Summer heat doesn't slow event lineup

Late summer in San Antonio can often mean only one thing: heat fatigue. Last summer’s heat wave drained rivers, browned gardens and drove most of us under ceiling fans and in front of air conditioning vents. Luckily, a much milder — dare I say wetter — summer is predicted this year, and hopefully we’ll all enjoy the benefits. 

Plan your July and August around backyard barbecues, old-fashioned game nights, family weekends in the Hill Country or at the beach and, most importantly, enjoying San Antonio’s many cultural events. Summer musical series, exciting plays and exhibitions and some fun and unusual riverside events await.

The Cactus Pear Music Festival, named after the fresh, cool vibrancy of Zuni Grill’s signature margarita, returns to play small group classical performances July 8 through 17. An exciting new location has been chosen, Coker United Methodist Church, and there will also be concerts in New Braunfels and Boerne. One of San Antonio’s most respected and beloved musical series, this year’s festival features works by Brahms, Bach, Chopin, Corelli, Dvorak, Mendelssohn, Mozart and Schumann.

Big plans are afoot at the new Wonderland of the Americas Mall in Balcones Heights (formerly the Crossroads Mall), including the return of the Balcones Heights Jazz Festival July 9 through Aug. 6. Every Friday at 7 p.m., rain or shine, Wonderland will offer free live jazz concerts at the outdoor amphitheater (right outside of the Bijou Theatre). Bring your blankets or lawn chairs early, and remember — parking is free as well.

The San Antonio Botanical Garden returns with the Concert under the Stars series, showcasing Latin salsa wonders Colaó on July 8. The band’s name is slang derived from the Spanish word colado, which means “mixed” and reflects their Puerto Rican, Dominican, Mexican and Cuban influences. A singer-songwriter with an international following, Terri Hendrix will perform July 22. Concerts are $5 (free for members), and don’t forget to order a gourmet box dinner from Central Market for a truly elegant picnic.

The Majestic Theatre presents a brand-new stage production called Storytime Live! the weekend of Aug. 20-22. For the first time ever, a live theater production brings together the starring characters of your children’s top four preschool television shows: The Backyardigans, The Wonder Pets, Dora the Explorer and Ni Hao, Kai-lan. Storytime Live! is hosted by Nick Jr.’s Moose A. Moose and Zee.

For a more classic theater experience, show a new generation “there’s trouble in River City” at the San Pedro Playhouse production of The Music Man July 23-Aug. 22. A fun, innocent and light-hearted musical about a con man in small-town Iowa who has a change of heart, The Music Man revives pieces such as 76 Trombones, ‘Til There Was You and Shiboopi, songs still referenced throughout our popular culture today.

The Renaissance Guild brings Neil Simon’s Rumors to the Little Carver Civic Center July 9-25. One of Simon’s most popular plays, Rumors opens as the guest of honor at an upper-class New York City dinner party has been shot and descends into farce as all of the guests try to get their stories straight.

Spend a few cool afternoons at the McNay Art Museum, where you can choose from the stunning exhibition of famous works by Georgia O’Keefe, Kiki Smith and more in Neither Model Nor Muse: Women as Artists; dreamy, spiritual French lithograph landscapes; art deco and art nouveau glasswork; cutting-edge film; and artist Janet Flohr’s heart-wrenching project illustrating the life and death of her mother. 

Summer means student work at the Southwest School of Art & Craft. Support the work of teens, students, certificate students, faculty and staff in exhibitions opening July 15. The annual all- school exhibition showcases outstanding recent works in a variety of media, and the art school’s yearly award for teaching plus student awards are announced at the opening reception. Rachel Koper, program director at Women & Their Work in Austin, is this year’s independent juror.

August will be a hot time on the River Walk as well. Aug. 14 is the 42nd annual FORD Canoe Challenge, where everyone from corporate tycoons to Scout troops paddles their way from the Chamber of Commerce through the Convention Center. Grab some coffee at Rivercenter Mall and watch the action.

On Aug. 21, the Paseo del Rio Association will launch 10,000 rubber ducks into the Museum Reach as part of the River Walk Lucky Duck Race and Festival. A family day filled with music, food and children’s activities, the event will raise proceeds from the sale of rubber duckies to benefit the new Haven for Hope homeless shelter. Adopt a duck, and if yours wins the race, you could win a Nissan Versa! 

Happy summer, San Antonio — with an event lineup like this, great memories will surely be made.