San Antonio should keep an ear out for one of the dopest jazz-fusion bands in the city: Xenobia. The band was part of the eclectic lineup for Imagine Fest IV at Imagine Books and Records. View this post on Instagram Throwback to that night we went crazy… Which is every night! . . . .…
An Alamo City signature for 60 years and counting, the San Antonio Folk Dance Festival (SAFDF) returns to the campus of Our Lady of the Lake University this week with a program that’s sure to be bittersweet for organizers and regulars alike. Nelda Guerrero Drury, who founded SAFDF in 1958, taught dance at San Antonio…
Wine, for most of San Antonio, is a bottle of two-buck chuck, an overpriced bottle or nothing at all. But at Little Death, a new bar on North St. Mary’s, there’s only one thing you need to know about drinking wine: it shouldn’t be boring. The space, measuring 550 square feet, is dedicated to enjoying…
This Saturday the Chocollazo team will be celebrating the opening of their second location at Hemisfair. The new location will have a candy room and a chocolate room. The candy room, called Sugar Sugar, will feature bulk assorted candy such as sour candy, Mexican candy from Alamo Candy Company, as well as nostalgic and hard-to-find…
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of definitive album Keep it Like a Secret, ’90s indie rockers Built to Spill will return to San Antonio for a July 20 show at Paper Tiger. Keep it Like a Secret was the more-cohesive and mature followup to the band’s major label debut Perfect from Now On. The riffs were…
Ah, yes, as warmer weather invites San Antonians to shed their winter garments, it also symbolizes the descending of mammoth music conference South by Southwest onto Austin. Every year, as thousands of artists head to SXSW, San Antonio gets to soak up the “spillover” — bands playing in the Alamo City that otherwise wouldn’t be…
Women are responsible for nearly half of world’s food supply yet they struggle to find support, accessing only an estimated 5 percent of all global farming resources. Google Fiber hosted a special panel Telling a Different Story: Women, Tech, Farming, and Food, part of its Refresh: Food & Tech event during South By Southwest on Tuesday. The panel, moderated…
After a wince-worthy defeat in last year’s special election for a Texas Senate seat, Democrats aren’t taking chances with today’s special election runoff between to represent San Antonio’s Texas House District 125. The House Democratic Campaign Committee has provided fundraising, polling and mailing help to Ray Lopez, a former SA councilman, the Texas Tribune reports. Meanwhile, Republican…
Avocado lovers — which means basically every person ever — may want to save the date for the inaugural San Antonio Avocado Fest. EgCollaborations is giving us the foodie event we didn’t know we needed — a one-day festival dedicated to the green gem. Local chefs will gather at Alamo Beer on Saturday, May 4,…
Anybody needing a further sign Beto O’Rourke’s got his eye on a presidential run, here it is — he’s going to Iowa. The former El Paso congressman (and owner of an apparently unlimited supply of blue dress shirts) will visit the early voting state this weekend to stump for Eric Giddens, the Democrat vying for…
Despite San Antonio’s comparative affordability, booming food and drink scene, decent weather and the fact that we know how to party for 10 days straight, we’re not one of the happiest cities in the U.S. At least that’s what financial site WalletHub has gathered in a recent study. WalletHub looked at the 182 biggest cities…
Investigators with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office are searching for a suspect who shot and killed a man on Monday night. According to a KSAT report, a woman called authorities after 11 p.m. on Monday when she found her boyfriend with a gunshot wound to his chest. Paramedics responded to the scene, but the man,…
Pop-punkers Sum 41 have announced a return to San Antonio this spring, and fans of the band take note: they may come armed with new tunes. Last year on Twitter, the Canadian pop-punk mainstays mentioned they’d be releasing new music in 2019, and although the group may have tilted more towards the approachable active-rock world, who…
Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro took a swipe at fellow contender Sen. Bernie Sanders Sunday over the Vermont independent’s reluctance to offer reparations to the descendants of slaves. At a special South by Southwest taping of CNN’s “State of the Union” in Austin, the former San Antonio mayor claimed Sanders wants to write a “big…
A week after Cardi B broke the Houston Rodeo’s attendance record with her performance, another popular music act has already passed up her feat. So who outsold the best-selling, Grammy-winning rapper? Go Tejano Day sets a new attendance record with @tigresdelnorte! Tonight, the new All-Time paid Rodeo/Concert Attendance Record was set with 75,586 in paid…
Oh, snap! Chillwave act Neon Indian is headed back to his homeland of San Antonio, and we’re pretty stoked about it — even if it is just a DJ set. Born Alan Palomo, the creative force behind Neon Indian grew roots in San before graduating from Churchill and moving to Denton for college in the…
Hundreds of SXSW attendees were present for the Food Desert Dilemma event on Monday. The panel discussion, moderated by Sam Oches, focused on the leaders, organizations and communities fighting against food deserts — traditionally low-income communities that lack access to healthy and affordable foods — found in cities throughout the nation, challenging attendees to become part…
San Antonio police are searching for a man suspected of fatally running over a woman following an argument early Monday morning. According to a report by the Express-News, an unidentified woman, in her late 20s or early 30s, was struck by a black Nissan Pathfinder on Culebra Road around 1 a.m. Monday. She was dragged…
A four-year education doesn’t come cheap, and some college students take on being a sugar baby to make sure their loans don’t pile up. Dating-for-dollars site Seeking Arrangement reports that 2.7 million U.S. students use its app to find a deep-pocketed sugar daddy (or mommy). In its annual report, the company broke down the country’s…
Heading into Sunday night’s 121-114 win against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Spurs were focused on containing league MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo. In their previous matchup, a close loss for the Spurs in Milwaukee, the Greek Freak went off for 34 points. “Show him a crowd,” said Derrick White describing his team’s strategy for slowing down…
South By Southwest attendees got to experience an intimate conversation with former San Antonio mayor and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro on Sunday. During the “Conversations About America’s Future” event at the Moody Theater, Castro sat down with HuffPost Editor-in-Chief Lydia Polgreen for an hour-long discussion that introduced the locally famous politician to festival…
Democratic rockstar Beto O’Rourke made headlines last year when he declined to spend from his senate campaign war chest to aid U.S. Rep. Will Hurd’s opponent. Ditto for when the former El Paso U.S. congressman livestreamed a cross-country car trek with Hurd, a San Antonio Republican, in the name of bipartisanship. Fat lotta good either of…
The Gin Blossoms swung into town on Friday night to play their 1992 debut, New Miserable Experience, in full, at the Aztec Theatre. A question hung over the performance, as it does with any band reaching back to play a 25+ year-old-album in full. Namely, does the material have a new meaning now, or is…
While the periodic redrawing of congressional and legislative districts extends back to the late 1700s, gerrymandering has only become a recent concern for voters, said Michael Li of the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University at a South By Southwest panel on Friday. During the Austin conference’s “Fighting Gerrymandering in 2021” panel, Li said…
I don’t know whether we should be grateful or upset this tour is skipping the Alamo City, but for the sake of just letting y’all know how fucking strange this lineup is, we had to write something. Kicking off in Austin before making its way across the country to wrap up in California, nu-metal dads…
Down a rabbit hole of Facebook pages, Bandcamp links, Soundcloud playlists and YouTube videos, it’s nice to stumble across refreshingly weird music projects from San Antonio. And the newly formed Superbuff — fronted by guitarist Kokofreakbean (Michael Vasquez), also the brains behind the insane avant-garde project Computer Jesus Refrigerator — is both refreshing and zany as hell.…
Friday is the last day of early voting in a special runoff election that will decide who becomes San Antonio’s latest state representative in the Texas House. Democrat Ray Lopez, a former city councilman, and Republican businessman Fred Rangel are running to represent District 125, which spans West and Northwest San Antonio. Justin Rodriguez stepped down…
Menudo, tamales and barbacoa are staples in San Antonio food culture, but it’s harder to find those authentic Mexican specialties in North Side neighborhoods. The Hernandez family, frustrated by the lack of local molinas, recently opened Sarita’s Barbacoa to bring those classic dishes — tamales, pan dulce, menudo and barbacoa sold by the pound — to North…
The tussle in the Texas Legislature over paid sick time continues. This week, two San Antonio lawmakers filed bills that would require employers across the state to offer paid sick leave for their workers. Sen. Jose Menéndez and Rep. Diego Bernal, both Democrats, introduced SB 1826 and HB 3728 respectively. The proposals would allow employees to earn…
With all the music links I receive via email or FB messenger (Please stop messaging me on the weekends. I’m not going to review you at 3 a.m. on Sunday.), it’s exciting to hear a band doing new shit. Fronted by John C. Morgan, who’s played in Alamo City acts including indie BBs Sioux and…
For one night only, the Tobin Center will be transformed into a land of glimmering metals — emerald, ruby and, of course, gold. Designed as a faithful rendering of the timeless film, the theatrical adaptation of The Wizard of Oz brings to life the technicolor magic that first captured the world’s imagination in 1939. Dorothy…
The NBA’s marquee MVP candidate, Giannis Antetokounmpo, makes his only stop in San Antonio when the beleaguered Spurs host the ascending Milwaukee Bucks this Sunday. Antetokounmpo recently stole the show at All-Star weekend, combining with Steph Curry to deliver the signature play of the black Super Bowl. Led by former Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer,…
“CuerposUnidos” Artist-curators Jose Villalobos and Michael Anthony García present work from 14 local, regional and national artists focused on the “varied representations and connotations of the human form, both aesthetic and political.” Free, 7-10pm Fri, Mar. 8, Clamp Light Artist Studios & Gallery, 1704 Blanco Rd., (915) 603-6802, clamplightsa.com. “Generations Past, Present, and Future” Centro…
San Antonio teachers can add going to the movies to their spring break itinerary. Alamo Drafthouse is offering educators free admission to select movies throughout their week-long respite. Teachers can score complimentary tickets to movies before 6 p.m. from March 11 to March 15 at all Drafthouse locations in San Antonio and New Braunfels. One…
San Antonians itching to catch the popular Broadway show Hamilton may want to set an alarm for when tickets go on sale next week. Tickets will be available beginning Friday, March 15, through Ticketmaster Verified Fan. The new technology allows preregistered fans to gain access to tickets without going against scalpers and bots. You have…
The debate whether to demolish or renovate the former Beacon Hill Elementary School came to a close Thursday as city council rejected a historic landmark designation for the site. However, as part of a compromise, council also approved an agreement asking the San Antonio Independent School District to develop a cultural heritage curriculum that would help…
If President Trump makes good on his promise to veto the resolution halting his emergency declaration to fund the border wall, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro said the measure will remain an important tool in legal challenges. “The courts will see — including the Supreme Court, if it goes that far — that a majority of…
Authorities are continuing their search for Andreen Nicole McDonald, a local business owner who was reported missing last Friday. On Thursday, authorities from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office will perform a second search for the 29-year-old woman at Camp Bullis. Personnel from the U.S. Air Force 502nd Air Base Wing Joint Base and concerned citizens…
A San Antonio man has been arrested after leading Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a high-speed chase and pretending to be an H-E-B employee to evade authorities. While posing as an H-E-B employee isn’t a crime, it did prove be an unsuccessful way to avoid arrest. Early Thursday morning, Bexar County deputies responded to…
Garrison Brothers Distillery, which has helped establish Texas as a destination for great whiskey, announced Thursday 25 semi-finalists who will compete in Bourbon Brawl, a statewide bartending contest with a $10,000 prize. Five San Antonio bartenders will go head-to-head during the local cocktail competition on Thursday, April 4 (location TBD). The five local semi-finalists include Priscilla Velasco from Zocca at…
This article was originally published by the Texas Tribune. Four years after she authored legislation that legalized the sale of medical cannabis oil to Texans suffering from a small number of conditions, Republican state Rep. Stephanie Klick plans to push to expand the list of eligible patients in 2019. On Thursday, the Fort Worth representative…
Less than three months into 2019, Texas has already documented 10 measles cases — more than the nine reported for all of 2018 — according to state health officials. This week, the University Health System in San Antonio confirmed its physicians had treated a measles patient amid an outbreak of the disease that’s swept through…
Taking the stage sporting his trademark Michael Myers mask and, well, a KFC bucket on his head, guitar virtuoso Buckethead brought his cartoonish schtick to the Aztec Theatre Wednesday night, treating the crowd to a two-hour display of instrumental virtuosity free of dull rock clichés. Born Brian Carroll, the 49-year-old Buckethead stands 6’6” (over 7’ with…
On Good Friday, April 19, Texas Whiskey Fest will take place west of Austin in Bee Cave. The event, at Star Hill Ranch, will feature a prominent San Antonio element. The contingency of San Antonio area participants includes Ranger Creek, Devils River, Andalusia, Real Spirits and Ben Milam. The event is an opportunity to mingle…
Lyft and Yelp have teamed up to offer San Antonio residents a 25 percent discount for all rides to select local women-owned businesses in honor of Women’s History Month. Lyft customers are encouraged to use the code SAWOMEN19 to take advantage of the discount to ride to participating businesses, and to support Dress for Success — …
Every year brings another “future of transportation” tease. The flying cars promised throughout our youth gave way to driverless cars. While these items may indeed come to pass, they will undoubtedly be the provenance of the rich. Here is something that will improve life among the proletariat: a robot who brings you pizza. Pizza Hut…
Even with early acclaimed mixtape Kush and Orange Juice and hit single “Black and Yellow,” Wiz Khalifa was known more for the songs he appeared on than the ones he created. From collaborations with pop juggernauts Maroon 5, Miley Cyrus and Imagine Dragons to obvious cash grabs like the one with pro-wrestler John Cena, Wiz…
Considering San Antonio’s affinity for metal, we wanted to make you aware that one of the most brutal acts of all time is making a return visit. On Sunday, December 8, Egyptian-themed death metal band Nile will swing through the Rock Box in support of its 9th studio album, due out later this year. Formed…
Nationally-recognized and published poet, singer and songwriter Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson has been hosting poetry events at one of San Antonio’s most recognized black-owned restaurants, Carmens De La Calle. The event, Jazz and Poetry with a Purpose, Jazz and Poetry for short, is held on the last Thursday of every month at Carmens, located at 320 N…
The final musical written by storied duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, The Sound of Music was an instant hit at its Broadway premiere in 1959. A fictionalized take on Maria von Trapp’s memoir about her family’s beginnings as the Trapp Family Singers, The Sound of Music is known to most as the 1965 film…
With this CAM exhibit, which is a collaborative effort between Clamp Light Artist Studios & Gallery and Poca Madre Arts (a D.C.-based organization with central TX ties), artist-curators Jose Villalobos and Michael Anthony García present work from 14 local, regional and national artists focused on the “varied representations and connotations of the human form, both…
With South by Southwest a week away, San Antonio artists are gearing up for official and non-official showcases in Austin as well as some deep-stacked bills here on the home front. One of those stacked Alamo City bills is KRTU’s Indie Overnight Spring Showcase, which features an array of San Antonio-based and regional bands plus…
It’s always sad for those who follow the local music scene closely when a longtime presence — a band or performer who’s become known and loved over years of gigging — hangs it up. That’s just what SA alternative rock outfit Hydra Melody, formed in the mid-aughts, has decided to do. But, not before playing…
Jangly alterna-pop band Gin Blossoms were one of a thousand similar bands on the radio back in the ’90s. While the Tempe, Arizona-based outfit had a similar sound to a tidal wave of other post-grunge bands, songs like “Til I Hear It From You,” “Hey Jealousy,” “Follow You Down” and “Found Out About You,” had…
Cole High School’s basketball team is ready to compete for its second UIL state title with the support of the legend who helped secure the school’s first title in 1989. Via a video message, NBA star-turned-analyst Shaquille O’Neal shared his well wishes for his alma mater’s team, which is set to play its semifinal game…
Breaking down stereotypes and cultural barriers is an underlying theme for Black Violin, a classical-meets-hip-hop duo co-fronted by classically trained musicians Kevin “Kev Marcus” Sylvester (violin) and Wilner “Wil B” Baptiste (viola). After graduating from Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, the pair parted ways for college but later reconnected and bonded over shared musical…
San Antonio still may not have its own Waffle House, but the chain isn’t exactly closed to the idea. On Tuesday, Waffle House’s Twitter account assured local car dealer April Ancira that the chain plans to open an Alamo City location — even if we have to wait a while. Though there aren’t any solid…
ICE has released 12 of the 16 infants under a year old that were detained with their mothers at the South Texas Family Residential Center an hour South of San Antonio, CBS is reporting. Last week, immigrant-rights groups sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, demanding the release of the infants and citing…
A grievance committee with the State Bar of Texas has found that former Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood committed professional misconduct when he threatened two defense attorneys in a judge’s chambers. As part of the ruling, LaHood will be on probation with the state bar for a year and he was ordered to pay almost…
A case of the measles virus has been diagnosed in San Antonio, officials from University Health System have confirmed amid an outbreak of the disease that’s swept through Texas and 10 other states. UHS diagnosed the patient last week via a lab test, spokeswoman Elizabeth Allen confirmed. The individual was being treated as an outpatient…
Since its inception back in 1999, the San Antonio institution known as PuroSlam has called many venues home — from bygone haunts like Re:Verb, the Wild Club, El Toro and the Korova to still-active mainstays like Sam’s Burger Joint, Southtown 101 and the Mix — while staying true to its roots as a platform for outspoken, envelope-pushing…
If you’re currently in a restaurant rut, stop by the Hyatt Regency this month for new lunch, dinner and late night options. Fresh Horizons “Fresh Truck” // Stop by the “Fresh Truck” for a variety of freshly-made foods, which includes everything from hot dogs and hamburgers to sesame pork and street tacos. Dates: March 5 4-11 p.m.; March…
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sure must like David Whitley, his embattled secretary of state. After all, the governor’s been willing to throw another top state official under the bus on Whitley’s behalf. After a bungled review of the voter rolls that resulted in a national embarrassment and multiple lawsuits, Abbott isn’t blaming Whitley, who oversaw…
The king of DIY hip-hop, Tech N9ne has made a name for himself by sheer grit and self-propulsion. Unloading verses at turbo speed with his chopper-style flow, the Kansas City rapper remains a force in the music industry — even without the help of a major label. Starting his Strange Music label in 1999, Tech…
Since dropping their debut Are You in Or Out in 2009, Costa Mesa surf-rockers the Growlers have been at the forefront of bringing pysch and surf rock to a new generation of fans. Headlining at festivals including Austin’s Psych Fest (now Levitation), the band has seduced audiences with danceable indie rock soaked with enough reverb…
While the Texas Legislature debates how to rein in rising property taxes, it bears mentioning that homeowners aren’t the only Texans feeling the tax pinch. Indeed, folks who can’t afford to buy homes often feel it the worst. From a tax perspective, low-income earners fare worse in the Lone Star State than just about anywhere…
This year’s grand marshall for the Fiesta Flambeau parade will likely delight fans of Golden Age rock ‘n’ roll. In line with the “Reflections of Music Past” theme, the Fiesta Flambeau Parade Association has named Chubby Checker as grand marshall. Checker gained fame in the early ’60s as the singer and dancer who popularized the…
On a frigid night in San Antonio, the Spurs closed out a three-game homestand with a tight 104-103 win against the Denver Nuggets, for the team’s third consecutive victory. The Nets’ cold start matched the weather outside the AT&T Center, with the Spurs scoring 36 points in the first quarter to Denver’s 17. A resurgent…
Former 2008 vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was among the fans cheering on the Spurs during Monday night’s home game. Palin attended the game with her grandson Tripp, who is reportedly a big Spurs fan. Tripp is the son of Palin’s daughter Bristol, whose teenage pregnancy brought controversy during the Republican’s vice presidential run. Bristol…
San Antonio police are searching for a man accused of driving off in a beer-delivery truck earlier this year. Around 1:30 p.m. on January 24, the suspect stole a Budweiser truck at the juncture of South Alamo and South Presa streets, according to police. Authorities said the man got into the truck without consent from…
West Avenue is home to some of the city’s best taquerias and bakeries, but it’s exciting to see new area coffee options besides McDonald’s (no shade, it’s the coffee of choice for abuelos everywhere). Just a week after its opening, Medina River Coffee has found loyal customers who visit the rustic-style shop for its house espresso…
Armed with three degrees from Moscow’s Russian Academy of Music, concert pianist Anya Grokhovski arrived in the U.S. in 1989 and moved to San Antonio three years later for a position as a staff accompanist at UTSA. After bringing several Russian and European musicians to San Antonio for performances, Grokhovski launched an intimate series of…
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery is celebrating National Pancake Day from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5 with throwback pancake specialties and donations to local community gardens. Snooze, a Denver-based restaurant chain that recently opened its third San Antonio location, will feature signature pancakes and past flavor favorites — among them King Cake, Coffee N’…
Bowling For Soup, headliners of the last traveling Vans Warped tour last summer, have been a pop-punk favorite since their 1994 formation. The band got its start in Wichita Falls before eventually moving to Denton, where it built a cult-like following for a blend of pop-friendly alt-rock, ska and hardcore punk. If you missed them at…
The team behind Whisky Rose — a whiskey bar meets pizza and dessert pie shop — will host new Monday pop-up events leading to its brick-and-mortar opening inside the Rand this summer. The concept was developed by Ceasar Zepeda and Michelle Giusti, business partners at Sangria on the Burg, where the inaugural pop-up will take place tonight, as they…
Members of the Communications Workers of America picketed at AT&T’s Broadway offices on Monday afternoon, demanding that the company — once headquartered in San Antonio — keep good-paying jobs in the United States. The Dallas-based telecom giant has reaped $20 billion in savings from the Trump tax plan, and union officials point out that CEO…
With an origin story not unlike that of fellow Puerto Rican drag star Jessica Wild (who performs in San Antonio on March 6), Yara Sofia rose through the ranks of San Juan’s LGBT nightlife scene, perfecting her craft in famed clubs like Krash and eventually landing on RuPaul’s Drag Race — with a considerable language barrier…
Few bands make the kind of cultural and artistic impact Prodigy did in the early ’90s. The U.K. act wrapped up harsh electronic noises and pulsing techno beats, taking the world by storm with its third album The Fat of The Land. As frontman, Keith Flint used his sneering vocals and edgy exterior to add a punk…
She makes money moves, and now she’s part of San Antonio’s art landscape. In honor of the splash Cardi B made on the male-driven hip-hop industry, local muralist Colton Valentine has added a mural of the rapper to a brick wall at 802 San Pedro Ave. The mural captures Cardi’s likeness, complete with her tongue…
Whether you’re a photo-obsessive or just a casual connoisseur of the glossies in the grocery aisle, you’re certainly familiar with Annie Leibovitz’s oeuvre. With a career spanning almost five decades, Leibovitz has captured the visages of Hollywood stars, famous athletes, scientists, luminaries, and even the Queen of England in her signature style. To promote the…
Born in the mountainous town of Caguas, Puerto Rico, drag performer, makeup artist and choreographer José David Sierra got his first taste of the small screen while working as a dancer on the variety program El Super Show in the 1990s and later emerged as a fixture on the drag circuit as Jessica Wild. Landing…
An Air Force major was arrested Sunday in connection with the disappearance of his wife, who authorities believe is dead. Major Andre McDonald, 40, has been charged with tampering with evidence after tearing up a receipt for the purchase of a shovel, ax, gasoline and additional items that investigators believe he intended to use to…
The race to fill Justin Rodriguez’s vacated Texas House seat has moved into its next phase. Early voting for the House District 125 runoff election opened Monday. Voters will see only two names on the ballot this time: Democrat Ray Lopez and Republican Fred Rangel. As the only Republican entered in the race, Rangel secured…
Ninety-one percent of the nation’s coal-fired power plants are leaking unsafe levels of contaminants, including arsenic and chromium, into nearby groundwater, according to an environmental report released Monday. And the San Miguel Power Plant an hour south of San Antonio is among the 10 most-polluted of the 250 sites analyzed in the data, said the…
Living in a city where we hold guitar-shreddery sacred, we couldn’t pass up an opportunity to catch one of the sickest Americana/bluegrass bands of all time. If you’ve not familiar with Minnesota’s Trampled by Turtles, they basically play technical metal in major keys and on folk instruments like the fiddle, banjo and mandolin. Last night…
Actor Jeremy Renner, most known for his role as Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, will be headed to San Antonio this summer for Celebrity Fan Fest 2019. Jeremy Renner is a two-time Academy award nominee, first for his lead role in The Hurt Locker, and the second time for best supporting actor in…
Kick off the month the right way — with brunch. We’ve highlighted a few local food and beverage collabs happening this Saturday, and where you can find your favorite food trucks, shops and pop-ups next. Folklores Coffee + Smackerel’s // Look for Smackerel’s BBQ mac and cheese chicken sandwich, chicken tonkatsu and sweet potato fries during…
Here are a few short reviews of movies that will be released between March 1-5 in San Antonio theaters, on streaming services or on VOD. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Oscar-nominated actor-turned-director Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) makes a meaningful feature film debut behind the camera with The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.…
The group Physicians for Human Rights is demanding that the Department of Homeland Security release immigrant families with infants being held at its facility in Dilley, south of San Antonio. Eleven mothers with babies ranging from 5 to 11 months old arrived at the South Texas Family Residential Center last week, legal-aid group Dilley Pro…
Whoa! If this isn’t one of the gnarliest (and eclectic) heavy-music lineups rolling through the Alamo City, we don’t know what is. On tour celebrating 25 years as a band, hardcore stalwarts Hatebreed are headed to San Antonio for a show at the Vibes Event Center on Friday, May 24. As if the ferocious outfit…
South Side neighborhoods possess some of San Antonio’s last remaining puro spots. You can find a limpia at the local botanica and stop at a taco truck in the parking lot on the way back to your car. And as Southtown and the Lone Star Arts District continue their creep into the area, it’s important…
Los Angeles DJ and producer Daedelus, born Alfred Darlington, helped pioneer a new age of hip-hop, breakbeat and electronic music during the early 2000s. And, on his last album 2018’s Taut, he holds fast to the legendarily eclectic sound that won him an international fanbase. Now, he’s appearing at Brick on Friday, March 14, for a…
A year after creating a Fiesta medal modeled after the iconic Mission Drive-In Theatre, a San Antonio woman has unveiled a new, even more puro medal. Try not to drool when you see this new Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and cheese design. The 2019 medal was created by Selina Bonilla, a Harlandale graduate. She said the…
Lala’s Gorditas — a casual, delicious Tex-Mex restaurant developed by chef Steven Pizzini — will host its official grand opening on Saturday, March 9. The event, which kicks off at 6:45 p.m., will showcase Lala’s menu and include performances by Santiago Jimenez Jr. and Garrett T. Capps y Los Three Timers, with a portion of proceeds benefitting The San Antonio…
Let’s start with this: what the hell is Pickleball? Imagine a sport hybridized of tennis, badminton and ping-pong that almost counts as cardio and that can be played buzzed (but probably not inebriated). That last part is paramount, because the sprawling four acre Chicken-N-Pickle complex coming to San Antonio later this year will feature four…
The Friendly Spot isn’t satisfied with just being the best restaurant in Texas to grab a beer. In an effort to be a stop for all things boozy, the prized local establishment has added spirits and cocktails to its menu. Yep. The Southtown watering hole recently got approved for a mixed-beverage license and added 15…
The State Affairs Committee of the Texas Senate on Thursday voted 5-1 to move forward legislation that LGBTQ-rights advocates warn would gut nondiscrimination ordinances such as the one San Antonio adopted in 2013. SB 15 also would override local control of paid leave policies. That too would effect the Alamo City, since council last year approved…
An adventure has been brewing under our very noses at 1906 South Flores Street. In his unassuming, quiet studio blkboxspace, Jacob Hurst has huddled over a desk for many an hour working on an epic role-playing tabletop adventure co-created with Austin-based collaborators Donnie Garcia and Evan Peterson. After five years of work and a successful…
The “alternative art hive bungalow” Galeria Xitana starts off CAM by introducing their first Xitana-in-Residence, Xelena González, in an interdisciplinary event they’re calling ‘Manifesto Xitana.’ González, a writer and dancer, is the author of the award-winning children’s book All Around Us, a meditation on circles both seen and unseen, from the curve of rainbows to…
Alongside Slipknot and Mudvayne, Mushroomhead ravaged the early aughts with a face-painted take on synth-heavy rap metal. Hearing them again with fresh ears — since it’s been 20 years since I’ve intentionally listened to this band — I can now say they sound like a mix of Korn and Limp Bizkit but not quite as good as…
Editor’s Note: Jade Esteban Estrada is the writer of Glitter Political, a series of articles detailing San Antonio’s political scene. Councilman Manny Pelaez seems a little caught off guard when I ask him about his decade-long experience as an improv troupe member and stand-up comedian. Still, he takes the question in stride. “Who told you…
Since its inception in a Michigan high school back in 1990, the charitable concept Empty Bowls has spread throughout the U.S. and into Canada, with dozens of independent organizations following a similar format: local ceramic artists, chefs and caterers donate their time and services at fundraisers where folks can purchase handcrafted bowls then enjoy a…
Councilmen Clayton Perry and John Courage are urging San Antonio to join Texas’ other big cities and adopt a homestead exemption that would grant homeowners a break on their property taxes. The pair — sometimes at ideological odds on other issues — held a press conference today announcing they’d jointly asked city staff to research how such…
On the Jones Maltsberger side of McAllister Park, Ruben’s Backyard has been open quietly for about a month. Ruben’s takes on a similar vibe as MoMak’s, the last tenant to work out of the space. MoMak’s closed in 2018. That park-adjacent feel involved burgers, malts and letting kids run around. Ruben’s is keeping a line up…
Many bands that sound heavy-as-fuck with their initial album, seek a more poppy, approachable sound over time. And that’s what happened with metalcore/pop-punkers A Day to Remember. They leaned very pop-punk on their second album. Sometimes referred to as “mall-core” for their almost asphyxiating presence and marketing at places like Hot Topic, the band knew their…
“It’s Been Awhile” (heh) since Staind-frontman-turned-country-boi Aaron Lewis made headlines for telling a Rio Grande Valley crowd that he doesn’t speak Spanish because he’s American. But, regardless of how backwards-as-fuck the Lewis’ statement was, the subsequent hasn’t exactly pumped the brakes on his tour. Iconic New Braunfels venue Gruene Hall — a frequent stop for…
Hot Cheetos fingers, made bright red from the snack’s signature dust, may be a look. But Hot Cheetos nails are a fashion statement. San Antonio nail artist Noemi Vara of Nails By Mimi took to social media to show off a Flamin’ Hot design that features red and gold nails sparkling with add-on gems and glitter. But most…
Mujeres Marcharan is inviting local residents to take part in the 29th San Antonio International Women’s Day March & Rally. Set to take place this Saturday, March 2, the annual march has a theme of “La Lucha Sigue! Nevertheless, We Persist!” The organization says the event stresses the importance of solidarity “under an administration that’s doubling…
Menudo-lovers (and cooks) will celebrate the traditional Mexican soup, comfort food and hangover cure during the first Menudo Madness Festival & Cook-Off on Sunday, March 10. The event, sponsored by Sabor! Cocina Mexicana, Moonlight Ballroom & Conference Center and Texas Wrestling Entertainment, is selling tickets between $15-$25. Think your menudo recipe stands out from the crowd? Home…
“Agua Viva” Named after the Spanish term for a type of jellyfish — which translates as “living water” — Argentinian abstractionist Cecilia Biagini’s new exhibition “Agua Viva” comprises recent paintings and sculptures inspired by “the movement of the body’s rhythmic contractions while underwater.” Free, 11am-4pm Wednesday-Saturday through March 16, Ruiz-Healy Art, 201-A E. Olmos Dr.,…
Bet you didn’t know this: the original ramen noodle was made in China, and instant ramen didn’t appear until a Taiwanese-Japanese inventor developed it in 1958. Japanese cuisine has since co-opted ramen, and in a recent poll, Japanese citizens voted it as the country’s “best 20th-century invention.” Though I’m not a noodle nerd, it’s clear…
There’s a concert video of John 5 back when he was playing with Marilyn Manson that clearly depicts why he wouldn’t want to be in the self-proclaimed Antichrist Superstar’s outfit anymore. In it, Manson kicks John 5 at the beginning of “The Beautiful People,” and the guitarist, probably sick of Manson’s shenanigans, throws down his…
A couple weeks ago we hit up Eric Garcia, frontman of local metalcore band Covina, to ask which heavy bands in San Antonio he was digging. He mentioned hardcore act Bluntsplitter, who match metal aesthetics with late-’90s hardcore vibes for a sound that’s enjoyably abrasive. Catch them alongside indie rockers Benji, emo-punk outfit Just Fine…
Harnessing all the beautiful textures of indie-pop circa 1995-2005, Will Toledo’s Car Seat Headrest manages to pull listeners through alternating corridors of anguish and joy. In under a year, the young artist has released 10 albums and two EPs, and it doesn’t look like he’s stopping anytime soon. If you’re curious to see the future…
Beto O’Rourke still hasn’t announced his plans for 2020, but it’s looking less likely they include a run against Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn. Citing people close to the former El Paso congressman, the Dallas Morning News reports that O’Rourke won’t pursue the senate seat next year. Instead, the Democratic rockstar will shortly announce he’s joining the…
Fernando Andrade’s new Central Library Gallery exhibition “Muros/Walls” sees the artist venturing into new territory. Known for his photo-realistic drawings focusing on socio-political issues, Andrade is often touted as one of the young artists to watch within the South Texas art scene. With “Muros,” though, he abandons the hyper-realism of his figures in favor of…
During Contemporary Art Month (CAM) each March, the local art lover has the happily stressful task of trying to keep up with and attend more art shows, talks, parties and other events than is even really possible. It’s a blitz and it’s delightful, but I digress. Among the exciting, early-opening shows of this year’s CAM…
It all began in 1976, with a family trip to Taiwan. Already avid collectors of Richie Rich and Marvel superhero comics, brothers Ben and Joeming Dunn — then ages 12 and 10, respectively — discovered the Japanese comics form known as manga, and their young minds were blown. The radically different art and stories were like…
After a disappointing debut in Oklahoma City last season, six-time All-Star Paul George has bounced back with an MVP caliber campaign. Paired with wrecking ball Russell Westbrook, George is averaging career highs in points and rebounds, securing his status as one of the best two-way players in the game. Back in January, Spurs MVP LaMarcus…
How do you turn a traditionally Democratic district Republican? These days, the answer may be simple as calling a special election. Last year, Pleasanton Republican Pete Flores flipped one of San Antonio’s state Senate seats after advancing to a runoff special election against Pete Gallego, the Democrat widely considered to have the election sewn up.…
San Antonio personal trainer and swim coach Jackie “Jax” Wood will compete tonight at 7 p.m. in the season finale of The Titan Games on NBC. The athletic competition series, which premiered on January 3 and is hosted by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, started with 64 female and male contenders and has since worked its…
As South By Southwest 2019 looms like a dark cloud about to unleash a thunderstorm of non-stop live music, we now know which San Antonio artists have snagged official showcases. While we know others may pop up at the last minute, this is a comprehensive list of SA-based artists headed to the festival, as of…
In a major victory for voting rights groups, a federal judge has ordered that no Texas county should purge suspected non-citizen voters from the rolls or issue letters demanding that they prove their citizenship “without prior approval of the Court with a conclusive showing that the person is ineligible to vote.” The Wednesday order from U.S. District…
One of Texas’ largest LGBTQ advocacy groups today unveiled a report detailing barriers to equality in the state and demanded that the legislature pass a comprehensive nondiscrimination law this session. Speakers including activists, parents and legislators joined Equality Texas at the steps of the state capitol to ask that lawmakers adopt a measure protecting the 930,000…
Last night, veteran Canadian indie-pop outfit Metric played a massively energetic set to a packed (but, not sold out) house at the Aztec. The band, a local favorite since its earliest days (circa 2003), brought just the level of enthusiasm you need to rock a crowd properly on a Tuesday night. But, as those who…
Of the six dog park bar/restaurants highlighted in a recent Nation’s Restaurant News article, four are in Texas. While none have yet come to San Antonio, we do not exactly lack for dog friendly restaurants and events. The dog park restaurant model goes a few steps beyond the dog-friendly restaurant. Typically these restaurants have an…
The James Beard Foundation Wednesday named Steve McHugh, the San Antonio chef behind Cured, as a “Best Chef- Southwest” semifinalist for the 2019 awards. Though Texas chefs, producers and restaurants were nominated for a record 27 awards in 2019, McHugh was the only nomination from San Antonio. This marks the chef’s fourth James Beard nomination…
Cries of anguish and joy rang out across San Antonio ISD on Tuesday, February 19, as the district announced the lottery results for its specialized schools. OK, those cries were mostly in the form of online chatter, but boy were people excited — or disappointed. “My hopes are dashed,” one parent wrote on Facebook after…
The South by Southwest Film Festival takes place March 8-16 in Austin. Here are a few of the films screening directed by local filmmakers or featuring San Antonio subjects. BlueInk Competing in the Texas High School Shorts category, co-directors Miranda Potter and Jade Jess have created an experimental animated short film that explores the dark…
When news broke that Lonely Horse was breaking up, it seemed like the city’s entire music scene felt the jolt. The duo, comprised of singer-guitarist Nicholas Long and drummer Travis Hild, delivered one of San Antonio’s most powerful live rock shows. Matching thundering drum hits with Hendrix-esque blues riffs and Long’s soulful vocals, they embodied…
The Overtime’s latest premiere has got it all: Frogs? Check. Cats? Check. Aliens? Check. An animalian take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream with a dash of Seinfeld thrown in? Check and check. Written by Bethany Schwartz, the curtain opens on our starry-eyed protagonist, Tad, an “unrealistically romantic, imaginative and arrogant” frog who is unfortunately a…
In 1916, the U.S. government predicted that by the 1940s all paper would come from hemp and that no trees would need to be cut down. Government studies reported that one-acre of hemp equals 4.1 acres of trees. Hemp production is much more time and resource efficient. Plans were in the works to implement such…
Texans may be split between obsession over everything Selena-related to outcries of “let her rest in peace already,” but the star power of the Queen of Tejano continues even decades after her death. As such, a Texas lawmaker has filed a bill to give Selena her own holiday. On Tuesday, Texas Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos filed…
A self-proclaimed dog rescuer is facing animal cruelty charges after Animal Care Services officials found more than 20 dogs living in “deplorable conditions” at her home. At least 23 animals have been rescued from the woman’s house in Northeast San Antonio after neighbors became suspicious of conditions inside and alerted ACS. Lisa Norwood, a spokeswoman…
Sylvain Nykiel was working in the kitchen when he got a phone call a few weeks ago: the French baker he had sponsored for a green card, had finally been approved. Finally, as in two years after he filed his application. Sylvain and his wife, Sylvie, who run La Boulangerie in downtown San Antonio, had…
Rising from the ashes of defunct band Choking Victim, frontman Stza Crack (born Scott Sturgeon) slapped together and new and longer-lasting outfit that’s trafficked in a blend of hardcore punk, ska, cheeky bits of metal and rabble-rousing politics. Somehow, the New York-based band has managed to keep flying the middle finger at authority figures and…
Among the more conceptual fare being served up during this year’s Contemporary Art Month (CAM), this esoteric meeting of the minds pairs new solo shows by married artists Nicholas Frank and Amada Claire Miller. In addition to the personal connection, “Demos Schmemos” and “Hands Downs” both explore the concept of “trust exchange” but also, from…
What can be more fun than watching a band cosplay Ned Flanders and douse audiences in showers of metalcore with lyrics influenced by the Simpsons character himself? Absolutely nothing, that’s what. Yeah, each member of Okilly Dokilly (an obvious reference to Flanders’ “Howdilly doodilly, neighbor” catchphrase) dresses as Flanders and songs like “White Wine Spritzer”…
As it coincides with Contemporary Art Month’s official kickoff party and takes shape at CAM’s original launch pad in the Blue Star Arts Complex, this year’s CAM Perennial exhibition warrants priority status on your gallery-hopping agenda. A tradition since 2012, the shape-shifting Perennial has brought critical outside perspectives to San Antonio by handing over the…
Q: I’m a gay guy in my late 40s with a straight sister in her early 50s. She’s been married for a bit over two decades to guy who always registered as a “possible” on my average-to-good gaydar. But I put “BIL,” aka my brother-in-law, in the “improbable” bucket because he actively wooed my sister,…
ARIES (March 21-April 19): South Koreans work too hard. Many are on the job for fourteen hours a day, six days a week. That’s why a new concept in vacations has emerged there. People take sabbaticals by checking into Prison Inside Me, a facility designed like a jail. For a while, they do without cell…
My first encounter with Corpus Christi native and Joan Mitchell Foundation grant winner Ana Fernandez had nothing to do with art. She had rescued a severely injured stray dog and she spent a great deal of time and money nursing “Pebbles” back to health, so I wanted to meet her. Since then, I’ve noticed her…
When those of us in the sighted population think of blindness, and by extension of the blind, we often make the mistake of thinking of blind experience as one particular thing, somehow the same for all who experience it. The truth is, just like in every other aspect of perception/consciousness, blindness is an endlessly unique…
Band of Horses, essentially the project of Seattle-based singer-songwriter Ben Bridwell and whatever musicians he’s hanging around, formed during the early-aughts heyday of indie rock and dropped its first album, Everything All the Time, in 2006. Since then, the band — which plays a distinctive brand of indie rock infused with elements of folk, country,…
Spanish singer-songwriter Julio Iglesias, now 75, is a goddamn icon, a musical force of nature and an old-school man of the world — plus he’s Enrique Iglesias’ dad, so that’s dope. He has been an adored, highly awarded and honored international pop treasure since the early 1970s, following a brief professional soccer career (!), and…
Drawing comparisons to Sufjan Stevens, Arcade Fire and Bon Iver, married duo Gungor pairs indie-folk textures with contemporary Christian musings. The band’s debut album Beautiful Things was nominated for Grammys for best Gospel Song and Best Rap or Rock Gospel Album in 2010. Catch them with the Brilliance and Propaganda as all three hit San…
Although his resume includes writing and directing credits for the award-winning coming-of-age drama Young Soul Rebels (1991) and the blaxploitation documentary BaadAsssss Cinema (2002), British filmmaker and installation artist Isaac Julien is arguably better known for conceptual films presented on multiple screens simultaneously. Seemingly dissected and left for viewers to reassemble with their own eyes,…
In the realm of RuPaul’s Drag Race, contestants with ties to Texas have a solid track record for leaving behind distinctive signatures — Alyssa Edwards perfected the tongue pop, Shangela rejoiced “Halleloo” and Cynthia Lee Fontaine drove us “cucu.” Farrah Moan, on the other hand, is perhaps best remembered for her crying episodes. A Houston native…
The trappings of South Texas Latino culture get an irreverant, flamboyant spin in the work of multimedia artist Jose Villalobos. Raised in El Paso in a conservative, religious Mexican-American family, he often transforms his own life experiences and observations into visually arresting sculptures, installations and performances that comment on gender stereotypes, gay identity and machismo…
Nodding with its title to iconic French lensman and Magnum Photos founding member Henri Cartier-Bresson and his principle of harnessing “the decisive moment,” the San Antonio Museum of Art’s new exhibition “Capturing the Moment” brings together 77 images created by 23 photographers working between the 1920s and the 1980s. Assembled largely but not exclusively from…
