Upcoming Whataburger fundraisers

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Whataburger will be hosting two fundraisers this month to benefit local schools.  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 Tuesday April 12 from 4p.m. to 7p.m., Whataburger is hosting a fundraiser to benefit Aue Elementary and on Tuesday April 17 from 5p.m. to 8p.m. to benefit Burbank High School Band. The public is invited to come and show their support by enjoying their favorite menu items and during the posted hours, Whataburger will donate 20 percent of the sales to the students. At the April 17 fundraiser, attendees will have a chance to win “Whataburger For a Year” – where one customer’s name will be drawn to win the prize, a free Whataburger each week for an entire year. These Whata Night fundraisers will be at the posted locations only. (Whataburger, 2018)

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 – to benefit Aue Elementary
25111 W. Interstate 10
San Antonio, TX 78257
(210) 698-5485

Whataburger – to benefit Burbank High School Band
4720 Interstate Hwy 35 S.
San Antonio, TX 78211
(210) 924-2118

Taco Fest at La Villita

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Taco Fest will take place on Saturday April 14 at La Villita.  Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Coming up on Saturday April 14 from 12p.m. to 11p.m., foodie and music fans will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds at Taco Fest. Taco Fest will celebrate San Antonio’s unofficial dish with tacos from over 30 restaurants, taquerias and food trucks. Every vendor will have at least one $2 taco option to give attendees a chance to sample the different taco varieties. Vendors will compete in a variety of categories from Breakfast to Puffy and there will be three music stages with national, regional and local acts. This event is for the entire family and children under 10 get in for free. VIP tickets are sold out but there are still advance General Admission tickets still available online for $20 plus fees. Advance General Admission tickets sale ends Friday April 13 after which the price will increase to $25 on the day of the event. Taco Fest will take place rain or shine. All ticket sales are final, and no refunds will be issued.

Tacos From:
Chisme, Pete’s Tako House, Mi Taquito Arandas Jalisco, Tapatio Vegan Tacos, Davila’s BBQ, Market on Houston, Little Woodrow’s, Taco Haven, The Culinary Institute of America, Soluna, Torchy’s Tacos, El Milagrito, Viva Villa, Sancho’s, Tomatillo’s, Tommy’s Restaurant, Don Pablo’s, Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant, Los Cocos Mexican Restaurant and Fruteria, La Casa de Barbacoa, Mr. Meximum, Chela’s Tacos and more.

Music By:
La Santa Cecilia, Brown Sabbath, Santiago Jimenez, Jr., Girl in a Coma, Money Chicha, Piñata Protest, Femina-X, Eddie & the Valiants, Los #3 Dinners and El Conjunto Nueva Ola.

El Conjunto Nueva Ola is a lucha libre masked cumbia group that has blown away audiences at rock festivals and music stages across the United States. With their unique brand of Cumbia Rock, they have performed at sold out crowds at The Honda Center in Anaheim and Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie in Dallas opening for Mexican Cumbia icons Los Angeles Azules. The group continues to build a cult following with supportive fans across the country and are set to release a new music video in May 2018 and a new studio album in the Fall. (ECNO, 2018)

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El Conjunto Nueva Ola will be performing at Taco Fest on Saturday April 14. Photo: ECNO, used with permission.

La Villita Historic Arts Village
S. Presa St.
San Antonio, TX 78205

Theater review: ‘If/Then’ at The Public Theater of San Antonio

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‘If/Then’ is now playing at The Public Theater of San Antonio through Sunday April 8.

Now playing at The Public Theater of San Antonio in the Russell Hill Rogers Theater is the Tony Award winning musical ‘‘If/Then’.’ This musical tells the story of a 38-year-old woman named Elizabeth who moves back to New York City for a fresh start. With music by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, it is directed by Molly Cox. It stars Stephanie Genito as Elizabeth, Alyssa Lopez as Kate, Grant Bryan as Josh, Justin Keown as Stephen and Nicholas Ponting as Lucas. There are still three more chances to catch this production with show times on Friday, Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday 2p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $35 and are available online and at the box office.

Disclaimer: This production may contain themes and content not suitable for all audience members.

Set in New York City, the audience is introduced to Elizabeth as she meets Kate, a kindergarten teacher and Lucas, a community organizer, in Madison Square Park. (What If?) As they get reacquainted, Kate suggests that Elizabeth start using the name “Liz” and seek out new experiences while Lucas suggests she go back to her college nickname “Beth” and start her professional life in the city. From there, the story splits in two as both possibilities take shape: Liz stays in the park with Kate while Beth leaves with Lucas and the rest of the show further explores these options.

The idea of parallel universes has long been debated among intellectual circles. ‘If/Then’ takes this topic and visually explores the many possible paths a person’s life can take. Not only is Elizabeth’s life impacted, but so are the lives of those around her, including Lucas and Kate. To help distinguish between the two characters, as Elizabeth, Jennifer wears glasses when she is playing Liz. Despite that, the storyline is hard to follow sometimes but overall it is an intriguing and poignant exploration of the ever elusive ‘What If’ question. Highlights include “You Don’t Need to Love Me” after Beth sleeps with Lucas and “Hey Kid” when Lucas is deciding if he should commit to David. The second act is darker as the group experiences several losses but at the end the story reset and ends in Madison Square Garden, where it all began. The cast works well together, and their vocal abilities make this an enjoyable production. Like ‘Rent,’ ‘If/Then’ centers around a group of young friends but it is also a deep look into the unpredictability of life.  It is recommended for audiences who appreciate more cerebral productions but because of its adult language and themes,  it may not be suitable for all audiences.

Spa for a Cause at Hiatus Spa + Retreat

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In honor of Earth Month, Hiatus Spa + Retreat is hosting Spa for a Cause.  Photo: Hiatus Spa + Retreat, used with permission.

To celebrate Earth Month, Hiatus Spa + Retreat is hosting Spa for a Cause to benefit charity:water. This month-long fundraiser includes a special monthly retreat conserving water, special pricing on Essential Services and a fundraising raffle with prizes featuring over 75 Hiatus treatments. Each of these specials will support Hiatus’ $10,000 fundraising goal for charity:water, a nonprofit organization delivering clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries. By meeting their fundraising goal for the past two years, charity:water was able to build two wells in Ethiopia serving over 300 people each. (Hiatus Spa + Retreat, 2018)

During the month of April, Hiatus is offering a special discount of 20% off all Essential Services when guests book Spa for a Cause branded services with promo code “charity water,” where 20% of profits from these services go towards charity:water. Hiatus will also donate $10 to charity:water for each guest who enrolls in the H-Circle membership program during the month of April.

Hiatus will also offer Gravity, a special monthly retreat that conserves water and is inspired by Earth Month. Gravity begins with a triple acid full-body peel with red and green tea extracts followed by a purifying clay mask, a wrap, a scalp massage, a detoxifying foot treatment and a massage with silky body serum and a choice of three moisturizers to condition and nourish the skin. Gravity concludes with a blackberry rooibos tea cocktail, radiant skin and a clean conscience from getting an earth friendly service.

There will also be an Earth Month raffle all month featuring 75 in-spa service giveaways at each location. Purchase tickets online or in the spa for $5 each, three for $10, or ten for $25. Raffle prizes range from the Yours Truly Massage to the Best Facial Ever. Plus, with every $25 raffle donation, guests will be entered to win a six-month H-Circle membership.

Hiatus strives to be earth-friendly throughout the year and has made the environment a cornerstone of its business philosophy; from initial build-out to ongoing initiatives such as bottle cap recycling, 100 percent wind-powered energy, VOC-free paint finishes, post-consumer recycled paper printed with soy ink and its no-bottled-water policy.

April events at Pearl

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April at the Pearl has exciting events for everyone. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

April brings a whole month of exciting events at Pearl. From weekly workouts in Pearl Park to shopping the Farmers Market vendors during First Thursday Night market and celebrating Fiesta with a Battle of the Flowers after party, there is something for everyone. All events are free and open to the public. (Pearl, 2018)

Starting Tuesday, April 3: Fitness in Pearl Park at 5:30 p.m.
Pearl hosts Fitness in Pearl Park every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in April with Smart Barre. After class enjoy specials in the Bottling Department from The Good Kind and the Bottling Department Bar. Happy hour at the Bottling Department takes place every Monday. Participants can sign up with Smart Barre.

Thursday, April 5: First Thursday Night Market from 4p.m. to 8p.m.
Over 20 Pearl Farmers market vendors will set up shop on Pearl Parkway offering their latest products and handmade goods. Enjoy live music by Los Djangoleros while stocking up on goods from local vendors.

Friday, April 27: Battle of the Flowers After Party from 12:30p.m. to 5p.m.
Keep the celebration going after Battle of the Flowers parade with Pearl. Enjoy specials from the Bottling Department while dancing along to performances by DJ Chulita Vinyl Club and Gina Chavez. Mr. Piñata will emcee the event. Several restaurants will also be offering specials in celebration of Fiesta.

Pearl
303 Pearl Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78215