As we ease our way into 2020, take some time for yourself this weekend. Do some yoga with adoptable puppies, listen to a San Antonio Symphony musician play at Mission Branch Library, look at local art in Southtown, or stop by one of the many DreamWeek events. Whatever you choose, be kind to yourself and to others, and read on for suggestions on how to spend your weekend.
DreamWeek Opening Ceremony
San Antonio’s annual DreamWeek festival kicks off with a Friday opening ceremony at the Briscoe Western Art Museum. Paul Rusesabagina, who protected 1,298 Hutu and Tutsi refugees during the Rwandan genocide, will give the keynote address. Tickets start at $65 for the opening event and can be found here. There are also more than 200 events throughout the entirety of DreamWeek – find a full list of events here.
Friday, 7:30-9 a.m.
Jack Guenther Pavilion at the Briscoe, 210 W. Market St.
$65 and up
Tree Planting with San Antonio River Authority
The San Antonio River Authority needs volunteers to help plant bald cypress, Mexican buckeye, Mexican sycamores, and pecan trees along the river’s edge on the Mission Reach. Wear shoes that can get dirty and long pants. The event is recommended for those ages 15 and up.
Saturday, 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Acequia Park, 8500 Mission Pkway
Free
Paw-Maste
San Antonio Pets Alive is partnering with Nomadik Yoga to bring adoptable puppies to an all-levels yoga class on Saturday. Tickets cost $20 online or $25 at the door, if there is still space. Find tickets here.
Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-noon
Alida Cafe, 527 El Paso St.
$20-$25
Bunny Adoption Event
Have you been thinking of adding a rabbit to the family? Alamo City House Rabbits will bring bunnies and proper bunny care education to this event for people interested in adopting or fostering.
Saturday, noon-4 p.m.
Pets Supplies Plus, 3133 Nacogdoches Rd.
Free
Free Family Art Day
Inspire Fine Art Community Center is holding the DreamWeek edition of its Free Family Art Day on Saturday, where aspiring artists can make creations inspired by African American artists while also learning their stories and the history of African Americans in the United States. All ages welcome.
Saturday, 1-3 p.m.
Inspire Fine Art Community Center, 1943 N. New Braunfels Ave.
Free
Symphony at San Antonio Public Library
San Antonio Symphony bass musician Nicholas Browne puts on a mini-performance at the Mission Branch Library on Saturday. Kids will get the chance to talk to him and ask how he chose to play his instrument and how it works. Though the event is geared toward children, the whole family can take part. Symphony musicians will also visit Schaefer Library and Johnston Library that day.
Saturday, 2-3 p.m.
Mission Branch Library, 3134 Roosevelt Ave.; Schaefer Library, 6322 US Hwy 87 E; Johnston Library, 6307 Sun Valley Dr.
Free
Free Screening: Wonder Woman
Gal Gadot stars as the titular Amazonian princess in Wonder Woman. Bring blankets, chairs, snacks, and anything else you might need for an outdoor movie screening. Pets welcome. There will also be free popcorn and outdoor games. Movie starts at sunset.
Saturday, 6 p.m.
Hangar 9, 8081 Inner Circle Dr.
Free
SA Local Market at Main Plaza
Check out a pop-up mercado and artisan market, complete with live music and the San Fernando light show on Saturday night.
Saturday, 6 p.m.
Main Plaza, 115 N. Main Ave.
Free
Free Screening: The First Rainbow Coalition
Indie Lens Pop-up screens a new PBS film The First Rainbow Coalition on Saturday at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. The documentary, directed by San Antonio filmmaker Ray Santisteban, shows how the Chicago Black Panther Party formed alliances with other community-based movements in Chicago across racial and ethnic lines. Santisteban will answer questions following the screening.
Saturday, 6 p.m.
Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, 922 San Pedro Ave.
Free
Taste the Dream Gala 2020
San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside (SAGE) hosts its biggest event of the year this Saturday at the Witte Museum. The annual Taste the Dream Gala highlights local chefs of the multicultural East Side. Attendees can also enjoy an open bar, watch chef demonstrations, and dance the night away. Find more information here and tickets here.
Saturday, 6-11 p.m.
Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway St.
$150 and up
Second Saturday Art Walk
It’s the second Saturday of January, which means Southtown’s Lone Star and Collins Garden neighborhoods have art, vendors, and food trucks for you to enjoy. Dor?ol Distilling and Brewing Company hosts more than a dozen vendors on Saturday, while Freight Gallery and Studios holds the opening reception for its exhibition Edifice. Dock Space Gallery will showcase Microscopic, with works by Tracy Biediger using color and pointillism.
Saturday, 7 p.m.-midnight
Dor?ol Distilling and Brewing Company, 1902 S. Flores St.
Free
Garage Sale at TPR
Texas Public Radio is getting ready to leave its offices for its new headquarters at Alameda Theatre. But before TPR says sayonara to its old home, the radio station wants to sell off its vast collection of books, LPs, CDs, and electronic equipment. Head to the eighth floor to find the garage sale on Friday and Saturday.
Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Texas Public Radio, 8401 Datapoint Dr.
Free
Elvis 2020
Elvis tribute artist Matt Lewis brings the King to life at the Josephine Theatre this weekend. The two-hour show features Elvis Presley’s hits from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. Find tickets here.
Friday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Josephine Theatre, 339 W Josephine St.
$37
Buffalo Soldier Day
The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Institute of Texan Cultures’ free second Sunday is an official DreamWeek event. Learn about the African American Buffalo Soldiers and the legacy they left behind.
Sunday, noon-4 p.m.
UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 E. César E. Chávez Blvd.
Free
BillyRay Sheppard’s Second Sunday Smooth Jazz
BillRay Sheppard puts on his monthly Second Sunday show as part of DreamWeek. The musician will play at Brick at Blue Star, celebrating his birthday and raising money for the San Antonio African American Community of the San Antonio Area Foundation. Cover costs $20, and Brick offers a cash bar.
Sunday, 6:30-10 p.m.
Brick at Blue Star Arts Complex, 108 Blue Star
$20
Miss Saigon
The touring production of Miss Saigon hits San Antonio this weekend with one Friday evening performance and two performances on Saturday and Sunday. The critically-acclaimed musical follows the romance between a U.S. Marine and a 17-year-old Vietnamese girl during the Vietnam War. The play is recommended for people ages 14 years and older, as there are some scenes that may not be appropriate for young audience members. There will also be some strobe lights, gunshots, and pyrotechnic effects during the production. Find tickets here.
Friday-Sunday
Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St.
$42 and up
