Dec 02 Wednesday
Somos Americanos: Our American Story highlights the ways Mexican Americans have lived out the nation’s highest democratic ideals through public service, civic leadership, and acts of valor. Presenting the stories of Mexican American trailblazers from the battlefield to the halls of justice, from classrooms to boardrooms, the exhibit shows how Mexican Americans have put democracy into action. Opening in July 2026 as part of the America250 commemoration, Somos Americanos affirms that Mexican American history is American history. Opening July 2026!
The exhibit will be on display from July 2 through December 18, 2026.
☀️SUMMER GALLERY HOURS ☀️ This summer, the exhibit gallery is open Wednesday through Friday, 10 AM—NOON and 1 – 4 PM, or by appointment.
MACRI’s programs are funded in part by the City of San Antonio Department of Arts & Culture, Bexar County, the Mellon Foundation, the John L. Santikos Charitable Foundation Fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation, Spurs Give, and individual donors like you! Gracias!
Black Box Live at The Tobin Center presents an intimate evening of masterful songwriting and storytelling featuring Lisa Morales, Americana pioneer Dave Alvin and legendary Texas songwriter Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Bringing together three distinctive voices rooted in blues, folk, country, rock and American roots music, this uniquely up-close experience offers audiences the chance to hear these acclaimed artists in their purest form—stripped down, deeply personal and powerfully resonant. Lisa Morales brings her genre-blending sound rooted in Mexican heritage, soul, folk, blues, and Americana. A fixture of the Texas music scene, she first gained recognition as one-half of the beloved duo Sisters Morales, a staple across the Southwest from the ’80s through the early 2000s. Praised by Rolling Stone as “one of the most multifaceted artists to watch,” Morales continues to craft songs rich with emotion and authenticity. Award-winning songwriter, singer, producer and guitarist Dave Alvin is widely regarded as a pioneering force in Americana and American roots music. A founding member of the influential band The Blasters, Alvin has spent more than four decades forging his own acclaimed solo career, blending blues, folk, rockabilly, Bakersfield country, surf and rock ’n’ roll with vivid storytelling inspired by American writers and his California roots. His songs—including “Fourth of July,” “Long White Cadillac” and “King of California”—have been recorded by artists such as Los Lobos, Dwight Yoakam and Nanci Griffith, while his collaborations have included Tom Waits, John Mellencamp, Bobby Rush and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. In recognition of his lasting impact on American roots music, Alvin received the Chris Strachwitz Legacy Award in 2023 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association in 2024. Jimmie Dale Gilmore is a pioneering figure in progressive and alternative country, celebrated for his distinctive voice, deeply personal songwriting and singular blend of country, folk, blues and rock. A founding member of the legendary West Texas trio The Flatlanders alongside Joe Ely and Butch Hancock, Gilmore helped lay the groundwork for the Americana movement, with the group’s once-obscure music eventually recognized as landmark recordings in alternative country. His acclaimed solo career took flight in the late 1980s, earning global praise for albums including After Awhile, Spinning Around the Sun and Braver Newer World, while Rolling Stone named him Country Artist of the Year two years in a row and he received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Folk Artist. His songs, including “Dallas” and “Treat Me Like a Saturday Night,” have become staples of the Texas music tradition, and his work continues to draw from the rich musical heritage of his hometown of Lubbock and the West Texas sound that shaped him. Together, these acclaimed artists create an unforgettable night of songs and stories, shared just feet away.
Dec 03 Thursday
“Puro Conjunto: Border(less) Sound” celebrates how this uniquely Texan genre continues to thrive in San Antonio, the region, and beyond. The exhibit will highlight the people, places, and traditions at the heart of conjunto. Museum visitors will see conjunto pioneer Bruno Villarreal’s accordion, along with artifacts central to the genre—some of which will be on display for the first time--along with loans from the community and other organizations. Additionally, visitors are invited to get hands-on with a selection of musical instruments at an interactive station on the exhibit floor.
Adult $10, youth (5-17), senior (65+) and military with ID $5, UT San Antonio students, faculty and staff – Free
Cashless facility – purchase tickets online at https://texancultures.universitytickets.com/
Selena Forever | Siempre Selena is a photographic exhibition featuring images by Texas photographer John Dyer, capturing Selena at a pivotal moment in her rise to stardom.On View: June 4, 2026 – January 4, 2027
This exhibition features intimate and striking photographs captured during Selena’s rise to international stardom in the early 1990s. The exhibition offers an intimate look at an artist whose talent, charisma and determination transformed Tejano music and helped redefine representation for Mexican American women in popular culture. The featured images have never been displayed together, giving new context to Dyer’s work with Selena.
More than a music icon, Selena was a groundbreaking Tejana whose story reflected the spirit of the American West itself: bold, resilient, entrepreneurial and deeply connected to culture and community. Like generations of Tejanos who helped shape Texas through perseverance, innovation and cultural pride, Selena forged her own path while carrying the traditions of her community forward. Her legacy continues to inspire new generations, embodying the pioneering spirit, creativity and determination that remain central to the story of the West.
“Selena’s story is deeply connected to the cultural pride and artistic expression that define Tejano identity,” said Jackson. “Her influence transcends music and continues to inspire audiences across generations, making her an important part of this broader cultural conversation. The exhibition shares an icon who demonstrates the lasting influence of Tejanos – and Tejanas – in Texas and beyond.
Dec 04 Friday
Join Care Warriors Inc. for a four-person Christmas golf scramble welcoming golfers of all skill levels. Proceeds benefit individuals with disabilities, veterans with disabilities, and families in our community. Registration is 11:00–11:45 AM, tee time is noon, and dinner follows the tournament.
Team registration is available online. Spots are limited
Continue the First Friday at Blue Star experience by curving around the SA River to the newly relocated Blue Moon Mexican Restaurant (formerly Burgerteca!) Enjoy music by a guest DJ, participate in a community mural painting sponsored by Masa Collective, and purchase some great artworks & products by amazing local artists, creatives, & makers!
Free parking in the garage (past the restaurant to the left)