Joy of Sexsmith
Joy of Sexsmith Radio formats are inevitably onerous, because they’re always built on the assumption that people are nothing more than demographic clichés who listen to only one form (or one era) of music. That being said, if the so-called “adult-alternative” format applies to any one artist, that artist is Ron Sexsmith. A thoughtful, open-hearted…
Tight Rope Walker
Leon Russell Tight Rope Walker By Gilbert Garcia Back in 1998, I spent an afternoon at the Arizona ranch of famed record producer Snuff Garrett, reflecting on his lengthy career. Garrett produced six number-one hits, worked with everyone from Phil Spector to Frank Sinatra, and was close pals with Buddy Holly. But when asked to…
The PGA vile-age swindle
Environmental groups lined up before City Council on May 6 to contend the PGA Village Project is an illegal deal. (Photo by Laura McKenzie) The PGA vile-age swindle By Michael Cary Activists urge Council to repeal the deal Last week, Assistant City Manager Christopher Brady revealed to the City’s Governance Committee that a report to…
Armchair Cinephile
Armchair Cinephile John DeFore on DVD Disney and his descendants Well, it was a long wait for the faithful, but they’re finally here: The latest batch of four Walt Disney Treasures releases (Buena Vista), which were expected back in December, were delayed for months – a move that had the Internet rumor mill buzzing. At…
Duck and order
Karrie and Tim League, founding visionaries of the Alamo Drafthouse, which combines cinema savvy with quality food and beverage, contemplate the growth of the franchise, which will expand to San Antonio’s Westlakes mall this July.(Photo by Mark Greenberg) Duck and order By John DeFore ‘Remember the Alamo’ is about to mean something new for SA…
Canned Tuna
Jaston Williams and Charlie Baker of Greater Tuna fame bring their petticoats and pratfalls to bear on the old theater warhorse, The Foreigner, playing at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre through May 16. Canned Tuna By Laurie Dietrich Jaston Williams and Joe Sears serve a stale ‘Foreigner’ At least until the lights go down, the…
Rock the Casbah
Rock the Casbah By Gregg Barrios ‘Battle of Algiers’ raises timeless questions for occupying forces Watching Gillo Pontecorvo’s classic film, The Battle of Algiers, nearly 40 years after its initial release is both exhilarating and educational. There is not one false moment in the film. Interestingly, its current theatrical re-release was sparked after it was…
Artifacts
Artifacts AN ANGEL FOR THE ALAMEDA The Alameda has a new captain at its helm, San Antonio’s own Ruth Medellin, who came on board at the end of April when the former Executive Director, Dan Hagerty, returned to Washington, D.C. Medellin has a business and philanthropic background developed through years of working with her husband,…
A taste of war without the bite
A taste of war without the bite By Steven G. Kellman When Sergeant Peter King (Cranham) and Private Leslie Cuthbertson (Bill) return to their base in England after a brief, unauthorized sortie into German-occupied France, they are forced to explain their absence without leave. “Never before have I been forced to listen to such appalling…
Great expectations
Great expectations The publication of “Great Expectations,” a survey of recent student work, has been delayed. Please check back after May 20. •
Special Screenings
Special Screenings Cinematexas: High Above this Wall Cinematexas takes its show on the road, showcasing films from all over the world in the travelling exhibit High Above This Wall. Here is a synopsis of the films scheduled to be shown: A Room With a View in the Financial District, was filmed in June 2001 when…
Middle of the road
An untitled composition by midcentury “junk sculptor” Richard Stankiewicz, showcasing the exquisite sense of balance and formal composition that he practiced while incorporating materials and subjects avant-garde for his time. (courtesy photo) Middle of the road By Elaine Wolff ‘Miracle in the Scrap Heap’ heralds the return of High Modern yearnings “Clumsy, graceful, safe, threatened,…
Recent Reviews
The Alamo Dir. John Lee Hancock; writ. Leslie Bohem, Stephen Gaghan, Hankcock; feat. Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, Jason Patric, Patrick Wilson, Emilio Echevarría, Jordi Mollá (PG-13) In its rush to be every thing to every one, The Alamo fails to bring forth anything other than a paint-by-the-numbers rendering of that historical event that provided…
Roman redux
San Remo Executive Chef Robert Riddle shows off a selection of the restaurant’s cuisine. Clockwise from bottom: House-made gnocchi with spinach, mushrooms, and asparagus in light tomato sauce; Terrine of Gravlox, cured salmon layered with roasted leek cheese, garnished with smoked salmon; Lemon tart with rasberry puree; and Osso Buco, a veal shank braised in…
In the Round
In the Round News and notes from the San Antonio theater scene Write Right Is this SA’s Year of the Writer? (Local stage and screenwriters might tell you they need a Decade of the Writer just to break even.) A new writers’ group, based out of the San Pedro Playhouse, held its first meeting April…
Nature pizza
Nature pizza By Laura Fries Lost in the Supermarket Frozen pizza is the ultimate in post-post-modern dining. It’s cheap, easily accessible, and perfect for virtually any social situation: a snuggly night watching movies on the couch, a busy workweek dinner, a family gathering, or a late-night post-party snack. As our society becomes more fragmented, and…
The Texas Roadie
The 20 ounce styrofoam cup, emblazoned with corporate logos or partyinformation, has become a staple among well-heeled alcoholics. (Photo by Kelton Morgan) The Texas Roadie By Kelton Morgan Thanks to 20-oz. Styros, Lone Star cocktailing has achieved apotheosis “You know better,” I once wrote in a rambling drunken letter to the owner of a large…
From pinot noir to potatoes
From pinot noir to potatoes Pearsall Potato Fest Pearsall Potato Fest will be held Friday May 14, and Saturday, May 15 at Firemans Park in Pearsall. Attractions include a chuckwagon cook off, CASI chili cook off, salsa contest, carnival, arts & crafts booths, food booths, and various contests and musical entertainment. Day admission is free;…
Canuck punk
Constantines: the sound of Bruce Springsteen or Joe Strummer fronting Fugazi Canuck punk By Michael Alan Goldberg The raucous Constantines take Canada by storm You probably know the old joke: Why do Canadians do it doggy style? So both people can watch the hockey game. Well, if even hot, sweaty sex can’t fully distract them…
Sound and the Fury
Sound and the Fury a week on the scene Corazones y Accordeones One of these days Mingo Saldívar is going to have to record a whole album of Johnny Cash tunes. Already known for his rollicking “rueda de fuega,” Saldívar, toward the close of his Thursday night set at the annual Tejano Conjunto Festival, showed…
Suspicious minds
UTSA English professor Mark Womack(Photo by Mark Greenberg) Suspicious minds By Lisa Sorg Two openly gay UTSA professors are both denied tenure About an hour after sunrise on a recent Tuesday morning, a large UTSA lecture hall was packed with about 70 students eager to discuss one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s most difficult and convoluted works,…
All Ears
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings All Ears By John DeFore Coming attractions and live souvenirs Take a look at the cover of Dap-Dippin’ with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (Daptone) and try to guess its vintage. The ’70s pastiche continues onto the promo spiel on the back cover and the dance-step map inside; the graphic…
