The television adaptation of ‘Dark Matter’ will premiere on Apple TV + on May 8, 2024. Photo: Amazon
Speculative fiction is such an imaginative genre, which is why it’s one of my favorites. Blake Crouch’s “Dark Matter” resolves around the concept of the Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI) of quantum mechanics – that every quantum event spawns a branching universe, creating an infinite number of parallel realities. I’ve always found the concept intriguing, and luckily this book has been adapted into a television series.
Blake Crouch is a bestselling novelist and screenwriter. His novels include the New York Times bestseller “Dark Matter,” and the internationally bestselling Wayward Pines trilogy, which was adapted into a television series for FOX. Crouch also created the TNT show Good Behavior, based on his Letty Dobesh novellas. “Dark Matter” is a speculative thriller about an ordinary man who awakens in a world inexplicably different from the reality he thought he knew. It has been adapted into a television series for Apple TV + and will premiere the first two episodes on May 8 for a total of nine episodes. (Amazon, 2024)
Book synopsis: From bestselling author Blake Crouch, “Dark Matter”is a mind-bending thriller about choices, paths not taken, and how far we’ll go to claim the lives we dream of.
“Are you happy with your life?” Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before the kidnapper knocks him unconscious. Before he awakens to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits. Before a man he’s never met smiles down at him and says, “Welcome back, my friend.”
In this world he’s woken up to, Jason’s life is not the one he knows. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college professor but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable. Something impossible. Is it this life or the other that’s the dream? And even if the home he remembers is real, how will Jason make it back to the family he loves?
Series synopsis: Jason Dessen is abducted into an alternate version of his life. To get back to his true family, he embarks on a harrowing journey to save them from the most terrifying foe imaginable: the alternate version of himself. It stars Joel Edgerton as Jason Dessen, Jennifer Connelly as Daniela Dessen, and Alice Braga as Amanda.
The Community Band Music Festival will take place next Saturday April 20, 2024. Photo: GSACBA
The Greater San Antonio Community Bands Association will hold its signature event, the third annual Community Band Music Festival on Saturday, April 20, 2023 from 10a.m. to 9p.m. The GSACBA is composed of ten community bands in the San Antonio area and more than 300 musicians will perform throughout the day. They have all teamed up to present some amazing wind band music for the public. Starting the day will be the oldest German Band outside of Germany, the Boerne Village Band, which was founded in 1860 and will present authentic German Music. The GSACBA has partnered with the Beethoven Männerchor to present this festival in their outdoor Biergarten in the King William district. Food and beverage will be available for purchase. Entrance fee: Donations are appreciated. (Greater San Antonio Community Bands Association, 2024)
The Greater San Antonio Community Bands Association is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit as recognized by the IRS. It is the overall purpose of the GSACBA to serve community bands with the following specific purposes:
• Synergize the efforts of community bands in the greater San Antonio area • Establish and manage the community bands music festival • Harmonize efforts for musician recruitment among bands • Offer performance planning coordination among bands • Organize collaborative ventures with composers and arrangers • Spearhead innovative fundraising initiatives • Coordinate joint musical performance opportunities
Beethoven Männerchor 422 Pereida St. San Antonio, TX 78210
Esteemed actor to play Oswald Jebediah Coleman in the first-of-its-kind horror feature. Photo: Google
“Oswald Down The Rabbit Hole” announces that celebrated actor Ernie Hudson will be starring in the highly anticipated horror film, which will be a motion picture capturing a sinister take on a nostalgic fan-favorite cartoon character encompassing the pure horror genre. (Oswald Down The Rabbit Hole, 2024)
Hudson will be playing Oswald Jebediah Coleman, a brilliant animator who is cast away to a bone-chilling magical prison. After over 100 years of being trapped there, Oswald’s come-to-life cartoon rabbit is menacing, gruesome and out for blood.
Hudson is an acclaimed actor known for his exemplary roles as Winston Zeddemore in the “Ghostbusters” franchise, Sergeant Albrecht in “The Crow” and Warden Leo Glynn on HBO’s “Oz.”
“I am excited to work with everyone on this production,” Hudson said. “It’s an incredibly creative and smart project.”
The film follows the main character, Art, portrayed by Topher Hall,who appeared as Blake in Hulu’s “Single Drunk Female.” Art is the grandson of Hudson’s character, Oswald. When Art and his brother, Evan, portrayed by Yasha Rayzberg, who studied for two years at The Ruskin School of Acting and worked with Sam Henry Kass, writer on “Seinfeld” and “Arliss,” go on a journey to track down his family lineage, it quickly turns into a bloodcurdling nightmare. They are transported to a place lost in time, shrouded by dark Hollywood magic.
The budget for the film is $4.5 million and it is set to begin filming this spring.
“I had a very specific vision for Oswald’s character and knew I wanted Ernie for this role from the start, as I’ve always admired iconic cinematic legacy. Ernie is going to bring Oswald’s unique and vengeful spirit to life in the best way possible.” – Lilton Stewart III, Creator, Director, and Producer
“The opportunity to work with Ernie is a dream come true. I couldn’t think of anyone more perfect to portray Oswald in the film and am thrilled for the audience to see what we are working on.” – Lucinda Bruce, Producer and Founder of Lady of the Light Productions
Ernie Hudson is one of the most sought-after actors of our time with an impressive list of credits and awards whose body of work has diverse range. He is a beloved star in film, television, and stage, long considered to be one of Hollywood’s iconic working actors who continually delivers. He is known for his iconic roles such as “Sergeant Albrecht” in The Crow, and “Warden Leo Glynn” on HBO’s Ozand “Winston Zeddemore” in the Ghostbustersfranchise. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empireopened last month as #1 at the box office in the U.S. On TV, Ernie can most recently be seen as the Lead in the reboot of Quantum Leapon NBC. He co-starred in the award-winning series, Grace & Frankie opposite Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. Ernie also stars as well as Executive Produces on The Family Business on BET + and now can be seen on NETFLIX as well. Recently seen in the feature films, Champions opposite Woody Harrelson and Prisoner’s Daughter opposite Brian Cox.
The annual San Antonio Book Festival is taking place this Saturday. Photo: San Antonio Book Festival, used with permission.
Exciting news, fellow book lovers! The annual San Antonio Book Festival is happening this weekend. I was lucky enough to be at the inaugural event and it was so much fun. Book festivals are vibrant celebrations of literature that bring together authors, publishers, and avid readers to explore everything book related. These events cater to book enthusiasts and offer a platform for diverse voices and narratives to thrive. From panel discussions to book signings, they foster an immersive experience where attendees can explore the world of storytelling. Book festivals ignite a passion for reading, sparking intellectual discourse and fostering a sense of community among bibliophiles. With their eclectic mix of genres and authors, these festivals serve as catalysts for inspiration, creativity, and the enduring love affair with the written word.
The San Antonio Book Festival (SABF), taking place at the Central Library and UTSA Southwest Campus in downtown San Antonio, is excited to celebrate their 12th annual festival this Saturday, April 13 from 9a.m. to 5p.m. The festival will feature nearly 100 national, regional and local authors including 66 sessions for guests to attend. A full list of all the sessions at the festival is available online. The festival is FREE and open to all ages. (San Antonio Book Festival, 2024)
SABF is also hosting its Authors in Schools program in partnership with San Antonio ISD and Edgewood ISD on Friday, April 12. Participating authors include Pedro Martin (Mexikid) and Kazu Kibuishi (Waverider). The Authors in Schools program helps encourage a passion for reading among children and teens, pairing award-winning authors with underserved, low-income schools to deliver presentations, tell funny stories, share personal journeys, and describe the process of writing their books. All students in attendance receive a free, signed copy of the author’s book to take home. This year’s Authors in Schools program will impact over 1,500 students.
Authors in Schools: • 2p.m., Friday, April 12, 2024
San Antonio Book Festival: • 9a.m. to 5p.m., Saturday, April 13, 2024
Authors in Schools: • Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Middle School, SAISD 1130 E Sunshine Dr, San Antonio, TX 78228 ***Author: Pedro Martin (Mexikid) • Alonso S. Perales Elementary School, Edgewood ISD 1507 Ceralvo St, San Antonio, TX 78237 ***Author: Kazu Kibuishi (Waverider)
San Antonio Book Festival: • Central Library and UTSA Southwest Campus 600 Soledad St. and 1201 Navarro St. San Antonio, TX 78205
The mission of the San Antonio Book Festival (SABF) is to unite readers and writers in a celebration of ideas, books, libraries, and literary culture. SABF was first presented in April 2013. Founding partners include the San Antonio Public Library, UTSA Southwest Campus, the San Antonio Public Library Foundation, and Texas Book Festival. This “Fiesta for the mind” is a gift to visitors and the citizens of San Antonio, free and open to all.
‘On My Way Back to You: One Couple’s Journey through Catastrophic Illness to Healing and Hope’ by Sarah Cart with Glenn Plaskin. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Sarah Cart was raised and educated in New York and New England. As a freelancer, she wrote for multiple local publications while she and her husband, Ben, raised four sons in northeastern Ohio. Upon becoming empty nesters, the two moved to the Florida Keys. Then in 2017, Ben was diagnosed with a degenerative autoimmune disorder and over time, their relationship evolved to that of patient and caregiver and by the beginning of 2020, Ben was dying. Sarah’s new memoir, “On My Way Back to You,” is a first-hand account of the rollercoaster world of lifesaving transplants and the unimaginable challenges Sarah faced as she struggled to manage her husband Ben’s devastating illness and to save his life, their marriage, and her own sanity. (Amazon, 2024)
Synopsis: “On My Way Back to You” is the story of Sarah and Ben Cart. For the first 42 years they shared together, Ben was a successful entrepreneur and outdoorsman. Then the unthinkable happens. Not only was he battling an autoimmune disorder, but ten days into the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, his kidneys crash, his heart was failing, and he ends up in the ICU at Cleveland Clinic Weston (FL). In suspenseful and heartbreaking detail, Sarah shares how Ben’s incurable autoimmune condition was manageable and under control one minute and threatening to kill him the next. Thanks to a heart transplant, they now have a future, and, more than ever before, relish time spent with family and friends.
Thrust into the role of nurse and caregiver, Sarah joined the ranks of 39 million Americans who champion and care for an ailing loved one. In addition to confronting doubts, fears, and endless setbacks, aggravations, and red tape, she also had to consent to daunting procedures on Ben’s behalf. She had to endure the months-long Covid-era restrictions on hospital visitations and the post-surgery snafus with home healthcare personnel. The ongoing heartfelt communication with family and friends sustained her through the darkest of days. It is divided into 18 chapters including Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night, The Slippery Slope, and Battle Stations. She includes some of the email updates she sent out and sections such as Ben’s and his sons’ reflections on what was going on at the time.
Review: Memoirs are windows into the lives of individuals, capturing their experiences, emotions, and reflections. These deeply personal narratives offer insight into the human condition, revealing triumphs, struggles, and moments of self-discovery. By telling her story, Sarah Cart connects with readers on a profound level, inspiring empathy, introspection, and a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the human experience.
It’s easy to say that we would undoubtedly become a caregiver to a loved one, but the reality can be sobering, as she puts it in the first sentence of the Preface: “Life is hard, messy, beautiful, unpredictable…and fragile.” Covid complicated matters because it affected his treatment and because of the restrictions, friends and family couldn’t help her as much as they ordinarily would. Writing this memoir was therapeutic for her because she shares what she went through, including the medical and personal struggles: “Documenting the details of his condition…provided a means of grappling with the fear.” Most importantly, readers can learn the questions to ask, the notes to take, the signs to never overlook, and the importance of self care. Stand out chapters include Chapter 7 when Ben finally gets the transplant and all the after care he requires and Chapter 14 when even after all she was doing to care for him, someone files a complaint with the department of human services about elder abuse.
Overall, “On My Way Back to You” is a profoundly inspirational account of one couple’s medical journey and the patience, determination, and love that ultimately helped them find their way back to one another. The focus is on the care Ben received and how it affected their lives, so it doesn’t come off as depressing or overly personal and heartbreaking. It is easy to read and offers lessons anyone can benefit from, so it is recommended for readers who enjoy medical memoirs and appreciate reading about the details of a patient’s medical treatment. It is also a testament to the importance of organ donation.
“I offer you this story not because you will necessarily be interested in our particular saga but because life is hard and messy and unpredictable, and chances are high that ultimately each of us will face challenges we never imagined…”
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
Brontë Fall’s new single, Woman Like Me, is a bluesy-rocker appealing to anyone who has ever been asked to fit into a box. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Teri Bracken, better known by her stage name Brontë Fall, is an acclaimed songwriter whose road to songwriting began in childhood when she picked up piano at age 7. Classical violin lessons soon followed, and eventually she was tapped as the singer/violinist in a college rock band with a group of nineties rock loving frat boys. Bracken eventually made her way to Nashville—a dream come true considering it is a songwriter’s mecca. Though most of her instrumental focus is on guitar these days for pure convenience sake, Bracken still brings out her violin and even performs on piano during her shows—she never sings a note empty handed. (IV-PR, 2024)
After a family tragedy struck in 2022, Bracken rededicated herself to her craft, emerging with plenty of scar tissue and a batch of new songs that she considers her best yet. That lineup is highlighted by the new single Woman Like Me. The track is both a reminder of Fall’s skills as a songwriter and a significant leap forward in both sound and style. It’s a defining statement, the culmination of years grinding for a shot and, at the same time, a new beginning.
After years of grinding through music industry blockades on free-thinking, hard-working women, not to mention universal, unrealistic female expectations, Bracken decided it was time to set her record straight. “That we must ‘settle down’ at a specific time to start a family, give up our careers and lead a purely domestic existence; that we should be the apologetic, pleasing peacemakers; My song ‘Woman Like Me’ is a pushback on that entire narrative,” she says. After all, it was the Brontë sisters’ resistance to gender stereotypes in their industry that was a guiding light for Bracken at the beginning of her career, naming her whole persona in honor of Charlotte, Emily, and Anne’s resilience.
With Woman Like Me, while owning who she is but also lamenting the unease she feels, Brontë Fall poses the question “Am I lovable?” over minor blues chords and a rock groove, making the song feel edgy, rebellious, and intriguing. “I’ve also found, while performing this song, that it touches people regardless of gender because perhaps we all feel pressure to fit a certain box based on where we’re from—and through the lens of social media,” she says.
Recorded with a backing band of Matt Bubel, Robert Kearns, Jabe Beyer, Corey Congilio, Tim Craven (who also produced the track), and John Henry, the song signals a new era for Brontë Fall. Woman Like Me is the first of many new songs from the artist, all of which honor a new commitment to her most true self. “With this new era, I just wanted to be as authentic and raw as possible. In the past I was trying too hard or trying to be too different from who I actually am.” With Woman Like Me, Brontë Fall is beginning to unveil her unbridled vision.
Out everywhere, “Woman Like Me” is available right here and be sure to stay tuned for much more new music in the coming months. Brontë Fall will take the stage in Nashville for a hometown show on April 19. Tickets and more information can be found here.
Spa For A Cause during Earth Month benefits Charity:Water. Photo: Hiatus Spa + Retreat, used with permission.
Earth Month, celebrated annually in April, serves as a global reminder of our planet’s fragility and the urgent need for environmental stewardship. It’s a time for individuals, communities, and organizations to unite in sustainable actions, raising awareness about pressing environmental issues like climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Earth Month is a call to action, inspiring collective responsibility and fostering a deeper connection to nature, emphasizing the importance of sustainable living and conservation efforts year-round.
Hiatus Spa + Retreat, the award-winning Texas day spa with eight locations across the state, is delighted to announce its annual Spa for a Cause campaign to celebrate Earth Month, taking place from April 1-30. Each Hiatus Spa location and online will raffle off one of their most popular HydraFacial services, with 100% of ticket proceeds benefiting Charity: Water, a nonprofit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to millions of people around the world. (Hiatus Spa + Retreat, 2024)
The Change Your Life HydraFacial®, valued at $305, is the ultimate treatment that includes all the luxurious essentials of the HydraFacial System while balancing performance and relaxation. Guests can purchase one raffle ticket for $5 or five raffle tickets for $20 at any of the eight locations or online throughout April.
Since 2016, Hiatus has funded two wells through Charity: Water, one in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and one in Jahapur, Bangladesh. This has given over 700 people access to clean water.
Hiatus Spa + Retreat was founded in Dallas in 2007 by longtime friends Sheila Garrison, Kristin Heaton Peabody, and Bill Garrison. With eight locations across Texas, eight years on Inc. 500’s fastest-growing companies list and an innovative spa subscription model, Hiatus Spa + Retreat is a fresh kind of full-service spa that has changed the wellness industry. Powered by products with environmentally friendly ingredients and a high-touch experience, Hiatus’ personalized approach to wellness is driven by the view that regular relaxation should be an empowering part of a healthy, happy lifestyle.
Based on a true story, the movie adaptation of ‘Mustang Miracle’ will be released nationwide on April 12, 2024. Photo: Amazon
Humberto G. Garcia was born in 1955 and raised in the San Felipe section of the City of Del Rio, Texas. He spent many years as a migrant farm worker before graduating from high school in 1972. He then attended the University of Texas at Austin where he received his BA in Government in 1975 and then received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 1978. He returned to Del Rio to practice law for six years and then moved to San Antonio where he has practiced as a litigator of civil cases for over twenty five years. In 2006 he became a professional golfer, playing several qualifiers into the Champions Tour as well as several mini tours. He continues to play golf professionally and is devoting time to writing. (Amazon, 2024)
“Mustang Miracle,” his first published book, is the story of young caddies who are recruited to form the San Felipe High School Golf Team and competed against all-white schools for the Texas State High School Golf Championship. The movie adaptation, which will be released on Friday April 12 under the name The Long Game, is directed by Julio Quintana and stars Jay Hernandez, Dennis Quaid, and Cheech Marin.
“Mustang Miracle” – In 1957, when very few Mexican-Americans were familiar with the game of golf, and even less actually played it, the young caddies are recruited by two men who loved the game but who had limited access to it. Despite having outdated and inferior equipment, no professional lessons or instructions, four young golfers with self-taught swings from the border city of Del Rio captured the State title. Three of them took the gold, silver and bronze medals for best individual players. This book tells their story from their introduction to the game as caddies to eventually becoming champions.
Movie synopsis: The Long Game tells a true story of the San Felipe Mustangs, a group of Mexican-American youths located in Del Rio, Texas. In 1955, the group sets out to play golf at a white country club in town. Determined to learn how to play they created their own golf course in the middle of the South Texas desert. Despite prejudice, the Mustangs overcame these obstacles to become the 1957 Texas state champions and broke barriers for many Latino PGA Golfers to come.
The Long Game Drama Rated PG for language, racial slurs, thematic material, some violence, and brief rude material. Run time: 1h 52 min
In ‘Have It All,’ is a road-tested guide to doing high performance business. Photo: Amazon
Because they offer insights, strategies, and practical advice for individuals looking to enhance their professional lives, business self-help books are a thriving genre. These books aim to empower readers with tools to navigate the complex world of business, improve leadership skills, foster innovation, and achieve success. Authors often draw from their own successes and failures, as well as from case studies and research, to provide readers with valuable lessons and strategies.
Such is the case with Gregory Malouf. In the early 1990s, he built one of Australia’s most successful independent residential estate agencies in Sydney’s prestigious Double Bay. As a successful entrepreneur, Greg could have had anything he wanted, and still his life fell apart. Despite his many successes, he would come to realize that his fortune was built on his drive to escape a traumatic past. Greg took time away from his businesses, accessed the courage to embrace change and find the answers to questions he’d long been asking, and transformed his life. In 2010, he established the Epsilon Healing Academy to share the many lessons he has learned, with the aim of helping others find their own life’s purpose and, in doing so, live their dreams. His book “Have It All! Turn Your Thinking Around and Find Success in 6 Simple Steps” provides time-tested and practical tools that can change your life. (Amazon, 2024)
“Have It All” can help you increase your wealth by improving your productivity, replace old beliefs that can hold you back and replace them with new and productive ones, access strategies to handle life’s challenges, gain work/life balance and improve your relationships at home and work, overcome criticism and doubt and take control of your life, and stay passionate and motivated for consistent results.
It is divided into seven chapters:
Chapter 1: My Story Chapter 2: Moving From Outside-In To Inside-Out Chapter 3: Out with the Old Thinking and In with the New Chapter 4: Does Your Job Fit? Chapter 5: Internal Stuff vs Internal Dialogue Chapter 6: Changing Your Internal Dialogue Chapter 7: The Remedy
The author begins in the Introduction by giving his purpose for writing this book: “…to offer you a proven road-tested guide to doing high performance business.” He uses anecdotes, motivational stories, and exercises to encourage readers to adopt a growth mindset and take proactive steps towards their professional development. By providing practical advice, insights, and inspiration, he empowers readers to realize their full potential and thrive in the competitive world of business. Highlights include Chapter 3 where he gives readers six steps to breaking productivity barriers, such as Take Your Primary Focus off Outcomes! and Value Relationships Much More, and Chapter 4 where he advises readers how to determine if your job is the right fit for them. He uses down to earth language, so the material is easy to understand, follow, and reference at any time. It may be a small book, but the information is invaluable for anyone looking to up their business game. The skills he shares are not based in theory, but in practice because they have worked for him. “Have It All” is recommended for readers who appreciate self-help books that provide advice from an expert in the field of business.
“This book will be a roadmap for changing internalized beliefs, making the path easier for you to observe and provide strategies for doing so based on certain keys and steps you will take away and apply to your own life.”
*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
From Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story, Corky Lee on 42nd St. Photo: Jennifer Takaki, used with permission.
Documentaries are windows into real-life narratives, offering insights into diverse subjects. They captivate audiences by illuminating untold stories, exploring historical events, or shedding light on societal issues. They not only provoke thought, challenge perspectives, and foster empathy, they also serve as educational tools, imparting knowledge on topics ranging from science and history to culture and politics. Documentaries play an important role in shaping public discourse and fostering understanding of the world around us. One example is Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story.
All Is Well Pictures, in association with Ford Foundation and Scandobean productions, presents Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story. It will be released theatrically in New York (DCTV’s Firehouse Cinema) on April 19 and in Los Angeles (Laemmle Glendale) on April 26 with a regional expansion to follow. (EG-PR, 2024)
Official Selection: DOC NYC, CAAMFest, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF), Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF), and many more.
Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story – For 50 years, Chinese American photographer Corky Lee documented the celebrations, struggles, and daily lives of Asian American Pacific Islanders with epic focus. Determined to push mainstream media to include AAPI culture in the visual record of American history, Lee produced an astonishing archive of nearly a million compelling photographs. His work takes on new urgency with the alarming rise in anti-Asian attacks during the Covid pandemic. Jennifer Takaki’s intimate portrait reveals the triumphs and tragedies of the man behind the lens.
Running Time: 87 minutes Language: English Not Rated Documentary Feature (USA)
Corky Lee was born in 1947 in New York to Chinese immigrants who owned a laundry in Queens. He majored in history at Queens College and became a community organizer in Manhattan’s Chinatown in the 1970s. Over the next five decades he photographed countless protests and cultural events in the Asian American Pacific Islander community. Lee’s photographs documented the birth and growth of the Asian American movement for social justice and he became known as “The Undisputed, Unofficial, Asian American Photographer Laureate.” When he died in 2021 at the age of 73 due to Covid, the press mourned his death worldwide.
Filmmaker Jennifer Takaki is a fourth generation Japanese American from Colorado. She began her career in journalism at a Denver TV station and later moved to Hong Kong to work with Encore International. In Hong Kong, she produced English-based news programming broadcast in China, India, and the Middle East via Rupert Murdoch’s STAR-TV. In New York, she produced and directed “Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story” which premiered at DOC NYC and was supported by the Ford Foundation and The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM). She was awarded the prestigious Better Angels Lavine Fellowship in 2023.
SA Examiner 