If it’s true that the stomach offers a high-speed tollway to the heart, you’re destined to adore Barbecue: A Texas Love Story, the New Braunfels-born cinematic tribute to one of Texas’s favorite foodstuffs. The documentary, narrated by former Guv’ner Ann Richards and featuring such tony Texans as Dan Rather, kicks off the Texas Independent Filmmakers 2006 Festival of Films, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 26 at the Instituto de México, 600 Hemisfair Park. Love’s low-rent cousin, lust, follows in the guise of art with Perils of Nude Modeling. 736-FILM or Texasindependentfilmmakers.org for more info.
Where to eat a late dinner after said film fest? Troy and Marisa Fulmer, aided by culinary talent from Piatti and Silo, answer the need for late-night, non-chain dining with 29 Restaurant & Wine Bar in the Alamo Quarry Market, which is open 4 p.m.-midnight weekdays, and 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday and Saturday (the kitchen closes one hour before the house). Troy is a veteran of Crú, the Dallas-based wine-bar chain, and the restaurant is named after the California highway that runs through the West-Coast wine country, so you’ll be delighted and not surprised to hear that the 29 offers wine-tasting flights (called road trips) with tasting notes, along with an array of continental fare such as crab cakes, lamb chops, and flat breads. Marisa says the menu will grow and change seasonally. 255 E. Basse. 798-WINE for more info.
Hard Rock Café boosts the pantry of the San Antonio Food Bank — a warehouse and distributor for almost 400 organizations that serve the needy — Sunday, August 27, with a concert by Texas musician Jonathan Salas (perhaps you’ve heard his popular single “Feel Like Flying”?) celebrating the mega-chain’s 35th anniversary. The cost of entry: one canned good or non-perishable food item. An all-expense-paid trip to see Mötley Crüe perform in New York as part of Hard Rock’s Ambassadors of Rock tour will be given away during the event (must be 21 to win). Doors open 5 p.m.; show at 6 p.m. 111 W. Crockett. Hardrock.com or 224-7625 for more info.
Southtown Café, 1127 S. St. Mary’s, was tagged last weekend, but instead of getting mad, owners Janet Bonugli and Diane Smith are taking a cue. Diners and artists are invited to bring a paintbrush Thursday and Friday to create a communal custom mural on the affronted wall. Stay for a three-course Destination Dinner either night: vegetarian Thursday ($18), Chef’s Choice Friday ($21 with drum fish, $26 with lamb). 224-9811 or Everybodys-
business-sa.com for more info.
Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36th President of the United States and straight out of Texan Central Casting, would have been 98 on Sunday. If you’re the sentimental sort, you can celebrate his birthday with cookies, lemonade, and watermelon (Personally, I think this sounds like the menu for Lady Bird’s birthday tea. Liquor seems appropriate, and Johnson is said to have been a fan of coffee and Fresca, for which he had service buttons installed in the Oval Office. Commemorators with an authenticity streak might also relieve themselves outdoors in his honor.) at the LBJ Ranch outside of Johnson City after a tour that includes a wreath-laying ceremony at the Johnson Family Cemetery. First bus leaves at 10 a.m. from the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site. Information and directions are available by calling (830) 868-7128, Ext. 244, or (830) 644-2420.
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