Coming Attractions

September 15

• The Pharr Community Theater presents the “Miguel Hidalgo, El Insurrecto” monologue in performances at 8 and 9 p.m. The 16-minute presentation, in Spanish, features Pedro Garcia, PCT artistic director, as Father Miguel Hidalgo. It is written by Mercedes Varela Garcia. The monologue culminates with the famous “Grito De Dolores,” the Battle Cry for Independence. The PCT is at 213 W. Newcombe Ave. Each show lasts about 30 minutes with an opening act. Advance tickets can be purchased for $8 at pharrcommunitytheater.com, or for $10 at the door, starting one half hour before each presentation. Seating is limited to 55 persons per show. For more details, send a text message or call 956-655-9308

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 20-29

• The UTRGV Department of Theatre season kicks off with another Halloween favorite, The Haunting of Hill House. A parapsychologist and his assistants come to Hill House to investigate the paranormal—and find more than they bargained for – whatever walks in Hill House walks alone. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Oct. 21 performance will have ASL interpretation. Content appropriate for high school and older. Ticket prices are general admission, $17; senior/military, $12; and UTRGV student, faculty, staff w/valid ID, $7. For more information, visit utrgv.edu/theatre or contact the Theatre Box Office at 956-665-3518 or via email at theatreboxoffice@utrgv.edu.

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 Show season. 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.

November 30 – December 3

• The UTRGV Department of Theater will have its first return to a musical with Fun Home. This Broadway and Off-Broadway hit musical memoir centers around cartoonist Alison Bechdel’s memories of her childhood and early years in college as she reflects on her father’s life and legacy. The content carries LGBTQ+ themes and is geared for audiences 18 and over for strong language and adult themes. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday. The Saturday matinee has ASL interpretation. Ticket prices are $20 and $10 for UTRGV students, faculty and staff with a valid ID. For more information, visit utrgv.edu/theatre or contact the Theatre Box Office at 956-665-3518 or via email at theatreboxoffice@utrgv.edu.

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 Orchestra season 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 1-3

• The UTRGV Department of Theaterpresents Metamorphoses, a poetic retelling of classical Greek and Roman myths by Ovid. Passionate and captivating stories performed in a pool of water, actors will share with tales of love, loss and transformation. Age appropriate for high school level and above, it contains adult themes. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. ASL interpretation will be available for Saturday. Ticket prices are general admission, $17; senior/military, $12; and UTRGV student, faculty, staff w/valid ID, $7. For more information, visit utrgv.edu/theatre or contact the Theatre Box Office at 956-665-3518 or via email at theatreboxoffice@utrgv.edu.

March 17

• Come From Away is the third performance of the Broadway in the Rio Grande Valley Show season. 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’sseason 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 19-21

• The UTRGV Department of Theater ends the season with a rock and roll comedy Airness, a play about competitive air guitar and discovering the air-ness within. Follow Nina as she enters her first air guitar competition and finds out if she has what it takes to become the next champion. Appropriate for high school age and above. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday when ASL interpretation will be available. Ticket prices are general admission, $17; senior/military, $12; and UTRGV student, faculty, staff w/valid ID, $7. For more information, visit utrgv.edu/theatre or contact the Theatre Box Office at 956-665-3518 or via email at theatreboxoffice@utrgv.edu.

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.