Music and Cocktails weekend at La Cantera Resort & Spa

nightowls — The Nightowls will be performing on Saturday September 15 as part of the Music and Cocktails weekend at La Cantera Resort & Spa. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

La Cantera Resort & Spa, a part of the Destination Hotels collection, in partnership with the San Antonio Cocktail Conference present a Music and Cocktails weekend from Friday September 14 through Sunday September 16. Friday and Saturday events will benefit children’s non-profits through Houston Street Charities. The weekend event includes tastings, seminars and free music. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2018)

Schedule of events:
Friday, September 14 – 8p.m. to 10p.m.
Free jazz concert by saxophonist Roger Tamez on Plaza San Saba. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to 1,000 people.

Saturday, September 15, Cocktail Seminars – 11a.m. to 4p.m.
$50 per person
o Texas Cocktails, presented by Nico Martini, author of Texas Cocktails and Chris Caldwell, resort Beverage Manager.
o Coffee Tequila Martinis Deconstructed, presented by Juan Pablo DeLoera, Avion Tequila.
o Japanese Whiskey & Mizuwari (Highball) History, presented by Rashidi Barrett, Beam Suntary.

Saturday evening – 8p.m. to 10p.m.
Free concert by The Nightowls on Plaza San Saba. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to 1,000 people.

Sunday, September 16 – 10:30a.m. to 3p.m.
Gospel Brunch at Signature Restaurant, $50 per person
Live music by Wesley Bray and the Disciples of Joy. A pre-fix Southern style menu inspired by Chef Andrew Weissman, Bourbon Punch, Champagne and hand-crafted cocktails.

Tickets for the seminars can be purchased a la carte and guests can opt for a one or two-night stay at La Cantera Resort & Spa, the ideal retreat for sophisticated fun, poised at the pinnacle of 550-acres. It offers a pristine oasis with stunning views of the Texas Hill Country, an ideal backdrop for a weekend to celebrate music and mixology.

Cocktail Seminars tickets are $50 per person and are available online. Gospel Brunch is $50 per person, for reservations call (210) 247-0176.

La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX
(210) 558-6500

Gary Sweeney book signing at Blue Star Contemporary

mikesweeneyinstallation — San Antonio artist Gary Sweeney will be having a book signing at Blue Star Contemporary on Friday September 7. Photo: Gary Sweeney, used with permission.

Gary Sweeney, a San Antonio-established artist known for his humorous text-based work and art installations throughout the United States, debuts his new book, ‘Manhattan Beach Memoir: Artist Gary Sweeney Says Goodbye to His Childhood Home,’ based on his most popular art installation, A Manhattan Beach Memoir: 1945-2015. The actual on-site piece was in Manhattan Beach throughout February 2016. Sweeney will debut his book and host a book signing at his art showcase at Blue Star Contemporary on Friday, September 7 from 6p.m. to 9p.m. (Blue Star Contemporary, 2018)

‘Manhattan Beach Memoir’ documents the installation at 320 35th Street, made as a tribute to his family who owned and occupied it for over 70 years. The site-specific installation pays homage to his upbringing, family, and the Manhattan Beach of the past. The photography exhibit consisted of 80 large-scale graphics of personal family photos, which were printed on MDO plywood and cover the outside of the artist’s childhood home.

The first 100 copies of “Manhattan Beach Memoir: Artist Gary Sweeney Says Goodbye to His Childhood Home” will be available exclusively at the book signing for $35 plus tax. Sweeney’s memoir is also available for purchase on Amazon presale starting at $45.

Gary Sweeney is an artist who works in many forms—from photography to painting to sculpting, resulting in a body of work ranging from neon signs, billboards and murals to wooden furniture, books and flower arrangements. Born into the fertile artistic climate of 1950s Southern California, Sweeney was surrounded by art and artists. He has become known for his appealingly nostalgic and humorous artwork and gained notability for his project Post-Obsessive, where he mailed more than 20,000 personalized, handwritten postcards that were altered with witty images, clippings and quotes taken from newspapers around the country. He also has permanent collections on view including America, Why I Love Her at the Denver International Airport, which is inspired by family road trips and bizarre monuments and roadside attractions, and Nostalgia, Texas at the San Antonio International Airport, where Sweeney designed neo-retro tourist posters with tongue-in-cheek slogans.

Blue Star Contemporary
116 Blue Star
San Antonio TX 78204

International Chef Bo Bech at The Granary

The finale of The Granary’s 2018 Guest Chef Dinner Series is this Thursday, September 6. The Granary ‘Cue & Brew is hosting world renowned Chef Bo Bech from Copenhagen for an exclusive one-night only event. The dinner will be guided by a “Fire and Ice” theme, and Chef Bo Bech will collaborate with Chef Tim Rattray on a 6-course menu for this special evening. All-inclusive tickets are available online for $225 and includes meal, wine pairing, tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and extremely limited. (The Granary ‘Cue & Brew, 2018)

Bo Bech, of Geist restaurant in Copenhagen, is an award-winning chef. Well-known in his home country as the fiery TV host of Denmark’s answer to Kitchen Nightmares, Chef Bech is a trailblazer of the Copenhagen food scene, offering his own take on new Nordic cuisine. After working in the kitchens of Alain Passard (restaurant l’Arpege), Michel Roux (Le Gavaroche) and Marco Pierre White, he first made his name in Copenhagen at Restaurant Paustian, where he was awarded a coveted Michelin star. Bech then opened the acclaimed restaurant, Geist, in 2011. Chef Bech also released his first book in 2017, ‘What Does Memory Taste Like?’, a tribute that chronicles the evolution of his personal cuisine.

Fire & Ice Dinner Menu:
Eggs & Oysters
– black pepper

Avocado & Caviar
– almond oil

Lobster & Figs
– piment d’espelette

Hen of the woods & Cocoa beans
– mushroom broth

Beef cheeks & Ricotta gnocchi
– coarse mustard
– fennel pollen

Zucchini flowers & Pistachio
– lime

The Granary ‘Cue & Brew
602 Avenue A
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 228-0124

Upcoming Ole, San Antonio events at Pearl

luisgallo — Luis Gallo will perform at the Pearl on Monday September 3 as part of the ongoing Ole, San Antonio celebration which ends on September 16. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

To celebrate San Antonio’s Tricentennial and its Spanish heritage, Pearl has been hosting Olé, San Antonio: When San Antonio Meets Spain. This summer-long celebration commemorates the city’s 300th anniversary and runs until Sunday September 16 with events and activities related to four main pillars: gastronomy, music and dance, arts and architecture. Events include new programming while also incorporating existing Pearl activities. (Pearl, 2018)

Events scheduled for Olé, San Antonio for Monday September 3 through Sunday September 16:

Monday, September 3: Luis Gallo: Caminos de la Guitarra at 6p.m.
· Stemming from Madrid, Luis Gallo, a well-versed guitarist in jazz, classical and flamenco genres will perform his latest project–Caminos de la Guitarra (“Paths of Guitar) at Pearl Park. This event is free and open to the public with food and drink available for purchase in the Bottling Department.

Wednesday, September 5: Master Class: Queso (Cheese) at 10:30a.m. and 5:30p.m.
· Hotel Emma will host its final Master Class: Queso (Cheese). Expert Max McCalman will be the cheese connoisseur of the day, talking through the range and traditions of Spanish cheeses. There will be a short documentary, lesson from the expert and a cheese and wine pairing. Larder and Sternewirth will be carrying tapas and dishes specifically designed to highlight Spanish cheeses. Tickets are $25 and available online.

Thursday, September 6: Federico Garcia Lorca Cava Reception at 5p.m.
· Join Pearl for a cava reception and program celebrating the creative works of Federico Garcia Lorca with actor, playwright, and musician Jose Ruben DeLeon. This event is located at Galería Olé (302 Pearl Parkway, Suite 110) and is free and open to the public.

Thursday, September 6: First Thursday Night Market Olé Edition at 4p.m.
· For this First Thursday Night Market Olé Edition, acclaimed Spanish guitarist, Luis Gallo, will collaborate and perform with students from the Guitar Program at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Night Market goers will be able to purchase items from their favorite vendors with Spanish-themed goods. This event is free and open to the public.

Friday, September 14: Flamenco Tablao: Luis Gallo and Aaron Prado + Chef Johnny Hernandez at 6p.m.
· Journey into Spain as Pearl Stable transforms into a Spanish-inspired “tablao” to showcase dynamic entertainment and great culinary fare. Performances will include The Aaron Prado Trio and Luis Gallo. Chef Johnny Hernandez will begin the evening with passed tapas and dinner served family-style. Bar services includes beer, Spanish wines, and signature Spanish cocktails. Tickets are $150 and available online. This event is located at Pearl Stable.

Sunday, September 16: Mariachi Lab at 1p.m.
· Olé’s spectacular finale, Mariachi Lab, will return for the second year. Showcasing mariachi talent from across San Antonio including high school, college, all-female and top-level professional performers. There will be multiple live performances throughout the day. Pearl Stable will host a ticketed event with performances by all-female groups such as Mariachi Flor de Jalisco, Damas de Jalisco, Las Coronelas and Las Altenas. Tickets for the Stable event are $25 and are available online. All other performances are free and open to the public. This event will be held at various locations around Pearl.

Pearl
303 Pearl Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 212-7260

New release: ‘Walking Shadows’ by Faye Kellerman

Faye Kellerman is an American author of mystery novels, including The New York Times’ bestselling mysteries that feature the husband-and-wife team of Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus. She has also written the free-standing novels ‘The Quality of Mercy,’ ‘Moon Music’ and ‘Straight Into Darkness.’ As co-author, she has partnered with her best-selling author husband Jonathan Kellerman and recently, with her daughter Aliza Kellerman to write the teen novel ‘PRISM.’ Her latest novel, ‘Walking Shadows: A Decker/Lazarus Novel’ was released last week and has the title characters risking life and limb to solve a pair of brutal murders that may or may not be tied to a crime from more than twenty years ago.

According to Amazon, ‘Walking Shadows’ takes place on a quiet suburban street in upstate Greenbury, New York where the brutally beaten body of a young man is discovered in the woods adjacent to an empty vacation home. Twenty-six-year-old Brady Neil lived in the neighboring town of Hamilton and had no criminal record, few friends, worked full-time and attended community college. His only fault is being Brandon Gratz’ son, who was convicted of robbing and killing the owners of a local jewelry store. Gratz and his partner Kyle Masterson admitted to the robbery, but swear when they left, the owners were still alive. Decker begins to suspect that the son’s murder may be connected to the father’s sins, but when one of Brady’s friends is also found dead, Decker must use all his skills and knowledge to see justice done and find out who would kill two innocent men.

Theater review: ‘Hello, Dolly!’ at the Woodlawn Theatre

Anna Gangai as Dolly Levi and Tim Hedgepeth as Horace Vandergelder in ‘Hello, Dolly!’ now playing at the Woodlawn Theatre. Photo: Woodlawn Theatre, used with permission.

After a successful opening weekend, ‘Hello Dolly!’ continues at the Woodlawn Theatre for the long Labor Day weekend. It runs until Sunday September 16 with showtimes every Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets are on sale online or by calling the box office at (210) 267-8388. ‘Hello Dolly!’ is the blockbuster Broadway hit about Dolly Gallagher-Levi, a turn of the century matchmaker and “woman who arranges things.” As a service to the community, during this performance’s run, the Woodlawn Theatre will be accepting new hoodie donations for local teens on behalf of San Antonio Threads. There is a donation box in the lobby where guests can drop off new hoodies, sizes small through extra-large for teen boys and girls during normal box office hours Tuesday through Friday from 2p.m. to 5.pm. and Saturdays from 11a.m. to 2p.m. or before any ‘Hello, Dolly!’ performance.

‘Hello, Dolly!’ is set in New York City at the turn of the last century and begins as the city is excited with Dolly’s visit to their fine city “Call On Dolly.” Dolly is a self-professed ‘meddler’ which includes matchmaking and other side jobs such as dance instruction and mandolin lessons. Currently, she is in the process of finding a wife for Horace Vandergelder, a grumpy but well-known half-a-millionaire but her intentions are to marry him herself. While in town, she meets Ambrose Kemper, a young artist who wants to marry Horace’s niece Ermengarde and enlists Dolly’s help to persuade Horace to give them his blessing. Together they travel to Yonkers, New York where Horace owns Vandergelder’s Hay and Feed. Horace has other intentions and he confesses to his two employees Cornelius and Barnaby that he is going to get married, “It Takes A Woman,” and plans to travel to New York City to march in the Fourteenth Street Association Parade and propose to the widow Irene Molloy, who owns a hat shop there. After an eventful trip that includes marching at the parade, dinner at a fancy restaurant and a polka competition, everyone finds a mate and Horace finally admits he needs Dolly in his life.

This musical is a Broadway classic and for good reason. It is filled with humor, romance, high-energy dancing and some of the greatest songs in musical theatre history. The costumes are gorgeous and reminiscent of the era and truthfully some of the best seen at the Woodlawn Theatre so far, especially the women’s hats. Show highlights include the hilarious shenanigans during “The Waiters’ Gallop” by Rudolph and the Waiters and of course the title song “Hello, Dolly!” by Dolly, Rudolph and Waiters which exudes elegance, style and old Hollywood-style dancing. The poignant moment comes during “It Only Takes a Moment” when Cornelius, Barnaby and Ambrose profess their love to their partners and Dolly convinces the judge that their only crime was being in love. The top-quality singing and dancing by the entire cast makes ‘Hello, Dolly!’ a must-see for the entire family and another winning classic performance at the Woodlawn Theatre.

Twin Liquors’ Summer 2018 Dollar Sale

Twin Liquors, Central Texas’ fine wine and spirits retailer, is pleased to announce its summer 2018 Dollar Sale, offering incredible deals on wine and spirits. The Dollar Sale will take place at all 80 plus Twin Liquors locations from Wednesday August 29 through Friday August 31, 2018. A directory of locations is available online – there are eight locations in San Antonio. (Twin Liquors, 2018)

Twin Liquors’ Dollar Sale will feature incredible savings on wine and spirits 750 ml and larger. Prices will drop down to the absolute lowest plus a dollar. Shoppers can look forward to amazing prices on collectible wines, rare whiskies and other popular spirits. Some restrictions apply. A taco truck will be on-site at the Hancock Center Marketplace location starting at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 29.

Born and raised in downtown Austin, Texas, Twin Liquors began as one small store and has emerged as a successful “home-grown” Austin company. Its unique and well-respected reputation throughout the United States comes from having impeccable team members, outstanding customer service, conveniently located stores, an extensive selection of fine wines and premium spirits from around the world as well as substantial community involvement. Twin Liquors currently operates over 80 neighborhood stores in Central Texas.

Canstruction design/build competition at North Star Mall

alligatorcans — At last year’s competition, RVK Architects’ “Chomping Our Way Out of Hunger” won Most Cans and the coveted People’s Choice. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Coming up in September, North Star Mall is hosting the 13th annual Canstruction® design/build competition. This is one of the San Antonio Food Bank’s SA Goes Orange for Hunger campaign events to raise awareness and funds for hunger relief. (North Star Mall, 2018)

After last year’s hurricane right before the building competition, San Antonio felt a collective responsibility to assist neighbors along the coastal region who were impacted and the city’s response was immediate and powerful. Canstruction® became even more important as the Food Bank warehouses were inundated with donations and the reserve supply of canned food generated by Canstruction® provided a later source of food as communities began to rebuild.

In the International Canstruction® Competition, a San Antonio team received the first-ever recognition when RVK Architects toy alligator structure entitled, “Chomping Our Way Out of Hunger” placed third among hundreds of entries. Locally, RVK’s creative Canstruction® garnered two awards – Most Cans and the coveted People’s Choice.

This year, ten teams representing the San Antonio chapters of The American Institute of Architects and the Society for Design Administration have registered to participate. Their work begins on Sunday, September 9 when they are given 12 hours to defy expectations, logic and gravity as they assemble giant sculptures using approximately 30,000 cans of food. The sculptures will remain on display throughout North Star Mall’s common areas during mall hours through Saturday, September 22.

The following day the supersized masterpieces will be judged at the Canopener awards ceremony where industry professionals and special guests will be in attendance. Teams will vie for award categories in Best Meal, Best Use of Labels, Structural Ingenuity, Best Original Design, Most Cans and Best Use of Orange. The public may also cast a vote for the People’s Choice Award to be announced on September 25, 2018. Voting instructions can be found at each structure during display at North Star Mall.

All canned goods used to create the unconventional art exhibits at North Star Mall will be donated to the San Antonio Food Bank at the close of the competition. In 13 years, Canstruction® has donated more than 472,095 pounds of food. As the major supplier of food for the hungry in Southwest Texas, the San Antonio Food Bank helps provide food for about 58,000 individuals each week through a network of more than 530 partner agencies within a 16-county service area. Every donation, every SA Goes Orange for Hunger campaign button worn and every means of public outreach helps to fight hunger and feed hope.

Donations can be dropped off at the Food Bank warehouse from 8a.m. to 5p.m. or at the San Antonio City Council district offices. More than 58,000 people in Southwest Texas rely on the Food Bank’s network of programs and services each week and more than 74,000,000 hot meals are served annually and over half a million Southwest Texans are at risk of going hungry.

Collaboration dinner at Pearl with guest chef from Madrid

dinnerseriesaug18 — The Intercambio Dinner Series with Chef Jorge Fernandez of Madrid, Spain will be on Wednesday, August 29. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

As part of Olé, San Antonio programming this summer, the Pearl invites exemplars of the Spanish culinary scene—from Michelin-starred to up-and-coming Market chefs—to participate in intercambios, exchanges, with Pearl counterparts. Chef Jeff Balfour of Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery is hosting a Spanish dinner paired with Southerleigh brews and Spoetzl Brewery’s special limited edition Olé brews with Chef Jorge Fernandez Rodríguez of Madrid, Spain on Wednesday August 29 at 6:30p.m. The dinner includes a welcome reception curated by Southerleigh’s Chef Jeff Balfour and a 5-course seated dinner by guest Chef Jorge Rodríguez. Tickets are $80 per person plus tax and gratuity and includes beer pairings. Reservations are limited and can be made by calling Southerleigh at (210) 455-5701. (Pearl, 2018)

Chef Jorge Fernández Rodríguez of Gastrochigre in Madrid focuses on the gastronomy of the Asturias region and aims to make high-end cuisine more accessible and available to the general public.

The special menu available for one night only will include:

Welcome Reception: menu by Chef Jeff Balfour includes Machacado tortilla, Summer squash terrine on pan tomate, Puffed egg with jamón, Mexican chorizo and gulf crab croquette, Bacalao Magdalena and Mini picadillo rellenos.
Beer Pairings by Spoetzl Brewery, makers of Shiner includes Las Canarias Ale and Tenerife Ale.

Seated Dinner: menu by Chef Jorge Fernández Rodríguez includes Sweet and sour pig ears salad, “Callos” (tripas) with kale kimchi, mushrooms and vermicelli noodles, Deep fried hoisin duck with spicy carrot hummus, Rice and beans Asturias style with saffron scented beef cheek, and Rice pudding with chocolate and stout beer.
Beer Pairings by Southerleigh Brewing Co. includes Blood orange lime infused kettle sour, Sake style rice beer, Honey orange cream ale, Russian imperial stout and Microlot Katz Coffee (non-alcoholic coffee to be served with dessert).
*Beer pairings subject to change depending on availability

Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery
136 East Grayson, Suite 120
San Antonio, TX 78215

Teatro Audaz’ ‘Aye, No!’ at the Cellar Theater

ayenoset — ‘Aye, No!’ at the Cellar Theater. The last two performances this weekend are sold out but there will be an encore performance on August 31. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

Word around town has it that Teatro Audaz’ ‘Aye, No!’ is a hilarious and poignant production. It sold out during its run at The Public Theater’s Cellar Theater this month, so it is back by popular demand for an encore presentation for one night only at Woodlawn Pointe on Friday August 31 from 8p.m. to 10p.m. Tickets are $15 to $20 and are available online but are going fast. Do not miss a chance to catch this show written by Liz Coronado-Castillo and directed by Laura T. Garza. Cast includes Miranda Valdez, Jaime Gonzalez-Quintero, Nora Moreno-Jarrell, Brizzo Torres, Karlyn Buchaus, Ivan Ortega, Louie Canales, Ray D. Seams and Christian Gomez. The show is bilingual, 90% English, 10% Spanish.

‘Aye, No!’ takes place in a small town, where young Alicia comes home from college with a ‘friend’ for her family to meet. The trouble begins when her loving grandma and well-intentioned, yet nosy aunts assume that Alicia is bringing home a boyfriend or fiancée. Alicia, wanting her family’s acceptance and fearing ancient Mexican magic, turns to her three fairy-drag-queen friends for guidance.

Woodlawn Pointe
702 Donaldson Ave.
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 468-2787

SA Examiner

Your Insider Source For Entertainment And Business Headlines

Author: Sandra Cruz