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Battling the Infodemic: As online disinformation snowballs, how do we avoid being crushed?
Over the weekend, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a social media warning urging people not to take Ivermectin, a potentially dangerous horse-deworming drug. Even though the veterinary medication is unproven against COVID-19, its distribution increased 19-fold in August as people bought it to stave off infections by the coronavirus, according to federal data…
San Antonio-raised actress Nava Mau’s TV show Genera+ion has ended, but its impact remains
The HBO Max series Genera+ion, often touted as the queerest show on cable, won’t be returning for a second season. Just the same, the show and its cast — including San Antonio-raised actress Nava Mau, who’s transgender — broke new ground for LGBTQ+ and Latinx media representation. “We are very much still in the new…
Texas site asking for anonymous tips on abortion providers is down after companies refuse to host it
A site set up by Texas Right to Life to let people anonymously snitch on friends and neighbors who helped someone obtain an abortion has run into trouble — not just with online activists but a series of web hosting companies. Since the anti-abortion group launched the site ProLifeWhistleblower.com last month, it’s become a target for…
Texas faces three lawsuits against restrictive new voting law signed Tuesday by Gov. Greg Abbott
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday signed into law a widely decried voting restriction bill that limits services such as 24-hour and drive-thru voting while granting more power to partisan poll watchers. The Republican-backed law, which drew vigorous opposition from Democrats and voting-rights groups, now faces at least three separate challenges in federal court.…
Gov. Greg Abbott wanted state lawmakers to ban mask mandates in public schools. They didn’t.
As the Texas war over mask mandates rages in the courts and in school board meetings, state legislators decided to stay out of the fight and leave Gov. Greg Abbott to his own devices. To stop a growing number of school districts from defying Abbott’s ban on mask mandates, the governor had called on Texas…
Anti-poverty group ranks Texas one of the worst states for working women, regardless of abortion law
Texas has drawn international condemnation for its draconian new abortion ban, but that’s only one aspect of the state’s poor treatment of working women, according to a top anti-poverty group. A new study by Oxfam America ranked Texas 48th out of the 50 U.S. states plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia in its…
Abortion ban, permitless carry, elections bill: The week that solidified Texas’ hard right turn after the 2020 election
Two years ago, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was on the radio explaining why he was not championing the so-called “heartbeat bill” to block abortions as early as six weeks, as he pushed for a series of other anti-abortion measures that legislative session. “On the ‘heartbeat bill,’ to be candid with you, there was a lot of discussion…
San Antonio has the 6th-smartest sports fans, a new study finds. But is that what the data really says?
Have you every googled what a baseball shortstop is? If you’ve never had to, you may have contributed to San Antonio being ranked the 6th-smartest sports city in the United States in a new study by online gambling news site USBets. USBets looked at the monthly averages of 1,500 different sports-related Google searches across 46 major sports…
At least 45 districts shut down in-person classes due to COVID-19 cases, affecting more than 40,000 students
At least 45 small school districts across Texas have been forced to temporarily stop offering in-person classes as a result of COVID-19 cases in the first few weeks of the new school year, according to the Texas Education Agency. The shutdowns, which affected about 42,000 students as of Thursday, come as cases caused by the…
Ahead of San Antonio show, Paula Poundstone talks about creating comedy to help people cope
Stand-up comedian Paula Poundstone isn’t letting the global pandemic keep her down – for the most part, at least. Over the last year and a half, Poundstone, best known these days for her quick-witted responses on National Public Radio’s quiz show Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me, has kept busy hosting her own podcast from home, Nobody…
These charts show that COVID-19 vaccines are doing their job
As the coronavirus continues to surge across the United States, hospitals are again filling up with ill COVID-19 patients. And the vast majority of those patients are unvaccinated, as two new charts help make exceedingly clear. One of those charts shows that from January 24 to July 24, vaccinated individuals were hospitalized with COVID-19 at…
The Satanic Temple begins legal maneuver to skirt Texas’ new abortion ban
The Satanic Temple has joined the legal wrangling to block or overturn Texas’ severe new abortion law. That law, which the U.S. Supreme Court refused to block this week, bans the medical procedure after six weeks, including in cases of rape and incest. The Salem, Massachusetts-based Temple filed a letter with the U.S. Food and…
San Antonio Symphony musicians face proposed 50% pay cut for 2020-2021 season
After weathering the pandemic, the San Antonio Symphony’s musicians are staring down the barrel of another year of slashed wages. According to the Musicians of the San Antonio Symphony (MOSAS), the Symphony has proposed a base salary of $17,710 for the 2021-2022 season, which equates to a 50% pay cut from the previously agreed-to base…
Mochinut closes temporarily, Oktoberfest in SA: San Antonio’s biggest food stories of the week
With fall looming, it makes sense that some of this week’s most popular food stories shared details about Oktoberfest events in and around San Antonio. After all, who doesn’t love beer, sausage and the sound of an oompah band? There was also news about the Alamo City’s first Mochinut location opening to much fanfare —…
Teachers catching COVID, Sorry Antivaxxer: The top 10 headlines in San Antonio this week
With Texas still in the throes of COVID-19 crisis, it should come as little surprise that the coronavirus was the source of many of this week’s top headlines. The most-read articles in the Current this week covered the San Antonio archdiocese putting the kibosh on exemption letters for COVID vaccines, a website chronicling preventable COVID…
San Antonio’s 2nd Annual Terror High Film Fest now accepting submissions
Let the blood flow and the skin crawl. San Antonio’s 2nd Annual Terror High Film Fest is now soliciting submissions of original films that embrace the monstrous, dreadful, frightful and fantastic elements of the horror genre. The latest installment of the virtual fest organized by the Association of Creative Multimedia Partners is accepting films in…
Beethoven Männerchor, San Antonio’s oldest German beer hall, unveils Oktoberfest details
Southtown’s Beethoven Männerchor will host Oktoberfest festivities spanning over two weekends, offering German beers on tap, genuine German music, dancing, and other events such as the famous tapping of the Oktoberfest keg. The family- and dog-friendly Biergarten will host the Beethoven Concert Band, the Beethoven Big Band and the Beethoven Dance Band, plus other special…
Southern Fried: Southerleigh Haute South succeeds with new, if caloric, spins on regional comfort food
If county and state fairs have taught us anything over the years, it’s this: if they fry it, we will come. San Antonio’s Southerleigh Haute South has taken this lesson very much to heart. Perhaps literally. Sure, many of its menu items seem like they might impede the orderly flow of blood in the veins…
TikTok user shares script to troll the shit out of Texas anti-abortion group’s anonymous tip site
Texas Right to Life’s website requesting anonymous tips about people violating Texas’ radical six-week abortion ban, is meeting even more online resistance. After pro-choice advocates urged people to push back against Texas Right to Life’s effort to turn reproductive health into a thoughtcrime by submitting fake tips, an online activist created computer code to quickly…
Why ‘heartbeat bill’ is a misleading name for Texas’ near-total abortion ban
Proponents of Texas’ new near-total ban on abortions call it the “heartbeat bill.” The name references the point in time at around six weeks’ gestation when the embryo’s cardiac activity can first be detected by an ultrasound — which under the new law triggers a block on an abortion. But medical and reproductive health experts…
Texas-based Deep Ellum Brewing Co. releases uber-hoppy IPA Variety Pack
Hop-heads, listen up: Dallas-based Deep Ellum Brewing Co. has released an IPA variety pack that aims to sate Texans’ cravings for skunky suds. The 12-can IPA Variety Pack brings all of Deep Ellum’s hoppiest creations together in one case, ranging from its classic 7% ABV Deep Ellum IPA to the tangerine and lemon vibes of…
San Antonio chefs will compete in Burger Showdown to benefit fresh fruit and veggie program
If your craving for burgers doesn’t stop when summer is over, an October cooking competition between eight San Antonio chefs may be just your juicy jam. Edward Villarreal of the Homegrown Chef online cooking show will host his Burger Showdown on Saturday, October 9 at Brooster’s Backyard Icehouse to help bring fresh produce to San…
Deep Culture: If you’re new to San Antonio, these locations and events can get you off the River Walk
While well known for the Alamo and River Walk, San Antonio is home to a wide array of sights and experiences that reflect its deep-rooted culture. If you’re a newcomer to the city, it’s a great idea to veer away from the tourist draws and experience a variety of less-known attractions — at least less-known to…
Eat your way through San Antonio’s food culture
In 2017, San Antonio was designated as a Creative City of Gastronomy by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, becoming on the second U.S. city to land that recognition. Suffice to say, we take our food seriously. If you’re new to the Alamo City and want to see what the fuss is all…
All kindergarten teachers at a North San Antonio elementary school have tested positive for COVID-19
Every kindergarten teacher at Comal ISD’s Kinder Ranch Elementary has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a report by news site myCanyonLake.com. The North San Antonio school is located near the intersection of Highway 281 and Bulverde Road. On Wednesday, a screenshot of an email from a teacher at Kinder Ranch was shared to the…
President Joe Biden says Texas’ new abortion law ‘unleashes unconstitutional chaos’
President Joe Biden blasted the U.S. Supreme Court for refusing to block Texas’ six-week abortion ban and slammed the Texas Legislature for passing such a bill, calling the new state law “a bizarre scheme” that “unleashes unconstitutional chaos and empowers self-anointed enforcers to have devastating impacts.” “This law is so extreme it does not even allow…
San Antonio’s Southwest School of Art will hold citywide art scavenger hunt next week
Southwest School of Art will oversee the San Antonio edition of World Art Drop Day on Tuesday, September 7, inviting area artists, creatives and makers of all kinds to participate in a citywide scavenger hunt. World Art Drop Day was created in Utah by artist Jake Parker to help strangers connect. To participate, artists create a…
Far Northwest San Antonio will gain New York-style pizzeria, taphouse early next year
Colorado-based Parry’s Pizzeria & Taphouse will bring New York-style pizza and wings to The Rim in January, MySA reports. The chain offers build-your-own pizza options, traditional standbys such as pepperoni and signature creations such as its Five Boroughs, topped with pepperoni, bacon, mushrooms and green peppers. As the “Taphouse” part of its name suggests, Parry’s…
LGBTQ-inclusive speed-waxing chain LunchboxWax has opened its first San Antonio location
Idaho-based speed-waxing concept LunchboxWax has opened its first San Antonio salon at the Alon Town Centre on the North Side, offering face and body waxing — and an inclusive and comfortable environment. LunchboxWax is a full-service boutique and speed-waxing salon that trains its employees — called waxologists — in practices designed to make the LGBTQ+…
U.S. Supreme Court refuses to block Texas’ six-week abortion ban
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to block Texas’ new law banning abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy, keeping in place, at least for now, perhaps the most restrictive abortion law in the country. The decision came as major providers in the state said they had canceled most of their abortion appointments and…
Lone Star Beer debuts hunting-inspired clothing collaboration with outdoor goods brand Duck Camp
Count San Antonio-born Lone Star Beer among the food and beverage brands getting into the clothing game. Lone Star this week unveiled a collaboration with outdoor goods brand Duck Camp on a new line of wearable merchandise targeted to Texas hunting and fishing enthusiasts. Duck Camp specializes in outdoor apparel boasting custom camouflage patterns. Inspired…
Slab Cinema invites you to be part of their world with weekend screening of The Little Mermaid
After over a year of pandemic life, the Little Mermaid’s desire to join human society might be beginning to hit a little close to home. If you, too, “wanna be where the people are,” consider escaping the murky depths of your bedroom and heading down to Mission Marquee Plaza for an outdoor showing of the…
John Wayne’s daughter Aissa gives insight into growing up with The Duke at the Briscoe this weekend
In conjunction with its current exhibition “Still in the Saddle: A New History of Hollywood Westerns,” the Briscoe Western Art Museum is welcoming Aissa Wayne, the daughter of legendary Western actor and Oscar winner John Wayne (True Grit). During the event, Aissa Wayne will share stories about what it was like having the Duke as…
Comedian-turned-actor DeRay Davis returns to his roots with stand-up stint at LOL Comedy Club
DeRay Davis is a popular standup, so no one should be surprised with the success of his Showtime special DeRay Davis: Power Play. Or that it followed on the heels of the wildly popular Netflix special DeRay Davis: How to Act Black. But Davis has a wider resume than successful streaming specials. For starters, he grew…
Soul Survivor: Tia Rodriguez of Urban Soul Market is winning converts to her vegan concept
Before her current stint as a successful vegan chef and owner of Urban Soul Market, Tia Rodriguez lived and breathed the corporate life. That meant sitting at a desk for nearly eight hours of her day and eating what was available. Neither of those was a healthy option. Armed with family recipes and a desire…
Popular anime convention San Japan returns to downtown San Antonio this weekend
In a nod to the anime convention’s 2020 cancellation, San Japan is back with what it’s calling its 12.5 con, a modified event that seeks to maximize safety while the pandemic is still a going concern. This year is themed as a “Throwback Convention,” celebrating the history of San Japan and showcasing art and photography…
Live Music in San Antonio This Week: Warren G, Between the Buried and Me and more
San Antonio’s live music offerings are plenty this week, and diversity is the name of the game. Whether you’re more apt to seek out West Coast hip-hop, synth-driven post punk or powerhouse prog-metal, local venues have got a packed lineup. Hell, there’s even a creative streaming option for those leery of in-person gatherings amid the…
Verbal and physical attacks on health workers surge as emotions boil during latest COVID-19 wave
When the security guard at Methodist Hospital San Antonio met the visitor at the door of the children’s emergency room on a Saturday afternoon in early August, the officer’s request was simple: The man needed to get a temperature screening to make sure he showed no early signs of COVID-19 before entering the hospital. The…
New Italian sandwich concept Gigi’s Deli doing pop-up at San Antonio’s Little Death wine shop
San Antonians craving Italian sandwiches may want to round up their goombas and head to Little Death wine shop this weekend. New Italian sando concept Gigi’s Deli will make its debut at Little Death on Sunday, September 5 via a Sopranos-themed pop-up, MySA reports. Head chef Matthew Garcia will serve up toasted delights from 5 p.m.…
Texas country music artist Randy Rogers launches new booze brand with Hefeweizen-style whiskey
Texas country music singer Randy Rogers is getting into the booze biz. The New Braunfels-based troubadour is celebrating his hometown’s German heritage with a new liquor brand called Bahnbrëcker, and its first release, Slow River Blend — a Hefeweizen-style whiskey — clearly sticks with the theme. What exactly is a Hefeweizen-style whiskey, you ask? We…
San Antonio’s Classic Theatre launches probe into past leader following misconduct allegation
Last Friday, San Antonio’s Classic Theatre revealed via email that it had launched an investigation into issues raised about the company’s previous leadership. The announced probe follows an August 24 Facebook post by a woman who alleged that she was sexually assaulted by an actor employed by the theater company when she was 16, according…
San Antonio restaurant group accepting donations for Louisiana residents affected by Hurricane Ida
San Antonio restaurants Barbaro and Hot Joy are accepting donations for Louisiana residents affected by Hurricane Ida, which has left at least a million people without power since its landfall Sunday. The restaurants are working with Houston-based Relief Gang, a nonprofit created in wake of Hurricane Harvey to help Houston residents rebuild their lives by…
Massive LEGO Brick Battle of the Alamo exhibit opens this weekend at the San Antonio landmark
Downtown San Antonio’s most-visited historical site will soon have another draw to offer: a massive model of the Alamo fort made with more than 50,000 LEGO bricks. Built by brickmaster Adam Bell, the 63-square-foot model is a recreation of the site’s 1836 footprint. To be as accurate as possible, he used research and artwork from…
Six-week abortion ban now in effect in Texas after U.S. Supreme Court declines to halt new law
A Texas law banning virtually all abortions after six weeks went into effect Wednesday at midnight after the U.S. Supreme Court turned down a request by women’s health groups to block it. The measure, championed by Republicans in the Texas Legislature and signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, is considered the strictest anti-abortion law in the…
Republican bill tightening Texas election laws is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk
A wave of changes to Texas elections, including new voting restrictions, are headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. Three months after House Democrats first broke quorum to stymie a previous iteration of the legislation, Republicans in the House and Senate Tuesday signed off on the final version of Senate Bill 1 to further tighten the state’s…
Site compiles stories of outspoken anti-vaxxers, including Texans, who died preventable COVID deaths
Tragic stories continue to pile up of people who died of COVID-19 after denying its existence or rejecting the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Some of the highest profile — from an outspoken Republican Party leader to an organizer of anti-mask rallies — have been in Texas. A new site called Sorry Antivaxxer is now…
San Antonio’s Chicken N Pickle to close its doors for daylong community service initiative
Local pickle ball venue Chicken N Pickle will close its doors one day next week to perform community-service efforts — and provide its employees with a paid afternoon off. Chicken N Pickle is hosting its second annual “Hearts are Local” Day from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, September 7 so employees can perform acts…
San Antonio’s Künstler Brewing donates $2,500 to LGBTQ+ organization Fiesta Youth
Local craft brewer Künstler Brewing in June held a Pride event to benefit nonprofit Fiesta Youth, which hosts programming to support local LGBTQ+ youth and their allies. Monday, the collaboration culminated in a $2,500 donation to the organization. The June 19 Pride event saw Künstler dole out rainbow flights of its beers, $2 of which…
More Texans will have access to medical marijuana this week, but the state lags in cannabis reform
One of the few things to celebrate coming out of the past session of the Texas Legislature was an expansion of the state’s Compassionate Use Program. A new law that goes into effect Wednesday, September 1, will let people with any form of cancer or post-traumatic stress disorder legally access low-THC cannabis. They join those…
The removal of Texas’ ban on smokable hemp means state will be part of a $400 million market
Thanks to a recent court ruling allowing Texans to legally purchase smokable hemp, the state will be able to claim its share of an economic market worth up to $400 million, according to a report from Hemp Industry Daily. Citing a research from analytics giant Nielsen IQ, the online trade publication reports that the U.S.…
San Antonio Food Bank sends its first supply truck to Louisiana for Hurricane Ida relief
The San Antonio Food Bank on Tuesday is sending its first truckload of food and supplies to Louisiana to support those affected by Hurricane Ida. In partnership with Feeding America, the local food bank is joining others from around the country in providing nutrition, water and cleaning supplies to parishes across the state. The aid…
Women’s health groups ask U.S. Supreme Court to block Texas’ abortion ban from going into effect
Women’s health providers on Monday made a last-ditch plea asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Texas’ restrictive new abortion law, which becomes effective Wednesday. The so-called “heartbeat law” championed by Republican lawmakers would ban the medical procedure as soon as a fetal heartbeat is detectable — early as six weeks of pregnancy, or…
San Antonio Zoo will soon begin vaccinating animals against COVID-19
A new population is now eligible to receive their COVID-19 jabs. In the next few weeks, the San Antonio Zoo will begin vaccinating its resident animals against the virus, which has been shown to infect certain animal species. The zoo’s vaccine was specifically developed for animals by the company Zoetis, and has been authorized for…
San Antonio’s Tower of the Americas to hold Octoberfest event featuring 23 European breweries
The Tower of the Americas will celebrate Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 2 with an event showcasing beer from 23 European countries, including not just Germany — where the tradition was born — but Scotland, Belgium and more. The second annual Octoberfest at Tower of Americas party will take place at the downtown San Antonio landmark…
Pop-Tarts releases limited-edition Día de Muertos pastries featuring churro flavor, skull icing designs
Breakfast staple Pop-Tarts is releasing limited-edition desayuno toaster pastries featuring Día de los Muertos-themed designs and chocolate-and-cinnamon filling. The new Pop-Tarts will make their retail debut in September, ahead of Día de los Muertos, the Mexican holiday which involves gathering November 1-2 to remember deceased friends and family members. The themed snacks will boast edible designs such as papel…
Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s high-octane holiday show will roll into San Antonio on December 10
The sound of ringing bells, fretboard shredding and indoor fireworks can only mean one thing: Trans-Siberian Orchestra is hitting the road with its winter extravaganza. The multi-platinum holiday rockers’ 2021 tour will touch down at San Antonio’s AT&T Center on Friday, December 10 for two performances. The shows will mark the group’s first live appearance…
Back in the Saddle: Beloved local designer Agosto Cuellar returns to retail with new Blue Star boutique
The last time we spoke to local designer Agosto Cuellar, he was between two milestones. First, he was selling off the final remnants of Jive Refried — the wildly creative Southtown vintage emporium he ran from 1999 to 2o11 — as part of a 20th anniversary exhibition at Clamp Light Artist Studios & Gallery. Second, he…
Tobin Center and Jazz, TX team up for charity boxing event assisting uninsured San Antonio musicians
Local musicians and businesspeople will lace up their gloves and duke it out Friday, October 22 in an evening of charity bouts to raise money for the San Antonio Musicians Medical Aid Fund. Dubbed The Doc Watkins Classic: A Charity Boxing Gala, the event is co-sponsored by Watkins’ jazz venue — Jazz, TX — and…
San Antonio’s Hotel Emma to screen cowboy documentary, serve up craft sotol cocktails
Folks interested in craft cocktails, swanky digs and independent film may revel in luxurious Hotel Emma’s collaboration with Austin-based companies Ocotillo Films and Desert Door Texas Sotol. The high-end hotel will host a Sunday, September 12 premiere of the documentary Easteños: True Cowboys of the Wild Horse Desert. The film follows brothers and cowboys Timo and Miguel Rodriguez…
Archdiocese of San Antonio says it won’t grant exemption letters to those who won’t get vaccinated
Saying it doesn’t consider COVID-19 vaccinations “morally objectionable,” the Archdiocese of San Antonio announced it won’t give religious exemption letters to congregants who refuse to get vaccinated. In a message posted Friday on the archdiocese’s website, Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller said the church encourages people to get immunized unless a medical condition prevents them from doing…
San Antonio Museum of Art hosts online debut of Nathan Felix’s new harpsichord-centric composition
The San Antonio Museum of Art is all about music right now. Hot on the heels of a recent collaboration with Agarita Chamber Players, the museum has partnered with Alamo City composer Nathan Felix to debut his new piece 4-Harpsichords in Surround Sound. As with Agarita’s recent program, Felix’s composition draws inspiration from SAMA’s current…
San Antonio’s Brackenridge Park Conservancy to hold free Parktoberfest event next month
Folks looking for an outdoor, beer-focused adventure next month may feel the draw of Parktoberfest, a free event at Brackenridge Park’s Koehler Pavilion that celebrates San Antonio’s German heritage. The Brackenridge Park Conservancy will host the family-friendly event on Sunday, September 26, which will featuring live music from Beethoven Männerchor and the Dirty River Jazz Band.…
San Antonio will delay start of its $154 million job-training program until next year
Turns out remaking San Antonio’s economy and job market is a tall order. The $154 million SA Ready to Work program designed to help low-skilled workers find new, better-paying jobs faces a four-month delay as local officials iron out details, the Express-News reports. The sweeping training program approved by voters last November now won’t begin until…
Boerne BierFest returning September 25 with craft brewers, local artists and homebrew contest
Boerne BierFest will return for a fourth annual installment on Saturday, September 25, bringing together more than two dozen Texas craft brewers with local artists and food trucks. This year’s event, held at Boerne’s AgriCultural Museum and Arts Center, will include live music from Austin-based party band Groove Knight as well as stien-holding and keg-toss competitions —…
Federal appeals court decision sets stage for Texas’ six-week abortion ban to go into effect this week
A Texas law that bans abortions before many women are even aware they’re pregnant will likely take effect Wednesday, after a federal appeals court canceled a hearing where women’s health groups sought to block the measure. On Friday night, the conservative 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals scrapped a Monday hearing at which more than…
More Texas students tested positive for COVID-19 last week than at any time last school year
Even as some Texas schools hadn’t yet started the school year, the number of positive COVID-19 student cases statewide reported last week surpassed the peak seen any time last year, state data released Friday shows. Between August 16 and August 22, there were 14,033 positive cases reported among students across the state, 34% more than…
San Antonio-tied talent from Robert Rodriguez to Henry Thomas are involved in a slew of movie deals
There’s been no shortage of new Hollywood projects, and no shortage of Alamo City-tied moviemakers, actors and other creators involved in them. Among those are deals and projects with HBO and HBO Max, Paramount+, Netflix and more. Here’s a look at what some of San Antonio’s homegrown talent has been up to in August. Robert…
TPR Cinema Tuesdays continues with online screening of road dramedy Paper Moon
Texas Public Radio’s Cinema Tuesdays are still being held as virtual events as we continue to ride out the pandemic, but it’s been a great series so far. This virtual screening will feature the 1973 road dramedy Paper Moon directed by Peter Bogdanovich (The Last Picture Show). Set in the Midwest during the Great Depression,…
Weird as hell web series Powdered Wig Machine debuts new episode at Presa House Gallery Saturday
Sure, the world is completely going to shit, but have you gotten a dose of artsy weirdness lately? You sure about that? Because, if you haven’t, Presa House Gallery has totally got your back with this evening of screenings. Let’s take a look-see, hmm? We’ve got the 10th episode of Powdered Wig Machine, which features…
Mtn Dew Flamin’ Hot, Mochinut Comes to SA: San Antonio’s biggest food stories of the week
It’s no surprise that this week’s top food story was the ridiculous news that Mountain Dew and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos have teamed up on a collaborative beverage dubbed Mtn Dew Flamin’ Hot. Because no one can resist a hefty dose of WTF Food News. That wasn’t all hungry San Antonians also wanted to know more…
Just days after grand opening, San Antonio’s first Mochinut location closes temporarily
L.A.-based chain Mochinut opened its first San Antonio location just last week, but announced a temporary closure on Wednesday, citing a lack of “crucial equipment.” The new spot took to Instagram to alert amped fans to the closure, anticipating a two-week wait for reopening. Prior to the announcement of the extended closure, the spot had…
San Antonio marketing firm to donate new website to a local nonprofit via citywide contest
SA-based full-service marketing firm Core Creative will mark its 10th anniversary in business with a community-wide contest wherein a local nonprofit organization can win a brand-new website — a service the firm says is typically valued up to $10,000. “We are proud to have been a part of so many important projects throughout the years,…
COVID in Court, Santikos Takes On Westlakes Theater: The top 10 headlines in San Antonio this week
Unsurprisingly, this week Current readers continued to follow the ongoing legal tug of war between local municipalities trying to enact policies to protect their residents and Gov. Greg Abbott’s partisan crusade against basic public health measures. Readers also took note of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s latest antics — last week, he went on Fox News…
San Antonio’s Olla Express Café will open brick and mortar location September 2
Olla Express Café will bring its traditional Mexican café de olla and other caffeinated wares to Northeast SA spot Los Patios, with plans to open September 2.* Owner Andrea Ley is largely credited with introducing café de olla, a Mexican coffee prepared in a traditional earthen clay pot, to San Antonio in 2019. Along with…
Ha Comedy Festival returns to San Antonio in September, will be taped for HBO Max
The Ha Comedy Festival is taking over downtown San Antonio for its second annual event in September. The Latinx-centric laugh fest will be held at various venues around the River Walk from September 17-19, such as the Lila Cockrell Theatre, Anacacho at St. Anthony and Tobin Center Plaza. The festival will showcase stand-up, sketch comedy,…
Pair of San Antonio chefs to open new restaurant, Gunslingers, at Los Patios September 1
Chef Stephen Paprocki of Texas Black Gold Garlic and chef Adrian Cruz of Ghost Kitchens SA will open a new eatery, Gunslingers, next week. The new spot will feature elevated fast casual favorites, including burnt ends brisket mac and cheese, sticky Thai coconut wings and a citrus-honey Nashville hot chicken sandwich. The menu will also offer some of…
Slackers Arcade Bar to take over defunct Limelight space on San Antonio’s St. Mary’s Strip
Longtime downtown-area live music venue Limelight has closed, and arcade bar Slackers is set to move into the space, mySA reports. Casey Lange, who owns the property, told the news site that the bar closed sometime in July. Details on the migration of the arcade-focused drinkery are sparse, as Slackers spokesperson Frank Garza declined to…
Remembering San Antonio writer Gregg Barrios and the stories that won’t die
The following is a remembrance of San Antonio playwright, poet and journalist Gregg Barrios, who died earlier this month at age 80. Gregg Barrios missed his calling. He shoulda been in the movies, but then his life was a movie of secrets, spicy revelations, tissue-wrapped journals, photos, hidden closets and cabinets filled with famous and…
Commentary: Death is more of a threat to liberty than masks or vaccines
“As you know, many of our fellow citizens and public officeholders are bound and determined that government is no damn good. It may be that government is no damn good, but then neither is the alternative. Of course we live in a hopelessly regulated society. When you come to a stop sign, you got to…
Beloved San Antonio retailer and performance space Imagine Books and Records is closing
Imagine Books and Records, a Northwest San Antonio independent retailer that doubled as a music venue, is closing after years of hosting local and touring artists, its owners announced Thursday on Facebook. “I am sad to say that Imagine will be closing its doors after nearly 10 years of business,” wrote Ezra Hurd, whose family…
Texas health department cuts length of time foodservice workers have to complete safety training
Texas’ health department this month updated its Texas Food Establishment Rules with a new provision that slashes the amount of time new foodservice employees have to complete food-safety training. Effective August 8, new workers who aren’t already certified via the Texas Food Handler program must now complete that certification within 30 days of their hire date,…
Texas Supreme Court temporarily halts San Antonio mask mandate for public schools
The Texas Supreme Court paused Bexar County’s mask mandate for public schools in a Thursday ruling that marks the latest volley in a legal war between Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and local officials around the state. The ruling by the all-Republican panel of judges overrides a ruling by the 4th Court of Appeals, which last…
No one asked for it, but Mountain Dew will release a Flamin’ Hot Cheetos soda anyway
It’s a safe bet that for many folks, a soda combining the flavors of Mountain Dew and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos will end up tasting like indigestion and regret. Just the same, the iconic junk food brands have teamed up on a collaborative beverage dubbed Mtn Dew Flamin’ Hot that purportedly combines “sweet, citrus DEW [sic]”…
Slab Cinema opening new brick-and-mortar space in Blue Star with double-header of classic films
Slab Cinema isn’t just about the great outdoors anymore. This weekend, the San Antonio-based purveyor of outdoor film screenings will debut its new Arthouse microcinema space in the Blue Star Arts Complex with two wildly different movies, both named for Los Angeles roadways. After opening with Billy Wilder’s 1950 cinematic classic Sunset Blvd. on Friday,…
Vegan cheeseburger joint Blissful Burgers has reopened near San Antonio’s Medical Center
Vegan cheeseburger haven Blissful Burgers has pulled up its Southtown roots and planted itself in Northwest San Antonio. Following a summer hiatus that ran June to mid-August, the plant-based eatery has reopened at 5714 Evers Road, near the Medical Center. When the business shuttered its 3950 S. Zarzamora St. location, the owners teased plans to reopen in…
Plant-based pizzeria Verve Pie will open Friday in Northeast San Antonio
San Antonio community will gain another vegan eatery this week with the opening of Verve Pie, a new spot in Cibolo that purports to be the area’s first 100% plant-based restaurant specializing in pizza and ice cream. The new spot will hold a grand opening Friday, August 27 at 313 Schneider Drive in the northeastern…
Fotoseptiembre’s 2021 photography exhibitions begin to debut in San Antonio this week
San Antonio’s annual celebration of the photographic medium is back with a full slate of virtual and in-person exhibitions. Starting September 1, a series of online galleries will debut, featuring local and international photographers including Al Rendon (San Antonio), Mami Kiyoshi (Japan/France), Guilherme Bergamini (Brazil), Yang Shun-Fa (Taiwan) and Tracey Maurer (San Antonio). Exhibitions will…
Gov. Greg Abbott bans mandates on COVID-19 vaccines regardless of whether they have full FDA approval
Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday announced an executive order banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates regardless of a vaccine’s approval status with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He also said he was adding the issue to the agenda for the current special session of the Texas Legislature. The order comes two days after the FDA granted…
Cured chef Steve McHugh to head inaugural San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance fundraising dinner
The San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance will hold its first Wine & Dine dinner September 19, featuring the culinary prowess of Steve McHugh of the Pearl’s Cured and special guest chef Todd Pulsinelli. The event — an Oktoberfest feast — will pay homage to the Alamo City’s German heritage. Five-time James Beard Award-nominated McHugh…
Postponed Ford Parade of Lanterns returns to the San Antonio River Walk this weekend
After a one-year hiatus, the annual Ford Parade of Lanterns is making its way down the River Walk once again. Ten vibrant floats will make two laps around the downtown stretch of the river, showcasing extravagant displays. Lanterns are added annually, so you’re sure to see something new, regardless of whether you’ve gone before. The…
Cinderella musical at San Antonio’s Woodlawn Theatre gives fresh look to the fairytale classic
The Woodlawn Theatre will present Cinderella, a modern Broadway adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1957 Cinderella musical. Originally written as a televised musical starring Julie Andrews, the fairy tale adaptation includes memorable tracks such as “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago.” The Woodlawn is debuting a refreshed version packed with…
Touring in the Time of COVID: Rejoining humanity on the road with Hickoids
I’ll preface all of this by stating that I’m not an epidemiologist, sociologist, scientist or even a published non-fiction writer. I sing for Hickoids, and I approached the Current about writing a piece chronicling the band’s tour of the Southern United States against the backdrop of the surge in delta variant cases. Initially, I thought…
Live Music in San Antonio This Week: Banda MS, Kevin Costner and Modern West plus more
This week, San Antonio live music venues will play host to an A-list movie star, an award-winning Mexican banda ensemble, a hot-shot jazz trombonist and just about anything you can imagine in between. Without any further chatter, here’s the rundown: Wednesday, August 25-Thursday, August 26 Kevin Costner and Modern West Will there be wolves? Will…
Texas native Cristela Alonzo posts up at San Antonio’s LOL Comedy Club this weekend
Comedian and actress Cristela Alonzo’s pinned tweet on Twitter lists some of her career accomplishments and mentions that she doesn’t “get the attention others get … I have to promote myself.” So, here we go: Alonzo, who was born and raised in San Juan, Texas, was a semi-finalist on the reality series Last Comic Standing…
San Antonio’s Alamo Colleges forgiving $2.3 million in student fees due to the pandemic
Officials with Alamo Colleges said Wednesday that the five-campus district will forgive tuition and fee balances for eligible students due to the COVID-19 crisis. The district will use federal pandemic recovery aid to forgive student balances accrued from March 23, 2020 through June 8 of this year. Those balances total $2.28 million and will affect 4,389…
Analysis: Embattled Texas AG Ken Paxton’s own office declares him innocent. Who cares?
Texans concerned about graft and corruption can officially breathe easy. Or so report staffers employed by embattled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. On Tuesday afternoon, the office of Paxton — a second-term Republican at the center of whistleblower suits and a reported FBI investigation — issued a 374-page report declaring the boss man innocent of…
New report shows people in their 20s make up the largest share of San Antonio COVID-19 cases
People 20-29 years old made up the largest proportion of San Antonio-area COVID-19 cases in July, accounting for 21% of the total, according to a new epidemiological report from Metro Health. Local officials highlighted the numbers during Tuesday evening’s coronavirus briefing, urging younger residents who haven’t yet been vaccinated to roll up their sleeves. Nationally,…
