‘Little Shop of Horrors’ at the Woodlawn Theatre

littleshop17 — ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ opens at the Woodlawn Theatre on Friday October 13, 2017. Photo: Woodlawn Theatre, used with permission.

The next production at the Woodlawn Theatre is the horror comedy rock musical ‘Little Shop of Horrors.’ It opens on Friday October 13 and runs until Sunday November 5 with show times every Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tim Hedgepeth is the guest Director, Lizel Sandoval is the Choreographer, Andrew Hendley is the Music Director and Rose Kennedy is the Costume Designer. This production is recommended for audiences 13 and over and parental supervision is advised due to mature language.

Tickets are on sale online, or by calling the box office at (210) 267-8388. Prices are $18 for students and children, $24 for seniors and military and $29 for adults. There is a $3 service fee for tickets. Groups of ten or more receive a 20% discount. Free parking is available and located behind Vogue College of Cosmetology on W Lynwood Ave. This area is specifically designated for patrons and is patrolled by a uniformed security guard during the run of each show. (Woodlawn Theatre, 2017)

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ is based on the low budget 1960 black comedy of the same name about an unlucky florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human flesh and blood. Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” – after his coworker crush. The foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Seymour if he keeps on feeding it blood. Eventually he discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination. This deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical features a lovesick hero, a bloodthirsty plant and a 1960s pop/rock score by creative geniuses Howard Ashman and Alan Menken.

Special dates:

Friday, October 27 – Little Shop of Horrors Costume Contest, dress as your favorite character.
Saturday, October 28 – Halloween Costume Contest, dress as you please.
Sunday, October 29 – Kids Costume Contest, kids dress up.
Saturday, November 5 – American Sign Language Night, interpreted services by Robert Cardoza.

Woodlawn Theatre
1920 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 267-8388

Whataburger fundraiser for O’Connor High School Band

whataburgerchickensandwich-jpg — The next Whataburger Whata Night fundraiser is this Wednesday October 11 from 5p.m to 8p.m. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

Whataburger periodically hosts events to help the community and its various schools. These events have ranged from “Oh Whata Nights” to jalapeño eating contests, drawings and raffles. This Wednesday October 11 from 5p.m. to 8p.m., Whataburger is hosting a fundraiser in San Antonio for the O’Connor High School Band. The public is invited to come and show their support by enjoying their favorite menu items and Whataburger will donate 20 percent of the sales during the posted hours to the organization. The first 100 customers will also receive a free Whataburger gift. This Whata Night fundraiser will be at the 9263 N Loop 1604 W location only. (Whataburger, 2017)

Whataburger has been making burgers since 1950 when Harman Dobson opened a humble hamburger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. He wanted customers to take one bite and say, “What a burger” so he named his stand on Ayers St “Whataburger.” Whataburger now has over 700 locations across the country and continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals everyday with superior customer service. Community support includes charitable giving and volunteerism to nonprofit organizations that focus on children’s charities, cancer research, hunger assistance, disaster relief and military support.

Whataburger
9263 N Loop 1604 W (near Bandera Road)
San Antonio, TX 78249

Whataburger and James Avery release new charm

whataburgercharmpic — The new James Avery Whataburger charm is now available online. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

Two Texas favorites, Whataburger and James Avery, have teamed up to release this season’s must-have keepsake. Effective today, the authentic sterling silver James Avery Charm, engraved with the Whataburger logo and measuring 5/8” long, is available just in time for holiday shopping. It features the Whataburger “flying W” at its heart and is exclusively available online. Customers can purchase the charm individually or they can build the perfect ready-to-wear pieced with James Avery’s Hook-On Bracelet or Changeable Charm Holder Necklace. This charm represents a partnership between two legendary Texas brands that got their start in the 1950s. Now, the beloved brands are joining forces to share a piece of history with fans. (Whataburger, 2017)

In other Whataburger news, during the month-long SA Goes Orange initiative, Whataburger donated $60,000 to the San Antonio Food Bank, which is the highest amount raised to date. With the funds raised, the San Antonio Food Bank can feed those who need it most in the San Antonio community. All this was made possible with customers’ help during the September 12 – 26 fundraising event.

Whataburger has been making burgers since 1950 when Harman Dobson opened a humble hamburger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. He wanted customers to take one bite and say, “What a burger” so he named his stand on Ayers St “Whataburger.” Since then Whataburger now has over 700 locations across the country and continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals everyday with superior customer service. Community support includes charitable giving and volunteerism to nonprofit organizations that focus on children’s charities, cancer research, hunger assistance, disaster relief and military support.

Second annual Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival

butterflyposter — The second annual Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival is scheduled for October 20 through October 22, 2017. Photo: Monarch Butterfly Festival, used with permission.

The second annual Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival will take place this month from Friday October 20 to Sunday October 22, 2017. This three-day event is organized by the Texas Butterfly Ranch and the theme this year is Butterflies without Borders. The goal is to raise awareness and appreciation of the insect pollinators that make food possible. This celebration takes place during peak Monarch migration week in San Antonio, which generally occurs during the last two weeks of October. Each year, millions of the migrating black-and-orange butterflies move through the “Texas Funnel” on their way to Mexico to roost for the winter. Studies suggest the eastern migrating Monarch population has dropped more than 60% in recent years and the insect has been petitioned for listing as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. A full schedule of planned events is available online. (Monarch Butterfly Festival, 2017)

With the generous support from The Pearl, The San Antonio River Authority, HEB, the Rivard Report, Trinity University and the Mexican Cultural Institute, the Festival begins on Friday October 20, with an international scientific symposium at the Pearl Stable. Scientists from Mexico, the U.S. and Canada will explore the intersections of pollinators and politics in a Butterflies without Borders panel discussion: The Monarch Migration and our Changing Climate. On Saturday, there will be various art and education events throughout town including a teacher training workshop at the San Antonio River Authority, a “bug lunch” at the Witte, a butterfly walk and talk at the San Antonio Botanical Garden and art events at Yanaguana Gardens and the Mexican Cultural Institute.

On Sunday October 22, there will be a “People for Pollinators Parade” at the Pearl and costumes are encouraged. The parade route will march down Pearl Parkway and trained docents will teach kids the citizen science of tagging Monarch butterflies. More than 20 educational booths will offer education, engagement and fun. Tagged Monarch butterflies will be released at the Pearl amphitheater at noon. There will be numerous activities including Pedaling Pollinators Butterfly Bikes, face painting, kite making, story time by the Book Fairy, food and music.

‘Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ at the Majestic Theatre

The 2013 Tony® Award-winning Broadway musical ‘Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ is coming to San Antonio and will play at the Majestic Theatre from Friday January 12 through Sunday January 14, 2018. From the creators of ‘The King and I’ and ‘The Sound of Music,’ this musical will play for only five performances for a limited engagement as part of the North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio season. Performances are 8p.m. on Friday, 2p.m. and 8p.m. on Saturday and 2p.m. and 7:30p.m. on Sunday. Tickets go on sale this Friday October 6 at 10a.m. and prices begin at $35. They are available online, at the box office, through Ticketmaster online or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Box office hours are 10a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday hours vary. Orders for groups of ten or more may be place by phone at (210) 226-5967. (North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio, 2017)

The classic story has a fresh new take on ‘Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella.’ The tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, this version combines the glass slippers, pumpkin and a beautiful ball with some surprising twists. She is more than just a pretty face with the right shoe size; she is a contemporary figure living in a fairytale setting who longs to escape the drudgery of her work at home and instead work to make the world a better place. As a spirited young woman with savvy and soul, she does not let her rags or her gowns trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion and forgiveness. She not only fights for her own dreams but she also forces the prince to open his eyes to the world around him and realize his own dreams.

The production has music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, a new book by Douglas Carter Beane and original book by Oscar Hammerstein II. It is directed by Gina Rattan and choreographed by Lee Wilkins. Music adaptation and arrangements are by David Chase and music supervision is by Greg Anthony Rassen. Some of the songs include “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible,” “Ten Minutes Ago” and “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?”

Majestic Theatre
224 E Houston St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 226-5700

Book review: ‘Into a Dark Frontier’ by John Mangan

intodarkfrontierpic — ‘Into a Dark Frontier’ is the exciting new novel by John Mangan.

Lt. Col. John Mangan is a decorated combat rescue pilot, novelist and coffeehouse poet. He has deployed to the Middle East eight times and has commanded the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron in Kandahar, Afghanistan. His actions in combat have been documented in the books “Not a Good Day to Die,” “None Braver” and “Zero Six Bravo.” He has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor twice, The Air Medal twelve times, and the 2009 Cheney Award. Now retired from the military, he has written his first novel “Into a Dark Frontier” about an ex-Navy SEAL named Slade Crawford.

The story takes place in the near future as Africa has collapsed into a failed state that is lawless and severely depopulated. It is now the playground for the outcast, the desperate, the criminal and the insane. The protagonist is Slade Crawford, who was falsely accused of terrorism, imprisoned and tortured. His personal life also took a beating when his son died in an accident and his marriage fell apart. At break neck speed, the action begins as he is fleeing for his life hoping to start a new life. He has been hired by the Judeans, a fundamentalist Christian community fleeing America to resettle in Africa to live and worship as they please. He is to ride with them to Africa, train them and escort them to their new settlement. Things do not go as planned when he crosses paths with an American colonel, Gary Kraven, who blackmails him into tracking down a blood cult that is ravaging its way across the sub-Sahara. The closer he gets to the cult, he more he learns about a global struggle that will change history forever.

“Into a Dark Frontier” by John Mangan is an action-packed page turner that pulls the reader in from the first chapter to the last. The characters are multi-dimensional with their own backstories and goals. Even the Judean community has its heroes and villains. Slade is the typical anti-hero who is deeply flawed and haunted by his past. Even though he seldom does the right thing he always does what he must do to get the job done. The action is fast paced, typically seen in the Dan Brown novels, and the details in the action sequences and military descriptions are believable and authentic without getting too technical. There are some darks and grisly scenes when the Judeans get captured and killed but it goes with the territory. With the introduction of Slade Crawford, readers now have a new action hero and hopefully there will be more adventures in the future. It is a must-read and recommended for fans of the black-ops genre and international spy novels.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this article are solely the author’s.

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Month: October 2017