Month: August 2022

Tucker’s Kozy Korner announces updated menu

New menu offerings include Vietnamese coffees, pho, Texas barbecue plates, Southern comfort food and more. The Eastside joint will also be launching weekend brunch pop-ups with guest chefs. Photo: txtroulblemaker, used with permission.

Tucker’s Kozy Korner is excited to announce a complete menu revamp and updated hours with new offerings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The bar is working with local chefs to develop distinctive food offerings for each of its services so the breakfast, lunch, and dinner experiences are all unique. The Eastside joint will also collaborate with guest chefs on Saturdays and Sundays for brunch pop-ups. The new food offerings will be available starting on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. (Tucker’s Kozy Korner, 2022)

Breakfast offerings include Vietnamese soups with beef, chicken and vegetable options, allowing guests to also add eggs, steamed vegetables, tofu, and more. Guests can also enjoy the beloved breakfast taco, with options like brisket and egg, bacon and egg, and more. Unique coffee offerings include Vietnamese Egg Coffee (pour over coffee with egg and milk custard) and Vietnamese iced coffee. 

Local San Antonian Chef Jenny Nguyen developed the Vietnamese menu items. Originally from Vietnam, Jenny came to Texas and worked jobs in various industries while quietly selling her fare on the side to friends. Her menu inspiration comes from her background growing up in Vietnam and adding a little Texas twist. Partnering with Daniels Family Barbecue, Jenny’s soups and phos include Daniels’ famous brisket, chicken and ribs.

Master Chef Charles Daniels, known as Mr. Daniels, has been in the barbecue business for more than thirty years with his wife, Michelle. They have served up authentic pit barbecue and soulful dishes out of his Eastside San Antonio kitchen since the late 1980s. Mr. Daniels developed Tucker’s Kozy Korner’s menu to include breakfast tacos in the morning and traditional barbecue plates for lunch including brisket, chicken, or ribs served with side options like coleslaw, potato salad, borracho beans, green beans or cornbread. During lunch service, Chef Jenny’s pho options of beef, chicken or vegetable will also be available. 

Tucker’s Kozy Korner dinner menu is in partnership with Sweet Yams, an Eastside cafe offering a healthy menu with organic, gluten-free, and vegan options. Sweet Yams program at Tucker’s, called “Loretta’s Finest Southern Fried Chicken,” includes Southern fried chicken wings or chicken breast, with side options including garlic mashed potatoes, organic steamed vegetables, Southern red beans, and more. 

Hours of operation for Tucker’s Kozy Korner are:

• Closed on Mondays
• Tuesday – Thursday: 7a.m – 11p.m. (bar open entire time, kitchen hours below)
   o Breakfast: 7a.m. – 10:30a.m.
   o Lunch: 11:30a.m. – 2p.m.
   o Dinner: 5p.m. – 9:30p.m.
Bar remains open until 11p.m.
• Friday: 7a.m. – 2a.m. (bar open entire time, kitchen hours below)
   o Breakfast: 7a.m. – 10:30a.m.
   o Lunch: 11:30a.m. – 2p.m.
   o Dinner: 5p.m. – 9:30p.m.
Bar remains open until 2a.m.
• Saturday: 11a.m. – 2a.m. (bar open entire time, kitchen hours below)
   o Brunch pop-ups by special guest chefs: 11a.m. – 3p.m.
Bar remains open until 2a.m.
• Sunday: 11a.m. – 3p.m.
   o Brunch pop-ups by special guest chefs: 11a.m. – 3p.m.

The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio hosts open call for auditions

The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio is hosting auditions on Saturday August 27, 2022. Photo: The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, used with permission.

The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio is searching for San Antonio’s most talented vocalists, dancers (ballet, tap, folklorico, jazz, hip-hop and contemporary), gymnasts, actors, performing artists, and special needs artists ages 3-19 as they host auditions for the Children’s Nutcracker on Saturday, August 27, 2022. Young artists will have a chance to train with the best of the best and perform in this spectacular professional level production at the grand Lila Cockrell Theatre. The production combines the cherished, traditional holiday ballet with Broadway style musical theatre, showcasing multidisciplinary art to include singing, dancing, acting and more. (The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, 2022)

The award-winning Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is holding open auditions for The Children’s Nutcracker at the Dance Center of San Antonio on Saturday, August 27, from 12p.m. – 6p.m. Dancers from various disciplines including ballet, tap, folklorico, jazz, hip-hop and contemporary along with gymnasts, actors, vocalists, and performing artists ages 3-19, including those with special needs, are invited to register for an audition time online. All performers will be cast in roles that showcase and highlight their individual talents and strengths and allow them to shine.

The Children’s Nutcracker has become a beloved holiday tradition filled with all the joyful sights and sounds that fans have come to know and love. Taking place at the Lila Cockrell Theatre, on December 9 and 10, this world-class production will have something for the whole family. From a pre-show holiday market to spectacular digital and physical scenery, captivating special effects and interactive elements, The Children’s Nutcracker is designed to make spirits merry and bright.

The Children’s Nutcracker 2022 offers young performers the chance to train with the best of the best, from Master Ballet Teachers to internationally acclaimed dance artist and choreographer David Bagley. Bagley has had the honor of training with over 80 acclaimed dance institutions throughout the world, working alongside celebrities such as Sandra Bullock, Jerry Lewis, Twenty One Pilots, and more. Performers will also have the unique opportunity to work with Vanessa Bessler, former Prima Ballerina, and founder of CBSA. Bessler, who has earned the Youth America Grand Prix Outstanding Teacher Award for the past seven consecutive years, is world-renowned for discovering and cultivating young, local talent. Under her tutelage, these elite artists have had the privilege to train in some of the world’s best academies including the Royal Ballet School in London, the Bolshoi Ballet in Russia, and the School of American Ballet in New York City, to name a few. Through recognition, awards, and scholarships from the most prestigious ballet competitions and schools in the world for many of its dancers, CBSA has elevated San Antonio to the world stage, making it a strong player in the performing arts world.

Awards and accolades aside, what sets CBSA apart is that it is the only professional-level dance company in Texas to offer lead roles to dancers as young as eight-years-old. Designed to bridge the gap between young students and professional dancers, it serves as a gateway for young artists interested in pursuing a professional dance career, pointing their toes in the right direction.

Dance Center of San Antonio
126 W. Rector, Suite 120
San Antonio, TX 78216

Soulful vocal powerhouse Ali McGuirk shares single from new album

‘All Back’ is Ali McGuirk’s prayer for hope and resilience from upcoming album Til It’s Gone due out September 16 via Signature Sounds. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

While soulful songsmith Ali McGuirk loves to dip into a multitude of genres and sub-genres, her upcoming album Til It’s Gone never gets too far away from from its rhythm and blues essence; a well that many artists have drawn from over the years, but few deliver with such a spellbinding conviction as McGuirk. Acting as co-producer along with celebrated folk-blues songwriter Jonah Tolchin, McGuirk let the songs of Til It’s Gone wander from shadowy emotional spaces to big, bad guitar workouts to delicate little confessions. But her bold and buttery voice carries each song to the next until the album’s end. The easy-grooving “All Back” is the first single from Til It’s Gone—out September 16 via Signature Sounds. (Ali McGuirk, 2022)

Fans can watch the music video for “All Back” now and pre-order or pre-save Til It’s Gone ahead of its September release. On the recommendation of producer Jonah Tolchin, McGuirk traveled from her adopted home of Burlington, Vermont, to the Los Angeles neighborhood of Silver Lake to track much of Til It’s Gone. A sublime set of songs that pairs McGuirk’s trademark soul sound with rootsy turns and raw rock ‘n’ roll detours, the album began to bloom at the L.A. sessions. McGuirk remembers describing to Tolchin the vibe she envisioned for the record. She mentioned something about it being akin to the cool fusion of styles that Little Feat achieved in the ’70s—that funky, twangy, jazzy and thoroughly-authentic feel. Tolchin suggested they just call up legendary Little Feat guitarist/mandolinist Fred Tackett and get him to lay down a few parts. The nine tracks—songs that run from intimate introspection to wider meditations on oppression and justice—succeed because McGuirk has composed dynamic, hypnotic frames for her vocals. Til It’s Gone also features key contributions from McGuirk’s Boston bandmates such as guitar ace Jeffrey Lockhart. 

Catch Ali McGuirk on tour:
September16 – Nashville, TN – Five Spot (AMERICANAFEST)
September17 – Easthampton, MA – Arcadia Music Festival
October1 – Albany, NY – The Linda
October2 – Portsmouth, NH – The Press Room
October5 – Lancaster, PA – Tellus360
October6 – Brooklyn, NY – The Bell House
October7 – Somerville, MA – The Crystal Ballroom at the Somerville
October8 – New Haven, CT – Cafe Nine
October14 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground Lounge
October19 – Syracuse, NY – 443 Listening Room
October22 – Rochester, NY – The Abilene
October23 – Buffalo, NY – Sportsmen’s Tavern
October29 – Portland, ME – One Longfellow Square

Growing up just outside Boston, Ali McGuirk does not remember a time when she did not want to be a singer. In her teenage years, she found inspiration from vocalists like Lauryn Hill and Aretha Franklin, eventually gravitating towards powerhouses like Sarah Vaughan and Abbey Lincoln in college. After a couple decades of absorbing ’90s r&b,’70s singer-songwriters, and classic soul and jazz of every era, McGuirk found her own aesthetic: earthy, pure, propelled by a voice capable of whispering dark truths or belting out big hooks on her originals. Boston responded with a wave of love. The Boston Globe named her an “artist to hear.” She racked up nominations and wins at both the Boston Music Awards and New England Music Awards. Her standing-room-only residency at Somerville’s Bull McCabe’s Pub delivered electric performances.

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Lilly Winwood finds clarity in turbulence on new album Talking Walls

Lilly Winwood’s new album Talking Walls will be out August 25, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Leading up to the writing of her new album, Talking Walls, singer, songwriter, and guitarist Lilly Winwood had all but resigned herself from continuing her music career. Burned out after her last album cycle and in the midst of a pandemic, Winwood took a job to pay the bills—but she could not stop writing. She knew she was on the cusp of something important. When Winwood decided to get sober, the floodgates opened. Talking Walls captures that tumultuous period, with Winwood literally “talking to the walls” as she looked inward with new purpose. Penned over long sleepless nights, with clear eyes and a willingness to ask tough questions, each song takes a different tack into the introspective wind, backed by a minimalist-roots sound. The now East Nashville-based artist (and daughter of Grammy-winning British rocker Steve Winwood) simply wrote her story and brought it to her band at Nashville’s Trace Horse studio—no producer needed. (Lilly Winwood, 2022)

The Boot premiered “Brighter Days,” a swaggering, pedal-steel laden track showcasing Lilly’s soulful voice and the simple, organic feel that the band landed on in the studio. Praising the first single, The Boot said, “Americana standout Lilly Winwood is ready to soak up the moment.” Fans can listen to “Brighter Days,” check out the official video for Winwood’s previously released single, “Sleep Issues,” and pre-order or pre-save Talking Walls ahead of its August 25 release. Winwood will be joining singer/songwriter Jackie Greene for a selection of late summer dates and will also be joining singer/songwriter Todd Snider for a selection of early fall dates.

Talking Walls track list:
Sleep Issues
Good Old Days
Keep it Spinning
Long Haul
Airplane
A Paper Trail of Broken Hearts
Brighter Days
Idastoned
Laundry Day

Catch Lilly Winwood on tour:
September7 – Rocky Mount, VA – Harvester Performance Center*
September9 – Norfolk, CT – Infinity Hall Norfolk*
September10 – Fall River, MA – Narrows Center for the Arts*
September11 – Hartford, CT – Infinity Hall Hartford*
September13 – Albany, NY – The Egg – Swyer Theatre*
September15 – Fairfield, CT – StageOne*
September16 – Natick, MA – Center for Arts In Natick*
September17 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theatre*
September18 – Wilmington, DE – The Queen*
October 13 – Sarasota, FL – Big Top Brewing Company
October 14 – Bradenton, FL – Big Top Brewing Company
October 20 – Rochester, NY – Abilene Bar & Lounge
October 21 – New York, NY – The Bitter End
* = opening for Todd Snider

The daughter of Grammy winning British rocker Steve Winwood, Lilly grew up splitting time between the U.K. and Nashville’s neon-lit streets. Back then music was ever present, she says, and whether performing with her older brother, writing teenaged odes to young love or just soaking in her father’s work, it gave Winwood a unique creative perspective – one that felt more in line with Nashville than London. Moving to Music City for good at 18, Winwood soon gravitated to the alternative-minded enclave of East Nashville, and after forming creative partnerships with locals like Boo Ray and Don Gallardo, released her Silver Stage EP in 2017. Time Well Spent followed in 2021, backed by East Nashville household names Alex Munoz and Allen Thompson, earning accolades from tastemakers like Rolling Stone Country as she solidified a go-your-own-way sense of earthy pop.

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New album release: 3Sirens Presents: With Love Part 1

3Sirens Presents: With Love Part 1 featuring Andrew Combs, Dylan LeBlanc, Caitlin Rose, and more is available now digitally. It is the first of a two part EP series from 3Sirens Music Group; 6-song compilation of artist-chosen cover songs. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The team behind East Nashville-based independent label and recording studio 3Sirens strives to adhere to a simple mission statement: build community and celebrate great artists all while having a little fun. Revolving around 3Sirens’ physical space/incognito recording studio/creative salon, the record label began as an outlet for the prolific output that artists dream up within its walls. 

“Building a 1960s style Laurel Canyon music community or a 1920s Parisian artistic movement, a la Gertrude Stein, has always been the dream of 3Sirens. A nostalgic fantasy perhaps but a good pursuit nonetheless,” say 3Sirens founders and head-dreamers, The Grahams. The beginnings of their efforts will be reaped in the form of 3Sirens Presents: With Love Part 1, a six-song digital mixtape of sorts all in the name of making music and having a good time doing so. Featuring artists like Andrew Combs, Dylan LeBlanc, and Caitlin Rose covering some of their favorite off-the-beaten-path songs from the 80s and 90s, With Love: Part 1 was recorded live with little to no overdubs. Stream and/or save 3Sirens Presents: With Love Part 1 now.

The EP’s first single was Andrew Combs’ cover of Radiohead’s “High and Dry,” of which Glide Magazine wrote that he “does a fine job of channeling Thom Yorke while letting his own gorgeously vulnerable vocals shine.” The EP’s second single was The Grahams’ cover of Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You.” Alyssa Graham shares of the recording, “I always always wanted to cover that song. It spoke to me in a way that allowed me to wander through the magical world the band set up.” Hear their version here. 

The Grahams also sat down with the Bluegrass Situation to share their intention and inspiration for 3Sirens studio where this project was recorded. Read the full interview here and watch a studio tour of the space here. 

Want more of what 3Sirens is cooking up? Americana and alt-country music fans should keep eyes peeled for the upcoming full length from East Nashville hero Derek Hoke, the first official 3Sirens Music Group Artist. 

3Sirens Presents: With Love Part 1 track list:
“Big Love” by Fleetwood Mac, performed by Dylan LeBlanc
“One Way Or Another” by Blondie, performed by Caitlin Rose
“High and Dry” by Radiohead, performed by Andrew Combs
“Somebody to Shove” by Soul Asylum, performed by Kevin Kinney
“Something So Strong” by Crowded House, performed by Derek Hoke
“Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star, performed by The Grahams

3Sirens is a gathering spot for creatives and dreamers, a social salon. A studio built with the premise that to be creative one must exist in a creative space. Of course the state of the art gear and the thoughtfully curated collection of vintage and specialty instruments abound but it goes beyond the material into something less tangible. That such a space was dreamt up by lifelong lovers and dreamers, The Grahams, who themselves longed for a space to gather, to create art and play music, to collaborate, to stretch out and explore the “impossible,” and to let the intangible and unexplainable just happen. 3Sirens is a living, breathing space in East Nashville, Tennessee made better and more storied by each artist who creates within its walls. Welcome.

 

Lifestyle store Saint Bernard announces San Antonio location

The retailer will open officially to the public in September and will host a grand opening event on September 8, 2022. Store includes lounge areas with complimentary local draft beer, wine, coffee and espresso service. Photo: Saint Bernard, used with permission.

Dallas-based lifestyle store, Saint Bernard, will open its first San Antonio location in Alamo Heights next month. The 14,000 square foot retail space will open in the shops at Lincoln Heights at 999 E Basse Rd. Suite 157, San Antonio, TX 78209. The store will open for business in September and will host a public grand opening event on Thursday, September 8 from 5p.m. to 8p.m. The first 50 shoppers to arrive will receive a complimentary gift. The grand opening event will also include hors d’oeuvres and drinks, music by DJ Steven Lee Moya and more. (Saint Bernard, 2022)

Saint Bernard is a family owned business that first opened its doors in 1978 after being inspired by the finest ski shops throughout Europe. The store, which sells high-quality skiing equipment, select sporting accessories and clothing, is based out of Dallas, but has expanded across the state with stores in Southlake and Houston. In addition to its brick and mortar locations, Saint Bernard has an online store that is open 24/7 for shoppers anywhere in the United States.

Unique to the Saint Bernard shopping experience, guests can also take advantage of the lounge areas in the store that include complimentary local draft beer, wine, coffee, and espresso service during operating hours.

Shoppers can expect to see brands like Peter Millar, ON, Greyson, LoveShack Fancy, Faherty, Johnnie-O, Hunter Bell, Frame and Citizens of Humanity carried at the new store. See here for other Saint Bernard store locations.

Saint Bernard’s hours of operations will be Monday – Saturday from 10a.m. to 8p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6p.m.

OVER 40 YEARS STRONG.
St. Bernard is the destination for all things ski, après ski, swim and casual designer apparel. Initially founded in 1978 by Anne and Wes Goyer to provide customers with an accessible full-service ski shop carrying top industry brands, Saint Bernard has evolved into a lifestyle. With stores located in Southlake, Houston and the Dallas flagship, located in Inwood Village. St. Bernard offers a carefully curated selection ranging from higher-end fashion to everyday gifts and décor. As a family-run business, Saint Bernard is proud to call its customers friends and to be your neighborhood store. Whether you are getting ready to hit the slopes, planning a beach vacation, or in need of a wardrobe refresh, Saint Bernard wants to be your first stop.

A Night at the Chef’s Table: four San Antonio Chefs come together for a good cause

Landrace’s A Night at the Chef’s Table will kick off Hunger Action Month. Photo: OpenTable

Enjoy an extraordinary evening with four acclaimed San Antonio chefs and James Beard Award nominees on Wednesday August 31 when they join forces to collaborate on one unforgettable dinner. Chef Steve McHugh welcomes friends and culinary talents to the kitchen at Landrace: John Russ of Clementine; David Caceres of La Panaderia; and Esaul Ramos of 2M Smokehouse. (Landrace, 2022)

This diverse culinary lineup will prepare a special four-course dinner to kick off Hunger Action Month in September, an initiative dedicated to raising awareness about food insecurity in San Antonio. With a portion of event proceeds going to the San Antonio Food Bank, guests can help fight hunger and feed hope together.

The evening begins with a welcome cocktail at 6:30p.m. followed by dinner at 7p.m. Tickets are $400.00 per person with a wine pairing add-on available. Book on OpenTable.

 

Thompson San Antonio Spa launches new yoga membership

Your wellness retreat awaits at Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk with their new yoga membership. Photo: Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, used with permission.

Indulge in the wellness sanctuary at Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk and explore the luxury, full-service spa including treatments intended to relax the mind, rejuvenate the body, and discover inner peace. With the new Yoga Membership, members can experience eight power yoga classes a month at the exclusive pool deck. The membership also grants access to all spa amenities at the relaxation areas, eucalyptus steam room, sauna, and private locker room to enhance the ultimate spa day. (Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, 2022)

Throughout the month of August, classes will take place every Thursday at 7p.m. and Saturday at 9p.m. Classes are also available to the public for $15 a class.

New book release: ‘What’s So Great About Books Anyway?’ by Matt Hoag

‘What’s So Great About Books Anyways?’ by Matt Hoag is a resource for teachers to help motivate children to read. Photo: Amazon

Matt Hoag is a first time author and an elementary teacher. He has a master’s degree in education and lives in Pennsylvania. Matt believes that education should be open, creative, and that there are many different ways to learn. Keep reading! His new book “What’s So Great About Books Anyway?” is a children’s book that revolves around Sam and his journey as he discovers the joys of reading. (Matt Hoag, 2022)

“What’s So Great About Books, Anyway?” – There is nothing good about books! At least that is what Sam thinks. Sam has never been a good reader, but a special librarian shows him that does not mean that he should just give up. As Sam’s self-esteem and confidence grow, the black and white world of literature opens up to a world bursting with color all because he is trying.

This book is a useful tool to show children that if they try they can do many things. This book is also designed to promote acceptance and understanding through the various characters and illustrations. Follow Sam through his journey as he discovers the wonderful world of reading in this wonderfully illustrated story.

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Movie adaptation: ‘Bullet Train’ by Kotaro Isaka

The movie adaptation of ‘Bullet Train’ is now on theaters and stars Brad Pitt. Photo: Amazon

Kotaro Isaka is a bestselling and multi-award-winning Japanese writer whose books have sold millions of copies around the world. He has won the Shincho Mystery Club Award, Mystery Writers of Japan Award, Japan Booksellers’ Award and the Yamamoto Shugoro Prize. His book “Bullet Train” is a dark, satirical thriller that follows the perilous train ride of five highly motivated assassins. It was adapted into a major film from Sony starring Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Benito A Martínez Ocasio, and more. (Amazon, 2022)

“Bullet Train” – Satoshi—The Prince—looks like an innocent schoolboy but he is really a stylish and devious assassin. Risk fuels him, as does a good philosophical debate, such as questioning: Is killing really wrong? Kimura’s young son is in a coma thanks to The Prince, and Kimura has tracked him onto a bullet train heading from Tokyo to Morioka to exact his revenge. But Kimura soon discovers that they are not the only dangerous passengers on board. Nanao, also nicknamed Ladybug, the self-proclaimed “unluckiest assassin in the world,” is put on the bullet train by his boss, a mysterious young woman called Maria, to steal a suitcase full of money and get off at the first stop. The lethal duo of Tangerine and Lemon are also traveling to Morioka, and the suitcase leads others to show their hands. Why are they all on the same train, and who will make it off alive? A bestseller in Japan, “Bullet Train” is an original and propulsive thriller that fizzes with incredible energy as its complex net of double-crosses and twists unwinds up to the last station.

This past weekend I got the chance to watch Bullet Train and I was surprised to learn that it is based on a book. I have not read the book but from reading up on it, there are some obvious differences. Considering that the source is a Japanese novel, The Prince is a boy in the book but a white girl in the movie and Nanao, one of the assassins, is also white and portrayed by Brad Pitt. This does not bother me in the least and I prefer to focus on the story. It is an action comedy movie that reminds me of Deadpool and Quentin Tarantino movies like Kill Bill because of the dark humor and the insane amount of killing and blood involved but without going overboard. The plot twists and surprises keep it interesting and the fact that it takes place on a bullet train foreshadows the momentum of the action. Overall, it is a fun movie, plenty of action and comedy and not too long with a run time of a little over two hours.