Author: Sandra Cruz

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

The Tubular Bells: 50th Anniversary Tour documentary

Tubular Bells: 50th Anniversary Tour is a making-of, narrated by acclaimed actor Bill Nighy, documentary about the debut studio album by English musician Mike Oldfield, which was released in May 1973. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Mike Oldfield’s iconic Tubular Bells took the world by storm when it launched in 1973 and nearly 50 years later continues to sell over 100,000 albums per year, with a total of 17.5 million copies sold worldwide and 18 million streams. (Tubular Bells, 2022)

In honor of the 50th year anniversary of this ground-breaking album, on November 18, 2022 Cleopatra Entertainment will be releasing a new concert and documentary film entitled THE TUBULAR BELLS 50th ANNIVERSARY TOUR. Filmed over three nights at the world-famous Royal Festival Hall in London, this contemporary masterpiece incorporates the beauty of the original music with dance and acrobatic feats by the Circa Contemporary Circus as well as stunning performances of Moonlight Shadow, Mike Oldfield’s biggest single hit, along with Summit Day, from his Guitars album, and The Gem, a new work by Musical Director Robin Smith.

Also featured is a fascinating 90 minute behind-the-scenes documentary, narrated by BAFTA winner, Bill Nighy. The feature-length documentary explores the history and legacy of Tubular Bells, and closely follows the dramatic story behind the spectacular new production. As a bonus, the special feature on the home entertainment Blu Ray and DVD versions includes Turning Back the Clock – an interview with Mike Oldfield and Richard Branson. Cleopatra’s VOD version will be released, on December 13th, 2022, just in time for the Holiday season.

“It’s amazing to think that it’s 50 years since I started writing Tubular Bells, and I am touched that my music has reached so many people, all over the world, during that time. I am sure that the 50th Anniversary Live Concert Experience of Tubular Bells will be spectacular, theatrical, fantastical and thrilling, marking 50 years from when I started writing the music” – Mike Oldfield

The rights deal was brokered by Cleopatra Founder and CEO Brian Perera, Tim Yasui VP/GM of Cleopatra Entertainment, and by Kaleidoscope Film Distribution on behalf of the filmmakers.

Cleopatra Entertainment is a Los Angeles based multimedia company founded by Cleopatra Records head Brian Perera. Recent films in release include Glenn Danzig’s critically acclaimed horror film DEATH RIDER IN THE HOUSE OF VAMPIRES, the UK drama MRS LOWRY & SON starring Academy Award winner Vanessa Redgrave, the action-adventure extravaganza CHINA SALESMAN starring Mike Tyson and Steven Seagal and Egypt’s official entry to the 2018 Academy Awards foreign language category SHEIKH JACKSON.

Release dates:
Blue Ray (2 disc set ) – November 18, 2022
DVD (2 disc set) – November 18, 2022
VOD Release date – December 13, 2022

New book release: ‘I, Alien: Memoirs of a UFO Spy’ by Tony Topping

‘I, Alien: Memoirs of a UFO Spy’ is Tony Topping’s new book. Photo: Tony Topping, used with permission.

Tony Topping is a veteran UFO researcher and Close Encounter Experiencer. He has appeared in ITV This Morning, The One Show, Channel 4, Channel 5, BBC 2, Sky Arts, Sony Pictures, E4 Tattoo Fixers, when producers gave him a tattoo for the unusual life he has led, BBC Regional & National News, and various radio show across the globe. He writes for the Australian Paranormal Magazine Oddities, Outer Limits, and French magazine OVNI and is a regular contributor to national station talkRADIO. His new book “I, Alien: Memoirs of a UFO Spy” is his astounding biography that takes readers on a journey of close encounters. (Tony Topping, 2022)

“I, Alien: Memoirs of a UFO Spy” – They chose him, but why? Tony Topping shares his own unique UFO diaries, portraying a deep involvement in a complex intelligence operation between humans and alien visitors called SCOVS. Abused when young, this is the testimony of a survivor who fought back from extreme adversity over his 40+ year involvement with the UFO phenomena. Full of illustrations inspired by his alien contact makes his testimony a unique literary art form. “I, Alien: Memoirs of a UFO Spy” portrays Tony Topping’s journey from boy to man; an asset who witnesses the clash of biblical and alien forces in the skies above. It is truly a read that will take your breath away and have you in tears. The Chronicle element of the book details from 2001 to present his continual involvement in an operation called SCOVS or Special Contact Operation Very See and the shocking saga of contact with ET that led to the establishment of an alien/human information highway.

“I, Alien: Memoirs of a UFO Spy” is available at these retailers.

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Photo: Tony Topping, used with permission.

Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival at the Briscoe this Saturday

The annual Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival is this Saturday November 19 at the Briscoe Western Art Museum. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

Showcasing Native American heritage and its influence on the American West, the Briscoe Western Art Museum invites everyone to enjoy its free annual Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival, Saturday, November 19, 10a.m – 5p.m. Highlighting the continued vibrancy and artistic traditions of Native American communities, the event is free and includes admission to the Briscoe. The festival is a perfect way to mark Native American Heritage Month and celebrates the important role Native Americans played in shaping the West. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2022)

The free community festival features storytelling, artist demonstrations, pottery and carving, as well as Native American-inspired food, including REZR’vation Only, a food truck featuring Native American-inspired cuisine that is owned and operated by a registered member of the Navajo Nation. Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival also features workshops and lectures celebrating traditional and contemporary Native American culture. The event starts with a special blessing, followed by a ceremonial drum circle that invites everyone to join.

The annual event is named in honor of the Payaya people who were indigenous to the San Antonio area. “Yanaguana” was the word they used to describe what is now known as the San Antonio River. The festival has been held annually since the museum opened.

Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival highlights include:

  • An opening spiritual blessing United San Antonio Pow Wow, Inc.
  • A Pow Wow-style drum circle kicks off the day, with United San Antonio Pow Wow, Inc. and Enemy Horse Drumming demonstrating and explaining common pow wow dance styles. Another Pow Wow-style drum circle features the Great Promise Dancers in the afternoon, also demonstrating and explaining common pow wow dance styles.
  • Live music by Native American artists including flute player Tim Blueflint Ramel. An enrolled member of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa, a federally recognized American Indian Tribe, Blueflint has opened for and shared the stage with Grammy Award Winner Mary Youngblood and a wide variety of artists.
  • Stories from Amy Bluemel, a Chickasaw storyteller and the great-granddaughter of Eastman Kaney, an original Dawes Commission enrollee. Bluemel shares Chickasaw customs, and those of other southeastern tribes, through elaborate storytelling.
  • Ledger art with artist George Curtis Levi, showcasing how ledger art captures a moment in time. A type of art that originated amongst the Cheyenne in the late 1840s, ledger art utilized pages of repurposed record books to depict everyday life. A member of the Southern Cheyenne tribe in Oklahoma, Levi also has ties to the Arapaho and Oglala Lakota communities.
  • Pottery making with artist Jereldine Redcorn showcasing Caddo pottery, an art form she single-handedly revived. A member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Redcorn’s father was Caddo and her mother was Potawatomi. In 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama selected one of her pieces to decorate the Oval Office.
  • Kachina carving with Kevin Horace Quannie, a Hopi/Navajo contemporary artist. Living on the Hopi reservation, Quannie specializes in carving contemporary kachina dolls using cottonwood roots.
  • Crafts and demonstrations include making your own drum, creating a community weaving basket, paper bead necklaces, pottery making, loom weaving, wood carving and leather stamping.

Festival visitors also enjoy free admission to the Briscoe, including exhibitions highlighting the stories of the American Indian, cowboys, pioneering women and others that define the West. The museum’s fall exhibition highlights the wildlife and landscape of the West, featuring 40 of the renowned nature photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen’s most resonant photographs. Thomas D. Mangelsen – A Life In The Wild takes viewers on a journey across the West and around the globe. One of the most prolific nature photographers of our time, Mangelsen is an award-winning photographer whose images have been exhibited internationally and published in iconic mediums such as “National Geographic,” “Good Morning America,” and “60 Minutes.” The exhibition is open to the public through January 29, 2023.

New book release: ‘Piedrecitas entre la hierba’ by José Luis Castro

‘Piedrecitas entre la hierba’ is the new book by José Luis Castro. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

José Luis Castro nació en Camagüey, Cuba en 1966 y emigró a los Estados Unidos en 1980. Ha escrito y publicado artículos, ensayos, y discursos sobre temas de salud pública en publicaciones alrededor del mundo. En el ámbito artístico y cultural, es un estudioso de las primeras dos décadas del siglo XX en Cuba, ha viajado a 98 países, y ha escrito más de 800 poemas, cuentos, ensayos, y obras de teatro en español. Una selección de estos trabajos se publicará próximamente en una antología. Es miembro de la Royal Society for the Arts (RSA), Reino Unido. Ha recibido numerosos premios por su trabajo y reconocimientos por sus servicios a la salud global. En su nuevo libro “Piedrecitas entre la hierba” el escritor rememora la Cuba de 1913. (José Luis Castro, 2022)

“Piedrecitas entre la hierba” – Una historia repleta de amor, odio, amistad y valentía en la que la corrupción y la violencia se enfrentan con la justicia en la cotidianidad de un pequeño pueblo. A cada paso del libro aguarda un nuevo suspenso hasta llegar a un clímax pleno de acción y emociones fuertes. Una noche lluviosa de mayo, Marcelo Cervantes, un hombre malherido llega al pequeño pueblo de Piedrecitas, Camagüey, junto a su mujer y a su hijo. Años más tarde, un licenciado aparece para investigarlo. En medio de la investigación, el oscuro pasado de Marcelo regresa a Piedrecitas para atormentarlo de nuevo. Amor, odio, desengaño y amistad se revelarán en las relaciones entre los habitantes del pueblo en una trama donde la corrupción, la violencia y la justicia se enfrentan diariamente en sus calles.

El autor expone así la realidad de una época en la que los cambios político-económicos y sociales agitaban el país en un ambiente de corrupción y violencia que desataba la crueldad de los hombres. El realismo de la obra invitará a los lectores a reflexionar y a conocer más sobre la historia de un país castigado y reprimido duramente durante muchos años y la lucha que emprendió para lograr su libertad y eliminar los últimos vestigios de represión en un ambiente representado por la clase baja en el que aprenderán a perder los prejuicios impuestos por la sociedad y que, a veces, la familia no siempre es de sangre, sino la que se elige.

Sitios para comprar el libro: Amazon Barnes & Noble

Publicación patrocinada  

The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio’s Children’s Nutcracker returns

The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio presents The Children’s Nutcracker and Holiday Market, a magical holiday extravaganza. Photo: Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, used with permission.

An enchanting tale filled with all the magic of the holidays, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker has been captivating the hearts and minds of audiences for decades. This timeless story of a young girl whose beloved doll comes to life and takes her on wonderous journey has inspired many a young dancer to take the stage and has fostered a love of the arts in the young, and young at heart. (Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, 2022)

This year, the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio will return to the Lila Cockrell Theatre to present a Broadway level production of this favorite holiday family tradition. Combining immersive and interactive elements each performance is an event that includes shopping, sweets, and Santa. With a condensed 1.5 hour run time, it will keep event the youngest theatregoers engaged.

The fun starts from the moment guests enter the theatre and discover themselves in a festive holiday market where they can browse the extensive selection of dress-up items, including tutus and Sugarplum Fairy wands, Mouse King swords, as well as home décor including ornaments and, of course, nutcrackers. Hair and makeup stylists will be on site to offer magical makeovers transforming little ones into regal royals for a glittering good time. Key cast members from princes to queens, and fairies, along with Santa himself, will be on hand for photos on a first come first served basis. Because no holiday is complete without treats, there will be plenty of holiday fare including cocoa, holiday cookies and other seasonal favorites along with hot dogs, mini-burgers, and popcorn.

Award-winning dancers and a talented array of young performers share the stage for this production filled with dazzling costumes, multimedia integrated scenery, and even an interactive surprise or two for the audience members. More than just ballet, The Nutcracker celebrates the traditional dances of cultures around the world, showcasing a variety of disciplines and talents including vocalists, actors, gymnasts, special needs artists and more. CBSA founder and former Prima Ballerina Vanessa Bessler, leads the talented youth who range in age from 3-19 and include internationally acclaimed classical dancers alongside gifted special needs artists. A seven-time Youth America Grand Prix Outstanding Teacher Award winner, Bessler created CBSA to serve as a gateway for young artists interested in pursuing a professional dance career. The 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 arts world.

Friday, December 9, 7p.m.
Saturday, December 10, 2p.m.
Saturday, December 10, 7p.m.
Holiday Market and Photos with Santa and cast opens one hour prior to showtime.

The Lila Cockrell Theatre
200 E. Market Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
Tickets are available online.  

Admission proceeds and holiday market profits directly benefit CBSA in fulfilling its mission to inspire the pursuit of excellence and prepare children for productive and creative lives through dance by offering extensive training and performance opportunities for talented children from all backgrounds. Donations from the event will benefit dance scholarships for special needs and underserved youth, as well as the transportation and organization of several hundred Title 1 school students to attend each performance. Funds also go to the production costs of theatre, costumes, lights, and special effects that allow these dancers to perform in San Antonio’s top theatres in professional productions as part of their professional level training.

The award-winning Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is an authentic, professional-level ballet company that produces professionally staged productions showcasing San Antonio’s most talented children. Dancers are selected by invitation or audition. The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio is a nonprofit organization 501(c)3.

The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) seeks to inspire the pursuit of excellence and prepare children for productive and creative lives through dance by offering extensive training and performance opportunities for talented children from all backgrounds.

New book release: ‘Desert Star’ by Michael Connelly

Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch return in ‘Desert Star,’ Michael Connelly’s new suspense thriller. Photo: Amazon

Michael Connelly is the bestselling author of over thirty novels and one work of nonfiction. With over eighty million copies of his books sold worldwide and translated into forty-five foreign languages, he is one of the most successful writers working today. A former newspaper reporter who worked the crime beat at the Los Angeles Times and the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, Connelly has won numerous awards for his journalism and his fiction. His very first novel, “The Black Echo,” won the prestigious Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for Best First Novel in 1992. In 2002, Clint Eastwood directed and starred in the movie adaptation of Connelly’s 1998 novel, “Blood Work.” In March 2011, the movie adaptation of his #1 bestselling novel, “The Lincoln Lawyer,” hit theaters worldwide starring Matthew McConaughey as Mickey Haller. Michael is the executive producer of Bosch, an Amazon Studios original drama series based on his bestselling character Harry Bosch, starring Titus Welliver and streaming on Amazon Prime. In his new book “Desert Star,” a Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch novel, they team up to hunt the brutal killer who is Bosch’s “white whale”—a man responsible for the murder of an entire family. (Amazon, 2022)

“Desert Star” –  year has passed since LAPD detective Renée Ballard quit the force but after the chief of police himself tells her she can write her own ticket within the department, Ballard takes back her badge, leaving “the Late Show” to rebuild and lead the cold case unit at the elite Robbery-Homicide Division. For years, Harry Bosch has been working a case that haunts him—the murder of an entire family by a psychopath who still walks free. Ballard makes Bosch an offer: come volunteer as an investigator in her new Open-Unsolved Unit, and he can pursue his “white whale” with the resources of the LAPD behind him.

First priority for Ballard is to clear the unsolved rape and murder of a sixteen-year-old girl. The decades-old case is essential to the councilman who supported re-forming the unit, and who could shutter it again—the victim was his sister. When Ballard gets a “cold hit” connecting the killing to a similar crime, proving that a serial predator has been at work in the city for years, the political pressure has never been higher. To keep momentum going, she has to pull Bosch off his own investigation, the case that is the consummation of his lifelong mission. The two must put aside old resentments and new tensions to run to ground not one but two dangerous killers who have operated with brash impunity.

Excerpt available. 

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa offers family friendly Thanksgiving activities

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa offers Thanksgiving events for a family friendly holiday, West Texas Style. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

The scenic JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa has some Thanksgiving getaway programs coming up. The family owned and operated, 13,000-acre Texas Hill Country retreat invites families and loved ones to give thanks with outdoor experiences, world-class Texas BBQ, and the chance to make long-lasting memories. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2022)

Their programming and offers are as follows:

  • A Hill Country Thanksgiving Feast: On Thanksgiving (November 24), the JL Bar Ranch will host a family-style dinner featuring traditional Texas ranch favorites with sophisticated flair. Resort guests and locals alike can select from three separate seatings at 11a.m., 1p.m. and 4:30p.m. for their Thanksgiving feast, featuring a Chef-attended carving station with smoked turkey, sage butter basted roast turkey, and rosemary and garlic sirloin;  crowd-pleasing and decadent buffet featuring over a dozen sides like bourbon orange glazed ham, sweet potato casserole with pecan crumble, roasted butternut squash and brussels sprouts with applewood smoked bacon; an assortment of festive holiday desserts; and more. Price: $59.95 (guest rate); $79.95 (non-resort guest); half-off for kids 12 and under.
  • Outdoor Adventure: Embrace the crisp November weather with the resort’s robust outdoor activities, from hiking and horseback riding to 3D archery. 
  • Laid-Back R&R: Book a seasonal spa treatment at The Spa at JL Bar for the ultimate relaxation during the holiday. Fall spa specials include an Appe Body Scrub, Autumn Massage, Harvest Facial, and Fall Foliage Mani-Pedi.  
  • A Multi-Gen Villa Escape: The stunning Archer’s Nest Villa is an ultra-private retreat within the Ranch: this beautiful ranch home has 7 bedrooms & 6 bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, a swimming pool with a slide, an outdoor kitchen & BBQ pavilion, home theater and more (private chef and butler options are available). 
  • Take Care of Holiday Shopping Early: Stop by JL Bar Ranch’s General Store to tackle holiday shopping before the seasonal rush, with JL Bar coolers, apparel, hunting gear, and more.

San Antonio Museum of Art offers ReCollections Programs for Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

San Antonio Museum of Art will be offering ReCollections Programs in November and December. Photo: San Antonio Museum of Art, used with permission.

In honor of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) will offer virtual ReCollections programs in partnership with UT Health San Antonio’s Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases. These interactive online discussions were developed to deliver social connectedness, art, storytelling and joy to families and their affected loved ones. (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2022)

On Saturday, November 19 from 10a.m. to 11a.m., ReCollections: Art Conversations to Stimulate the Mind—Food & Feasts will share a collection of virtual feasts highlighting favorite holiday recipes aimed to showcase how every culture throughout history has encouraged togetherness and celebration through delicious food. 

The following month, on Saturday, December 17 from 10a.m. to 11a.m., ReCollections: Art Conversations to Stimulate the Mind – Family Photos will encourage online participants to bring a favorite photo of family, friends or pets to share stories of everyday works of art. Whether the prized portraits are grand paintings or simple polaroid photos, this discussion will strive to celebrate close connections and offer the chance to retell special moments.

All ReCollections programs will be facilitated virtually via Zoom and are free to the public. Online registration will close two hours before the scheduled start time and meeting session information will be sent to the email address used for registration.

New book release: ‘The Reaper’ by Rae Scott

A serial killer is loose on the streets of Norfolk in Rae Scott’s new crime thriller ‘The Reaper.’ Photo: Amazon

Born in New England, Rae Scott spent her childhood hiking, fishing, and enjoying the outdoor life inherent to the area. This love of adventure led her to travel the world in a quest to discover new and exciting things, feeding her thirst for knowledge and creativity that she now draws on for her books. In between her travels, she can be found on her porch in Virginia with her family coming up with new ideas as to where their next adventure will take them. In her new book “The Reaper,” a serial killer is loose on the streets of Norfolk. (Rae Scott, 2022)

“The Reaper” – Fear not those who are innocent, for I shall cause you no harm. I seek out only those who have yet to pay for their sins. Fear me if you have no remorse, for I am the Reaper, and I will ensure that you reap what you have sewn. The serial killer known as The Reaper is loose on the streets of Norfolk. Its victims have two things in common: They have each hurt a child but served little to no time in jail for it and none of them regret their actions. Detective Mel Tanner is close to retirement when she is assigned to investigate a murder that leads her in a hunt for the serial killer known as The Reaper. As a seasoned homicide detective of fifteen years, she now finds herself jaded and unfeeling to the atrocities that she has had to witness every day.

When rookie Detective Nat Petrov lands her dream assignment, to work with the best Detective in Norfolk, she is thrown headfirst into The Reaper’s perverse sense of justice. The Detectives race against the clock as body after body turns up with the signature Grim Reaper tarot card, each life ended in a way specifically designed for the individual victim. Will the detectives be able to catch a twisted serial killer before time runs out or will The Reaper exact revenge in a way more personal than anyone could have ever fathomed?

“The Reaper” is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

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Family Meal Benefit dinner in El Paso to benefit El Pasoans Fighting Hunger

El Paso native chefs return home for an evening of cooking and camaraderie, all for a good cause. Photo: Google

On Sunday, November 13, ten chefs will return home to El Paso to host “Family Meal,” a special collaborative benefit dinner. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, a group actively procuring and distributing food to combat the hunger crisis in the region.

“El Pasoans Fighting Hunger (EPFH) is El Paso’s only food bank and a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief network. The Food Bank is the distribution center for over 132 partner pantries across the borderland region and collaborative hub for hunger initiatives that assists in SNAP applications and nutrition education. EPFH also distributes healthy and nutritious food to 235 client choice mobile pantries, which provide food to underserved/unserved communities. We currently serve 200,000 food insecure people with 1 in every 3 children and 1 in every 4 adults unsure of where their next meal will come from.” -EPFH

The evening is designed to expose local and expat talent—chefs, artists, and musicians—while bringing El Paso natives together for an evening of cooking and camaraderie, all supporting a good cause. The event will be held at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing (1 Ardovinos Dr, Sunland Park, NM 88063), and tickets are available at elpasofamilymeal.com. Tickets for Family Meal are $250 per person and will include six courses in a family-style setting along with passed appetizers, wine pairings, coffee, and a chef demo.

“Family Meal is an important part of the day for restaurants. It is a way to bond with your family away from home. This benefit dinner, in turn, is meant to transform that experience and help our extended (local and migrant) families as well as bring to light the vast amount of talent and generosity this city has to offer. El Paso is one part of a large international and bi-national metropolis encompassing Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and Las Cruces, New Mexico. What affects one family affects us all.” – Mixtli Chef Rico Torres

Confirmed chefs include:
Rico Torres, Founder, Food and Wine Best New Chef 2018, James Beard Best Chef Semi-Finalist 2019, Best Restaurant 2022, Mixtli (San Antonio, TX)
Andre Natera, Author and Podcast Host, Chef’s PSA (Austin, TX)
Alan Delgado, Star Chefs Rising Star 2020, (New York, NY)
Gabe Erales, Top Chef-18 Winner, Bacalar, (Austin, TX)
Jaime Daniel Calleros, Executive Chef, Ardovino’s Desert Crossing (Sunland Park, NM)
Jake Rojas, Tallulah’s Taqueria (Providence, RI)
Omar Flores, James Beard Semi-Finalist Best New Restaurant 2013, Best Chef Southwest 2015, 2016, Whistle Britches and Muchacho (Dallas, TX)
Melissa Valenzuela, Mixtli, (San Antonio, TX)
Andres Padilla, Chicago Tribune’s Dining Out Award 2015, Opening Executive Chef at Plaza Hotel/Ambar 2020, Culinary Director of Cruz Blanca (Chicago, IL)
Emiliano Marentes, James Beard Outstanding Chef Semi-Finalist 2022, El Emi, (El Paso, TX)

The Native El Paso chefs will return for a weekend of camaraderie and cooking under the scenic landscapes at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing, which features views of all three cities. The evening will include live-fire cooking, wine, specialty cocktails, live music, plus a special Chef Demo from Top Chef-18 Winner, Gabe Erales. The event will also feature a live auction, farewell coffee service, and a photo opportunity with the talent.