First impression: Habibi Mediterranean and Tex-Mex Grill

Habibi Mediterranean and Tex-Mex grill. Photo: google

Saturday we ventured out to Brownsville and decided to try to have lunch at Habibi Mediterranean and Tex-Mex Grill. I love Mediterranean food because it is vegan/vegetarian friendly and having spent the last few years in San Antonio, I got used to eating it frequently. Much to my dismay, there are no Mediterranean restaurant in the area, unless you travel to McAllen. My sister recommended this place so I figured we would give it a try.

Finding the restaurant was not a problem but parking is limited. They open at 11a.m so of course we were there early to avoid the crowds because I have heard that it can get busy. There are more than enough tables for dining in and the Middle Eastern decorations set the mood for what you are about to eat. The two televisions were on but luckily the volume was not too high or it would have been distracting.

Devanny the waitress promptly stopped by and took our drink order and left the menus for us to look over. I ordered the falafel plate and my husband got the Habibi Mix Grill combination plate. As an appetizer, you get falafels with hummus and even though it came when we were halfway through our drinks, the falafels are obviously freshly made and the hummus is delicious. True to the posted sign at the counter: “We are not a fast food restaurant! Your food is made fresh every order. Please be patient,” it took almost thirty minutes to get our order but it was worth the wait. This is the type of Mediterranean food we are used to eating. Everything is flavorful and the portions are so generous that we ended up taking the leftovers home. I strongly recommend getting there early and make sure you are not too hungry, because there is a wait time.

They have Halal, vegetarian, vegan and keto options. The menu includes chicken, lamb, beef kebab grill, falafels, hummus, tabbouleh, baba ghanoush, shawarma, gyros, Greek salad, grape leaves, maklube, mansaf, kabsah, and much more. Confusing? The menu has pictures and the waitstaff is helpful and will answer any questions you might have. I was disappointed that the Baklava is only for dinner, I was looking forward to dessert. The prices are not too bad, the total for lunch was $26.25 excluding the tip.

Habibi Mediterranean and Tex-Mex grill started out as a food truck at The Broken Sprocket and has been at the current location for about two years with future plans to expand. A big thank you to Devanny and Alex, the owner, for taking the time to talk to us and answer our questions. We definitely enjoyed our visit and will be back again, not to mention recommend it to friends and family, especially those who have never had Mediterranean food. They do not know what they are missing. So once again, shop small, shop local, and support your neighborhood restaurants and be daring and try something new. Your taste buds, your community, and Habibi Mediterranean and Tex-Mex Grill will thank you. Maybe we will see you there next time!

$$

Habibi Mediterranean and Tex-Mex grill
123 Old Port Isabel Rd, Ste A3
Brownsville, TX 78521
(956) 509-4384

Business hours:
Monday through Saturday 11a.m. to 9p.m.
Closed Sundays

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Full lineup of Porch Pride’s Juneteenth: A Rainbow Revival

Non-profit Bluegrass Pride and Decolonizing the Music Room partner on event to spotlight contributions of Black LGBTQ+ folks to the Pride Movement and roots music. Photo: google

Bluegrass Pride (BGP) and Decolonizing the Music Room (DTMR) are proud to announce Porch Pride’s third weekend, Juneteenth: A Rainbow Revival, a virtual festival event which will take place on Saturday, June 19, at 3p.m. PDT / 6p.m. EDT. Hosted by Stephanie Anne Johnson and featuring performances by Sunny War, Yasmin Williams, Jackie & Resa, and Jake Blount, the event will spotlight the vital contributions of Black folks to the modern queer rights movement, to LGBTQ+ Pride, and to American roots music — none of which would exist without Black queer folks, Black trans folks, and Black non-binary folks.  (Bluegrass Pride, 2021)

Co-produced by DTMR executive director Brandi Waller-Pace and BGP board member Lillian Werbin of Elderly Instruments, Juneteenth: A Rainbow Revival will honor the holiday that marks the anniversary of the executive order that followed the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all remaining enslaved people in this country. The festival is a reverent reminder of those who waited over two years to hear the truth about their emancipation; and a reminder that Black voices, Black contributions, and Black musicians created, innovated, and transformed American roots music to create the fantastic depth and breadth of Black American music that we all enjoy and benefit from today.

The power of partnership and community building has made Juneteenth: A Rainbow Revival possible; Bluegrass Pride reached out to non-profit Decolonizing the Music Room to collaborate on the program. “As someone who has worked with both BGP and DTMR, it is an honor to assist in the creation of Juneteenth: A Rainbow Revival,” says Lillian Werbin. “Both organizations view Black contributions to music, history, and culture as invaluable and are delighted to celebrate them during Porch Pride.”

As the music industry navigates out of the COVID pandemic, both organizations are focused on highlighting Black LGBTQ+ roots musicians and generating financial support for their work, while also providing safer, more representative spaces for the bluegrass community to gather. While all Porch Pride events are FREE to view and attend, audience members are encouraged to donate to support not only the musicians on the lineup, but also the ongoing work of BGP and DTMR. Donate here.

Juneteenth: A Rainbow Revival has also been made possible by generous gifts from Ear Trumpet Labs and Elderly Instruments, as well as being a recipient of the IBMA Foundation’s Arnold Schultz Fund Grant.

Watch Juneteenth: A Rainbow Revival on June 19, 2021 at 3p.m. PDT / 6p.m. EDT on the Bluegrass Pride website, YouTube channel, or Facebook page

Porch Pride is the headline fundraising event for Bluegrass Pride, raising more than $22,000 in its first year. All of the event’s virtual programs are free to view and attend – and will be available to view on BGP’s website and channels after air – members, fans, followers, and listeners are encouraged to donate to support the musicians performing on Porch Pride, as well as the ongoing work of BGP. 

Porch Pride is taking place all month long June 2021. Kicked off on Sunday, June 6 with Lavender Country Live!, the event will continue over the course of Pride month featuring performances by folks like Rainbow Girls, Gangstagrass, Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Jake Blount, Sunny War, and many more, plus a virtual Bluegrass Pride Brunch and open house, a beginner-friendly jam-along, and so much more.

See a full schedule of upcoming events below:

June 19, 2021 at 3p.m. PDT / 6p.m. EDT – Juneteenth: A Rainbow Revival, featuring Sunny War, Jake Blount, Yasmin Williams, Jackie & Resa, and Stephanie Anne Johnson. An evening of musical performances curated by Brandi Pace of non-profit Decolonizing the Music Room that will highlight the essential contributions of Black queer, trans, and non-binary folks to roots music and the Pride movement.

June 26 & 27, 2021 at 3p.m. PDT / 6p.m. EDT – Porch Pride: 5th Anniversary Celebration. Our headline festival returns celebrating five years of Bluegrass Pride and featuring performances by:

Saturday, June 26:
Mya Byrne
Ben Garnett
Crys Matthews
BOOJUM
Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
Gangstagrass

Sunday, June 27:
Willi Carlisle
Maddie Witler
Amanda Fields
Hasee Ciaccio & Friends
Stephanie Anne Johnson
Rainbow Girls

Bluegrass Pride: Our mission is to recruit, encourage, and support LGBTQ+ bluegrassers of all levels, promoting their advancement and acceptance within all areas of the bluegrass music industry and musical community. We aim to uplift the genre of bluegrass as a whole to receive LGBTQ+ folks openly, and to promote allyship with all marginalized peoples within the industry and musical community. We do so by creating opportunities for community building and resources for musical skill development, such as concerts, jam sessions, showcases, festivals, parades, tutorials, recording, and more! Bluegrass Pride is a Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization, EIN 83-3224672. All donations are deemed tax-deductible absent any limitations on deductibility applicable to a particular taxpayer.

Decolonizing the Music Room: Decolonizing the Music Room is a nonprofit organization using research, training, and discourse to help music educators develop critical practices and center BBIA (Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Asian) voices, knowledge, and experiences in the field of music education.

Jamestown Revival release ‘Fireside With Louis L’Amour’ EP

Jamestown Revival’s Fireside With Louis L’Amour EP out now – six tracks directly inspired by Louis L’Amour short stories. Photo: google

In 2020, Jamestown Revival released A Field Guide To Loneliness, an intimate collection of songs that finds Clay and Chance reflecting on recent times whereby human contact was limited more than ever. A Field Guide To Loneliness follows Jamestown Revival’s 2019 critically acclaimed release, San Isabel. Recorded in a remote cabin in the majestic and calming landscape of central Colorado, the band embraced a minimalist approach in the recording of San Isabel. Finding inspiration in ‘60s and early ‘70s folk and pop, the original songs on San Isabel show reverence for early John Denver and Bob Dylan, as well as Simon & Garfunkel and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Their new EP, Fireside With Louis L’Amour is out now. (Jamestown Revival, 2021)

When the recording process of their new EP, Fireside With Louis L’Amour, was all said and done, Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance of Jamestown Revival took on the challenge of distilling a half-dozen tales from “The Collected Short Stories of Louis L’Amour, Volume 1: Frontier Stories” from 30-page adventures down to three and a half minute songs. Their tune “Bound for El Paso” comes from L’Amour’s “The Gift of Cochise,” “Fool Me Once” was inspired by “The Man from Bitter Sands,” and so on. Longtime fans of Jamestown Revival can hear L’Amour’s influence on Clay and Chance, but this is the first time they have tipped their hats directly to America’s beloved frontier storyteller. The whole of Fireside With Louis L’Amour—six songs in total—was directly inspired by individual stories from L’Amour’s Volume 1 collection, allowing listeners to trace the precise roots of Jamestown Revival’s newest release. Available now, fans can purchase or stream Fireside With Louis L’Amour with this link.

“They say that L’Amour was the master of the short story and we would humbly agree. In 30 pages he manages to draw you in, make you invest in the characters, and oftentimes hit you with a twist that you truly didn’t expect,” say Clay and Chance. “The songs on Fireside With Louis L’Amour are our attempt to put a musical spin on some of Louis’ short stories found on ‘The Collected Short Stories of Louis L’Amour, Volume 1: Frontier Stories.’ It’s been challenging and incredibly rewarding.” To have the family of L’Amour on board was just icing on the cake for Jamestown Revival. “On top of that, it’s been an absolute honor to have the blessing of Louis’ son, Beau, and the L’Amour estate. We hope these songs inspire you to pick up ‘The Collected Short Stories of Louis L’Amour’ and read the true inspiration behind the music,” they say, before adding, “We also feel it’s worthwhile to mention these songs should be best enjoyed sitting next to a fire with a nip of whiskey in the glass.”

Fireside With Louis L’Amour in the press: Garden & Gun premiered the live performance video of album-opener, “Bound for El Paso.”

“If you’re a L’Amour fan, you’ll no doubt recognize what’s been distilled from story to song,” said Cowboys & Indians Magazine. “And you’ll love what happens when two Texans get a hold of America’s storyteller and let their imaginations and harmonies run.”

Fireside With Louis L’Amour Track Listing:

  1. Bound for El Paso 
  2. Fool Me Once 
  3. The Ballad of Four Prisoners 
  4. The Killing Type 
  5. Beyond the Ridge 
  6. Prospector’s Blues
Jamestown Revival – Bound for El Paso

EG Vines announces sophomore album ‘Through the Mirror’

EG Vines’ rock-driven sophomore effort Through the Mirror out August 27. First single is ‘The Royal Diplomat.’ Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Nashville’s up-and-coming EG Vines has been on quite the ride over the last few years. After quitting his corporate rat race job to pursue music full time and releasing his much talked about debut, Family Business, in 2019—Billboard, NPR, and Rolling Stone all had nice things to say—Vines finally had a moment to reach for those creative corners of his mind previously undiscovered. Quitting his job allowed Vines to pour more of himself into his music, and his brand new full-length album Through the Mirror is a testament to the positive effect this has had. Set to be released on August 27, Through the Mirror is part indie rock nirvana—the state of being more so than the band—and part reaction to an uber-politicized world. (EG Vines, 2021)

Vines’ hometown radio station, Nashville’s legendary, independent Lightning 100, recently shared the first taste of music from Through the Mirror, “The Royal Diplomat” and V13 spotlighted the album and new single. “’The Royal Diplomat’ was one of those that I kind of blacked out whilst writing it,” recalls Vines. “I remember coming up with that guitar riff in the turnaround and belting out ‘Never spoken,’ but that’s about it.” Musically, Vines and the band may have been channeling the Smashing Pumpkins or The Bends era Radiohead. Fans can listen to “The Royal Diplomat” right now at this link.

Much of Through the Mirror—which was recorded locally at Nashville’s Skinny Elephant Recording with co-producer Dylan Alldredge—sees Vines drawing inspiration from punk and alt-rock favorites from his youth; both musically and socially. Vines delivers his own views against biting riffs and pulsing drums while encouraging listeners to critically engage with the world around them to inform their own ways of thinking, drawing on his love of Jason Isbell and Bob Dylan as inspirations for his storytelling. Calling the album a Rorschach test for the modern world, Vines delivers his messages through a wide array of subjects on his songs, from American history to what theoretical alien visitors might think when they arrive on Earth.  

Through The Mirror track list:

  1. Am I Dreaming
  2. Good Enough
  3. The Royal Diplomat
  4. King Of The Rat Race
  5. Them
  6. Meat On My Eyes
  7. Ride
  8. Waiting On The Aliens
  9. Peace In This World
  10. Every Star

Catch EG Vines On Tour:
June 4 – Chattanooga, TN – Wanderlinger Brewing Company
June 12 – Knoxville, TN – Preservation Pub
June 13 – Atlanta, GA – Sundown Series
June 19 – Nashville, TN – Exit/In
July 10 – Newport, KY – Southgate House
July 31 – Berwyn, IL – Fitzgerald’s
Aug 14 – Nashville, TN – Tomato Art Fest

‘Them’ by EG Vines

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Celebrate Father’s Day with special sales from Twin Liquors

Twin Liquors has special sales just for Father’s Day. Photo: Twin Liquors, used with permission.

Twin Liquors is excited to announce that from now until Saturday, June 19, the Austin-based liquor store will be celebrating Father’s Day with sales on select whiskeys, spirits, and wine. Customers can save on top liquor brands such as Crown Royal, Highland Queen Majesty, Mr. Whiskey, and more. Treat yourself to a special bottle, or get a gift for the father figure in your life. Twin Liquors offers complimentary gift wrap and you can get it delivered right to Dad’s door. (Twin Liquors, 2021)

Additionally, be sure to also check out the Twin Liquors Summer Entertaining Guide designed to provide advice on hosting this summer season. Whether “Entertaining at Home” means making a nice meal for dad this weekend or having a few friends over for a backyard get-together, Twin Liquors has you covered with everything you need for beverages. Featuring cocktail combo packs with recipes, wine pairings, and tips for hosting, the entertaining guide has something for everyone.   

The Father’s Day sale on select whiskeys, spirits, and wine will run through June 19. Twin Liquors is open Monday – Saturday from 10a.m. to 9p.m. Online hours are 11a.m. to 8p.m. 

To find a Twin Liquors store near you visit Twin Liquors online. You may also through their website or Twin Liquors app, which is available on IOS and Android stores. Twin Liquors also offers online ordering and in-store pickup and/or delivery to all stores.

Born and raised in downtown Austin, Texas, Twin Liquors began as one small store and has developed into a successful “home-grown” Texas family-owned company. It has developed a unique and well-respected reputation throughout the United States for having impeccable team members, outstanding customer service, conveniently located stores, extensive selections of fine wines and premium spirits from around the world, and substantial community involvement. Twin Liquors currently operates 100+ neighborhood stores from Austin to San Antonio, the Hill Country to Houston, and the DFW area with their Sigel’s branded stores.

Book review: ‘Chasing the Ghost’ by Leonard A. Cole

‘Chasing the Ghost’ by Leonard A. Cole Photo: google

Dr. Leonard A. Cole is the author of “Chasing the Ghost: Nobelist Fred Reines and the Neutrino.” An expert on bioterrorism and on terror medicine, he is an adjunct professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (Emergency Medicine) and at Rutgers University-Newark (Political Science). At the medical school, he is director of the Program on Terror Medicine and Security. He has written for the The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Foreign Policy, Scientific American, and The Sciences. He has testified before congressional committees and made invited presentations to several government agencies including the U.S. Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Office of Technology Assessment. His new book “Chasing the Ghost: Nobelist Fred Reines and the Neutrino” is a unique combination of memoir and biography and a deeply human story about Fred Reines, one of the 20th century’s true scientific pioneers.

Fred Reines is the winner of the 1995 Nobel Prize in Physics. In “Chasing the Ghost,” Cole recounts the life of one of the great scientists of our era; from the years spent on the search for the “unseeable” neutrino, to the “Project Poltergeist” experiment, and to the discovery of the mysterious neutrino. It begins with the story of how in the summer of 1963, Fred Reines, Gus Hruschka, an engineer friend, and Friedel Sellschop, a South African physics professor, entered the East Rand South African gold mine with an experiment in mind. Precautions included water-repellent high-laced shoes, hard hats, and even gas masks, in case sensors detected carbon monoxide or methane. But before continuing that story, Cole, who happens to be Reines’ cousin, goes back to 1956 when Reines and his colleague Clyde Cowan discovered the neutrino. Fun fact: “The miniscule particle is commonly described as elusive. More than half a century after its detection, the neutrino is still referred to as a ghost particle”- hence the title of the book. The book is divided into six parts: Beginnings “Language, Science, and the Ghost Particle,” Becoming “Becoming a Physicist,” Discovery “Explosive Ideas,” Moving “Transition Years at Irvine,” Expressions “Classroom Teacher,” and Validation “The Legacy Grows.” The Epilogue sums up the vast amounts of memorabilia currently in the lobby of Frederick Reines Hall at the University of California Irvine as well as how even after he won the Nobel Prize in 1995, Reines continued to learn more about the particle and how interest in neutrino studies continues to grow.

According to Scientific American, “a neutrino is a subatomic particle that is very similar to an electron, but has no electrical charge and a very small mass, which might even be zero.” Cole expertly explains the science, but understanding physics is not a requirement to read this biography because in the Preface, the author explains that the book is a combination of memoir and biography with a focus on a human story. It is mainly about Fred Reines’ personal life and not so much the science of neutrino physics. Any science described is used to support Fred’s story and is meant to appeal to a general audience, which it does. It alternates between sections explaining physics (subatomic particles), the experiments to detect the neutrino, and Reines’ personal life and career. By using pictures, letters, diagrams, and newspaper accounts, readers are offered a glimpse of this wildly accomplished scientist and teacher who became one of the twentieth century’s true pioneers in physics, all while remaining modest. Standout chapters include Chapter 14: Classroom Teacher, which details how involved he was as a teacher and Chapter 18: The Legacy Grows where it breaks down his legacy: “Interest in the ghost particle has soared, as its centrality in the workings of the cosmos has become increasingly evident.” Despite the overall physics theme, the language is easy to understand and follow. Even if the physics sections are too complicated for some readers, they are few and far between and serve to help understand the mind of Fred Reines. “Chasing the Ghost” by Leonard A. Cole is an incredibly interesting portrait of the man and his contributions to physics and is recommended for readers who appreciate biographies with some science mixed in for fun.

“The story of the neutrino is one of scarcely imaginable extremes. The particle is omnipresent yet proof of its existence had long eluded confirmation. Other than photons – particles of light – neutrinos are the most abundant particle in the universe.”

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Umphrey’s McGee new studio album

Umphrey’s McGee get the show started with a new studio album. Photo: google

The music of Umphrey’s McGee unfolds like an unpredictable conversation between longtime friends. Its six participants—Brendan Bayliss [guitar, vocals], Jake Cinninger [guitar, vocals], Joel Cummins [keyboards, piano, vocals], Andy Farag [percussion], Kris Myers [drums, vocals], and Ryan Stasik [bass]—know just how to communicate with each other on stage and in the studio. A call of progressive guitar wizardry might elicit a response of soft acoustic balladry, or a funk groove could be answered by explosive percussion. At any moment, heavy guitars can give way to heavier blues as the boys uncover the elusive nexus between jaw-dropping instrumental virtuosity and airtight songcraft. On July 16, Umphrey’s McGee will release twelve fan-favorite intro songs on an album called You Walked Up Shaking In Your Boots But You Stood Tall And Left A Raging Bull. This instrumental album is comprised of fist-pumping, genre-spanning “intros” originally conceived as “walk-on” music for their live shows. (Umphrey’s McGee, 2021)

Fans were recently treated to an early listen of the single “Leave Me Las Vegas,” which made its live debut at Workplay Soundstage in Birmingham, Alabamaphrey’s on March 5, 2009. A filtered drum-machine intro turns unison-riff heavy right off the bat before the dissonant guitar theme rears its head. There is a chunky weight to “Leave Me Las Vegas,” but among the distorted guitars, the foundational groove never wavers. Like most of the songs on You Walked Up Shaking In Your Boots But You Stood Tall And Left A Raging Bull, “Leave Me Las Vegas” climbs and climbs on an upward, sometimes intense trajectory; something the members of Umphrey’s channeled impeccably during their pandemic-driven long-distance, remote recording sessions. Fans can listen to “Leave Me Las Vegas” now and pre-order or pre-save You Walked Up Shaking In Your Boots But You Stood Tall And Left A Raging Bull ahead of its July 16 release right here.

Umphrey’s McGee is a touring powerhouse, performing 85+ shows per year, headlining annual shows across the US including Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado and the Beacon Theatre in New York. Umphrey’s is a constant US festival staple, with performances at major events including Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Rothbury, and Bonnaroo, as well as international festivals Fuji Rock Festival (Japan), and Byron Bay Blues Festival (Australia). The band hosts their own festival in Illinois, Summer Camp Music Festival, where they perform three nights and have hosted the likes of Primus, Jane’s Addiction, Thievery Corporation, and Willie Nelson, to name a few. Umphrey’s McGee has also hosted and headlined Jam in the Dam, a three-night mini-festival at the Melkweg in Amsterdam.

You Walked Up Shaking In Your Boots But You Stood Tall And Left A Raging Bull is only a part of what Umphrey’s McGee has been working on over the course of the last year off from touring. 

You Walked Up Shaking In Your Boots But You Stood Tall And Left A Raging Bull Track list:
Catshot
There’s No Crying In Mexico
Leave Me Las Vegas
Depth Charge
You Got The Wrong Guy
Tango Mike
Nipple Trix
Le Blitz
Le Sac
Gurgle
Restrung
October Rain

Catch Umphrey’s McGee On Tour:
June 18 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
June 19 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
June 20 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
June 25 – Lafayette, NY – Apple Valley Park
June 26 – Lafayette, NY – Apple Valley Park
June 27 – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios
June 29 – Frederick, MD – Showtime At The Drive-In
June 30 – Frederick, MD – Showtime At The Drive-In
July 1-4- Scranton, PA – The Peach Music Festival
July 9 – Pelham, TN – The Caverns Outdoor Amphitheater
July 10 – Pelham, TN – The Caverns Outdoor Amphitheater
August 5 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
August 6 – Beech Mountain, NC – Beech Mountain Summer Series
August 7 – Beech Mountain, NC – Beech Mountain Summer Series
August 8 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company

 

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Hiatus Spa + Retreat debuts MedSpa treatments at San Antonio location

MedSpa treatments include Botox and Dysport Injectables, Dermal Fillers, Chemical Peels, and more. Photo: Molly Culver, used with permission.

Hiatus Spa + Retreat, the award-winning Texas day spa with eight locations across the state, is excited to announce their San Antonio location is adding MedSpa treatments to its extensive book of services starting Monday, June 14, 2021. Hiatus’ MedSpa services are helmed by Dr. Holly A. Barko, who is a double board-certified anesthesiologist; and anti-aging and function medicine expert and San Antonio Master Injector Melissa Schnelle, LVN. (Hiatus Spa + Retreat, 2021)

After a successful career in a private practice anesthesiology group, Dr. Holly Barko decided to study aesthetics, functional, and anti-aging medicine in order to intervene early and help patients look and feel younger, optimizing their wellness with a personalized care plan. San Antonio Master Injector Melissa Schnelle is a graduate from Galen College of Nursing as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in the state of Texas with a history in plastic surgery and the cosmetic industry. Bringing over 15 years of experience to Hiatus, Schnelle is an accomplished injector and facial-mapping artist who enjoys working with both men and women to achieve their desired aesthetic goals.

In celebration of the San Antonio MedSpa launching this month, Hiatus will offer H-Circle Member pricing on all MedSpa treatments now through July 17. H-Circle is a fresh subscription model that simplifies regular relaxation and empowers guests to own their self-care and enjoy affordable, regular access to a spa lifestyle. H-Circle members will receive the best pricing available on all MedSpa services. The membership is typically $69 per month, which includes special discounted pricing for members on all spa treatments and 10% off all retail products.

The Texas-born day spa will offer injectables, dermal fillers, dermaplaning, chemical peels, and micro-needling treatments, in addition to the fifty-plus signature spa treatments, all complete with a high-touch experience that is personalized from start to finish. 

Hiatus’s MedSpa treatment descriptions are as follows:

  • Injectable Neurotoxins offered in either Botox or Dysport.
  • Dermal Fillers offered in either Juvederm or Restylane.
  • DermaPlaning features the removal of dead skin cells and facial hair to promote deeper product penetration, reduce the appearance of acne scars, and improve skin texture.
  • MicroNeedling features microneedles up to 2.5mm that stimulate collagen production and treat and improve acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, loose skin, skin texture, and pore size.
  • Medical-Grade Chemical Peels feature a variety of formulations and concentrations to target various skin concerns by resurfacing the uppermost layer of skin to reveal a new, healthy complexion underneath, encourage cell turnover, promote collagen, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Hiatus Spa + Retreat was founded in Dallas in 2007 by longtime friends Sheila Garrison, Kristin Heaton Peabody, and Bill Garrison. With eight locations across Texas, eight years on Inc. 500’s fastest-growing companies, and an innovative spa subscription model, Hiatus Spa + Retreat is a fresh kind of full-service spa that has changed the wellness industry. Powered by products with real green ingredients and a high-touch experience, Hiatus’s personalized approach to wellness is driven by the view that regular relaxation should be an empowering part of a healthy, happy lifestyle.

“We are so thrilled to expand our MedSpa offerings at our Pearl location in San Antonio. With the great success we’ve had with MedSpa treatments at our Inwood location, we knew that our San Antonio spa was next to continue these offerings. We can’t wait for Dr. Holly Barko and Melissa Schnelle to lead the MedSpa and introduce the treatments to our devoted H-Circle Members and new guests of the spa.” – Hiatus Co-Founder Sheila Garrison.

The Classic Theatre announces 2021 – 2022 season

Season 14: Love & Marriage – performances will be at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Photo: google

The Classic Theatre announces 2021-2022 Season, Season 14: Love & Marriage. Performances will be Thursdays through Sundays at San Antonio Botanical Garden located at 555 Funston Pl. San Antonio, TX 78209. Tickets available online. (The Classic Theatre, 2021)

As You Like It by William Shakespeare, September 9-26, 2021
Season 14 opening show
Rosalind’s uncle is placed on the throne and she is immediately banished from court. With her best friend and uncle’s daughter Celia by her side, she runs into the forest of Arden for refuge, only to catch the lovesick eye of another banished youth named Orlando. The result is a hilarious conglomeration of cross-dressing, foolery, melodic songs, questionable poetry, and laughs aplenty. Will love always win or are we merely mad? As You Like It is an entertaining and touching exploration of life, death, love, family, and the bonds that tie us together.

A Doll’s House, Part 2 by Lucas Hnath, February/March, 2022
In A Doll’s House, Part 2, many years have passed since Nora’s historic exit. Now, there is a knock on that same door. Nora has returned, but why? And what will it mean for those she left behind?

Misalliance by George Bernard Shaw, May, 2022
Hypatia, the daughter of a self-made underwear mogul, is bored with the stuffy attitudes of the aristocracy. She is anxious to shape her own new world. Suddenly, an airplane crashes into the family estate. With new and attractive characters thrown into the mix, traditional norms get overturned as women become the ardent hunters and men their hapless prey. This fast-paced romantic comedy is Shaw’s ironic debate about marriage, the “New Woman,” and the distance that exists between parent and child.

Flex Passes
Click here to purchase a Season 14 (2021-2022) Flex Pass.
Please contact our box office for more information at 210-589-8450.

Ticket Policies
• Each Season 14 production will be performed at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.
• In order to gain access to our Season 14 Theatre in the Rough productions, you do NOT need to purchase a separate ticket to the Botanical Garden.
• Please make accommodations to bring your own seating (i.e. chairs and/or blankets).
• It is required that you wear a mask upon entrance to the performance, and throughout, unless you are eating or drinking.
• All seating areas are arranged beforehand to adhere to 6 feet of physical distancing.
• Ticket sales are final. There are no refunds. Plays, dates, and artists are subject to change without notice.
• The Classic Theatre of San Antonio reserves the right to refuse admission to anyone.
• No refunds will be issued to latecomers.
• Cell phones and/or recording devices are not permitted to be used outdoors during a performance. Use of such devices may result in ejection without refund.
• Please do not text during the performance – it is distracting to actors and audience members alike.
• The Classic Theatre of San Antonio reserves the right to make schedule and production changes. When possible, we will call all ticket holders regarding the cancellation of a specific performance.
• Children under the age of four will not be admitted to performances at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio.
• There is no dress code, although many patrons dress in business casual for regular performances.

The Public Theater of San Antonio announces 2021-2022 season

The Public Theater of San Antonio’s 2021 – 2022 season announcement. Photo: The Public Theater of San Antonio

Live theater is back in San Antonio and The Public Theater of San Antonio recently announced their 2021 – 2022 season. Ticket information is available online. (The Public Theater of San Antonio, 2021)

tick, tick…BOOM! – September 10 to October 17
His girlfriend wants to get married and move out of the city, his best friend is making big bucks on Madison Avenue and, yet, Jon is still waiting on tables and trying to write the great American musical. Set in 1990, this compelling story of personal discovery is presented as a rock musical filled with instantly appealing melodies and a unique blend of musical theatre styles.

Plaid Tidings – November 19 to December 19
At first, Francis, Jinx, Smudge, and Sparky are not sure why they have returned to Earth for another posthumous performance, but a phone call from the heavenly Rosemary Clooney lets them know that they are needed to put a little harmony into a discordant world. Sprinkled among the Christmas offerings are audience favorites, like their riotous three-minute-and-eleven-second version of The Ed Sullivan Show – this time, featuring the Rockettes, the Chipmunks and The Vienna Boys Choir, as well as a Plaid Caribbean Christmas that puts the “Day-O” in Excelsis.

35MM: A Musical Exhibition – January 14 to February 20
A picture is worth 1,000 words — what about a song? Can a picture inspire a song or fifteen? In 35mm, each photo creates a unique song, moments frozen in time; a glimmer of a life unfolding, a glimpse of something happening. A stunning new multimedia musical which explores a groundbreaking new concept in musical theatre. This intricately woven collection of stories told through song re-imagines what the modern American musical can be.

She Loves Me – March 25 to May 1
Set in a 1930s European perfumery, we meet shop clerks, Amalia and Georg, who, more often than not, do not see eye to eye. After both respond to a “lonely hearts advertisement” in the newspaper, they now live for the love letters that they exchange, but the identity of their admirers remains unknown. Join Amalia and Georg to discover the identity of their true loves… and of all the twists and turns along the way.

A Bronx Tale The Musical – May 20 to June 26
Based on the critically acclaimed play that inspired the now classic film, this streetwise musical will take you to the stoops of the Bronx in the 1960s—where a young man is caught between the father he loves and the mob boss he’d love to be. Featuring a book by Academy Award nominee Chazz Palminteri, music by Oscar, Grammy, and Tony Award winner Alan Menken, and lyrics by Grammy Award winner and Oscar and Tony Award nominee Glenn Slater, A Bronx Tale is a story about respect, loyalty, love, and above all else: family.

Once On This Island – July 15 to August 21
Ti Moune, a peasant girl, rescues a wealthy boy from the other side of the island, Daniel, with whom she falls in love. Unbeknownst to Ti Moune, the pompous gods who preside over the island make a bet with one another over which is stronger, love or death, the stakes being Ti Moune’s life. When she pursues Daniel, who has returned to his people, Ti Moune is shunned because of her lowly status. Her determination and capacity to love, though, is not enough to win Daniel’s heart, and Ti Moune pays the ultimate price; but the gods turn Ti Moune into a tree that grows so strong and so tall, it breaks the wall that separates the societies and ultimately unites them.