If students were ever excited to get an extended spring break due to COVID-19 school shutdowns, by now they’re probably anxious about falling behind. Fortunately, companies are chipping in right and left to offer their services free of charge to both pupils and educators. Amazon Future Engineer This childhood to career program is designed to…
There’s never been a better time to plug into free content. If cabin fever has you doing some impromptu remodeling or long-put-off yard work, podcasts make perfect companions. These local RSS feeds let us listen in on diverse San Antonians who at least sound like they’re all in the same room. All My Hexes All…
Jay Whitecotton, founder of San Antonio’s Blind Tiger Comedy Club, recently returned from Austin to his hometown to film his new comedy special Jazz Funeral. But instead of releasing it on subscriber-only Amazon Prime Video as originally planned, he uploaded it to YouTube free for anyone to enjoy while stuck at home during quarantine. Whitecotton is…
With seasonal allergies in full effect, it can be easy to assume every cough or body ache is a sign you’re coming down with COVID-19. To ease minds and save medical resources, San Antonio Metro Health has created an online screening questionnaire to help people make informed decisions about whether to contact a medical provider…
We all need a little soothing right now, and what better than the dulcet tones of a piano or a violin? Lucky for us, two San Antonio classical music organizations are streaming past performances online so that we can enjoy them from the safety of our homes. Agarita Chamber Players Collaboration-focused chamber ensemble Agarita started…
First Friday and Second Saturday won’t be happening for the foreseeable future, but thankfully, we can still inundate ourselves with new art. We’ve rounded up a few ways to celebrate contemporary art in San Antonio from the comfort of our couches. San Antonio-based art publication Unfiltered SA has launched an online gallery to showcase local…
San Antonio’s Department of Arts & Culture and the Luminaria Artist Foundation launched a program Wednesday to provide grants to local artists to help them offset lost earnings during the pandemic. The newly minted Corona Arts Relief Program will offer grants of up to $600 to individual Bexar County artists for personal development and to…
For a doctor or nurse, the difference between safely treating a COVID-19 patient and falling ill herself — potentially spreading the virus to other vulnerable patients or her own family — is a thin polymer layer. Amid a national shortage of personal protective equipment, there is growing fear among health care workers across Texas that…
In a CNN interview Tuesday, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg called out Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for his “callous” statement that elderly people should be willing to die of COVID-19 to keep the economy strong. “It’s easy for someone of power and privilege to say something so callous,” Nirenberg said. “What Dan Patrick is coming…
Days after being excoriated on the Interwebs for a tweet joking about the coronavirus, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, now faces accusations of racism for claiming China’s to blame for the outbreak because folks there “eat bats and snakes and dogs.” The comment came after a reporter asked the unflinching Trump ally about the wisdom of…
Digital Drag: An Online Drag Show, which we wrote about last week, is returning to the web Friday, March 27 with San Antonio’s Paradox Rei among the performers. Organized and hosted by Dragula Season 2 winner Biqtch Puddiń and producer Megna, the live-streamed project is a way for drag queens to make up lost income…
The first Texas prisoner has tested positive for the new coronavirus. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said Tuesday the 37-year-old man, who has a preexisting respiratory condition, is being treated at the prison system’s hospital in Galveston and has been there for three days. He was in TDCJ custody a little less than a…
San Antonio-area public schools on Tuesday prolonged their closures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the city and county shelter-in-place order. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s public health emergency declaration requires all school districts to close through at least April 3. However, on Tuesday most of the area’s 19 independent school districts have now extended…
How seriously are San Antonians and Texans — both groups known for their fierce independence — heeding government recommendations to keep social distance? If we can believe Unacast, a company that collects and analyzes smartphone GPS location data, both are doing a pretty good job. On Tuesday, Unacast unveiled its Social Distancing Scoreboard, which gives county-by-county…
The already troubled music industry has taken a massive blow as people self-isolate to avoid COVID-19. Since streaming services have decimated record sales, most musicians make money by touring and selling merchandise on the road. But gigs have been decimated by social distancing rules, and the artist payout from online streaming platforms doesn’t come close…
A second person in San Antonio has died from COVID-19, this one a woman in her 40s. The victim died Tuesday morning at University Hospital, after receiving treatment there, local health officials said. The woman was a part-time employee at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, according to an Express-News report. Leaders at the assembly learned on…
Up from the state’s recent record low unemployment rate of 3.5% in January, Comptroller Glenn Hegar said Thursday the unemployment rate in Texas is now around 9% as the new coronavirus spreads. Hegar said projections as recently as mid-March had unemployment rates rising to 6%. “By the end of the week, no, this thing is…
Evacuees from the Grand Princess cruise ship are beginning to leave their two-week federal quarantine at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson told the Texas Tribune that 97 of the evacuated Americans had been cleared from quarantine Monday night and Tuesday morning. Another 18 are expected to leave…
Editor’s Note: As the coronavirus pandemic escalated into a national crisis, grocery stores have become unexpectedly risky places to work. A Texan Trader Joe’s employee, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation, reached out to the Current to offer perspective on what it’s like to work during this crisis and voice concerns the company may…
Many of us have never experienced anything like the shelter-in-place order handed down Monday by the City of San Antonio and Bexar County. Stands to reason, we’ve got questions. Lots of ’em. To that end, here’s potential good news: city and county officials will be on hand Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. to answer your inquiries…
There’s nothing San Anto loves more than spooky shit. But with a shelter in place order going into effect, we won’t be visiting the Ghost Tracks or seeking out the Donkey Lady anytime soon. Fortunately, two creepy destinations have made it easy to conduct virtual visits during the pandemic crisis. The Winchester Mystery House in…
With shoppers struggling to find basics including eggs, milk and toilet paper during the coronavirus outbreak, some San Antonio restaurants have evolved into temporary grocery stores. Here’s a rundown of local eateries and bars now offering groceries to residents. We’ll continue to update as we learn about more. La Gloria Chef Johnny Hernandez recently launched…
San Antonio isn’t the only big Texas metro ordering residents to hunker down. The state’s biggest cities and counties are issuing similar orders to keep citizens indoors to slow the spread of COVID-19. On Tuesday morning, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo directed all 4.5 million of the county’s residents to stay home and minimize movement.…
Amid the pandemic, gardening is transforming from a hobby into an way to fight food insecurity and build resilience. Local food justice leaders, growers and organizations are working to bring education, information and resources to San Antonio residents in the weeks ahead. Here’s what three of them are doing to bring help to home gardeners: Roots…
In times of crisis, some public servants step up while others fall apart. We’ll leave it up to you to decide which better describes Lt. Gov Dan Patrick. Patrick, a former right-wing radio host, told Fox News Monday night that “lots” of grandparents are willing to die in the COVID-19 pandemic so they can ensure a…
Our state’s governor still isn’t willing to issue a state-wide lockdown to help slow the pandemic, but he’s happy to use the crisis as an excuse to forward his own political agenda. On Monday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a statement saying Gov. Greg Abbott’s order to healthcare facilities to postpone all “not medically…
The San Antonio Police Department is investigating a grocery store on San Antonio’s South Side for price-gouging, according to KSAT. In response to KSAT’s tweet requesting reports of price-gouging, @reneedward79 tweeted a screenshot from Facebook that showed signs marking increased prices for milk, eggs and bottled water, as well as limits of one unit per…
At a Monday evening press conference, San Antonio and Bexar County officials ordered residents to shelter in place for nearly three weeks to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The order will go into effect at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday and remain in place through April 9, unless extended. Under the order, residents will be…
The influx of pollen at the start of spring is causing allergy symptoms in many South Texans right as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the country. While symptoms such as a cough and runny nose can be alarming right now, they may be causing those with seasonal allergy symptoms to fill up waiting rooms and…
The number of diagnosed COVID-19 cases in Bexar County has increased by 12 since Sunday, reaching 57, according to new numbers posted by local health officials. At present, the majority of the cases are still related to travel or close contact, but at least 16 have been transmitted by community spread. Another six are still…
Comptroller Glenn Hegar briefed Texas House members on the state’s economy and budget Sunday night, saying that while it was too soon for specific forecasts, both are expected to take potentially massive hits in the wake of the new coronavirus pandemic, according to multiple people who were on the conference call. The members-only call, led…
San Antonio and Bexar County officials are hashing out details of an order that would require residents to stay home to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the Express-News is reporting. A joint city-county order could come as early as today, according to the daily. Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff have…
In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Feeding Texas — a 21-member statewide network of food banks — has reached out to the Texas Division of Emergency Management and FEMA for help with feeding the growing number of food-insecure households. “Last week we fed about 80,000 people, and we are projected to feed well over…
Look, we get it — not all of us have a raging book-collecting addiction. But, for anyone who’s suddenly found themselves with a bunch of free time and empty shelves at home, here are three great ways to get lit(erary) that also support San Antonio booksellers and authors. Libro.fm If you like to listen to…
Disasters always test leaders, but a pandemic isn’t a hurricane or a tornado. It doesn’t come and go in a day or a week. It’s not confined to a geographic area. It’s invisible. It preys on the social ties that bind us into communities, cities, a state. But that’s what government is for, isn’t it?…
A San Antonio woman in her 80s died at Brooke Army Medical Center after contracting COVID-19, marking the first local death from the outbreak, health officials confirmed Sunday evening. The woman, who had a history of underlying health issues, succumbed to the disease on Saturday. At least among at least six other people across the…
Who woulda thunk that a business built on profiting from the exploitation of animals would appear to thumb its nose at public safety concerns? Surprise surprise, the San Antonio Aquarium — a privately-owned attraction, unlike the non-profit San Antonio Zoo — had to be visited by Leon Valley Police not once but twice on Saturday…
San Antonians are staying home. As well they should. That’s key to preventing the coronavirus pandemic from overwhelming our medical system. But that strategy, however necessary, will have economic consequences for our most vulnerable citizens. People who live paycheck to paycheck, those reliant on tips, those who create art for a living and those in…
After hearing about shortages of hand sanitizer amid the coronavirus pandemic, San Antonio craft distiller and brewer Ranger Creek has started producing it alongside its line of ales and whiskies. The cleaning product has become nearly impossible to locate on store shelves since the start of the outbreak. Now, starting Monday, it be available for…
Beginning Saturday, San Antonio’s VIA Metropolitan Transit stopped collecting fares for VIA fixed-route bus service, VIAtrans trips and VIA Link on-demand services. According to a news release from the transit system, it’s suspending all fares through 1 a.m. on April 1 in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. At that time, VIA will reevaluate and provide…
HOUSTON — Up against a Friday deadline, the broad base of workers in the Texas restaurant industry have asked Gov. Greg Abbott and other officials to waive monthly sales taxes due by the end of the day. Bobby Heugel, owner of several popular bars and restaurants in Houston, said many businesses could ride out the new…
The May 26 primary election runoffs will be delayed until July in response to the growing outbreak of the new coronavirus in Texas under an order signed Friday by Gov. Greg Abbott. Abbott signed the postponement under the emergency powers of his previous statewide disaster declaration. Dozens of runoffs are ongoing for party nominations to…
San Antonio health officials announced Friday that two of its previously reported COVID-19 cases were transmitted through community contact, bringing the total number of community spread infections to eight. The number of locally confirmed cases stayed steady from Thursday to Friday at 29, according to the city. However, officials updated the numbers on the sources…
This week, novelty bakery creators of unique cookies and flavored rice crispy treats Cereal Killer Sweets began offering free meals for people 18 and under to supplement the absence of school lunches during the coronavirus quarantine. “When we found out schools were going to be closed, we said, ‘We’re going to feed the kids,'” CKS Chef…
With its annual 24-hour fundraising marathon originally scheduled in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the Big Give San Antonio seemed down for the count. But that couldn’t be more wrong. Instead of canceling the event and disappearing, the Nonprofit Council quickly pivoted. On Wednesday, the organization announced the Big Give Emergency Relief, a way…
The Bexar Appraisal District wants to freeze property values, and therefore property taxes, amid the COVID-19 outbreak, but will first ask Gov. Greg Abbott for permission to do so. The measure was discussed during an emergency meeting of the Bexar Appraisal District Board of Directors Friday morning. During the meeting, the board decided to delay…
People of all stripes across San Antonio are taking a major financial hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even the Current isn’t immune. However, the art community is no stranger to struggle — and creative solutions. After many galleries, shops, events and other art spaces made the difficult decision to shutter for the foreseeable future,…
Schools may be closed as San Antonio tries to contain the coronavirus pandemic, but students and families are still eligible to pick up free breakfast and lunch. Fourteen school districts are offering curbside pickup for both meals, and the Current recently compiled a list with details. Now, an interactive map put together by nonprofit journalism…
With its employees scrambling to keep up with surging shoppers and pickup orders during the pandemic, San Antonio-based grocery chain H-E-B says it’s giving many of them $2-per-hour raises. All hourly store, manufacturing, warehouse and transportation employees will receive the pay boost effective March 16 through April 12th to recognize their work, the company announced…
While doctors warn that older people and those with existing health conditions are most at risk from the coronavirus, data from San Antonio health officials shows local infections aren’t limited to a single age group. The 29 cases documented in San Antonio area run the gamut from people under 19 to those in their 70s,…
While billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Mike Bloomberg — who just wasted untold millions on a failed presidential bid — are nowhere to be seen, hometown hero Shea Serrano put his money where his mouth is. Last week, as shit started to hit the fan with the coronavirus pandemic, the Basketball (and Other Things) author…
Technology has enabled students and working adults to carry on their duties remotely from a computer screen as they weather the COVID-19 crisis at home. And when it’s time to play, homebound fun during this period of isolation might look like switching from a work screen to an entertainment screen. A Nielson report predicts a…
The migrant arrived at a South Texas immigration facility in Texas on Feb. 24 after seeking asylum in the United States. The new coronavirus hadn’t yet become a global pandemic, and the U.S. had only five confirmed cases. The world has since been upended by the virus, with more than 11,000 Americans infected, including more…
On Wednesday morning, Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector Albert Uresti announced that property tax foreclosure sales will be canceled for the month of April and May amid the COVID-19 outbreak. He said his office is considering halting mortgage foreclosure sales in April and May, as well. “We also understand that home evictions can be catastrophic at…
San Antonio public health officials confirmed Thursday afternoon that they have now recorded six cases of COVID-19 transmitted by community spread. Those cases are the first among 29 recorded so far in the Alamo City that are not travel-related or via close contact with someone who contracted the disease through travel. Of that total, 11…
The San Antonio Symphony’s concert season took a major blow when the city’s ban on large gatherings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Tobin Center to cancel or postpone all events through April 25. Since then, things have taken a turn for the worse, and the city itself is now largely shut down…
Trust Willie Nelson to help us make it through tough times. The legendary Lone Star State musician was planning to hold his annual Luck Reunion “anti-festival” this week at his ranch in Luck, Texas. But a global pandemic kinda got in the way. Instead, Willie and the organizers rebranded the show “‘Til Further Notice” and…
San Antonio City Council voted Thursday morning to extend the closure of bars and restaurants for 30 days while the city waits out the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants can continue operating drive-throughs, making deliveries and filling take-out orders for curbside pickup, however. Other businesses affected by the order include private clubs, gyms and indoor amusement companies. The…
Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday took sweeping action to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus across Texas, issuing an executive order that will close restaurants and schools, among other things. During a news conference at the state Capitol, Abbott announced an executive order that will limit social gatherings to 10 people, prohibit eating and…
Days after taking heat for a tweet joking about the coronavirus, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, now faces accusations of racism for claiming China is “to blame” for the outbreak because its people “eat bats and snakes and dogs.” The comment came after a reporter asked Cornyn, an unflinching ally of President Donald Trump, about the…
HOUSTON — The novel coronavirus is sparking an economic slide that has sent governments scrambling, put people out of work and left businesses on the brink of closing, if they haven’t already. In Texas, the economic double whammy of the public health crisis combined with the steep drop in oil prices has experts here unclear…
On March 13, 1997, actor Erick Carrillo wasn’t standing on the red carpet at the Hollywood premiere of Selena, the biopic on late Tejano superstar Selena Quintanilla. Nor was he posing for photos with actress Jennifer Lopez and director Gregory Nava or rubbing elbows with celebrities like Will Smith and his soon-to-be-wife Jada Pinkett, who…
With mandated closures being declared across the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant industry is reeling. Stephanie Houston, co-founder of Hill Country distillery Hye Rum, knows one thing that would provide immediate relief — the temporary suspension of Mixed Beverage Gross and Sales Taxes by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). And…
As soon as they saw that the Battle of the Flowers Parade had nabbed a new date, Cornyation said, “Hold my beer!” The beloved send-up of the fancy-schmancy Coronation of the Queen of the Order of the Alamo has announced its rescheduled dates for the postponed Fiesta 2020 festivities in November: three days of performances…
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared that residents can now order alcohol to be delivered from restaurants, so long as food is also included in the purchase. “Restaurants in Texas can now deliver alcoholic beverages with food purchases to customers,” Abbott tweeted Wednesday night. “In response to #coronavirus I waived some regulations that hindered that.” Restaurants…
With the coronavirus grinding Texans’ lives to a halt, Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday released an order enabling municipalities to postpone May 2 elections until November. The proclamation was made possible after Abbott issued a disaster declaration enabling him to suspend portions of the state’s election code, the Texas Tribune reports. Even so, individual municipalities…
H-E-B is doing its damnedest to keep Texans fed and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to KSAT, as an additional measure to protect both staff and shoppers from exposure to COVID-19, H-E-B is installing sneeze guards at its store registers. The beloved grocery chain is also offering free next-day curbside services to allow shoppers…
In light of the unprecedented economic catastrophe brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, the San Antonio Current is heartbroken to tell you we temporarily laid off 10 employees today. The cuts came from virtually every department, including sales, production, editorial and events. It’s our sincere hope that after weathering this storm, we’ll be able to…
It may be cold comfort in these dark times, but we can now mark our calendars with the new date for Fiesta’s Battle of the Flowers Parade. According to the Rivard Report, the parade will take place on Friday, November 13. In the meantime, we’ll have to don our paper flower crowns and cavort about…
Many of us feel helpless as we watch friends, family members and neighbors struggle with the self-isolation and economic hardship brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there’s volunteer work you can do right now to aid those in need. The City of San Antonio’s Department of Human Services is encouraging residents to assist in…
San Antonio’s animals need our help. Local animal rescues are buckling down as the COVID-19 pandemic hits the United States. According to KSAT, San Antonio Pets Alive! has decreased its adoption fees — which normally range from $25-$150 — to a mere $10 to encourage adoption of the hundreds of animals it has in its…
With the COVID-19 crisis keeping healthcare in the headlines, the Texas Democratic Party has launched an ad campaign targeting Republican Sen. John Cornyn as the “top salesman” for repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Cornyn, who faces reelection in November, has voted to repeal the ACA — commonly known as Obamacare — more than 19…
The San Antonio Spurs are taking care of their own in this trying time. On Monday, Spurs Sports & Entertainment announced it’s launched a $500,000 fund to pay its part-time employees through the remainder of the Spurs and Rampage seasons. “As San Antonio feels the ripple effects of the difficult decisions we have all had to…
In the wake of the coronavirus, hoarding and panicked shoppers have made it increasingly difficult to find fresh meat, produce and specialty food products at local groceries. In response, local food producers and the Pearl farmers market have launched new services to bring locally produced food and culinary products to your car or your doorstep.…
Nobody every accused Sen. John Cornyn of having a great sense of humor. But Twitter users are putting the Texas Republican on blast for the insensitivity of a visual pun he shared over the weekend in a tweet about the COVID-19 outbreak. There was nothing wrong with the text — except maybe the grammar —…
San Antonio officials on Tuesday night confirmed 11 cases of COVID-19 in the city, up from four the prior day. Four of those cases are travel-related, and four more are from close contact with the people diagnosed with the travel-related cases. Metro Health is investigating what may have triggered the infections in the three remaining…
Celina Cabral used to do filing and payroll at her sister’s concession business 40 minutes away from her Houston apartment. But when the 200,000-student Houston Independent School District announced it would close schools at least until mid-April in response to the spread of the new coronavirus, she was forced to stay at home with her…
Big names in the world of drag have banded together to put performers back to work as the COVID-19 pandemic forces artists to cancel tours and lose out on their livelihoods. The event, dubbed Digital Drag: An Online Drag Show, is being organized and hosted by Dragula Season 2 winner Biqtch Puddiń and producer Megna.…
On Monday, health officials confirmed a fourth travel-related coronavirus case in San Antonio — this time, a doctor at University Health System. Authorities also confirmed late Monday that a man near Galveston died Monday after testing positive for COVID-19, becoming Texas’ first such death. The Matagorda County Emergency Operation Center said the patient, who was in…
Apparently arsonists aren’t self-isolating right now. At around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, San Antonio-based artist Jeremiah Teutsch was given something new to stress out about during the coronavirus pandemic when he discovered that his van had been set alight. The perpetrators also tagged his other vehicle — a Saturn — with green spray paint and attempted to…
Riot grrrl punk outfit FEA were halfway through a national tour when the COVID-19 outbreak forced them to return to their San Antonio home base. The band, signed to Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records, tours incessantly. But with CDC advising against gatherings of 50 or more, finishing it’s current jaunt became impossible. With audiences likely hunkered down…
In the wake of the Great Toilet Paper Panic and the postponement of Fiesta due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alamo City artist Robert Tatum decided to make lemons into lemonade. Tatum, no stranger to topical designs, quickly whipped up his own version of Fiesta 2020 merch over the weekend — a cheeky Fiesta logo that…
A San Antonio singer blew the judges away on Monday’s episode of The Voice. Mandi Castillo made her debut on The Voice with a standout performance of Juan Gabriel’s “Así Fue.” All four celebrity judges ended up turning around their chairs, much to the delight of Castillo’s family, who were watching from the wings. “It…
As residents follow social distancing guidelines, San Antonio restaurants, bars and food businesses are adapting to the new normal. Here’s a running list of the local restaurants that have pivoted to offer curbside, to-go and meal delivery options: This article will be periodically updated with new information. The most recent announcements will be added to…
A San Antonio attorney is facing multiple criminal charges over allegations he fired a gun outside his ex-girlfriend’s workplace and stole from her car, according to media reports. Police said that Jonathan Richard Perez was arrested after he showed up at his ex’s place of employment earlier this month. After the business closed, he’s alleged…
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. If it wasn’t already abundantly clear how serious the COVID-19 pandemic is, then this news might serve as a wake-up call: on Monday, the Alamo announced that it would close indefinitely, and the Poteet Strawberry Festival was officially postponed until the fall. Don’t worry — we can all remember…
Despite a pledge by Gov. Greg Abbott that Texas is putting COVID-19 testing into high gear, the Texas Tribune was unable on Monday night to obtain firm figures from the state about how many people have actually been tested. Public and federal labs have so far tested just 439 people for the illness, according to…
A San Antonio man is dead after being shot by an officer Monday night. According to reports, a police sergeant attempted to make a traffic stop near South Laredo and South Alamo, but a struggle ensued between the driver and the sergeant, a reported 20-year veteran of the force. Officials told KSAT that the man…
The White House Monday issued updated guidelines for COVID-19, advising Americans to avoid “eating or drinking in bars, restaurants and food courts” and to limit social gatherings to 10 people. Echoing the closures already taking place in states and cities across the nation, several San Antonio restaurants and bars have since announced their plans to…
While a lot of acts blowing up in recent years sound like copycats of each other, Nashville’s Thelma and the Sleaze have made the refreshing decision to hold firm to its own musical identity. As song titles like “Cum,” “Motor Tits,” and “Pain” suggest, the all-female trio goes hard and fast and delivers an action-packed…
Within the week, Texas’ mobile coronavirus screening units, including those deployed in San Antonio, will be able to test more than 10,000 people weekly for COVID-19, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday. However, at a Monday press conference in San Antonio, the governor also said people should be prepared to see the number of Texans testing…
Looking for a pandemic panacea? Although it’s suspended all of its current productions, Netflix has given us the first whiff of some content it’s got locked and loaded for a forthcoming release. On Monday, the streaming giant dropped a trailer for The Midnight Gospel, the latest animated series from San Antonio native and Adventure Time…
Due to concerns over the spread of the coronaviru, Culinaria San Antonio will kick off its first Restaurant Week To-Go on Monday, March 16. During the event, which will run indefinitely, participating restaurants will offer $15 prix fixe lunch and $30 dinner options to-go. Expect to see a variety of restaurants including Battalion, Meadow, Botika…
San Antonio quartet Agarita is doing its part to help locals #StayTheFuckHome during the COVID-19 pandemic. With red Xs populating everyone’s social calendars and the usual idle entertainment provided by scrolling social media hampered by pandemic panic, Agarita is providing a soothing option for bored and anxious San Antonians by making its performance catalog available…
San Antonio experimental musician John Hernandez is back with Inner Space, a two-song album spanning over 24 minutes of layered, psychedelic insanity. While the new release isn’t an enormous departure from Hernandez’s 2019 debut Strange Musings, it does sound like he may have ingested an extra gram or two of psychedelic mushrooms during the recording process.…
Contemporary Art Month (CAM) isn’t letting COVID-19 put a dent in its style. As event organizers all over San Antonio slammed the pause button over the weekend, CAM worked up a clever solution help folks still be able to look at the many scrapped art openings. In a statement released on Saturday, CAM organizers requested…
A string quartet played as the Titanic sank, as is depicted in the 1997 film. But in San Antonio this weekend, mariachis played while locals snapped up canned goods, frozen foods, cleaning supplies and as much toilet paper as they could while panic-shopping amid concerns about the coronavirus. A video from Facebook user Ashley Lyons…
The Centers for Disease Control on Sunday advised against attending gatherings of 50 or more, forcing cancellations of many regional and local live music performances. That came after earlier warnings forced national acts to postpone national tours. Taken together, that’s rough news for musicians. Especially since the growth of streaming services means live performances are…
H-E-B on Sunday announced it will launch free, next-day curbside services at stores across Texas. Even though many customers are struggling to find and reserve available service time slots, the San Antonio-based grocery chain is promoting other options such as home delivery that will help people avoid unnecessary crowds. “Social distancing is important to help…
Although closed for instruction to delay spread of the coronavirus, local school districts are making sure students are well fed. Even though many students have received a second week of spring break, the following districts continuing to provide meal services. Some districts will only serve students within their individual jurisdictions, while others will serve any…
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, whose district includes north San Antonio, was among 40 House Republicans to vote against a relief package offering a safety net for vulnerable Americans facing economic calamity from the coronavirus. He was the only member of San Antonio’s congressional delegation to vote against the bill, which passed the House 363-40. The…
As San Antonians begin to hunker down in their homes to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases, the Public Theater has announced that it’s postponing its current production, along with several upcoming ones. On Monday morning, the Public said it’s postponed the current production of Admissions until further notice, and tentatively postponed its upcoming production…
Emergency crews were called to a Chacho’s restaurant Sunday night after its nearby storage unit caught fire. According to multiple reports, the Leon Valley Fire Department responded to a call at the Chacho’s on Poss Road around 10 p.m. Smoke was seen coming from the roof of a small building behind the eatery, one used…
San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has confirmed a third travel-related case of COVID-19 in the city. The person, who recently returned from Spain, is now in isolation. All three cases found in the Alamo City have been travel-related, and health officials are investigating the individuals’ movements. Authorities will contact people who may be at risk…
If you’re a Gen Xer or a fan of vampire cinema, chances are you know Tim Capello, even if you don’t know his name. The Lost Boys is filled with classic imagery, but the scene where the buff bro with the saxophone performs “I Still Believe” is one of its iconic moments, and that guy is…
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told superintendents and lawmakers Sunday to be prepared for school district closures to potentially run through the end of the school year, the Texas Tribune reports. Those long-term closures are especially likely in areas where the new coronavirus has spread, the commissioner also said. The announcement comes as nearly 570…
San Antonio-based industrial act Moze Pray’s new EP A Whirling Hall of Knives is a showcase for electronic music that’s dark, gloomy and simultaneously entrancing. “A Whirling Hall of Knives is about a love-hate relationship with myself, a different persona brought to life,” said Libby Del Barrio, the solo musician behind Moze Pray. “While it’s…
The Brewers Association announced late Thursday that the 2020 Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America will be canceled due to concerns over the coronavirus. The event, which was scheduled to take place from April 10-22 at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, was expected to draw more than 13,000 brewmasters and beer…
Scott Stapp — onetime frontman of the almost-grunge band Creed — will return to San Antonio for a show at the Aztec Theatre on Sunday, June 28. The date is part of Stapp’s The Survivor Tour, which apparently isn’t a reference to the coronavirus outbreak. The tour is named for his recent single “Survivor.” The song, from…
As concern over the coronavirus mounts, a local housing organization reportedly threw its residents into hysteria while preparing for the worst. Alamo Community Group officials said its property management company, Alpha Barnes, accidentally sent out a letter alerting residents there was a “coronavirus infection near one of its properties.” According to a KSAT report, the…
As part of a public health disaster declaration Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said San Antonio will be the first site for a state drive-through with coronavirus testing capabilities. Initially, the Alamo City operation will prioritize health care workers and high-risk individuals, the Texas Tribune reports. People over 60 and those with existing health conditions…
In the time of the coronavirus, San Antonio officials have canceled an unprecedented number of major food-centric festivals, conferences and public gatherings. As more people look to stay home in the coming weeks, it’s unclear how the coronavirus will impact San Antonio’s dining scene. Here’s a look at everything that happened in food news this…
Dan Patrick, Texas’ bathroom-obsessed Lieutenant Governor, sure knows how to throw red meat to his Tea Party base. Case in point: his decision to piss all over the $450 million Alamo Plaza redesign. In a statement posted last week on his campaign website, Patrick blasted the plan to relocate the crumbling 1930s Alamo Cenotaph 500…
A San Antonio Police Department officer was injured after crashing his vehicle into an 18-wheeler early Friday morning. According to reports, the crash occurred around 3 a.m. near AT&T Center Parkway and Aniol Street. Police told KSAT that an unidentified officer struck the side of an 18-wheeler. The officer had reportedly just clocked out and was…
Metalcore dudes As I Lay Dying are returning to San Antonio for a show at the Aztec Theatre on Tuesday, May 26. This marks the second time the band’s come through the Alamo City since frontman Tim Lambesis was arrested in 2013 for trying to hire a hitman to kill his estranged wife. The arrest…
Name: Jenn Reisman Job/Title: Owner, Rooster Crow Baking Co. Birthplace: Richardson, Texas Years in food service: 13 Big impact: Pastry chef for the Fairmont Hotel, creates custom desserts and wedding cakes Money quote: “My favorite thing to make is money, or custom cakes.” Where to follow: Instagram @roostercrowbaking Tell us about your background and how…
With all gatherings of 50 people or more currently prohibited, a lot of San Antonians’ social calendars are in turmoil. To make things easier, we’ve compiled a list of event postponements and cancellations across town. This article will be periodically updated with new information. The most recent announcements will be added to the top of…
As more events are canceled and public spaces make modifications, officials have announced an update on San Antonio’s most beloved event: Fiesta. At a Friday morning press conference, Fiesta Commission President Jeanie Travis announced that the 10-day festival, which attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees annually, will be postponed in light of the coronavirus pandemic.…
After discovering its first travel-related coronavirus case, San Antonio and Bexar County officials announced a public health emergency, including a ban on events drawing more than 500 people. The declaration lasts seven days, but could be extended by a council vote to 30 days. The declaration also recommends against holding events that could draw 250…
After a year and four months in Los Angeles, Nina Díaz is back. The former frontwoman and main songwriter of Girl in a Coma has relocated from the West Coast back to her hometown of San Antonio, and she’s already scheduled a local gig. Díaz was going to take part in a free Selena tribute…
Two people in Austin have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, becoming the first confirmed cases in Central Texas, the Texas Tribune reports. During a Friday press briefing, health officials said neither individual is believed to have contracted the disease by community contact. Dr. Mark Escott, Austin’s interim health authority, said the two cases are…
In light of the growing COVID-19 threat, organizers have postponed San Antonio Flavor, originally scheduled to take place at the San Antonio Museum of Art on Thursday, March 19. SA Flavor, an annual event that celebrates the city’s evolving food and drink culture, will be rescheduled for a later date. “While we love a great…
Even as the coronavirus crisis escalated, the U.S. Supreme Court early this month said it will review the White House’s latest attempt to overturn the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. Beyond the potential to throw millions off their health care in the midst of a pandemic, cutting off access to treatment, the outcome should…
A second federally chartered flight carrying passengers evacuated from the Grand Princess cruise ship arrived early Thursday morning at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, the Express-News reports. The aircraft brought the second arrival this week of evacuees potentially exposed to the coronavirus while on the ship. Under federal Centers for Disease Control guidelines, the individuals must…
One of the first places I was taken to when I arrived in San Antonio, more years ago than I’d care to admit, was Earl Abel’s. Then located at the corner of Broadway and Hildebrand Avenue, it was famed for its call-you-honey waitresses, mile-high pies and fried chicken — the latter available at all hours…
Comedy-loving San Antonians looking for a break from growing feelings of anxiety over the coronavirus epidemic are just going to have to rewatch Always Be My Maybe this weekend. That’s because popular comic Ali Wong has postponed Saturday’s hotly anticipated appearance in the Alamo City due to COVID-19. Wong has rescheduled her performances for 7…
While lots of duos have shared their version on the “Flip the Switch” challenge that’s taken over the internet, one San Antonio man and his daughter have gone viral for their take. A Tuesday tweet from @carolinaaaaRose shows a TikTok video of a man and young girl standing in a bathroom with the intro to…
Just hours after the coronavirus-induced cancellation of SXSW, Smoke BBQ Music Festival was announced as an alternative way to see more than 30 local musicians and artists in San Antonio. Now, due to the coronavirus, the local festival has been postponed. On Thursday, organizers announced via Facebook that the festival, which was scheduled for Friday,…
As fears surrounding the coronavirus grow each day, so does apprehension to visit public spaces like restaurants. While many San Antonio eateries have already adopted precautionary safety measures to protect employees and customers, local chefs like Jason Dady expect many restaurants to feel the economic pinch of the virus — struggling to stay in business…
Another San Antonio art institution is making big changes in the wake of COVID-19. This afternoon, the McNay Art Museum released a statement that all public programs and events, including tonight’s planned Second Thursday and Free Family Night, will be postponed until further notice. For now, the museum will remain open for business during its…
Queer Eye is coming to Texas, y’all. Can you believe? The cast of the hit Netflix show took to Instagram Wednesday to give fans a first look at its upcoming sixth season. The Fab 5 — that’s Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness — teased photos of themselves in…
Amidst growing concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, San Antonio’s art institutions have remained open and continued with scheduled Contemporary Art Month programming. However, that may soon change. On Thursday, Artpace issued a statement saying that while it will maintain regular opening hours, the organization has postponed its 25th Anniversary Happening, a gala originally scheduled for…
The wide-ranging work of San Antonio-based artist Emily Fleisher might not immediately come across as personal. And it’s safe to say she’s OK with that. Encompassing everything from delicate paintings on mylar to cast concrete sculptures, her projects are almost always driven by personal narratives and memories. While knowing the inside stories behind her pieces…
In addition to the University of Texas San Antonio, many of the city’s institutions of higher education have made major announcements regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Trinity University, Texas A&M San Antonio, the University of the Incarnate Word, Our Lady of the Lake University and the Alamo City Colleges have all extended spring break for an…
After limiting players’ interactions with fans and members of the media and even throwing around the idea of having games without anyone in attendance, the NBA announced Wednesday that the 2019-2020 season has been suspended indefinitely. The announcement came after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, more commonly known as the novel…
Multitalented performer Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson is the new face of literary arts in San Antonio. On Wednesday, Mayor Ron Nirenberg and the City of San Antonio announced that Sanderson would serve as the fifth San Antonio Poet Laureate in a term that will run from 2020-2022. Sanderson is the first spoken-word poet to serve in…
Update 5:30 p.m.: This event has been postponed. Original story: Whether you’re a dog or own a kite, the organizers of the 14th Annual Fest of Tails want you to bring your waggly bits to McAllister Park. Pooches and their owners alike can shake their backsides in excitement at all the activities, services and vendors…
Editor’s Note: Jade Esteban Estrada is the writer of Glitter Political, a series of articles detailing San Antonio’s political scene. A recent debate between the two Democratic candidates for Precinct 2 Bexar County Commissioner shone a light on their widely different views of how to — or, indeed, whether they should — carry on the legacy of…
SPACE C7 is no longer the only game in town at the South Side Living + Maker Spaces, as it’s joined by new boutique art space outrider art + objects — Courtney Wynn Sheets’ all-lowercase venture — just in time for Contemporary Art Month. The gallery makes its debut with “Every Girl Wants to Be…
The University of Texas is doubling the length of its spring break — extending it through the week of March 15 — so it can set up online platforms and temporarily replace in-person classes in response to the coronavirus. In an announcement posted on its website, the city’s largest university said classes will resume March…
Democratic U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett is sounding the alarm about the number of evacuees federal officials are sending to quarantine in San Antonio as they seek to contain the COVID-19 virus. In an emailed statement, the San Antonio-Austin congressman also questioned why the feds hadn’t pre-tested the people being sent to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland…
Just a month after quietly opening Lobo Provisions at 27532 Old Blanco Road, chef Quenten Frye is ready to share his vision for a nomadic, bespoke dining experience in San Antonio. The new eatery, which operates from a vintage Airstream trailer, recently held a soft opening with seasonal, locally-inspired dishes including wildgame sausage, grilled chicken…
San Antonio’s newest music festival isn’t centered around Tejano, hip-hop or metal. Instead, it’s all about celebrating life’s geekier side. Super Bitfest, which makes its debut Saturday, March 14, at a trio of near-downtown venues, is hosting a homegrown 12-band showcase devoted the all-inclusive world of nerdcore music. For the uninitiated, nerdcore is an umbrella…
Austin, Houston and Dallas may have established reputations as serious Texas barbecue destinations, but San Antonio is only beginning to gain recognition for its contributions to one of the Lone Star State’s most revered culinary traditions. While 2M pitmaster Esaul Ramos recently snagged a James Beard Award nomination for “Best Chef-Texas”, the accolades for SA…
A San Antonio man could face charges after joking about having COVID-19 amid growing concerns the virus has become a U.S. health crisis. While speaking to San Antonio Fire Department medics Tuesday night, the man falsely claimed he’d been in contact with someone from China and may have been exposed to the virus, according to a…
The delivery food app revolution made it possible to enjoy food without leaving the house. Now, in the midst of the coronavirus, it’s possible to order food without ever seeing another human being. A growing number of U.S. food delivery services including Favor, Postmates and Instacart have introduced “no-contact” delivery options to their apps, allowing…
A San Antonio man is in police custody after authorities say he sexually assaulted a teen girl he met online. According to an arrest affidavit, Patrick Merritt Dwyer met the girl on Bumble, a dating app that also allows users to form friendships and business connections. The victim said she told Dwyer that she was…
Police are asking the community to help identify two suspects accused of robbing a South Side convenience store and smacking a victim in the head with a case of beer they were wahooing. According to multiple reports, a man and woman were caught on camera stealing two cases of brew from the Circle K in…
The City of San Antonio is assessing the potential danger the COVID-19 virus presents during Fiesta on an event-by-event basis, Metro Health Director Dawn Emerick said during a Texas Public Radio appearance Monday. The 10-day citywide festival, scheduled to kick off April 16, is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people to more than…
Each year for St. Patrick’s Day, the River Walk Association and Harp & Shamrock Society of Texas give us the chance to honor our green streak by dyeing the San Antonio River and hosting a spate of Irish-ish festivities. Family-friendly activities include a Passport to Ireland experience, Irish-inspired food, Celtic music and dance performances and…
San Antonio dancers will soon have a new avenue to pursue training in ballet. Homegrown dance company Ballet San Antonio announced Wednesday that they will open a professional dance school in September 2020. According to a statement, The School of Ballet San Antonio will offer a challenging curriculum designed to “train and inspire the next generation of…
The celebratory mood in the run-up to Contemporary Art Month veered into furor when the City of San Antonio abruptly removed an artwork from the groundbreaking “XicanX: New Visions” exhibition at Centro de Artes. Its justification? The piece constituted “obscene content.” Just before the February 13 opening, award-winning performance artist Xandra Ibarra’s Spictacles: La Tortillera…
Well, it looks like Big Brother isn’t interested in casting any potentially-infectious reality television hopefuls after all. On Monday, we noted that it was a little weird for CBS’s lock-in reality TV series to hold a casting call in San Antonio amidst the COVID-19 brouhaha, and it turns out the showrunners shared our concerns. All…
Saint Mary’s Hall senior and filmmaker Wilson Jones, 18, learned via a Friday afternoon group chat that the South by Southwest Film Festival was canceled. His short film Alex was selected to compete in the annual film, music and tech fest’s Texas High School Shorts Program. Alex tells the story of a transgender teen who…
President Donald Trump’s efforts to reassure the public he’s got a handle on COVID-19 aren’t exactly inspiring confidence. At press time, the U.S. death toll from the novel coronavisus stood at 19, and global markets once again plummeted amid fears of its continued reach. Meanwhile, Trump was still downplaying the disease’s significance and trying make…
Saxophonist, composer and bandleader Kamasi Washington’s gargantuan compositions have branded him as one of the most important creative forces in contemporary jazz. Much of the buzz about the Los Angeles-based musician stems from his 2015 tour de force album The Epic, a 172-minute cosmic journey with a 10-piece ensemble, which included the acrobatic R&B and…
Although his work takes many forms, local artist Chris Sauter is best known for sculpture that involves him cutting precise shapes out of drywall and using the pieces to construct recognizable objects — from microscopes and cakes to full-size furniture. Often, the patterns left behind by his drywall extractions are works of art in their…
Local and state officials in Texas are taking action to prevent the further spread of the new deadly strain of coronavirus that originated in China. Texas is not yet home to community spread of the disease. But several people who have traveled outside of Texas (and a handful of people related to or close with…
Well into the sixth decade of their careers, two of Motown’s iconic vocal groups are still working the road. Whether you remember them from your AM radio, FM radio or the roller rink, the Temptations and the Four Tops are essential players in America’s soul songbook. Expect to hear them perform classics including “My Girl,”…
Comedian Ali Wong is having a big moment. Sure, she might have facetiously described herself as a “fucking idiot” in her 2019 memoir Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets & Advice for Living Your Best Life because of the “major and wildly concerning gaps in [her] knowledge and abilities” — she doesn’t know, for example,…
“Three Jews and a black guy walk into a network…” was how D.L. Hughley opened his 2012 Peabody Award acceptance speech for The Endangered List, a satirical docu-comedy charting his quest to put the black man on the endangered species list. Widely known as the original host of BET’s ComicView, one of Spike Lee’s Original…
Looking to join the list of people, like Bono or Cher, known by one name comes a comedian all the way from Finland. Ismo Leikola, or Ismo, observes the world around him and banters about the different views between English- and Finnish-speaking cultures. He’s often been compared to George Carlin due to their similar comedic…
