Fanatical rapport? Rackspace reportedly planning to close SA datacenters
The Castle walls are shut tight. After a week of asking and no callbacks from Rackspace Hosting’s communications manager, we thought it best to just drop what we have on SA’s tech darling. According to folks on the inside, Jacques Greyling, managing director of Rackspace Hosting, told a small team of employees back on November 17…
Gayby’s Monday Musings
Music to accompany reading. – One of 2010’s better songs. I wonder if Coach Pop likes synthpop. Trail Blazin’ – On Sunday, the Spurs beat the visiting Portland Trail Blazers 95-78, pushing their winning streak to five games. The Spurs currently sit atop the NBA standings with a 20-3 record. Portland’s 78-point output was the…
Andrew Unterberger’s Border-less Basketball Bender
Rudy Gayby I sat on a bench outside of Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q, on Friday night. I waited approximately 45 minutes for the person I was meeting. I think I witnessed a drug deal. There was no harm in waiting. I was in no hurry. The same could not be said for the person…
Everything gamers want to know about sex (but were to busy playing to ask)
Video games have spoken. And like Salt-N-Pepa, they want to talk about sex. Well maybe the games themselves don’t want to talk about sex, but the subject matter is often brought up. While the topic has been looked over since the controversial “Hot Coffee” patch in Grand Theft Auto: San Andres, the sexual content in…
Sandra Cisneros: Pajama Pachanga
On Wednesday evening at The Twig Bookstore, readers, writers, and local fans gathered to listen to Sandra Cisneros read a bit of what she’s been working on these last few years. But she wasn’t wearing her traditional Mexican garb or her trademark huipil. Instead, she donned turquoise fleece pajamas with a multiticolored polka dot print. In its own cheeky and sort of…
DREAM Act march: the racist image of the Alamo, military injustice
Graciela Sánchez, executive director of the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center in San Antonio, spoke on the rise of hate in the nation and the broader (negative) ramifications of the DREAM Act for the poor. It’s not at all the immigration reform we need, but we’re here, I’m here because it is that compromise pero…
DREAM Act march: a call for U.S. Senate passage
After gathering at Milam Park (Plaza de Zacate) for more than an hour on Thursday afternoon, DREAM Act supporters took to the streets to demonstrate their support for Senate passage of legislation to provide young people a shot at eventual U.S. citizenship. Bicyclists blocked off the streets providing “security” for the marchers, a role traditionally…
DREAM Act march: Rep Villarreal on immigrant scapegoating
Before DREAM Act supporters took to the streets of downtown San Antonio last night to march on the Alamo, state Representative Mike Villarreal addressed the roughly 200 in attendance. He spoke of the increasing “scapegoating” of immigrants across the country, and said that, despite the conservative sweep across the nation, the marchers’ spirit, if it…
Interview: Leonor Varela
During a phone interview from her home country of Chile, actress/model Leonor Varela (The Tailor of Panama, Blade 2) took some time to talk to me about Christmas, the importance of family and one of her past movies that encapsulates both, 2007’s Where God Left His Shoes starring her and John Leguizamo. The film will…
“The Dog” by Gabriel Fernandez
Introduction This week’s story has the power of dreams. We all know how terrifying it can be to wake up from a nightmare. Or how euphoric it is to wake up laughing. The residue of dream still on our eyelids. But what happens when we can no longer dream (a dream deferred)? “The Dog” by…
First Friday Slideshow: December 2010
crit Galore: “a glimpse of glamourous gee gaws by UTSA artists,” at Blue Star Contemporary Art Center PHOTOS BY BRYAN RINDFUSS
Review: 9 to 5, The Musical
It’s rare for a nationally touring musical to feature a production that differs significantly from the Broadway incarnation; after all, it’s on the basis of a (usually healthy) Broadway run that a tour gets a green light at all. So it’s both an opportunity (and, to be frank, a curiosity) that San Antonians can now…
Net Neutrality Vote Will Bring One Net to Rule Them All
On December 21, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will take a long-awaited and historic vote determining whether President Obama’s promise to preserve the Internet as the most democratic medium in communication history will be honored. What’s at stake? Network Neutrality — known to many as the Internet’s bill of rights. To break it down, Net…
Foie grasa
Brasserie Pavil listing toward improvement under new chef Rene Bajeaux
Danger Days: The True Lies of the Fabulous Killjoys
Danger Days: The True Lies of the Fabulous Killjoys Label: Reprise Release Date: 2010-12-08 Rated: NONE Genre: Recording The last time we heard from My Chemical Romance, frontman Gerard Way was leading a black parade of gloom, doom, and general misery. That was four years ago. Things have changed a bit for pop-punk’s most theatrical…
Libra Scale
Libra Scale Label: Def Jam Release Date: 2010-12-08 Rated: NONE Genre: Recording On his fourth album, Ne-Yo relates the tale of three garbagemen-turned-superheroes who can have anything they want, except for love. It’s a creative excuse for our heroes to hook up with as many girls as they can handle, but the sci-fi- and anime-inspired…
Body Talk
Body Talk Label: Cherrytree/Interscope Release Date: 2010-12-08 Rated: NONE Genre: Recording In “Call Your Girlfriend,” the girl, who earlier this year was “Dancing on My Own” and pleading for a reliable fuck buddy in “Hang With Me,” finally gets the last laugh. Now if only she could get the object of her affection to grow…
Jazmine Sullivan
Jazmine Sullivan Label: J/Arista Release Date: 2010-12-08 Rated: NONE Genre: Recording If Jazmine Sullivan’s great twin themes are vulnerability and victimhood, then a lack of experience is her Achilles’ heel — or it was as of 2009’s Fearless, a mostly unremarkable debut that somehow shifted enough units to earn the Philadelphia-bred R&B star a gold…
Ann: An Affectionate Portrait of Ann Richards
Critic’s Pick Release Date: 2010-12-08 Last week, actress Holland Taylor, who readers may know from television shows like Two and a Half Men (she plays Charlie Sheen’s and John Cryer’s mother), The Practice (for which she won an Emmy), and films like Baby Mama and Legally Blond, sat down with the Current to candidly discuss…
Black Nativity
Critic’s Pick Release Date: 2010-12-08 Originally titled Wasn’t It a Mighty Day, Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity first debuted on Broadway in 1961. The Renaissance Guild presents this dramatic retelling of the birth of Christ that transforms traditional hymns and carols into gospel songs, with colored lighting and instrumentation (African drum beats echo Mary’s contractions, for…
Tamales! At Pearl
Critic’s Pick Release Date: 2010-12-08 In what promises to become a new yearly tradition, Pearl Brewery hosts Tamales! At Pearl, a sprawling celebration of the holiday staple. Fifteen finalists have been selected to compete for the title of “Best Tamales in San Antonio” in three categories: Chicken Tamales, Pork Tamales, and Wildcard Tamales. One lucky…
URBAN-15’s Holiday Laser Show
Critic’s Pick Release Date: 2010-12-08 No, it’s not just for kids, but URBAN-15’s “multimedia spectacular” appeals to our inner juvenile. The brain child of “laser artist” Tim Walsh and composer George Cisneros (the team responsible for some of the high-tech lighting effects at this year’s Luminaria celebration), the 45-minute show promises to electrify with 3D…
DJ Mark Farina CD Release
Critic’s Pick Release Date: 2010-12-08 Chicago House pioneer Mark Farina slides into Mink Ultra Lounge this weekend to drop his latest album Mushroom Jazz 7 on local technoheads. A DJ from an age when technique beat mash-ups every time, Farina is known for fluid performances and a signature blend of hip-hop, jazz, downtempo, and dance…
Kid Stuff
Everyone must have thought Scott Schultz was losing it. A few years ago, the father of four quit a great job doing art design for Quicksilver to start a children’s television show. He had zero experience in TV, but he was so disappointed in the programming offered to his kids that he had to act.…
¡Ask a Mexican!
Dear Mexican: Why can AeroMexico Airlines fly through any kind of weather conditions to get to and from the United States, but any kind of little ice sprinkle or heavy wind and domestic airlines in the U.S. cancel two days worth of flights? For two consecutive winters, I’ve had Chicago-to-Houston-to-Leon, Guanajuato, on Continental Airlines, and…
The Sound & The Fury
If you’d like to give while getting out and hearing some timeless music, hit “Salute to the Songs of Lennon” on December 8 (that’s tonight if you grabbed this issue the day it hit the stands, you sexy loyal reader) at Sam’s Burger Joint (330 E. Grayson, samsburgerjoint.com) from 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. The…
Net Neutrality vote will bring one Net to rule them all
On December 21, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will take a long-awaited and historic vote determining whether President Obama’s promise to preserve the Internet as the most democratic medium in communication history will be honored. What’s at stake? Network Neutrality — known to many as the Internet’s bill of rights. To break it down, Net…
Pedicab Confessions with I Ching Gatos, Sons of Sancho, Cherry Street Hookers
Unlike the high drama of VH1’s Storytellers or HBO’s salacious Taxicab Confessions, The Pedicab Bar and Grill’s first installation of its new live show “Pedicab Confessions” relied more on music than the actual musicians for entertainment. I Ching Gatos got things started with its alt-rock love song called “Spraypaint.” Lead singer/guitarist Joe Sanchez reminisced about…
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In the coming weeks, life will beguile you with secrets and riddles but probably not reveal as much as you’d like. I think this is an opportunity, not a problem. In my opinion, your task isn’t to press for shiny clarity, but rather to revel in the luxuriant mysteries. Let them…
Evil Olive: great bite, late night
When an early morning fire destroyed Pizza Italia in March of 2009, Northsiders temporarily lost popular live music venue Jack’s Patio Bar in addition to their local pizzeria. Though I was never clear on whether Jack’s sustained damages from the fire — it was located alongside Pizza Italia in the wooden-planked Thousand Oaks/Jones Maltsberger strip…
SA delegation may toughen SA’s driving-while-texting ban
In April, a Council Consideration Request was submitted by District 4 Councilmember Leticia Cantu to contemplate a San Antonio law banning texting and driving. It was the first step towards a law that would ban any non-call use of cell phones while driving in the Alamo City. “First and foremost, I would like to reduce…
Hot buttered rum . . . with poker
Hot pokers! Sultry spices! Robust Rums! Gobs of molten butter! Shipwreck booty … OK, the booty is an exaggeration and the pokers are optional (but surely fun to contemplate). But hot buttered rum is really only reasonable at this time of year. And it does seem like a try-this-at-home drink. Especially if a fireplace is…
Interview: Ann made her do it
Last week, actress Holland Taylor, who readers may know from television shows like Two and a Half Men (she plays Charlie Sheen’s and John Cryer’s mother), The Practice (for which she won an Emmy), and films like Baby Mama and Legally Blond, sat down with the Current to candidly discuss Ann: An Affectionate Portrait of…
The Queque – December 8, 2010
Badfingers San Antonio’s no-texting law hasn’t racked up much police response after two months on the books. So far, only seven warnings have been issued during a 90-day “grace period” phasing in the law. Austin got a head start on us with a February ordinance, but even they’re still having problems raising revenue nabbing texters.…
Climate clash
CANCúN, Mexico — Imagine you live on an island, a tropical paradise. Turquoise waters rise and fall at the shore’s edge. The ocean’s rhythmic sounds lull you into a sense of security. All feels right in your island home. Then reality hits: You’re a lifelong resident of an island in the Seychelles archipelago in the…
Inside the Checkpoints
Governor Rick Perry is unquestionably the governor of a border state … but he’s no fronterizo. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy could fly across the Atlantic and, at a Berlin Wall ceremony, could in solidarity declare to the cheers of the German masses, “Ich bin ein Berliner!” (“I am a citizen of Berlin”). In…
¡Lucharán!
When I get to Joe Lopez’s Gallista Gallery — a Southside art space Lopez downplays as rustic but strikes me as alive with color and culture — I encounter three artists drinking beer and listening to an oldies station. They’re building a platform for an upcoming art show/performance/wrestling extravaganza. Rudos y Tecnicos will feature roughly…
‘Straight’ talk
Going to Straight at Attic Rep feels like having an intimate conversation with a good friend and getting to hear him tell a really funny story filled with intrigue and private revelations. The spotlight remains on its single actor, David Schmader, who for one hour and forty-five minutes performs a confessional monologue describing Religious Right…
Macho roller presses First Friday memorial
On an otherwise lean weekend for San Antonio’s monthly First Friday art openings, Southtown positively vibrated with steamroller tomfoolery and was abuzz with its diesel report. And some notably pleasant surprises were found with a little excavation of the more extraneous hodgepodge. For five years, San Antonio’s StoneMetal Press has been making large-scale prints of…
‘Subversia’ author stalks society’s margins
I tell actor and author D. R. Haney that it feels like it’s always night in the Los Angeles of Subversia, his new collection of nonfiction stories, and he laughs. As a matter of fact, I’m interviewing him over the phone in the middle of the night while he sits outside a friend’s house. “I…
Critical Darling
Many moons have passed and many celebrity couples have split since last this column was published in the Current. In those days, I was a staffer at the paper, only half as critical and half as darling (and half as literate) as I am today. If this were an Academy Award acceptance speech, I’d thank…
Feeling Groovy
For people who say groove can’t be taught, meet drummer Stanton Moore. A founding member of Galactic, New Orleans’ jazz-funk fusion group with a cult following, Moore knows how to go with the flow, which most recently culminated in the group’s acclaimed 2010 release Ya-Ka-May, featuring several other N’awlins notables. But along the way, Moore…
The animator’s apprentice
Nine-year-old Michael Wolf Sepulveda focuses intently on the 8-inch puppet he holds in his hands. Working in a small studio space at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Gallery, Sepulveda, a fourth-grader from Mount Sacred Heart School, bends the soldering wire running under the puppet’s tiny plaid shirt and jeans to get him into perfect position…
Foie grasa
Years ago, when I was living in Hawaii, I got wasted in the kitchen of a movie producer with a chef who is of national prominence on the Food Network. We were inattentive with wine and burned some shrimp beyond recognition before passing out beneath a Warhol-like four-paneled painting as the waves from the Pacific…
Enter the mainstream
You wouldn’t have seen a movie like The Warrior’s Way in the multiplexes a generation or two ago. The film — now playing everywhere — is a martial-arts extravaganza starring Dong-gun Jang, a South Korean actor who’s appeared in some of his country’s biggest blockbusters. Before Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon crashed into mainstream theaters a…
Guenther House: Currier & Ives in the Alamo City
Anyone even the least bit susceptible to the devious charms of the Christmas season, and that includes more of us than might be willing to admit, should just give in and get thee over to the Guenther House in King William. The house itself, completed in 1860, has sufficient Victorian vibes to do the job…
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
We have a weird instant-prejudice against movies with colons in the title, but here we are at the third heavily CGI’d installment of the adaptations of the series of English children’s books. If you’ve never read the books and haven’t been to Narnia yet, movie-wise, this is probably not the best place to check in.…
