Arts & Culture in Live Oak

Greek immigrant Louis Santikos founded his first movie theater in San Antonio in 1911, when silent moving pictures of train robberies and slapstick comedy were an exciting novelty. Today, the thriving regional theater empire continues the family tradition of dazzling audiences with attractions such as IMAX sensory journeys.

Santikos's expansive theaters house up to 19 screens of first-run cinematic entertainment at some locations. Equipped with popcorn and sodas, moviegoers can nervously munch and sip their way through every pulse-pounding car chase, tragic missed connection, or gripping montage of drying paint. Screenings in 3-D of select films are brought to life by the gloriously immersive illuminations of Xpand 3-D projectors.

Far from the typical movie theater, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema subverts the industry standard by offering locally brewed beverages, a rotating specials menu, and an advertisement-free experience. Theater-goers can sip on wine and beer while enjoying the custom shows that run before the feature in place of ads. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema projects first-run blockbusters and cult classics from crisp digital film onto the silver screen, as surround sound submerges audiences in the cinematic experience. The theater's enormous shepherd's crook enforces a strict no-talking, no-texting policy, with the notable exception of fan-centric Quote-Along nights.

Choose from the following seating options to see José Carreras at the Majestic Theatre on Thursday, June 17, at 7:30 p.m.:

ARTS San Antonio, a nonprofit organization, strives to bring diverse, globally significant performing arts to the children and grownups of the San Antonio community. Performances take place in venues throughout the city, ranging from the Lila Cockrell Theatre and the Majestic Theatre to the San Antonio River and El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel. Recent artists who've paid a visit to San Antonio through ARTS San Antonio include Anthony Bourdain, the Shaolin Warriors, William Shatner, and Mejia Ballet International.

Anya Grokhovski has always surrounded herself with music. The daughter of a violinist in the Moscow Philharmonic as well as a doctorate-holding piano performer in her own right, she came to San Antonio to work in UTSA's music department. She brought the music she loved with her—she founded Musical Bridges Around the World to present unique sonic offerings in the city.

Now, more than a decade later, MBAW brings some of the world's finest performers to San Antonio stages. Their concerts and shows ring out in McAllister Auditorium, the 18th-century Cathedral of San Fernando, and in the ears of anyone who truly believes.

FunFlicks Outdoor Movies’ inflatable screens transform backyards, gymnasiums, and parks into pop-up cinemas, complete with the accessories needed to screen media of all types. Helpful attendants drop off and set up the screen for an evening’s viewing, along with high-definition projectors, DVD and Blu-ray players, and booming audio equipment or an optional short-range FM broadcast. Screens in 12’ and 18’ sizes provide intimate viewing for groups numbering in the dozens, whereas behemoth 45’ screens can support audiences of more than 5,000 or act as a comfortable air mattress for a sleepy giant. The rentals can also be used to display slide shows, video games, and live television, and additional amenities such as popcorn machines provide guests with theatrical comforts.