (cash or check at the door); free for University of the Incarnate Word students and staff. UIW Cheever Theatre, Coates Theatre Building, 4301 Broadway St.
May 15-31
Boerne Community Theatre hosts performances of “Helen On Wheels,” a tale of a feisty, gun-toting, whiskey-drinking Oklahoma grandmother who rejects her son’s wishes to move, and fights with the local sheriff while she tries to maintain her independence. 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat., and 2:30 p.m. Sun., May 15-31, and 7:30 p.m. May 28. Tickets: $20 adults; discounts available for students, seniors, first responders and military. 907 E. Blanco Road, Boerne
May 16-17
San Antonio Youth Ballet performs “Giselle,” which tells the story of a peasant girl who falls for a nobleman only to have her lover betray her. After madness and her sudden passing, Giselle fights to defy a ghastly fate, and struggles to protect and save her former suitor from beyond the grave. 5 p.m. May 16 and 2 p.m. May 17. Tickets start at $49. Lila Cockrell Theatre, 900 E. Market St.
MUSIC
Weekly
Otto’s Ice House is hosting Local Wednesdays, a free all-ages live music series highlighting San Antonio artists. Genres range from Americana to country. Shows are held 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays through May. Admission is free. 111 Newell Ave.
May 8
San Antonio Parks Foundation holds a Jazz in the Park spring series concert. Food and beverages will be available for purchase by Jingu House, and a suggested donation of $5 will help support the park and future events. Bring your own chair or blanket for seating. 6:30-9 p.m. Japanese Tea Garden, 3853 N. St. Mary’s St.
May 8
The Gunter Hotel will celebrate what would have been the 115th birthday of famed blues musician Robert Johnson with a variety of events that are open to hotel guests and the community. Johnson recorded one of his two albums in Room 414 of the downtown hotel in 1936. The celebration begins with a panel discussion about Johnson and his legacy 4-5 p.m. in the Gunter’s newly unveiled Studio Lounge. Admission is free, but space is limited and registration is required. A free birthday party follows 5-6 p.m. in the hotel lobby, featuring cake, coffee, a set of Johnson’s works, and a poem reading. RSVP is required. A live music concert featuring Sue Foley, The Peterson Brothers and Nicky Diamonds takes place 7:30-10 p.m. in the hotel’s Crystal Ballroom. Tickets start at $40. A Bar 414 blues jam session wraps up the festivities 9 p.m.-noon. RSVP is required. 205 E. Houston St.
May 9
The throwback hip-hop festival Tacos and Tequila is back. Three 6 Mafia heads a lineup that includes Pretty Ricky, Trina, Paul Wall, Jay Sean, Bubba Sparxxx, Murphy Lee, Mims, and DJ Wiki. The event includes craft margaritas, a tequila shot bar, tacos from local vendors, Lucha Libre wrestling, an exotic car showcase, a Chihuahua beauty pageant, art installations and more. General admission gates open at 2 p.m. General admission begins at $96.10 (including taxes and fees); special bundle prices for general admission duos and groups and VIP seating available. Retama Park, 1 Retama Pkwy., Selma
May 10
Musical Bridges Around the World presents virtuoso violinist Roby Lakatos and his ensemble, featuring piano, double bass, and cimbalom, in a performance of Gypsy jazz and classical music. 7 p.m. Admission is free, but registration is required. Pearl Stable Hall, 307 Pearl Pkwy.
May 12
San Antonio native and musician Britton Smith, backed by his alternative soul band, The Sting, will present “Water Is Life: Return to Mama,” an immersive musical experience that revolves around water. A follow-up to Smith’s “Mama,” “Return to Mama” continues an exploration of water as a source of life and a spiritual guide. The show mixes music, storytelling, and civic engagement to explore people’s relationship to water. Representatives from several area water-centric organizations and agencies will be on site. 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but RSVP is required and there is a suggested $5 donation. Empire Theater, 226 N. St. Mary’s St.
May 14
Harlandale Independent School District will hold its music elementary festival, featuring performances by students from eight HISD elementary schools. 6 p.m. Admission is free. Boggess Center, 12121 Loop 410 access road.
May 14-17
Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center presents the 44th Tejano Conjunto Festival, the nation’s oldest event dedicated to Tejano and conjunto music. Visitors can enjoy performances from iconic and established musicians as well as rising musical acts in the genres. The event kicks off with a free dance for people ages 55-older 10 a.m.-noon May 14 at Royal Palace Ballroom, 3506 SW Military Drive. The main festival offers performances 6 p.m.-midnight May 15, noon-midnight May 16, and noon-10 p.m. May 17 at Rosedale Park, 340 Dartmouth St. The Sunday night finale features an international tribute to the late conjunto legend Flaco Jimenez. The tribute is curated by festival founder Juan Tejeda and GCAC director Cristina Ballí, and includes Grammy Award-winning ensemble Los Texmaniacs and guest artists from Texas, Mexico and around the world. Tickets: May 15: $20; May 16: $25; May 17: $15; three-day pass: $50.
May 16
Children’s Chorus of San Antonio will present “Lights! Camera! Singing!,” an array of notable songs from famed Broadway and Hollywood musicals. 4 p.m. Tickets: $23-$51. Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle
May 17
San Antonio Brass Band presents its annual spring brass spectacular, and a debut performance of the newly formed San Antonio Youth Brass Band. 4 p.m. Admission is free. St. Mary’s University, 1 Camino Santa Maria
CINEMA
May 14
San Antonio River Foundation offers a screening of the documentary film, “The River and the Wall,” which explores the Rio Grande, and how continued construction of the border wall could affect ecosystems and communities along the river. A panel discussion precedes the movie screening. Bring your lawn chair or blanket. 7 p.m. Admission is free, but RSVP is required. Confluence Park, 310 W. Mitchell St.
WELLNESS
Each Saturday
Wellness at The Tobin is a weekly series of fitness and exercise classes designed to nurture the body and mind. Classes are held from 10-11 a.m. Saturdays at the Will Naylor Riverwalk Plaza. Dress and equip yourselves accordingly. Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle.
LITERARY
May 9
Julia Parker will sign copies of a children’s book that she co-authored, “The Kitten Conductor,” during the on-site San Antonio Ford Model T Show. Parker was inspired to write the book from her childhood memories of riding the Brackenridge Park Eagle Train, and seeing a family of cats living in the park. Her grandfather, John Parker, was the train engineer in the 1950s. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free. Texas Transportation Museum, 11731 Wetmore Road
SPECIAL EXHIBITS
Now through May 10
Witte Museum is hosting “Unseen Oceans,” a special visiting, multimedia exhibition that takes visitors on a journey from the sunlit surface of the sea to its mysterious depths. Guests meet the tiniest and biggest organisms, control a virtual submersible, traverse displays of marine species that light up in brilliant hues under special lighting conditions, examine cutting-edge tools and see how scientists are using sonar, laser, robotics and AI to map the ocean floor and protect endangered ecosystems worldwide. Museum admission plus a special $6 exhibit ticket. 3801 Broadway St.
Now through July 6
“Otherwild’ is an immersive exhibit featuring the works of artist Patrick Shearn and his studio, Poetic Kinetics, who are renowned for turning public spaces into areas of magic, movement, and awe. Visitors will engage two sections. One is Flora Borealis, a custom Skynet installation that uses ultra-lightweight materials to mimic the flowing movement of birds and fish. The other section, Enchanted Trees, is a sculptural grove of 10 imaginary species that celebrate nature’s diversity. Entry with garden admission. San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place.
ART EXHIBITS
Now through May 10
San Antonio Museum of Art is hosting “Maya Blue: Ancient Colors, New Connections,” an exhibition of objects from Mesoamerica that illuminate how blue was used and conceived in ancient Maya visual culture. Entry with museum admission. 200 W. Jones Ave.
Now through May
The celebration of Alamo Colleges District’s 80th anniversary continues with “Made by You,” an exhibit of original artworks created by ACD employees, retirees, and alumni. The exhibit is showing through May at the San Antonio College Visual Arts Center, 299 W. Dewey Place.
Now through May 10
Briscoe Western Art Museum’s Night of Artists Exhibition and Art Sale, now in its 25th year, features 250-300 new works of contemporary Western art. This year’s featured artists include Thomas Blackshear II, Kevin Chupik, Donna Howell-Sickles, Ed Natiya, Gladys Roldán-de-Moras, and Xiang Zhang. Special programs offered throughout the exhibit. Entry with museum admission. 210 W. Market St.
Now through May 12
A miniature art exhibit, featuring small pieces of original art from local artists, is on display throughout the interior of Encino Branch Library. The exhibit ends May 12, when community members are invited to a 6:30 p.m. awards ceremony to celebrate the participating artists. 2550 E. Evans Road.
Now through May 23
San Antonio College is hosting its annual juried exhibit of works by SAC visual arts students. The works include drawings, prints, photos, sculptures, paintings, designs and digital media. Admission is free. 950 Lewis St.
Now through May 25
Beacon Midtown Gallery & Studios is hosting “Illustrated Voices,” an exhibition that showcases 12 San Antonio artists with diverse illustrative styles and voices. Admission is free. Beacon Midtown Gallery & Studios, 1136 W. Woodlawn Ave.
Now through May-30
Bihl Haus Arts is hosting “Signs of Life,” a collection of local artist Ben Ortiz’s art works that feature public or iconic signage around San Antonio. The exhibit ends May 30. Admission is free. 2803 Fredericksburg Road
Now through June 7
Contemporary at Blue Star is hosting a Contemporary Art Month series of exhibits: photographer Roman Franc’s “Groups Collective,” and “Mini Art Museum” a display of extra small scale artworks by dozens of artists. Admission is free. 116 Blue Star.
Now through June 18
The local classical music group Agarita is presenting the exhibition, “The Living Edge: Contemporary Craft in Texas” at the Agarita Loft, a Southtown gallery. This exhibit features works by local artists who expand craft traditions through textiles, wood, metal, ceramics, and hybrid media. Art work sales proceeds support the participating artists and Agarita. A series of concerts and other activities will take place at the Agarita Loft for the duration of the exhibit, which closes June 18. Admission is free. 724 S. Alamo St., Suite 2
Now through June 30
Mexican American Civil Rights Institute is hosting “You Have the Right! Mexican Americans and the Due Process of the Law,” an exhibit explores three renowned court cases involving Mexican Americans and Mexican-perceived individuals. The cases have proven significant to the interpretation of the Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments, and helped to shape interpretation of due process of U.S. law. The exhibit ends June 30. Public viewing is available 10 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. and by appointment on weekdays. Admission is free. MACRI, 2123 Buena Vista St.
Now through July 5
McNay Art Museum is hosting “Mystic Threads,” Angelica Raquel’s exhibit that features fiber-based work inspired by a familial and regional cultural history rooted in folklore. Entry with museum admission. 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave.
Now through July 19
ArtPace is hosting individual exhibits of works from artists currently participating in ArtPace’s 2026 International Artists-In-Residence program: Việt Lê, Mel Chin, Violette Bule, and Aleesa Pitchamarn Alexander. All exhibits run through July 19. Admission is free. 445 N. Main Ave.
Now through Aug. 30
Ruby City is hosting “Sensing Meaning, Abstract Painting,” a selection of 20-plus artists’ works from the mid-20th century through today that explore the art of abstraction. The exhibition runs through Aug. 30. Admission is free. 150 Camp St.
Now through Aug. 30
“A Postmodernist Says ¿Que?” is an exhibition that explores the Latinx experience framed within various realms of humor as a way for individuals and groups to connect to and understand each other. The exhibit runs through Aug. 30. Admission is free. Centro de Artes, 101 S. Santa Rosa St.
Now through Jan. 15. 2027
“Built on Legacy: Artists of San Antonio” is an exhibit that features paintings, prints, installations, and more from 23 artists, living and deceased, reflecting San Antonio’s artistic community over the last 50 years. Admission is free. Centro de Artes Culture Commons gallery, 115 Plaza de Armas.
May 7-Aug. 9
McNay Art Museum will host “Garden Party: Nature on Paper,” an exhibition that explores how humans live with and shape the natural world. The display features prints, drawings, photographs, paintings and sculpture from the McNay’s permanent collection. Entry with museum admission. 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Now through May 10
The Kendall County Fairgrounds will be the site for Cirque Ma’Ceo, a touring, European-style equestrian show that blends acrobatics, aerial, dance, and equestrian arts with a timeless story, all performed in an Italian Big Top Theater. Showtimes 7 p.m. Fri., 4 and 7 p.m. Sat., and 1 p.m. Sun. Tickets: $35 adults, $20 children. 1307 River Road, Boerne
May 9
The 17th annual Paseo Por El Westside is a public event meant to celebrate and help preserve West Side culture and history through musical performances, interactive games, vendors, workshops, poetry readings, community partners and more for ages. Plus, guests can visit Museo del Westside, which opened last fall. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free. Rinconcito de Esperanza, 816 S. Colorado St.
May 9
The San Antonio Asian Festival, a celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, will feature an array of traditional foods, musical and dance performances, and more. 4-10 p.m. Admission: $15 general, free for kids ages 12-under. Hemisfair Civic Park, 210 S. Alamo St.
May 9
The San Antonio Duck Derby encourages community members to adopt a rubber duck and enter a race down the Museum Reach of the San Antonio River in an effort to raise funds for three local nonprofits: Kingdom for Kids, Snack Pak 4 Kids SA, and Spay-Neuter-Inject-Protect San Antonio. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission is free for spectators; $10 to enter a duck into race. Pearl Amphitheater, 303 Pearl Pkwy.
May 9
The Harvest Center will present the “Health Is Your Wealth” conference and health fair. The health fair will feature free blood pressure and glucose level screenings, body measurements, free blood/sugar/oxygen monitors, and raffles and refreshments. There will also be presentations on heart health, diabetes, wellness and maintenance, dental and vision care, grief management, health insurance and other topics. 9 a.m.-noon. Admission is free. 1815 S. W.W. White Road
May 9
Staging Post, an indoor venue housing a variety of local vendors selling antiques and various handmade items, will host a puppy and cat adoption event complete with refreshments and live music for guests to enjoy. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission is free. 6150 Wurzbach Road, Leon Valley
May 11
The city of San Antonio will hold a public ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Concepcion Park dog park, which includes separate off-leash areas for small dogs and all dogs, picnic tables with a shared shade structure, dog drinking fountains, waste bag stations, trash/recycling receptacles, and shade trees. The new, $620,000 South Side dog park was mostly funded by the city’s voter-approved 2022 bond issue. 10 a.m. Admission is free. 600 Theo Pkwy.
May 14
The 30th Zoo La-La raises funds for the host organization, San Antonio Zoo. The event offers samples of food from 50-plus local restaurants, alongside beer and wine samples, and live music headed up by famed groups Tag Team and Digital Underground. 7-10:30 p.m.; VIP entry starts at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $132. San Antonio Zoo, 3903 N. St. Mary’s St.
May 16
Community members are invited to help celebrate the grand reopening of Petit Cowboy, the newly renovated riverside property formerly known as Heidelberg Lodges. The event includes: complimentary drinks from producers such as Desert Door Texas Sotol, Carabuena Tequila, Volada Vodka, Johnnie Walker, and Star Republic Brewing; food from the likes of Tacos Papi Grande, Go’Shen Point BBQ, Lyssie Lou’s Cookie Co., and Popcorn Paul; and pop-ups from local brands such as Cosmic Plant Co., Le Petit Ranch, and Bush Dog Creative. Guests will also be able to enjoy live music, a panel discussion featuring the co-founders of French Cowboys, the hospitality group behind Petit Cowboy, complimentary tastings from Petit Cowboy’s new food and beverage menu; photobooth and postcard stations, free swag, and a raffle. 5-10 p.m. Admission is free, but RSVP is required. 1020 N. Houston Ave., New Braunfels
May 16
South Texas Symphonic Orchestra will present “We Hold These Truths,” a program of works from American composers such as Copland, Ellington and Souza in celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary. 4 p.m. Admission is free; $20 VIP seating available. University of Texas at San Antonio Fine Arts Building, 1 UTSA Circle.
May 16
San Antonio Train Show features toy and model trains of all scales as well as operational train layouts. There will be drawings for door prizes. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $9 adult, $12 family. Parkhills Baptist Church, 17747 San Pedro Ave.
May 16
Leon Valley Historical Society invites the public to a celebration of the birthday of Harriet Onion, a pioneering resident of the community that eventually became Leon Valley. The event takes place on the grounds of the historic Huebner-Onion Homestead and Stage Stop. The family friendly open house will include games, crafts, cake, paletas, a farm and ranch exhibit, and a scavenger hunt. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Admission is free. 6613 Bandera Road, Leon Valley
