Hotel Contessa announces River Parade tickets for sale, programming, food and drink specials, and more. Photo: Hotel Contessa, used with permission.
Hotel Contessa is excited to announce its programming during Fiesta (March 31 – April 10) including river parade tickets and dinner tickets, free live music, specialty cocktails, and more. (Hotel Contessa, 2022)
Texas Cavaliers River Parade Tickets – The hotel will be selling ticket packages for the Texas Cavaliers River Parade on April 4. Hotel Contessa is selling tickets for three different viewing areas at the hotel, including riverside seats, patio seating at Ambler Texas Kitchen + Cocktails, and the hotel’s River Terrace. All have direct views of the River Walk and access to the parade. All tickets feature food and beverage options. To view and purchase the specific ticket packages see here.
Prefix Dinner during Texas Cavaliers River Parade – Ambler Texas Kitchen + Cocktails will host a special prefix dinner during the Texas Cavaliers River Parade on Monday, April 4, beginning at 7p.m. Guests will be treated to a three course dinner along with a carafe of cucumber margarita. Tickets are $150 a person and include direct access and views of the Texas Cavaliers River Parade, dinner, carafe of margarita, gratuity, tax, and valet parking. Children have the option to choose from the kids menu. Guests have the option to purchase a table. Tables sit four and are $600.00. Tickets for the dinner are available here.
Live Music During Fiesta – Hotel Contessa will feature free live music in the hotel’s atrium on the River Walk level on Thursdays – Sundays throughout Fiesta. The public and hotel guests alike can enjoy dinner and drinks while taking in the sounds of Fiesta.
The live music schedule includes:
Thursday, March 31 – live mariachi music, stilt walkers, and folkloric dancers
Friday, April 1 – live mariachi music
Saturday, April 2 – Brandon Padier
Sunday, April 3 – Randy Cordero
Monday, April 4 – Michael Alanis
Thursday, April 7 – live mariachi music, stilt walkers, and folkloric dancers
Friday, April 8 – live mariachi music
Saturday, April 9 – TBA
Sunday, April 10 – Weston Ripps
Specialty Fiesta-themed Cocktail Menu – Ambler Texas Kitchen + Cocktails will feature five curated cocktails from March 31 through April 15 to honor San Antonio’s favorite party. Representatives from Deep Eddy Vodka and Austin Cocktails will also be onsite throughout Fiesta to offer tastings to the public and hotel guests.
Hotel Contessa Fiesta Medals – Hotel Contessa will be selling its Fiesta medals for $10 at Ambler Texas Kitchen + Cocktails while inventory is available.
WB Liquors & Wine is getting into the Fiesta season by launching their first Fiesta medal. Photo: google
This year, Fiesta San Antoniowill take place from March 31 through April 10, 2022. To get into the spirit of the Fiesta celebration, WB Liquors & Wine is launching their first-ever Fiesta medal. (WB Liquors & Wine, 2022)
Fiesta medals will be sold at the following WB Liquor & Wine locations for $7.99:
· 9802 IH-10 West · 3910 McCullough Suite 101 · 2910 Goliad · 2809 E Main St. Suite A · 706 East Main · 1040 A Junction Hwy · 102 S FM 1346 STE B1 · 301 10th St Suite 1 · 1809 Louise Lane Suite 100 · 5607 UTSA Blvd · 1203 N FM 1604 E · 15330 IH 35 Suite 100
WB Liquors has helped Texans across the state celebrate their special occasions for more than 50 years. As a family-owned business, we began with a simple desire: to help customers make the good times even better with convenient locations and an extensive variety of liquor, beer, and wine – along with fast, personalized and expert-level service you would expect from a neighborhood store. Today, that simple vision still defines our business and it is what keeps our customers coming back.
Taco Cabana celebrates Fiesta 2022 with a signature Fiesta medal and new menu items, such as the Breakfast Bowls, which will be available starting March 30, 2022. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.
Taco Cabanais celebrating the 2022 Fiesta season in San Antonio with a signature Fiesta medal and new menu items, including Breakfast Bowls, Queso Blanco Enchiladas, and the return of its popular menu combos. Launching March 30, 2022, guests can enjoy new Taco Cabana Breakfast Bowls filled with seasoned potatoes, refried beans, eggs, queso, pico de gallo and choice of meat, including chorizo for $3.79, bacon for $3.99, or TC’s all-new country sausage for $3.29. TC’s Breakfast Bowls are available for purchase at all Texas locations and are available only during breakfast hours. (Taco Cabana, 2022)
In addition to new items at breakfast, guests can also enjoy their favorite TC Enchiladas with new Queso Blanco, starting at just $6.39 and available now at all Texas locations. Guests can top their choice of perfectly-seasoned shredded chicken, ground beef, or cheese enchiladas with Queso Blanco, a harmonious blend of Monterey Jack, and white American cheese.
The convenience of TC’s signature combos returns to all Texas locations and are now available starting at just $5.89. Guests can choose one of eight different taco or burrito options, and each combo order comes complete with chips, queso, and a refreshing 20 oz. beverage. San Antonio and Austin guests can also enjoy a ninth option – a Carne Guisada taco combo.
TC lovers can also grab their 2022 Taco Cabana Fiesta medal for $5 at all participating locations in San Antonio. Guests can show their Alamo City pride and support for their favorite Tex-Mex restaurant in preparation for the long-awaited return of Fiesta.
Taco Cabana’s combos, Breakfast Bowls and Queso Blanco Enchiladas are available in-restaurant, via online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, in the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MY TC!® App or Taco Cabana online.
Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up, delivery and catering. As of March 1, 2022, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas
Taco Cabana’s Fiesta 2022 medal. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.
Dreaming Hollywood is available On Demand and Blu-Ray. Photo: Cleopatra Entertainment, used with permission.
Cleopatra Entertainment released Dreaming Hollywood, a dark action-drama from Writer-Director Frank Martinez, on March 22. Described as “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” meets Tarantino, Dreaming Hollywood takes a deep dive into Ray Balfi’s bizarre world of drug dealers, prostitutes, dirty cops, and social rejects as he tries to begin a new life and shops his cartoon screenplay to 100 L.A. production companies. While facing rejection after rejection Ray learns that someone has stolen his script and made his movie, “The Dog’s Meow” without his permission. Now, Ray’s already messed-up life is thrown into catastrophic mayhem as he seeks revenge. Who stole his script? Everyone he meets is suspect as Ray is now motivated with a new lust for life and for blood. (Cleopatra Entertainment, 2022)
In addition to winning the Audience Award at the Erie International Film Festival and winning the Best Feature Film at the London International Monthly Film Festival, Dreaming Hollywood continues its journey thru the Festival circuit, being officially selected at the upcoming Baja California International Film Festival, the Los Angeles Lift Off Film Festival, the Studio City International Film & TV Festival, the Rome International Movie Festival, and the 4TheaterMovies Film Festival in the Best Film and Best Screenplay Categories.
The film stars Turk Matthews, Eliot, Link Ruiz, and Madelyn Allen along with appearances by Rafael Sigler, Ben Lin, and Thomas Evans. The film is available on DVD and VOD Platforms and will also be available as part of a deluxe Home Entertainment Blu Ray package that also includes, as a bonus, a blistering audio soundtrack CD, featuring the music of DMX, ONYX, and more.
Cleopatra Entertainment is a Los Angeles based multimedia company founded by Cleopatra Records head Brian Perera. Recent films in release include Glenn Danzig’s vampire spaghetti-western Death Rider in the House of Vampires, Danzig’s debut horror feature Verotika, the critically-acclaimed rock and roll biopic Street Survivors: The True Story of the Lynryd Skynyrd Plane Crash, the UK drama Mrs. Lowry & Son starring Academy Award winner Vanessa Redgrave, and the action-adventure extravaganza China Salesman starring Mike Tyson and Steven Seagal.
After securing a venue, the opening date for Immersive Van Gogh San Antonio has been rescheduled for May 26. Photo: Lighthouse Immersive, used with permission.
Lighthouse Immersive, the producers behind the blockbuster Immersive Van Gogh exhibition, announced a venue and new opening date for Immersive Van Gogh San Antonio. The new Lighthouse ArtSpace San Antonio will open at 221 Burleson in Dignowity Hill, a few blocks from the San Antonio Museum of Art, on Thursday, May 26 and will run through September 5, 2022. (Lighthouse Immersive, 2022)
“We sincerely apologize for the delay. A proper venue for these unique immersive experiences needs to satisfy a long list of criteria, and locating an optimal space in San Antonio has presented some challenges. With the help of the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, however, we have finally found a venue that suits all of our needs and we are on-track to open May 26. We would like to extend our gratitude to our patrons for their patience and to the Tobin Center for getting us situated.” – Corey Ross, producer at Lighthouse Immersive
The new Lighthouse ArtSpace will transform the former industrial space into a welcoming gallery to showcase the breathtaking animated projections of Vincent van Gogh’s work, set to a sumptuous musical score featuring both contemporary and classical music. The venue offers high ceilings so that Van Gogh’s art will tower over viewers. Lighthouse ArtSpace San Antonio is easily accessible near the intersection of I-35 and I-281 and offers ample parking. Lighthouse Immersive’s Global Creative Director David Korins, best known for his work on the musicals Hamilton and Dear Even Hansen, will outfit the venue with interactive elements that will provide audiences with a richer understanding of Van Gogh.
Lighthouse Immersive has opened 16 Lighthouse ArtSpaces across North America, gallery spaces dedicated to immersive art presentations that merge the boundaries between entertainment and culture to give visitors the sense that they are immersed within the artwork, interacting with art as never before. The Lone Star State already has two Lighthouse ArtSpace venues in Dallas and Houston, where more than 200,000 visitors have already experienced Immersive Van Gogh, and some have had a chance to experience the new Immersive Frida Kahlo exhibition.
Ticketholders for dates prior to May 26 will be contacted by Lighthouse Immersive over email with a set of tickets for an alternative date. If the new date is not optimal, ticketholders can easily reschedule. If they are unable to attend, they will be instructed on how to receive a full refund.
Immersive Van Gogh is a visually spectacular digital art exhibition that has received widespread critical acclaim throughout North America. Immersive Van Gogh invites audiences to “step inside” the iconic works of post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh, evoking his highly emotional and chaotic inner consciousness through art, light, music, movement and imagination. The Italian creative team have custom designed their vision to fit the unique architecture of each Immersive Van Gogh venue.
The touring exhibition has sold over 4.6 million tickets across North America, securing its place as one of the most sought-after attractions on the continent. Featuring state-of-the-art technology and immersive storytelling, Immersive Van Gogh has been called “a mesmerizing interactive experience” by Architectural Digest and “breathtaking” by NBC’s TODAY Show, with the New York Times calling it an “artistic spectacle.”
Ticket prices start at $39.99 ($24.99 for children 16 or younger), with timed and flexible ticket options available.
The company of the North American Tour of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar.’ Photo: Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman, used with permission.
Following critically acclaimed, sold-out engagements in the UK, the reimagined 50th Anniversary tour of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ will come to the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, TX from July 5-10, 2022. Tickets to the 2017 Olivier awarding-winning production from Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre go on sale to the general public on Friday March 25, 2022 at 10a.m. through the Majestic Theatre, Broadway in San Antonio, or in person at the Majestic Theatre box office. (Broadway in San Antonio, 2022)
Aaron LaVigne leads the show as Jesus, joined by Jenna Rubaii as Mary. Omar Lopez-Cepero joins the cast as Judas. The tour also features Alvin Crawford as Caiphas, Tommy Sherlock as Pilate, and Tyce Green as Annas. Pepe Nufrio returns to the tour as the standby for Jesus and Judas.
The ensemble includes David Andre, Sara Andreas, Courtney Arango, Wesley J. Barnes, Milena J. Comeau, Lydia Ruth Dawson, Derek Ferguson, Brian Golub, Brittany Rose Hammond, Garfield Hammonds, Quiana Holmes, Darrell T. Joe, Sheila Jones, Jacob Lacopo, Paul Louis Lessard, Eric A. Lewis, Tommy McDowell, Danny McHugh, Jenny Mollet, Sarah Parker, Erick Patrick, SandyRedd, Cooper Stanton, and Chelsea Williams.
Featuring lyrics and music by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winners Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, acclaimed director Timothy Sheader and cutting-edge choreographer Drew McOnie helm the North American tour of this iconic musical. Rounding out the creative team is set and costume design by 2016 Tony Award nominee Tom Scutt, lighting design by Lee Curran, sound design by Keith Caggiano and Nick Lidster, with music supervision by Tom Deering and North American music supervisor David Holcenberg.
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of Judas. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the legendary score includes ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him,’ ‘Gethsemane,’ and ‘Superstar.”
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ is a proven musical phenomenon with a world-wide fan base. As demonstrated by NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, this epic work attracted over 9.6 million viewers, earned the highest ratings in its time period, and received the highest critical ranking of any live musical event on network TV. On September 17, 2021, a variety of special edition Jesus Christ Superstar albums, remastered at Abbey Road, were released. These special anniversary editions are a celebration of the original 1970 double concept album and it’s continued success spanning an incredible 50 years.
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, selling out two consecutive engagements in 2016 and 2017. The production played a West End engagement at the Barbican in 2019 before returning to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in concert version during the summer of 2020.
The North American tour of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ is produced by Stephen Gabriel and Work Light Productions, and will have traveled to more than 50 cities during its three-year run. The original production was produced by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
Unify will be out June 3 and Unify World Tour kicks off March 24, 2022. Photo: Lettuce, used with permission.
Lettuceis the greasiest, funkiest band on today’s music scene. On June 3, the GRAMMY-nominated six-piece—Adam Deitch (drums), Ryan Zoidis (saxophone), Adam ‘Shmeeans’ Smirnoff (guitar), Erick ‘Jesus’ Coomes (bass), Nigel Hall (keyboards/vocals), Eric ‘Benny’ Bloom (trumpet)—will be delivering a whole host of new tunes to the world in the form of Unify, the eighth studio album from Lettuce and the third consecutive record made at Denver’s Colorado Sound Studios. It completes a loose trilogy starting with 2019’s GRAMMY-nominated Elevate, and continuing with 2020’s Resonate. Fans can expect the same tight, wildly-funky instrumentals Lettuce has been known for, but in the tightest form they have ever taken. This time around, the guys have gotten the stamp of approval from one of the genre’s most legendary icons, Mr. Bootsy Collins, himself, who can be heard singing on the track “Keep That Funk Alive.” (Lettuce, 2022)
Lettuce recently premiered “Gravy Train,” the first single from Unify, featuring a tightly evolved rhythm section, pin-point accurate horns, and a guitar-bass unison part not executed this well since Leo and George did it down in New Orleans all those years ago. “‘Gravy Train’ just has that classic Lettuce vibe,” says Smirnoff. “It’s one of those songs that’s timeless and could have shown up on any of our first albums. Give “Gravy Train” a spin right now at this link, pre-order or pre-save Unify ahead of its June 3 release right here.
Dealing with the pandemic, being in separate places, trying to survive without our best friends, without touring, not to mention the political divide in this country,” says Deitch. “We really needed to unify.” Zoidis recalls, “This album came together at a time when we were away from each other longer than we had been in years.” Although the band was able to do a lot of writing and pre-production from their respective home studios, they had not been in the same room or on the same stage together since their European tour was cut short in March 2021, so the first song on Unify captures the raw energy of a much-needed reunion at Colorado Sound Studios—though, that is not exactly where the story begins.
Beginning March 24 in St. Petersburg, Florida, Lettuce will take their brand new material out on the road, and across the pond, for the Unify World Tour. Between their U.S. leg and September’s Europe run, the band will hit some of the country’s most beloved festivals including Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, Sonic Bloom, and High Sierra. A full list of tour dates is below and ticket information is available online.
Catch Lettuce on tour: March 24 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live March 25 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre March 26 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel March 27 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater March 30 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall March 31 – Baltimore, MD – Sound Stage April 2 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl April 3 – Syracuse, NY – Westcott Theater April 6 – Hartford, CT – Infinity Music Hall April 7 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground April 8 – Boston, MA – House of Blues April 9 – Portland, ME – State Theatre April 20 – Patchogue, NY – Blue Point Brewing April 21 – Albany, NY – Empire Live April 22 – Port Chester, NY – The Capitol Theatre April 23 – Washington, DC – National Cannabis Cup April 24 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Stone Pony April 27 – St. Louis, MO – The Big Top April 28 – Little Rock, AR – The Hall April 29 – Jackson, MS – Duling Hall April 30 – New Orleans, LA – The Joy Theater (with Soul Rebels) May 7 – Mill Valley, CA – Mill Valley Music Festival May 26-29 – Martinsville, VA – Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival June 16-19 – Hummingbird Ranch, CO – Sonic Bloom Festival June 19 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival June 23-26 – Rothbury, MI – Electric Forest Festival June 24-25 – Swanzey, NH – Northlands Music & Arts Festival June 30-July 3 – Quincy, CA – High Sierra Music Festival August 11 – Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre August 12 – Huber Heights, OH – Rose Music Center at The Heights August 13 – Richmond, VA – Jam Packed Craft Beer & Music Festival August 26 – Martha’s Vineyard, MA – Beach Road Weekend Festival September 20 – London, UK – Scala September 21 – Tourcoing, France – Le Grand Mix September 23 – Paris, France – Billard L’alhambra September 24 – Rouen, France – Le 106 club September 26 – Frankfurt, Germany – Batschkapp September 27 – Rotterdam, Netherlands – Bird September 28 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso Noord September 29 – Leuven, Belgium – Het Depot September 30 – Berlin, Germany – Gretchen October 2 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Pumpehuset October 3 – Oslo, Norway – Cosmopolite Scene October 4 – Jahanneshov, Sweden – Slaktkyrkan October 5 – Gothenburg, Sweden – Jazzklubben Nefertiti October 7 – Hamburg, Germany – Mojo Club October 8 – Brno, Czechia – Groove Brno October 9 – Vienna, Austria – Club Porgy & Bess October 11 – Bern, Switzerland – Bierhübeli October 12 – Pisa, Italy – Lumiere October 13 – Rome, Italy – Monk Club October 14 – Milano, Italy – Santeria Toscana 31 October 15 – Rovereto, Italy – Auditorium Melotti October 17 – Stuttgart, Germany – Im Wizemann October 18 – Mulhouse, France – Noumatrouff October 20 – Barcelona, Spain – Sala La Nau October 21 – Madrid, Spain – Sala Caracol October 22 – Cenon, France – Le Rocher de Palmer
The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys connect bluegrass past and present with Never Slow Down, due out March 25 via Smithsonian Folkways. Photo: The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, used with permission.
Necessity is what brought GRAMMY-nominated, IBMA Award-winning bluegrass group The Po’ Ramblin’ Boystogether in the first place—and it is necessity that keeps them fueled today. Initially, a basic need for entertainment at an East Tennessee moonshine distillery brought the band’s original lineup together, but now, after miles and miles of touring and multiple albums recorded, their need is to continue connecting the past to the present, breaking new ground in the unknown future of the “high, lonesome sound.” The quintet symbolizes not only the tradition, legend, and lore that is bluegrass music, they possess a key trait of the ancient tones all too easily forgotten in the 21st century—rebellion. This spirit is at the center of their newest album, Never Slow Down, out March 25 on Smithsonian Folkways, which is also their first album featuring fiddler Laura Orshaw as an official member of the band. Taking on material by their heroes the Stanley Brothers, Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard, George Jones, and more, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys bridge the gap between the past and present, proving the eternal importance of bluegrass and making it accessible to all. (The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, 2022)
“We know what bluegrass is. We know the history. And we respect the history. But, we’re looking to expand the boundaries of bluegrass—that’s the truth of the matter,” says The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys’ lead singer and mandolinist, C.J. Lewandowski. “A good song is a good song. We want to honor the past, but we also want to do our own material—to have our own sound, and to play our own way.” American Songwriter premiered the lead single “The Blues Are Close at Hand,” calling the single “high-energy” and taking note of the band’s “skilled and respectful approach to bluegrass traditions.” Fans can click here to hear “The Blues Are Close at Hand” and pre-order or pre-save Never Slow Down ahead of its March 25 release at this link.
Never Slow Down also represents the latest chapter of The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys with the addition of fiddler Laura Orshaw as an official band member. Though Orshaw had made appearances on previous offerings from The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, her new full-time member status is front and center on Never Slow Down, whether it be taking the lead vocals on certain melodies or letting her intricate fiddle work shine through with its razor-sharp tone. “Having the fiddle in there really completes that signature lineup of what bluegrass music is,” Lewandowski says. “And with Laura, we’re able to open up all kinds of harmony structures, which gives each of us more opportunities to expand our palette of what we want to ultimately create and perform live.”
In signing with Smithsonian Folkways, the group has become a part of a nearly century-long legacy of musical celebration and preservation as they join the ranks of Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard, Del McCoury, Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers, and many other innovators of previous eras of Bluegrass that have material in the label’s fabled catalog.
The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys are gearing up for their next, unwritten phase with an album release tour and spring festival engagements right around the corner, and carrying bluegrass into the future will always be their number one focus. “The beauty of bluegrass music is not just the tradition of it, but also its constant evolution,” Lewandowski says. “No matter what we do, we’re always going to be honoring something in some kind of way. And that because it’s just what we like to do—it’s part of every one of us in this band.”
Never Slow Down track list: Missing Her Has Never Slowed Me Down Where Grass Don’t Grow Lonesome The Blues Are Close at Hand When Are You Gonna Tell Me? Take My Ashes to the River Little Glass of Wine Ramblin’ Woman Woke Up With Tears in My Eyes Mason’s Lament Old Time Angels
Catch The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys on tour: April 9 – Bristol, VA – Bristol Spring Bluegrass Festival April 23 – Oakboro, NC – Big Lick Bluegrass Festival April 30 – Floyd, VA – Floyd Country Store May 4 – Branson, MO – Silver Dollar City May 5 – Branson, MO – Silver Dollar City May 6 – Webster, KY – The Randall Barn May 7 – Cincinnati, OH – Appalachian Festival May 26 – McClure, VA – Dr. Ralph Stanley’s Hills of Home Bluegrass Festival
The School Discovery Day will be held on Saturday March 26 at Greenline at Brooks. Photo: San Antonio Charter Moms, used with permission.
With San Antonio being home to hundreds of choice schools with many more under construction, parents have a world of options to choose from. However, it can be a very overwhelming process to navigate. San Antonio Charter Moms, the most trusted information source on education in the region, helps thousands of parents through the search process every year. This Saturday March 26 from 10a.m. to 2p.m., SACM is hosting the final School Discovery Day from their school fair event series. To be held at Greenline at Brooks, families will be able to visit with 17 top choice schools from San Antonio, get hands on advice from SA Charter Moms on how to navigate the search process, and enjoy free, family, friendly entertainment. (San Antonio Charter Moms, 2022)
The pandemic forced parents to be more engaged in their children’s education, causing many families to re-evaluate their school choices. All this change and turmoil has caused an uncharacteristically high number of openings in area charter and choice schools. Higher acceptance rates and shorter waitlists have brought good news to many families. As in-person enrollment regains pre-pandemic traction, navigating the application waters can seem like a game of musical chairs—and being prepared when the music stops is key. San Antonio Charter Moms has done the homework to ease anxiety and confusion and to guide parents and caregivers in securing at least one high-quality school that will be a good fit for their learner. The following are inside tips from San Antonio Charter Moms founder Inga Cotton. Follow these tips to increase your chances of a successful application process.
Charter school application forms are short, simple, and require no fee. However, timing can make all the difference in determining the best chances of receiving one, or ideally, multiple offers. The most important first step in achieving success is to begin the process early, early, early.
9-12 months before start of school season: Research school options, develop a shortlist of appealing schools, and make note of open enrollment start and end dates as well as lottery details. Sign up on interest lists to receive notifications of important deadlines.
6-9 months before start of school season: Submit applications to all schools on your wish list during their respective open enrollment periods for entry into the admissions lottery. Applications received after open enrollment periods are added to the bottom of the waiting list.
3-6 months before start of school season: Monitor application feedback for offers of enrollment or waitlist placement. Consider any enrollment offers while continuing to gather school information, keeping in mind that waitlist positions may improve as others ahead in line decline offers.
0-3 months before start of school season: You will hopefully have received at least one offer that fits your criteria. Once you make a final decision, be sure to decline any previously accepted offers promptly.
Challenging factors come into play when applying for charter school enrollment. Lotteries are based on random selection—apart from children of employees and siblings of current students. Waitlists can be overwhelmingly long and do not roll over, requiring families to re-apply each year. While frustrating, there are strategies for gaining more control and pointing the odds in your favor.
Apply for a school’s starting grade and during transition years. For your child’s best chance to enroll in a K-12 public charter school, apply for kindergarten, as opposed to first grade where most of those slots will be filled by existing, reenrolling students. Applying for middle and high school transition grades (sixth and ninth) – junctures when students commonly switch schools – can also open opportunities.
Apply to multiple schools. We recommend submitting three to five applications to improve your chances of receiving at least one enrollment offer in time for the start of the school year. You can accept an offer from your second choice while hoping your child will move up the waitlist at your first choice.
Respond quickly. A public charter school will typically mass email on lottery day notifying families about their enrollment or waitlist status. As the first day of school approaches—and passes—schools will ask for a faster response to offers, oftentimes within a day or two. Nimble parents who proactively monitor their student’s application status will be ready to act when schools communicate with them.
San Antonio Charter Moms exists to help parents make informed decisions when searching for the best program that fits their child’s educational needs. These resources are for you.
San Antonio Charter Moms School Discovery Days: San Antonio Charter Moms hosts multiple events around the city that connect families with a dozen or more schools in one convenient location. See details below regarding SACM’s School Discovery Days taking place in March.
San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) began as a blog in 2012 when founder Inga Cotton was inspired to help San Antonio families more easily find good information about high-quality school options. Starting with a focus on the growing local charter school offerings, the blog has evolved into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that shares fair information about all types of schools. Established in 2018 as a nonprofit, SACM can accept funding that enables it to grow in ways that support accomplishing its mission of being the most trusted information source on education in the region. This growth includes Spanish-language blog post translations, surveying target publics, holding meetings with decisionmakers, supporting public speaking, community outreach and enhancing mobile technology.
The recruitment event will feature an evening of art, cocktails, and conversation on Texas Women for the Arts membership. Photo: google
Texas Cultural Trust (TXCT), a non-profit and the leading voice for the arts in education, advocacy, and economic impact in Texas, is pleased to announce they will be hosting a Texas Women for the Arts (TWA) recruitment event on March 22, 2022 from 5p.m. to 7p.m. at the AnArte Gallery in San Antonio featuring cocktails, live entertainment, and a chance to connect with the current TWA members. (Texas Cultural Trust, 2022)
Hosted by TWA Annual Meeting chairs Kim Lewis and Mary Vance Jones, TXCT invites the San Antonio community to come out to learn more about becoming a member of their TWA program and how to get involved at their TWA 16th Annual Meeting taking place on April 25 – 26, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas. Set in a different location each year, the Annual Meeting brings members together for a two-day event to announce the TWA grant recipients, the Donna Axum Whitworth Champion of the Arts Award recipient, and to highlight the unique arts and culture that the host city offers.
TWA, a statewide giving circle and membership program, is part of the Texas Cultural Trust and its mission is to awaken and nurture the artist in every Texas child. Established in 2005, this philanthropic force of influential women from across the state has awarded 282 grants totaling more than $3.4 million impacting more than three million Texas children.
AnArte Gallery 7959 Broadway St, Suite 202 San Antonio, TX 78209
Texas Cultural Trust is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and increasing access and awareness for the arts across the state. Programs of the Texas Cultural Trust include the Texas Medal of Arts Awards, Art Can, Texas Young Masters, Texas Women for the Arts, Partners in the Arts, and Arts Access. Texas Cultural Trust efforts are amplified by its partners who are instrumental in the success of leading a cohesive voice for the arts in education, advocacy, and economic impact in Texas, spotlighting the artistic excellence of our state.
SA Examiner 