Cover Story
Comic Gabriel Iglesias says his San Antonio residency marks his escape from COVID house arrest
For comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, 2020 felt like he was under house arrest. With no live shows for more a year, he waited for someone like Dr. Anthony Fauci — the comic calls him “Dr. Foochi” — to come on TV and tell him what the next steps were and to listen for any hints about…
As Texas raises death toll from February freeze, a study suggests lawmakers didn’t fix root cause
A new report from University of Texas at Austin energy experts lays much of the blame for power outages during the state’s deadly February freeze on the failure of natural gas producers to fully weatherize their facilities. “The natural gas system could not meet demand,” the authors of the 101-page study wrote. “The production losses…
San Antonio Reggae Festival will be jamming in Rosedale Park later this month
The San Antonio Reggae Festival will return on Saturday, July 31, bringing chill vibes to Rosedale Park for its sixth year. The all-day event will feature 10 reggae acts, including headliner Kevin “Mighty Mystic” Holness and the Hard Roots Movement Band. If Holness’ name rings a bell to anyone familiar with Caribbean current events, it may be because he’s…
San Antonio’s Dog Haus Biergarten to give away free food next week on National Hot Dog Day
New San Antonio arrival Dog Haus Biergarten — known for over-the-top gourmet hot dogs and handcrafted sausages — is celebrating the national food holiday of its namesake by giving away free wieners on Wednesday, July 21. Users of the California-based chain’s mobile app will automatically see the free reward on July 21, which happens to be…
Lawsuit seeks to block new Texas law banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy
Abortion rights advocates sued the state of Texas Tuesday to block a new law banning abortion as early as six weeks into a pregnancy and deputizing people to file lawsuits against those who help a woman obtain the procedure. The plaintiffs are asking a U.S. District Court in Austin to block Senate Bill 8 before it…
OPERA San Antonio’s 2021-22 season will feature classics from Mozart and Verdi
After returning to the stage in May with Gaetano Donizetti’s bloody Lucia di Lammermoor, OPERA San Antonio (OSA) has announced its forthcoming slate of live performances. For its 2021-22 season, the homegrown opera company is playing the hits, starting with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni — the storied composer’s take on the legendary tales of Don Juan…
UFC warns its athletes of Texas’ stringent anti-marijuana testing rules ahead of Houston event
While there are signs the sporting world is having a moment of reckoning when it comes to athletes’ use of cannabis, Texas clearly isn’t at the forefront of that thought revolution. In advance of the UFC 265 event in Houston this summer, combatants in the mixed martial arts championship received a memo warning them that the…
Wild Barley Kitchen and Brewery to take over San Antonio’s recently closed Taco Garage
Wild Barley Kitchen Co. — a San Antonio food trailer known for wood-fired sourdough bagels, bread and pizza — will expand its footprint by taking over the spot occupied by the recently shuttered Lee’s El Taco Garage. On Tuesday, the food truck operator announced that it will locate Wild Barley Kitchen and Brewery in the…
LA-based Dave’s Hot Chicken planning Texas expansion that will include stores north of San Antonio
Texas is newly awash in hot chicken spots, but that’s not stopping Los Angeles-based Dave’s Hot Chicken from planning a 10-store expansion along the Interstate 35 corridor. The four-year-old fast-casual brand unveiled plans for new restaurants in Austin, New Braunfels, San Marcos and Waco. Precise locations of those stores are still in the works, since…
After fleeing during winter freeze, Ted Cruz blasts Texas Democrats for fleeing to kill GOP voting bill
It’s hard to tell whether U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, suffers more from a lack of a filter or a lack of any sense of shame. Either way, Cruz went on Fox News Tuesday morning to blast Democrats in the Texas Legislature for jetting to Washington, D.C., in a bid to kill off a GOP-backed…
San Antonio woman will make history as oldest U.S. judo competitor in Olympic Games
The Alamo City will have a history-making presence in the Tokyo Olympics when Team USA’s judo athletes take to the mats. When she competes in this year’s games, San Antonio’s Nina Cutro-Kelly, 36, will be the oldest U.S. Olympic judoka in the sport’s 57-year history. Cutro-Kelly is a fifth-degree black belt with more than 15…
Cinematic Spillover: Short reviews of Black Widow, Summertime and The Phantom
The big news over the weekend was that Marvel’s newest movie Black Widow pulled down $80 million at the domestic box office and an additional $60 million from Disney+. It’s a big pay day for everyone involved in the MCU, but was it worth the wait? Along with Black Widow, we look at two independent…
Study suggests weed smokers are good at decision-making, struggle with memory recall
A recent study found that potent cannabis use can lead to, uh, what were we saying? Oh, right. Cannabis use has the potential to impair memory function, but won’t impact users’ decision-making skills. That’s according to researchers at Washington State University, who tested high-potency cannabis by observing 80 volunteers who agreed to purchase and use…
Startup app to support San Antonio indie coffee shops this month by offering $1 cups of joe
A Seattle-based tech startup called joe — their lowercase on the first letter, not ours — has launched a promotion to drive customers to locally owned coffee spots by picking up at least part of their tab. The company — an ordering and rewards app for independent coffee shops — dubbed the deal “Dolla Java Days” because it…
Democrats in Texas House flying to Washington in bid to shut down voter-restriction bill
With a national spotlight shining on the Texas GOP’s second try at ramming through legislation that would make it harder to vote in the state, Democrats in the Texas House plan to leave Austin, denying a quorum, the Texas Tribune reports. House Democrats will fly to Washington, D.C., on Monday afternoon, sources familiar with the…
Former San Antonio mayor Julián Castro lands spot as analyst on NBC News and MSNBC
Julián Castro may not have grabbed the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, but just the same, he’s landed a new national political platform. The former San Antonio mayor and Obama housing secretary announced Monday via Twitter that he’s joined NBC News and MSNBC as a political analyst. “I’m looking forward to sharing my perspective and hopes for…
Teacher from San Antonio to appear on Jeopardy’s Tuesday episode
This week’s slate of Jeopardy contestants includes a teacher repping the 2-1-0. On Tuesday, the quiz show will feature Lauren Fisk, who’s originally from San Antonio, according to a press released provided by CBS. Alamo City LeVar Burton fans may be disappointed to hear that despite finally landing the guest hosting gig for the show,…
San Antonio restaurants received more than $120 million from SBA’s pandemic revitalization fund
San Antonio bars and eateries received more than $120 million in Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants, according to a comprehensive database released last week by the U.S. Small Business Administration. More than 18,000 restaurants across Texas applied for the federal dollars, which were intended to offset pandemic-related losses. The fund ran out of money just a…
New Braunfels Wurstfest unveils details for 2021 festivities
Last year was harrowing time for in-person gatherings, but with 2021 well underway, nearby New Braunfels is ready to make the best of the Wurst. Beloved beer-and-sausage celebration New Braunfels Wurstfest will return this fall in all its splendor after two fires damaged its event venue in 2019 and the gathering was was cancelled in…
San Antonio’s Laika Cheesecakes will open a second shop, this time on the far North Side
The Rim shopping center will soon have one more spot catering to sweet-toothed San Antonians. Laika Cheesecakes and Espresso plans to open a its second location at the sprawling retail complex, mySA reports. The Alamo Heights eatery will bring its cheesecakes in a jar and other sweet treats to 5311 N. Loop 1604 West, Suite…
GOP voting bills advance in Texas House and Senate after overnight committee hearings
The second round of the Texas voting bill fight kicked off with haste this weekend as Republicans worked to rapidly push through new restrictions in overnight hearings. Just a few days into a 30-day special legislative session, a Texas House committee voted early Sunday morning to advance a revived GOP-backed bill that would bring back…
How COVID-19 vaccines were made so quickly without cutting corners
Six months after the first COVID-19 shots started going into arms in the United States, the pace of vaccination has slowed. That’s prompted White House officials to scale back their goal of getting at least one dose to 70 percent of all U.S. adults by July 4; they’re now aiming for 70 percent of those…
Texas Senate bill seeks to strip required lessons on people of color and women from ‘critical race theory’ law
Texas lawmakers have filed at least three bills targeting how racism, current events and the country’s founding principles are taught in K-12 schools — including a senate bill that would strip out upcoming requirements that students learn white supremacy is “morally wrong” and study particular writings by women and people of color. Senate Bill 3 features…
Singhs Vietnamese, Smoke BBQ: San Antonio’s biggest food stories of the week
If this week’s food news shows us anything, it’s that Saytown’s restaurant scene is full of fighters. Two well-known eateries suffered devastating damage to their buildings, but both are working to regroup. On top of that, a pair local chefs are duking it out in separate TV culinary competitions. Read on to see all of…
San Antonio eatery The Moon’s Daughters named one of the best in Texas by business travel mag
San Antonio’s hotel restaurants have come a long way, as evidenced by some impressive spring openings. Now, at least one publication from outside the city is taking note. Business Jet Traveler last month named The Moon’s Daughters at the newly opened Thompson San Antonio hotel one the top five restaurants in Texas. Contributing to its spot on…
Michael Neff of San Antonio’s forthcoming Bar Loretta develops drink for canned cocktail line
The canned cocktail category may be getting oversaturated, but one new offering has a San Antonio tie that local drinkers may be willing to get behind. Michael Neff, the mind behind the drink menu at Southtown’s much-anticipated Bar Loretta, unveiled a recent partnership with Drifter Craft Cocktails. The Houston-based mixologist lent his talents to create…
As Delta variant spreads in U.S., COVID-19 cases and positivity rate rising in Bexar County
Mirroring a national trend, COVID-19 cases increased this week in Bexar County, as has the area’s positivity rate, Metro Health warned Friday. The seven-day rolling average for cases in the San Antonio area is now 126 per day, compared to last week’s 104 per day. What’s more, the positivity rate ticked up to 5.8% this week,…
Greg Abbott’s dog, Bonham Exchange: The top 10 headlines in San Antonio this week
This week, San Antonio Current readers had plenty to be up in arms about. After taking flack for vetoing an animal cruelty bill, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted a cute picture of his dog on the Fourth of July, kicking off even more social media ire. Locally, a San Antonio police officer served up yet…
New Black- and female-owned tequila company Ego will bring its spirits to San Antonio this summer
San Antonio tequila aficionados may take special interest in Ego Tequila, a new Black- and female-owned tequila brand making its way to the Alamo City this summer. In an industry dominated by white men and celebrity vanity brands, Rikki Kelly, the owner of the DFW-based company, is making waves as the first Black woman in…
North San Antonio seafood spot Costa Pacifica now offering paleta-ritas to beat the heat
San Antonio natives may recall chasing the neighborhood paletero down the street for an icy respite from the heat as a kid. Now, Costa Pacifica has amped up the nostalgic childhood treat with a decidedly adult ingredient: tequila. The Alamo City seafood spot is now offering a paleta-rita series for the month of July, featuring…
Giant new beer garden Camp 1604 coming to Northwest San Antonio this fall
The area around Northwest San Antonio’s Rim Crossing Entertainment District will gain another attraction in September — a massive new indoor-outdoor beer garden called Camp 1604, MySA reports. Austin-based KPG Hospitality, which is also developing the adjacent Kung Fu Saloon restaurant and arcade, expects to open Camp 1604 this summer. The focus will be on San Antonio…
Michelada Festival will bring the iconic beer cocktail, music and more to San Antonio on July 17
Fans of South Texas’ beloved spicy beer cocktail will be able to indulge in numerous samples of at this year’s Michelada Festival, which will also bring DJ sets, vendors and more to east-of-downtown entertainment venue The Espee on Saturday, July 17. Michelada maestros will serve up their signature concoctions, which fans know are more complex…
City of San Antonio and Spurs co-host COVID-19 vaccination event at AT&T Center
In honor of Mayor Ron Nirenberg naming July 10 “SA Vaccine Day,” the City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Spurs are hosting a vaccination event at the AT&T Center. Along with gaining crucial protection from COVID-19 as the more-contagious and more-deadly Delta variant is on the rise, attendees will get the chance to…
Assclown Alert: The John the Baptist of conspiracy theories brought his schtick to Texas
Assclown Alert is a column of opinion, analysis and snark. You can almost always count on assclowns breaking news at the National Religious Broadcasters convention. And right-wing evangelist Hank Kunneman and MyPillow guy Mike Lindell certainly didn’t let us down at the NRB’s annual gathering last month in Dallas. During a live taping of the show…
New release collects the works of one-of-a-kind San Antonio composer ‘Blue’ Gene Tyranny
San Antonio native “Blue” Gene Tyranny, a 20th century musical genius, died in December 2020, leaving behind a legacy of work alongside artists including the Stooges, Carla Bley and, most significantly, Robert Ashley, with whom he created the monumental TV opera Perfect Lives. For many, though, his finest solo work was his 1977 album Out…
Watchdog group targets Texas AG Ken Paxton over his bid to overturn the presidential election
A government watchdog group has targeted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as an “enemy of progress,” saying he’s one of 13 ultra-conservative state attorneys general using their power to derail the efforts of the Biden administration. In a report released Thursday, Washington, D.C.-based Accountable.US identified Paxton as one of the Republican AGs creating a “unified roadblock…
Beyond Mediterranean: Zaatar Lebanese Grill serves up regional specialties worthy of exploring
The spice mix known as za’atar — typically a blend of thyme, oregano, salt, sesame seeds and the puckery dried berry known as sumac — is a thread running through Middle Eastern dishes from Amman to Tehran. The San Antonio geographical equivalent may well be the corner of Bluemel and Wurzbach roads, a block west of Interstate…
What’s in the new voting restriction legislation introduced in the Texas House and Senate
With the Texas Legislature gaveled back in for legislative overtime, the House and Senate have each revealed their opening bids in the GOP’s push to enact new voting restrictions, finding common ground on proposals to narrow local control of elections. Unlike during the spring’s regular legislative session, Republicans from both chambers appear more closely aligned…
Site reimagines San Antonio as Inception-style dreamscape ahead of the film’s anniversary
Travel deal site Next Vacay has released a series of mind-bending artwork showing major cities as they might have appeared in the 2010 blockbuster hit Inception. Among them was our own Alamo City. Ahead of the film’s 11th anniversary, Next Vacay redesigned 11 iconic U.S. skylines in the trippy style of the science fiction film. For…
Seasoning brand Tajín, a San Antonio favorite, launching new hot sauces, including Chamoy flavor
San Antonio has no shortage of spots to snag a beer or cocktail dressed with spicy Tajín seasoning, and now the beloved brand has branched out into hot sauce. The brand’s new condiment comes in both a mild and a fruity chamoy variety. Tajín Mild Hot Sauce is made with a “blend of 100% natural…
South Texas animal shelter shares clip of clever cat’s Mission Impossible-esque escape attempt
A Lone Star State feline just put out an audition tape for the next Mission Impossible sequel. Located an hour south of San Antonio in Jourdanton, Atascosa County Animal Control found itself in possession of a particularly crafty cat who learned how to escape from its holding cages. On Tuesday, the shelter posted a Facebook…
San Antonio’s Café Azteca moving to new South Side location
Café Azteca, known for classic Mexican and Latin American dishes as well as coffee-centric drinks plans to reopen in a new location on San Antonio’s South Side, MySA reports. Last March, COVID-19 shutdowns forced the shop — then located at 1409 E. Commerce St. – to close and ride out the pandemic. Its survival strategy…
San Antonio’s Smoke BBQ to host Hell’s Kitchen competitor meet and greet, watch party
For fans of reality cooking shows, San Antonio is suddenly full of hometown celebs. In recognition of that burgeoning star power, downtown’s Smoke BBQ+Skybar will host a free Monday, July 12 event in which fans of the intense Hell’s Kitchen series can meet three of its competitors, including one from San Antonio. Foodies will have…
The Fiesta San Antonio Commission has sold its Broadway building to offset COVID setbacks
The Fiesta San Antonio Commission has sold its Broadway headquarters building and retail store to a local developer to help offset the financial blow of the pandemic, the Express-News reports. The nonprofit organizer of San Antonio’s annual citywide party suffered back-to-back blows as the COVID-19 crisis shut down its 2020 event then slashed the size…
Rep. Chip Roy of Texas says he wants ’18 more months of chaos and the inability to get stuff done’
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, whose district includes San Antonio, was captured on video saying he wants “18 more months of chaos and the inability to get stuff done” in Washington as the GOP vies to flip the House and Senate in 2022. On Tuesday, Activist Lauren Windsor shared the Republican congressman’s comments as part of leaked video shot…
Slab Cinema brings ’80s classic The Goonies to Travis Park on Tuesday
If you’re of a certain age, The Goonies is a part of your formative years. And by a certain age, we’re talking about Gen X. Let’s state the obvious first: the kid’s adventure film’s portrayal of Asian-American character Data is pretty racist by today’s standards, and the portrayal of the physically deformed character Sloth is…
Federal judge rules that Air Force largely responsible for Sutherland Springs massacre
A federal judge ruled that the U.S. Air Force bears primary responsibility for the Sutherland Springs massacre because it failed to enter the shooter’s criminal history into a database that should have kept him from buying guns, the Associated Press reports. In a ruling signed Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez in San Antonio said…
San Antonio’s Black Laboratory Brewing hosting Friday pop-up with over-the-top burgers, hot dogs
When a pop-up menu item is dubbed the Cheesus Christ, consider us intrigued. Local food truck Dogmatic will serve up just that cheesy, provocatively named burger, along with other over-the-top sandos and hot dogs at a Friday evening pop-up at East Side brewery Black Laboratory. The above-mentioned burger is a double-meat special smothered in multiple…
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo will return to San Antonio’s Tobin Center in October
San Antonio will get a nostalgic fix of ’80s radio rock this fall with the return of singer Pat Benatar and husband-slash-longtime guitarist Neil Giraldo, who have spent recent years touring as a duo. The couple will perform at the Tobin Center’s H-E-B Auditorium on Tuesday, October 26. Their last San Antonio performance took place…
Houston’s Clutch City Cluckers will locate new hot-chicken food truck in San Antonio
Gluttons for culinary punishment will soon have another hot chicken option to try out. Houston-based Clutch City Cluckers will permanently locate its second food truck in San Antonio next month, serving up spicy bird in a variety of applications. The mobile kitchen will post up at 7038 UTSA Blvd. in Northwest San Antonio, according to a recent Facebook…
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott releases special session agenda focused on voter restrictions, culture war bills
Get ready for a special legislative session long on attempts to curb voting restrictions and fan the flames of the culture war. On Wednesday, a day ahead of this summer’s special session of the Texas Legislature, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott unveiled the agenda for the gathering, which reads like wish list for conservative lawmakers. The…
San Antonio’s Cherrity Bar announces acts for summer music series
What began as an outlet for San Antonio musicians hit hard by the pandemic has morphed into an ongoing music series that’s given thousands of dollars to local performers. Continuing its music showcase launched during the COVID crisis, Cherrity Bar has unveiled the July lineup for its Summer Concert Series, featuring country act Band of…
Live Music in San Antonio this Week: Squeezebox Bandits, Delta Bombers, Pat Green and more
San Antonio music fans are in store for an extra helping of Texas in their ear food this week. A Fort Worth-based outfit that mixes Tejano and country is gigging in the Alamo City, as are two beloved Texas country troubadours and a homegrown guitar hero. And for those who’d rather enjoy tunes from outside…
Comedian Bill Maher stops by San Antonio with one-night performance at Majestic Theatre
Leave it to comedian and talk show host Bill Maher to say something that gets under the skin of both conservatives and liberals alike. These days, it’s happening nearly every week during his hour-long HBO talk show Real Time with Bill Maher. In the past month, Maher has shared his opinion on topics including comedian…
San Antonio’s Smoke BBQ will donate concert funds to Comfort Café’s flooded flagship spot
Comfort Café is getting a hand from downtown’s Smoke BBQ+Skybar as the nationally lauded brunch spot rebuilds from a massive flood that ravaged its flagship Bandera Road location. After being inundated by the heavy rains that hit parts of San Antonio Monday and Tuesday, Comfort Café closed the Bandera Road eatery until further notice. In a…
San Antonio detective suspended over derogatory social media post — his second such punishment
A San Antonio police officer who faced a prior suspension for making inappropriate social media posts was again disciplined for his online activities, KSAT reports. The San Antonio Police Department in May handed Detective Rudy Guzman a 20-day suspension for a social media exchange related to the presidential inauguration, according to the TV station, citing disciplinary…
Man shot by paintball rounds during last summer’s George Floyd protest sues city of San Antonio
A man allegedly at the center of a widely shared video showing him being shot by a police officer using paintball rounds during one of last summer’s George Floyd protest has sued the city of San Antonio. The lawsuit, filed in Bexar County District Court, alleges an unknown San Antonio officer shot 24-year old plaintiff Alexander…
My Fair Lady at the Majestic Theatre marks return of touring Broadway musicals to San Antonio
The Lincoln Center Theater’s acclaimed production of Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady is coming to the Majestic Theatre in September, making it the first touring Broadway production to return to San Antonio post-pandemic. And hey, after being stuck in our houses for the best part of the last year, we all could use a…
Texans with disabilities fear voting will get harder for them as special session on GOP restrictions nears
It took Nancy Crowther three hours, four public bus rides and an impressive amount of gumption to make sure her vote counted in the 2020 election. She’s hoping Texas lawmakers don’t make it even harder the next time. With Texas Republicans determined to enact additional voting restrictions in the upcoming special legislative session, much of…
After 16 months of closure, San Antonio’s Bonham Exchange will reopen July 23 with new upgrades
Iconic downtown dance club the Bonham Exchange will ring in its return to the nightlife scene with a three-night grand opening later this month. Friday, July 23 will mark the first night the club, located at 411 Bonham St., welcomes back revelers after closing 16 months ago during the onset of the pandemic. Its reopening…
Happy Return: After 469 days, I’m back to the theater and ready for more visits
When I walked out of a press screening at the Santikos Palladium on March 10, 2020, I had no idea that it would take me 15 months to see another movie at a theater. To be precise, an entire 469 days would pass before I felt comfortable enough to walk back into a movie house…
GOP group asking Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to make medical pot a priority during special session
GOP marijuana reform advocates are asking Gov. Greg Abbott to prioritize expansion of the state’s medical marijuana program during the special session which gets underway Thursday. Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition (RAMP) wants the Republican governor to use his power to put items on the session agenda that would expand the type of patients who can…
San Antonio’s Bihl Haus Arts reopens gallery with botanically-inspired exhibition on Friday
After being closed for months due to the pandemic, Bihl House Arts reopens its doors on Friday with the new exhibition “Botanical Sensations.” An opening reception will feature live music by Lucero Villa, poolside food, drinks and paletas. The dual exhibition features work by artists Carmen Oliver and Daniela Oliver de Portillo, who are mother…
San Antonio officer involved in reported 2018 road rage shootout arrested for DWI, failure to stop
A San Antonio police officer reportedly involved in a headline-grabbing road rage incident from 2018 was arrested Monday on charges stemming from an alleged drunk driving collision. Officer Dezi Rios, 38, faces misdemeanor charges of DWI and failure to stop and provide information, the San Antonio Police Department said in an emailed statement. He was taken…
After vetoing animal cruelty bill, Texas Gov. Abbott tweeted a July 4 pic of his dog. It didn’t go well.
Days after facing a social media firestorm for vetoing a bipartisan bill barring Texans from using heavy chains to tether their dogs outside, Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted a Fourth of July greeting from his golden retriever, Pancake. You can guess how well that went over. Twitter users excoriated the Republican governor shortly after he posted…
Singhs Vietnamese to reopen Tuesday after vehicle crashed into St. Mary’s Strip restaurant
After an accused drunk driver smashed into Singhs Vietnamese over the weekend, the St. Mary’s Strip restaurant is already back in business. According to an Instagram post, Singhs will reopen today from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The restaurant also launched a GoFundMe to help pay for building repairs, replace broken fixtures and aid employees…
Car smashes into Singhs Vietnamese on San Antonio’s St. Mary’s Strip overnight
A car plowed into the front of St. Mary’s Strip fixture Singhs Vietnamese around 2 a.m. Sunday, taking out the restaurant’s front wall but stopping before it struck the order counter and kitchen. As construction crews worked to clear debris on Sunday afternoon, Eric Treviño, a partner in the popular eatery, said he hopes to…
State museum canceled book event examining slavery’s role in Battle of the Alamo after Texas GOP leaders complained, authors say
A promotional event for a book examining the role slavery played leading up to the Battle of the Alamo that was scheduled at the Bullock Texas State History Museum on Thursday evening was abruptly canceled three and a half hours before it was scheduled to begin. Authors of the book, titled Forget the Alamo, and…
Peachy Keen: In season right now, Hill Country peaches make a fine addition to summer drinks
It’s the peak of Hill Country peach season, and they’re now overflowing from bushels at roadside stands and farmer’s markets. While cobblers and pies are fine vessels for the succulent fruit, they also add juicy appeal to a variety of summer sippers. Enter three San Antonio food and beverage gurus, who offered up instructions on…
Cinematic Spillover: Short reviews of The Forever Purge, The Tomorrow War, Summer of Soul and more
We’re back with Cinematic Spillover — a run-through of as many of the new movies hitting theaters and streaming platforms we can watch and review each week. At the start of July, we have four new films — the horror sequel The Forever Purge, music documentary Summer of Soul, sci-fi action flick The Tomorrow War…
San Antonio chef Tim McDiarmid to compete in special series of Food Network’s Chopped
The Food Network has certainly figured out that the Alamo City is full of exceptional culinary talent. SA chef Tim McDiarmid, local caterer and founder of The Good Kind Hospitality Group, is the latest to be roped into the network’s reality competition series Chopped. McDiarmid will appear on the July 13* episode of the “Alton’s…
These San Antonio businesses are celebrating Independence Day with food-centric events
It’s nearly Independence Day, and many locally-owned bars and restaurants are making it easy for San Antonians to celebrate their freedom to eat whatever the hell they want with holiday meal deals and events. We rounded up a handful of local deals — with diverse cuisines, to boot — to whet your appetite for discounted…
New documentary Juanito’s Lab chronicles the growth and struggles of a San Antonio musical prodigy
It’s a wave; that’s the way my music comes when we play,” San Antonio musician Juanito Castillo says at the opening of Juanito’s Lab, a new film documenting 15 years of his life. “It’s a wave when we jam. It hits you, and it keeps hitting you.” As viewers watch the nearly two-hour documentary unfold,…
San Antonio’s CineFestival returns in person for 42nd annual film fest
San Antonio’s original Latinx film festival is back and in person this year for its 42nd annual iteration. This year’s CineFestival, made possible with a $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, will include 80 short and feature films — 60% of them made in Texas. One of those, the documentary Juanito’s Lab…
San Antonio’s Rosella Coffee to debut new wine bar, extended hours at flagship location
The first location of locally-owned coffee empire Rosella will add new hours to serve vino and craft beer this weekend, according to a Friday social media post. While the 203 East Jones shop has always offered a curated selection of wine and craft brew, Friday marks the unveiling of a dedicated wine bar extension at…
Slab Cinema to screen Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited in San Antonio’s Legacy Park
Get ready for whimsy in the park with this sundown screening of accessible auteur Wes Anderson’s 2007 film. By the time The Darjeeling Limited was released, Anderson’s stylistic quirks were well known, and they’re certainly on display in this colorful film. A family that’s quirky and lovable? The plot revolves around the reunion of three…
Pabst Blue Ribbon, Taco Cabana: San Antonio’s biggest food stories of the week
SA was awash in big news this week, in every sense of the word. From huge acquisitions to huge changes to pre-Prohibition alcohol laws to literal giant boxes of beer, click through for this week’s biggest food news. San Antonio-based Pabst Brewing is marketing a 1,776-pack of beer, ‘because 1,777 seemed excessive’ San Antonio-based Taco…
Shitty Beaches, Jared Padalecki: The top 10 headlines in San Antonio this week
This week, the Current’s readers were deep in the shit. Our most read story this week was a recap of Environment Texas Research and Policy Center’s annual poop report, which analyzes the levels of fecal indicator bacteria along the Texas Coast. Other popular articles looked at crappy behavior by everyone from SA-native Jared Padalecki — who…
Here’s where you can see fireworks in and around San Antonio on the Fourth of July
Last Fourth of July, fireworks shows were cancelled due to nationwide social distancing efforts to curb the pandemic. This year, however, Independence Day fireworks are back with a (literal) bang. Still haven’t decided where to celebrate? We’ve compiled a list of notable events in and around San Antonio where you can get your spark on.…
San Antonio-area teen snags $180,000 scholarship via Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps
Elizabeth Flynn, of nearby Helotes, was awarded a $180,000 Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Scholarship on June 24, during a special presentation at the Alamo. The 2021 graduate of Sandra Day O’Connor High School will be attending the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute this fall, majoring in nuclear engineering. Upon graduation, Flynn will then enter the Navy…
Capturing the Moment: Artist Jennifer Balkan explores the here and now with ‘Pan-demon-ium’
Alamo Heights might not be an obvious destination for contemporary art, but that hasn’t deterred Ana Montoya — a Nuevo Laredo native who opened her namesake AnArte Gallery in 2001. Situated in The Collection shopping center, AnArte is approachable and colorful — two qualities Montoya holds dear. Mirroring the often-vibrant works on the wall, not to mention…
San Antonio Food Bank provides 70,000 meals for kids via NCAA partnership
The 2021 NCAA Women’s DI Basketball Championship took place in SA this year, though it looked a bit different at 17% capacity. Through a Fan Cutout promotion, however, the San Antonio Food Bank was able to rustle up over $10,000 for three area organizations. For $100, fans could purchase a printed likeness of themselves to…
A wrongful execution in Texas points to the fallibility of the death penalty
After years studying errors in death penalty cases, Columbia University law professor James Liebman wondered whether he could prove someone had been executed for a crime they didn’t commit. To test the theory, Liebman turned to Texas, the epicenter of the modern death penalty. In 2004, he and a team of students stumbled upon the…
Not even a dose of self-awareness can steer Fast & Furious’ penultimate sequel back on course
The Fast & Furious saga rages on with the ninth installment of the action movie franchise that started 20 years ago. This time, director Justin Lin, who helmed parts three through six, is back and taking on co-screenwriting duties for the first time alongside Daniel Casey (Kin). Unfortunately, it’s Lin and Casey’s script that has…
A Blue Duiker — an adorable tiny antelope — has been born at the San Antonio Zoo
A new arrival at the San Antonio Zoo puts the “ant” in antelope. On Thursday, the zoo announced the birth of a baby blue duiker, which is a small species of forest-dwelling antelope native to central, eastern and southern Africa. A particularly diminutive species compared to its plains-dwelling cousins, adult blue duikers only grow to…
City of San Antonio World Heritage Office announces new class of chef ambassadors
Six local chefs have been named representatives of San Antonio as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy through 2023. The new ambassadors include Lilla Bernal of the Culinary Institute of America, John Brand of Hotel Emma, David Caceres of La Panaderia, Kelly Daughety of the San Antonio Food Bank, Jesse “Chef Kirk” Kuykendall of both…
San Antonio U.S. Rep. Chip Roy disregards federal mask rules on a commercial airline flight
Say what you will about Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, but he’s been remarkably consistent with his attempts to politicize the pandemic. During the health crisis, the San Antonio-Austin congressman has called COVID-19 a hoax, pushed back at health experts’ advice to limit the size of Thanksgiving gatherings during a spike in cases and been…
New C&W club boot-scooting into San Antonio’s recently closed Cooter Browns dance hall
The owners of San Antonio nightspots the Hangar, Stetson Bar and Stout House plan to open Stetson Dance Hall, a new boot-scootin’ venture in the space that once held shuttered country music venue Cooter Browns. Like its predecessor, Stetson will offer multiple bars, a dance floor and patio, but that’s where the similarities end. New…
Analysis: A critical culture war over how to teach history
A conservative Austin think tank is touting a list of no-nos worthy of Dolores Umbridge, or, if you’re not a Harry Potter fan, of George Orwell. It’s out of the paranoid “if you see something, say something” genre of civics — a topical guide on how to think about a subject that might or, more…
Buffalo Wild Wings opens its third San Antonio GO location, this time on the Northeast Side
Buffalo Wild Wings’ pandemic-born delivery and takeout model has expanded again in the Alamo City, this time on the Northeast Side. BWW has opened a third GO location at 4320 N. Foster Road, bringing the scaled-down concept to the Kirby area. The new stores features a walk-up counter, digital menu boards, limited seating and heated…
There’s so much poop along the Texas Coast, swimming could make you sick, new report says
We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but if you’re heading to the Texas Coast this weekend, there’s a good chance you’ll be swimming in doody. In 2020, 55 out of 61 Texas beaches tested by environmental regulators were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one day that year, according to Safe…
San Antonio-based Taco Cabana sold to California company for $85 million
First Whataburger sold a major stake to a Chicago investor, and now Tex-Mex giant Taco Cabana’s ownership is headed West. Fiesta Restaurant Group, the owner of the iconic San Antonio-based chain, revealed Thursday that it’s selling the 148-store business to franchise operator Yadav Enterprises of Fremont, California. Taco Cabana officials confirmed to the San Antonio Business…
After backing January 6 probe, San Antonio Rep. Tony Gonzales votes against investigative committee
After breaking party lines last month and voting to create an independent commission to probe the deadly January 6 insurrection, Republican U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales has now voted against a committee charged with the same task. The freshman congressman, whose district includes part of San Antonio and a swath of the South Texas border, on…
Texas-based Dave & Buster’s dodges bankruptcy reorganization with new recovery plan
After the pandemic nearly forced it into Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization last fall, Texas-based Dave & Buster’s is hoping a new business plan can put it on the path to a comeback. The arcade-and-restaurant recently announced that it’s acquired seven exclusive new games, pared down its food menu, added new in-store tech and third-party delivery…
Live Music in San Antonio this Week: Snoop Dogg, Jackopierce, Skunkweed and more
Fourth of July weekend is turning out to be a real firecracker for San Antonio’s live music fans. Of course, there’s the chance to see iconic rapper Snoop Dogg at Sunken Garden Theater and equally iconic Americana artist Steve Earle at Gruene Hall. Beyond that, though, other worthy national, regional and local acts will grace…
New family- and dog-friendly food truck park rolling into Northwest San Antonio this weekend
Residents of Northwest San Antonio will soon have a new food truck park to call their own: The Farm. The new family- and dog-friendly spot at 9500 Braun Road will hold a grand opening Saturday, July 3. In addition to fare from mobile kitchens Smokey Boys Barbecue, El Sueño De Lola, Justin’s Joint and The B’s…
Brad Paisley, Ramon Ayala, Styx among artists booked for San Antonio Rodeo’s 2022 season
The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo has pulled back the curtain on its 2022 musical lineup, which will include country star Toby Keith, Norteño heavyweight Ramon Ayala and ’70s rockers Styx. After scaling back this year due to the pandemic, the rodeo is expected to return full-force next year from February 10-27 at the AT&T…
Dungeon Crawler: San Antonio’s monolithic ambient-doom project Crawl lurks in the shadows
“I want to create an immersive experience and instill an image in people when they’re digesting the band,” said Michael Engle, the San Antonio solo artist known as Crawl. “Crawl is basically my attempt to put you in a space like a dungeon, where you’re slowly exploring the environment. Every step is very cautious, and…
Start your engines, because Monster Jam is back in San Antonio this weekend
The mayhem that is Monster Jam is back to take over the city. For one weekend, the Alamodome will roar just a bit louder than usual — and not just with from cheers from the crowd. A lineup of famous, tricked-out monster trucks including Megalodon, Grave Digger and Jurassic Attack will go head-to-head — or bumper-to-bumper? —…
Woodlawn Theatre asks San Antonio to ‘Conga’ with its production On Your Feet!
The Woodlawn Theatre is back in business with On Your Feet!, an upbeat jukebox musical based on the lives and music of the iconic husband-and-wife duo Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Directed by Christopher Rodriguez and featuring Jillian Sainz and Miguel Ochoa as Gloria and Emilio, this production is designed to get audience members dancing along…
The Biden administration praised San Antonio for its vaccination gains, but Texas is lagging behind
On Tuesday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stopped in San Antonio to praise the city for exceeding the White House’s goal of 70% of Americans being at least partially vaccinated by the Fourth of July. “San Antonio is an example to the nation,” Mayorkas tweeted following a tour of the city’s Wonderland of the America’s mass…
Austin-based Torchy’s Tacos poised to open its fifth San Antonio location in July
Austin-born Torchy’s Tacos will continue its culinary invasion of the Taco Capital of the World next week, bringing its self-proclaimed “Damn Good” Tex-Mex to the Northwest Side. Torchy’s fifth San Antonio spot, located at 11654 Bandera Road, is set to open July 7. Expect it to dole out the chain’s over-the-top, hipster-approved tacos — some…
Analysis: Here’s a needed reality check ahead of Gov. Abbott’s border wall photo op with Trump
Gov. Greg Abbott and former President Donald Trump will engage in a photo op on the Texas border Wednesday, a capper to the governor’s announcement that he’ll spend state money to finish the reality-show president’s border wall. The two will hold an 11:30 a.m. briefing on border security, then tour a section of “unfinished border…
‘Zola’ gives proper life to A’Ziah King’s viral Twitter epic — as the lived experience of a Black woman, not a cartoon for the male gaze
“You wanna hear a story about how me and this bitch fell out? It’s kinda long but it’s full of suspense.” That was the tweet that introduced A’Ziah King, aka @Zola, to the world. And in a 140-character world in which threads had yet to become an art form, it was full of suspense (especially if…
