Cover Story
CineFestival and the Meaning of ‘Latino’ Film
“I’m trying to redefine what a Latino film is,” Jim Mendiola, CineFestival director, told the San Antonio Current about the festival’s 38th edition taking place through February 27 at the Guadalupe Theater. “I don’t want to be so dogmatic as to what ‘Latino’ means.” Oh, the old etymological “Latino” debate … See, when it comes…
10 Free Events Happening This Week
Your Government Explained Tue 3/8 Join County Judge Nelson Wolff, Mayor Ivy R. Taylor and City Manager Sheryl Sculley for a candid conversation answering questions and presenting new opportunities for young professionals to participate in major upcoming County and City initiatives. Free, networking at 5:30pm, speakers and Q&A at 6pm Tuesday. Free, 5:30pm, Tue, Plaza de…
Bacon Dreams Come True at Central Market’s Annual Bacon Fest
How does a bacon brownie sound? A bacon candy bar? How about bacon salt to cover everything on a plate? If the answer to these questions is “amazing,” then it’s time for a trip to the Bacon Fest. Central Market (4821 Broadway, 210-368-8600) will host its annual Bacon Fest starting March 2 through March 15.…
San Antonio Invades SXSW
As the “Breakfast Taco War of 2016” between Austin and San Antonio continues, Austin will host a slice of San Antonio during SXSW Interactive 2016 to help promote its neighbor to the south. For three days, the Old School Bar & Grill (401 E. 6th St., Austin) will be known as Casa San Antonio. Located…
SAPD Officer Who Shot Unarmed Black Man Handed Indefinite Suspension
San Antonio Police Department Officer John Lee, who shot and killed Antroine Scott on Feb. 4, has been placed on indefinite suspension, according to media reports this afternoon. KENS says multiple sources confirmed that SAPD Chief William McManus handed Lee what is called a “contemplated indefinite suspension,” adding that that is the first process toward…
Did a UFO Fly Over San Antonio Last Week?
Today is Super Tuesday — a day that comes around just once every four years. It’s one of the most important news days on the calendar, and a date that may well be remembered as a turning point for our country. Consequently, we bring you this important news bulletin: Images of an unidentified flying object hovering…
Tony Parker-Produced Slavery Epic The Birth of A Nation Announces Release Date
The anticipated release date is finally here: The Birth of A Nation is slated to open nationwide Friday, October 7, 2016. The film – With Tony Parker as an executive producer and written, directed and produced by Nate Parker, who stars as Nat Turner, an African-American slave turned revolutionary that leads a rebellion in Virginia – sparked…
SAPD Accuses Man of Murdering 75-year-old Woman
The San Antonio Police Department has accused 30-year-old R.C. Curtis of murdering a 75-year-old woman who was beloved by coworkers at the H-E-B she worked at. Authorities found Paula Boyd’s body last October after she didn’t show up to work. Homicide detectives accuse Curtis of Capital Murder and arrested him this morning at his apartment…
Barry Manilow to Play AT&T Center on His Final Tour
On April 13, “Mandy” singer Barry Manilow will sweep the traditionally hard rock-lovin’ SA for a soft rock spin on his ONE LAST TIME! tour. We all know it won’t be the hit machine’s last hurrah, but Fanilows can play along. After performing at the Las Vegas Hilton and Paris Las Vegas from 2005 through 2011, with…
‘Special Surprise’ Grammy Winner to Perform with Los Texmaniacs at Burnt Ends Barbecue Restaurant this Friday
Announcing a night of “Grammy Winners & Barbeque Dinners,” Burnt Ends, the barbecue joint on Blanco with plenty of brew and ‘cue, will be hosting Los Texmaniacs along with a “special surprise guest.” A little digging and it is plain to see that the Texas crooner who will be taking the stage, who has also…
Pearl Announces Summer Opening of Peruvian/Asian Restaurant
The Pearl complex is about to get a big dose of South America this summer. The whispers of chef Geronimo Lopez, former executive chef at NAO, taking over the space previously occupied by Arcade Midtown Kitchen have been confirmed. In a press release sent out this morning, the Pearl announced the summer 2016 opening of…
Today is Super Tuesday, So Go Vote, San Antonio
Whether you burn for Bernie Sanders or support Hillary Clinton, today’s your last chance to vote. Super Tuesday is upon us. In Bexar County, there are multiple primary elections, including judges, state reps, a Democratic show-off for the nomination to run for sheriff and more. Check out a generic Democrat ballot here and a Republican…
Urban-15 Hosts ‘Sonic Provocation’ with Local Jazz Giants Rene Saenz and Richard Oppenheim
As the third installment of Urban-15’s Sonic Provocation series, San Antonio jazz saxophonists Rene Saenz and Richard Oppenheim will be performing their self-styled set, entitled “Saxophone Dreams,” Saturday, March 5 at 9pm. The adroit duo of multi-instrumentalists versatile in all genres of reed music, are known throughout the nation as musicians capable of playing pretty…
ACLU Says Great Texas Warrant Roundup Is a Shakedown of the Working Poor
The American Civil Liberties Union is criticizing the annual Great Texas Warrant Roundup. The initiative is for people who have outstanding warrants relating to fines. From February 20 through March 6 — the amnesty period — people can pay what’s owed without fear of arrest for Class C misdemeanor fines, which includes stuff like traffic…
Neko Case, k.d. lang and Laura Veirs Headline Joint Tour, Will Play the Tobin August 2
The formidable talents: the Canadian pop-country crooner, the reigning, red-headed queen of southern, Steinbeckian romance and one of Portland’s many incredible and hardworking, folk chanteuses will be teaming up for a record and coinciding tour this summer. case/lang/veirs, set to be released by Anti- Records on June 17, is the brainchild of lang, who…
5 Shows to See This Week
Monday, February 29 Neck Deep, State Champs, Knuckle Puck, Like Pacific Get neck deep in emo kids with these torch bearers of the not-so-tween-anymore genre. $17-$19, 5:30pm, Alamo City Music Hall, 1305 E. Houston St. Monday, February 29 UV TV, Creepstare, Talk Sick Brats, The Oblio’s To be 23 again: drink piss beer, have a…
Supreme Court Will Hear Oral Arguments Wednesday in Restrictive Texas Abortion Law Case
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments Wednesday in a case challenging a 2013 Texas law that required abortion clinics to meet ambulatory surgical standards and for doctors at those clinics to have hospital admitting privileges. Opponents of the law say it creates an undue burden on women seeking abortion access, which is…
5 Videos to Get You Pumped for New Spur Andre Miller’s Old Man Game
Anyone who’s ever played pickup basketball knows about the crafty old dude who can still play. He’s not as strong or as quick as he once was, so he makes up for it with a reliable shot, crafty, herky-jerky moves and clever passes no one else sees. Guys with old man game exist in the…
New Local Transportation Network Company Lets Drivers Bid for Business
To think that just a few months ago, after Uber and Lyft left San Antonio, the city was completely devoid of transportation network companies. Now there are four of them here. Bid My Ride is the newest TNC to operate in San Antonio, joining Uber, Lyft and GetMe. The newest addition is based in San Antonio,…
10 Free Events Happening This Week in San Antonio
Wed 3/2 Reading at The Twig with authors Manning Wolfe and Bill Rodgers With the first in her legal thriller series, Dollar Signs: Texas Lady Lawyer vs Boots King, Manning introduces her legal thriller based on actual client files. Bill Rodgers is a comedy writer and author with the first in a series called the…
Artspace Is Visiting San Antonio to Explore Whether a Downtown Project Is Feasible
Artspace is in the Alamo City this week evaluating whether San Antone is a good fit for one of its “affordable live/work” projects for artists. Centro San Antonio announced Monday that representatives from the organization, which it says is a nationally recognized leader in arts facilities development, are here through Wednesday. “We’re excited that Artspace…
Live and Local: Chris Stapleton at the 2016 San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo
It was a mother and a half to get into the Chris Stapleton show. I was surrounding by some of the only people in the U.S. that looked like they may be against marijuana, and I was super stoned. Through the intestinal corridors of the AT&T Center I was ushered. Minutes seemed like years, it…
Freedom From Religion Foundation Sues Texas Governor Greg Abbott
Remember that time Texas Governor Greg Abbott, including his decade-plus tenure as Attorney General, used his position of power to infringe on the rights of others? OK, too broad. More specifically, during the season Texans look forward to every year: Winter Solstice. Last December, Abbott ordered the removal of a state-approved display of the above…
Report: School Districts Approve UIL Measure that Impedes High School Trans Athletes
Texas school districts backed a proposal that would use students’ gender on their birth certificates, prohibiting transgender students from playing on a team which aligns with their gender identity, according to The Texas Observer. School district athletic directors and superintendents approved the proposal after the University Interscholastic League (UIL) legislative council recommended such a move…
6th Annual Twisted Taco Truck Throwdown Sets Date
The battle of the food trucks occurs year-round in San Antonio, but if you want to witness mobile kitchens really go head to head, stop by the sixth annual Twisted Taco Truck Throwdown (10 10th St., 210-725-5477). Happening Saturday May 7 from 4 p.m. until midnight, approximately 21 of the best taco trucks around town will…
New Changes in the Attaboy/Attagirl Universe
Things are starting to feel pretty cosmic in the Attaboy/Attagirl food sphere – and you and your tastebuds are certainly in luck. On February 24, Chris Cullum’s Attaboy (2410 N. St. Mary’s St.) found its new home outside the Paper Tiger. The truck has been serving up arguably the freshest (and tastiest) baked buns in town, bacon cheeseburger delicacies and…
22 Zika Virus Cases Pending in Bexar County
More people in Bexar County may have contracted the Zika Virus, according to the Metropolitan Health District. Twenty-two people are being investigated for the disease, which is running rampant in Central and South America. The Centers for Disease Control and Protection have already confirmed that three people have contracted Zika virus in Bexar County. But…
USDA Report: Infant Baboon Killed at Texas Biomedical Research Institute
The national research watchdog group Stop Animal Exploitation Now (SAEN) says it obtained a federal document from January 28 that shows an infant baboon died at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute because of mishandling. A female baboon was also injured. According to a USDA inspection report, the death occurred after the baby and female baboon…
Women’s Herstory Month: 15 Songs to Get You Pumped
The official theme for 2016’s Women’s History Month is “Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government,” but today, we’ll be focusing on women who’ve rocked the world (and challenged the male-dominated musical landscape). To make this mixtape, the artist doesn’t have to explicitly define herself as a feminist, but only to have made a lasting…
Early Voting Ends Today at 8 p.m.
Want to avoid the Super Tuesday rush to vote? Today’s your last chance. Primary voting ends at 8 p.m. today. You can find your early voting location here. So far, 37,245 Democrats have cast early votes compared to Bexar County Republicans, who have cast 42,325 votes. Next Tuesday, March 1, is the primary election. Just…
Senate Criminal Justice Committee Agrees to Study Cyber Bullying
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will begin looking at cyberbullying, studying how schools and law enforcement collaborate, Senator José Menéndez says in a press release. “Cyberbullying is a new problem that needs new solutions. It is a statewide problem that demands statewide attention,” Menéndez says. “This is a major step forward for David’s Law because this…
10 Things You Have to Do This Weekend
Thu 2/25 Julieta Venegas The Cali-born queen of Latin alt-pop, Julieta Venegas, was 10 years old when she first began learning piano. From that initial step she has, over the years, blossomed into one of the most refreshing and talented musical forces in the world. Gifted on the accordion, on the guitar, as a songwriter,…
Artist Luis Muñoz Reveals New Spurs-Themed Street Art
Local producer/director Luis Muñoz is at it again. The man responsible for making Austin’s “I Love You So Much” wall about 10 times better (or worse depending on where you stand on original art and what not) last December penned an ode to the Silver and Black. Unveiling the new street art via Facebook this…
UTSA’s New Music Festival Begins Tuesday, March 8
In its third year, University of Texas at San Antonio’s annual New Music Festival is continuing the tradition of displaying the music department’s skills as one of the top schools for musical enrichment, as well as “New Music,” post-modern compositions for large ensembles. The Festival will take place over a span of three nights, each…
Kanye West’s TLOP: Album of the Life?
It’s been said a sure-fire way to divide a room is to mention politics or religion. You can add Kanye West to that list of controversial topics. The 38-year-old super producer turned rap’s Steve Jobs (proclaimed by Yeezus himself) has no shortage of highlights and low-lights; the latter making Kanye a polarizing figure in the last…
Cruz Campaign Nixes Abbott Endorsement Video After Using Explosions in the Sky Track Without Permission
When I watched the video of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott endorsing Sen. Ted Cruz for president, I thought it was newsworthy (obviously, since I blogged about it) but predictable. The real upset of the news, I thought, was that Cruz’s camp had secured the blessing of Austin-based instrumental slow-build virtuosos Explosions in the Sky for…
Do You Know Where Tencha La Jefa’s Performance Dildo Is?
Who steals a dildo, honestly? That’s the question at hand after last night’s drag show featuring Yara Sofia at the Heat Nightclub (1500 N. Main Ave.) when host Tencha La Jefa’s double-sided performance dildo went missing. The prop at hand comes in at 24 inches and has been used on a biweekly basis in her…
Cast a Boozy Ballot on Super Tuesday With a Custom Presidential Cocktail from The General Public
We are thisclose to Super Tuesday, when Texans (and residents of a dozen other states) will cast their ballot in the primary of their choosing for who they think should be our next commander in chief. Voting is always a little bit of a democracy rush (or is that just me?). Even if your guy…
Did the ADL Just Post The Best Video Ever? Yep
There’s not much to this post other than we needed a reason to share this très adorable 7-minute video of puppies that need fostering. Visit the Animal Defense League’s Facebook page for more information on how to care for these wee pups and try not to give them new names (like Starsky and Hutch, or…
Triple 9: John Hillcoat’s Disappointing Heist of Michael Mann Archetypes
I was expecting a lot out of director John Hillcoat’s latest cinematic endeavor in Triple 9. Perhaps it was unfair to whole-heartedly believe that Triple 9 would rightfully belong to the same mythic pantheon of the Australian filmmaker’s previous works of high art: The Proposition, The Road, and Lawless. And yet, despite this film’s laundry list of A-list actors, I…
10 Shows to See This Weekend
Thursday, February 25 Two Tons of Steel Pros for over two decades, Two Tons are actually the group I saw on Y2K. We survived. Dennis was the shit, but this new lineup is a real group of killers. With the Eskimo Brothers. $5-$10, 9pm, 502 Bar, 502 Embassy Oaks, (210) 257-8125 Friday, February 26 Adult Books…
SAY Sí Celebrates All-things Local during Annual ‘Small Scale: Big Change’ Fundraiser
SAY Sí continues an annual tradition this March with “Small Scale: Big Change,” an exhibition and month-long silent auction featuring regional and local artists to support the organization’s tuition-free youth-development programs. Showcasing more than 200 pieces of donated work, the “Small Scale: Big Change” exhibition is true to its name as this is SAY Sí’s largest…
Three Finalists Named in the International River Barge Design Competition
There’s just one San Antonio organization in the three finalist teams for the competition to develop a new design for the city’s river barge fleet. The city and the San Antonio chapter of The American Institute of Architects announced Tuesday afternoon that finalists include METALAB, of Houston, Luna Architecture + Design, of San Antonio, in…
The 35th Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival Lineup is Here
The lineup for the 35th Tejano Conjunto Festival has arrived! The annual festival held at Rosedale Park and the Guadalupe Theater which provides San Antonio with a chance to see some of the biggest names in the music of our region will take place Wednesday May 11 through Saturday May 14. Tickets for the event…
Help Us Design The San Antonio Current
The San Antonio Current is looking for motivated and creative graphic design interns to join our editorial design team. This is the perfect place for new designers to learn, develop their portfolio, network with industry professionals, and develop new skills that they will carry with them throughout their career. Passionate voices are welcomed and essential…
VIA Metropolitan Transit to Offer Complimentary Rides on Election Day
Election day is fast approaching, San Antonio. Early voting ends Friday and the primary election is next Tuesday. This year, VIA Metropolitan Transit is taking part in this civic duty by offering complimentary rides throughout its service area on Election Day (March 1). The VIA Board of Trustees approved the initiative, called “Ride VIA to…
A Sanctified Review of Will Johnson at Frank, Formerly Casbeers at The Church
We sat in what had been a Casbeers, and before that an actual church, and was soon to be the San Antonio iteration of Austin’s estimable hot dog establishment Frank. The upstairs sanctuary saloon, consecrated as the St. Francis bar, with its plurality of stained glass and elegant pulpit, hosted singer-songwriters Justin Kinkel-Shuster and Will Johnson, the former more a…
Watch: Gov. Greg Abbott Endorses Sen. Ted Cruz for President
In a long-awaited but much-needed development for Ted Cruz, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott endorsed the Lone Star senator for president last night. Cruz is a political protege of Abbott’s, having served as Texas’ solicitor general while Abbott was the attorney general. Abbott called Cruz “a Constitutionalist whose judgment I trust to appoint the right judges…
Abuse of Power Charges Against Former Gov. Rick Perry Dropped
The longest-serving governor of Texas is out of the woods. Abuse of power charges against former Gov. Rick Perry were dismissed today by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The court dismissed a misuse of power charge, and upheld an earlier decision to throw out a coercion of a public official charge. The charges stemmed…
Find Tranquility Through Yoga
Let go of the stressors of every day life before starting your day. Whether you’re trying to figure out work-life balance, need to shape up your practice or just nail tree pose, there are plenty of studios to enjoy a very early morning yoga sweat sesh. MBS Fitness • Though MBS Fitness (multiple locations, mbsfitness.net)…
Pick Up Breakfast Tacos
There are but a handful of things better than access to great breakfast tacos. Thankfully, this is San Antonio and most of us are but a hop, skip and jump away from our nearest taco joint. Let’s be honest, few will go out of their way to pick up a carne guisada taco on their…
Where to Wow Out-of-Towners
Whatever your people are here for — a graduation, a birthday or a niece’s quinceañera — they’re going to need to eat eventually. Here are three spots to take your guests before they get hangry and you need to get them out of your house: La Fogata • If you’re spending a ton of time…
Eat Great Late
Used to be that local denizens of the dark had limited late-night feeding options: Mi Tierra pairing enchiladas and mariachis and Earl Abel’s mating insomniacs to fried chicken. Mi Tierra Restaurant & Bakery (218 Produce Row, 210-225-1262) still soldiers on. But a new breed of night owls has emerged, encouraged in part by upscale bars…
Free Will Astrology, Week of February 24
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Just one species has a big enough throat to swallow a person whole: the sperm whale. If you happen to be sailing the high seas any time soon, I hope you will studiously avoid getting thrown overboard in the vicinity of one of these beasts. The odds are higher than usual…
Build the Perfect Day in San Antonio
City Guide
Cool Down with a Cold One
On certain days the workplace feels like a monotonous inferno of crumpled sticky notes and forgotten to-do lists in a nightmare straight out of Office Space. These long days unfold into even longer weeks, leaving us world-weary and in dire need of a place where our frazzled hair and tattered business casual aren’t targets of…
Treat the Tots
Going out to eat with kids doesn’t mean you’re stuck going to McDonald’s or Chuck E. Cheese’s. There are plenty of restaurants in San Antonio that have great food and distractions for the kids. The Cove (606 W. Cypress St., 210-227-2683) has a unique menu featuring bison, lamb and grass-fed beef dishes with plenty of…
San Antonio Photographer Makes Familiar Alamo City Parks Look Unfamiliar
Justin Moore has achieved his dreams. In 1999, he started a photography business because he loves taking pictures; passion number one, check. In 2001, he fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a pilot, achieving passion number two. And so, naturally, his passions are now married into one: aerial photography. “When someone came out with a…
This Modern World (2/24/16)
Related Stories
Walk or Bike Through Downtown
It’s tough to appreciate everything Downtown has to offer in the middle of the day. Whether you’re inching through traffic, accidentally turning down one-way streets or trying to cut through herds of people looking for the Alamo (“Do ya’ know where I could get my hands on a coonskin cap?”), just existing in the city’s…
Take a Hike
Author and naturalist John Muir once said: “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” In San Antonio, we are fortunate to live in a fairly large metropolitan area that still has a number of lush green spaces that are perfect for getting that same feeling Muir mentions. In the last…
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
After a savory dinner or a particularly trying day, we can’t think of anything better than a sweet treat or two. But why wait until the end of the day to satisfy those sugary cravings when San Antonio’s got a multitude of dessert options ranging from delicate macarons to decadent conchas stuffed with ice cream?…
Take a Joyride
Aptly billed as the “healthiest happy hour of your day,” JoyRide Cycle Studio (multiple locations, joyridestudio.com) puts a decidedly modern spin on the group fitness concept. Led by motivating instructors in a sleek space tricked out with a killer sound system, JoyRide’s “calorie-torching, endorphin-surged, high-energy” sessions get riders amped up with amusing themes (from “Mashup…
Bird Watch at Olmos Basin
The views in Olmos Basin Park (651 Devine Road) are some of the best in the city. The trees and open spaces make you feel lost in nature even though you’re not far from great restaurants and top coffee shops. Some of the main attractions are the kick ass birds that populate the park. Give…
Get Zen at the San Antonio Botanical Garden
The San Antonio Botanical Garden might just be one of the most beautiful places in the entire city. The 38-acre park, with a tall hill at its center that provides a great view of San Antonio, features all kinds of nature, from native plants found throughout the garden in a variety of displays to a…
Rally the Troops
After the graduation caps have been tossed, and that intense training seminar at work has ended, nothing feels more necessary than succulent food and drinks enjoyed with good company. We know a thing or two about feeding large masses of people here in SA, and some restaurants have refined this to an art form by…
CineFestival Highlights
Throwback Thursday: Frontierlandia ∙ The winner of CineFestival’s 1996 Jury Prize, this is the biggest trip you can have at this year’s fest. At times straight-ahead documentary, at times travelogue, this unpredictable, highly entertaining Culture Clash-meets-Monty Python extravaganza explores border life, the spirit of Aztlán, Mexican death metal and features Guillermo Gómez Peña as a…
Rack ‘Em Up
Shoot stick? If you’ve ever seen the Swayze arthouse flick Roadhouse or Paul Newman in The Hustler, you know what kind of badassery goes down in the pool hall. However, if your billiard goals are slightly lower than running the table on some poor, unsuspecting schmuck, there are plenty of places to brush up on…
Watch the Sun Rise from a Historic Hill
San Antonio can be loud. But before the day breaks and the sun rises, prior to thousands upon thousands of commuters taking to the Alamo City’s network of highways and streets causing a cacophony of traffic sounds, there’s a serene quiet across the city. San Antonio’s not known for dramatic views from high points in…
Go Retro
Although random vintage duds and furnishings can still be be spotted hiding on the racks and shelves of San Antonio’s many thrift stores (Thrift Town, Boysville Auxiliary Thrift, Community Thrift and Texas Thrift, among the local favorites), a handful of dedicated shops are happy to do the hunting for you. While Period Modern (4347 McCullough…
It’s Showtime, San Antonio
Gone are the days when entertainment on your perfect day meant a paleta by the television set. Now, with a rapidly growing arts scene and more tourists to entertain than ever, when the sun goes down on the Alamo, the curtains must come up on stages across this destination city. From a steady rotation of…
Is San Antonio Ready for a New Generation of Latino Filmmakers?
Besides some shorts and the documentary Las Tesoros de San Antonio (which had its world premiere on February 21), CineFestival will feature a Pepe Serna tribute day on Wednesday, February 24, with screenings of Aguruphobia (comedy, 6:30 p.m.) and the world premiere of Aaron Lee López’s Gino’s Wife (8:30 p.m.), shot in SA and starring…
Drink at Home
Sometimes, you just want to go where everybody knows your name. And the surest way to do that is to stay planted on your own couch while sporting your best elastic waistband. Here are some of the spots around town to stock up on craft brews to enjoy in the comfort of your own home:…
Breakfast at Jim’s
There’s something comforting about knowing that Jim’s Restaurants (multiple locations, jimsrestaurants.com) exist, and that you can visit most of the locations at any time. The diner is a beacon of basic breakfast, available at dawn, noon, midnight or any point in between. There are 16 San Antonio-area Jim’s, 13 of which are open 24 hours…
Do the DoSeum
Since opening its doors back in June 2015, The DoSeum, the new incarnation of the San Antonio Children’s Museum, with its cutting-edge technology and focus on learning-through-doing, has wowed, engaged and educated visitors of all ages. Sure, it’s a wonderful place to take the kiddos — a place where they can burn as much energy…
Cozy Up with the Burlesque Scene
Burlesque in the Alamo City is an unsurprisingly eclectic and refreshingly body-positive affair that takes shape in themed, seasonal spectacles filled with bumping, grinding, glitter and tassels, and during the young but promising San Antonio Burlesque Festival (the fifth edition is set for September 16 and 17 at the Woodlawn Theatre). Spearheaded by the lovely…
Locked and Loaded: Predictions for This Year’s Oscars
Ready to earn some bragging rights by winning your Oscars pool against your fellow cinephiles? Take note of the San Antonio Current’s predictions for the top eight categories. Then watch the 88th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 7:30pm on ABC. BEST PICTURE ∙ With eight nominees vying for the top prize, three…
Go Gallery Hopping
While the monthly mainstays of First Friday and Second Saturday routinely get the Alamo City art scene out en masse for animated — and often boozy — evenings of gallery hopping, art openings are almost a weekly occurrence in San Antonio. Membership has its privileges at institutions like the San Antonio Museum of Art (200…
Indulge in Indie Coffee
The coffee explosion doesn’t stop with power meetings. Sometimes the lattes and cortados come in sweet little locally grown packages. Here’s a list of a few joints we love to while away an afternoon in. Fairview Coffee (3428 N. St. Mary’s St., 210-731-8009) is located in a small, unassuming strip center near the San Antonio…
Reach for the River
Completed in 2013, the Museum and Mission Reaches give Alamo City residents a part of the River Walk they can own, one with far fewer visitors and attractions than the tourist-saturated portion of the San Antonio River. And they’re perfect places for a stroll. The Museum Reach — four miles soaked with native flora —…
Be a Karaoke Star
The beautiful thing about karaoke is that there’s no one way to succeed. Nothing pulls strangers together like an entire room joining in, pained expressions across their joyous faces, as they belt out “Don’t Stop Believing.” Or the guy who gets super agro on Pantera and then comes back next round to wail on Miley’s…
San Antonio Food Bank Fights Hunger by Preventing Food Waste
Imagine a French grocery store — cheese in all its forms, long breads, wine in abundant glory. As of February 4, an image of charity can be added to this shopping list of cultural signifiers. Spurred by Paris City Councilor Arash Derambarsh, French supermarkets now must donate food that would otherwise be thrown away. Any…
Get Batty
Mexican free-tailed bats are oft-unheralded saviors of South Texas. They prevent the region’s crops from being overrun by pests, and the rest of us from being perpetually bothered by mosquitoes, gnats and other buzzy little beasts. Watching them emerge from their daily slumber is also a fantastic and mesmerizing sight, and there are several places…
Freshen Up with a Fruit Cup
Satisfying a sweet tooth doesn’t always mean a trip for some ice cream. This is San Antonio, where Mexican culture brought us the fruit cup and raspas. Chamoy City Limits (multiple locations, chamoycitylimits.com), a food truck, takes the traditional raspa to the next level with selections like The Anaconda and Lochness Monster, which are filled…
Forage Farmers Markets
Picking up fresh produce for the week at one of the city’s farmers markets makes you feel good about yourself. There’s something about getting outside, walking around and selecting healthy, locally grown food that sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. Here are three to take in around town: Olmos Basin Farmers…
Bar Hop on the Strip
Once a thriving stretch of nightlife packed with live music and weekend revelers, due to a stream of bar purchases, renovations and the influx of Downtown dwellers, the St. Mary’s Strip is poised to return to its former position as the primary destination for live music seekers. We shall start at The Mix (2423 N.…
Culinaria Festival Gets a Makeover, Alamo Siege Week Returns and More
There’s a lot of newness surrounding this year’s Culinaria Festival Week. Apologies in advance if you were a huge fan of the food truck event or Best of Mexico — those events are long gone. Though details are still being finalized for some of the events, the organization has released this year’s lineup. The fun…
Discover the Four Southern Missions
Ignore this if you haven’t visited San Antonio’s Spanish missions before. If that’s the case, you’ll want to see their interiors too, which close each day at 5 p.m. But if you’re a veteran of mission tours — which, not counting the Alamo, include Missions Concepcion, San Jose, San Juan and Espada — the best…
Nourish with Juice
Whether you’ve been out the night before and want a fresh start or want to start the day with 17 servings of vegetables, there are juice shops out there for you. Each has carved out an audience within SA, but here’s a rundown of where to get your fresh-pressed beets and then some. Fresh-pressed and…
Wake and Bake
Uuhhh … it’s that time again. The quiet consolation of evening has passed and we’re back in the shuffle of the mortal coil. But, alas! There is herb of which to partake! Herb for all humankind! This is the first toke, first drag, pull, hit, touch: the first time that we’re putting our lips to…
Catch a Flick
PALLADIUM THEATER • This movie house will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in December 2016 as one of the most impressive of the theaters in the locally owned Santikos chain. From its Greek-influenced architecture to its state-of-the-art IMAX theater to its newly installed Barco Escape that uses multiple screens to present a film, the movie-going experience…
The Blind Boys of Alabama Celebrate 72 Years of Gospel
The Blind Boys of Alabama first formed at the Alabama Institute for the Blind in 1944. For reference, other “legacy” groups such as the Texas Tornados, ZZ Top and even the Rolling Stones have been together continuously for 25, 45 and 50 years, respectively. At 72 years and counting, the Blind Boys have been around…
Eat on the Cheap
San Antonio has always been a city that loves food. And in recent years, with places like the Pearl and its restaurants making national foodie news, the Alamo City seems to have made an unequivocal mark on the culinary map. While diners should be ready to drop at least 100 bucks to enjoy a solid…
Browse for Books and Vinyl
For the literate individual whose free time is not spent just Netflix-and-chilling, or the audiophile with the insatiable appetite for all things vinyl, what better way to spend an afternoon than among the stacks and rows of some of your closest companions: books and records. Luckily, San Antonio has some exceptional opportunities to score that…
Go Antiquing on Hildebrand
It’s a weekend tradition for hardcore pickers and casual browsers alike, but there’s no need to wait for Saturday or Sunday to peruse the packed aisles of antiques, collectibles and vintage finds that line the funky little strip of Hildebrand Avenue between San Pedro and Beacon. While certain spots come and go, mainstays Antiques on…
Take in a Show
If you’re looking for great live music of the local and touring variety, chances are you’re thinking of hitting the St. Mary’s Strip. And you’re not wrong. Our fair city, however, boasts plenty of other great spots around town to dig live music of all types. So let’s say you decide to skip the Strip,…
Don’t Ever Fucking Question That: Real Talk with Slug from Atmosphere
Minneapolis hip-hop act Atmosphere, at Paper Tiger this weekend, has enjoyed an atypical career in a temperamental genre with a constantly shifting base. Comprised of rapper Slug (Sean Daley) and DJ/producer Ant (Anthony Davis), Atmosphere has churned out seven LPs and nine EPs since its 1997 debut Overcast. A longtime favorite of the hip-hop underground,…
Lunch in the Park
Forget eating lunch at a desk or in a breakroom. Forget about the hustle and bustle of finding some quick grub to chow down during that all-too-short lunch hour. Instead, pack a lunch and escape the workday in one of San Antonio’s endless number of parks. There’s no way to do justice to them all…
Power Through Your Morning Meeting
Time to make some big decisions? Interviewing for a new position? Making calls on big-time projects that’ll re-energize San Antonio? It’s time for a power meeting. Thankfully, San Anto is currently replete with coffee shops for the “get shit done” set. Here are a few of our go-to joints for sealing any deal. Rosella Coffee…
Score a Slice
Listen, we’ve all been there. You left your bag lunch on the counter, you’ve got less than 10 buckaroos in your wallet and you’re starving. Though New York City this ain’t, there are plenty of places to find a solid slice around town, on the cheap, and on the fly. From customizable pies to pre-set…
Cruise the Gayborhood
For a fun-filled night of dancing, boozing and entertainment, head on over to the strip on Main Avenue. Located just north of Downtown, San Antonio’s “gayborhood” is currently “on the rise” with new additions to the neighborhood (check out Ouch Underwear and the soon-to-open Boxer Bar) and recent renovations and expansions to many of its…
Chris Stapleton’s Rise to Fame Is No Cinderella Story
In the world of star making there are numerous coalescing fantasies. One, the illusion of the unknown talent, the penniless artisan, toiling away at their craft year after fruitless year, finally being discovered playing in a dive for beer money. Or that of a tween diamond, lost in the rough of internet obscurity — the…
Sneak a Beer
It’s already such a perfect day. You’ve sipped sangria in the park and fed animals at the zoo, but now it’s your turn to grab a bite and sneak a beer (or two). The spots named below offer solid grub selections and open their taps by noon, so you’ll have no trouble nursing a lunchtime…
Make Happy Hour Count
B & D Ice House • We were told that we’d love this little hole in the wall bar and barbecue joint, and we do. Its position between Hot Joy and The Friendly Spot to the south, Rosario’s to the north and Madhatter’s across the street makes it all the more appealing as the what-you-see-is-what-you-get…
Unleash the Hounds
Show some love to your four-legged friends by taking a paws during your busy day to spend some time with the pups at one of San Antonio’s many dog parks. Two popular spots include Phil Hardberger Park West (8400 NW Military Hwy.) and East (13203 Blanco Road), where the mutts can roam off-leash in separate…
Tipple Cocktail Creations
Sure, Lone Star and one-and-one mixed beverages still hold a place in our hearts, but sometimes you really want a great Manhattan. Step into Slam Antonio where the daiquiris are cold and the large format ice is even colder. Get your drink on at any of these fine joints across the city. Stay Classy, Stay…
Newsmonger: Primary Elections, Murder, He Wrote and Wrong Kind of Leader
The Primaries Are Coming Super Tuesday is nearly here and early voting ends Friday. This year’s a big one. While all eyes are on the presidential race, particularly the Republican primary, there’s more than just that on the ballot, from local to state races as well. Visit home.bexar.org/elections/ or call 210-335-VOTE for more info. Go…
Multitask at the Cove
Time is of the essence during a lunch break. With typically just an hour or less to spare, performing eat-or-errand triage is often a necessity. The Cove (606 W. Cypress St., 210-227-2683) helps solve that problem by offering not just fresh and delicious burgers, fish tacos, nachos and sweet potato fries (pair with the Sriracha…
Explore the Emerald Ring
For 15 years, the City of San Antonio has been chipping away at a hike-and-bike trail — a ring of green within the city — that is accessible for nearly every side of town. The Howard W. Peak Greenway Trails System winds through the South, East, West and North sides of SA, with 1,400 acres…
Work It Out
San Antonio is often (and sadly, deservedly) known for being a city on the “husky” side. The city has undertaken several initiatives to help curb this situation, including the Fitness in the Park program. The citywide initiative offers a number of free — that’s right, free — exercise and fitness classes at nearly every park,…
Twerk It Out
Brass Monkey • If you’re looking to dance on the St. Mary’s Strip, then the place to be is Brass Monkey. With a combination of ’80s new wave, indie and dance music, this oddball venue knows how to pack the dance floor. Here, hipsters and dancing queens unite to pay tribute to the worst-dressed decade,…
Drive-By City: Remembering San Antonio Gang Violence in the 1990s
Everything Cyrus Bates wore was white. As a black teen growing up in San Antonio in the 1990s, Bates wore the color to avoid being mistaken for a gangbanger. The violence of the city whirled furiously around him in reds, blues and browns, and Bates wanted to avoid it. For him, wearing white was the…
Get Groomed
You know, sometimes filling yourself up with confidence and comfort can be a whole lot more beneficial than stuffing your face with some greased-caked burger or boring lunch plate. Why not use that lunch hour to treat yourself? You might find, refreshed and looking oh so fresh, that you become more of a treat to…
Drink Your Breakfast
Whether you are fully committed to rocking and rolling all night and partying every day, or just need some liquid courage to face your boss and the carrot on the end of the stick that is your livelihood, sometimes you wanna tie one on before life has had an opportunity to grind you into spiritual…
Wind Down at Woodlawn
For more than a century, San Antonians have blown off steam by enjoying time at Woodlawn Lake (1103 Cincinnati Ave.), with its decorative lighthouse watching over them. The artificial lake was built by George W. Russ, president of the Rhode Island-based West End Town Company, in the 1880s. According to the city, visitors used streetcars…
“Gift” Shop at Planet K
I get high with a little help from my friends … at Planet K. High on tobacco products emanating from the plethora of pipes (many made by local blowers), one-hitters, vapes, Medusa-like hookahs and bongs of all shapes and sizes that make up the merchandise of this Texas staple of civilization. You can always buy…
You Can Make Yourself Right at Home at Wing Daddy’s
It’s never too early to think about the playoffs. If anything, considering how the Spurs have played this season, the collective San Anto populace should spend more time watching the Silver and Black on big screens. Though there wasn’t a game on at the time, the screens at Wing Daddy’s on Heimer Road were a…
Feast at Food Trucks
Need to grab and go, or like to have several options in one place? Food truck parks are a good option. Roll on through or sit and stay awhile at these three SA parks. The Point Park and Eats • Come for the grub, stay for the kid- and pet-friendly environs and craft beer. The…
Get Jacked at Crossfit
People are busy, and their days offer precious few opportunities to hit the gym. Instead of unwinding with a few 12-ounce lifts, get your post-work decompression from a crossfit session. There are more crossfit gyms in town than you can shake a stick at (or a dumbbell, if it’s light enough), so finding a place…
Savor Can’t-Miss Cuisine
American • The Big Bib (104 Lanark Drive, 210-654-8400) takes its service and home-cooked barbecue seriously. Brisket, ribs, turkey and sausage are all available to satisfy your carnivore needs. At Smoke Shack (3714 Broadway, 210-957-1430), the barbecue is traditional, and the sides have some additional flavors you didn’t realize you loved. The Filling Station (701…
Snag a Naughty Novelty
If you want to spice up your post bar-hopping activities, San Antonio has a few great stores to help you fill your goodie bag. A local favorite, The Love Shack (1580 Babcock Road, 210-767-9411) sets the bar high with clean, friendly, helpful and shame-free adults-only shopping. Besides toys, Adult Video Megaplex (multiple locations) boasts a…
Boozing It Up at Stay Golden Social House
Happy Hour Hound
Get Your Nails Did
When your cuticles are just wrecked and it’s time for a new coat of OPI’s fiercest red, get thee to your nearest nail salon. Our Best of San Antonio 2015 issue would suggest giving Vanity Room (11703 Huebner Road, Suite 202, 210-414-6985), where artist Priscilla Charbel can make any of your Pinterest nail art dreams…
Go Fishing
If you’re an angler, you don’t have to leave the city limits to find a place to fish. Spend a cool morning on the bank of Woodlawn Lake (1103 Cincinnati Ave.), where you’ll find carp and channel catfish. You’ll also find channel cats in Miller’s Pond (6175 Old Pearsall Road) on the South Side, which…
Eat Your Way Through the Pearl
It’s entirely possible to visit San Antonio without stepping foot outside The Pearl Brewery Complex, which opened the doors to Hotel Emma (136 E. Grayson St., 210-448-8300) in November 2015. Though the boutique hotel added a posh grocer with Larder and a full-service restaurant with the John Brand-helmed Supper, along with Sternewirth, the hotel’s new…
Grab Late-Night Tacos
When out drinking, nothing satisfies that early morning hunger like a taco from a taco truck. A good after-bar taco truck combines tastiness, quickness and cheapness. Located right next to Hardbodies, Tacos El Regio (2726 N. St. Mary’s St.) is ideally situated in walking distance from all of the bars along the St. Mary’s Strip.…
Savage Love: Accepting Desire
I’m a 36-year-old hetero male, into BDSM and polyamory. I’ve been drinking deep from the bowels of the internet lately, getting laid more than I ever thought was possible. I’m open about the fact that I fuck around a lot and that monogamy would never work for me. I use condoms with everyone except my…
