5 Things You Have to Do This Week
Tue 8/5 The Griswolds Photo by Jory Lee Cordy If you like rock music charged with pseudo-Afro rhythms, yell-singing, driving bass lines and cheeky aplomb, then you won’t want to miss Australian indie-pop outfit the Griswolds. With their effervescent and genre-shirking debut album Heart of a Lion, the Griswolds gained the attention of Wind-up Records…
Will Luca Della Casa Win ‘Next Food Network Star’?
(Via) This past Sunday, Luca Della Casa, exec chef for Silo Elevated Cuisine and Nosh, was named as one of three finalists for this season’s “Next Food Network Star.” Della Casa is this season’s Cinderella story, after being knocked off in the early episodes and later winning his way back on the show through “Star…
10 Free Things Happening This Week
Mon-Fri 8/4-8/8 9th Annual El Placazo Summer Photography Workshop Photojournalist Francisco Cortes leads a basic youth workshop (geared for ages 12 to 17) that culminates with a gallery show. Register online for free, 10am-3pm, Mon-Fri, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 1321 El Paso (210) 226-7466, sananto.org Tues 8/5 Open Mic Night The Ten Eleven continues its Mikey Vibe Open Mic Night this week, open…
Lackland to close temp shelter for children
This photo posted to Twitter by @CBPSouthTexas shows two Honduran girls aged 3 and 18 being rescued after they crossed the Rio Grande and got dehydrated and lost. Courtesy Photo A temporary shelter that houses undocumented children at Lackland Air Force Base will wind down operations in two to eight weeks. Late last week, Refugee…
Strict Texas Abortion Law Back in Court This Week
Whole Woman’s Health of Austin closed it doors just days before heading to trial against House Bill 2. (via) Arguments began today in the second lawsuit filed against Texas House Bill 2, the restrictive abortion bill passed last summer that has so far led to the shuttering of 20 of Texas’ 41 abortion clinics. The…
Ka-Pow! Ka-Ching!: Wizard World Socks it to SA
Photo by Linda Romero Wizard World’s convention-on-wheels came to the Alamo City over the weekend, bringing some big name celebrities and interesting panels, albeit a lackluster showroom of vendors, for its three-day event. On Friday afternoon, I spoke with con-goers lined up in the Henry B. Gonzales Center about who and what they were looking forward to seeing at Wizard World.…
State Rep. Villarreal will step down in January
State Rep. Mike Villarreal. Courtesy Photo. State Rep. Mike Villarreal will stay on the Nov. 4 ballot in order to avoid a party appointment and allow district voters to choose a new representative. Villarreal, who is running uncontested for the House seat, will step down before the 84th Legislature begins in January 2015, prompting a…
Streetcar: VIA Metropolitan Transit breaks silence
VIA Board of Trustees Chairman Alexander Briseño. Photo from @Via_Transit on Twitter. While shaking off the streetcar blues, VIA Metropolitan Transit will reset and work toward other projects in the existing 2035 Long Range Comprehensive Transportation Plan. VIA Board of Trustees Chairman Alexander Briseño announced Friday that the transportation agency will put its modern streetcar…
Mike Sacks’ ‘Poking a Dead Frog’ is a Brilliant Peek Inside Comedy Writing
Mike Sacks’ Poking a Dead Frog Like most creative industries, comedy writing has been drastically altered by the internet. Gone are the days when the editorial rooms of the Harvard Lampoon and the backstages of Chicago improv were the only outlets to a career in writing jokes. “You know where all the talented people are? They are…
Vote Now for the 2014 San Antonio Music Awards
2014 San Antonio Music Awards Now through August 31, vote for your favorites in the 2014 San Antonio Music Awards. We’ve compiled a poll of 34 categories for you to vote on, ranging from best hardcore to best tejano, best venue to best record label. The winners of the San Antonio Music Awards will be announced…
3 Ways to Get Your Drink/Grub On This Week
Courtesy Saturday, August 2: La Fogata is spicing up their monthly tequila tastings with boozy raspas. For the month of August La Fogata will feature Cazadores Tequila and have tastings on August 2 and 16 at the tasting table. La Fogata will also be serving snow cones with a rum for adults and non-alcoholic varieties…
Shot of the Week: Friday Night Special
(Via Dustin Dooling) Monday through Friday is an absolute grind. When the weekend finally arrives it’s time to celebrate in style. This week’s shot of the week is all about saying good riddance to responsibility and hello to good times. The light rum and coconut rum play off each other perfectly, delivering a silky smooth…
13th Floor to Hire 50 Actors for Halloween Haunted House
Courtesy Some count down the days ‘til Christmas (145), while others (a bulk of native San Antonians) count down the days to Halloween (90). And just as retailers staff up for the holidays, the 13th Floor Haunted House San Antonio is on the hunt for fresh talent to raise the X-factor of its haunted house. The…
Former Power Ranger and Hulk to Visit Wonderland of Americas
Here’s your chance to get your banged-up green Incredible Hulk lunchbox signed by legendary body-builder Lou Ferrigno Rippling off this weekend’s Wizard World Comic Con, Ferrigno and ex-Power Ranger Jason David Frank will be held court at Wonderland of the Americas Mall for a meet-and-greet. The event will take place in the Live Music Lounge, with an 30-50 person…
5 Shows to See this Weekend
Rittz, Raz Simone & Tuki Carter (Friday, August 1) GA emcee Rittz While most mainstream rappers like to color in the lines with rhymes covering cash, drugs, misogyny and more drugs, Atlanta’s Rittz stays on target, putting a fresh spin on tired topics. With a tongue-in-cheek name to poke fun at his whiteness, Rittz’ self-deprecating…
10 Things You Have to Do This Weekend
Thu 7/31 – Sun 8/3 San Antonio Film Festival In its 20th year, SA Film continues to mature with some exciting new features. While festival director Adam Rocha will bring back the fest’s collection of feature films, shorts and documentaries along with panels, workshops (in partnership with the Texas Film Commission) and parties, most of…
First Course: Cocina Heritage Restaurant opens and deets on Culinaria’s Restaurant Week
First Course Fodder brings in exciting food news to you in tiny, digestible bits. Fried oysters from Max’s WIne Dive via Fratello’s Deli and Market (2503 Broadway) has new hours for those looking to pick up some pasta, fresh cheese or lasagna for dinner. The popular lunch spot is now open Monday through Thursday from 11…
Republican-led House passes bill allowing it to sue President
President Barack Obama, via his Facebook page. With lessons learned from the attempted impeachment of President Bill Clinton, the U.S. House of Representatives instead passed legislation Wednesday that allows it to initiate litigation against the president. So instead of impeaching the second Democratic president to take office since 1981, Republicans will sue President Barack Obama.…
Stargayzer Festival Announces Daily Headliners, Changes Venue
Stargayzer Festival, occuring September 12-14 The inaugural Stargayzer Festival, taking place September 12-14 in Austin, announced its daily headliners today. With Trust on Friday, Big Freedia, Cakes Da Killa and SSION on Saturday and Austra and Xiu Xiu on Sunday, Stargayzer is an exciting celebration of contemporary queer music. To represent SA at the festival, Saakred, Pink Leche and…
Flavor 2014: Pubs, Cocktails and Wine Guide
Here’s a map of all 13 pubs and bars featured in Flavor 2014. Pubs Big Hops Gastropub Craft beer by the glass or growler and killer bites are always on hand at Big Hops. Order smoked mac and cheese, pork sliders or a charcuterie board with your brew and take some home for later. Did…
Flavor 2014: Vegetarian and Vegan Friendly Guide and Map
We’ve mapped out the alternative diet eateries featured in Flavor 2014. The Cove This sustainable eatery dishes out such veggie options as the warm beet salad and the vegan bacon cheeseburger, fully dressed with tofu bacon, cashew cheese, vegan mayo and spicy mustard, along with their classic spring mix and tomatoes and onions. One bite and you’ll be…
7 Flicks to See at the San Antonio Film Festival
Jose Canseco: The Truth Hurts 8pm Weds, July 30, City Base Cinema Screen A Directed by Bill McAdams Jr. The Ur-steroid user of the MLB, Jose Canseco has been notoriously brash through the juice scandals and Senate hearings that have plagued pro baseball in the 21st Century. In The Truth Hurts, Canseco and director Bill McAdams…
A Full Double Barrel Load of Merle Dixon: Actor Michael Rooker Talks ‘The Walking Dead’ In-Depth
Michael Rooker as Merle Dixon Not enough Merle Dixon in this week’s Current interview with Michael Rooker? Ask no more: in honor of his upcoming appearance at Wizard World San Antonio Comic-Con, in town August 1-3, we dig in deep with Rooker about his most famous role. One of the most interesting things about Merle is…
RIP Thelma and Louise: SA Zoo’s Two-Headed Turtle Passes Away
One of San Antonio’s most beloved and outlandish residents was lost on Tuesday. Thelma and Louise, the bicephalic turtle who received national attention for her uncommon condition, suddenly died yesterday of unknown causes. At just over a year old, she exhibited little growth in the past few months. Because of her unique needs, Thelma and Louise received…
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): If a farmer plants the same crop in the same field year after year, the earth’s nutrients get exhausted. For instance, lettuce sucks up a lot of nitrogen. It’s better to plant beans or peas in that location the next season, since they add nitrogen back into the soil. Meanwhile, lettuce…
Happy Hour Hound: Boozy sangria at Lisa’s Mexican Restaurant
The bartender’s name is Pancho. He’s a portly fellow with graying dark brown hair, a pencil-thin mustache and a friendly demeanor. Good thing, too, because Pancho served as our one-man welcoming committee to this Happy Hour Hound visit to Lisa’s Mexican Restaurant. Held Monday through Friday from 3 to 6:30 p.m. inside Lisa’s Bar Mosaico,…
Flavor File: New café on West Side, fine wine at the Granary and zany gelato at Blue Star
Chow down Belle Epoque-style with a pop-up dinner from a new chef collective. John Russ of Lüke San Antonio is joining forces with girlfriend Elise Broz (pastry chef at Biga on the Banks), Michael Sohocki (Restaurant Gwendolyn, Kimura), Pieter Sypesteyn (Where Y’at Food Truck) and the dudes from Mixtli to launch Alamo City Provisions. The…
Glitter Political: The picturesque life of Karen Crouch
Kith and kin of the cosmopolitan Karen Crouch know that it’s rare to find the former judge at home on her birthday. And as she sits before me in her spacious living room in Castle Hills, I sense she’s not entirely pleased about this homebody turn either, certainly not on the day she turns 54. The 2011 car…
Saytown Beatdown: Something Biz-y, Something Blu
As many of our thoughts turn back to the productivity and responsibility that is required of us during the school year, this August promises to provide plenty of ways to avoiding said grown-up stuff. From national players new and old, to local soirees and exciting fresh talent; the next several weeks are a great time…
Comic Artist Brett Booth Talks Diversity In Comic Books
With announcements that the new Thor is a woman and the new Captain America will be black, the comic book industry is undergoing historic changes. Veteran comic artist Brett Booth believes these changes will bring much needed diversity to the industry. For years, Booth has worked for big names in the DC Universe. He’s done…
Chicken with a Cult Following at Pollos Asados
It’s late on a Sunday morning, and the crowd that will soon fill Pollos Asados is just beginning to dribble in. Outside, the smoke from both Pollos Asados’ food truck and the charcoal grill annex wreaths the low-slung building in a fragrant haze: mesquite with an hint of incense. If there’s an object of veneration…
Mondo Nation’s Gonzo Approach to Live Music
It’s a pretty common tale in post-industrial America: Commercial and manufacturing buildings sprout up, business moves elsewhere, buildings go vacant and decay, eventually finding new life as low-rent creative spaces. As the South Flores galleries can attest, the San Antonio art game has been in on this hustle for some time. But Ryan Brummet, of…
Savage Love: Taking Advantage
I am wondering when the best time is to mention being in an open relationship to new girls. I’m a 27-year-old straight guy who’s been in an open relationship for six years. I often seek out extracurricular activities, but I am unsure of how to bring up my situation without doors closing. I wrote to…
‘The Hundred-Year House’ Tells a Ghost Story in Reverse
Rebecca Makkai’s new novel begins, “For a ghost story, the tale of Violet Saville Devohr was vague and underwhelming.” It’s a surprising first line for the The Hundred-Year House, unsettling even, but it does the job of immediately clarifying that although the beautiful, mysterious original owner of Laurelfield (the titular house) committed suicide in the…
‘Most Naked Woman’ Set to Shimmy at San Antonio Burlesque Festival
The answer came unanimously without prompting or hesitation, as if sent straight from the sexually liberated goddess of serendipity. “Sequins or fringe?” “Rhinestones.” Two men consider this question and then another query—just how many rhinestones is it possible to squeeze onto one jacket, exactly? “San Antonio is all about glitz, glam, big hair and breakfast…
Michael Rooker Talks Zombies, Aliens and the Galaxy Beyond ‘The Walking Dead’
If you have a pulse, you have certainly heard of AMC’s colossal hit TV series The Walking Dead. And if you’ve seen The Walking Dead, you know the name Merle Dixon. Must we add that there are spoilers ahead? Actor Michael Rooker had a one-episode shot at the following material: a trigger-happy racist with anger…
Justin Timberlake’s Secret Ingredients
Outside of rap, there aren’t a lot of artists with the XY chromosomes, staying power and tunes to be anointed as the definitive male pop star of 2014. Hitting the AT&T Center this Tuesday, Justin Timberlake may be the only non-rap dude with a rightful claim to the throne. But the reasons for his fame…
Truckin’ Tomato’s Mobile Farmers Market
Part farmers market and part food truck, Truckin’ Tomato is a mobile source for fresh, local produce and food products. Rolling around the Alamo City since May of this year, the 30-foot trailer parks at venues across town five days a week, including churches, offices, apartment buildings, parks and at special events (see truckintomato.com for…
Shatner, the Internet and Reverse Engineering
William Shatner seems to need no introduction, but you’d be surprised how many irons the Star Trek star has in the fire. Aside from his one-man show Shatner’s World: We just live in it appearing in theaters and in Vegas earlier this year, two films set to be released in 2015 and his recent distinguished…
Temps wanted for new City Council spots
San Antonio’s city council will have two new members soon. The departure of District 7 Councilman Cris Medina to Fort Meade, Md., for active-duty military training and District 2 Councilwoman Ivy Taylor’s elevation to interim mayor means city council will have to appoint temporary replacements. Medina will return to the council after his U.S. Air…
The Mayoral Horserace Returns with a Bang
With former District 2 Councilwoman Ivy Taylor selected as interim mayor, potential candidates are weighing whether to run for San Antonio’s highest office in the general election. For now, though, much of the public conversation has been about what challenges Taylor faces going into the next 10 months. Since she’s pledged not to run for…
Leave Politics at the Door at Second Angry Elephant Bar
Tucked away in a corner of the Boardwalk shopping center (across from the Dominion) you’ll find a spot that always seems to be looking for its perfect tenant. Many an owner has tried to capitalize on this potentially lucrative space off Boerne Stage Road, and nearly all have failed. Notable attempts include Chango’s Havana Club,…
Richard Linklater on ‘Boyhood,’ a Film Literally 12 Years in the Making
While most people would call writer/director Richard Linklater’s new independent movie Boyhood one of the film industry’s most ambitious projects, the Austin-based, two-time Oscar-nominated filmmaker describes it a bit differently. “It was just such an impractical and crazy idea,” Linklater, 54, said during an interview with the Current after Boyhood premiered at the SXSW Film…
Profiles in Cosplay from Ivy Doomkitty to Dog Groomers
Wizard World Comic Con graces San Antonio for the first time ever. The traveling pop-culture mega fest brings together comic book artists, WWE wrestlers, celebrities from lists A through D and plenty of rabid, costumed fans. We jumped the line, so to speak, for some one-on-one conversations with a few of Wizard World’s most coveted…
The Adventures of SA’s Indie Comic Book Publisher Antarctic Press
AP at Akon 2014 via When I arrive, the office looks abandoned. It’s dark, cluttered, and piles of boxes are stacked along the walls. I’m looking for the indie comic book publisher Antarctic Press (AP). Instead, what I find looks like a storage closet. Based in San Antonio, AP has been in business for the…
Linklater’s ‘Boyhood’ is Life Told Through the Small Things
As a massive fan of Richard Linklater and someone who has been anticipating this film for months, I made the drive up to Austin this past weekend to view it as soon as I could. Waking up early on a Saturday for a 10:25 a.m. showing in a different city, I regret none of it. It’s…
Mayor Taylor talks NDO, budget and more
Interim Mayor Taylor began serving on July 22 after the city council elected her to replace Julian Castro, who is now the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Courtesy Photo With all the talk of the streetcar and police and fire union negotiations, Interim Mayor Ivy Taylor has a lot…
More National Nods for Bakery Lorraine
(Via) Bakery Lorraine (511 E Grayson) just keeps making SA more proud (and delicious) each day. The Government Hill bakery was recognized by Conde Nast Traveler as one of 13 Destination Bakeries, right up there with Dominique Ansel Bakery in NYC (AKA the original cronut maker). Bakery Lorraine, owned by chefs Anne Ng, Jeremy…
Booze News: New tiki menu at BKSA and a craft beer tasting
Booze News slings up the latest gulp downs around town every Tuesday. Tiki Tuesdays at BKSA via / Photo by David Rangel Grab a lei for this boozy luau. The Brooklynite (516 Brooklyn) is celebrating a new tiki menu with a release party on Tuesday, July 29 at 7 p.m. Tailgate Bistro USA is roasting…
Aural Pleasure Review: Jenny Lewis’ ‘The Voyager’
Jenny Lewis | The Voyager | Warner Bros | **** Jenny Lewis’ latest improves mightily upon 2008’s limp Acid Tongue, combining some of that album’s ’70’s guitar-rock pomp with the easygoing (but dead serious) twang of 2006’s Rabbit Fur Coat. Situated between Fleetwood Mac, Elvis Costello and Lewis’ most polished, but least interesting work with…
Aural Pleasure Review: Shabazz Palaces’ ‘Lese Majesty’
Shabazz Palaces | Lese Majesty | Sub Pop | **** For the thesaurus full of words one could use to define Shabazz Palaces, you’d be hard pressed to find a better descriptor than “cryptic.” From the early enigma surrounding the group’s identity, to their often impenetrable sound, the Seattle-based duo have raised mystery to a…
Aural Pleasure Review: Madlib’s ‘Rock Konducta Vol. II’
Madlib | Rock Konducta Vol. II | Madlib Invazion | **** Madlib is on record saying he owns roughly 8,000 pounds of vinyl. That breaks down to about 40,000 records, in the neighborhood of 320,000 songs, and well, you get the point. Certainly there are other dudes who share the producer’s obsessive collecting habits; what…
Mr. Composition Drops Rad Claymation Video for ‘Pandora’s Jukebox’
Mr. Composition Kevin Prince, aka Mr. Composition, one of the San Antonio hip-hop community’s best and brightest, has had a pretty sweet year so far. He released one of the best local albums of the year (as of yet) in May’s Graffiti the Mind. He put out a poignant and well-executed video for one of the…
Italian: SoBro Pizza Co.
SoBro Pizza Co. 1915 Broadway, Ste 100, (210) 227-6276, sobropizza.com If you build it, they will come. If you build it underneath their apartments, they’ll stop by for gelato, Napolitano pizzas and an excellent wine selection, because what could be more convenient? Such is the case at SoBro Pizza Co., situated on the ground level…
Sushi: Sushi Seven
Sushi Seven 19141 Stone Oak Pkwy, Ste 507, (210) 496-7777, sushi-seven.com Sometimes wasabi just doesn’t cut it. If you prefer your sushi a little hotter, and with a serious hint of San Antonio spice, Sushi Seven is probably right up your alley. Opened by several of the same chefs who tackled Sushi Zushi’s eight locations…
