The Public Theater of San Antonio announces new COO/Managing Director

The Public Theater of San Antonio recently announced the addition of Shelly Chance to their team as COO / Managing Director. (The Public Theater of San Antonio, 2018)

Shelly Chance was born and raised in San Antonio and has been actively involved in the theatre most of her life. Her first paid gig was as the spotlight operator at age 11 at The Public. She received her BA in theatre arts from the University of the Incarnate Word and has worked as an actor, director, producer, stage manager and costume designer. After college Shelly moved to Tokyo, Japan where she worked as an educator and was instrumental in incorporating theatre, music and dance into the stringent Kokudai Seminar curricula. In 2013, Shelly joined Theatre for Change as COO where she cultivated her passion for pairing the arts with social justice issues and service projects. In December 2017 Shelly received The Community Project of the Year award from The Alamo Area Council of Governments for her volunteer efforts. She is the president of the China Grove Lions Club and is lucky enough to spend every minute of her spare time giving back to the community.

“Shelly’s passion for theater combined with community service is the perfect combination. As we move forward with new programming Shelly’s understanding of the ‘theater way’ will be instrumental to our advancement. Her collaborative spirit will allow me to set and guide the vision for The Public as well as continue to raise the bar for our artistic quality.” – George Green CEO/Artistic Director

The Public Theater of San Antonio
800 W Ashby Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 733-7258

Garrison Brothers Distillery releases Cowboy Bourbon

This week, Garrison Brothers Distillery announced the release of Cowboy Bourbon™, the rarest, most coveted release in the company’s portfolio of ultra-premium, Texas-born bourbon whiskeys. In celebration of Bourbon Heritage Month, Cowboy Bourbon™ will be available at Garrison Brothers Distillery in Hye, Texas, for a limited time beginning September 21. The special edition 134-proof bourbon is bottled at cask-strength and comes from barrels hand-selected by the distillery’s founder and its master distiller. In bourbon connoisseur circles, The Cowboy has become known as the crown jewel of Garrison Brothers’ homegrown bourbon family. Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible named Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon™ “The American Micro Whiskey of the Year” in 2014 and again in 2017. (Garrison Brothers Distillery, 2018)

Garrison Brothers will celebrate the release of Cowboy Bourbon™ with a party at their distillery in Hye, Texas, on Friday, September 21. Dubbed ‘Cowboy Round-Up,’ the daytime party will feature frozen cocktails by Frost 321, a mobile cigar lounge by Habana Cowboy and food offerings from Chef Jake Gober of Silver Whisk. Distillery gates will open at noon and the festivities will last until 6p.m.

Only 500 bottles of Cowboy Bourbon™ will be available at the distillery in Hye, Texas, beginning September 21 at Hye Noon. 2,500 bottles will be distributed to Texas liquor stores, bars and restaurants, and 1,725 bottles will be distributed to the other 25 states and military bases where Garrison Brothers is sold. Each bottle comes packaged in a decorative wooden box with a weighty pewter medallion emblazoned with the release year around the bottle’s neck.

As part of an ongoing partnership with Team Rubicon, a non-profit veteran service organization that uses disaster response to help reintegrate veterans back into civilian life, Garrison Brothers Distillery will donate $5 to the organization for every bottle of Cowboy Bourbon™ purchased between September 21 and November 1.

Garrison Brothers Distillery
1827 Hye Albert Rd.
Hye, TX 78635
(830) 392-0246

Go Orange to Fight Hunger with San Antonio Food Bank and Whataburger

WhatanightStory September is Hunger Action Month, a campaign designed to get the public mobilized to combat hunger. The month is dedicated to spreading the word and working together to find solutions. The ninth annual “Go Orange to Fight Hunger” campaign kicks off with San Antonio Food Bank and Whataburger joining forces in the fight against hunger. (San Antonio Food Bank, 2018)

This year, Whataburger’s commitment includes a customer fundraising event from now until September 30. Customers who visit any San Antonio or New Braunfels Whataburger restaurant and donate at least $1 will receive a thank you coupon for a free Whataburger with a purchase of medium fry and 32 oz. drink. Whataburger will also be donating $1 for every t-shirt sale from the hunger collection in the Whatastore. In 2017, Whataburger’s efforts helped the Food Bank provide more than 420,000 meals to area children, seniors, individuals and families in need.

The Food Bank’s “Go Orange for Hunger” campaign offers companies and individuals opportunities to make a difference by raising funds and awareness for hunger relief. Local buildings, including the Tower of the Americas, will turn orange for the month of September. The Food Bank has a “30 Ways for 30 Days” calendar to encourage community participation. On social media, the public can show their support by turning their Facebook or Twitter pages Orange and by showing how they go orange and tagging their photos with #HungerActionMonth.

“We are grateful for Whataburger’s longstanding partnership in the fight against hunger. We share a love for feeding people and giving back to the communities we serve,” Eric Cooper, President and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank.

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at The Classic Theatre

midsummersnightdream — John Stillwagon and Carolyn Delinger in William Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ now playing at The Classic Theatre. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio opened their 11th season on Friday with Shakespeare’s comedy ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ This classic production will run until Sunday September 30 with show dates on Fridays and Saturdays at 8p.m. and Sundays at 3p.m. Tickets are available online and are $33 for general admission, $29 for senior, military, educator or SATCO, and $18 for students. Valid ID required. Season Passes are now available. (The Classic Theatre, 2018)

In ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ magic, action, love and humor are the ingredients for this unforgettable spell. Shakespeare’s most famous comedy features four interconnecting love stories, connected by a wedding celebration, which is set simultaneously in the woodland and in the realm of Fairyland, under the light of the moon. But sometimes while dreaming and desiring, a little magic is all it takes to set the course of love, comedy and reality in motion.

Student Performances nights are on September 20 and September 27, 2018 at 7p.m. and include a talk back with the cast and crew after the show.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio
1924 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 589-8450

Book review: ‘The Atwelle Confession’ by Joel Gordonson

atwelleconfession Joel Gordonson is a fiction author and international lawyer with degrees from the United States and Cambridge University. His first novel ‘That Boy from Nazareth: The Coming of Age of Jesus of Nazareth,’ a historical fiction adventure story set in biblical times, received critical acclaim. His most recent novel is ‘The Atwelle Confession,’ a historical fiction story of two identical macabre murders five hundred years apart.

‘The Atwelle Confession’ begins with a Prologue set in Atwelle, Norfolk in the year 1532 during the twenty-third reign of Henry VIII, King of England. Two men have just witnessed something heinous and are told by the local priest that they must confess and do penance. This confession is written and sealed and after he mails it off, the priest is killed. In present times in the same town, while restoring an ancient church, architect Don Whitby and young research historian Margeaux Wood discover rare gargoyles mysteriously positioned inside an ancient church. When people in town start dying in a series of bizarre murders, they determine that the gargoyles are predicting these murders. In the past, two families are involved in contesting control of the region and in the middle of these conflicts, the same bizarre murders are being committed. These family disputes resurface five hundred years later and come to a surprising and violent conclusion during All Hallow’s Eve.

In the Preface, the author writes that “while the storyline and characters in this novel are fictional, the discovery of rare half demonic-half human wooden figures carved in the ceiling of the parish of St. Clement is a true event” and this is enough to lure fans of historical fiction. The action moves effortlessly back and forth between the past and the present without losing steam and gives the illusion of a story being told in a split screen. His use of descriptive language brings the scenes brilliantly to life, “…he was surprised how dark it was despite the daylight coming through the windows and illuminating the floor far below. Margeaux grimaced at the dust, spider webs, and acrid odor of creosote as Don fiddled with a flashlight…” It is an intriguing and suspenseful novel and the last few chapters are definite page turners. There is not much character development or back story but, in this case, it works because the focus is on the story. In a refreshing twist, the hero and the bad guy are not who he or she seem to be from the beginning. The only off-putting part is the bloody cockfighting and bear baiting in Chapter Five which serves to spotlight the character’s blood lust, but otherwise it is a must-read for fans of the genre.

*A copy of this book was received for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.

Mariachi Lab: Ole Edition at Pearl

Mariachi Lab at Pearl returns for a new Olé, San Antonio edition with local artists and Spanish guitarist Luis Gallo. The second annual Mariachi Lab will take place on September 16 from 1p.m. to 8p.m. in a day-long and campus-wide finale to Olé, San Antonio, Pearl’s summer-long initiative celebrating the city’s cultural connection to Spain. Mariachi Lab showcases mariachi talent from San Antonio, from youth to top-level performers, along with interactive workshops and activities for children. (Pearl, 2018)

Las Mujeres Showcase in the Pearl Stable is a ticketed event and new to this year’ s event. This headlining show will feature a collaboration between Vanessa Del Fierro of Las Coronelas and renowned Spanish guitarist Luis Gallo. Madrid-based Gallo performs on an international circuit and is one of the most acclaimed guitarists in the flamenco scene. He hails from Madrid, Spain and is well-versed in jazz, classical and flamenco genres and one of the most acclaimed guitarists in the flamenco scene. Gallo performs on an international circuit while remaining firmly rooted to his Spanish origins. His latest project – Caminos de la Guitarra (“Paths of Guitar”) – traces the historical journey of the guitar back to 15th century Spain.

Pearl is partnering with area high schools, San Antonio Mariachi Academy, Guadalupe Cultural Arts and the Consulate General of Mexico. In addition to live performances, workshops and activities, Pearl will feature vendors such as Mr. Piñata and Snake Hawk Press. Restaurants will also feature different specials that day to celebrate Olé’s finale.

Mariachi Lab performances are free and open to the public except Stable performances, which are $25 per person. Tickets for Stable performances can be purchased online.

Mariachi Lab schedule:

Amphitheatre: Youth Showcase – 1p.m. to 6p.m.
Parkito: Romanticos Showcase – 3p.m. to 6p.m.
Pearl Studio: Workshops – 2p.m. to 5p.m.
CIA Shade Structure: Rincón del Alebrijes – 1p.m. to 5p.m.
The Stable: Las Mujeres Showcase – 2p.m. to 6p.m. ($25 per person)
Pearl Park: Mariachi Main Showcase – 4p.m. to 8p.m.

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

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

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