From art exhibits to Hemingway to a play that's downright tornadic, there's plenty to do this weekend.
First stop: downtown to the Centro de Artes Gallery for a retrospective of artist Alberto Mijangos, which opened July 12.
"He was an extraordinary and significant San Antonio artist who was constantly exploring in new directions," said the city of San Antonio’s Sebastian Guajardo.
IF YOU GO What: Alberto Mijangos exhibit Where: Centro de Artes When: Tue.-Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost: Free
Guajardo said the 94 paintings aren't just from a large collection.
"There's a lot of huge pieces here. It just covers his whole career here in San Antonio — over 50 years,” Guajardo said. “His story really hasn't been told, fully."
The massive exhibit runs through Nov. 11.
Then, on Saturday, is the celebration of Hemingway's birthday. “We'll have some live music and our chef's prepared a special menu, and we'll have a little classic car show in the front of the hotel as well," said hotel manager Joey Boatright.
IF YOU GO What: Hemingway’s Birthday celebration Where: Hotel Havana When: 8 p.m. Saturday Cost: Free
The distinctive twin-towered Hotel Havana is right on the river, and its restaurant Ocho “does look over the River Walk and was named one of the most beautiful glass restaurants in the world," he said.
Running Friday through Sunday, the Woodlawn Theatre presents “The Wizard of Oz.”
"It's the classic MGM film brought to life onstage,” said the Woodlawn’s Christopher Rodriguez. “All the characters, same wonderful plot. Classic songs that people have known and grown up with for many years."
Rodriguez says special effects also play a major role.
“We have a tornado,” he said. “We have some extensive makeup that happens during the show.”
IF YOU GO What: "The Wizard of Oz" Where: Woodlawn Theatre When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sundays through July 29 Cost: $10-$30
The Woodlawn offers special student prices Friday. Children, and high school and college students, can see the show for $10.
Jack Morgan can be reached at jack@tpr.org
