Category: Community news

Taco Cabana celebrates 45th anniversary with celebration events and menu innovations

Enjoy the all new Frito’s® Pie Quesadilla as part of Taco Cabana’s 45th anniversary celebration next month. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

To commemorate 45 years of flavor and culinary innovation, popular Tex-Mex chain Taco Cabana invites guests to “Paint September Pink” with a month-long celebration. Beginning in September, celebrations will include the launch of TC’s all-new Frito’s® Pie Quesadilla, limited-time Hatch Chile menu items, a limited-time Tito’s® Vodkarita, the return of the TC salsa bar, and more. (Taco Cabana, 2023)

Beginning September 6, 2023, TC will introduce all-new and limited-time menu items, including:

  • New Hatch Chile Smoked Pulled Pork Street Tacos 
  • New Hatch Chile Smoked Pulled Pork Taco  
  • The limited-time TC 45 Vodkarita, made with Tito’s® Handmade Vodka and sold in a commemorative 24-ounce yard cup
  • The all-new BOOM! Triple Chocolate Cookie

The TC celebrations do not stop there. Beginning on National Quesadilla Day (September 25, 2023), guests can enjoy the all-new Fritos® Pie Quesadilla, featuring two flour tortillas filled with melted Jack & Cheddar cheeses, chile con carne, Fritos® corn chips, pico de gallo and jalapeños served with a side of queso. This delicious addition to the TC menu is the first culinary item developed as part of an ongoing partnership with PepsiCo® including Frito-Lay® that will allow for many innovative and exciting TC food and beverage creations in the future.

Rounding out the month, on Thursday, September 21, 2023, Taco Cabana will celebrate its 45-Year Anniversary with TC’s Birthday Fiesta, which will be held at Taco Cabana’s location at 2347 E. Southcross in San Antonio. Open to the public, the TC on Wheels food truck will offer complimentary samples of Hatch Chile Smoked Pulled Pork Street Tacos and TC’s BOOM! Triple Chocolate Cookie. TC fans can also partake in games and giveaways, enjoy live mariachi performances and more, with festivities lasting from 5:30p.m. to 8p.m.

TC’s 45-Year Anniversary offerings can be ordered in-restaurant, via online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, via the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MY TC!® App or online while supplies last.

“The spirit of Mexican-inspired heritage, traditions, recipes and culinary flavors are all rooted in today’s modern TC DNA just as they were when we began 45 years ago. As we celebrate our 45-Year Anniversary and look forward to future growth via franchising, on behalf of everyone at Taco Cabana, I want to thank each loyal and new guest who has been a member of our TC family throughout the years. We would not be where we are today or be able to celebrate this anniversary without our guests. They are our everything.” – Ulyses Camacho, Taco Cabana President and COO

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Mexican-inspired food including breakfast, lunch and dinner tacos, dozen taco boxes, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, double crunch pizzas, freshly made flour tortillas, and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up, and delivery. As of August 21, 2023, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Children’s Ballet of San Antonio hosts open auditions for The Children’s Nutcracker

Christmas comes early for young performers with The Children’s Nutcracker open auditions. Photo: Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, used with permission.

The award-winning Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) will hold open auditions for The Children’s Nutcracker at the Dance Center of San Antonio on Saturday, August 26, from 10:30a.m. – 6p.m. All performers, ages 3-19 are invited to register online for an audition time. The Children’s Nutcracker is looking for ballet, tap, folklorico, jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary dancers, along with gymnasts, actors, and vocalists. Performers with special needs are encouraged to attend a more relaxed audition on Friday, August 25, from 5:30p.m. – 6p.m. All performers will be cast in roles that showcase and highlight their individual talents and strengths and allow them to shine brighter than the Christmas star. (Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, 2023)

The Children’s Nutcracker is a classic, beloved holiday tradition that features all the enchantment, joy, and wonder synonymous with this timeless tale. From fighting mice to fairies, soldiers to snow queens, the show takes audiences on an adventure where holiday dreams do come true. Taking place at the Lila Cockrell Theatre on December 8 and 9, this world-class production pulls out all the stops for a holiday extravaganza the whole family will enjoy. From a pre-show holiday market to spectacular digital and physical scenery, captivating special effects, and interactive elements, The Children’s Nutcracker is the perfect way for families to kick off the holidays and capture the magic of the season.

The Children’s Nutcracker 2023 offers young performers the chance to train with the best of the best, from Master Ballet Teachers to internationally acclaimed choreographers. This year, performers will be able to work with Nutcracker experts Aliaksandra Krukava and Nurlan Kinerbayev from the world-renowned Vaganova method of Russian Ballet. This is the same prestigious method that has turned out such household names as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Rudolf Nureyev, and Anna Pavlova, to name a few.

The dynamic Russian duo will be on hand this year to help with staging, exposing both the performers and the audience to the most authentic experience. Performers will also have the unique opportunity to work with Vanessa Bessler, former Prima Ballerina and founder of CBSA. Through recognition, awards, and scholarships from the most prestigious ballet competitions and schools in the world for many of its dancers, CBSA has elevated San Antonio to the world stage, making it a strong player in the performing arts world.

Awards and accolades aside, CBSA is the only professional-level dance company in Texas to offer lead roles to dancers as young as eight years old. Designed to bridge the gap between young students and professional dancers, it is a gateway for young artists interested in pursuing a professional dance career, pointing their toes in the right direction.

Dance Center of San Antonio
126 W. Rector, Suite 120
San Antonio, TX 78216

Auditions:
Friday August 25, 5:30p.m. – 6p.m. for special needs performers
Saturday August 26, 10:30a.m. – 6p.m. for general auditions
All students must register to secure audition time.

The award-winning Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) is an authentic, professional-level ballet company that produces professionally staged productions showcasing San Antonio’s most talented children. Dancers are selected by invitation or audition. The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio (CBSA) seeks to inspire the pursuit of excellence and prepare children for productive and creative lives through dance by offering extensive training and performance opportunities for talented children from all backgrounds.

Grape Punch at William Chris Vineyards

The yearly Grape Punch is taking place this August 26, 2023. Photo: William Chris Vineyards, used with permission.

If you have ever wanted to learn about the wine making business and personally crush some grapes, your wait is over. Here is an exciting event coming up at William Chris Vineyards in Hye, Tx. 

Summertime is coming to a close and at William Chris Vineyards, they are ending the summer with a punch, Grape Punch that is. William Chris Vineyards is excited to share that their annual Grape Punch event will take place on Saturday, August 26, starting at 3p.m. (William Chris Vineyards, 2023) 

For a $25 ticket, guests can immerse themselves in the world of winemaking, learn how to pick the finest grapes, how to crush them with care, and how the grapes become the best Texas wines. Every ticket includes a glass of wine and a Grape Punch t-shirt.

The event is held yearly at William Chris Vineyards, recently voted the number 60 vineyard in the world by World’s Best Vineyards and is open to all wine lovers, no experience necessary. For additional information or to purchase tickets please visit them online.

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa introduces luxury pet retreat package for canines

JW Marriott now has pet retreat packages. Photo: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, used with permission.

Are you traveling to the San Antonio area with your pet companion? The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa now has Pet Retreat Packages to make dogs feel as welcome as humans guests. Read below for more information.

Dogs deserve a change of scenery and a bit of pampering just like their humans. The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is offering a luxury pup experience that is sure to “bow WOW” your canine companion and provide families with the ability to have their dog join them on vacation. (JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, 2023)

The resort’s Pet Retreat Package offers accommodations in uniquely decorated standard guest rooms with walk out patios providing easy access to the property’s lush lawns. The rooms are thoughtfully arranged for canine convenience and comfort and include a cozy dog bed, water and food bowls, and a blanket, all of which are permanent to the guest room. A take-home welcome amenity will be waiting for the guest of honor that includes a chew toy, dog treats, and a fashionable bandana to make the pup’s vacation extra memorable. After each canine stay, the guest room is professionally cleaned.

“We believe dogs are important members of every family and are excited to welcome these special guests through our new Luxury Pet Retreat Package,” says Brian Morris, Director of Sales & Marketing. “We look forward to providing the whole family with a comfortable and memorable stay in the Texas Hill Country.”

The Pet Retreat Package is available to book on the resort’s website using the booking code, U8D. A $200 nonrefundable pet cleaning fee is required, and package rates are based on availability. 

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is not a pet-friendly resort, but now offer a Pet Retreat Package exclusively available for canine guests. All service animals are always welcome. Pets are not permitted inside the public hotel spaces, dining outlets, event lawns or the River Bluff Water Experience. Pets are only allowed on immediate walk-out patio lawns and on resort walking trails.

The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is superbly situated on 600 pristine acres of rolling hills and tree-lined vistas, and an adjacent 100-acre bird sanctuary, offering grand views of the wide-open Texas Hill Country. There are various walking and running trails throughout the resort’s property, perfect for dogs who need a little extra exercise or for their humans who want to enjoy the native landscapes and wildlife of the region. 

This iconic lone star retreat offers endless options of entertainment for guests of all ages, including the canine species, making it a vacation standout. The luxurious, award-winning JW Marriott San Antonio features 1,002 newly refreshed guest rooms, nine-acre River Bluff Water Experience, a world class spa, TPC San Antonio’s two 18-hole PGA TOUR golf courses, eight dining options, hiking and biking trails, sports court, Topgolf Swing Suite, daily summer recreational activities, and 265,000 square feet of meeting and event space, making it one of the largest JW Marriott resorts in the world. 

Through the new Pet Retreat Package, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa now provides a luxurious getaway for families traveling to the Texas Hill Country with their dog.

Carriqui announces new lunch menu and Las Coronelas residency

Carriqui in San Antonio just launched a new lunch menu. Photo: Carriqui, used with permission.

Potluck Hospitality and Carriqui are announcing some exciting new updates at the restaurant where South Texas flavor meets fire. Beloved mariachi group, Mariachi Las Coronelas, will have a residency at the restaurant every Sunday throughout August. In addition to the music residency, Carriqui will launch a lunch menu starting Tuesday, August 8, 2023. The midday menu will feature some familiar favorites like the smoked pecan mole enchiladas, in addition to all the new dishes guests have been requesting, like the new La Fortaleza Burger. (Potluck Hospitality/Carriqui, 2023)

“We are so excited about these new additions at Carriqui. Las Coronelas is a wonderfully talented group of performers and we love the energy they bring to the space when they play at the restaurant.” – Potluck Hospitality CEO Elizabeth Fauerso.

Mariachi Las Coronelas will perform August 13, August 20, and August 27 from 11a.m. to 2p.m. during ‘Smokehouse Sundays’ at Carriqui. Mariachi Las Coronelas is composed of all female performers and directed by founder Vanessa Del Fierro. Some performances of note for the mariachi include From Dusk Till Dawn the Series, Machete, Netflix’s Seis Manos, The Jimmy Kimmel Show with Bill Murray, Will Ferrel’s Funny or Die Music/Comedy Showcase, and SXSW to name a few.

Las Coronelas will only perform at Carriqui on Sundays, but Carriqui’s lunch menu will be available every day. In keeping with Carriqui’s affinity for Texas-style meats drawing flavor from fire in its smokehouse, the restaurant’s lunch menu will feature items like the new Texas Brisket Pastrami on Rye, served with grain  mustard and homemade seasoned chips, and the Pecan Mole Enchiladas, served with Carriqui’s signature smoked achiote chicken, toasted sesame seeds, onion, queso fresco, and rice and beans. Carriqui will also introduce the much anticipated La Fortaleza Burger, as a permanent feature on the lunch menu, made with beef from La Fortaleza and served with cheddar cheese, house pickles, new homemade seasoned chips, and salad. Other favorites that are now available on the lunch menu include the Blackened Fish Tacos, Brisket Tacos, and more.

“The team’s fired up about introducing a dedicated lunch menu at Carriqui. We’ve been listening to our guests’ feedback, and testing recipes as lunch specials and on Smokehouse Sundays – adding the lunch menu is part of our continuous evolution of the restaurant.” – Chef Jaime Gonzalez, General Manager at Carriqui.

During lunch, guests can also enjoy all of Carriqui’s popular margaritas, which are always a featured special and available for half-off all day during Tequila Tuesdays at the restaurant.  New cocktails are also arriving, just in time for this Texas heat – try the new Smoked Pineapple Mojito, Sandía Daiquiri, and Santa Fresca perfect for cooling off on Carriqui’s patio while listening to Mariachi Las Coronelas who will be performing every Sunday during Carriqui’s Smokehouse Sundays.

Founded in 2022, Potluck Hospitality conceives, operates, manages, and partners on culinary and experiential brands in San Antonio, TX. Potluck’s team is made up of chefs, designers, strategists in culture-crafting, brand, and finance that all share a love of food and gathering. Potluck Hospitality’s name pays tribute to memorable experiences with great food, great music, and great company–where everyone has something to contribute.  Being together, sharing meals, and communally experiencing music is elemental to what it means to be human.

Las Coronelas will have an August residency at Carriqui. Photo: Carriqui, used with permission.

Percy Jackson trivia night and cast meet and greets at closing weekend

The Lightning Thief goes out with a bang during the closing weekend. Win big with Percy Jackson trivia night and cast meet and greets. Photo: Magik Theatre, used with permission.

This summer, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical hit the Magik Theatre with a bang, filling the theatre with sellout crowds and rave reviews. And like a flash, it is almost gone but there is still time to catch the mythical adaptation of San Antonio native Rick Riordan’s extraordinary bestseller with all the action and excitement Percy Jackson fans love. Closing weekend hits August 4 – 6 with an edge of your seat, interactive Trivia Night plus Meet and Greets with the cast and crew all weekend long. (Magik Theatre, 2023)

Know a thing or two about half-bloods, gods and monsters? Then you do not want to miss Magik Theatre’s Percy Jackson Trivia Night taking place this Friday, August 4 at 6:30p.m. Percy Jackson fans can engage in a battle of wits with trivia questions based on The Lightning Thief, the first book of the Percy Jackson series. Host Venny Mortimer will engage the crowd with questions only true Percy fans can answer. Do you know what kind of creature Percy’s best friend, Grover, is? Or how about the color of food Percy’s mother always cooks for him? If so, then you just might be the hero of the night and take home one of many trivia prizes up for grabs. And the fun does not stop there. During closing weekend, guests can meet the cast and crew after each show and take pictures with their favorite characters, Percy, Grover, AnnaBeth, Mr. Brunner, Auntie M, and more.

Percy Jackson Trivia Night
Friday, August 4, 6:30p.m. (Just before the 7p.m. show)

Meet and Greets with the Cast and Crew
Friday, August 4 – 6 (Just after the show, all closing weekend long)

Magik Theatre
420 South Alamo
San Antonio, TX 78205

Trivia Night and Cast and Crew Meet and Greets are Included with the Price of Admission during closing weekend on the dates specified above. Tickets are available online or by calling (210) 227-2751. You can also purchase at the box office, 420 S. Alamo, from 9a.m.- 5p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Photo: Lynn Lane, used with permission.

New San Antonio rock ‘n’ roll bar Gimme Gimme announces opening date

New Southtown Rock ‘n’ Roll bar Gimme Gimme announces opening date of August 1, 2023. Photo: txtroublemaker, used with permission.

Gimme Gimme, a new rock ‘n’ roll bar coming to San Antonio, is excited to announce its official opening day, slated for Tuesday, August 1, 2023. Adjacent to the bar will be the concept A Perfect Day, a modern neighborhood wine bar, which will open on the same day. (Gimme Gimme, 2023)

Leading this exciting new concept are bar owners Roger Herr of Bar Loretta and Aaron Peña of Amor Eterno. Partners Michael Neff and Chef Paul Petersen of Bar Loretta will be overseeing the menu efforts, with Neff focusing on the bar program and Petersen leading the kitchen.

Gimme Gimme (think Ramones), will offer a rock ‘n’ roll experience with craft cocktails, a robust beer and wine list, and chef-driven food in the space formerly occupied by Francis Bogside.

“Growing up in San Antonio, I’ve always known our city as the home of rock ‘n’ roll. The inspiration for Gimme Gimme comes from wanting to create our own version of what we think a rock ‘n’ roll bar can be. Great music, great food, great cocktails, great service, and always a sense of humor. I’m super excited to share what our team has created,” said Owner Roger Herr.

The adjacent space, A Perfect Day, will offer a wine-forward, relaxed atmosphere with small bites, ready-made cocktails, and plenty of wine.

“I’m really looking forward to adding another space to Southtown that will be a totally different direction than our respective concepts that Roger and I are known for,” said Owner Aaron Peña. “Musically, the 14-year-old punk rocker version of my younger self is really excited to help curate the selection of tunes we will feature inside both Gimme Gimme and A Perfect Day – I think the neighborhood is going to love having an additional late night food and beverage option in the most walkable neighborhood in San Antonio.”

Operating hours will be as follow:
Gimme Gimme: Open 7 days a week from 6p.m. – 2a.m.
A Perfect Day: Open Monday-Friday from 4p.m. – 10p.m.; Saturday-Sunday from 12p.m. – 10p.m.

Gimme Gimme/A Perfect Day
803 South Saint Mary’s St
San Antonio, TX 78205

1690881940

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Summer 2023 exhibitions open at Contemporary at Blue Star

Public opening for the Summer 2023 exhibitions will be on First Friday, July 7 from 6p.m. to 9p.m. Photo: Contemporary at Blue Star, used with permission.

Contemporary at Blue Star, San Antonio’s first and longest running exhibition space for contemporary art, proudly announces the opening of three solo exhibitions on July 7, 2023. These exhibitions feature new work by Brittany Ham, Adam Schreiber, and Michael Velliquette, three artists with strong ties to the San Antonio community. Ham and Schreiber are alumni of the Contemporary’s Berlin Residency Program and Velliquette is a former San Antonio resident, now based in Madison, WI. This year marks the 20-year anniversary since his first solo exhibition at the Contemporary. These exhibitions offer unique perspectives on self-portraiture, urban landscapes, and intricate paper sculptures, captivating audiences with their distinct artistic visions. (Contemporary at Blue Star, 2023)

Brittany Ham: Unmooring reaches into the exploration of interior and exterior spaces, both architecturally and psychologically. Through oil paintings, Ham chronicles her personal experiences with lockdown, social distancing, and the challenges of early motherhood. The seemingly longing subjects in her artworks often escape claustrophobia through imagined landscapes. Her works draw inspiration from sculptures, woodcuts, and paintings of exhausted women, including the Virgin Mary which she researched during her time at Künstlerhaus Bethanien International Studio Program as a grantee of Contemporary’s Berlin Residency Program. Ham’s works employ line and value to create molded planes that provide multidimensional perspectives. The curious contortions and collapsing of space in her pieces evoke a melancholic humor, inviting viewers to reflect on challenging times and the unknown horizons ahead.

Adam Schreiber: Stadtwald showcases photographs created during and since his residency at Künstlerhaus Bethanien as part of Contemporary’s Berlin Residency Program. Employing large format film cameras, he adopts the role of a photographic surveyor to document the city’s quiet and suspended scenes devoid of action. Schreiber’s images of isolated and decontextualized objects ignite viewers’ curiosity. Some of Schreiber’s photographs are visually dense with textural descriptions of the subject, yet they leave the viewer to decipher what exactly the subject is and what its significance might be. Grids, recurring in his work, hint at the artist’s camera lens and reflect the meticulous process of inspection. By presenting his subjects as unknown and encouraging active observation, Schreiber’s work engages viewers in a delightful game of curiosity and concentration.

Michael Velliquette: The Direct Path features an extraordinary display of intricate paper sculptures, making it the most comprehensive exhibition of these works to date. Velliquette’s installations create intimate spaces that invite viewers into these structural collages. Through layering, complexity, and vibrant colors, his works communicate a sense of ornate preciousness. However, their material and meditative creation process—meticulously measuring, cutting, composing, and gluing paper—reveal a delicate yet ordinary quality. This convergence of methods symbolizes transformation, showcasing unexpected metamorphoses of materials and offering moments of reflection to viewers as they visually enter these temple-like constructions.

As an artist-centric organization, the Contemporary is delighted to showcase the work of these talented artists and to nurture their creative practices. This commitment to supporting artists highlights the vital role that accessible spaces play in fostering a vibrant and dynamic art scene, encouraging artistic growth, and amplifying the diverse voices and perspectives that contribute to the richness of our cultural landscape. 

7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee makes San Antonio debut

7 Brew announces arrival in San Antonio, elevating the city’s beverage landscape. Photo: 7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee.

Attention coffee lovers: 7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee, a leading brand in the beverage industry, is celebrating the Grand Opening of its San Antonio location with several events in anticipation of the big day. (7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee, 2023)

Leading up to the grand opening of its 100th location, 7 Brew Coffee is celebrating soft openings including three special charity days. 7 Brew Coffee will offer a 50% beverage discount to guests and donate 100% of all proceeds made to three dedicated charities, CHRISTUS Children’s Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Morgan’s Wonderland, that they actively support.

When:
• June 29 – Proceeds to CHRISTUS Children’s Foundation
• June 30 – Proceeds to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• July 1 – Proceeds to Morgan’s Wonderland

7 Brew Coffee will also host Community Hours leading up to SWAG Day, the grand opening of their first location in the city of San Antonio and 100th location overall. During these hours, customers can stop by and enjoy a free small drink on the house.

When: Monday, July 10 through Friday, July 14 from 7a.m. to 8a.m., 1p.m. to 2p.m., and 5p.m. to 6p.m.

Lastly, join 7 Brew Coffee for the coffee stand’s Grand Opening Event, SWAG Day, in celebration of its first location in San Antonio. For every large drink purchased, customers will receive one free 7 Brew Coffee t-shirt. Additionally, the first person in each drive thru line will win free coffee for one year.

When: July 15 from 5:30a.m. to 11p.m.

7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee is a coffee concept that is all about cultivating kindness and sharing the essence of community. The rapidly growing coffee chain offers over 20,000 unique drink options, including sugar, dairy, and gluten-free customizations. They pride themselves on providing premium quality coffee to customers in record time while making friends along the way. The Brew Crew goes by the saying, “If you can think it, we can make it,” creating a tailored experience for each customer and showcasing that people are at the heart of what they do.

7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee
2901 Pat Booker Rd
Universal City, TX 78148

7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee announces first location in San Antonio. Photo: 7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical and summer camp coming to Magik Theatre

The Magik Theatre announces its electrifying summer blockbuster production The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Photo: Magik Theatre, used with permission.

Like a bolt from the blue, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical hits the Magik Theatre from July 1-August 6. This adaptation of San Antonio native Rick Riordan’s extraordinary bestseller features all of the action and excitement Percy Jackson fans love, set to an original rock score by Rob Rokicki that will electrify audiences. This mythical adventure deemed “worthy of the gods” by Time Out New York, follows everyone’s favorite 12-year-old demi-God Percy Jackson as he descends to the underworld and back on the most dangerous quest of his life. (Magik Theatre, 2023)

Author Rick Riordan, a San Antonio native, published “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” in 2005. It is the first in the award-winning series created by the Alamo Heights High School alumni and former St. Mary’s Hall teacher. Originally created as a bedtime story for his oldest son, the Percy Jackson series features a modern-day 12-year-old boy who discovers he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon. In The Lightning Thief, we meet young Jackson who is just discovering his lineage and his uncontrollable powers, neither of which he wants. When he is falsely accused of stealing the master lightning bolt of the Greek god Zeus, he must accept his destiny, prove his innocence, and prevent a war between the gods by finding and returning the bolt. The hero’s journey demands that Jackson travel to the underworld and back, solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend, and finally come to terms with his father who abandoned him.

Magik Theatre takes pride in using only professional actors in their productions. These talented, trained, working actors are masters of their craft, transporting audiences to faraway and magikal places via cherished, timeless literature, and storytelling. In The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, the titular character is brought to life by James Cazares, making his Magik Theatre debut. He is joined by Izabella Montes as Annabeth Chase, the demigod daughter of Athena, and Ian Eller as Jackson’s best friend Grover Underwood. The rest of the cast includes Jon Renee Tucker as Luke, John Michael Hoke as Mr. Brunner aka Chiron, Jessica Willis as Sally, and Emma Gervasi as Clarisse. Artistic Director Anthony Runfola is the director with choreography by Kaity McSalis and music direction by Christopher Bailey. The design team includes scenery by Christopher Boneta, costumes by Stormie Brennan, lighting by Carlos Nine, and sound design by Jo Villanueva. Together this talented team weaves a “magikal” spell that will resonate with audiences young and old.

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is made possible in part by the generous support of a grant from the Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts.

Who says lightning doesn’t strike twice? To celebrate The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical making its Magik appearance, the theatre is hosting The Percy Jackson Musical Theatre Experience. This week-long summer camp will have students on their feet learning catchy tunes and action-packed choreography from the musical. Ideal for aspiring young performers, Percy Jackson fans, or a combination of both, participants will have the unique opportunity to attend master classes led by professional artists from the show. Not only will the students be able to catch a full matinee performance, but on the last day of camp, they will get their turn on the professional stage to share what they’ve learned with family and friends. Camps will be held from 9a.m. to 4p.m. July 10-14 and July 17-21. Final sharing events will be held at 3p.m. on Friday, July 14, and Friday, July 21.

Magik Theatre is committed to making theatre accessible to everyone. “We are here to make theatre accessible to every family and remove any existing barrier,” says Magik Theatre CEO Frank Villani. In keeping with that commitment, the 2023 season boasts some upgrades to include the special performances below.

American Sign Language Interpreted Performance | Saturday, July 29, 2p.m.
Robert Cardoza, the San Antonio theatre community’s primary sign language interpreter, will be available during this performance for patrons that require ASL as their primary form of communication.

Sensory-Friendly Performance | Wednesday, July 26, 10:30a.m.
Sensory-friendly performances create a welcoming environment for people who are on the autism spectrum or who have other sensory sensitivities. Modifying certain production elements to accommodate these individuals allows families and friends of those with autism or other disabilities to enjoy an authentic performance experience together.

Pay What You Wish Performance | Thursday, July 20, 2p.m.
Magik’s way of giving back to the community and providing an opportunity for families to experience live theatre with a donation of any amount.

Single Tickets are $33.50 for Orchestra Rows A – I and $23.50 for Orchestra Rows J-N and Balcony., Military, Seniors, and Educators. Children under two are free. Flex Passes and Single Tickets are available online or by calling (210) 227-2751. You can also purchase at the box office, 420 S. Alamo, from 9a.m.to 5p.m., Monday through Friday. If a child under two uses a seat, even a car or booster seat, the patron must pay for a general admission ticket. Group rates are available to parties of ten or more people.