Author: Sandra Cruz

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

Father’s Day special menus

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Krause’s Café is one area restaurant that will be having special Father’s Day menus. Photo: Krause’s Café, used with permission.

Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday June 18 and area restaurants and businesses are offering specials to celebrate dad on his special day. Some of these include Boiler House, Hotel Emma, Paramour, Southerleigh, Krause’s Café and Twang. Detailed information is available online. (Giant Noise, 2017)

Boiler House will have a specialty Father’s Day menu and regular brunch items served on Sunday. Entrees include Makers and maple glazed baby backs, Mexican corn, bourbon baked bean for $18, smothered pork chops and biscuits-grilled pork chop on buttermilk biscuits, fried eggs, buttermilk gravy for $19 and lobster pot pie for $21. Dessert includes The Homer Simpson-Warm glazed donut, espresso ice cream, Guinness caramel for $8.
Brunch hours are from 10 a.m. to 3p.m.

Hotel Emma:
Supper will offer a lunch sandwich special of Bratwurst Burger with Burgundy Cabbage, Pickles and Cider Mustard. Brunch hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Larder will offer all fathers a complimentary iced coffee or glass of wine with every purchase. Larder hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Paramour will have a specialty whiskey flight menu, “Hey Daddy Que Paso?!” on Father’s Day from 11a.m. to 3p.m. Dads are welcomed to bring outside cigars so they can smoke them on Paramour’s patio. Reservations: info@paramourbar.com

Southerleigh’s Beer Club makes the perfect Father’s Day gift. A one-year membership valued at $250 includes exclusive access and perks for members.
Brunch hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Krause’s Cafè will have a special Father’s Day menu along with the regular menu items. Brunch entrees include Herb Crusted Bone in King’s Cut Prime Rib with fresh ground horseradish with twice baked potato served with hefeweizen aujus and a beer flight for Dad for $36.95 and Steak and eggs Benedict with béarnaise sauce with toasted English muffin topped with seared beef medallions and poached eggs for $14.
Brunch hours are 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Twang also has gifts for dad: their Beer Salt, a delicious, citrus-flavored salt product pairs well with a six pack of beer.

June is National Iced Tea Month

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June is National Tea Month at Fast Eddie’s Billiards and Sports Bars locations. Photo: Fast Eddie’s, used with permission.

June is National Iced Tea Month.  This month at Fast Eddie’s Billiard’s and Sports Bars, guests can celebrate with their favorite flavor.  Fast Eddie’s has created tasty beverages for the occasion ranging from the traditional Long Island Iced Tea to Texas Tea, John Daly Shot, Long Beach Tea and more.

Book review: ‘KNOLL: The Last JFK Conspiracist’ by Stephen Hillard

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‘KNOLL: The Last JFK Conspiracist” is the new novel by Stephen Hillard.  Photo: Barnes & Noble

Stephen Hillard is a private equity entrepreneur, attorney, television producer and author. He co-wrote the eight-book epic fantasy series Chronicles of Ara with Joel Eisenberg. His first novel, “Mirkwood: A Novel About JRR Tolkien,” was published in 2011 and was surrounded by controversy from the beginning. “KNOLL: The Last JFK Conspiracist” is his most recent novel and it was just released last week. It is a political thriller that revolves around the events surrounding the JFK assassination as William “Bus” McIntyre investigates his father’s possible involvement.

In “KNOLL,” Banner McCoy is an NSA data analyst who is on the run after she finds out the truth about the project she is working on. Known as project KNOLL, it was supposed to gather evidence regarding the JFK assassination but in truth, it is out to destroy any remaining evidence of a conspiracy. It is doing this by detecting and destroying anyone with new information about the conspiracy to assassinate JFK. William “Bus” McIntyre is a small-town attorney who is haunted by his father’s murder. When he receives his father’s personnel file that contains a note about his involvement in Dallas, he becomes KNOLL’s latest target. Louie Diamond is a hit man working for the late Carlos Marcello and his latest assignment is to eliminate anyone with knowledge of the assassination. Their paths  cross in a small Louisiana town that still hides its secrets.

The author does an exemplary job with the characters. Banner’s and Bus’ stories are told in first person narrative which makes them more relatable and makes their stories more impactful. Bus is an intelligent and well-read small-town lawyer as evident in his narrative when he makes literary references to “Moby Dick,” Shakespeare and George Orwell’s “1984.” Banner connects with people via a blog and when she describes the company she worked for in San Antonio it is hard for anyone living there not to Google the place, especially since she encourages her readers to do so. By contrast, Louie’s story is told in third person and this makes him more detachable, menacing and with a sole purpose: to kill. The action is fast paced and since it is based on real events, it might bring back memories for readers who lived through the JFK assassination. “KNOLL” is part political thriller, part mystery and part historical fiction with just enough of each genre to appeal to most readers.

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

Theater review: ‘Matilda The Musical’ at the Majestic Theatre

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“Revolting Children” – the company of ‘Matilda The Musical’ now playing at the Majestic Theatre. Photo: Joan Marcus, used with permission.

The weekends were made for family fun and there is still one more chance to catch ‘Matilda The Musical’ at the Majestic Theatre tonight at 7:30p.m. Tickets start at $30 and are available at the Majestic Theatre box office. ‘Matilda The Musical’ is a based on the novel of the same name by best-selling author Roald Dahl. The winner of four Tony Awards, it is the story a Matilda, a precocious five-year-old girl with the gift of telekinesis who loves reading, overcomes obstacles caused by her family and school and helps her teacher reclaim her life.

The story begins with a large group of spoiled children at a birthday party singing “Miracle” and delighted about how special they are, as their parents shower them with praise and attention. At the same time, a clue-less and nine-months pregnant Mrs. Wormwood is at the hospital and even though she insists she must travel to Paris for a dancing competition, she gives birth to a baby girl. Mr. Wormwood is disappointed that it is a girl and that is where Matilda’s mistreatment begins at the hands of her family. The party scene returns and it is now five years later. Matilda is at the birthday party but she is an outsider.

This version of the story of Matilda is darker than what most people, who are fans of the movie, are used to. The cast of children do an admirable job alongside the adults and Gabby Gutierrez, as Matilda, is especially talented in the role. An honorable mention goes to Dan Chameroy for his portrayal of the heartless and mean Miss Trunchbull. Show highlights are when the company performs “When I Grow Up” as the children ponder what their lives as adults will be and “Revolting Children” as the defiant children swear to continue to fight for their rights. At first it seems like Matilda will not get her happy ending until Mr. Wormwood lets her stay with Miss Honey and finally acknowledges her as a girl. A happy Matilda and Miss Honey cartwheel off stage and the entire cast enters the stage on brilliantly colored scooters for the final scene. Overall, it is a charming story of an underestimated little girl who uses her imagination and sharp mind to take a stand and change her own destiny. It appeals to audiences of all ages and is filled with humor, laughter and heart.

Artpace previews International Artist-in-Residence exhibition

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Artpace will he holding a preview of their International Artist-in-Residence exhibition on Tuesday June 13. Photo: Artpace, used with permission.

Artpace is proud to announce the Summer 2017 Open Studios preview of their International Artist-in-Residence exhibition. The current artists are Christie Blizard from San Antonio, Texas, Rolando Lopez from Aguascalientes, Mexico and Kang Seung from Los Angeles, California and the public is invited to come and learn more about their process and their work. The studio will be having a reception on Tuesday June 13 from 6p.m. to 8p.m. with a discussion with the artists about their work. This event is free and open to the public and guests will be able to enjoy bites and beverages on the Artpace rooftop. (Artpace, 2017)

Christie Blizard’s works blend painting, poetry and performance. Recent venues include the McNay Art Museum and The Epitome Institute in San Antonio, the School of Visual Arts and The Painting Center in New York and the 1708 Gallery in Richmond. She has also been selected for residencies at Anderson Ranch, MacDowell Artist Colony, SIM Artist in Residency Program and Centraltrack. Her work has been featured in Art News, Hyperallergic, Blouin ArtInfo and Art in America.

Rolando Lopez’s work include public intervention, performance, installation, photography and sculpture with toxic waste from industrial processes. For past work, he generated a body of work from historical events that took place in his town of Aguascalientes, Mexico at the end of the 19th century.

Kang Seung is a multidisciplinary artist who was born in South Korea and now lives and works in Los Angeles. He received an MFA from the California Institute of the Arts. Kang has had solo exhibitions at Commonwealth and Council, Pitzer College Art Galleries, Los Angeles Contemporary Archive, Centro Cultural Border and group exhibitions at LAXART, Weatherspoon Art Museum at UNCG, SOMArts and Raymond Gallery at Art Center College of Design. His work has been reviewed in Artforum, The New York Times, Artnet Magazine, LA Weekly, Hyperallergic and KCET Artbound.

Artpace is a contemporary art space located in downtown San Antonio created to support artists with residences, exhibitions and educational programs to foster the creative process. Since it opened in 1995 Artpace has housed more than 200 artists through the International Artist-in-Residence program. Every year the program hosts three residencies that include a Texas-based artist, one national artist and one international artist who are each chosen by a guest curator. After an eight-week residency, the artists have their exhibits on site for two months. The purpose of these residencies is to give artists every opportunity to grow by giving them the resources they need.

Artpace
445 North Main Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 212-4900

Second La Panaderia location opens on Friday

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A second location of La Panaderia will officially open on Friday June 9, 2017.  Courtesy photo, used with permission.

La Panadería is a San Antonio favorite known for its variety of artisan breads, pastries and made-from-scratch tortas, soups and salads. On Friday June 9, co-owners José and David Cáceres will open their second location at 301 E Houston St on the corner of East Houston and Navarro Streets, just minutes away from the San Antonio Riverwalk, Majestic Theatre and the Henry B González Convention Center. Business hours will be Sunday through Thursday from 7a.m. to 8p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 7a.m to 10p.m. (La Panadería, 2017)

The new flagship location is 6,000 square-feet and features a state of the art “bread lab” where customers can watch La Panadería’s production and 48-hour fermentation process in action. Menu items will include more chef-driven dessert options, new café items, a new dinner menu featuring open face pepitos, beer and wine. They will also have the usual menu featuring artisan breads and pastries and house made tortas, soups and salads.

José and David Cáceres opened La Panadería in 2014 hoping to share their Mexican heritage with San Antonio. The bakery specializes in handmade bread and pastries inspired by Mexico’s Golden Era. Other influences include French, Italian and American breadmaking techniques and are filled with love, family and tradition as the brothers bring a slice of their childhood in Mexico to San Antonio.

La Panadería
301 E Houston St
San Antonio, TX 7820

Rooftop Jazz Concert Series at Artpace

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The 2017 Rooftop Jazz Concert Series returns to Artpace this month.  Photo: Jazz, TX, used with permission.

Artpace is a contemporary art space located in downtown San Antonio created to support artists with residences, exhibitions and educational programs to foster the creative process. In a combined effort with local jazz station KRTU Jazz 91.7, Artpace is bringing back their Members Only Rooftop Jazz Concert Series. This series aims to bring together members of Artpace and KRTU to celebrate art and jazz. These concerts highlight a jazz theme celebrating historical figures and styles performed by local and regional artists. Guests can mingle while enjoying a night of jazz, drinks and small bites. (Artpace, 2017)

The outdoor concert series returns on Friday June 16 from 8p.m. to 11p.m. with the 2017 Rooftop Jazz Season Announcement Party and will feature a performance by the Doc Watkins Trio. Doc Watkins is a locally based pianist, organist and band leader who now heads up his own music venue, Jazz, TX. The venue focuses on jazz, blues, big band, Texas swing, salsa, conjunto and Americana.  Beer will be provided by Alamo Beer and cocktails by Austin Cocktails. A digital projectionist will provide a visual element featuring relevant jazz imagery during the second, third and fourth concerts. Other concerts in the series will include: Aaron Prado: A Tribute to Herbie Hancock on July 21, Ephraim Owens Quartet on August 18 and Dr. Zog on September 29. These events are open and free to KRTU and Artpace members only.  Various levels of memberships are available starting at $50.  More information on memberships is available online.

Since it opened in 1995 Artpace has housed more than 200 artists through the International Artist-in-Residence program. Every year they host three residencies that include a Texas-based artist, one national artist and one international artist who are each chosen by a guest curator. After an eight-week residency, the artists will have their exhibits on site for two months. The purpose of these residencies is to give artists every opportunity to grow by giving them the resources they need.

Artpace
445 North Main Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 212-4900

‘Crimes of the Heart’ at The Playhouse San Antonio’s Cellar Theater

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Beth Henley’s ‘Crimes of the Heart’ opens this weekend at The Playhouse San Antonio’s Cellar Theater.  Photo: Daniel D Baumer, used with permission.

Up next at The Playhouse San Antonio is Beth Henley’s ‘Crimes of the Heart.’ It opens this weekend in the Cellar Theater and runs until Sunday June 25, 2017. Beth Henley is an award-winning American playwright, screen writer and actress and this play won the 1981 Pulitzer Prize for Drama while the screenplay was nominated for an Oscar as Best Adapted Screenplay. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sundays at 3p.m. and tickets are available online or at the box office at (210) 733-7258. Prices are $42 for general adult, $23 for military with valid ID, $23 for seniors aged 60 and up, $15 for students with valid ID and $12 for children aged 12 and under. Additional ticket service fees may apply. Discounts are available for groups of ten or more. (The Playhouse San Antonio, 2017)

‘Crimes of the Heart’ is a tragicomedy set in Hazlehurst, Mississippi in 1978 and tells the story of the three Magrath sisters: Meg, Beth and Lenny who reunite at Old Granddaddy’s home after Babe shoots her abusive husband. The sisters, who were raised in a dysfunctional family and have endured their share of hardships, a sassy cousin and a fresh-faced lawyer dig up more than just clues to the case as the bonds of sisterhood and family are put to the test. The past resurfaces as the sisters are forced to deal with relatives and past relationships while dealing with Babe’s latest incident. Themes include complex family dynamics, sibling rivalry and loss. Directed by Bill Gundry, it stars Erin Polewski as Lenny Magrath, Emily Cleveland as Meg Magrath, Kimberlyn Kacie as Babe Botrelle, Rosa Gardner as Chick Boyle, Tyler Askins as Doc Porter and Brendan Brady as Barnette Lloyd.

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

Summer Cocktail Menu and Happy Hour at Jazz, TX

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The Troubadour is just one of the cocktails on the Summer Cocktail Menu at Jazz, TX. Photo: Hilmy, used with permission.

Jazz, TX is getting ready for the summer months by revealing an exciting Summer Cocktail Menu. This new menu includes refreshing traditional cocktails with a twist such as “The Troubadour” – a seasonal old fashioned favorite and creative unique blends like the “Cape Town Smoke” – a cocktail of smoke and savory citrus flavors. (Jazz, TX, 2017)

Other offerings include:

  • Checkmate in Waterloo – Modern take on a classic Hoffman House
  • The Rattle and the Rhythm – Latin style daiquiri
  • Ensemble #2 – Boozy Hill Country favorite
  • Summer Swig – It’s your daddy’s boozy cocktail
  • For Grit and Glory – Fizz meets foam in this San Antonio Collins
  • Basement Blues – Doc’s take on a champagne classic
  • Port of NOLA – Bold flavors meet a refreshing kick
  • Not the Watson – Polynesian-inspired sour

Aside from the new cocktail menu, Jazz, TX also has a Summer Happy Hour menu starting on Thursday June 1 and available throughout the summer. This limited menu will feature a gourmet Chorizo Queso appetizer and the “Five O’Clock Somewhere” tequila cocktail. Menu items will be $5 each and available Tuesday through Saturday from 5p.m. to 7p.m.

Jazz, TX is the Pearl’s newest upscale music venue owned and operated by renowned musician Brent “Doc” Watkins. It is in the cellar of the Bottling House and hosts musical acts ranging from jazz to blues, big band, Texas swing, salsa, conjunto and Americana including Doc Watkins. Business hours are Tuesday through Saturday and aside from music, guests can enjoy a wider variety of food, beverages, wine and spirits.

Jazz, TX
312 Pearl Parkway, Building 6 Suite 6001
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 332-9386

Movie adaptation: Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey

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The movie adaptation of the children’s book series Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey opens in theaters on Friday June 2, 2017.  Photo: Barnes & Noble

David Murray “Dav” Pilkey Jr is an American author and illustrator of children’s literature. He is best known for the children’s book series Captain Underpants and Dumb Bunnies. His first book “World War Won” won a national competition for student authors and was published in 1987. He is considered one of the most popular contemporary authors for elementary school aged students and a subtle moralist because even underneath some of the most outrageous stories, the good guy always wins and his philosophy emphasizes friendship, tolerance and generosity. Dav Pilkey created the Captain Underpants character while still in elementary school. Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie is the animated movie based on the children’s novel series of the same name and opens in theaters on Friday June 2, 2017. It stars the voices of Ed Helms, Kevin Hart, Thomas Middleditch, Nick Kroll, Jordan Peele and Kristen Schaal.

According to Wikipedia, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie is set in Ohio where George Beard and Harold Hutchins are fourth-grade friends and the school’s biggest pranksters. Their pranking days are over when they mess with the toilet invention of Melvin the school nerd and Principal Krupp decides to separate them and end their friendship. To get back at him they decide to hypnotize him using a 3D Hypno Ring they got from a cereal box and make him believe he is Captain Underpants. When a new teacher, Professor P, becomes determined to get rid of laughter in the school, he schemes with Melvin to turn all the students to zombies. George and Harold set out to stop him by feeding Captain Underpants, who has no real powers, mutated food from the cafeteria that give him superpowers and allows him to defeat Professor P.