Coming Attractions

September 2-3

• South Padre Island will be the host destination for the Tacos y Tequilas Festival at the South Padre Island Convention Center. This two-day event features live music, tequila sampling, and the competition to determine who reigns as the purveyor of the best tacos in the Rio Grande Valley. The doors open at 3 p.m., and all ages are welcome.Admission is free, though VIP tickets are available for purchase for the ultimate experience. For festival updates, ticket information, artist announcements, and more, go to tacosytequilasfest.com.

September 7

• The International Museum of Art & Science, 1900 W. Nolana Ave., McAllen, will host a member reception from 5 to 7 p.m. for the newest exhibit, “Resilience—A Sansei Sense of Legacy,”which delves into the impact of Executive Order 9066 on Japanese Americans during World War II. It brings together the artistic reflections of eight artists, shedding light on the experiences of those affected by this moment in history. This exhibition is supported by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of McAllen. Exhibition artists are Kristine Aono, Reiki Fuji, Wendy Maruyama, Lydia Nakashima Degarrod, Tom Nakashima, Roger Shimomura, Judy Shintani and Jerry Takigawa. The reception is free for IMAS members; pre-registration is encouraged. Learn more about the reception and IMAS membership program at theimasonline.com/member or call 956-681-2817.

September 14

• The national tour, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,”is coming to the McAllen Performing Arts Center. The award-winning film will be accompanied by a live orchestra, band and turntables with a scratch DJ playing music from the score and soundtrack. Joining the tour is The Broadway Sinfonietta, an all-women and majority women-of-color orchestra. Tickets start at $35. For tickets and more information, visit spiderverseinconcert.com.

October 19-21

• South Padre Island will host the first Chrome in the Sand Festival at the South Padre Island Convention Center. This three-day extravaganza unites motorcycle enthusiasts, classic car connoisseurs, and fans and includes a special appearance by Paul Teutul Sr., the visionary behind Orange County Choppers, renowned worldwide for their iconic motorcycle designs. The festival will feature a live performance by “Hotel California,” the top-tier tribute band paying homage to the legendary hits of The Eagles. Other performers include “Whiskey D” and “Nightrain,” a Guns N Roses tribute experience. There will be a bike show, car show, poker tournament, royal flush poker run, a tattoo contest, and competitions for the loudest pipes and best tire burnout. Attendees can look forward to food, games, and chance to win prizes, including an Indian Model motorcycle. General admission is free, with VIP tickets and registration now available. For festival updates, ticket information and more, visit the event website at chromeinthesand.com.

October 24

• The McAllen Performing Arts Center first performance of the season for Broadway in the Rio Grande Valley begins with Johnny Cash – The Official Concert Experience at 7:30 p.m. The songs and stories from the “Man in Black” comes to the stage, along with video from episodes of The Johnny Cash TV Show projected on a screen above the stage. A live band and singers will accompany him in perfect sync. The only way to guarantee seats is to subscribe to a season package before this first performance of four, and tickets are now available starting at $150 for all four shows. For more information, visit experiencemcallen.com/broadway.

November 3

• The first performance of the Valley Symphony Orchestra 2023-24 seasons takes place at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. Maestro Peter Dabrowski conducts the concert featuring Beethoven’s high-spirited Symphony No. 7 alongside Mussorgsky’s haunting “A Night on Bald Mountain.” To become a VSO sponsor, contact the VSO office at 956-661-1615 or via email at hello@valleyorchestra.org. For general information or tickets, go to valleyorchestra.org.

November 21

• Jesus Christ Superstar is the second performance of the Broadway in the Rio Grande Valley Showseason. It begins at 7:30 p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, a new production of the iconic musical phenomenon returns to the stage. Appealing to both theater audiences and concert music fans, this production pays tribute to the historic 1971 Billboard Album of the Year. For more information, visit experiencemcallen.com/broadway.

December 1

• The annual holiday favorite, “A Touch of Frost,”returns for its 23rd year with the Valley Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Peter Dabrowski. It features the Valley Symphony Chorale conducted by Dr. Sean Taylor, director of choral studies at UTRGV. The holiday program will include the Symphony’s signature arrangement of Feliz Navidad, along with selections from “The Nutcracker” and Handel’s “Messiah.” It takes place at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. To become a VSO sponsor, contact the VSO office at 956-661-1615 or via email at hello@valleyorchestra.org. For general information or tickets, go to valleyorchestra.org.

December 2

• The 2023 McAllen Holiday Parade, the largest illuminated holiday and helium balloon parade in Texas, will celebrate its 10-year anniversary with a “South Pole Dream Land.” The parade steps off at 6 p.m. from McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium. There will be ticketed and free seating along the 1.5 mile parade route to enjoy over 50 illuminated and animated floats. Also returning again in 2023 is the MHP Sweepstakes, which will offer prizes, a free Park & Ride, festival and Christmas in the Park, that features food, games, carnival, local community performances and free concerts.

2024

February 23

• The Valley Symphony Orchestraseason continues with the third concert of the season, “Lyrical Legends,”featuring the VSO’s Assistant Principal cellist Patrick Hopkins performing “Variations on a Rococo Theme.” Under the direction of Maestro Peter Dabrowski, the concert features family-friendly selections including “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and Stravinksy’s Firebird Suite. To become a VSO sponsor, contact the VSO office at 956-661-1615 or via email at hello@valleyorchestra.org. For general information or tickets, go to valleyorchestra.org.

March 17

• Come From Away is the third performance of the Broadway in the Rio Grande Valley Showseason. It begins at 7:30 p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. On 9/11, the world stopped. On 9/12, their stories moved the world. This stirring and inspiring musical goes into the heart of the remarkable true story of the small town in Newfoundland that opened their homes to 7,000 stranded travelers on 9/11. During that fateful week, cultures clashed, and nerves ran high—but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. Celebrate the best of humanity in this moving performance. For more information, visit experiencemcallen.com/broadway.

March 22

• In its next concert, the Valley Symphony Orchestra presents “Potter and Piano”showcasing music from the Harry Potter films and returning soloist Tanya Gabrielian performing George Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F. To become a VSO sponsor, contact the VSO office at 956-661-1615 or via email at hello@valleyorchestra.org. For general information or tickets, go to valleyorchestra.org.

April 19

• The Valley Symphony Orchestra’s season finale, “Spellbound Symphony,”will include Rimsky-Korsakov’s beguiling Scheherazade, inspired by the tales of “The Arabian Nights.” To become a VSO sponsor, contact the VSO office at 956-661-1615 or via email at hello@valleyorchestra.org. For general information or tickets, go to valleyorchestra.org.

April 26

• Chicago, The Musical is the fourth and final performance of the Broadway in the Rio Grande Valley Show season. It begins at 8 p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. After 25 years, it is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake in a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one show-stopping song after another and the dancing to match it. For more information, visit experiencemcallen.com/broadway.