Jade Esteban Estrada interviews the artistic director of the Live Oak Singers. Originally published in the San Antonio Current. Ray Norris was 11 years old when he got on stage and sang his first solo. Dressed in a sequin jacket and accompanied by back-up singers, he sang “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak…
Seven San Antonio LGBTQ-Identifying Acts You Should Pay Attention To
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. Just because an artist is gay, does that make their art gay? Not necessarily, but the acknowledgement of LGBTQ folk in art spaces is important for our LGBTQ community. As a rapper who happens to be gay, some of my songs discuss the LGBTQ experience and some don’t,…
Texas-Born Trans Rocker Shay Spence Will Be in SA to Promote Solo Album
Shay Spence, front-woman and bassist for the NYC slacker rock band Vassals, will perform in San Antonio on May 31 at Lowcountry as part of the “Tiny Texas Tour,” promoting her first solo album titled, With Fangs. Spence will also appear in Austin at Dozen Street on May 29 and in her hometown of Corpus…
Love Songs Take Spotlight at This Month’s ‘Noche Azul’
Even though Valentine’s Day has passed, singer Azul Barrientos is keeping the spirit of the day alive with her upcoming concert, Amorcito Corazón, slated for February 17 at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. Every month since 2007, Barrientos’ Noche Azul concerts have showcased traditional Mexican music featuring a new theme with each concert, and…
José Rubén De León Brings His ‘Bolero’ to Carver Center
Actor-playwright-musician José Rubén De León will perform El Corazón del Bolero, his tribute to bolero composers, at the Carver Community Cultural Center on December 16 as part of the Little Carver Intimate Series. The performance is billed as a a tribute to male and female bolero composers from Cuba, Puerto Rico and Mexico. De León…
House Of Kenzo Is Throwing A Ball – And Wants You To Dress Up Like a ‘Snack’
Originally published in the San Antonio Current. Long before contemporary white pop stars began using 1980s QPOC culture to further their careers, there existed houses and balls where fierce drag queens would vogue against the confines of a patriarchal society. In the documentary Paris is Burning, Jennie Livingston chronicles mid-to-late 1980s ball culture in New…
Most Influential 2015: Saakred
This past spring, 25-year-old artist and musician Saakred released a new album, a new look, and a new transgender identity. “When I shaved my head completely it was symbolic for a relationship that ended, but also because I’m done with this part of my life and ready to really be who I want to be.…
New music, new identity: Saakred challenges the local music mold
On March 6, local artist, community activist, and musician Saakred will release a new album, Make Believe. For the 25-year-old performer, who recently came out as transgender, the new album is the culmination of three years of self-exploration and creative growth. Recorded this past January at Austin’s Ramble Creek recording studio, Make Believe is perhaps…