Author: Sandra Cruz

Blogger, book reviewer, artist, poet, avid reader and nature/animal lover.

How Embracing Your ‘Inner Peacock’ Can Transform Your Life

‘Becoming a Peacock’ is the new motivational book by Michal Bardavid. Photo: Amazon

Becoming a Peacock: Strut Your Way Into Self-Love

By Michal Bardavid

Loving yourself isn’t selfish, it’s your superpower.

We’re taught math, science, and grammar, but rarely how to love ourselves. In Becoming a Peacock, Michal Bardavid cracks open that silence with wit, warmth, and the kind of honesty that feels like a conversation with your bravest friend. (Amazon, 2025)

Release Date: December 2 — available now for pre-order.

Through intimate stories of heartbreak, healing, and rediscovery, Bardavid invites you to embrace your inner peacock: the bold, unapologetic, self-loving version of you that refuses to shrink to fit someone else’s cage.

What You’ll Learn

Each chapter blends real-life stories with empowering reflections and exercises designed to help you:

  • Reclaim your worth (no external validation required)
  • Set boundaries without guilt
  • Rewrite your inner voice from critical to kind
  • Let go of relationships and habits that dim your colors
  • Celebrate your authenticity, flaws, feathers, and all

Part memoir, part manifesto, and all heart, Becoming a Peacock is a guide for anyone ready to stop playing small and start strutting through life in full color.

What’s Inside the Book

  • Why the Majestic “Peacock”
  • A Peacock Knows It’s Worthy
  • A Peacock Can Take Rejection
  • A Peacock Dares To Fail
  • A Peacock Doesn’t Judge
  • A Peacock Is Authentic
  • A Peacock Is Grateful

Review

Becoming a Peacock is a heartfelt and spirited invitation to reclaim the parts of ourselves we’ve subdued for far too long. Bardavid writes with a disarming blend of humor, vulnerability, and gentle provocation, cracking open the silence so many people carry around their deepest hurts.

From the first chapter, her voice feels like that of a brave, loyal friend, the kind who tells you the truth with tenderness and refuses to let you abandon yourself again. The language is laid back and conversational while the tone is warm and nonjudgmental. With short chapters and clean structure, it’s a quick, easy read and easy to revisit favorite sections.

Through stories of heartbreak, healing, rejection, and the slow rebuilding of self-worth, Bardavid shows what it means to return home to yourself. She doesn’t preach or claim to have all the answers. Instead, she offers lived wisdom through intimate snapshots of losing her way and the surprising places she found it again.

Highlights

A Peacock Builds Resilience

A reminder that words matter. Kindness is crucial, but resilience is just as important. Bullying should never be tolerated, yet learning to rise above harsh moments is equally vital.

A Peacock Can Be in the Moment

Mindfulness means living with awareness and intention, even in painful moments. Distraction denies our feelings; presence helps us work through them.

“Let’s dare to put the phone down, be present for ourselves and our loved ones, and rediscover the beauty of being in the moment.”

Her “inner peacock” metaphor is playful and powerful, a reminder that boldness, beauty, and self-love are not traits we acquire but truths we unveil. Bardavid doesn’t shy away from messy emotions or difficult lessons, and that authenticity helps readers feel seen rather than lectured.

Becoming a Peacock is an encouraging guide to standing tall, spreading your feathers, and choosing yourself without apology. Ideal for readers who enjoy motivational, reflective books on the journey to self-improvement.

“I built this metaphor of a peacock to make self-love clearer, to remind my students—and now, any reader who wants to share the ride—that they are beautiful, worthy, and capable of living life fully.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

About the Author

Michal Bardavid is a psychological counselor, dance movement therapist, and international journalist. Over the past 15 years, she has reported from more than a dozen countries, taught movement therapy at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, and led creative workshops for Syrian refugee children. In Becoming a Peacock, she combines two decades of storytelling and healing into a candid, story-driven path toward self-worth.

*Thank you to the author for the gifted Advance Reader Copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

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Ring In the Season with the Best Holiday Celebrations in San Antonio This Weekend

Hotel Contessa is lighting up the season with a front-row parade watch party and its first-ever tree lighting on the River Terrace. Photo: Hotel Contessa, used with permission.

🎄 San Antonio Weekend Holiday Events Roundup

The holiday season is officially underway in San Antonio, and this weekend is packed with festive celebrations across the city. From tree lightings to river parades, here’s where to find the magic.

✨ Gunter Hotel Tree Lighting Ceremony

📅 Saturday, November 29 | ⏰ 2–3 p.m.
📍 205 East Houston Street, San Antonio, TX 78205

Kick off the holidays at the historic Gunter Hotel, where a dazzling 16-foot Christmas tree will take center stage in the lobby. Enjoy a special performance by the talented Kingwood High School carolers from Houston, and warm up with complimentary sweet treats and hot cocoa. It’s the perfect blend of cheer, music, and community spirit in the heart of downtown. (Gunter Hotel, 2025)

🎉 Ácenar HotMex & CoolBar: River Parade Viewing

📅 Friday, November 28
📍 146 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Ácenar is elevating the River Walk tradition with front-row views of the 44th Annual Ford Holiday River Parade & Lighting Ceremony. (Ácenar HotMex & CoolBar, 2025)

Seating options include:

  • Riverside Seating – $28/person
    Up-close views with a dedicated server for cocktail orders.
  • Riverfront Patio Dining – $70 minimum per person
    A more elevated experience complete with Ácenar’s contemporary Mexican cuisine and crafted cocktails.

Reservations are required and seating is limited. To book, call (210) 222-2362.

🌟 Hotel Contessa: Parade Watch Party & First Annual Tree Lighting

📅 Friday, November 28 | ⏰ 5–7 p.m.
📍 306 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Hotel Contessa is lighting up the season with a front-row parade watch party and its first-ever tree lighting on the River Terrace. (Hotel Contessa, 2025)

Guests can enjoy:

  • Mariachis
  • Holiday DJ
  • Student musical ensemble
  • Photos with Santa
  • Wine tastings & cocoa
  • Holiday treats
  • Crafting station
  • Local vendors

Ticket Options:

  • General Seating – $50
  • Front-Row Seating – $65
  • Marriage Island VIP – $85 (includes upgraded seating, complimentary beverage & valet)

Tree lighting begins at 6:30 p.m., with the parade passing by shortly after 7 p.m.

🍸 Hotel Contessa: Ford Holiday VIP Terrace Party

📅Friday, November 28 | ⏰5:30–9 p.m.
Guests 21+ can upgrade their night with exclusive terrace access overlooking the River Walk.
$75 per ticket includes:

  • Two handcrafted cocktails
  • Chef-inspired appetizers
  • Live holiday DJ
  • Luxury crafting station
  • Express massages from the Spa at Hotel Contessa
  • Raffle entry for a 2026 one-night stay

Note: Limited parade views from the terrace; 15% off parade seating with code VIP.

🍽️ Ambler: VIP Parade Dining Experience

📅Friday, November 28 | ⏰5–9:30 p.m.
Ambler’s private dining experience includes prime parade views, a three-course dinner, valet parking, and premium drinks.

Pricing:

  • Table of Four – $600
  • Individual Tickets – $175

Kids menu available.

Whether you’re looking for a cozy tree lighting or an unforgettable River Walk parade experience, San Antonio is sparkling with ways to celebrate. Bundle up, grab some cocoa, and enjoy the start of the season! 🎅✨

‘No Words Needed’ and the Power of a Single Glance

‘No Words Needed’ is Michael Freeman’s new book about the power of nonverbal communication. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Spotlight: No Words Needed: Learning to Listen With Your Eyes by Michael Freeman

What if a single glance could change everything?

We live in a world overflowing with noise: constant talking, constant explaining, constant performing. No Words Needed is the quiet rebellion we didn’t know we needed.

Michael Freeman offers a powerful, compassionate guide for men who don’t always speak first but feel deeply. The ones who walk into a room already reading the atmosphere. The ones who’ve been called “too quiet,” when in reality they were listening the whole time.

What You’ll Learn

In this short and impactful read, Freeman teaches you how to:

  • Recognize attraction through eye contact and subtle nonverbal cues
  • Build genuine connection without overthinking every word
  • Develop confidence without pretending to be someone you’re not
  • Understand emotional energy both yours and the woman in front of you

No Words Needed is written for quiet men, introverts, deep feelers, and overthinkers. It’s the book that finally acknowledges the men who move through the world with awareness, sensitivity, and intention.

If you’ve ever been misunderstood, overlooked, or unsure whether she was speaking to you with her eyes, this book becomes your playbook. Whether you’re starting over or simply want a deeper understanding of women, this isn’t just advice, it’s a mindset shift. (Barnes & Noble, 2025)

About the Author

Michael Freeman is a storyteller, observer, and quiet disruptor of the norm. His writing centers on emotional presence, personal growth, and the invisible language of attraction.

No Words Needed: Learning to Listen With Your Eyes is his debut work and an intimate guide for anyone who has ever felt more than they could say, especially men who are learning to lead with presence rather than volume.

Born and raised in Vallejo, California, Freeman blends cultural awareness, emotional intelligence, and lived experience into short, resonant reads that linger long after the last page. He writes for the ones who notice the small things, who feel deeply, who understand that silence often speaks first.

A Heist on the High Seas: Reviewing ‘Maiden Voyage’ by Bradley Harper

‘Maiden Voyage’ is the exciting new historical novel by Bradley Harper. Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours, used with permission.

Paste Creative Book Tours Participant

Book Review: Maiden Voyage by Bradley Harper

Three female thieves, a priceless painting, and a Pinkerton agent aboard the Titanic.
What could go wrong?

Synopsis

Maiden Voyage by Bradley Harper follows an unlikely trio of thieves, Colette DuVall, Mary Carr, and Samantha “Sam” McMurphy, as they embark on a daring mission to steal a valuable painting by the French master Blondell. Their plan takes them aboard the RMS Titanic on its ill-fated maiden journey.

Colette, a young jewel thief from Canada, finds her resolve wavering when she meets Harry Worth, a young Pinkerton agent hired to safeguard the wealthy passengers. What she doesn’t know is that Harry is the son of infamous criminal Adam Worth. Torn between his sense of duty and his complicated family legacy, Harry begins questioning where he truly belongs, especially after falling for Colette.

As loyalties collide as fiercely as the ship meets the iceberg, all aboard must fight for survival. Amid disaster, they discover that love might be the greatest thief of all.

Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Review

Maiden Voyage is a brisk, character-driven historical adventure that blends romance, crime, and maritime tragedy into an undeniably compelling read.

A Vivid Criminal Underworld

The novel opens with Mary Carr and the notorious Forty Elephants gang, a real historical group of female thieves. This grounding in true criminal lore adds texture and authenticity, making the early chapters particularly immersive. When Harry discovers what the gang is planning aboard the Titanic, the tension begins to mount, soon followed by the ship’s own looming catastrophe.

A Strong Emotional Core

The narrative delves deeply into Harry’s personal conflict. As the son of a master criminal, he grapples with the weight of his heritage and the moral ambiguity of justice. His connection with Colette is one of the book’s strongest elements: tender without slowing the pace, layered without becoming overly sentimental.

Memorable Characters & Vivid Writing

Harper’s character development shines. One particularly striking description captures the lived-in dignity of a working woman:

“Her red, chapped hands declaring how she made her way in the world, the well-worn but clean clothes presented a defiant dignity the years and work had yet to take from her.”

These small touches make the characters feel real, and when tragedy strikes, you genuinely root for their survival.

History, Heart, and High Stakes

Harper integrates historical detail without overwhelming the story. The author’s notes at the end provide fascinating context on real figures like Mary Carr and the Forty Elephants, enriching the reading experience.

The Titanic disaster is woven into the plot with restraint and emotional weight. Rather than leaning into melodrama, the novel balances suspense with tenderness, exploring themes of identity, family, and survival.

A Fresh Take on Titanic Fiction

Fast-paced, atmospheric, and surprisingly heartfelt, Maiden Voyage offers a fresh twist on stories set aboard the Titanic. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a blend of crime, adventure, and romance will find much to love.

Harper leaves readers with a haunting reminder of the ship’s legacy:

“Beneath the water, the ship plunged 12,000 feet to the ocean floor, full of the wealth of millionaires and the humble possessions of hopeful emigrants; it carried them all away into the frigid darkness. Into legend.”

Get your copy today!
Amazon
Indigo (Canada)
Bookshop.org

About the Author

Bradley Harper is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and pathologist who has conducted more than 200 autopsies and around 20 forensic investigations.

His debut novel, A Knife in the Fog (2018), was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and winner of the 2019 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion for Best Mystery. His second novel, Queen’s Gambit, won the 2020 Silver Falchion for Best Suspense and Book of the Year.
Maiden Voyage is his fourth book.

Author Bradley Harper. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Courtesy photo, used with permission.

*Thank you to Paste Creative Book Tours and the author for my gifted copy for review as part of the tour. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

This Ordinary Thing is a Timely Film About Quiet Heroes

This Ordinary Thing is Emmy-winning filmmaker Nick Davis’ new documentary. Photo: Series of Dreams, used with permission.

THIS ORDINARY THING

A Film by Nick Davis (You Had To Be There / TIFF 2025)
Executive Producer: Albert M. Tapper (Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy)

Cast (A–Z)

F. Murray Abraham, Jeannie Berlin, Eric Bogosian, Ellen Burstyn, Bill Camp, Carrie Coon, Hope Davis, Stephen Fry, Joanna Gleason, Marcia Gay Harden, Mamie Gummer, Harry Hadden-Paton, Jeremy Irons, Bill Irwin, Louisa Jacobson, Kasia Koleczek, Anna Krippa, Stephen Lang, John Leguizamo, Donal Logue, Kelly Macdonald, Helen Mirren, Bebe Neuwirth, Kelli O’Hara, David Hyde Pierce, Martha Plimpton, Lily Rabe, Rufus Sewell, J. Smith-Cameron, David Strathairn, Lily Tomlin.

Release Date

December 5 at Cinema Village (NYC), followed by a national theatrical rollout and VOD release.

A Haunting & Unforgettable Story

THIS ORDINARY THING recounts the extraordinary acts of non-Jewish individuals who helped save Jewish people across Europe during the Holocaust. Blending never-before-seen archival footage with testimonies from more than forty people, the film sheds light on the quiet bravery of individuals who, acting independently and at great personal risk, saved thousands of Jewish strangers from near-certain death. (EG-PR, 2025)

Narrated by an all-star cast, the documentary serves as a timely reminder of the “pockets of goodness” that can rise within a sea of evil: ordinary people choosing compassion over indifference, even when it meant risking everything.

Strikingly, none of the individuals in the film saw themselves as heroes. Their humility lends the project an urgent resonance, prompting viewers to confront a difficult question: What would I have done?

An Ensemble of the World’s Great Actors

The film features some of the most celebrated actors of our time, performing translated excerpts from original transcripts. The cast, including Helen Mirren, F. Murray Abraham, Carrie Coon, Jeremy Irons, Ellen Burstyn, and Stephen Fry, collectively boast:

  • 5 Academy Awards (and 20+ nominations)
  • 60+ Emmy nominations
  • 25+ Tony nominations

Their performances lend gravitas and emotional depth to the powerful firsthand accounts.

Music by Adam Guettel

The score is composed by Tony Award–winner Adam Guettel, known for The Light in the Piazza, Floyd Collins, and numerous other stage and screen works. His music adds an evocative and haunting layer to the film’s emotional landscape.

About Filmmaker Nick Davis

Nick Davis is a filmmaker and writer whose work often explores the intersection of culture, history, and storytelling. His recent documentary, YOU HAD TO BE THERE, which chronicles the 1972 Toronto production of Godspell and its role in shaping the comedy revolution, premiered at TIFF 2025, where it won Second Runner-Up for the Audience Award. The film features Martin Short, Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, and other icons of comedy.

Photo: Series of Dreams, used with permission.

‘Love and Death’ is Meg Sheppard’s Most Personal Case Yet

‘Love and Death’ is the latest book in the Meg Sheppard Mystery Series. Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours, used with permission.

Paste Creative Book Tours Participant

“Love and Death” by Vicky Earle

Synopsis

A cheating racehorse trainer is dead, and someone close to Meg is under suspicion. As she digs for the truth, past gang members involved in a murder and a zealous animal rights group bring danger right to her doorstep.

When she is wounded by a gunshot, Meg becomes reluctant to continue the investigation. Does she have the resilience to face the escalating threats while also coping with the likelihood of a devastating personal loss?

Love and Death is Book 6 of 6 in the Meg Sheppard Mystery Series:

  1. What Happened to Frank?
  2. Over Frank’s Dead Body
  3. Pointed Attacks
  4. Playing with Fire
  5. Dying for Money
  6. Love and Death
Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Review

Love and Death opens with Meg receiving a troubling call from Neal, her racehorse trainer. Linda, a groom in Neal’s barn, is being questioned by police about her possible role in a hit-and-run that killed fellow trainer Barton Woking. Still reeling from an emotional fight with her partner, William, Meg begins her own search for the truth hoping it will clear Linda’s name and distract her from her personal turmoil.

When Meg learns that a valuable horse has been stolen, her curiosity pulls her deeper into a dangerous web of secrets, gang activity, and the fervor of a militant animal rights group. Each new lead puts her life further at risk.

Vicky Earle delivers a gripping mystery that blends the tension of the horse racing world with Meg’s emotional journey. It’s narrated in Meg’s first person point of view, so readers get deep insights into her thought processes as she tries to solve the case. Her vulnerability and determination make her a relatable, compelling sleuth. Earle’s steady pacing, vivid descriptions, and emotional depth enrich every twist:

“The water seeps through my fleece jacket and splashes over my running shoes as I dash to the truck.”

Earle’s storytelling captures the grit of crime and the grace of perseverance, proving that even in the darkest moments, love and courage endure. Even though it’s part of a series, it does well as a stand alone novel. For readers who crave mysteries with heart, danger, and emotional complexity, Love and Death offers a satisfying, suspense-filled ride. Animal lovers will certainly enjoy it.

“Everyone leaves at the same time, and it’s as if the air has been sucked out of the stark room… I close my eyes, but I won’t be able to sleep – there are too many thoughts and questions spinning in my head.”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Get your copy today!
Amazon (USA)
Indigo (Canada)
Waterstones (UK)

About the Author

Vicky Earle, a recipient of a Canada Book Award, served as CEO of the Ontario SPCA for seven years. Her experiences owning and breeding thoroughbred race horses as well as her love for country life, inspired the Meg Sheppard Mystery Series, known for its fast-paced, action-packed plots set amid racing and rural living.

Animals have always been central to Vicky’s life, and she couldn’t imagine writing a book without them.

She currently lives on a small horse farm near Uxbridge, Ontario, with her husband.

Author Vicky Earle. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Courtesy photo, used with permission.

*Thank you to Paste Creative Book Tours and the author for my gifted copy for review as part of the tour. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Holiday Cheer Takes Center Stage with La Cantera’s Tree Lighting & Jingle Bell Roll

La Cantera Resort & Spa kicks off the holidays with annual tree lighting and roller skating rink. Photo: La Cantera Resort & Spa, used with permission.

Holiday Magic Arrives at La Cantera: Annual Tree Lighting & “Jingle Bell Roll” Grand Opening

On Friday, November 21, 2025, Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa will kick off the holiday season in spectacular fashion with its beloved Annual Tree Lighting, followed immediately by the grand opening of “Jingle Bell Roll,” a retro-inspired, LED-lit roller-skating rink built right over the resort’s shimmering Topaz infinity pool. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2025)

A Holiday Tradition: Annual Tree Lighting

The Annual Tree Lighting celebration sets the tone for a festive season ahead. Guests can enjoy:

  • Meeting friendly reindeer
  • Cookie decorating
  • Warm, creamy hot chocolate
  • Live holiday music
  • Dancing beneath the glow of the sparkling holiday tree

It’s the perfect way for families and friends to welcome the season together.

Introducing: Jingle Bell Roll

The new Jingle Bell Roll invites guests to lace up their skates and glide into the holidays with a high-energy skating experience unlike anything else in San Antonio. The activation features:

  • Dazzling LED lights
  • Festive music
  • Seasonal treats
  • A vibrant, nostalgic roller-rink atmosphere

This limited-time experience is designed for guests of all ages, local families, resort visitors, and holiday-loving adventurers.

Throughout the season, skaters can also enjoy:

  • Themed skate nights
  • Family-friendly skate sessions
  • Photo ops with Santa Claus
  • Holiday treats and concessions
  • Custom group packages for corporate events, including private rink access, catering, and branded photo options

Holiday Cove: A Winter Retreat

For guests seeking a more elevated seasonal escape, the resort’s Holiday Cove transforms the Topaz cabanas into a warm winter oasis. Expect:

  • Cozy group seating
  • Festive holiday décor
  • Curated seasonal treats

Reservations are encouraged and available online.

December Themed Skate Nights

To make the season even more memorable, “Jingle Bell Roll” will offer unique themed evenings throughout December:

• Family Holiday Jams — Wednesdays (Nov. 26–Dec. 24)

Kid-friendly holiday music, festive character appearances, and fun PJ-themed sessions perfect for younger skaters and families.

• Date Night Roll — Thursdays (Nov. 27–Dec. 25)

A romantic evening under the stars, complete with ambient lighting, smooth tunes, and a cozy, elegant atmosphere.

• Adult Roller Skate — Saturday Nights (Nov. 22–Dec. 27)

Sophisticated lighting, curated playlists, and a relaxed social vibe create a perfect grown-up night out.

• Teen Roll — Sunday Evenings (Nov. 23–Dec. 28)

High energy, bold lighting, and Instagram-worthy photo ops for teens ready to roll with friends.

Skates are available to rent on-site.

Event Dates

  • Annual Tree Lighting: Friday, November 21, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
  • Jingle Bell Roll: November 21 – December 28, 2025

Location

Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa
Plaza San Saba & Topaz Pool
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256

Gran Moreno Ignites with New Single ‘Temple of Fire’ Ahead of Debut Album El Sol

Gran Moreno is Ricardo (guitarist and vocals) and Christian (drums). Photo: Tico Mendoza, used with permission.

Gran Moreno Unleashes New Single “Temple of Fire” Ahead of Debut Album El Sol

This week, Austin duo Gran Moreno released their newest single, “Temple of Fire,” now available on all major streaming platforms. The track originally premiered via The Obelisk, offering an early glimpse into the band’s evolving sonic universe. (US/THEM Group, 2025)

A New Force in Psychedelic Rock

Gran Moreno is quickly emerging as one of the most compelling voices in the new wave of psychedelic rock. Their sound, rooted in analog warmth, expansive textures, and hypnotic grooves, creates an immersive experience that blurs the line between distortion and introspection. With heavy rhythms, emotionally charged melodies, and atmospheric layers, their music feels like a sonic mirage: shifting, evocative, and deeply felt.

A Conceptual Debut: El Sol and La Luna

At the heart of Gran Moreno’s artistry is a dedication to storytelling through sound. Their upcoming debut album is a conceptual, two-part experience:

  • Side A: El Sol — urgency, energy, and clarity
  • Side B: La Luna — shadow, mystery, and reflection

The first release, El Sol, captures the band at full intensity, offering a vivid and unfiltered introduction to their creative identity.

A Live Experience That Transcends the Stage

Gran Moreno’s live performances elevate their music into a full-body encounter. Blending sonic power with rich visual elements, their shows draw audiences into a shared trance, one that feels both deeply personal and profoundly communal. Their fierce independence and bold creativity continue to shape a musical world entirely their own.

Release Info

El Sol will be available on LP and digital download on January 17, 2026.
Pre-orders are available HERE.

El Sol tracklist:

  1. Las Montañas
  2. Aztlan
  3. Huracan
  4. Temple of Fire
  5. La Mentira
  6. Oaxaca – Please Don’t Cry
  7. Hikuri
  8. California Blues
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Magik Theatre Brings A Charlie Brown Christmas to Life

Magik Theatre’s A Charlie Brown Christmas opens with its Party in the Park. Photo: Magik Theatre, used with permission.

Magik Theatre Presents A Charlie Brown Christmas — A Heartwarming Holiday Tradition

San Antonio, TX – Magik Theatre is kicking off the holiday season with a festive family favorite: a charming stage adaptation of the classic A Charlie Brown Christmas. Sponsored by Whataburger and Valero, the production runs November 22–December 24 and invites audiences of all ages to rediscover the joy, simplicity, and spirit of the holidays. (Magik Theatre, 2025)

This faithful retelling follows Charlie Brown as he searches for the true meaning of Christmas. Surrounded by decorations and seasonal cheer, he still senses something missing. With help from Lucy, Linus, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang, he takes on directing the school Christmas play hoping it will bring clarity and connection. Featuring Vince Guaraldi’s iconic score and Charles M. Schulz’s gentle humor, the production is perfect for both longtime fans and children experiencing the Peanuts magic for the first time.

Special Events & Add-On Experiences

Story Time at Hemisfair – Nov. 18 at 10 a.m.

Join Magik Theatre staff for a special outdoor story time featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas. The first 20 children receive a free book, plus enjoy a themed craft and playtime at Yanaguana Garden.

Opening Night Party in the Park – Saturday, Nov. 22

Party: 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Show: 5 p.m.
Celebrate opening night with a free holiday party at Hemisfair Park featuring a live DJ, themed craft, hot chocolate from Paleteria SA, Peanuts photo ops, and pictures with Santa inside the theatre (BYOC). The party is open to all; the performance is ticketed.

Singalong Performance – Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m.

Sing along to holiday favorites including “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “O Christmas Tree,” and “Christmas Time Is Here.” Guests receive lyric booklets, and Bird Bakery is providing complimentary cupcakes.

Backstage Experience Add-On (After Every Show Except Special Events)

For $20 per person, enjoy an onstage meet-and-greet, photo opportunities with the cast, a guided 15-minute tour, and a special treat.
Note: Not accessible for mobility devices. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Field Trips & Mini Camps

Student Matinees

Magik’s beloved field trips include a weekday performance plus TEKS-aligned learning. A December 5 performance includes live audio description for vision-impaired students. Educators can reserve field trips online.

Fall & Winter Mini Camps

Perfect for 1st–5th graders during school breaks.

  • Fall Camp: Nov. 24–26, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. – $145
  • Winter Camp: Dec. 23–24, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. – $50/day

Each camp features storytelling, puppetry, games, and a live performance.

Special Performances

Pay What You Wish + Live Audio Description – Saturday, Nov. 29 at 2 p.m.

A donation-based, accessible performance sponsored by H-E-B. Live audio description (via headset) is provided by Vibrant Works. Tickets available only at the door on the day of the performance.

Educator Appreciation Day – Sunday, Nov. 23 at 3 p.m.

Educators and school staff receive one free ticket with ID. Additional tickets are 20% off.

ASL Interpreted Performance – Sunday, Dec. 7 at 3 p.m.

Featuring interpretation by Robert Cardoza, the San Antonio theatre community’s leading ASL interpreter.

Sensory-Friendly Performance – Saturday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m.

Ideal for guests on the autism spectrum or with sensory sensitivities, offering a relaxed, judgment-free environment.

Military & First Responders Day – Saturday, Dec. 30 at 2 p.m.

Service members with valid military ID can purchase $5 discounted tickets.

Ticket Information

Single Tickets

  • $30 – Adults
  • $25 – Children (2–17), Military, Seniors, Educators & Students
  • Free – Children under 2 (unless using a seat)

Purchase online, by phone at (210) 227-2751, or in person at Magik Theatre’s Box Office (420 S. Alamo). Group rates are available for parties of 10+.

A Charlie Brown Christmas cast. Photo: Mewborne Photography, used with permission.

The Forgotten Resistance Fighter Behind ‘The Name on the Wall’

‘The Name on the Wall’ is the new novel by Hervé Le Tellier. Photo: Other Press

Book Spotlight: The Name on the Wall by Hervé Le Tellier

New York Times bestselling author Hervé Le Tellier, best known for The Anomaly, returns with a moving and deeply human story in The Name on the Wall: A Novel. Beautifully translated by Adriana Hunter, this poignant work of historical fiction unearths and honors the brief but powerful life of a young French Resistance fighter during World War II. (Other Press, 2025)

Blending autofiction with historical investigation, Le Tellier begins with a simple but haunting discovery: a name scrawled on the façade of his new home. That name belonged to André Chaix, a maquisard killed at just twenty years old in August 1944.

Through deft and careful storytelling, Le Tellier pieces together fragments of history to create a vivid, emotionally grounded narrative. He avoids sentimental clichés while illuminating the courage of an ordinary young man who took up arms, one among many, during one of the world’s darkest eras. Central to this story is André’s powerful love for Simone, whose presence adds depth and tenderness to the tale.

Arriving at a moment when fascist currents are rising again worldwide, The Name on the Wall resonates as both remembrance and warning. It gives voice to the ideals for which Chaix died and poses timeless questions about belonging, sacrifice, and our human desire to be part of something greater than ourselves.

About the Author

Hervé Le Tellier is a writer, journalist, mathematician, food critic, and teacher. He has been a member of the Oulipo group since 1992 and one of the “papous” of the famous France Culture radio show. He has published numerous books of stories, essays, memoir, and novels, including the Goncourt Prize–winning The Anomaly, which has sold more than one million copies worldwide, All Happy Families, Electrico W, and Enough About Love.

About the translator

Adriana Hunter studied French and Drama at the University of London. She has translated more than ninety books, including Marc Petitjean’s The Heart: Frida Kahlo in Paris and Hervé Le Tellier’s The Anomaly and Eléctrico W, winner of the French-American Foundation’s 2013 Translation Prize in Fiction. She lives in Kent, England.