100% Texas-made light whiskey wins gold medal at international spirit competition
Here’s some news that lovers of Texas whiskey can raise a glass to. Austin 101 Light Whiskey last week brought home a gold medal from the 2021 Denver International Spirits Competition, prevailing in a double-blind tasting competition. The Austin-based whiskey was one of more than 350 spirits from 100 international brands tasted by the panel,…
This could be the last Bandcamp Friday, so help these San Antonio artists by grabbing a download
During the pandemic, Bandcamp decided to help music creators by passing along its usual cut of sales directly to artists and labels on the first Friday of every month. The download service hasn’t announced plans for any more of those Bandcamp Fridays after May 7, which means this could be your last opportunity to snap up…
PETA asks feds to yank license of San Antonio Aquarium, saying a convicted wildlife trafficker owns it
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is calling on the federal government to shut down the San Antonio Aquarium, alleging that a convicted wildlife trafficker is involved with its operations. PETA’s letter, addressed last Thursday to the director of Animal Welfare at the United States Department of Agriculture, argues that the feds should revoke the…
San Antonio tiki haven Hugman’s Oasis opens Friday, but it’s no longer taking reservations
A nationwide restaurant industry labor shortage is hitting one San Antonio bar right where it hurts: opening night. Long-awaited tiki haven Hugman’s Oasis last week announced plans to open Friday, May 7, accepting reservations via online platform OpenTable. This week, however, the downtown bar’s existing reservations were inexplicably cancelled. Turns out, an extreme labor shortage is…
Ken Paxton tells The New York Times he doesn’t support Greg Abbott for reelection — then tweets that he does
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a New York Times story published Tuesday that he does not support Gov. Greg Abbott, a fellow Republican, as Abbott runs for reelection, the latest — and most revealing — sign that some state GOP leaders are on a collision course ahead of the 2022 election. “The way…
Rapper-actor 50 Cent will appear at San Antonio’s Smoke BBQ to host NIOSA-style event
First, appearances by Nelly then by LFO and *NSYNC. Suddenly, it feels like San Antonio is in a musical time-warp. That’s sensation certainly isn’t being shaken by Tuesday’s announcement that 2000s-era rapper, actor and producer 50 Cent will host a May 11 NIOSA-style event at downtown’s Smoke BBQ and Skybar. The 21-and-up shindig will offer live DJ sets,…
San Antonio percussionist and composer claire rousay lands lengthy New York Times feature
San Antonio-based experimental musician claire Rousay is prolific and hardworking, having posted 22 releases to Bandcamp over the past two years. She’s also a tireless live performer who put in 200 dates in 2017 alone. Sadly, in the music business, that kind of work ethic doesn’t always translate into financial success, much less national recognition. Which is…
California-based chain North Italia will open San Antonio location at The Rim, holding job fair
California-based restaurant chain North Italia will make its Alamo City debut June 9, opening an outlet at The Rim shopping center. North Italia, which bills itself a modern Italian concept, will serve lunch, happy hour, dinner and brunch at the new location in far Northwest San Antonio. It marks the company’s 26th U.S. location and its…
San Antonio Zoo’s food-focused festival will feature live music, craft beer, wine and eats
The San Antonio Zoo is looking for full-grown party animals to help fill its coffers. The attraction has scheduled the 2021 installment of its annual Zoo La-La! A Taste of San Antonio fundraiser for Thursday, May 13. The adults-only night out includes drinks, music and food samples from eateries including Boiler House, Chart House, Chicken…
The Mendoza Line: Corrupt cops celebrate defeat of San Antonio’s Prop B with weekend crime spree
We understand that in the current political environment it can be really tough to tell the difference between real news stories and satire, which is precisely why we’re letting you know that the Mendoza Line is a weekly work of satire. After San Antonio voters turned down Proposition B in Saturday’s election, corrupt members of the…
Two San Antonio restaurants partner with tequila brand for Cinco de Mayo food bank fundraiser
There’s nothing quite like sipping a tasty cocktail with a philanthropic edge. LALO Tequila and San Antonio eateries Cuishe and Toro have teamed up to donate $1 from every LALO cocktail sold on Cinco De Mayo to the San Antonio Food Bank, supporting the organization’s mission of fighting hunger in and around the Alamo City.…
San Antonio restaurant Cappy’s makes OpenTable’s list of top 100 spots for brunch nationwide
Restaurant reservation and review platform OpenTable on Monday released its 2021 list of the 100 Best Brunch Restaurants in America, and only one San Antonio eatery made the cut. Alamo Heights-area mainstay Cappy’s landed at No. 26 on the list, which is based on diner reviews collected from April 1, 2020 to March 31 of…
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with handcrafted margaritas at these San Antonio eateries
It’s an unfortunate truth that the significance of Cinco de Mayo — which commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5 in 1862 — has given way to an excuse for many folks to load up on neon green pseudo-margaritas in area bars. We try not…
Texas-based Rusty Taco chain to make San Antonio debut later this summer
The Alamo City will gain yet another taco chain this summer when Denton-based Rusty Taco, a street-style taco concept with a full bar serving margaritas and craft cocktails, opens its first location here. San Antonio-based Lone Star Restaurant Group today announced it will bring the city’s first Rusty Taco to Bulverde Marketplace at Bulverde Road and…
Winners of annual #FilmSA contest highlight San Antonio’s culture and heritage during the pandemic
The two winning entries in San Antonio’s 2021 #FilmSA contest examined the cultural heritage of their city during the pandemic, highlighting a local restaurant’s service to the community and efforts to reopen tourist attractions. The San Antonio Film Commission and the city’s World Heritage Office operate the annual contest for young filmmakers, which this year focused on the theme…
Downtown San Antonio gallery Hopscotch adds new food vendors, extends hours
Longer summer days mean extended hours and new programming at immersive art gallery Hopscotch, near downtown’s Travis Park. The gallery’s onsite drinkery will offer new cocktails for the season such as the Sangrita Swirl, which combines Sangria and a frozen margarita for a frosty tipple aimed to cool you down and loosen you up. The…
Tickets for Whiskey Business, San Antonio Current’s first signature event of 2021, on sale this week
Following a year-long hiatus, San Antonio’s premiere whiskey festival, Whiskey Business, is back. The celebration of all things whiskey will take place Friday, August 20 at the Witte Museum, featuring top whiskey brands, local cuisine, art, live music and interactive seminars. The 2020 event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though vaccinations are…
San Antonio chef Jesse Kuykendall to throw down on episode of Food Network’s Chopped this month
San Antonio has seen its share of chefs on the big screen recently, and we’re set to add another to our network TV hall of fame. Chef Jesse Kuykendall — known as Chef Kirk to colleagues and friends — will represent SA on Food Network’s Chopped later this month. The chef of newly-opened Milpa and…
San Antonio-area venue to hold throwback event with Lance Bass of *NSYNC, LFO and Ryan Cabrera
If the names LFO and O-Town ring a bell, it’s time for a retinol cream and some special attention to this music news. The Pop 2000 Tour featuring *NSYNC member Lance Bass, boy bands LFO and O-Town and acoustic musician Ryan Cabrera is headed to San Antonio-area water sports venue Texas Ski Ranch this fall.…
Spurs coach Greg Popovich says San Antonio should press for police reforms even though Prop B failed
San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich isn’t dialing back his support for police accountability. A day after San Antonio voters narrowly defeated Proposition B, a charter amendment that would have stripped the police union of its collective bargaining power, Popovich told the Express-News the city still should press for ways to ensure bad officers are…
Former federal ethics chief blasts Ted Cruz’s message to ‘woke’ corporations as ‘openly corrupt’
The former head of the Government Office of Ethics called an editorial penned by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz as a warning to “woke CEOs” as possibly the “most openly corrupt” message ever from a senator to corporate donors. “It’s the part everyone knows: these crooks sell access,” Walter Shaub, former chief of the Government Office of Ethics, tweeted Sunday in response to…
Prop B’s narrow miss with San Antonio voters still sends a strong message about police reform
In Saturday’s citywide election, San Antonians narrowly rejected a proposition that would have stripped the city’s police union of its collective bargaining power. With all precincts counted, 51% of voters opposed Proposition B while 49% supported it — a margin of fewer than 3,500 of the 150,000 votes cast. The defeated ballot initiative arose from…
Ron Nirenberg slides to easy win in San Antonio mayoral race
Mayor Ron Nirenberg won a third term Saturday night, handing a resounding defeat to former District 6 councilman Greg Brockhouse, who just two years ago forced a narrow runoff with the incumbent mayor. As of 9:45 p.m., Nirenberg had 63.5% of the vote to Brockhouse’s 30.8%. Brockhouse conceded roughly an hour after polls closed. Things were…
Army report finds Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillén reported being sexually harassed twice before she was killed
A U.S. Army investigation found that Spc. Vanessa Guillén reported being sexually harassed two times by a fellow soldier at Fort Hood before she was killed, a finding that contradicts the Army’s previous claims that there was no evidence Guillén experienced harassment. Guillén’s supervisor and other officials failed to report the harassment up the chain,…
Analysis: Redistricting is boring, and that’s why it’s hazardous to voters
The numbers released by the U.S. Census Bureau last week showed the top line — that Texas has grown to 29,145,505. That’s enough to know how many seats Texas will have in the Congress that gets sworn in at the beginning of 2023, but not enough to know what its U.S. House districts will look…
Lulu’s Bakery and Cafe, Hugman’s Oasis: San Antonio’s biggest food stories of the week
Based on the Current’s most-read food stories this week, we’re guessing San Antonians are going to miss the living shit out of those three-pound cinnamon rolls. You guessed it: a whole, whole lot of you perused the news that Lulu’s Cafe, the downtown greasy spoon known for its absurdly large sticky buns, has permanently closed…
River Garbage, Alamo Drafthouse: The top 10 headlines in San Antonio this week
San Antonio news hounds didn’t just gravitate to political scandals and legislative food fights this week. Nope. Far from it. The Current’s most-perused stories this week were as diverse as our readers, running the gamut from the permanent closure of Alamo Drafthouse’s Westlakes location to Sen. Ted Cruz’s big snooze during the presidential address. Along…
San Antonio chef Johnny Hernandez expanding La Gloria and Burgerteca arena concepts
San Antonio chef-restaurateur Johnny Hernandez has landed a deal with Spurs Sports & Entertainment to add La Gloria and Burgerteca concepts to Toyota Field, the San Antonio Business Journal reports. Hernandez first teamed up with the Spurs in 2018 with the inception of a La Gloria-Burgerteca concession on the AT&T Center’s balcony level. The new…
The Carver and Art2Action present streaming performance exploring the Arab American experience
After having to reschedule a planned live performance at the Carver Community Cultural Center twice, the third time is turning out to be the charm. Eleven Reflections of September has now been revamped as a virtual event for guests to view from home. The livestreamed theatrical experience presented by the Carver and co-produced by Art2Action…
San Antonio chef Pieter Sypesteyn’s Southern rotisserie eatery is closing down
If you’re a fan of Pearl Food Hall resident Bud’s Southern Rotisserie’s comfort food-inspired fare, prepare to have your bubble burst. The concept, known for rotisserie chicken and tasty jambalaya, will hold its last day of service Sunday, May 2. Fans of Bud’s can still celebrate chef Pieter and his wife Susan Sypesteyn’s culinary talents…
Downtown San Antonio’s Shotgun House Roasters to host burger-centric pop-up this weekend
Coffee spot Shotgun House Roasters and Chi Chi Birds Hot Chicken have joined forces to hold a Slam Daddy pop-up Friday and Saturday. What is a Slam Daddy, you ask? A Slam Daddy is the hot chicken trailer’s popular take on the humble double cheeseburger, which has been amped up with Chi Chi’s savory Bird…
In push for new Texas voting restrictions, House panel sets up GOP faceoff over which chamber’s legislation will advance
After an early misfire, House Republicans on Thursday succeeded in pushing their proposed restrictions on voting to the legislative forefront as the Texas Legislature’s 2021 session enters its final sprint. The House Elections Committee’s Republican majority voted to gut Senate Bill 7, the priority voting bill that has already passed the Senate, and replace the…
San Antonio teen’s honey business devastated by Wednesday’s pounding storms
This week’s intense rainstorms have left one local high school student’s small business in tatters. Trent Anderson’s burgeoning BeeSpace, an enterprise focused on rehoming and raising honeybees, operated out of a small tent set up in Castroville before being literally torn apart by severe weather that moved through SA and the surrounding areas. “Just got…
San Antonio’s Il Forno lands on Food & Wine Magazine’s roundup of best pizzerias in every state
If you’ve never stepped across the unassuming sage green threshold of San Antonio’s Il Forno, this news may put the pizza spot on your culinary bucket list. The five-year-old eatery was featured in Food & Wine Magazine’s new roundup of the best pizza restaurants in every state, landing one of just five slots reserved for…
Downtown San Antonio craft-cocktail bar Jet-Setter reopens, nearby Pastiche soon to follow
Instagram-worthy downtown craft-cocktail bar Jet-Setter has reopened its doors after nearly four months of pandemic-forced closure, MySA reports. Local cocktail guru Ben Krick — who operates Jet Setter as well as nearby drinkery Pastiche — told the news site he quietly reopened the swanky lounge because more COVID-19 vaccinations are being administered in SA. He…
San Japan returns for Labor Day weekend anime blowout
Forget Hot Girl Summer. In San Antonio, it’s gonna be the Summer of the Weebs. Yep. The San Japan anime convention is making its triumphant return this year. San Japan 12.5 is themed as a “Throwback Convention,” with pastel-colored ’90s retro graphic design to match. The three-day con will take over the Henry B. González Convention…
Drive-thru COVID vaccines at San Antonio’s Alamodome site now available without appointment
In yet another sign the supply of available COVID-19 vaccines is outpacing demand, San Antonio on Friday cleared adult residents to access the drive-thru clinic at its Alamodome mass-vaccination site without an appointment. Anyone 16 or older can now drive up to the site Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., without booking a slot online,…
Texas-based company launches hard lemonade and tea developed by minds behind familiar brand
The team behind Austin Eastciders this week unveiled Luck Springs, a new hard lemonade and tea brand that’s available just in time for another hot Texas summer. The bubbly canned libations come in four flavors: Peach Tea, Raspberry Tea, Lemonade and an Arnold Palmer-inspired Half and Half. Luck Springs beverages are available in a 12-count variety…
Alamo Drafthouse confirms permanent closure of its Westlakes location in San Antonio
The lights won’t be coming back on at Alamo Drafthouse’s Westlakes location. A spokesperson for the cinema-eatery chain confirmed the permanent closure of its far West San Antonio location Thursday via email. “It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you of the permanent closure of the Alamo Drafthouse Westlakes location, effective…
Texas House passes bill to expand access to state’s medical marijuana program
The Texas House has approved a bill to allow people with a wider variety of ailments to access the state’s medical marijuana program, the Texas Tribune reports. It would also boost the potency of pot prescribed to patients. House Bill 1535 would expand the state’s compassionate use program to include people with chronic pain, those with PTSD…
Texas Legislature approves bill to make cocktails to-go permanent. It now awaits governor’s signature.
Texans are one step closer to being able to enjoying professionally prepared cocktails in their own homes — whether or not there’s a pandemic going on. The Texas Legislature on Wednesday passed House Bill 1024, a measure that would make permanent Abbott’s cocktails to-go order, adopted early in the pandemic to help the restaurant industry make up…
San Antonio’s Comfort Café tops Yelp’s list of Top 100 Brunch Spots in the U.S.
San Antonio’s Comfort Café has seized the coveted No. 1 slot on review platform Yelp’s newly posted list of the Top 100 Brunch Spots in the United States. For the rankings, Yelp’s data gurus perused businesses listed in its “Breakfast and Brunch” category, weighing both their ratings and review volumes, according to the site. To be considered,…
San Antonio’s 2 GOP congressmen took donations from disgraced casino mogul Steve Wynn
Two Republican members of San Antonio’s congressional delegation have racked up campaign donations from Steve Wynn, the Las Vegas casino mogul who left his company in 2018 in a flurry of sexual abuse allegations. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy and U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, whose districts include the Alamo City, each received $5,800 from the disgraced…
These San Antonio eateries are throwing Kentucky Derby parties
Don’t know about you, but we nearly forgot the Kentucky Derby was a thing. The 147-year-old horse racing event was postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the 2021 festivities are expected to occur on the horse race’s traditional date of the first Saturday in May. (So, you don’t have to check your…
Appeals court rejects qualified immunity for San Antonio police in 2013 death of Jesse Aguirre
A federal appeals court last week overturned the portion of an earlier ruling that gave San Antonio police officers qualified immunity in the death of a local man who died during a 2013 arrest, the Express-News reports. The suspect, 38-year-old Jesse Aguirre, died in police custody on U.S. Highway 90 after fleeing a one-vehicle wreck.…
Oysters aren’t the only tasty thing on the menu at Southtown newcomer Little Em’s
Beausoleil, Acadian Pearl, Shiny Sea, Pink Moon, Savage Blonde, Fire Lake. They all sound like they could be the pantone colors or shades featured in a L’Oréal ad. Certainly, anything but names for one of the food world’s least lovely edibles when seen in its unshucked state. But Emily Carpenter and her husband Houston have…
Huzzah! You can now get a COVID-19 vaccination at a Texas Hill Country renaissance faire
A new knight in shining armor has arrived to help fight the plague. Starting this weekend, Sherwood Forest Faire — a renaissance faire located near Bastrop, Texas — will begin offering the Moderna coronavirus vaccine to all interested takers. The vaccination clinic is provided by Bastrop’s A+ Lifestyles Medical Group Vaccination HUB. Vaccinations will be available…
Ted Cruz falls asleep during presidential address, and Julián Castro can’t resist jabbing him for it
So, maybe President Joe Biden’s congressional address Wednesday wasn’t the most riveting speech in U.S. history. Started strong, but like a lot of them, it dragged a bit during the middle. Even so, someone needed to pour some Starbucks down U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s gullet. By the looks of Twitter video shared by Vox journalist…
¡Viva! livestream telethon returns to raise money to support San Antonio arts community
In what San Antonio musician Garrett T. Capps promises will be “better than Fiesta,” the ¡Viva! live telethon is back for a second round. ¡Viva! Uno Más — presented in partnership by Luminaria, Texas Public Radio and Nelco Media — will be livestreamed from 6 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, May 8. It will be…
Horror movie penned by San Antonio author Max Booth III will debut at NYC’s Tribeca Film Fest
We Need to Do Something, a feature film based on Alamo City author Max Booth III’s novella of the same name, will debut in June at New York’s high-profile Tribeca Film Festival. Booth is also screenwriter and executive producer for the film, one of 66 chosen by the festival from 11,222 submissions. Debuts at Tribeca can…
Future West San Antonio restaurant primed to sate crawfish cravings year-round
If you believe crawfish-boil season should be year-round thing, this news is for you. Houston-based Cajun eatery BB’s Tex-Orleans will open its first San Antonio location this summer, the San Antonio Business Journal reports, citing a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The eatery — famous for crawfish boils, po’boys and other Louisiana…
Texas liquor store chain launches seasonal guide for hosting celebrations at home
As more vaccinated Texans are able to safely gather with friends, a homegrown liquor chain has launched a free guide to help them get back into the swing of at-home entertaining. Austin-based Twin Liquors this week dropped its Spring into Summer Entertaining Guide, which offers advice on hosting get-togethers as the weather warms. The online…
Gender-affirming medical treatment for transgender kids would be considered child abuse under Texas Senate bill
The Texas Senate tentatively approved a bill Monday in an 18-13 vote that would classify providing gender affirming health care to transgender minors as child abuse — just one of the Legislature’s many attempts to prevent transgender children from transitioning before their 18th birthday. Senate Bill 1646 is among several other bills that advocacy groups say…
President Biden nominates Gina Ortiz Jones for Under Secretary of the Air Force
President Joe Biden has nominated San Antonio native Gina Ortiz Jones for Under Secretary of the Air Force. Jones is among 10 individuals nominated by Biden for national security positions on Tuesday. If confirmed, she’ll become the first out lesbian to serve as under secretary of a military branch. Jones, a John Jay High School…
San Antonio Metro Health rolls out mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics
As the number of residents accessing COVID-19 mass vaccination sites such as the Alamodome dwindles, San Antonio Metro Health has launched mobile clinics to take shots deeper into the neighborhoods. The next such clinic will take place Monday, May 3 at the New Life Christian Center on the West Side. Health workers will administer doses of…
Veg-friendly Willa Eatery has opened at the former Pharm Table location in downtown San Antonio
Richard Busker, a 30-year restaurant industry vet, has opened Willa Eatery, a vegetarian-friendly restaurant that offers more than salads, MySA reports. Busker and his wife Lindsay, who’s been vegetarian for 25 years, took over the space at 106 Auditorium Circle that until recently housed plant-forward eatery Pharm Table. “I’m an opportunivore, so I’ll eat whatever…
Analysis: Greg Abbott’s claim that Biden will ban red meat par for his fact-free governorship
This week, Gov. Greg Abbott drew social media and late-night TV ridicule for tweeting out a bogus report that the Biden administration is coming to confiscate Texans’ brisket. On Sunday, the state’s GOP governor shared a widely debunked claim from Fox News pundit John Roberts that the Biden White House’s climate plan includes capping Americans’…
Historic New Braunfels craft-cocktail bar Sidecar launches new, spring-worthy menu
New Braunfels’ historic basement bar, Sidecar, this week launched a new craft-cocktail menu awash in spring ingredients. The new drink offerings plays on flavors that compliment the warmer weather, among them sweet tea, elderflower and lemon, providing what the bar is calling “notes of summer.” Highlights include the El Cosmico cocktail, which features a blend…
In defending voter-suppression bill, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick falsely claims most people of color don’t own cars
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has a lengthy history of making absurd claims, but a recent outburst that drew scrutiny from the fact-checking website Politifact is out there even by his standards. In his defense of a Texas Senate bill that would outlaw drive-thru voting, the state’s Republican lieutenant governor argued the measure wouldn’t suppress poll…
This weekend’s live music options in San Antonio run the gamut from Latin rock to Western swing
As more folks get their Fauci ouchies, live music is making its slow return to the Alamo City. No, we’re not fully back to normal, but folks with thirsty ears have at least three noteworthy options to take in this weekend — whether their tastes run to surf, twang or Latin grooves. Friday, April 30…
San Antonio Spurs face off with a rejuvenated 76ers in Sunday’s matchup
Since being traded from the Spurs to the Raptors in 2018, after eight seasons in San Antonio, Danny Green has been on the move. Following title winning stops in Toronto and Los Angeles, Green was traded to Oklahoma City last offseason before landing in Philadelphia with the 76ers. Anchored by league MVP candidate Joel Embiid…
McNay Art Museum’s 25th anniversary Virtual Print Fair is expansive — and highly accessible
The McNay Art Museum’s Print Fair has long been a great way for locals to get their hands on unique works of art. For its 25th anniversary, the free fair has converted to a fully virtual experience this year. This ain’t just some lazy online storefront, though — the McNay has collaborated with print dealers…
East San Antonio burger haven Mark’s Outing to hold monthly competitive eating challenge
Post-pandemic food events are coming back in a big way, and one Eastside burger joint is getting in on the action in a competitive way. This Friday, Mark’s Outing — formerly Fatty’s Burgers — will kick off a monthly event dubbed Food Fright Fridays. As part of the fun, foodies will try to finish five…
San Antonio TV personality David Elder behind upcoming hot chicken concept
Food-loving San Antonians may associate TV personality David Elder with his weekend show Texas Eats, but the California native’s resume is about to come full circle. Elder and area restaurateur Cary Hamer are partnering on a spicy chicken concept called Tex’s Hot Chicken set to open later this year, MySA reports. Prior to helming the…
San Antonio restaurateur behind Biga and Acenar opening two new Italian spots near the Pearl
Fans of fine dining destinations Ácenar, Biga on the Banks and Maverick Texas Brasserie may rejoice in the news that Peter Selig — a restauranteur behind all three — is opening a pair of Italian eateries near the mixed-use Pearl complex. The San Antonio Express-News reports that a new project called Allora will be housed…
Travel + Leisure Magazine names two Central Texas properties to its best-in-the-world list
It’s good to know that the lap of luxury isn’t far from the Alamo City. While most Americans were holed up in their homes for the better part of the last 12 months, Travel + Leisure writers and editors were traipsing across the globe on a “pursuit of the unforgettable” amongst the hundreds of hotels that…
San Antonio bar and Thai eatery Hello Paradise adds vegan options, announces plans for noodle brunch
Thai noodle and frozen cocktail purveyor Hello Paradise will serve up its first-ever noodle brunch this weekend, offering brand new menu items and discounts on existing dishes. Let’s first explore the new menu items, shall we? For one, the Pearl-area eatery has added its first vegan options. A new noodle dish features tofu, mushrooms, carrots…
Long-awaited San Antonio tiki bar Hugman’s Oasis and House of Má now taking reservations
Long-awaited downtown tiki bar Hugman’s Oasis and House of Má, the tropical getaway’s companion Vietnamese eatery, are now accepting reservations for their opening nights. House of Má, which will begin seating guests April 30, was developed by the team behind longtime San Antonio staple Singh’s Vietnamese. The new eatery will serve up Vietnamese comfort food items such as hủ…
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Texas-led lawsuit seeking to protect a Trump immigration policy
The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday that it won’t hear a case filed by Texas and 13 other states that seeks to revive a Trump-era “public charge” immigration rule, stating they need an opinion from a lower court first. The issue before the courts stems from the Trump administration’s decision to broaden the definition of…
Donella Drive drops a second powerful EP after a significant lineup change
Losing a singer, especially one with a distinctive voice, can be a crippling blow for a rock band. As much as every instrumentalist likes to think they’re singular in their approach, truth is it’s damn hard to match the idiosyncrasies of the human voice. That said, San Antonio’s Donella Drive hasn’t just survived the late…
County judge says Gov. Abbott’s claim of abuse at San Antonio migrant shelter ‘completely false’
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff on Monday dismissed Gov. Greg Abbott’s allegations of sexual abuse and dangerous conditions at the Freeman Coliseum shelter for migrant teens, calling them “completely false.” During the Monday coronavirus briefing, Wolff responded to a reporter’s question about Abbott’s claim early this month that state agencies received tips about abuse, neglect…
Saint City Saint? Epicure Hugh Daschbach turns his attention to helping hospitality workers
Hugh Daschbach has what some might call a hodgepodge resume. His CV is dotted with stints managing boutique hotels, helming environmental startups and overseeing facilities for Trinity University. All over the place? Maybe. But there’s no arguing his varied work in the hospitality business has prepared him for his new gig as chief operating officer…
Woodlawn Theatre hosting diva-tastic musical variety show at Ida Claire this week
The Woodlawn Theatre is providing dinner and a show with Divas Through the Decades at Ida Claire. Hosted by Christopher Rodriguez, guests get the chance to watch Woodlawn Theatre artists such as Morgan Clyde, Megan DeYoung, Danielle King, Danica McKinney, Carla Sankey, Janecia Stevenson and Crystal Vera strut their stuff. Get everything in one purchase…
The Mendoza Line: Lege gives drug store coupons to uninsured Texans in lieu of Medicaid expansion
We understand that in the current political environment it can be really tough to tell the difference between real news stories and satire, which is precisely why we’re letting you know that the Mendoza Line is a weekly work of satire. Members of the Texas House last week voted down a budget amendment to extend state…
Outdoor screening of Cinema Paradiso at Weston Urban Park on Tuesday celebrates the love of film
Bring your comfiest chairs and blankets for a socially-distanced movie night in downtown San Antonio at the Weston Urban Park, where Slab Cinema will present the 1988 Italian drama Cinema Paradiso. The classic film follows Salvatore Di Vita, a famous film director who reminisces on his childhood and his relationship with his late mentor Alfredo, the…
Teams from 2 San Antonio high schools move on to finals of Vans’ nationwide custom shoe contest
We recently reported on Edison High School student Roger Zamarripa Jr.’s puro San Antonio design that advanced in Vans’ Custom Culture shoe design competition. Turns out, Zamarripa will be joined by other San Antonio student-artists — a three-person team, also from Edison, plus a team from East Central High School — in the finals of…
Nearly all of Texas’ GOP members of Congress get grades of ‘D’ or ‘F’ on new ‘Democracy Report Card’
Some Republicans aren’t exactly thrilled that the GOP has rebranded as the POT, or Party of Trump. Case in point: a conservative anti-Trump group called the Republican Accountability Project issued a “GOP Democracy Report Card” Monday, assigning letter grades to federal lawmakers based on their parts in trying to overturn November’s legitimate presidential election. Given…
San Antonio’s iconic Lulu’s Bakery and Cafe puts inventory up for auction amid closure
Those hoping for a return of Lulu’s Bakery and Cafe’s three-pound cinnamon rolls may want to find another over-the-top pastry to covet. The iconic San Antonio diner — home to monstrous cinnamon rolls often featured on food TV programs — has placed its entire equipment inventory up for auction. According to a Facebook Marketplace listing…
Texas brewer launches relief program for farms and ranches hurt by pandemic and winter storms
Karbach Brewing Co. is using the buzz surrounding its recently launched Ranch Water canned cocktail to aid Texas farmers and ranchers harmed by the pandemic and February’s devastating winter storm. On Monday, the Houston-based craft brewer unveiled Restoring the Ranch, a relief program that will provide a pair of Texas ranchers with grants of $10,000…
Tweet showing trash in San Antonio River south of downtown sparks outrage — and a cleanup
A photo of garbage accumulated along the banks of the San Antonio River posted to Twitter this weekend drew anger from residents saddened to see the city’s namesake waterway turned into a trash dump. “Dear San Antonio, can we not treat the river like a landfill?” Ryan Serpico, an Express-News web producer, tweeted Saturday. An…
Assclown Alert: Peddling election-fraud snake oil with Texas State Sen. Bryan Hughes
Assclown Alert is a column of opinion, analysis and snark. These days, it’s hard to tell whether some GOP politicians are aware they’re pushing the big lie or they’ve been selling it so hard they now believe the garbage they’re spewing. During a CNN appearance earlier this month, Texas State Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Quitman, seemed…
As political pressure builds, Texas Senate looks for path forward on permitless carry for handguns
With political pressure mounting, the Texas Senate is searching for a way to advance a measure allowing the permitless carry of handguns, even as support for it across the upper chamber remains in doubt. The Senate has been feeling the heat since the House approved what supporters have dubbed a “constitutional carry” proposal last week,…
San Antonio Mayor says lingering pandemic restrictions on River Walk events could be lifted soon
SA Mayor Ron Nirenberg Tuesday met with local hospitality industry members and said pandemic restrictions for outdoor events in city-owned facilities could be lifted within the next few weeks. According to the San Antonio Report, Nirenberg attended a lunch hosted by the San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association and other hospitality industry partners to discuss…
Puppeteer and UTSA senior Bradley Freeman Jr. joins Sesame Workshop’s new initiative on race
As a child growing up in Brownsville, Bradley Freeman Jr. was fascinated by puppets. A fan of practical effects, he watched TV shows including Sesame Street, Bear in the Big Blue House and Between the Lions with wide eyes and wondered how the plush characters were moving. “There was something special about these real puppets…
San Antonio’s Alamo Ranch area will soon welcome a marijuana-themed sandwich franchise
San Antonio is about to get an eatery that’s all about getting toasted — but it’s not what you think. Cheba Hut, a marijuana-themed sandwich chain, took to social media earlier this month to announce plans to open its first SA location this summer. Hey yall, its been a long time in the making, but…
Glitter Political: District 2 council candidate Nneka Cleaver’s strength is bringing people together
When Nneka Cleaver appears on my screen, she’s sitting at a booth at Taqueria Los Dos Laredos, a bustling establishment on Rigsby Avenue. She’s between appointments with community members seeking her help. Bursting with enthusiasm, she tells me about her bid for San Antonio City Council, District 2, where she will face 11 challengers on…
Jim’s Closes, Canopy Opens: San Antonio’s biggest food stories of the week
This week, San Antonio welcomed buzzy eatery Canopy, which opened downtown, and mourned the loss of one of the city’s iconic Jim’s diners. Readers’ stomachs turned at the news that employees of a San Antonio Sonic have been accused of sexual assault, and that a Southeast SA taqueria was caught using clothes to cover its…
Puro Vans, Purloined Pup: The top 10 headlines in San Antonio this week
With early voting for San Antonio’s May 1 election now underway, locals are keying in on stories related to issues on the ballot — particularly since a few high-profile political endorsements came out this week. San Antonians were also concerned about Texas Country artist Shane Smith’s lap dog Gretchen, who was in Smith’s truck when…
San Antonio Church’s Chicken location to reopen after being destroyed by fire in 2019
Fried food conglomerate Church’s Chicken Thursday announced the reopening of a San Antonio location that happens to be the third original location in the company’s history. Turns out, the fried chicken purveyor was founded right here in the Alamo City. The store nestled at the corner of New Braunfels Ave. and Nevada Ave. offered the…
This central San Antonio pub will offer Guinness’ new Nitro Cold Brew Coffee
Folks who need a little jolt of caffeine while they sip on an adult beverage will soon have another option for their imbibing needs: Guinness’ new Nitro Cold Brew Coffee. The Irish stout beer company has launched a 4% ABV brew that’s been made using cold brew coffee extract and coffee flavors. According to tasting…
Feel good Friday: San Antonio high school student awarded $180,000 scholarship
Seventeen-year-old Maryjane Marroquin of SA’s Southwest High School has been awarded a hefty scholarship through her participation in the school’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program. America’s Navy awarded the NROTC Scholarship, valued at $180,000, to Marroquin earlier this week. The scholarship pays for the cost of full tuition, books and other educational fees…
One of San Antonio’s most family-friendly eateries has reopened its play area for kiddos
Local eatery The Cove is known for being a spot where guardians of tiny humans can sip on a craft brew while their wards run wild. For months during the pandemic, however, the removal of the venue’s outdoor play structure made the space decidedly less kid-friendly. The restaurant took to social media this week to…
Doc Watkins, Raul Malo: Live music to check out in San Antonio this weekend
No matter what you’re into, there’s something to love in this weekend’s live music offerings in San Antonio. Whether you’re looking for a bit of Debussy or want to rock out in tribute to your fave metal bands, SA’s got you covered. Friday, April 23 Blackened + Punishment Due With big concerts still on hold…
San Antonio’s Castle Hills neighborhood to welcome new asada-focused eatery next month
Ghost kitchen concept Tu Asador 210 will open its doors to guests at a new brick and mortar space in Castle Hills in May, the San Antonio Business Journal reports. The full-service eatery — a dream realized for founder Regina Isabel Gonzalez and her family — will offer up carne asada from different cuts of…
Ted Nugent tested positive for COVID-19 days after performing at ‘anti-mask’ Florida grocery store
On Monday, COVID-denier and NRA-mouthpiece Ted Nugent admitted that he tested positive for coronavirus, telling followers: “I have had flu symptoms for the last 10 days. I thought I was dying. Just a clusterfuck.” Now it appears Nugent, 72, a part-time Texas resident, found out he was sick with symptoms just a week after playing…
Vandal smashes Artpace window, affecting exhibition by San Antonio artist José Villalobos
In an apparent act of vandalism, someone earlier this week shattered a window at downtown contemporary art complex Artpace. According to artist José Villalobos, the vandal hurled a brick through one of the Main Avenue windows facing his exhibition “De Los Otros.” Artpace positioned the installation by the windows so passersby could view it from the outside. “Early this week…
North Central San Antonio bar Rod Dog’s Saloon to reopen following massive renovation
North Central San Antonio bar Rod Dog’s Saloon will reopen Saturday, May 1 after a lengthy renovation brought on by a 2019 blaze. The space has undergone massive construction, and will celebrate with a grand reopening party that will feature a pool tournament, darts, drink specials and eats from local chef Will Nichols of Lil…
Bipartisan bill from South Texas lawmakers would hire judges, speed asylum process amid surge
In a rare sign of Washington bipartisanship, two members of San Antonio’s congressional delegation are partnering with one of Texas’ senators on a proposal to deal with the recent surge in border crossings. During a virtual press event Tuesday, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas; U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo; and U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San…
EVO Entertainment to offer San Antonio teachers and nurses free admission in May
Movies-and-more venue operator EVO Entertainment will show its appreciation for teachers and nurses next month by offering them free tickets for film showings. “The nurses and teachers in our communities deserve all the recognition in the world, so we’re happy we can provide them with a little escape,” said Mitch Roberts, chief executive of EVO, which…
San Antonians who love Tex-Mex food will have three free festivals to check out this year
If Tex-Mex comida is your jam, this news may have you salivating. Robert Reyes, organizer of the San Antonio Roasted Corn Festival, held last month in nearby China Grove, plans to keep free Tex-Mex food fests flowing through the remainder of the year, MySA reports. In an interview with the news site, Reyes unveiled plans…
Medicaid expansion picks up bipartisan support in the Texas House, but hurdles remain
When a neighbor’s dog nipped her hand near the fingernail last winter, Trish W. put off going to the doctor because it didn’t seem worth the dent it would put in her already tight budget. It wasn’t until her hand swelled to the point where her finger nearly burst that she finally gave in. The…
You can get rid of pills and vape cartridges on Saturday’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
By now, the toll of the U.S. opioid epidemic is clear — encouraged by Big Pharma, doctors overprescribed pain pills, leading to widespread misuse, addiction, and an estimated 453,000 overdose deaths between 1999 and 2016. The 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family…
These 3 San Antonio eateries are celebrating Earth Day in a big way
Thursday, April 22 is Earth Day, and some San Antonio eateries are celebrating in a suitably big way by holding events that celebrate sustainability. If you’d like to get out and support businesses that operate with sustainability in mind, these dining spots may just fit the bill. HASH Vegan Eats is holding a midweek pop…
ACLU’s Mobile Justice app helps witnesses hold bad cops accountable
All it takes is just one person filming an interaction with police to change the course of one case, or even history. As we saw with the Derek Chauvin verdict, video evidence played a crucial role in getting legal justice for George Floyd — and all because Darnella Frazier, a teenager, stopped to record the…
Environmental groups demand that San Antonio rethink utility policies after February outages
In an open letter to Mayor Ron Nirenberg and city council, 27 environmental and social justice groups urged the city to shield vulnerable residents from utility rate hikes and outages as it moves to meet climate goals. The letter, posted on Earth Day, argues that February’s Winter Storm Uri, which left millions of Texans without…
New exhibition at McNay Art Museum showcases recreations of nature for the stage
The McNay Art Museum’s latest exhibition examines how visual artistry helps enhance the experience of the performing arts. “Is It Real? Staging Nature” showcases a selection of works by stage designers and artists created to mimic the natural world onstage. Performances including plays, musicals, operas and ballet have been enhanced by stage design inspired by…
Chairman of Texas House committee says anti-transgender sports bill unlikely to get floor vote
The chair of the Texas House’s Public Education Committee says a controversial bill that would prevent transgender student-athletes from playing on sports teams for the gender with which they identify is all but certain to die in his committee. After presiding over an emotionally raw debate on the measure Wednesday, Rep. Harold Dutton, the Houston…
SOLI Chamber Ensemble to debut new piece by San Antonio native Darian Donovan Thomas
As increasing rates of COVID-19 vaccinations provide rays of hope after a painful year, SOLI Chamber Ensemble’s latest concert embraces both grief and radical joy. Opening in an elegiac mood, the concert features the world premiere of Pulitzer and Grammy-winning composer and repeat SOLI collaborator Aaron Jay Kernis’ Elegy for those we lost. Originally written…
Supervisors at a San Antonio Sonic restaurant accused of sexually assaulting underage employees
Two San Antonio restaurant supervisors have been arrested on charges that they groped underage female employees while on the job, according to affidavits obtained by KSAT news. Castle Hills police arrested James Maxwell Crow, 27, on Tuesday and charged him with three counts of indecency with a child as a result of testimonies from a…
North Central San Antonio Jim’s location has permanently shut down
Foodie social media in San Antonio is abuzz with news that locally based diner chain Jim’s has permanently closed a North Central location. “Jims (sic) Coffee shop at 410 and Blanco is closing for good Tuesday,” a poster in the San Antonio Restaurants Facebook group shared this week. Others confirmed the closure via a photo of a…
Fredericksburg’s Kuhlman Cellars the only Texas winery to medal in renowned French wine competition
San Antonio-area winery Kuhlman Cellars recently put Texas on the world map by winning gold and silver medals at France’s high-profile Concours de Lyon international competition. The only Texas winery to win medals at this year’s contest, Kuhlman submitted its 2017 Sangiovese and 2019 Estate Kuhlmanation White. The tannic and acidic red Sangiovese won gold, while the…
Downtown walking tour The Mural Connection highlights San Antonio’s street art scene
This weekend, residents will be able to explore downtown San Antonio and admire art with a cold one in hand. Presented by Pabst Brewing and the San Antonio Street Art Initiative (SASAI), the Mural Connection is a Saturday art walk highlighting local, regional and national artists. Starting at the San Antonio Museum of Art and…
San Antonio police accountability measure Prop B grabs high-profile endorsement of Beto O’Rourke
Proponents of Proposition B, the ballot measure that would strip collective bargaining power from San Antonio’s police union, have lined up an endorsement from top Texas progressive power player Beto O’Rourke. Fix SAPD, the group that petitioned to put Prop B on the May 1 ballot, shared the endorsement Tuesday via Twitter. Backers of the…
Bruce Campbell returns with online sequel screening of Evil Dead II
San Antonio just can’t seem to get enough of Ash Williams. Hot on the heels of his virtual Evil Dead event in January, Bruce Campbell has teamed up with the Tobin Center to stream the sequel. Though it follows the events of the original — after an intro recap that should help onboard any new…
National Geographic photographer Brian Skerry showcases new docuseries in Earth Day livestream
In honor of Earth Day, National Geographic Live is giving a free, behind-the-scenes look at the filming of Disney+ original series Secrets of the Whales, which debuts on the streaming service on April 22. In this virtual event, National Geographic Explorer and Photographer Brian Skerry will host a live audience Q&A as well as share…
Fort Hood unveils memorial gate named in honor of slain U.S. Army Soldier Vanessa Guillén
U.S. Army installation Fort Hood this week unveiled a memorial for slain soldier Vanessa Guillén in the form of a renamed gate and plaque, NBC News reports. Guillén’s family unveiled the gate Monday afternoon in a private event livestreamed via their Facebook page. The ceremony took place days before the one-year anniversary of Guillén being reported missing from…
San Antonio’s nationally lauded Mexican eatery Mixtli sets June 1 opening for Southtown location
Folks anxious for nationally renowned Mixtli Progressive Mexican Culinaria to set an opening date for its new location can now pencil it in on their calendars: Tuesday, June 1. The restaurant, helmed by chefs Rico Torres and Diego Galacia, sent an email Tuesday sharing the news and inviting prospective patrons to stop by before dinner or…
San Antonio Spurs face the Heat on Wednesday as brutal regular season winds down
After an unlikely run to the Finals in the NBA Bubble, it’s been a challenging stretch for the Miami Heat. Earlier this season, the team endured its first six-game losing streak since 2017, and injuries to key personnel along the way — including Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic — have led to creative…
Volunteers at Freeman Coliseum want to help, not be pawns in Gov. Greg Abbott’s partisan game
For years, Gloria Gutierrez worked with children as a Dallas elementary school principal. Now, the 73-year-old retiree is working with kids again, spurred on by the heartbreaking, months-long journey unaccompanied minor asylum seekers must endure to reach South Texas. She wanted to help, so she’s now among the volunteers assisting with some 2,000 teenage boys…
Luminaria awards 2021 Artist Foundation grants to seven San Antonio-area creators
In a virtual press event Tuesday, San Antonio-based arts organization Luminaria awarded a total of $54,000 to winners of its 2021 Luminaria Artist Foundation Grants Program. The grants will fund new work by seven Bexar County creators in the literary, visual and performing arts. The grantees also have the opportunity to display their work at this…
Bernie Sanders endorses a pair of progressive candidates in San Antonio’s May 1 election
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of the highest-profile progressives in national politics, has endorsed two candidates running in San Antonio’s May 1 citywide election. In a Tuesday afternoon tweet, the Vermont independent threw his support behind District 5 city council candidate Teri Castillo and Luke Amphlett, who’s running for San Antonio ISD’s District 4 slot. “They…
Block Party: Fiesta gets a new tradition with San Antonio’s first-ever House Float Parade
Note: Be sure and check out the Current’s slideshow tour of the House Float Parade. Like countless festivals across the globe, Fiesta has been in a hazy holding pattern since the COVID-19 pandemic reared its head in early 2020. Last March, the Fiesta San Antonio Commission announced that the 2020 celebration had been rescheduled from…
