Author: Sandra Cruz

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

Cinco de Mayo specials around town

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Hopdoddy Burger Bar will have margarita specials this Friday through Sunday May 5. Photo: Hopdoddy, used with permission. 

Head over to any Fast Eddie’s Billiards & Sports Bar location on Sunday May 5 to celebrate Cinco De Mayo. There will be specials running on various Patron margarita options and plenty of pool and games to entertain. (Fast Eddie’s, 2019)

Fast Eddie’s opened its first location in San Antonio in August 1998 by hospitality experts and bar veterans, Bob Wilson, Mark Beyer and Mark Lewis. These talented entrepreneurs created a neighborhood gathering place with more entertainment options than were available at any other billiards halls. With large, comfortable environments that feature multi-dimensional entertainment, high-end audio-visual equipment, top of the line pool tables, dart boards, video games, music, comfort food, a full bar, themed events and charity benefits, Fast Eddie’s has drawn a loyal following. The single pool hall on Culebra Rd became so successful, it spurred the growth of Fast Eddie’s to 15 locations in Texas and Louisiana.

Fast Eddie’s Billiards & Sports Bar San Antonio locations:
9910 W Loop 1604 N Suite 113
San Antonio, TX

7616 Culebra Rd #103
San Antonio, TX

502 Embassy Oaks
San Antonio, TX

11221 Perrin Beitel
San Antonio, TX

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Hopdoddy Burger Bar will be offering a margarita special at all locations this Friday May 3 through Sunday May 5. All margaritas will be half off all day long. From the Classic Frozen to The Skinny Dip, featuring a 7oz. Coronita dunked into a frozen margarita with a Black Lava Salt Rim, Hopdoddy has a delicious offering of margaritas perfect for celebrating the upcoming Mexican holiday. (Hopdoddy Burger Bar, 2019)

Hopdoddy Burger Bar was founded in 2010 in Austin and is a nationally-recognized burger and beer joint. The menu includes burgers, hand-cut Kennebec fries, farm fresh salads and handcrafter milkshakes. Hopdoddy also carries a variety of local craft beers on tap, can and bottle and a has a full bar featuring regional spirits, house-made liqueurs and freshly squeezed juices. Named “The Best Burgers in America” by Food & Wine, Hopdoddy has locations in Texas, Arizona, Colorado and California with more to come.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar at the Rim
17623 La Cantera Pkwy Suite 101
San Antonio, TX 78257
(210) 434-2337

Whataburger celebrating grand opening in Shavano Park

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Whataburger is celebrating the opening of the Shavano Park location. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission. 

Whataburger restaurants, known for custom-made, always-fresh burgers, will host a grand opening celebration on Wednesday, May 1 from 5p.m. to 7 p.m. at its new location in Shavano Park at 4050 N Loop 1604 W in San Antonio. (Whataburger, 2019)

To provide a fun celebration for the whole family, guests can enjoy an evening of exciting activities including face painting and a photo booth. Attendees can also register to win a Whataburger for a Year gift basket, where one lucky winner will receive a free Whataburger each week for a whole year and other fun Whataburger swag items.

“We are excited to kick off the grand opening and celebrate our customers with an evening of fun activities for the whole family. It has been a busy first couple of weeks, and our team has thoroughly enjoyed serving our friends and neighbors in the new space. Whataburger has been so appreciative to have the support of the community and is excited for this next chapter in San Antonio.”- Whataburger Director of Operations Tom Willet

Whataburger has been making burgers since 1950 when Harman Dobson opened a humble hamburger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. He wanted customers to take one bite and say, “What a burger” so he named his stand on Ayers St “Whataburger.” Whataburger now has over 700 locations across the country and continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals every day with superior customer service. Community support includes charitable giving and volunteerism to nonprofit organizations that focus on children’s charities, cancer research, hunger assistance, disaster relief and military support.

Whataburger
4050 N Loop 1604 W – near NW Military Hwy
San Antonio, TX 78231
(210) 419-2874

‘Cabaret’ opens Saturday at the Vexler Theatre

cabaretOpening this weekend at The Sheldon Vexler Theatre is ‘Cabaret. This dark musical about escaping the trials of life opens on Saturday May 4 and will run through Sunday June 2, 2019. Tickets are now available online and are $23 for general admission, $20 for seniors/military, $19 for JCC (Barshop Jewish Community Center) and $15 for students. Showtimes are 8p.m. Saturday, 2:30p.m. Sunday and 7:30p.m. Thursday.

‘Cabaret’ is based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. It is set in the infamous Kit Kat Klub where Emcee Sally Bowles and the rest of the ensemble take the stage nightly to tantalize the crowd and to leave their troubles outside. In a seedy Berlin nightclub, as the 1920s draw to a close, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assured them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. With the Emcee’s bawdy songs as wry commentary, ‘Cabaret’ explores the dark, heady and tumultuous life of Berlin’s natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. Memorable songs include “Cabaret,” “Willkommen” and “Maybe This Time.”

*Disclaimer: contains adult themes and language and is recommended for mature audiences. Parental discretion is advised.

The Sheldon Vexler Theatre
12500 NW Military Hwy, Ste 275 @ Wurzbach Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78231
(210) 302-6835

May events at the Pearl

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Pearl’s May events begin this Thursday with First Thursday. Photo: Matt Buikema, used with permission. 

Pearl is excited to present its May programming including The Farmers Market 10-year anniversary, a Cinco de Mayo celebration, the First Thursday Night Market and a Memorial Day party to honor the members of the armed forces who have passed. (Pearl, 2019)

First Thursday Night Market – May 2 from 4p.m. to 8p.m.
First Thursday Night Market returns to Pearl for the month of May. Visitors can shop with their favorite local Farmers Market vendors and artisans while enjoying music by regional performers. Jose Amador and TERRA NOVA will perform at Pearl Park from 5:30p.m. to 7:30p.m. and Mariachi Las Coronelas Trio in Pearl Parkito from 4p.m. to 8p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Cinco de Mayo – Sunday May 5 from 4p.m to 7p.m.
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, Bottling Department will host live music by El Tallercito de Son in Pearl Park and Fletcher’s Hamburgers will be serving carnitas all day. The Bar at the Bottling Department will also feature agave wine “Margaritas.”

Farmers Market 10 Year Anniversary Celebration – Saturday May 18
Pearl’s Farmers Market will celebrate its 10th anniversary this May. Since 2009, the market has grown to include 50 plus vendors representing the best in produce, meats, dairy, eggs and artisan foods from a 150-mile radius. Pearl’s market is the largest “producers-only” operation in San Antonio. San Antonio Botanical Gardens and CHEF (Culinary Health Education for Families) will offer demonstrations and activities for families, Wide Awake Creative will feature a produce-inspired photobooth and Artist Katy Sosa’s Keep Calm Y Dream On will offer an interactive art making station. The anniversary celebration will include live music and cupcakes from Bakery Lorraine. During the month of May, Pearl restaurants will showcase menu items featuring produce from Farmers Market vendors. All activations are free and open to the public.

Memorial Day Celebration- Monday May 27 from 2p.m. to 4p.m.
In honor of members of the armed forces who have passed, Pearl and The Bottling Department will have a crawfish boil by Bud’s Southern Rotisserie. There will be live music by the Gulf Coast Playboys, and more. Guests will be able to enjoy music and food while playing in the sun and Gustav’s Geysers.

Pearl
303 Pearl Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78215

Float Fest 2019 announces artist line-up and new venue

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Float Fest 2019 will take place in Gonzales and tickets are now on sale. Photo: Chad Wadsworth, used with permission. 

Float Fest, the only festival in the world to combine the Texas tradition of floating the river and live music, recently announced a new venue for its 2019 festival. It will take place on Saturday July 20 and Sunday July 21 and will be moving to Gonzales, TX, which is about an hour outside of Austin as well as about an hour outside of San Antonio. The new location provides a greater proximity for Houston fans since it is about two hours from Houston. (Float Fest, 2019)

The festival will have all the amenities of floating the river, camping and live music, with the property being three times larger than past festivals. With river access to float being on-site at this year’s festival, no more shuttles are needed, which means immediate access to the water upon arrival. The camp grounds are a pecan orchard, with beautiful 200+ year old trees that provide tons of shade right by the Guadalupe River as well as larger camping sites with 20×20 spaces available. The festival also includes Improved traffic flow with multiple exit points. The new venue is a private ranch located in Gonzales county, just a few miles away for convenience with amenities such as hotels, restaurants, retail, supermarkets, and more.

Weekend tickets, day tickets and a limited amount of VIP tickets are now available for purchase online. Attendees will be able to enjoy a highly curated mix of alternative, rap, indie rock and EDM performers with two main stages that will offer fans a chance to catch every moment of main stage action with non-overlapping sets.

The 2019 Float Fest headliners Major Lazer, Portugal. The Man, Gucci Mane, Kaskade, Zeds Dead, Ice Cube, Big Gigantic and The Flaming Lips will close out the festival each night, performing popular crowd favorites. Other artists include Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Grouplove, Big Boi, Jungle, St. Lucia, Houndmouth, G Love & Special Sauce, Missio, The Floozies, Goldfish, Sego and Cowboy Diplomacy.

Gates to float the river will open at 8a.m. and tubing tickets can be purchased separately online; everyone must have a concert ticket to float the river. Held on the sprawling Guadalupe River on a private ranch, the festival grounds are quintessential to Central Texas. The festival features ample on-site parking and immediate access to the Guadalupe River. Float Fest will also have over 35 local unique food vendors for attendees to enjoy.

Additional features at Float Fest 2019 include:
• VIP lounge with complimentary Wi-Fi
• VIP side-stage viewing decks on both stages
• Early camping load in, offering patrons the opportunity to arrive Friday, July 19, set up their campsite, float the river and kick-off the party a day early
• Early wristband pick up at off-site locations
• Showers on the campgrounds
• Shade & Arcade Lounge: All new shade and arcade lounge with 24-hour weekend access of 30 assorted arcade games along with chilly-cool AC and complimentary Wi-Fi ($35 day passes and $50 weekend passes to access this lounge)
• An expanded General Store with tubing accessories such as phone pouches, tubes, and more
• Lockers for storage.

Each year, Float Fest also organizes a river cleanup project, Keep the River Clean, through partnerships with local businesses. Float Fest cleanup efforts include mesh biodegradable trash bags available for free with tubes for floating, River Wranglers on canoes to help take trash bags, trash receptacles available after tubing at shuttle pick up stations, and the Float Fest crew cleaning up the river before, during, and after the festival with divers and boats to ensure a safe and clean zone.

Float Fest
2855 South US Highway 183
Gonzales, TX 78629

The Baked Bear Ice Cream Shop to open first San Antonio location

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The Baked Bear will open its first San Antonio location at The Shops at La Cantera. Photo: The Baked Bear, used with permission. 

The Baked Bear, a San Diego California-based ice cream shop well known for its monstrous ice cream sandwiches and original recipes, is excited to announce the opening of its first-ever San Antonio location, coming to The Shops at La Cantera this summer. (The Baked Bear, 2019)

Located in San Antonio’s top luxury shopping district, the menu will feature hand churned ice cream scoops, customizable ice cream sandwiches made with fresh-baked cookies and brownies, fun toppings and more. In addition to popular baked goods, all made-from-scratch flavors from the super-premium Baked Bear craft ice cream collection range from Blackberry Crumble to Toasted S’mores. The San Antonio location will also offer rotating, seasonal flavors and a Cookie of the Month. The Baked Bear offers a mix and match style for guests to find their favorite combination with the option of rolling ice cream sandwiches through colorful toppings, resulting in its Instagram-worthy reputation.

The Baked Bear concept was started by childhood friends, Rob Robbins and Shane Stanger, who left their careers to follow their true passion: serving up inventive sweets in their hometown of San Diego, California. The Baked Bear quickly became a phenomenon, known for high quality desserts and has been recognized by Forbes and Business Insider. The favorite shop has now grown to 24 current locations in eight states, with Texas locations in Austin and El Paso. Due to its growing population, The Baked Bear sought San Antonio as its third Texas location. The exact opening date and hours of operation will be announced soon.

“We are thrilled to join San Antonio and continue growing our fanbase in Texas. Summer is the perfect time to open, giving locals and visitors a chance to come in and cool down with our exquisite treats.” – local owner Kenny Alford

The Baked Bear
15900 La Cantera Pkwy, Suite LS3320
San Antonio, TX 78256

Digital lottery for ‘Hamilton’ tickets at Majestic Theatre

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Elijah Malcomb, Joseph Morales, Kyle Scatliffe, Fergie L. Philippe and Company. Photo: Joan Marcus, used with permission. 

Producer Jeffrey Seller and The Majestic Theatre today announced the digital lottery for ‘Hamilton’ tickets will begin in conjunction with the show’s first performance (May 7) in San Antonio at the Majestic Theatre. Forty (40) tickets will be sold for every performance for $10 each. The digital lottery will open at 11a.m. on Sunday, May 5 for tickets to the Tuesday, May 7 performance. Subsequent digital lotteries will begin two days prior to each performance. (Broadway in San Antonio, 2019)

How to enter:

• Use the official app for ‘Hamilton,’ now available for all iOS and Android devices in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
• You can also visit Hamilton The Musical  to register.
• The lottery will open at 11a.m. two days prior to the performance date and will close for entry at 9a.m. the day prior to the performance.
• Winner and non-winner notifications will be sent at approximately 11a.m. the day prior to the performance via email and SMS if mobile number is provided.
• No purchase or payment necessary to enter or participate.
• Each winning entrant may purchase up to two (2) tickets.
• Only one entry per person. Repeat entries and disposable email addresses will be discarded.
• Tickets must be purchased online with a credit card by 4p.m. the day prior to the performance using the purchase link and code in a customized notification email. Tickets not claimed by 4p.m. the day prior to the performance are forfeited.
• Lottery tickets may be picked up at will call beginning two hours prior to the performance with a valid photo ID. Lottery tickets void if resold.

Additional rules:
Patrons must be 18 years or older and have a valid, non-expired photo ID that matches the name used to enter. Tickets are non-transferable. Ticket limits and prices displayed are at the sole discretion of the show and are subject to change without notice.

Lottery prices are not valid on prior purchases. Lottery ticket offer cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. All sales final – no refunds or exchanges. Lottery may be revoked or modified at any time without notice. No purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not improve the chances of winning.

Tickets for ‘Hamilton’ are currently on sale. Patrons are advised to check the official ‘Hamilton’ channels and Ticketmaster for late release seats which may become available on short notice.

‘Hamilton’ is the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, ‘Hamilton’ is the story of America then, as told by America now. With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and music supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, ‘Hamilton’ is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.

Tales from Texas: new cocktail menu at Downstairs at Esquire Tavern

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New cocktail menu featuring ‘San Anto Stories.’ Photo: Giant Noise, used with permission. 

Downstairs at Esquire Tavern, the 2016 basement addition to the James Beard nominated Esquire Tavern in San Antonio, has launched a new cocktail menu. Curated by Beverage Director, Houston Eaves, each drink of the eight-part cocktail series, named ‘San Anto Stories,’ is inspired by a tale that ties into San Antonio’s 300+ years of history. After all, The Esquire Tavern withstands the test of time after opening in 1933 to celebrate Prohibition ending. In true South Texas fashion, the drinks are packed with spirits and flavors popular to its own region as well as Mexico’s, like Ruby Red Grapefruit and Oaxacan Rum. (Downstairs at Esquire Tavern, 2019)

La Tierra De Viejitas ($12) – sun-drenched & oxidized wine, Oaxacan rum, lemon, orgeat

Slayer of Jack Harris ($12)– slayer rum blend, oloroso sherry, butter, honey, lime

Johnson’s Jumper ($12) – championship rum blend, banana, lemon, almond. The championship rum blend is composed of 8 different rums that come from Jamaica, Guyana, Martinique, Panama and the Dominican Republic.
Inspiration: Avery Johnson made the game-winning jump shot to secure the San Antonio Spurs first NBA championship in 1999. The image in the menu is as Cruz Ortiz, the artist who designed the menu, recalled watching that momentous game at the longest bar in Texas.

Battle of Bexar ($14) – high-proof tequila, madeira, aquilino’s ensamble, orange bitters

People of Reason ($14) – manzanilla sherry, pineapple, carrot eau de vie, absinthe

Pavol Real ($14) – cherry & grape brandies, coffee-fernet, lime, ranch cherry wine, egg white

Fiesta Babies ($12) – high-proof tequila, pasubio, grapefruit, pear, tonic water
Inspiration: This festive cocktail was inspired by the uptick of San Antonians born in January each year as a result of their parents’ enjoyment of the revelry of Fiesta, San Antonio’s biggest annual party, the previous April. There are entire families whose children are all born in January, and their parents lovingly refer to them as their Fiesta Babies.

Flood of 1921 ($60)
The Flood of 1921 is punch service for a group of guests. The recipe changes every week or so as Downstairs at Esquire prepares a new batch and bottle of it for service. Currently, the bar is serving a colonial-era inspired punch utilizing cognac, bourbon, rum, sherry and oleo saccharum.
Inspiration: The Flood of 1921, is the greatest disaster Antonio has faced in modern times. More than 1,000 acres city were underwater up to 12 feet deep, including the future site of The Esquire Tavern. It took the magnitude and devastation of the Flood of 1921 to spur the development and creation of what we know today as the world-famous, San Antonio River Walk.

These are just a glimpse of the stories inspiring this one-of-a-kind cocktail program. The entire ‘San Anto Stories’ is a collaboration between Downstairs at The Esquire Tavern, led by Beverage Director, Houston Eaves and San Antonio-based artist, Cruz Ortiz of Snake Hawk Press. Each menu was stained with tequila and hand silk-screened to make each their own singular piece of art.

Pluckers Wing Bar to host NFL Draft Party

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Pluckers Wing Bar is hosting an NFL Draft Party this Thursday. Photo: Pluckers Wing Bar, used with permission. 

On Thursday April 25 at 7p.m., Pluckers Wing Bar will host an exciting NFL Draft Party at all Texas locations. Each Pluckers location will select specific guests to act as a “general manager” for an NFL team in the first round. The “general manager” will be asked to guess who his or her team will draft and if the guess is correct, everyone at that Pluckers location will be eligible for an incredible food or drink special, available only until the next team’s pick. Everyone in attendance at the end of the draft who arrived before the 10th pick is eligible to win a $25 gift card. (Pluckers Wing Bar, 2019)

New this year, all Texas Pluckers’ locations will be competing against each other in the NFL Draft Party. If your Pluckers’ location gets the most correct, five guests will each win a $25 gift card. Specials will include rotating food and drink specials and will go up in value as the draft picks become harder to predict.

Owners Mark Greenberg, Dave Paul and Sean Greenberg opened their first Pluckers restaurant in Austin in 1995. Over the past 23 years, Pluckers Wing Bar has opened 23 locations, expanding to Baton Rouge, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Killeen, San Marcos and San Antonio. Pluckers is known for their signature wings and is consistently recognized as the best sports bar and chicken wing restaurant in the cities where it is located. They offer guests a fun, laid-back atmosphere where friends, family, and co-workers can enjoy a great meal and watch sports. Pluckers has been named in USA Today’s “Top Ten Wing Restaurants” and ESPN’s “Top 5 Sports Bar in North America,” along with being named one of “Austin’s Best Places to Work 2017” by the Austin Business Journal and Dallas Observer’s “Best Sports Bar.”

Pluckers Wing Bar
14881 IH-35 North
Selma, TX 78154

Pink and Imagine Dragons to perform at Circuit of the Americas

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Tickets go on sale this Tuesday April 23. Courtesy photo, used with permission. 

Circuit of The Americas (COTA) announced last week that they will welcome two world-renowned musical acts to the Super Stage at the FORMULA 1 2019 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX. On Saturday, November 2, 20-time GRAMMY® nominated and international pop icon P!NK, who is sure to ‘get the party started’ and give fans an unforgettable performance, will take the Super Stage at COTA. The night prior, Friday, November 1, GRAMMY® Award-winning band Imagine Dragons will start the weekend on a high note after the first day of qualifying races. (Circuit of the Americas, 2019)

 

Tickets for the FORMULA 1 2019 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX, set for November 1-3, will go on sale Tuesday, April 23 at 1a.m. online at Circuit of the Americas.

Currently in the midst of her extended Beautiful Trauma World Tour, P!NK brings her truly spectacular show to the Super Stage at COTA Saturday night of USGP weekend. P!NK is known for her powerhouse vocals, uplifting anthems and showman stage skills. Since her debut in 2000, P!NK has released seven studio albums, one greatest hits album, sold over 50 million album equivalents, over 75 million singles, and over 2.4 million DVDs worldwide and has had 15 singles in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (four at #1). Her eighth studio album, Hurts 2B Human, is set for release April 26 via RCA Records and is available for pre-order today.

Imagine Dragons will bring the crowd to their feet on Friday night of the Grand Prix weekend when they bring their limitless passion and genre-bending music to Austin, Texas. Imagine Dragons has emerged as one of the biggest and most compelling rock bands in the world. The Las Vegas-based group released their latest album, Origins, in November 2018 and have seen great chart-topping success with the powerhouse single “Natural” and epic balladry of “Bad Liar.”

COTA will once again offer the rain plan guarantee. Should it rain over 1.5 inches within the 24 hr period leading up to the race, all three-day RESERVED seats purchased before August 31 will get a 105% of ticket price back. Three-day race tickets, which include access to both headlining concerts along with other featured entertainment, start at $175. Sunday-only bleachers and Sunday-only Main Grandstand tickets will also be available for purchase, along with premium on-track viewing upgrades for both concerts.

“We’re thrilled to welcome P!NK and Imagine Dragons to the Super Stage for this year’s United States Grand Prix. COTA is proud to host such an exciting, non-stop weekend of entertainment, bringing together the best of racing, through Formula 1 USGP, and music in welcoming these internationally-renowned artists to the Live Music Capital of the World.” – Bobby Epstein, founder and chairman of COTA.

Circuit of the Americas
9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd.
Austin, TX 78617