Category: Community news

Pearl’s fall events include tribute to pollinators, an herb festival, and a Día de los Muertos community altar

Pearl’s Día de los Muertos community altar will be available to for the community to view and share memories of loved ones. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

Pearl is excited to announce various programs and events happening on campus this fall. This coming season, Pearl will host initiatives, an herb festival, and is also collaborating with local artists to create a community altar to celebrate Día de los Muertos. (Pearl, 2021)

“Pearl enjoys bringing the San Antonio community together and is excited to keep those experiences going this year after we were unable to do so in 2020. Our programming this fall will showcase food, culture, and arts from around the city.” – Pearl’s Chief Operating Officer Mesha Milsap

The 2021 fall programming is as follows:

Pearl Farmers Market and Pollinator Appreciation Month – October 1 – October 31
Pearl will continue to host the Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9a.m. to 1p.m. and its Makers Market on Sundays from 10a.m. to 2p.m. throughout the fall season. Guests can shop local fresh produce and goods at the nationally recognized Farmers Market each weekend.

In recognition of Pollinator Appreciation Month in October, Pearl is partnering with the Texas Butterfly Ranch to highlight the role pollinators play in the local food ecosystem. Through showcasing products at Farmers Market, sharing digital content, and introducing special signage on property highlighting host plants, Pearl brings awareness to pollinators and their role in making so many things possible.

Herb Festival: Parsley – October 16
The market will also host the 30th Annual Herb Market on Saturday, October 16 from 9a.m. to 1p.m. and will feature specialty herbs and other items. The featured herb of the year is Parsley (Petroselinum). A cooking demonstration is scheduled from 12p.m. to 1p.m. showcasing herbs and how to cook with the herb of the year. There will be activities for adults and children alike, experts to ask gardening questions, and fresh samples to take home.

Día de los Muertos – October 30 through November 7
Pearl continues its annual tradition of celebrating Día de los Muertos (celebrated November 1-2), with a community altar created by local artists and sisters, Manola and Maria Ramirez. The sisters are part of the all-female collaborative space, Lavaca Studios. The altar is dedicated to the San Antonio community and their loved ones who have passed away. The artists will use ethereal elements in the space like cempasúchil (marigolds), papel picado, and strands of tinsel to give visitors the feeling that they are walking into a place of worship. The focal point will be a tinsel heart as the centerpiece of the altar. The altar will be available to the public to view and share remembrances of loved ones from October 30 through November 7. Visitors can participate by lighting a digital candle for their loved ones who have passed.

Pearl is a dynamic neighborhood built around the historic Pearl Brewery, which operated from 1883 to 1999. Located just north of downtown San Antonio on the banks of the San Antonio River, it is home to architecturally significant buildings like the brewhouse and stable—both built in 1894—and numerous plazas. Today, Pearl is home to dozens of unique culinary concepts, one-of-a-kind retail, weekend markets, residential communities, innovative office tenants, the San Antonio campus of the Culinary Institute of America, and the award-winning Hotel Emma. Pearl is a vibrant district where community gathers to play, work, and live; it is a place where things are made and celebrated with purpose and sincerity. We invite all to gather and experience the best of what San Antonio has to offer.

Hopscotch new programming includes Salsa Sundays and El Remedio Food Truck

Starting this Sunday, Hopscotch guests can enjoy Salsa Sundays. Photo: Hopscotch, used with permission.

San Antonio’s popular immersive art gallery and lounge, Hopscotch, is bringing back Salsa Sundays just in time for fall. Every Sunday starting September 26, guests can visit Hopscotch to hear various live music acts. Latin Jazz artist Jose Amador will play at Hopscotch every other Sunday with his band NATIAO starting this weekend from 2p.m. to 5p.m. On alternating Sundays, guests will be able to hear live music from other groups and DJs. To stay up-to-date on the performance schedule, visitors can visit Hopscotch’s Instagram or new events page on their website. No cover or tickets needed. (Hopscotch, 2021)

El Remedio food truck will set up shop at Hopscotch – Starting in October, the popular local food truck El Remedio will be parked at Hopscotch’s patio from Thursdays through Sundays during Hopscotch’s regular hours. Guests can stop by the lounge and patio to grab a cocktail from the bar and try out some of El Remedio’s Instagram-worthy grub, like their Birria Tacos, Birria Ramen, Ceviche, and more. The truck, which has more than 55,000 Instagram followers, has quickly become a staple in the San Antonio food truck scene.

Southtown Vinyl Saturdays – DJ Freeverse / Southtown Vinyl will have a residency at Hopscotch and will spin every Saturday night in the lounge from 7p.m. to 10p.m. DJ Freeverse will also host a pop up shop each week with a small selection of unique vinyl for sale during his sets. There is no cover to attend.

Travis Park Plaza
711 Navarro, Suite 100
San Antonio, TX 78205

Salsa Sundays start this Sunday, September 26 and continue every week indefinitely from 2p.m. to 5p.m.
El Remedio to start service at Hopscotch sometime in October and be open until sell out during

Hopscotch’s operating hours, which are as follows:
Thursday, Friday & Sunday: Noon – 10p.m.
Saturday: 11a.m. – 11p.m.

Southtown Vinyl Saturdays start this Saturday, September 25 and continue indefinitely from 7p.m. to 10p.m.

PARKING:
Three-hour validated parking is discounted to $4 for all Hopscotch guests who park in the Travis Park Plaza Garage, which is adjacent to Hopscotch.

Hopscotch is an immersive and experiential brand that brings together artists in collaborative environments to create distinctive shared experiences. Co-founded by entrepreneurs Nicole Jensen and Hunter Inman, Hopscotch provides distinct experiences through the curation of local-centric, immersive, and experiential art. Hopscotch creates platforms for local, national and international artists to experiment with a wide spectrum of mediums and technology. Hopscotch’s aim is to elicit a sense of joy and wonder in the curated spaces, where guests may explore beyond their day to day reality. Hopscotch strongly believes in cultivating lasting relationships and cooperation with artists and their local communities. #LetsHopscotch

Single performance tickets for ‘Hamilton’ on sale starting today

Elijah Malcomb, Joseph Morales, Kyle Scatliffe, Fergie L. Philippe and Company. Photo: Joan Marcus, used with permission.

Producer Jeffrey Seller and North Park Lexus Broadway In San Antonio announced yesterday that single tickets for ‘Hamilton’ will go on sale to the public on Thursday, September 23rd at 10a.m. online through the Majestic Theatre, Broadway in San Antonio, or in person at the Majestic Theatre Box Office. Tickets will be available for performances January 5 – 16, 2022. The San Antonio engagement of ‘Hamilton’ is presented by arrangement with North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio and is a subscription offering of the 2021-2022 Series. (Majestic Theatre, 2021)

There is a maximum purchase limit of eight (8) tickets per account for the engagement. When tickets go on sale, prices will range from $49 to $179 with a select number of premium seats available from $249 for all performances. There will be a lottery for forty $10 seats for all performances. Details will be announced closer to the engagement. Jeffrey Seller notes, “It’s tempting to get tickets any way you can. There are many sites and people who are selling overpriced, and in some cases, fraudulent tickets. For the best seats, the best prices and to eliminate the risk of counterfeit tickets, all purchases for the San Antonio engagement should be made through [the Majestic Theatre or Broadway in San Antonio.]”

‘Hamilton’ is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, ‘Hamilton’ has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education.

With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, ‘Hamilton’ is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography. It has won Tony®, Grammy®, and Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors. The ‘Hamilton’ creative team previously collaborated on the Tony Award®-Winning Best Musical In the Heights. ‘Hamilton’ features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, casting by Telsey + Company, Bethany Knox, CSA, and General Management by Baseline Theatrical. The musical is produced by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman and The Public Theater.

The ‘Hamilton’ Original Broadway Cast Recording is available everywhere nationwide. The ‘Hamilton’ recording received a 2016 Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album.

Custom clothier Limatus Bespoke to open in Pearl’s Oxbow building

Limatus Bespoke will open in October at the Pearl’s Oxbow Building. Photo: Josh Huskin, used with permission.

Pearl is excited to announce that San Antonio-based custom clothing company, Limatus Bespoke, will be opening up shop at the new Oxbow building at Pearl. Limatus Bespoke’s 1,500 square foot space will officially open to the public on Saturday, October 16, 2021. (Limatus Bespoke, 2021)

Devin Castleton started Limatus Bespoke in 2000 after he developed an appreciation for custom clothing while living abroad. Limatus is a Latin word meaning “refined” and bespoke refers to clothing made from scratch. The custom clothier makes suits, shirts, pants, jackets, vests, coats, and skirts according to the customer’s precise measurements. Limatus Bespoke works with the client to create a personalized style and fit that is unique to them.

“When we started Limatus Bespoke, we did it with a very direct intent to build a company that did not solely focus on the bottom line, but could promote our values like expressing individuality and creativity, supporting and championing other local businesses that build our community, and ultimately add to the character of San Antonio. Pearl aligns with our values and we are fortunate to be part of the community and thrilled to begin our next chapter.” – Limatus Bespoke Founder Devin Castleton. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Limatus Bespoke to Pearl. The team behind the brand embodies exceptional service, top-quality fabrics and craftsmanship, and the unique experience of custom tailoring. They are a wonderful fit and we’re honored to have them as our neighbors.” – Pearl Chief Marketing Officer Elizabeth Fauerso. 

Limatus Bespoke uses high quality fabrics from mills like Ermenegildo Zegna, Loro Piana, Holland & Sherry, and more and the company has dressed notable San Antonians like Doc Watkins, Chef Steve McHugh, Jenna Saucedo Hererra, The Bachelorette contestant Mike Johnson, and more. Limatus Bespoke will be open Mondays through Saturdays from 10a.m. to 6p.m. and Sundays from 12p.m. to 5p.m. at 1803 Broadway Street, Suite 106, San Antonio, Texas 78215.

Pearl is a dynamic neighborhood built around the historic Pearl Brewery, which operated from 1883 to 1999. Located just north of downtown San Antonio on the banks of the San Antonio River, it is home to architecturally significant buildings like the brewhouse and stable—both built in 1894—and numerous plazas. Today, Pearl is home to dozens of unique culinary concepts, one-of-a-kind retail, weekend markets, residential communities, innovative office tenants, the San Antonio campus of the Culinary Institute of America, and the award-winning Hotel Emma. Pearl is a vibrant district where community gathers to play, work, and live; it is a place where things are made and celebrated with purpose and sincerity. We invite all to gather and experience the best of what San Antonio has to offer.

Limatus Bespoke is an experience-based custom clothing company in San Antonio, Texas. Clients choose the fabric, fit, and design of their clothing and every piece is hand-measured and tailored to fit each person’s body perfectly. Limatus Bespoke prides itself on customer service in a relaxed collaborative environment. With each private appointment, their designers collaborate with clients to discover their personal style and create clothing that speaks to their personality. For more information or to book a private appointment, visit Limatus Bespoke. 

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MerleFest makes a grand return for rescheduled 2021 event

Jody Carroll performed at this year’s MerleFest. Photo: Jim Gavenus, used with permission.

MerleFest, presented by Window World, has officially ended, but not without several unforgettable collaborations, spontaneous sit-ins, and world-class performances at North Carolina’s beloved festival. Tedeschi Trucks Band, Sturgill Simpson, and Mavis Staples all brought extra MerleFest energy to the Watson Stage over the course of the weekend. MerleFest, held on the campus of Wilkes Community College, is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, which funds scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs. MerleFest will return to its usual spring weekend in 2022, April 28 to May 1. (MerleFest, 2021)

“Once again I want to thank all of our MerleFest family—artists, volunteers, staff, and fans—for their patience and support as we worked together to put on a safe and enjoyable festival that spotlighted the very best in roots-plus music. We’ve had a wonderful weekend and we look forward to seeing everyone’s smiling faces again in seven short months when MerleFest returns to its usual April weekend in 2022.” – Festival Director Ted Hagaman

The following are just a few of the weekend’s highlights.
Thursday: The raucous Po’ Ramblin’ Boys’ set on the Watson Stage kicked off the twice-postponed MerleFest. Los Texmaniacs joined Peter Rowan’s Free Mexican Airforce for a crossover set for the ages. Closing out the night on the Watson Stage were arguably the reigning queen and king of outlaw country, Margo Price and Sturgill Simpson. Simpson performed with his new bluegrass band which consisted of his longtime drummer Miles Miller, Tim O’Brien, Stuart Duncan, Mike Bub, Mark Howard, and Elmer Burchett. Over the course of ninety minutes, Simpson revisited his wildly popular catalog of songs in this new string band format much to the delight of day one festival-goers.

Friday: With programming on all twelve of MerleFest’s diverse stages, Friday found the festival firing on all cylinders. Highlights included a genre-melding set from Joe Troop of Che Apalache, Sierra Ferrell’s much talked about Watson Stage MerleFest debut, a Scythian-fueled late night party at the Dance Stage, and a grand return of Derek Trucks’ and Susan Tedeschi’s Tedeschi Trucks Band—playing only their second show back in the saddle with the full twelve-piece band. The TTB classic “Midnight In Harlem” followed a hair-raising version of Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “I Pity The Fool” to close out Friday’s main-stage programming to much delight from fans, new and old.

MerleFest’s 2020 & 2021 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest winners (full list below) were announced on Friday. After nearly 30 years, CASC is ending, and long-time contest coordinator and host, Jim Lauderdale, was honored Saturday for his over twenty years of shared expertise, enthusiasm, and engagement.

2020 MerleFest’s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest

First Place Winners

  • Gospel/Inspirational – Mark Atkinson (Charleston, W.Va.) – “Home” 
  • Country – Sarah Jane Nelson (Nashville, Tenn.), Kenny Foster (Nashville, Tenn.) – “Sins of the Father”
  • Bluegrass – Aaron Burdett (Saluda, N.C.) – “Rockefeller”
  • General – Jomo Edwards (Austin, Texas) – “You Need It”

2021 MerleFest’s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest

First Place Winners

  • Gospel/Inspirational – Daniel Davis (Bristol, Va.) – “Dear Lord”
  • Country – Ian Meadows (Higganum, Conn.), Dustin Meadows (Old Saybrook, Conn.) – “Trouble” 
  • Bluegrass – Andrew Small (Floyd, Va.) – “Yesterday’s Blues”
  • General – Shay Martin Lovette (Boone, N.C.) – “For Rose Marie”

Saturday: The Waybacks delighted music fans by honoring the late great John Prine, playing his self-titled album from front to back. MerleFest favorite Sam Bush joined the band, as did Jim Lauderdale and members of Shinyribs and Barefoot Movement. Watson Stage headliners Shovels & Rope had fans on their feet, dancing into the night with their own blend of low country Americana. Afterward, Shinyribs hosted the annual Late Night Jam. Themed “Gulf Breeze: Songs of the Third Coast,” the after-hours concert featured a rotating cast of all-star artists, entertaining music fans into the wee hours of Sunday morning.

Sunday: The morning kicked off with a special performance from the Band Contest Winner, Into The Fog. Tupelo, Mississippi-based Paul Thorn took music fans to church with MerleFest’s annual Gospel Hour at the Creekside Stage. Midday, Oh Boy Records recording artist Kelsey Waldon sang her truth on the Cabin Stage and Mavis Staples rocked the Watson Stage with her classic mix of gospel and rock ‘n roll. Speaking of rock ‘n roll, rock royalty Melissa Etheridge closed the festival and brought music fans to their feet for the final set of the weekend.

MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the son of the late American music legend Doc Watson, renowned guitarist Eddy Merle Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk and gospel, and blues, and expanded to include Americana, classic rock, and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its thirteen stages during the multi-day event. MerleFest is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.

Banned Books Week 2021

Photo: Banned Books Week

Coming up next week, September 26 through October 2 is Banned Books Week 2021. This year’s theme is “Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us.” Banned Books Weeks was established in 1982 in response to a sudden rise I the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores, and libraries. This event highlights the value of free and free access to information. It unites the community, including librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types, in their shared support of the freedom to seek and express ideas, even those that may be considered unorthodox or unpopular. (Banned Books Week, 2021)

By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles lists of challenged books as reported in the media and submitted by librarians and teachers across the country.

The Top 10 Challenged Books of 2020 are:

  1. “George” by Alex Gino. Challenged, banned, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, conflicting with a religious viewpoint, and not reflecting “the values of our community.”
  2. “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds. Banned and challenged because of the author’s public statements and because of claims that the book contains “selective storytelling incidents” and does not encompass racism against all people.
  3. “All American Boys” by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely.Banned and challenged for profanity, drug use, and alcoholism and because it was thought to promote antipolice views, contain divisive topics, and be “too much of a sensitive matter right now.”
  4. “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson. Banned, challenged, and restricted because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint, it was claimed to be biased against male students, and it included rape and profanity.
  5. “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” by Sherman Alexie. Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and allegations of sexual misconduct on the part of the author.
  6. “Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story about Racial Injustice” by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin. Challenged for “divisive language” and because it was thought to promote antipolice views.
  7. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. Banned and challenged for racial slurs and their negative effect on students, featuring a “white savior” character, and its perception of the Black experience.
  8. “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck. Banned and challenged for racial slurs and racist stereotypes and their negative effect on students.
  9. “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison. Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and depicts child sexual abuse.
  10. “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas. Challenged for profanity, and because it was thought to promote an antipolice message.

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa offers exclusive Texas Hill Country adventure getaways

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in Sonora, Texas. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

As summer gives way to fall and people continue to seek off-grid, outdoor-driven escapes, the picturesque JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa brings adventure at every turn with an array of activities, ranging from horseback riding and UTV off-roading to intimate group wine tastings. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021)

Activities include:

  • Seven-day Schedule & Sips at MV Brew: The 13,000-acre resort is now accessible seven days a week for overnight guests seeking an immersive extended stay that captures the West Texas Lifestyle. New for overnight guests in August 2021, JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa opened MV Brew Coffee House, which proudly serves Starbucks Coffee alongside daily fresh- made pastries, grab and go snacks, and refreshments exclusively to JL Bar Resort Guests. The coffee house is named after resort owner James Archer’s MV2 Entertainment Company in Nashville and offers indoor seating and ample outdoor space to enjoy a fresh cup o’ joe, the closest of its kind within an 80-mile radius.
  • A Family Affair at Archer’s Nest, the resort’s private villa: Following a recent upgrade, the private and luxurious Archer’s Nest Villa now boasts seven bedrooms that accommodates up to fourteen guests in addition to a private oasis swimming pool, large pool house with fully equipped kitchen, and a full home theatre room. The grand accommodation is the ideal destination for family reunions and small groups. 
  • JL Bar Takes Flight: As one of the leading point-to-point getaway destinations with its Full-Service Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Airport , the resort’s private airport offers an abundance of amenities that are rare for a private airstrip (especially at a resort), including a 5300’ x 80’ asphalt top runway and facilities capable of handling a variety of aircraft from a single engine Cessna to a Gulfstream 650, hangar space for multiple jets, crew and passenger lounges, single point or over-wing fuel, in-flight dining from the resort’s private chef, and more. JL Bar Ranch & Resort Airport provides FAA certified weather, minimal air traffic in the immediate area, and is one of the most efficient for refueling cross-country flights. While some guests may choose the few-hour drive to Sonora, TX, cross-country travelers looking to refuel and recharge for the night, aviation enthusiasts, and luxury travelers looking for a seamless getaway experience can arrive via privately chartered jet or personally owned aircraft.
  • Harvest Season Wine Excursions: The luxury resort and working ranch now offer a new all-inclusive day trip excursion to Fredericksburg, inclusive of transportation, a local wine tasting and lunch, and shopping along Fredericksburg’s iconic Main Street. For on-property wine experiences, Sommelier and Equine Experts Jon Joseph and Sydney Beique host wine tastings and have curated an extensive wine list to pair with the resort’s culinary offerings.
  • On the Hunt: As entrusted stewards of the land, the ranch manages the property to be productive for during the fall hunting season while conserving and nurturing vital habitat for wild game—orchestrating a harmonious balance between wild game and domestic livestock on the property, with horseback riding and a Horse Psychology Experience alongside world-class guided hunting excursions.

Whataburger raises money for local families in need

Whataburger presented the San Antonio Food Bank with a check for $31, 624.20. From left to right: Krystal Garza, Whataburger Field Marketing Coordinator, Tom Willet, Whataburger Director of Operations, Eric Cooper, San Antonio Food Bank President & CEO, Melba Harris, Whataburger Community Experience Manager, Brenda Cervantes Sanchez, Whataburger Field Marketing Coordinator. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

Orange Spirit Week is Whataburger’s annual tradition of honoring its legacy while giving back to the communities it serves. This year, in honor of its 71st anniversary, Whataburger partnered with Feeding America® to help provide more than three million meals through local food banks across Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Following its first-ever systemwide fundraiser benefitting Feeding America®, Whataburger is giving $31,624 raised in the San Antonio area to the San Antonio Food Bank to help fight hunger in the community. (Whataburger, 2021)

The local gift is part of more than $300,000 that Whataburger customers donated across its 10-state footprint during the company’s Orange Spirit Week celebration. Customers who donated $1 during the fundraiser received a free Whataburger coupon for their generosity. Funds raised benefitted the communities where they were given. It is all part of Whataburger Feeding Student Success, the company’s signature community program operating at the intersection of food insecurity and education and focusing on helping students at all levels of education achieve their goals and dreams.

The magic of Whataburger started on August 8, 1950, in a tiny burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. An entrepreneur named Harmon Dobson set out to build a burger so delicious that customers would take that first bite and say, “What a burger!” Today, Whataburger is known for delicious burgers, big flavor, and the brand’s pride in taking care of its guests, communities, and employees, known as Family Members. Orange Spirit Week celebrates its founding and the foundation for success that Dobson created.

Pearl announces new food hall concept opening in September: Kineapple

Kineapple, a new smoothie concept, will open at Pearl’s Bottling Department in September. Photo: Kineapple, used with permission.

Pearl is excited to announce the latest restaurant at the Bottling Department – Kineapple – a concept by Robby and Neesha Grubbs, the duo behind Local Coffee Founders, also originating at Pearl. The new concept will open to the public in late September, with an exact opening date to be announced soon. Kineapple will offer a variety of fresh smoothies, healthy snacks, salads, coffee, and more. (Kineapple, 2021)

The team behind Kineapple wanted to create an ingredient-driven menu that is easy for customers to navigate. The menu is designed to make healthy eating accessible and delicious. Kineapple is committed to sourcing the best ingredients for its patrons, who can expect to see smoothies that can be made with different modifiers like plant based protein, whey isolate, creatine, turmeric, collagen, blue majik, cold brew shot, and more. Guests can also pick up a Crunchy Kale Salad, Free Range Chicken Salad Sandwich, Kineapple Farm Bowl, Golden Overnight Oats, In-house Protein Bar, and more. In addition to smoothies and snacks, Kineapple will also offer coffee from a rotating list of curated specialty coffee roasters.

Kineapple, whose tagline is “Leave Feeling Better,” is a concept that is near and dear to its founders’ hearts in more ways than one. The name pays homage to Robby and Neesha’s youngest son, who struggled to say “pineapple” as a child and instead pronounced the name of the fruit with a K instead of a P. The founders wanted the concept to incorporate a pineapple, but wanted it to feel personal and organic, so Kineapple felt like the perfect name for this venture.

“Kineapple is something that we’re looking forward to bringing to Pearl. We wanted to be able to bring high quality, healthy ingredients to the table without sacrificing taste and that’s what we’ve done here.” – Co-Founder Robby Grubbs

“Neesha and Robby are wonderful operators – innovative, engaged, and talented. We are thrilled their newest concept is coming to the Food Hall.” – Pearl’s Chief Marketing Officer Elizabeth Fauerso.

Kineapple’s hours will be 11a.m. to 8p.m. Monday through Friday and 9a.m. to 8p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The new concept will be in the space formerly occupied by Bud’s Southern Rotisserie, located at 312 Pearl Pkwy Building 6, San Antonio, TX 78215.

Pearl is a dynamic neighborhood built around the historic Pearl Brewery, which operated from 1883 to 1999. Located just north of downtown San Antonio on the banks of the San Antonio River, it is home to architecturally significant buildings like the brewhouse and stable—both built in 1894. Today, Pearl is home to dozens of unique culinary concepts, one-of-a-kind retail, weekend markets, residential communities, innovative office tenants, the San Antonio campus of the Culinary Institute of America, and the award-winning Hotel Emma. Pearl is a vibrant district where community gathers to play, work, and live. We invite all to gather and experience the best of what San Antonio has to offer.

Theater review: ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ at the Camille Playhouse

‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ is now playing at the Camille Playhouse until Sunday September 19, 2021. Photo: Sandra Cruz

Now playing at the Camille Playhouse is ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ and after a successful opening weekend, there are only three chances left to experience this lighthearted musical. It is based on a story by Texas local legend Larry L. King that was inspired by the real-life Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas. This happy go lucky view of small town vice and statewide political side-stepping recounts the good times and the demise of one of the better pleasure palaces in all of Texas. Governors, senators, mayors, and even victorious college football teams frequent Miss Mona’s cozy bordello until that puritan nemesis Watchdog focuses his television cameras and his righteous indignation on the institution. It will run until Sunday September 19 with showtimes Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 2p.m. Tickets are available online for $25. All seats are general admission.

Set in Texas, the bulk of the story takes place in the 1970s. ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ begins as Shy (Isabella Barrios) and Angel (Jocelyn Michelle) arrive at the Chicken Ranch asking for a job from Miss Mona (Velma De Los Santos), the proprietor of the place. Miss Mona likes their honesty, hires them, and gives them the rundown of the place “A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place.” They are getting ready for the big night of the Texas Aggies/Longhorn football-game party and on any given day, everyone from political to business leaders frequent the chicken ranch as well. This has caught the attention of Melvin P. Thorpe (Francisco Partida), a Houston TV reporter and do-gooder who is on a mission to shut them down for good “Texas Has a Whorehouse in It.” He has yet to convince Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd (Ronnie Rodriguez) to do so, partly because he has a relationship with Miss Mona. As a last resort, Thorpe raids the Ranch with his camera crew and proves to be highly embarrassing for everyone involved.  The Chicken Ranch is now in the public eye and is getting too much attention, so Miss Mona has no choice but to shut down the Ranch and send the girl packing.

Despite the obvious focus of the story, the general ambiance is cheerful as the audience is witness to the retelling of the demise of the Chicken Ranch. The combination of adult entertainment, catchy tunes, and political side-stepping makes for an entertaining musical. Velma De Los Santos does an excellent job of bringing Miss Mona to life onstage and has the onstage chemistry with Ronnie Rodriguez (Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd) that makes this complicated relationship work. Some of the highlights include the romping good-time of ‘The Aggie Song’ and ‘Doatsey Mae’ the poignant solo by Sylvia Lester that slows the action and shines the spotlight on a lesser known character. The cast is big, but they all work together wonderfully under the guidance of choreographers Andrew Smith and Tanya Swayze Miller (on ‘Twenty Four Hours of Lovin.’) Some of the dancing is risqué and there is some adult language involved but overall, it all makes for a “toe-tappin’” good time and the cast and crew do a fantastic job of bringing ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ to the Brownsville stage. 

Rating: 3 out of 5.
Photo: Sandra Cruz