Day: May 25, 2021

Lightscape making its Texas debut at the San Antonio Botanical Garden

San Antonio’s newest holiday event will be making its Texas debut this holiday season. Photo: San Antonio Botanical Garden

San Antonio’s newest holiday event, Lightscape, is making its Texas debut at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Guests will be enchanted by magical light displays set along a beautifully illuminated one-mile path winding through the Botanical Garden. These captivating illuminations will dazzle the senses and the show will proudly include installations unique to Texas created by local and international artists. This exciting display will run from November 19, 2021 to January 2, 2022. (San Antonio Botanical Garden, 2021)

The trail will feature a one-of-a-kind experience blending new works, including a field of Texas bluebonnets, with guest-favorites, such as the show stopping Cathedral of Light, an impressive towering cathedral arch tunnel sparkling with 10,000 lights.

This holiday event routinely sells out in other cities, so be sure to mark your calendars and buy your tickets early. Botanical Garden members will receive an exclusive 48 hour pre-sake and ticket discount. Become a member today to guarantee tickets for your preferred date.

Tickets go on sale to Botanical Garden members on Wednesday, June 2 and public on-sale begins Friday, June 4, 2021.

The San Antonio Botanical Garden’s tranquil 38 acres serve as a living museum of native and imported plant life for visitors to appreciate, learn from, and enjoy. Its mission is to inspire people to connect with the plant world and understand the importance of plants in our lives.

SAY Sí’s annual Small Scale • Big Change fundraiser

SAY Sí will host their annual Small Scale • Big Change fundraiser from June 1 – 17, 2021. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

This June, SAY Sí will host their annual Small Scale • Big Change fundraiser from June 1 – 17, 2021. Over the span of 16 days, the nonprofit youth arts organization will virtually auction off pieces of art that were created by both student artists and celebrated artists from around San Antonio. This year’s theme is Comunidad y Arte (Community & Art) and the auction will include over 150 diverse pieces from local artists, with 50% of proceeds going directly back to participating artists and support of SAY Sí’s tuition-free programming. (SAY Sí, 2021)

List of participating artists include:
Deborah Keller-Rihn (20-year participant in SAY Sí’s annual fundraiser)
Hiromi Stringer (Five-year participant in SAY Sí’s annual fundraiser)
Suresh Pitamber (10-year participant in SAY Sí’s annual fundraiser)
Meredith Dean (Five-year participant in SAY Sí’s annual fundraiser)
Paula Owen (22-year participant in SAY Sí’s annual fundraiser)
Jane Bishop (Six-year participant in SAY Sí’s annual fundraiser)
Louis Vega Treviño (22-year participant in SAY Sí’s annual fundraiser)
Suzy González (Two-year participant in SAY Sí’s annual fundraiser)
Tim Olson (Six-year participant in SAY Sí’s annual fundraiser)
Richard Arredondo (25-year participant in SAY Sí’s annual fundraiser)
Analy Diego (Four-year participant in SAY Sí’s annual fundraiser)
Raul Rene Gonzalez (One-year participant in SAY Sí’s annual fundraiser)
Raul Servin (15-year participant in SAY Sí’s annual fundraiser)
Andy Tschoepe (Nine-year participant in SAY Sí’s annual fundraiser)
Vikki Fields (20-year participant in SAY Sí’s annual fundraiser)
Jorge Garza (20-year participant in SAY Sí’s annual fundraiser)

June 1, 2021: Digital artwork bidding and “buy-it-now” purchasing begin
June 1 – 17, 2021: Artwork is available for bidding digitally
June 16, 2021: “Buy-it-now” purchases will end at 11:59 p.m.
June 17, 2021: Final Auction Night @ 7p.m.; Artwork bidding will end at 7:59 p.m.
SAY Sí Digital Auction Site

Founded in 1994, SAY Sí is a national award-winning, art-based nonprofit youth development program located in San Antonio, Texas. The goal of the organization is to provide San Antonio area students in grades 6-12 with the opportunity to develop artistic and social skills in preparation for higher educational advancement and career building. SAY Sí programs serve over 200 students from all of San Antonio’s school districts – in addition to serving 4,000 youth in community programs. SAY Sí’s unique approach to education has placed the organization on the national stage, with recognition as one of the top out-of-school-time organizations in the country by The Wallace Foundation, as well as serving as one of seven international youth arts organizations chosen to receive an inaugural Creative Catalyst Award by Adobe Project 1324 in 2016.

Three Star Bar to open in San Antonio this summer

Three Star Bar, a new bar and restaurant by Jeret Peña, Chef Josh Calderon, and Rob Gourlay, will open in San Antonio in July 2021. Photo: Three Star Bar, used with permission.

Boulevardier Group Owner Jeret Peña, Chef Josh Calderon, and notable San Antonio bartender Rob Gourlay are excited to announce a new restaurant and bar, Three Star Bar, set to open in San Antonio this July. The new 7,000 square foot eatery will feature deli-inspired cuisine and comfort food in addition to boasting a full bar with a focus on high quality whiskey and local brews. Three Star Bar will seat approximately 140 people and will be located at 521 E Grayson St. in San Antonio, across from Hello Paradise and in the Government Hill district. (Three Star Bar, 2021)

Three Star Bar will have a welcoming atmosphere with nods to vintage food and drink memorabilia. The menu will offer appetizers like whiskey and maple glazed meatballs, deviled eggs, and borracho bean hummus, while the main entrées include a variety of fresh sandwiches filled with pork, meatballs, cured beef, and more. The cocktail menu will offer a variety of spirits but focus on high quality whiskeys, local brews, a selection of wines, and more. A full menu and opening date for Three Star Bar will be announced at a later date.

Three Star Bar is the latest restaurant and bar concept by Jeret Peña, who owns the Boulevardier Group, Hello Paradise, and is involved in the cocktail programs at Esquire Tavern, House of Má, Hugman’s Oasis and more. Peña is the co-owner and beverage director at Three Star Bar, while co-owner Rob Gourlay serves as general manager and Josh Calderon takes the helm of the kitchen as the chef/culinary director and co-owner.

Chef Calderon previously ran the kitchen at Cookhouse as Executive Chef and managed Bud’s Southern Rotisserie in San Antonio after moving back to the city from California, where he served as the Executive Chef for the Belcampo Group. Calderon received his certification at The Culinary Institute of America San Antonio campus and later earned his associate’s and bachelor’s degrees from The Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park campus in New York.

“We’re really excited to open Three Star Bar. It’s a really casual concept that doesn’t sacrifice quality. The food and beverage menus are relaxed, but still use high-end ingredients.” – Co-Owner Jeret Peña

Three Star Bar is a deli-inspired restaurant and bar in San Antonio, TX, by cocktail enthusiast and Boulevardier Group Owner Jeret Peña, Chef Josh Calderon and General Manager Rob Gourlay. The restaurant and bar is located just north of downtown San Antonio and offers casual dining with deli-inspired cuisine and comfort food in addition to boasting a full bar with a focus on high quality whiskey and local brews.