Culinary community unites for fundraiser for Samantha Flores

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The fundraising brunch will be held on Sunday October 14. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Chefs for Chefs is rallying the culinary community to unite to raise funds for Samantha Flores, manager at Ramen Bar, who is known for her ‘’great heart.” While riding her bicycle on her way home near Loop 410 and Nacogdoches Road in the early morning hours of Friday September 7, she was injured by a hit-and-run driver. She remains hospitalized and her road to recovery will be long. As her medical bills mount, Chef Michael Sohocki decided to reach out to other Chefs, Culinaria and La Cantera Resort & Spa to rally the community for a benefit to raise funds. (Culinaria, 2018)

This fundraising event will take place on Sunday October 14 from 11a.m. to 2p.m. at Grille 254 at La Cantera Resort and will feature brunch bites from featured chefs along with brunch worthy beverages, a silent auction and complimentary live music by Finding Friday. Tickets are $50 and are available online or onsite the day of the event for $60. If unable to attend but interested in doing more, a donation option is available. For questions contact Culinaria at 210-822-9555.

Participating chefs:
Chef Micheal Sohocki, Restaurant Gwendolyn
Chef Bruce Auden, Biga on the Banks
Chef Jason Dady, Jason Dady Restaurant Group
Chef Johnny Hernandez, Grupo La Gloria and True Flavors Catering
Chef Giovanni Sliva, Grille 254
Chef Andrew Weissman, Signature Restaurant

“One of our own needs our help and it’s time to bring together some of San Antonio’s best chefs to raise funds and the spirits of our friend and colleague.” – Chef Michael Sohocki.

Grille 254 at La Cantera Resort & Spa
16441 La Cantera Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78256

Culinaria’s Chefs for Chefs provides assistance to chefs in their time of need. Every dollar raised is leveraged through health care and assistance for chefs during medical emergencies.

‘Avenue Q’ opens this Friday at the Woodlawn Theatre

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The cast of ‘Avenue Q,’ opening this Friday at the Woodlawn Theatre. Photo: Woodlawn Theatre, used with permission. 

Opening this Friday at the Woodlawn Theatre and just in time for the Halloween season, is the riotous ‘Avenue Q.’ The Tony-Award winning musical features dysfunctional twenty-something puppets coping with personal insecurities and identities while living on Avenue Q. This heartwarming and timely production runs from Friday October 12 through Sunday November 4. Show times are every Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets prices are $30 for adults, $24 for senior/military/first responders, $18 for children/students and groups of ten or more receive a 20% discount. Tickets are on sale online or by calling the box office at (210) 267-8388. (Woodlawn Theatre, 2018)

*’Avenue Q’ contains adult language, and explicit content and situations. Parental discretion is advised.

‘Avenue Q is based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. This coming-of-age story is performed by puppets, animated by visible puppeteers in full view of the audience and alongside human actors. “What happens when you’ve been told throughout your entire childhood that you’re special, only to find out that, as an adult, maybe you’re not?” Recent college graduate Princeton is learning that very difficult lesson upon his arrival in New York City. Lacking in finances, Princeton is forced to get a place in a tiny apartment on Avenue Q where he meets Kate Monster, Rod, Trekkie, Christmas Eve, Lucy, Brian and more quirky characters who are each trying to find their own way in love, career and life. They discover to their surprise and dismay, that in the real world their options are limited and that they are no more “special” than anyone else. With musical numbers like “It Sucks to be Me,” Everyone’s a Little Racist” and “Schandenfreude,” it does not shy away from tackling tough, mature subjects in an entertaining way.

During this production’s run, Woodlawn Theatre will be accepting personal hygiene donations to benefit Martinez Street Women’s Center, a non-profit organization that provides critical services to girls, women, and families in San Antonio.

Promotional Nights:
Pride Night – Saturday October 27
College Night – Friday November 2
ASL (American Sign Language) Night – Saturday November 3

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

‘Waitress’ tickets on sale this Friday

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Tickets to ‘Waitress’ go on sale this Friday October 5 at 10a.m. 

Broadway in San Antonio announces this week that ‘Waitress’ is coming to the Majestic Theatre as part of the North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio 2018-2019 season. It will play for eight performances only from Tuesday January 8 through Sunday January 13, 2019 and tickets go on sale at 10a.m. this Friday, October 5. Ticket prices start at $40, are available at Ticketmaster online, by phone at (800) 982-2787 or by visiting the Majestic Box Office. The Majestic Box Office does not accept single ticket orders over the phone; all ticket sales must be made in person. Majestic Box Office hours are 10a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Friday. Orders for groups of 15 or more may be placed by calling (210) 226-5967. Show times are 7:30p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 8p.m. Friday; 2p.m. and 8p.m. Saturday and 2p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. (Broadway in San Antonio, 2018)

‘Waitress’ is inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film and tells the story of Jenna – a waitress and expert pie maker. Jenna dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. To make a real change, Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life. Brought to life by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, this irresistible new hit features original music and lyrics by 6-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (“Brave,” “Love Song”), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam), choreography by Lorin Latarro (Les Dangereuse Liasons, Waiting For Godot) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Hair, Pippin, Finding Neverland).

Majestic Theatre
224 E Houston St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 226-3333

Hiatus Spa + Retreat monthly retreat packages

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Hiatus Spa + Retreat has monthly packages to fit every style and preference. Photo: Molly Culver, used with permission. 

Each month, Hiatus Spa + Retreat creates special “Monthly Retreat” packages for customers to escape their daily routines and enjoy unique body treatments that end with a specialty cocktail. The upcoming monthly retreats include Black Magic in October, Abundance in November and Solstice in December. (Hiatus Spa + Retreat, 2018)

October Monthly Retreat: Black Magic
80 minutes. $195 | $128 h-circle
Make time for a little magic this October with the detoxifying Black Tea and Charcoal Body Experience. Fragrant Black Tea joins forces with Activated Charcoal and Organic Sugar to create a gentle full-body polish. Afterwards, a warm body wrap using a potent triple-clay Masque with Activated Charcoal and Magnesium balances and mineralizes the skin and includes a scalp and foot massage. A warm Vichy rain gives way to a moisturizing massage with a blend of cocoa and shea butters, touched with essences of Orange, Bergamot, antioxidant-rich Marigold and Black Tea Extracts. The spell wouldn’t be complete without a bewitching corpse reviver cocktail to close.

November Monthly Retreat: Abundance
80 minutes. $195 | $128 h-circle
A handmade enzyme rich pumpkin scrub mask with earthy yet fresh essences of Carrot Seed and Ginger Root gently peels away tired skin, while a nourishing foot treatment with Boabab and Tamanu Oils will restore a sense of groundedness. After a refreshing Vichy cleanse, delight in a hydrating massage with a vitamin-rich Jojoba body butter and a spiced bourbon pumpkin punch.

December Monthly Retreat: Solstice
80 minutes. $195 | $128 h-circle
Escape to the peaceful tranquility of the forest with the uplifting December Retreat. Pure essences of Red Spruce, Northern White Cedar and Eastern Hemlock blend in a gentle body polish to recreate a nostalgic serenity of the woods. A warm Vichy rainfall, soothing massage and frozen blackberry gin fizz are sure relieve Holiday tension; and without forgetting the spirit of giving, purchase of this service supports regional forest protection organizations.

Additionally, Hiatus Spa + Retreat has added SAINT Cosmetics to their list of products sold at all spa locations. SAINT is an organic makeup line that uses formulas that instantly transform complexion for a flawless finish without compromises. SAINT is the first nontoxic makeup brand that photographs like an Instagram filter and offers flawless full coverage completely untraceable by high-definition cameras or in-person. SAINT’s natural cosmetics are the standard in nontoxic makeup by being free of parabens, petrochemicals, nanoparticles, sulfates, silicone, polyethylene glycols (PEGs), phthalates, mineral oil, triclosan, petrolatum, coal tar, artificial preservatives and synthetic fragrance ingredients, making them one of the most complete brands for best natural makeup.

SAINT products sold at each Hiatus location include: Angel Face Primer, Pressed Powder Foundation, Illuminating On-The-Go Flawless Concealer, Diabolical Liquid Liner, 24K Glow Highlighter, 24K Glow Highlighter, On Cloud 9 Bronzer, Blush, Longwear Lipstick, Lip-gloss, Eyeshadow Palettes and Mascara.

Hiatus Spa + Retreat
312 Pearl Pkwy, Building 4, Ste 4112
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 202-3355

‘Cowboy Barbecue’ by Adrian Davila

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Adrian Davila’s “Cowboy Barbecue” celebrates the culinary legacy of the original Texas Vaqueros. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Adrian Davila is a third generation BBQ restauranteur, BBQ Chef and Pit Master at the acclaimed Davila’s BBQ in Seguin, TX. He spent most of his youth in the restaurant’s kitchen mastering the techniques until he could prepare everything on the menu to perfection. In his debut cookbook “Cowboy Barbecue: Fire & Smoke from the Original Texas Vaqueros,” he shares authentic Texas barbecue with a uniquely Latin twist. It highlights the flavors and stories of the Mexican-American community from the simple, everyday cooking to the celebratory feasts that bring family and friends together. Co-authored with Ann Volkwein. (Countryman Press, 2018)

In “Cowboy Barbecue,” chef and restauranteur Adrian Davila celebrates traditions of Latin America and Texas, taking inspiration from the vaquero lifestyle and his own family history. His signature dishes trace their culinary roots back to the vaqueros, the Latino cowboys who once roamed the plains of Texas and Mexico. These vaqueros may have been the first “pit masters” who combined the local ingredients with the bright flavors of the Iberian Peninsula. For three generations, Davila’s BBQ has infused classic brisket, ribs and sausage with Latin flavors. Aside from grilling tips, he also offers techniques for smoking, cooking directly on the embers, underground, on a spit and more. Recipes include Mesquite Brisket, Vaquero Chili con Carne, Fire-Roasted Tomato, Onion and Serrano Salsa and more as well as more than fifty color photographs. Available on Amazon.

Fast Eddie’s 20th anniversary party this Friday

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Fast Eddie’s anniversary party will take place this Friday October 5 at all locations. Photo: Fast Eddie’s, used with permission. 

Fast Eddie’s, the largest group of billiards halls in the U.S., is celebrating its 20th anniversary with six months of festivities happening on the first Friday of each month from August 2018 through January 2019. The October “Squeaky Clean” party is the third event of the anniversary series, featuring craft cocktails with locally-made vodka and a free-entry, single-player Broomstick Pool Tournament (brooms provided). It will take place on Friday October 5 from 8p.m. to midnight at all Fast Eddie’s Billiards & Sports Bar locations. One lucky winner will be awarded a $3,000-value prize from the event. During each anniversary party, qualifying finalists will receive tickets to win a 2019 Chevy Camaro. (Fast Eddie’s Billiards & Sports Bar, 2018)

Hospitality experts and bar veterans Bob Wilson, Mark Beyer and Mark Lewis opened the first Fast Eddie’s Billiard’s & Sports Bar in San Antonio in August 1998. These talented entrepreneurs created a neighborhood gathering place with more entertainment options than were available at any other billiards halls. With large, comfortable environments that feature multi-dimensional entertainment, high-end audio-visual equipment, top of the line pool tables, dart boards, video games, music, comfort food, a full bar, themed events and charity benefits, Fast Eddie’s has drawn a loyal following. The single pool hall on Culebra Rd became so successful, it spurred the growth of Fast Eddie’s to 15 locations in Texas and Louisiana.

Fast Eddie’s Billiards & Sports Bar San Antonio locations:
9910 W Loop 1604 N Suite 113
San Antonio, TX

7616 Culebra Rd #103
San Antonio, TX

502 Embassy Oaks
San Antonio, TX

11221 Perrin Beitel
San Antonio, TX