Happy Chinese New Year! Saturday ushers in the Year of the Rat. You can also occupy yourself this weekend by donating blood, celebrating the end of DreamWeek with the annual Mayor’s Ball, or catching SpongeBob SquarePants in a live-action musical.
Panel: Immigration’s Impact on the San Antonio Economy
The Texas Business Immigration Coalition, the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the San Antonio Area Foundation are putting together a panel discussion on how immigration affects San Antonio. Light refreshments will be provided. The event is free, but you can also register for it here.
Friday, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
San Antonio Area Foundation, 303 Pearl Pkway
Free
35th Annual Lonestar Tower Climb & Run
If it’s been on your to-do list to take the stairs to the top of the Tower of the Americas, here’s your chance – the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is hosting the 35th annual Lonestar Tower Climb & Run on Saturday morning. Registration is $40, not including the $50 fundraising minimum. Competitors are timed as they run one mile, and then climb up the tower’s 952 steps, while non-competitive participants can skip the run and climb the steps at their own pace. Register for the race here.
Saturday, 7-10:30 a.m.
Tower of the Americas, 739 E. César E. Chávez Blvd.
$40 registration, $50 fundraising minimum
Jammin’ Jams – Fruit & Nut Tree Adoption
Want to add another tree to the family? Head to the Pearl on Saturday morning for a free fruit or nut tree. You can pick one from a wide variety including apple, pear, fig, nectarine, olive, and more. Only one tree per household. The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department will establish a line around 5 a.m. along Avenue A between Pearl Pkwy and Emma Koehler.
Saturday, 8 a.m.
The Historic Pearl, 303 Pearl Pkwy
Free
Nature Walk: Rocks, Soil, and Plant Life
Master naturalist Gary Poole shares the geological background of Phil Hardberger Park and its relationship to soils and plants. Afterward, listeners will walk around the Savanna Loop Trail. The event is free, but you can register here.
Saturday, 8-10:30 a.m.
Urban Ecology Center, 8400 NW Military Hwy
Free
Milberger’s Blood Drive
The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center is still in need of donations, so Milberger’s Nursery is hosting them for a blood drive. Donors will receive a $20 gift certificate for their contribution.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Milberger’s Nursery, 3920 N SH 1604 Loop E Frontage Rd.
Free
Film Screening: All We’ve Got
Filmmaker Alexis Clements searches for social spaces for lesbians, queer women, and trans women in her documentary All We’ve Got. In it, Clements starts her journey in Oklahoma City and eventually ends up in San Antonio. The Esperanza Peace and Justice Center screens the film for free on Saturday evening, as an official part of DreamWeek.
Saturday, 7 p.m.
Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, 922 San Pedro Ave.
Free
Mayor’s Ball
The annual Mayor’s Ball honoring San Antonio’s mayor serves as the finale of the ideas summit DreamWeek. Local musical, theatrical, comedic, and cultural performance artists will showcase their talent at the ball. Individual tickets and tables are available for purchase. Find tickets here.
Saturday, 7 p.m.
UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 E. César E Chávez Blvd
$125 and up
Titans of Tailgate 2020
Chef Jason Dady and Culinaria are bringing 30 chefs from around the country – including Stephanie Izard, Shota Nakajima and Michael Gulotta from Iron Chef Gauntlet – to cook in the third annual Titans of Tailgate event. Bites, cocktails, and wine and beer will be served all afternoon. Find tickets here.
Sunday, 1-4 p.m.
Sunken Garden Theater, 3875 N. St. Mary’s St.
$50-$150
Tim’s Oriental + Seafood Market 2020 Chinese Lion Dance
Celebrate the Lunar New Year by watching a traditional Chinese lion dance in the parking lot of Tim’s Oriental; this year, the new year falls on Saturday, Jan. 25. The Chinese Lion Dance Association of San Antonio will perform on Sunday.
Sunday, 2-3:30 p.m.
Tim’s Oriental and Seafood Market, 7015 Bandera Rd.
Free
The Gurwitz Competition’s Grand Opening All-Star Judges’ Showcase
The Gurwitz International Piano Competition begins Sunday with a showcase from the judges of the esteemed event. Guests artists from the SOLI Chamber ensemble and Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road will also perform. The event is free, but register here to make sure you can save yourself a seat.
Sunday, 3-5 p.m.
Pearl Stable, 307 Pearl Pkway
Free
Noche Azul Concert
Esperanza Peace and Justice Center hosts its monthly concert with artist-in-residence Azul Barrientos. Admission costs $7 “más o menos” at the door; tickets are only sold on the day of the performance starting at 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, 3-5 p.m.
Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, 922 San Pedro Ave.
$7
Spamilton
Calling all Hamilton and Broadway nerds: Spamilton takes Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit play about America’s founding fathers and uses it for fast-talking parody. If you know Hamilton well, this production will have you in stitches. Find tickets here.
Friday-Sunday
Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, 226 N St Mary’s St.
$69 and up
The SpongeBob Musical
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Mr. SquarePants himself will grace San Antonio on the tour of the Broadway musical production of his cartoon life. The play earned 12 Tony Award nominations in 2018 and its soundtrack includes songs written by popular acts such as Panic! At the Disco, the Flaming Lips, and John Legend. Find tickets here.
Friday-Sunday
Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St.
$45 and up
Ford Parade of Lanterns
Starting on Saturday, 10 river floats carrying illuminated pandas, piñatas, and other large fun-shaped lanterns will make their way down the San Antonio River after sunset. The Parade of Lanterns will continue through Saturday, Feb. 8. Find more information here.
Saturday-Sunday, 6-9 p.m.
San Antonio River Walk
Free
