Month: April 2021

Taco Cabana introduces ‘La Bandera’ margarita

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the limited-time margarita, ‘La Bandera’ at Taco Cabana. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Launching May 5, 2021, Cinco de Mayo, Taco Cabana invites TC and MargaritaPalooza fans to celebrate the holiday with the limited-time “La Bandera” Margarita. The “La Bandera” Margarita is layered with Lime, Strawberry, Mango, and Blue Curacao flavors and will be available at all participating Taco Cabana locations in Texas for $3. (Taco Cabana, 2021)

Also launching on May 5, 2021, Taco Cabana guests can enjoy a limited-time food bundle featuring a half-order of Taco Cabana’s Kickin’ Nachos and 12 signature TC chicken flautas for $19.99.

Taco Cabana will continue its signature MargaritaPalooza with 12 other margarita flavors for just $2 all day, every day, including its three classic margarita flavors Lime, Strawberry and Mango. The nine limited-time MargaritaPalooza flavors include*:

  • Pineapple Jalapeño 
  • Dragonfruit 
  • Pickle
  • Violet
  • Orange
  • Pistachio 
  • Orange Cream
  • Chili Lime Cucumber
  • Pineapple Banana

*Guests have the option to add chamoy at no additional cost.

TC guests may also purchase gallon margaritas of Lime, Strawberry and Mango for $34.99.

“Every year, Cinco de Mayo is always a big celebration for Taco Cabana, guests and team members included. This year we combined MargaritaPalooza and the launch of the new ‘La Bandera’ margarita with Cinco de Mayo to make it even more of a celebration. We invite everyone to include TC in their Cinco de Mayo plans whether it be dine-in, takeout or delivery.” – Rich Stockinger, President and CEO of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., parent company of Taco Cabana

Taco Cabana is also creating a series of short videos entitled “In The Kitchen With Taco Cabana,” led by TC corporate chefs, Sergio Remolina and Chelsea Lietz. Each video speaks about a TC favorite, brought home and given a “unique twist” in the kitchen.  Something to make your Cinco de Mayo celebration, or any celebration, slightly more festive with Taco Cabana as your partner. These videos will be available online on Friday, April 30 and will also be featured across TC’s social media. 

All menu items, including MargaritaPalooza margaritas, can be ordered online or via the MYTC! App for convenient curbside pick-up. TC drive-throughs are open for food and alcohol purchases and Taco Cabana dining rooms and patios are open for on-site dining as well. Currently, San Antonio residents can order alcohol and food delivery online or via the Taco Cabana app. Members of the MYTC! Loyalty Program also earn reward points for each alcoholic beverage purchase. 

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRGI), was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of beer and tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of Jan. 1, 2021, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns, operates and franchises Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana® restaurant brands. The brands specialize in the operation of fast casual/quick service restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. The brands feature fresh-made cooking, drive-thru service and catering.

 

Mexican rock and pop-punk band The Supuestos release second single and video

The Supuestos’ ‘Apuesta En Mi’ is an animated video inspired by love lost during the pandemic. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Mexican rock and pop-punk trio The Supuestos are excited to present their second single and animated video “Apuesta En Mi.” Featuring energetic guitar riffs and heart-pounding drum lines, the song takes listeners on a musical roller coaster ride while the video immerses viewers deeper into the vibrant, animated world of The Supuestos, with the band being trapped by the same group of aliens that captured the woman in their first video. It also depicts a fight against a succubus-like demon inside a casino and other out of this world imagery. (Vesper Public Relations, 2021)

The single’s lyrics explore the themes of love and relationships, emphasizing how we occasionally need to take chances. Founder Kenio Chavero comments, “I once had a girlfriend who was scared to take our relationship to the next level. My feelings of longing for her to take a bet on me came out while writing the song.”

Chihuahua based The Supuestos was born during the COVID-19 pandemic and includes members of the Mexican punk band Seis Pistos. With no venues to perform live, Kenio, Yorsh and el Shinobi found refuge by rehearsing and recording, giving birth to The Supuestos. The new band is driven by two universal powers: rock ‘n’ roll and love. These two pillars serve as both emotional and artistic sustenance for the members as they continue developing their sound.

Their first single, “No Me Digas Adiós,” is a fast-paced, headbanging song that reflect upon the difficulty of ending a relationship and is accompanied by a colorful animated video by the illustrator Manuel Fermont and Sergio Jaso featuring aliens, milkshakes, skateboards, and a re-kindled romance. Tight guitar lines and drum rhythms sustain the drive from start to end.

Music, animation, and virtual reality are equally important for The Supuestos. The band’s goal is to immerse listeners and viewers in a cartoon-like world with a wild and fun soundtrack. Each of their videos are chapters of a longer story.

Renowned producer Fausto Juárez launches new regional Mexican music project

Fausto Juárez proudly presents his latest project, Legión Alterna. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The renowned producer, arranger and composer Fausto Juárez proudly presents his latest project Legión Alterna. Launched under his recording label Lamat Records, the new project has been Juárez’ primary focus the past year. He has been working full time on their new material, practicing, studying music, composing, and choosing songs for their productions, which they have been releasing every few months. (Vesper Public Relations, 2021)

In 2009, Juárez independently opened Lamat Studios, his own recording studio which has since grown in fame among celebrated artists and the important recording labels of the moment. Thanks to his unique producing style, Juárez dominates the Regional Mexican genre while adding his distinct influences that come from other music styles and his experience as musician with a contemporary, academic background.

One of his major contributions to Regional Mexican music has been the new subgenre corridos progresivos, a mixture of corridos and progressive rock. Both respected musicians and industry players such as Ángel Del Villar and Jimmy Humilde have sought out Juárez as an in-demand producer.

In 2005, Juárez arrived in Los Angeles to begin learning music production and sound engineering while he was culminating his final tour throughout Europe, México, and United States as both an active musician and music director.  During his time as a touring guitarist, he obtained the support of important sponsors, including Gibson Guitars, becoming the first sponsored Latino by the legendary brand. Due to that sponsorship, the company began a Latin division dedicated towards guitar greats from Latin America. His other sponsors included Rocktron, GHS strings, and Marshall Amplification.

Juárez has produced and worked with Regulo Caro, Alfredo Olivas, Grupo Codiciado, Luis Coronel, El Dasa, Fidel Rueda, Luis Antonio López “El Mimoso”, Chiquis Rivera, Gloria Trevi, Gerardo Ortiz, El Potro de Sinaloa, Graciela Beltrán, Helen Ochoa, Patricia Manterola, Banda Machos, Myriam Montemayor, Beatriz Adriana, and other emerging and established artists.

Juárez has received two Latin Grammy nominations, both for Mejor Álbum de Música Banda (Best Banda Music Album). He received his first in 2018 with Luis Coronel and the other in 2019 with Luis Antonio López “El Mimoso”. His soundtrack to the series El Vato (season two) won an Emmy Award, and the series itself went on to win an International Emmy in 2018. Fausto also produced the main soundtrack for the series El Hijo Del Desierto, which was performed by Mexican singer El Dasa.

“My plan is continue developing the new project until next year, and eventually I’ll go back to the recording studio to continue producing for other artists. In the meantime, I’m 100% focused on the music production and the artistic evolution of Legión Alterna.” – Fausto Juárez

Upcoming new release: ‘Moonlighting: An Oral History’ by Scott Ryan

‘Moonlighting: An Oral History’ will be released on June 1, 2021. Photo: amazon

Scott Ryan is the managing editor of The Blue Rose Magazine and the author of “thirtysomething at thirty: an oral history” and “The Last Days of Letterman.” He wrote about his bad luck in twenty comic short stories – Scott Luck Stories. Ryan is also the director of A Voyage to Twin Peaks and the host of The Red Room Podcast. His new book “Moonlighting: An Oral History,” tells the real story of the pioneering television series and the extraordinary behind-the-scenes challenges, battles, and rewards. It will be out on Tuesday, June 1 and is available for pre-order on amazon. (Black Château, 2021)

In “Moonlighting: An Oral History,” Actress Cybill Shepherd speaks openly for the first time about her time on Moonlighting, the pioneering television series broadcast by ABC in the 80s. Published by Fayetteville Mafia Press, the book also includes the memories of the creator, other stars, and the many key collaborators responsible for this benchmark of television history.

To get the details about the five-season saga, Ryan interviewed over twenty crew members. Among them are Glenn Gordon Caron, creator of Moonlighting, as well as the actors, writers, directors, and producers who made the TV series such a dynamic and unforgettable comedy-drama. Actors Cybill Shepherd, Allyce Beasley, and Curtis Armstrong are among those who speak openly to him about their time on the show. The fourteen chapters capture the initial excitement of the people making the series as well as the pain and sorrow of the creative and personal discord that tore it apart and doomed it. 

Author Scott Ryan promises readers, “Anyone who has any passing knowledge of how television is made, or who wants to know the truth about one of the most popular TV shows of all time, is going to be blown away by the stories of how Moonlighting was made.”

Aired from 1985 to 1989 on ABC, Moonlighting helped pave the way for today’s era of prestige television. Among the most buzzed-about shows in the country, it won three Golden Globe Awards. This was due largely to the bravado of creator Glenn Gordon Caron, who never met a TV-storytelling convention he did not want to break, as well as the sizzling on-screen chemistry between its unforgettable main characters: glamorous erstwhile film star Maddie Hayes (played by Cybill Shepherd) and irreverent private eye David Addison (played by an unknown New Jersey bartender named Bruce Willis). Their ceaseless bickering and flirting onscreen, and their epic battles off-screen, remain the substance of Hollywood legend.

 

“I will trust you to get this wonderful book, and delve into its pages to discover from multiple perspectives the ironic details of the behind the scenes machismo of this onscreen feminist fantasy.” – Martha Nochimson, Film Critic and Writer, 

 

Fayetteville Mafia Press is a dynamic new independent publishing house focusing on producing high-quality nonfiction books of all types by authors with distinctive voices and original insights into the world around them. The company specializes in pop culture, true crime, and sports. 

2021-06-01T11:07:00

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Movie adaptation: ‘Without Remorse’ by Tom Clancy

The movie adaptation of Tom Clancy’s ‘Without Remorse’ will be released on Prime Video on April 30, 2021. Photo: google

Tom Clancy was an international thriller author. Starting with “The Hunt for Red October,” all thirteen of his previous books have hit #1 on the The New York Times bestseller list. His books, “The Hunt for Red October,” “Patriot Games,” “Clear and Present Danger,” and “The Sum of all Fears” have been made into major motion pictures. The latest one is “Without Remorse,” which shows how an ordinary man crossed the lines of justice and morality to become the CIA legend Mr. Clark. It is a spin-off of the Jack Ryan film series and stars Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Bell, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Guy Pearce. Release date on Prime Video is Friday, April 30, 2021. (amazon, 2021)

“Without Remorse” is set during the Vietnam War, it serves as an origin story of John Clark, one of the recurring characters in the Ryanverse. It introduces Clark as former Navy SEAL John Kelly and explains how he changed his name.

Movie synopsis: (Wikipedia) In a war-torn region of Syria, an elite team of US Navy SEALs led by Senior Chief John Clark rescues a CIA operative taken hostage by ex-Russian military forces. Three months later, in apparent retaliation for his role in the mission, Clark’s pregnant wife Pam is murdered by a squad of Russian assassins. Despite being shot multiple times himself, Clark manages to kill all but one of the attackers before being rushed to the hospital. In Washington D.C., Clark’s friend and former SEAL team member Lt. Commander Karen Greer meets with CIA officer Robert Ritter and Secretary of Defense Thomas Clay to discuss response options. Leaked news of Russia’s unprecedented attack on American soil has caused the already-strained relations between the two nations to sour further. If something is not done soon, the result could be a full-scale war. Healed from his injuries, Clark tracks down a corrupt Russian diplomat who issued the passports to his wife’s murderers and at gunpoint forces him to give up the name of the surviving assassin.

The Children’s Ballet returns with ‘Swan Lake’ at the Tobin Center

The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio presents Swan Lake. Photo: The Children’s Theatre of San Antonio, used with permission.

The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is set to make a splash with the production of the iconic classic ‘Swan Lake’ brought to life by the award-winning Artistic Director and Founder Vanessa Bessler. With nationally and internationally acclaimed dancers ranging in age from 3 to 21, viewers can see the future of ballet spinning into shape right before their eyes at the Tobin Center this May. Performances will be Friday, May 21 at 7p.m. and Saturday May 22 at 2p.m. and 7p.m. Tickets are available online. (Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, 2021)

‘Swan Lake’ tells the love story of Prince Siegfried and Odette, a beautiful swan princess. The fairytale comes to life with a full-length production featuring dazzling costumes custom made in Moscow, integrated multimedia scenery, and a talented array of over 140 award-winning classical dancers, gifted special needs artists, and many other exceptional young children rounding out the talented ensemble cast.

Critically acclaimed Hungarian-born principal dancer Mate Szentes will accompany the young dancers as Prince Siegfried. Known for his “bold attacks” and “glittering technique” by art critics, Szentes receives invitations to perform worldwide from Vienna to Japan. He works with world-renowned choreographers such as Ma Cong, Val Caniparoli, Mariana Oliveira, Melissa Barak, Katarzyna Skarpetowska, Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa, among many others, and danced as a company artist around the world, as well as a principal dancer for the Richmond Ballet. He is a permanent guest principal dancer with the American Contemporary Ballet and Raiford Rogers Modern Ballet. He was invited to participate in the very prestigious National Choreographers Initiative in 2016 and 2018. Since 2016 he has choreographed original works showcased in Richmond, San Diego and New Mexico.

The dancers will perform the ballet using choreography based on the revival of the production created by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov that was first staged for the Imperial Ballet in 1895 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. To add to the majesty of the production, they will be wearing beautiful, elaborate costumes created by a leading costume maker in Russia whose work can be seen at the top theatres around the world.

“Swan Lake is the most celebrated ballet in the world and one of the most challenging and beautiful to perform,” says six-time Youth America Grand Prix Outstanding Teacher Award Winner and Children’s Ballet Director Vanessa Bessler. “Many of our dancers have received scholarships and acceptance to attend the best academies in the world and gained international acclaim from the most elite competitions in ballet since they last performed Swan Lake several years ago. We can’t wait to return to the theatre and celebrate Tchaikovsky’s largest and most acclaimed masterpiece. They are ready and excited to take to the stage once again.”

The Children’s Ballet continues to enforce extensive safety protocols to include both virtual and limited capacity in-person rehearsals, screenings, masks, gloves, long sleeves, social distancing, and much more. As a result, the organization has been Covid free since reopening its doors on May 23, 2020. The Tobin Center leads the charge on safety precautions that have allowed the arts and entertainment to continue by enforcing strict safety initiatives, limited capacity, and mask mandates that exceed both federal and state requirements.

Ballet and performing arts lovers, parents, grandparents and children of all ages will not want to miss this breathtaking performance by some of San Antonio’s most prestigious rising artists.

The award-winning Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is an authentic, professional-level ballet company that produces professionally staged productions showcasing San Antonio’s most talented children. Dancers are selected by invitation or audition. The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio is a nonprofit organization 501(c)3. The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) seeks to inspire the pursuit of excellence and prepare children for productive and creative lives through dance by offering extensive training and performance opportunities for talented children from all backgrounds.

Frida Kahlo Oasis at San Antonio Botanical Garden

The Frida Kahlo Oasis will open on Saturday May 8, 2021. Photo: San Antonio Botanical Garden

The San Antonio Botanical Garden, in partnership with the Museo Frida Kahlo, have created a world-class exhibition celebrating Frida Kahlo and her deep connection with plants and the natural world. Frida Kahlo Oasis opens on Saturday May 8 and will be on view until Tuesday, November 2, 2021. Opening weekend activities on May 8-9 from 10a.m. to 2p.m. will feature exhibition tours, Frida-inspired hands-on activities, cash bar and food prepared by Jason Dady, and more.  (San Antonio Botanical Garden, 2021)

The Botanical Garden invites you to immerse yourself in the lush green sanctuary of the exhibition which features a one-of-a-kind stylized version of Casa Azul, Kahlo’s iconic blue home.  Discover the tropical and native plants that Kahlo loved, iconic landmarks, and Mexican Arte Popular – monumental animals that profoundly influenced her timeless art. Exhibit is included with Garden admission and membership.

The exhibition’s Casa Azul garden will occupy a 2,100 square food space nestled in the heart of the Botanical Garden, shaded by giant oak trees, and overflowing with Mexican native plants, and a mixture of tropical foliage and desert plants, including elephant ears, bougainvillea, agave, and marigolds. Visitors are invited to explore the famous landmarks of Kahlo’s garden at Casa Azul such as the pyramid that displayed Diego Rivera’s pre-Columbian artifacts collection, the frog-themed fountain, and Kahlo’s desk and easel. The exhibition will also feature six monumental animals specially sighted throughout the lush garden grounds – a Dog, Monkey, Deer, Butterfly, Parrot, and Hummingbird – which often appear in Kahlo’s artworks, as a testimonial to her passion for Mexican Arte Popular.

The Botanical Garden will offer a variety of Frida Kahlo and Mexican inspired programs to engage visitors along with the exhibition.  These include special curated tours, art history lectures, culinary and cocktail workshops, and adult and family events.

Donate a book on National Book Day at MAX’s Wine Dive

Donate a brand-new children’s book and receive a complimentary dessert. Photo: Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio, used with permission.

Celebrate National Book Day with MAX’s Wine Dive, located in Quarry Village, all day on Friday, April 23, 2021 from 11a.m. to 9p.m. MAX’s Wine Dive is proud to partner with the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio by encouraging guests to bring in brand-new children’s books on National Book Day, which will be donated to the nonprofit dedicated to inspiring youth to achieve their full potential in a safe, positive and engaging environment that promotes education, health and character development. (MAX’s Wine Dive, 2021)

Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio keeps children safe after school and throughout the summer by providing a positive environment where they can learn, play, and grow. Club membership focuses on Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles, and Character & Leadership programs that target developmental needs, ensuring every child graduates high school on time with a plan for the future.  

“With a motto like “Together We Will Get Through This,” how could the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio not be a perfect match for MAX’s Wine Dive?” said General Manager Ande McBay. “Our team here believes the same thing – from the pandemic to shutdowns to natural disasters and shortages, together, we’ll get through whatever comes next. So, this National Book Day, we’re committed to instilling that sense of togetherness in the next generation by supporting with something that the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio need the most – new books, games, and puzzles,” added McBay.

With the purchase of an entrée, guests who donate a new children’s book, can indulge in popular MAX’s Wine Dive desserts like the white cherry chip cast iron cookie served with vanilla gelato, flourless chocolate torte, or MAX’s seasonal bread pudding with vanilla gelato, complimentary. Satisfy your sweet tooth while helping the local San Antonio community on National Book Day.    

MAX’s Wine Dive – Quarry Village

340 East Basse Road, Suite 101

San Antonio, Texas 78209  

Upcoming new release: ‘Good Lookin” by T.L. Bequette

‘Good Lookin’,’ T.L. Bequette’s debut novel, will be out Monday, May 24, 2021. Photo: amazon

T.L. Bequette is a criminal defense attorney with degrees from The University of the Pacific and Georgetown Law School. He serves annually on faculty of the Stanford Law School Trial Advocacy Clinic.  Located in Oakland, California, most of his practice involves defending Oakland youths accused of murder. His writing is fueled by the criminal justice system’s need for reform and two decades of defending America’s youth on the front lines. Bequette’s writing is inspired by his time in the courtroom where he has tried more than 20 murder cases. His skill in delivering closing arguments and presenting the stories of his clients to the jury make him a master storyteller. “Good Lookin’” is his debut novel and weaves his expertise from the courtroom into the pages of a thrilling mystery. “Good Lookin’: A Joe Turner Mystery” will be out on May 24th, 2021 and is written from the protagonist’s first-person perspective and will hook readers with its storyline, authenticity, and unexpected twists and turns. It is available for pre-order in paperback and digital formats on Amazon. (Black Château, 2021)

“Good Lookin’” – From the gang-ravaged streets of inner-city Oakland to the rolling hills of Berkeley, California, attorney Joe Turner defends the most hardened criminals. Yet his latest case, representing Darnell Moore, a 19-year-old accused of a drive-by murder, seems impossible to unravel. Joe believes in his client’s innocence, but the defense is baffled by the snitch culture of the Oakland streets. Darnell refuses Joe’s pleas to name the actual shooter for fear of reprisal against his family.

A parallel story from twelve years ago follows the struggles of the identical twins Damon and Jesse, who suffer under the thumb of an abusive foster dad. The boys are forced to work, forage for food in dumpsters, and endure the random shoulder-punches of their beer-swilling guardian. They are reluctant to report the abuse for fear they will be separated, but eventually, retribution proves deadly. Over a decade later, the twins’ path crosses Darnell’s and the two tales merge into a rousing denouement of self-defense and vigilante justice.

At the heart of Bequette’s debut novel is a decade-old murder and a tangled web of family, loyalty, and devotion that has the trial hanging in the balance. “Good Lookin’,” the shorthand street term for “good lookin’ out,” examines the challenges of protecting a loved one in the snitch culture of the streets—all through the prism of the unique bond of twins.

“Good Lookin’” is a “zesty, addictive tale that incorporates plenty of criminal hijinks and courtroom melodrama and will satisfy fans of suspense novels and literary crime dramas.” – Kirkus Reviews

2021-05-24T13:25:00

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Pluckers Wing Bar to host NFL Draft Party

Pluckers Wing Bar will be hosting an NFL Draft Party on Thursday, April 29, 2021. Photo: Melissa Skorpil, used with permission.

Pluckers Wing Bar will host an exciting NFL Draft Party on Thursday, April 29 at all Texas locations; draft begins at 7p.m. Each Pluckers location will select specific guests to act as a “general manager” for an NFL team in the first round. The “general manager” will be asked to guess who his or her team will draft, and if the guess is correct, everyone at that Pluckers location will be eligible for an incredible food or drink special, available only until the next team’s pick. Everyone in attendance at the end of the draft who arrived before the 10th pick is eligible to win a $25 gift card. (Pluckers Wing Bar, 2021)

In addition to each location having competitions amongst its guests, all Texas Pluckers locations will also be competing against each other in the NFL Draft Party. If your Pluckers location gets the most correct, five guests will each win a $25 gift card. Specials will include rotating food and drink specials and will go up in value as the draft picks become harder to predict.

Owners Mark Greenberg, Dave Paul, and Sean Greenberg, 2017 Ernst and Young Central Texas Entrepreneurs of the Year opened their first Pluckers restaurant in Austin in 1995. Over the past 25 years, Pluckers Wing Bar has opened 30 locations, expanding to Baton Rouge, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston Killeen, San Marcos, and San Antonio. Pluckers is known for its signature wings and is consistently recognized as the best sports bar and chicken wing restaurant in the cities where it is located. Offering guests a fun, laid-back atmosphere where friends, family, and co-workers can enjoy a great meal and watch sports, Pluckers has been named in USA Today’s “Top Ten Wing Restaurants,” ESPN’s “Top 5 Sports Bar in North America,” and Dallas Observer’s “Best Sports Bar,” along with being named one of “Austin’s Best Places to Work” for three years by Austin Business Journal.