Month: July 2025

Local Luxury: Celebrate, Relax, and Save with San Antonio’s Summer Hotel Deals

Celebrate InterContinental San Antonio’s first anniversary and say goodbye to summer in style. Photo: InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk, used with permission.

Celebrate a Year of Luxury: InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk Turns One

Friday, August 1, 2025 marks a milestone for InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk as it celebrates its one-year anniversary in the heart of the Alamo City. Nestled along the iconic River Walk, the hotel has quickly become a standout for its luxurious accommodations, renowned fine dining at Cavalier, and creative pop-up experiences like Peppermint Peak and The Dusty Diamond at High Praise Rooftop Bar. (InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk, 2025)

🎉 Join the Celebration

Whether you’re a local or visiting San Antonio, here’s how to get in on the birthday fun:

🛎️ Book the “Happy Birthday to Us” Package

Available all August long, this anniversary package offers a curated experience for those looking to celebrate in style.

🍽️ Anniversary Dinner at Cavalier – Friday, August 1

Enjoy a three-course culinary celebration for just $75 per person. Make your reservation early—click here to book.

🍸 Sip on Limited-Edition Cocktails

Raise a glass to one year of unforgettable hospitality with these exclusive drinks:

  • “The Charlatan” – only at Cavalier
  • “Delayed Flight” – only at DECO Bar
  • “Blugal Hawaiian” – only at High Praise Rooftop Bar

🏖️ Pool Party at High Praise Rooftop – Saturday, August 2

Soak up the summer sun with a rooftop celebration—perfect for lounging, sipping, and celebrating the InterContinental’s big day. Sponsored by Brugal, guests 21 years of age and older can enjoy complimentary samples from 1p.m. to 4p.m. Guests can also enjoy complimentary paletas by the pool from noon to 6p.m.

End Summer Right with a Staycation in San Antonio

If your summer has been more chaos than calm, now’s the time to pause and enjoy a stress-free staycation without leaving the city. This Labor Day Weekend, treat yourself to luxury, relaxation, and unbeatable local deals from top San Antonio hotels.

🌟 InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk

Celebrate all month long with anniversary offers including:

  • BOGO 50% Off Package: Families can buy one night and get the second night half off—the perfect way to enjoy a long weekend at a great value. Limited availability—book soon!
  • Romance Like No Other Experience: In partnership with Kendra Scott Jewelers, this couple’s package is designed for unforgettable getaways.

🌄 La Cantera Resort & Spa

Escape the city and unwind in nature with the “Free is More Fun” package:

  • Stay two nights, get the third night free
  • Enjoy pools, premier dining, and spa services at a reduced rate
  • Available through August 31

🏰 Omni La Mansión del Rio & Mokara Hotel & Spa

Rediscover San Antonio’s rich culture with historic charm and modern luxury:

  • Omni’s “River Cruise” Package:
    • Complimentary Rio San Antonio River Cruise tickets
    • A traditional handcrafted serape blanket
  • Kids Eat Free: Children 10 and under eat free with any stay now through September 14, 2025

Whether you’re drawn to Omni La Mansión’s Spanish-style architecture or Mokara’s elegant, four-star spa retreat, these hotels place you right in the heart of the Alamo City.

✨ Make This Labor Day One to Remember

Skip the hassle of travel and discover all that San Antonio’s best hotels have to offer. Whether you’re splashing rooftop-side at InterContinental, soaking in the spa at La Cantera, or cruising the River Walk with Omni, there’s no better way to celebrate the unofficial end of summer than with a local escape.

Your perfect staycation awaits—just minutes from home.

When Time Splinters: Magic, Myth, and Mystery in ‘Excavating Fate’

‘Excavating Fate’ is the exciting new action adventure novel by Andrea Franco-Cook. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Excavating Fate: A Novel by Andrea Franco-Cook

Where archaeology meets destiny, and one young woman must choose between home and the fate of the multiverse.

The story begins with nineteen-year-old Amara Kalogridas working among the ruins of Carthage in North Africa. Under the supervision of her father, Dr. Andras Kalogridas, a renowned archaeologist, Amara works alongside her brother Greg and fellow intern Sophie. During an excavation, she uncovers a gravestone belonging to Adones Barca—a soldier lost in battle and the adopted son of Hannibal Barca.

Together with Dr. Jasim Hamad, curator of the Credo Museum, the team ventures into a burial chamber to explore further. It begins as a promising discovery but quickly descends into chaos. A mysterious artifact transports Amara into an alternate, magical version of ancient Carthage.

A World of Magic and Myth

In this ancient realm of warring factions and mythical beings, Amara’s only hope of returning home lies with Jan-Ib-Jann, the king of the djinn. He offers her a chance to return—if she completes a dangerous mission that could rewrite history. But he warns: the timeline she returns to might not be the one she left.

As Amara uncovers Jan’s true motives, she must grapple with an impossible choice—protect her loved ones or risk everything to preserve the fragile balance of all realities.

“Adones had been the only constant since I arrived here, the life raft that kept me from drowning in a sea of fear and uncertainty.”

A Spellbinding Fusion of History and Fantasy

Andrea Franco-Cook’s Excavating Fate is a vivid blend of historical fiction, mythology, and coming-of-age adventure. Amara is a compelling heroine—driven, ambitious, and fiercely loyal to her family. Her dream internship quickly becomes a high-stakes journey of survival and self-discovery.

Franco-Cook’s vision of Carthage is richly imagined—alive with political intrigue, magical realism, and cultural depth. Told in first-person through Amara’s eyes, the story explores power, fate, and identity, as she forges uneasy alliances and confronts ancient gods.

“My shallow breaths were the only sounds cutting the silence as I considered who I should trust. I had become a pawn in an imperial war between father and son.”

Final Thoughts

Excavating Fate is ultimately a story of transformation—of people, timelines, and self. With lyrical prose, immersive world-building, and a fast-paced plot layered with mystery, romance, and meaning, Franco-Cook delivers a captivating read.

Perfect for fans of time-slip fantasies, myth-infused history, and courageous heroines who fight not just for survival—but for the truth.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

*Thank you to the author for the gifted ARC for review consideration. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

“Excavating Fate” will be released on November 1, 2025 and is available for pre-order.

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25 Years of Chaos: Slipknot Reissues Debut Album with Rare Tracks & Live Cuts

Slipknot (25th Anniversary Edition). Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Slipknot Celebrates 25 Years with Explosive Anniversary Reissue of Their Debut Album

Slipknot is marking a major milestone in their storied legacy with the 25th Anniversary Edition of their groundbreaking, self-titled debut album — a record that reshaped the heavy metal landscape and launched the Iowa nine into the stratosphere. (another side, 2025)

Originally released on June 29, 1999, Slipknot was a sonic Molotov cocktail that exploded onto the scene with raw energy, brutal precision, and an uncompromising creative vision. Produced by the legendary Ross Robinson, the album went double platinum, earning critical acclaim and cementing its place as a metal classic. Now, 25 years later, the band is revisiting the chaos and creativity of that moment with a deluxe reissue that reveals how it all came to be.

Deluxe Edition Details

Slipknot (25th Anniversary Edition) will be released on September 5, 2025, via Roadrunner Records and will be available across digital platforms and physical formats.

Pre-order formats include:

  • A 6LP box set on blood-splattered vinyl (limited to 1,899 copies)
  • 2LP and 2CD editions
  • Full digital release across streaming services

The 6LP set includes the original album, plus never-before-heard recordings, alternate versions, and unreleased takes sourced from SR Audio, Indigo Ranch, and more. These rare tracks provide a glimpse into the creative process behind the debut—charting the band’s evolution from raw brutality to refined chaos.

In a nod to the fans who’ve been with them since the beginning, the band also released an ultra-limited blood-filled vinyl version via their secret website — limited to just 100 copies, which sold out instantly and even crashed the site.

Exclusive Live Recordings & Rare Demos

The anniversary edition includes live recordings from Slipknot’s first world tour in 1999–2000. One set captures their unfiltered power on a small stage in Hartford, CT, while another from the UK shows them commanding a festival mainstage with explosive force. These performances have been remixed and mastered from original soundboard tapes and handpicked by the band to best reflect their primal early era.

Fans will also get access to a previously unreleased demo of “Prosthetics,” recorded before entering the studio with Ross Robinson. This early version reveals the seeds of what would become one of the album’s most haunting tracks.

A Legacy of Innovation

Guitarist Jim Root reflects:

“We loved what we did with the first record but we didn’t even know if there was gonna be anything after that. We just wanted people to hear it… The dream scenario, in some ways, came true for us.”

That dream evolved into Knotfest, the band’s signature touring festival launched in 2012, and Knotfest.com, a thriving media platform amplifying new voices in the heavy music world. From genre-shattering albums to game-changing live performances, Slipknot has built a multi-generational fanbase that stretches across borders and decades.

Founding member Shawn “Clown” Crahan adds:

“Every time I’ve walked on stage, it’s never been about how many people have been there because my culture, the maggots, always show up.”

The 25th Anniversary Is for the Maggots

This anniversary is more than just a reissue—it’s a thank you to the fans, the Maggots, who’ve carried the band for a quarter century. Slipknot is bringing the story full circle, revisiting where it all began while reminding us why they’ve remained one of the most influential bands of their generation.

Pre-order now and prepare to relive the chaos that started it all.

[Slipknot (25th Anniversary Edition) drops September 5, 2025.]

L-R: Box Set 6LP Packshot, 2LP Packshot. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

From Puerto Vallarta to San Antonio: Tacos On The Street Makes Its U.S. Debut

Artist interior rendering of Tacos On The Street, coming soon to San Antonio. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Tacos On The Street Brings Puerto Vallarta Flavor to San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO, TX – Beloved Mexican eatery Tacos On The Street, known for its authentic street-style carne asada, is making its U.S. debut this August with a new flagship location on the northeast side of San Antonio. The restaurant will open at 22026 US Highway 281 N, Suite #101, with an official opening date to be announced soon. (Tacos On The Street, 2025)

Founded as a humble taco stand in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in 1993, Tacos On The Street has grown into a cherished culinary destination with one guiding principle: do one thing, and do it exceptionally well—carne asada. Now, it’s bringing its bold flavors and rich cultural heritage north to the Alamo City, where it will also establish its U.S. headquarters.

“San Antonio felt like the natural place to begin our growth in the U.S.,” said Director of Marketing Natalia Bustamante. “It’s a city that lives and breathes flavor, family, and culture—and that’s exactly what defines us. This opening isn’t just a launch; it’s the beginning of a much bigger journey—with this city at the heart of it all.”

A Menu Rooted in Tradition

Every dish at Tacos On The Street—from mouth-watering tacos and cheesy quesadillas to crispy tostadas—is made using time-tested recipes passed down since day one. Guests can also enjoy refreshing margaritas, the signature Jamaica Mezcalita, and curated desserts featuring Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, making its San Antonio debut.

A Space That Tells a Story

The restaurant’s interior is a tribute to both its Mexican origins and its new San Antonio home. Designed by acclaimed creative Joel Mozersky (of Pullman Market and Mon Chou Chou), the space includes handcrafted ceramic elements from Guadalajara’s Cerámica Suro, a studio known for its collaborations with restaurants like Noma, Central, and Eleven Madison Park.

A custom mural by Don Mos, a muralist from Irapuato, fuses contemporary iconography with traditional Mexican symbolism. Under the creative direction of Guillermo Flores Pacheco of Orbeh Studio, the mural celebrates the shared spirit of Puerto Vallarta and San Antonio.

Thoughtful Partnerships, Soulful Service

Tacos On The Street has teamed up with like-minded brands including Jarritos, Twang, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream to enhance the dining experience. The restaurant’s fast-casual model delivers warmth and hospitality rooted in Mexican tradition, paired with the efficiency and ease of Texan-American service.

Tacos On The Street will be open daily, with full hours and an exact opening date to be announced soon. This San Antonio flagship is just the beginning of a broader expansion—one that honors place, partnership, and purpose. Additional U.S. locations are in the works, with more details to follow.

Stay tuned—and come hungry.

Colonial Echoes in a Modern World: Edwy Plenel’s Urgent Wake-Up Call

‘The Garden and the Jungle’ by award-winning French journalist Edwy Plenel. Photo: Other Press.

Coming September 9, 2025

The Garden and the Jungle: How the West Sees the World

By Edwy Plenel • Translated by Luke Leafgren

From renowned journalist and essayist Edwy Plenel—former Editorial Director of Le Monde and cofounder of the investigative platform Mediapart—comes a searing and timely critique of Europe’s moral and political failures. The Garden and the Jungle: How the West Sees the World explores how the West, in clinging to myths of superiority and civility, betrays the very values it claims to uphold. It is available for pre-order. (Other Press, 2025)

In the tradition of Hannah Arendt’s The Origins of Totalitarianism, Noam Chomsky’s Illegitimate Authority, and Louisa Lim’s Indelible City, Plenel offers a provocative examination of Western power, politics, and perception in an increasingly unstable world.

At the heart of the book is a statement made in 2022 by Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat:

“Europe is a garden… Most of the rest of the world is a jungle, and the jungle could invade the garden.”

This worldview, rooted in colonial arrogance, reveals a Europe that still sees itself as the guardian of civilization—under siege by an unruly, dangerous “outside.” Plenel argues that such thinking not only distorts history but also deepens the divide between the West and the global majority, fueling resentment, conflict, and resistance.

With a powerful new introduction for U.S. readers, The Garden and the Jungle is a call to reimagine Europe—and the political West—as part of, not above, the shared human experience. It is a plea for humility, solidarity, and the rediscovery of true universal values.

About the Author

Edwy Plenel is an award-winning journalist, essayist, and cofounder of Mediapart. He is the author of For the Muslims: Islamophobia in France, and was formerly Editorial Director of Le Monde.

About the Translator

Luke Leafgren is Assistant Dean of Harvard College. An acclaimed literary translator, he has translated seven novels from Arabic and is a two-time recipient of the Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize, including for The President’s Gardens by Muhsin Al-Ramli and Mister N. by Najwa Barakat.

🗓 Publication Date: September 9, 2025
📘 Format: Trade Paperback Original
📚 Publisher: Other Press

Advance Praise for The Garden and the Jungle:

“Insistently historical, geopolitically capacious, Edwy Plenel’s The Garden and the Jungle is bracing. It insists that we take a step back so that we face, without flinching, the truth of our world. Because it is only in so doing that we can undo the ugliness that has for too long marred human existence.”
—Grant Farred, author of The Perversity of Gratitude: An Apartheid Education

“This passionate, eloquent book is an outstanding portrait of the savagery of our times in the heart of civilization. Edwy Plenel, France’s outstanding journalist, writes of an empire of radical evil bent on the destruction of ideals of universal human rights and law. The source of toxicity in the ruling classes is the greed for riches never satisfied. Western imperial attitudes of superiority inside its walled garden keeping out the feared jungle, must change—this book is a trigger.”
—Victoria Brittain, author of Shadow Lives: The Forgotten Women of the War on Terror

“Edwy Plenel acutely and unsparingly diagnoses, in a time of genocide, the fatal flaw in Europe’s grandiose self-image. Anyone hoping for a future of less suffering and misery cannot afford to miss reading The Garden and the Jungle.”
—Pankaj Mishra, author of The World After Gaza

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‘Star People’: A Haunting Journey Through Memory, Mystery, and the Desert Sky

Star People, starring Kat Cunning, opens this Friday in limited theaters. Photo: Blue Harbor Entertainment, used with permission.

Related post: Kat Cunning Leads in Star People, a New Sci-Fi Feature Inspired by the Phoenix Lights

Star People — A Meditative Sci-Fi Mystery Rooted in Memory and Mystery

“Do not feel lonely, the entire universe is inside you.” — Rumi

Star People opens with this evocative quote, setting the tone for a film that’s as much about the cosmos as it is about the human soul. Inspired by the real-life Phoenix Lights event of March 13, 1997—the largest mass UFO sighting in U.S. history—the film follows Claire, who was just 10 years old when she first saw the lights. To her, it felt as if they were calling to her.

Now a photographer haunted by that childhood encounter, Claire receives a mysterious tip that pulls her back into the Arizona desert during a deadly heatwave. Accompanied by her UFO-streamer boyfriend and her troubled brother, the journey soon takes an unexpected turn when they cross paths with a vulnerable immigrant family, complicating Claire’s mission.

The film is a haunting and atmospheric blend of personal trauma and cosmic intrigue. As the desert heat intensifies, so does Claire’s obsession. The cinematography captures sun-bleached landscapes and eerie night skies, while a subtle, pulsing score heightens the sense of isolation and internal unraveling.

Claire’s story is both literal and psychological. Since the day of the Phoenix Lights, she’s lived with epilepsy—leaving the audience to question whether her visions are the result of extraterrestrial contact or something far more earthly. Her journey brings her face to face with locals, fringe believers, and surreal events that blur the line between memory, delusion, and reality.

The film unfolds in a non-linear narrative, revisiting fragments of Claire’s childhood as she searches for meaning, both on the ground and among the stars. The oppressive heat almost becomes a character in itself—distorting time, warping perception, and deepening the mystery.

In the end, Star People is not a conventional alien film. It doesn’t offer clear answers. Instead, it embraces ambiguity, exploring themes of grief, identity, and our need to connect with something larger than ourselves. Quietly gripping and deeply introspective, this is a sci-fi experience for viewers who appreciate mystery, emotion, and cosmic wonder over spectacle.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

*Thank you to Emma Griffiths PR for the screener link for review consideration. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Adam Finberg’s Star People, opens in theaters July 25, with a VOD release to follow nationwide on all major platforms on August 12.

Updated Theaters:

July 25
-Cinema Village (New York)
-Harkins Theatres Arrowhead (Peoria)
-Harkins Theatres Fashion Center 20 (Chandler)
-Harkins Theatres Shea (Scottsdale)
-Harkins Theatres Superstition Springs (Mesa)

August 8
-Laemmle Royal (Los Angeles)

August 12
VOD release nationwide on all major platforms (Apple, Amazon and many more)

Brendan Fehr Stars in ‘Kill Me Again,’ a Twisted Sci-Fi Horror from Keith Jardine

Keith Jardine’s Kill Me Again. Photo: Vertical

Vertical Acquires Keith Jardine’s Time-Loop Thriller “Kill Me Again” — Set for August 2025 Release

Los Angeles, CA – Vertical has secured distribution rights for writer/director Keith Jardine’s hybrid psychological sci-fi horror film Kill Me Again across North America, UK/Ireland, and Australia/New Zealand. The film will premiere in select theaters and On Demand on August 8, 2025. (Bolte Media, 2025)

Starring Brendan Fehr (Roswell, Final Destination), Raoul Max Trujillo (Dark Winds, Mayans M.C.), and Majandra Delfino (Roswell, Friends with Better Lives), Kill Me Again puts a chilling twist on the time-loop trope.

🔪 About the Film

In Kill Me Again, Charlie (Fehr) — a notorious serial killer infamously dubbed The Midnight Mangler — finds himself trapped in a violent time loop, reliving the same bloody night at a desolate roadside diner. At first, Charlie indulges in his deadly instincts, but as the bodies pile up and his grip on reality slips, he becomes desperate to break free from the endless cycle.

“This movie started for me when I began thinking about our obsession with true crime and how, in that medium, the villains, in a way, become the heroes. It’s a guilty pleasure we share, and I wanted to exploit that on screen. Brendan Fehr is masterful and really pulled off what seemed impossible. I’m so grateful to share this.”
— Keith Jardine, Writer/Director

🎥 A Dark, Genre-Bending Ride

“Keith has crafted a fantastic new take on the time loop film. By putting a villainous character at the center, he’s subverted expectations and will take genre audiences on a chaotic and entertaining ride. We look forward to presenting the film to audiences this summer.”
— Tony Piantedosi, SVP of Acquisitions, Vertical

Kill Me Again was produced by Jardine alongside Juergen Heinemann (also the film’s cinematographer), Heath Hensley, Mark Steinig, Tara Tovarek, and Darren White. Todd Spradlin served as co-producer. Additional crew includes Kevin Hale (Shadow Force) as editor and Jaden Price as costume designer.

🎬 About Keith Jardine

Best known for his fearless career as a UFC fighter, Keith Jardine has emerged as a bold voice in film and television. After appearances in major productions like Inherent Vice, John Wick, Love Lies Bleeding, and Copshop, Jardine turned his creative energy to storytelling behind the camera.

His directorial debut, the award-winning short El Paso 11:55, earned accolades at four Academy-qualifying festivals. With Kill Me Again, Jardine cements himself as a rising filmmaker, blending psychological horror and sci-fi with a fresh and unsettling edge.

Upcoming projects include The Edge of Normal and Over Your Dead Body, where he stars alongside Jason Segel and Samara Weaving.

🏛️ About Vertical

Founded in 2012, Vertical is a globally recognized independent distributor specializing in film releases across theatrical, digital, and streaming platforms. With a full-service approach to marketing, sales, and distribution, Vertical continues to champion original storytelling and elevate independent cinema.

Stay tuned for the release of Kill Me Again — a time-loop thriller that dares to ask: What happens when the monster can’t stop being a monster?

In theaters and On Demand August 8, 2025.

Cowboys, Vaqueros & Paniolos Unite: Free Family Fun at the Briscoe Museum

Roping with Kevin Fitzpatrick at National Day of the Cowboy. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

Celebrate National Day of the Cowboy at the Briscoe Western Art Museum

Saturday, July 26 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Briscoe Western Art Museum | 210 W. Market Street, San Antonio, TX
Free Admission | Free Activities | Family-Friendly Fun

Saddle up, San Antonio! The Briscoe Western Art Museum is bringing the Wild West to life for a full day of cowboy culture, family fun, and cultural celebration at its National Day of the Cowboy event on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2025)

This free community event honors the spirit and traditions of the American cowboy, Mexican vaquero, and Hawaiian paniolo. Held in the heart of downtown San Antonio, the celebration features a wide range of hands-on activities, artist demonstrations, music, food, and more. Plus, enjoy free museum admission all day long—including access to the special exhibition “Aloha Vaqueros,” which explores the rich connections between cowboy cultures across borders and oceans.

🐴 Family Fun at the Lil Buckaroo Corral

Kids can kick up some dust and wrangle up excitement with:

  • Stick pony barrel racing
  • Horseshoe tosses & lasso lessons
  • Bull riding & cowboy crafts (make your own spur, hat, or brand!)
  • Lei making & silversmith etching with Nā Mamo cultural group, performing live at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

🤠 Cowboy Culture Comes Alive

Explore the museum’s 14 galleries, the McNutt Sculpture Garden, and enjoy:

  • Roping demonstrations from a talented trick roper
  • Rodeo fun with local cowboys and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
  • An inside look at escaramuza attire and performances—featuring live Q&A with a local rider

🎨 Western Art in Action

See artistry in motion with live demonstrations from celebrated Western artists:

  • Wilson Capron – Silversmith & engraver
  • Leland Hensley – Rawhide braider
  • Jason Scull – Western sculptor
  • Mike Capron – Western painter

🎶 Music, Poetry & Storytelling

  • Cowboy poetry with Don Mathis – 12:30 p.m.
  • Cowboy ballads with Jesse White – 3 p.m.
  • Story time with Antoinette Lakey, featuring trailblazing cowboy Mary Fields – 1 & 1:30 p.m.

🌮 Cowboy-Approved Eats

Refuel with food truck favorites available for purchase all day:

  • Cake-N-Que
  • Hokulani Shave Ice
  • Plus, free chuck wagon cobbler samples while supplies last!

🐂 Why Celebrate?

Launched in 2005 and officially recognized in Texas since 2015, National Day of the Cowboy honors the legacy of the American cowboy, cowgirl, vaquero, and paniolo. The Briscoe’s annual celebration is a beloved tradition that preserves and highlights this rich cultural heritage.

🎟️ Admission is free, but space is limited—pre-register now to secure your spot for this unforgettable day of Western wonder.

Celebrate the cowboy way – Briscoe style!

Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

The Division Men’s Hymns and Fiery Dances Arrives This August—Here’s What to Expect

The Division Men is the husband-and-wife duo of J. Spencer Portillo and Caroline Rippy Portillo. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The Division Men Announces New Album Hymns and Fiery Dances, Shares Single “San Saba”

El Paso, TX by way of Berlin acoustic duo The Division Men has shared a haunting new single and video titled “San Saba”, taken from the forthcoming album Hymns and Fiery Dances, due out August 22, 2025, via Motor Music. (US/THEM Group, 2025)

The track debuted in the U.S. via New Noise Magazine and in the EU via Side-Line Magazine, and is now available on all major streaming platforms.
🎧 Listen to “San Saba” HERE
📺 Watch the visualizer on YouTube 👇

About Hymns and Fiery Dances

The new album features an impressive roster of collaborators including:

  • Rafael Gayol (Leonard Cohen)
  • Rick G Nelson (Afghan Whigs, St. Vincent)
  • Jay Reynolds (Asleep at the Wheel)
  • Fredo Ortiz (Beastie Boys, Los Lobos)
  • Leah Shapiro (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club)
  • Dana Colley (Morphine)
  • Asya Sorshneva (CocoRosie)
  • Beto Martinez (Grupo Fantasma)
  • Peter Hayes (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club)
  • Alain Johannes (Queens of the Stone Age, PJ Harvey)
    …and many more.

Available in LP, CD, and digital formats, Hymns and Fiery Dances can be pre-ordered now.
🛒 Pre-order HERE

Who Is The Division Men?

Founded in Berlin, Germany in 2008 and now based in El Paso, Texas, The Division Men is the husband-and-wife duo of J. Spencer Portillo (vocals/acoustic guitar) and Caroline Rippy Portillo (vocals/bass guitar).

The band’s name reflects the original mission: to collaborate with artists worldwide regardless of borders—a philosophy that has remained central to their identity.

Caroline, born in San Antonio, previously played bass for Tito & Tarantula from 2007 to 2012. Spencer, born in Los Angeles and raised in Texas, channels the spirit of border towns into evocative lyrics about love, loss, and life.

Their sound is often described as dark, romantic, ethereal, and haunting. Their previous album, Niños Del Sol, featured Rafael Gayol, Steven Hufsteter, Jay Reynolds, Mitch Hertz, Raiye Rippy, and Jake Garcia (The Black Angels).

Upcoming Live Dates

Catch The Division Men live in support of Hymns and Fiery Dances:

📍 08/15/2025 – Austin, TX – Vinyl Beauty Bar
📍 08/17/2025 – San Antonio, TX – Faust Tavern
📍 08/22/2025 – El Paso, TX – Love Buzz

For more news and updates, follow The Division Men on all official channels.

Hymns and Fiery Dances tracklist:

01. Leonora

02. Dolores

03. Dead Moon

04. The Undertow

05. The Night Calls

06. San Saba

07. Cemetery Girl

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Raise a Glass & Unwind: San Antonio’s Ultimate Tequila Day Weekend

Rosarita cocktail made with Avión Silver Tequila. Photo: Mokara Hotel & Spa, used with permission.

Celebrate National Tequila Day in San Antonio: Cocktails, Massages, and Riverwalk Vibes

Mark your calendars! National Tequila Day falls on Thursday, July 24, and San Antonio is raising a glass in grand style. Whether you’re in the mood for a vibrant Riverwalk celebration or a luxurious spa experience, there’s something for everyone this tequila-filled weekend.

🌮 Ambler at Hotel Contessa: A Weekend Tequila Takeover

📍 Hotel Contessa | 306 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205
📅 Thursday, July 24 – Saturday, July 26

Ambler, the restaurant at the elegant Hotel Contessa, is going all in for National Tequila Day with a three-day celebration along the scenic Riverwalk. Here’s what’s in store:

🍹 Tequila Cocktail Specials & Live Music (Thursday–Saturday)

  • Specialty PATRÓN-infused margaritas in fun, fresh flavors:
    Strawberry, Pineapple, Watermelon, Berry Mix, Jalapeño
  • Order a margarita tasting trio for just $16
  • Cool down with an exclusive frozen grape sorbet topped with tajín and lime for $10
  • Enjoy live music each night

🎉 Tequila Day Takeover with PATRÓN (Saturday, July 26 | 3–8 p.m.)

  • Tequila tasting stations
  • A local vendor fair
  • Games and giveaways
  • Hop on the pedal-powered margarita bike to mix your own drink!
  • No reservations required – event is open to the public
  • Additional cocktails and bites available from Ambler’s dinner menu

💆‍♀️ Agave Escape at Mokara Spa: Self-Care Meets Celebration

📍 Mokara Hotel & Spa | 212 W Crockett St, San Antonio, TX 78205
📅 Now through Sunday, July 27

In a beautiful twist, National Tequila Day and International Self-Care Day both fall on July 24 – and Mokara Spa has found the perfect way to honor both with its new Agave Escape Massage Package.

🌿 The Agave Escape Experience

  • Full-body massage using organic agave oils (known for anti-inflammatory benefits)
  • Cupuacu butter foot massage to promote deep relaxation and balance
  • Available now through Sunday, July 27

🍸 Bonus Treat at Ostra

After your treatment, head to Ostra, Mokara’s award-winning on-site restaurant, to enjoy a complimentary Rosarita Cocktail made with:

  • Avión Silver Tequila
  • Rosé
  • Agave nectar
  • Fresh lemon and lime juice

The perfect way to toast a day of total rejuvenation.

Whether you’re toasting with a tequila trio or treating yourself to a luxury massage, San Antonio offers the ultimate way to celebrate this spirited summer holiday. Salud! 🥂