Local labor leader memorialized
Before César Chávez or Che Guevara there was Emma Tenayuca — who at the mere age of 21 led the fight for fair wages and improved working conditions among pecan shellers in the 1920s. Authors Carmen Tafolla and Sharyll Teneyuca (Emma’s niece) penned That’s Not Fair!/¡No Es Justo!, a bilingual children’s book, in homage to…
Local labor leader memorialized
Before César Chávez or Che Guevara there was Emma Tenayuca — who at the mere age of 21 led the fight for fair wages and improved working conditions among pecan shellers in the 1920s. Authors Carmen Tafolla and Sharyll Teneyuca (Emma’s niece) penned That’s Not Fair!/¡No Es Justo!, a bilingual children’s book, in homage to…
On the Street
Before I get into discussing the Artist Foundation fundraising show organized by Potter-Belmar, I want to take a moment and ponder the incredible lack of depth of field in this foto. What follows contains a similar lack of depth, so read at your own risk, especially Ethan Hawke fans. Leslie, 1/2 of Potter-Belmar, works the…
On the Street
Before I get into discussing the Artist Foundation fundraising show organized by Potter-Belmar, I want to take a moment and ponder the incredible lack of depth of field in this foto. What follows contains a similar lack of depth, so read at your own risk, especially Ethan Hawke fans. Leslie, 1/2 of Potter-Belmar, works the…
Josiah Media Festival Call for Entries
Release Date: 2007-12-05 Laser artist Tim Walsh is behind this annual performance, a family-friendly display with vivid laser animations, light effects, and an aerial beam ballet performed to holiday music and carols. Portions of the San Antonio show have been featured for holiday engagements in L.A., New Orleans, Austin, and other cities. $8/12, 6:30pm, 8pm,…
Middle East peace at Jerusalem Grill
Release Date: 2007-12-05 Jerusalem Grill, a Persian/Turkish/Eastern Mediterranean restaurant and hookah joint, is the spawn of Galaxy 22, which, in turn, was an incarnation of Galaxy 21, formerly on Evers Road. Now located in the Ingram Park area, it finds itself tucked into the elbow of a strip center and flanked by the recruiting offices…
‘Golden Compass’ loses its way
The Golden Compass Director: Chris Weitz Screenwriter: Chris Weitz Cast: Dakota Blue Richards, Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Christopher Lee Release Date: 2007-12-05 Website: http:www.goldencompassmovie.com/ Rated: PG-13 Genre: Fantasy I couldn’t help but ponder, the morning after The Golden Compass screening, whether a completely animated adaptation of the revered Philip Pullman novel — first in the…
Clip’d Beaks w. Queer Tears & more
Release Date: 2007-12-05 Slinky Cali terrorizers Clipd Beaks have caught a fresh buzz since November, following the release of their full-length debut, Hoarse Lords, put out by Lovepump United. The band’s wall of noise hits with max force, wrapping a sound that’s turned up to 11 with dreamy effects and psychedelic swirls. Abandoning the guitar-based…
Invasive Thoughts
Release Date: 2007-12-05 Online mag Invasive Thoughts showcases its niche with readings by local poets and writers, art displays, and sets by bands Opposite Day, Run On Sentence, and Shoeshine Blue. The brainchild of Current freelancer Brooke Palmer, Invasive Thoughts publishes online monthly with a different theme, comprising articles, interviews, poetry, art, and philosophical or…
Not So Silent Night w. Lifehouse, Good Charlotte, Three Days Grace, Plain White T’s, & Boys Like Girls
Release Date: 2007-12-05 Good Charlotte has embarked on a winter trek, bringing them to San Antonio on the packed MIX 96.1 Not So Silent Night lineup with Lifehouse, Plain White Ts, and Three Days Grace. The five-piece has been touring for most of 2007 in support of their fourth album, Good Morning Revival, including an…
Chimaira, Kataklysm, Terror, & Divine Heresy
Release Date: 2007-12-05 Chimaira embarked on a run three weeks ago, the headliner on an exhausting bill that includes Canadian thrashers Kataklysm, hardcore superstars Terror, and Dino Cazares’s latest project, Divine Heresy. Chimaira shows are for those (un?)fortunate enough to be in the pit — their rabid fan base points to a band who’s mastered…
Lisa Lampanelli
Release Date: 2007-12-05 As one of the few white comedians to perform on BET’s “Comic View,” Lampanelli has cemented her huge crossover appeal, augmenting popularity gained from specials on VH1, MTV, and CMT. Dubbed Comedy’s “Loveable Queen of Mean” by The New York Times, the no-holds-barred insult comic posesses an inherent likeability that ultimately wins…
Holiday Laser Show
Release Date: 2007-12-05 Laser artist Tim Walsh is behind this annual performance, a family-friendly display with vivid laser animations, light effects, and an aerial beam ballet performed to holiday music and carols. Portions of the San Antonio show have been featured for holiday engagements in L.A., New Orleans, Austin, and other cities. $8/12, 6:30pm, 8pm,…
iParty III
Release Date: 2007-12-05 NeoAztlan’s third iParty is an all ’80s version, so bring your iPod and plug in for a short set. No playlists is the rule — ’80s music comes from from the heart, baby! All-star guest artist DJs include Beto Gonzales, Nate Cassie, Chris Sauter, Unit B’s Kimberly Aubuchon, and a special set…
Cafe Tacuba w. Porter & Chako
Release Date: 2007-12-05 Café Tacuba’s upcoming gig at Planeta Mexico is either an exception that proves a rule, or a promising sign for live music in the Alamo City. For their Batanga Music Tour, the acclaimed Mexican rockeros had scheduled gigs in Houston, Dallas, Austin, and even McAllen, but skipped San Antonio, the city with…
THE QUEQUE
Ducking and covering since 2001 Firm in the belief that what you don’t know can’t hurt Those Who Matter, the Queque heartily endorses the recent findings of St. Mary’s own Center for Terrorism Law (Air Force-funded researchers on behalf of “law which terrorizes,” but only in pursuit of the greater cause of Security), which presented…
Cold Case
“Name five songs I’ve done in my solo career,” Peter Case challenges. Maybe it’s just one of those days, or perhaps he’s a professional curmudgeon, but the veteran singer-songwriter gets combative when he discovers I haven’t heard his new album yet. He asks me what my real job is. Soon the former Plimsouls frontman compares…
The Boss takes a back seat
Bruce Springsteen’s October 14 onstage collaboration with Arcade Fire husband-and-wife team Win Butler and Regine Chassagne (sparked by a Springsteen-Butler cover story in Spin) had me thinking about Springsteen’s greatest artistic virtue: the way that he has remained, 35 years after signing a record deal, the perpetual fan. Ample evidence of that can be found…
Revealing Briefs
AUSTIN—Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick unveiled the “interim charges” for the committees of the Texas Legislature last week, and they included a number of entertaining doozies including making a substance the media has coined, “the new pot,” illegal in Texas. Craddick, a Midland Republican, charged the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence to, “`s`tudy the need…
THE SOUND & THE FURY
The one-man existential-blues machine known as Ghostwriter has become familiar to SA audiences in recent years via his local club performances with Boxcar Satan. Despite their obvious mutual admiration, however, the Portland singer-songwriter and the San Antonio trio never attempted a full-fledged studio collaboration until this summer, when Ghostwriter (aka Steve Schecter) found himself with…
Are you a tortured artist?
I’m not exactly one for online surveys … however, I just had to take this really crazy survey. And of course, I had to share. While I’m not a visual artist I still took the test, and lo and behold I’m only 33% of a tortured artist — not bad, I suppose. I am 33%…
KYOTO ACCORDINGLY
Ross Gelbspan author, The Heat is On and Boiling Point, heatisonline.org What is needed is a new Kyoto Protocol that reflects the urgency and magnitude of the challenge: a rapid global transition to non-carbon energy sources in the next 30 years. One approach might involve three elements: In industrial countries, withdraw the roughly $250 billion…
Pre-boxed gifts
It’s that time again — time to hunt through record stores for something nice that the music lover on your list doesn’t already own, whether it’s unheard sounds or a novel collection of beloved ones. In the first department, a standout this season has to be Rhino Handmade’s spelunking voyage through the catalog of Atlantic…
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
The San Antonio Current wants to give you: 2 tickets to Trans-Siberian Orchestra AT&T Center Sun Dec 23, 2007 3pm email us for your chance to win: freebies@sacurrent.com Tickets will be mailed so please include: Name, address and phone number. We will draw one winner from all the entries on Mon, Dec 17th.
Some holiday film events, for your pleasure
San Antonio will be the last stop on non-profit initiative Lights, Camera, Cure’s five-city juvenile diabetes-awareness tour. The interactive health fair will take place on Saturday, December 15 at 10 a.m. and culminate with a free screening of The Polar Express in 3D at the RiverCenter IMAX. Yippy! Now I’m all for educating the masses…
First Friday preview
For obvious reasons I am really excited about the line-up for the upcoming First Friday. It isn’t like I’m not usually overjoyed with the monthly art stroll, but this month is a real send-off to 2007, complete with art, words, and music — it’s all covered this weekend. So bundle up, arrive a little early,…
aural pleasure
The Black and White Album The Hives (A&M/Octone) It’s been said that the purpose of all art is to express the inexpressible; to convey something that can’t be easily defined. If that’s the case, then the music of the Hives may not be art. After all, pretty much their entire catalog can be summed up…
The Golden Compass Christmas Ornaments
We have 15 sets of limited editions Christmas ornaments from The Golden Compass for you to hang on your tree. To win one of these collectors items, send an email with your name and phone number to: freebies@sacurrent.com Drawing for these will be Friday, December 14th. Good Luck
The Boss takes a back seat
Bruce Springsteen’s October 14 onstage collaboration with Arcade Fire husband-and-wife team Win Butler and Regine Chassagne (sparked by a Springsteen-Butler cover story in Spin) had me thinking about Springsteen’s greatest artistic virtue: the way that he has remained, 35 years after signing a record deal, the perpetual fan. Ample evidence of that can be found…
Delayed gratification
After two separate medical postponements last season, SOLI Chamber Ensemble is eager to offer the long-awaited recital of violinist Ertan Torgul, with the typically sensitive and stunning accompaniment of pianist Carolyn True. The program features works from what Torgul considers three generations of American composers: Copland, Corigliano, and San Antonio’s own David Heuser. Ranging from…
Playback
In her 2005 book, Assassination Vacation, Sarah Vowell cites Henry Adams’ response to the 1881 killing of President James Garfield: “The cynical impudence with which the reformers have tried to manufacture an ideal statesman out of the late shady politician beats anything in novel-writing.” Those words stuck with me last week when I learned that…
Are you a tortured artist?
I’m not exactly one for online surveys … however, I just had to take this really crazy survey. And of course, I had to share. While I’m not a visual artist I still took the test, and lo and behold I’m only 33% of a tortured artist — not bad, I suppose. I am 33%…
Remembering Bella Abzug
On Bella Abzug’s first day in Congress, January 21, 1971, the doorkeeper of the House of Representatives stopped her and told her to remove her floppy, broad-rimmed hat. “Fuck you,” she is said to have replied. On other occasions, Abzug would explain her signature millinery prop by contending that headgear confirmed her professional identity. “Before…
You’re getting warmer
I remember so well the final morning hours of the Kyoto conference. The negotiations had gone on long past their scheduled evening close, and the convention-center management was frantic — a trade show for children’s clothing was about to begin, and every corner of the vast hall still was littered with the carcasses of the…
Oh, you dirty girl
Don’t let her innocent June Cleaver-meets-Amazing-Technicolor-Dreamcoat-appearance fool you. Stand-up comedian Lisa Lampanelli is vulgar, vivacious, and vicious. Known in the circuit as the “Queen of Mean,” Lampanelli is currently on tour to promote her comedy CD/DVD Dirty Girl. Someone grab the soap. She’ll be at the Empire Theatre December 7. Lampanelli spoke to the Current…
Prayer before the demo
The Pregnant Hookers’ Bench at the corner of South Hackberry and Nevada, known by the large capital lettering across its back reading “Pregnant Hookers’ Bench,” is gone. I’m told it was broken over the back of a disrespectful neighbor in a street scuffle. Even without the visual landmark, it’s easy to spot the folk-art attraction…
Mex in Manhattan
57th Street and 7th Avenue subway stop in Manhattan. Late at night. The station is virtually empty. There is no pinche train in sight. A young man sat on the lowest step of the stairs leading down to the platform. His eyes seemed focused on the scrapes and gouges cut into the concrete by the…
A greenhouse in the desert
How will global warming affect the world’s deserts? Scientists in Nevada predict potentially heartbreaking outcomes. Imagine a future where hundreds of thousands of people in the more arid parts of the country flee wildfires. Imagine a future where many of those people never return home when the winds shift and the temperatures drop because the…
¡Ask a Mexican!
Dear Mexican: I was born in beautiful El Paso, and my parents are from Juaritos. I always wondered why Mexican restaurants en los Estados Unidos use queso amarillo — which I associate with los Estados Unidos — on their food instead of queso asadero or queso Oaxaca, which taste so much better. And who came…
I love movies.
Bee charmers. Perhaps you’ve heard of them. But I bet you never thought you were one, did you? I did, and I have the kitschy trimmings to prove it. Bumblebee Hummel figurine? Yep. James Avery bumblebee charm (attached to bracelet with other, er, symbolic knickknacks)? Uh-huh. Bee toe-ring, beaded-bee old-lady sweater: Check and check. I…
Clothes-minded
It’s a wonderful thing when your Christmas shopping is done a few weeks in advance. That leaves the rest of the season to eat all the things you shouldn’t and drink a bit more than you should. If our November 21 holiday gift guide wasn’t sufficient, finish off the whole list by hitting two holiday…
CRITICAL Darling
If Critical Darling didn’t need the work, she could conceivably spend her days more prophetically, eating locusts in the West Texas wilderness, decrying the evils of MySpace. And yet the universe did not see fit to make this worthy young’un an heiress, and not being the type to flake on a pair of student loans,…
Dear Uncle Mat
I have been searching for this answer for quite some time now. What causes the labia minora in some women to become dark brown or even black? I have heard childbirth causes that. But there are some women who have dark lips and don’t have any children. Is it the frequency of the sex that…
Angels can’t save PBS’s Tony Kushner doc
POV, the outstanding documentary program on PBS, marks the close of its 20th season with Wrestling With Angels, a profile of playwright Tony Kushner by Academy Award-winning director Freida Lee Mock. Mock’s documentary, which premiered in January 2006 at the Sundance Film Festival, follows Kushner from 2001 to 2004 and portrays a writer who earnestly…
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): This would be an excellent time for you to visit terminally ill patients in a hospice or go on a tour of a maximum security prison. To take maximum advantage of the current cosmic opportunities, you might also travel to the Slum Theme Park in Americus, George, where Habitat for Humanity…
Mama’s Boy
It’s easy to imagine that screenwriter Hank Nelken conceived Mama’s Boy while reading a magazine article reporting on the full-nest syndrome — the increasing tendency for grownup children to continue residing with their parents. And that producers at Warner Bros., salivating over demographic trends that might translate into box-office business, pounced on the pitch. It…
It’s beginning to legume a lot like Christmas
Nuts and the holidays go hand and hand. If you aren’t figuring out what to do with the 10-pound bag of pecans from your aunt in the Valley, you’re breaking your back clearing the buggers out of your driveway. For me, Christmas morning was always capped off by the ubiquitous walnut-and-orange combo stuffed at the…
Armchair Cinephile
PICK OF THE WEEK: Ford at Fox (Fox) Easily the most impressive movie-lover box-set this season, Fox’s mammoth collection offers 24 early John Ford titles (most previously unreleased), a new doc about the auteur, reproductions of lovely ephemera, and a coffee-table-worthy photo-book. Some titles are also available in less expensive new sub-sets. Superbad (Sony) The…
Amuse-BOUCHE
Sa.greenling.com, new assistant to SA’s growing organic consciousness, arrived in the Alamo City from its hometown, Austin, in October, and co-founder Mason Arnold says business is good. “People are signing up right and left” in the northern half of town where the grocery-delivery service is currently available. If you plan your menus ahead of time…
Comcast’s secret file-sharing war
For the past several months, internet-service provider Comcast has been covertly sending commands to your computer that tell it to stop receiving information. Especially if that information is coming to you via BitTorrent, Gnutella, and other file-sharing applications. In May of this year, disgruntled Comcast users started posting on message boards about how BitTorrent and…
The Golden Compass Bears
We have 6 limited editions Bears from The Golden Compass movie To win one of these collectors items, send an email with your name and phone number to: freebies@sacurrent.com Drawing for these will be Friday, December 14th. Good Luck
ARTIFACTS
Although this writer doesn’t know the difference between a rumba and a tango, I gladly give props to anyone that is willing to give dancing a try — especially the dancers participating in Work it Out: Dance Narratives and Fantasies. Northwest Vista College’s multi-generational dance theater has teamed up with citizens in the Academy of…
I Am Legend
I Am Legend Monday, December 10th 7:30pm at Regal Alamo Quarry 14 255 E. Basse Rd We are out of tickets for this screener: More passes will be available this Saturday at 10:00am at: Whole Earth at the Quarry I Am Legend – Trailer 2 An apocalyptic NYC seen like never before. Add to that,…
Dear John (Stossel)
“Relax. … The fuss over Kyoto is absurd. … Do you think all the signers are going to honor what they signed? … If sea levels rise, we can build dikes and move back from the coasts. It worked for Holland.” — John Stossel, ABC newscaster and author of Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidity First,…
Some holiday film events, for your pleasure
San Antonio will be the last stop on non-profit initiative Lights, Camera, Cure’s five-city juvenile diabetes-awareness tour. The interactive health fair will take place on Saturday, December 15 at 10 a.m. and culminate with a free screening of The Polar Express in 3D at the RiverCenter IMAX. Yippy! Now I’m all for educating the masses…
Peru’s Parasite?
Last year, I had the opportunity to meet leaders from two indigenous Amazonian tribes, including the dynamic Shuar leader Domingo Ankuash. The pair had come to draw attention to the horrific impact of Ecuadoran oilfield development in their territories. The following day, Ankuash and others spoke at the annual stockholders meeting of ConocoPhillips. (Yes, Domingo,…
Peru’s Parasite?
Last year, I had the opportunity to meet leaders from two indigenous Amazonian tribes, including the dynamic Shuar leader Domingo Ankuash. The pair had come to draw attention to the horrific impact of Ecuadoran oilfield development in their territories. The following day, Ankuash and others spoke at the annual stockholders meeting of ConocoPhillips. (Yes, Domingo,…
