Category: Community news

MerleFest taking place September 16 in Wilkesboro, North Carolina

MerleFest is only a week away and the festival organizers want to remind festivalgoers of a few important details. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

MerleFest, presented by Window World—Wilkesboro, North Carolina’s annual homecoming of musicians and music fans—is only one week away. As the festival nears, organizers want to remind festivalgoers of a few important details. Festival gates will open at 1:30p.m. local time on Thursday and 9:30a.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. (MerleFest, 2021)

All attendees and participants will be required to show one of the following two options along with festival admission passes to enter the festival:

1. Proof of full vaccination. You can present your vaccination card, a paper photocopy, or cell phone photo of your card as proof of your vaccination when you arrive at the festival. Photos/photocopies must show the full card and be legible.

-OR-

2. If you have not been vaccinated or do not have a vaccination card, you must show a printed or digital copy of a negative COVID-19 test performed on you within 72 hours of the time of entry.

Once you have shown a copy of your vaccination card or a copy of your negative COVID-19 test result, you will be issued a “Well wristband” identifying that you have met the safety criteria for entry into the festival. Please do not remove this wristband until the festival is over as this will be good for the entire time you are at the festival. If you lose or remove your well wristband then you will have to go through the process outlined again to receive another well wristband.

The festival strongly recommends that those needing a COVID-19 test get the test before arriving at the festival. Advance planning will save time and avoid waiting in lines. Additional information on all festival protocols can be found by visiting MerleFest. 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Milk Carton Kids and We Banjo 3 will no longer be performing at MerleFest and will be replaced in the lineup by Shawn Colvin and Gangstagrass, respectively. Shawn Colvin, along with David Childers, will replace Milk Carton Kids as judges in the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest.

Additionally, Andy May’s annual MerleFest Acoustic Kids Showcase will no longer be held for the health and safety of its young participants. Andy and Lauren May released a statement that reads, “We are very sorry to have to let you know that we have decided we must cancel all Acoustic Kids Showcases scheduled for fall, 2021. This was not an easy decision. However, in light of the uncertainty surrounding the current COVID outbreak; out of concern for everyone’s health and well-being (including our own); and following our doctor’s emphatic advice, we see no viable alternative.” Although very disappointed, they look forward to next year’s festival with the hope that things will be back to normal.

Don’t forget to download the MerleFest app to help plan your festival experience. The MerleFest app can point you towards a variety of on-site activities for all ages. In between musical sets, the Shoppes at MerleFest is a centrally located shopping village of commercial vendors, official MerleFest memorabilia, and services such as first aid, lost and found, and internet access. Tickets for this year’s festival are available online. 

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 13 stages during the course of the multi-day event. MerleFest is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.

2021-09-16T14:02:00

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MerleFest 2021

Dallas Cowboys viewing party at Hills & Dales Ice House on September 9

Glazer’s Beer and Beverage of Texas and Miller Lite TM will participate in a live broadcast of the BLITZ and viewing party for the first Dallas Cowboys game of the season. Photo: google

On Thursday, September 9, Glazer’s Beer and Beverage of Texas and Miller LiteTM will participate in a live broadcast of the BLITZ and viewing party for the first Dallas Cowboys game of the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Hills & Dales Ice House. Glazer’s Beer & Beverage is a proud distribution partner for Miller Lite, the only beer of the Dallas Cowboys. In addition to enjoying the game and a round of beers, Cowboys fans can partake in hourly drawings from 4p.m. to 7p.m. for a chance to win prizes including tickets to a future Cowboys game, a Miller Lite Cowboys OtterBox Cooler, a Drew Pearson Hall of Fame Standee and more. In addition, fans can enjoy photo opportunities with former Dallas Cowboys star Charles Hailey’s five Super Bowl trophies that will be on display. (Glazer’s Beer & Beverage, 2021)

Hills & Dales Ice House
15403 White Fawn Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78255

Glazer’s Beer & Beverage, LLC (GBB) is one of the nation’s most distinguished beverage distributors, serving over 10,000 retail accounts across Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. Since 1933, Glazer’s has been involved in the beer distribution business, eventually forming Glazer’s Beer & Beverage, LLC, which remains a family-owned and operated business. GBB is committed to building brands, outstanding customer service, delivering strong performance and an inspiring culture. GBB represents over 60 brewing partners and numerous nonalcoholic brands and energy drinks, selling over 30 million cases annually.

First impression: Sasi’s Thai Restaurant

Sasi’s Thai Restaurant serves authentic Thai food. Photo: google

It is hard to find any type of Thai restaurant in the Brownsville area, much less one that serves authentic Thai cuisine, so when I found out about Sasi’s Thai Restaurant, I was curious. Friday night we headed out on another culinary adventure and decided to give it a shot. It beats driving out of the area just to be disappointed because yes, we have had authentic Thai food and we are kind of spoiled that way. Sasi’s Thai cuisine brings the authentic Thai dishes to the Brownsville area with delicious blends of vegetables, noodles, and spices. Add in the best bubble tea in Brownsville. (Sasi’s Thai Restaurant, 2021)

Being that the restaurant is along the frontage road, it was not hard to find. It was early in the day so we practically had the place to ourselves. The dining area is big so there are plenty of seating options and our server was prompt in bringing us menus. She took our drink orders first because we needed a few minutes to look over the menu.

We must have been hungry because we ordered so much food and we ended up taking some of it home. Everything we ordered was fresh and so flavorful, it reminded me of why I love Thai food so much. You cannot find these types of flavors just anywhere. For anyone not familiar with Thai food, I have included descriptions of what we ordered.
Fried spring rolls – cabbage, carrots, and clear noodles wrapped in a spring roll skin, deep fried and served with Sasi’s very own sweet and sour sauce.
Fresh spring rolls – fresh vegetables and noodles wrapped in soft rice paper, served with Sasi’s peanut sauce.
Noodle soup – rice noodles with bean sprouts, carrots, onions, scallions, and cilantro (with tofu).
Panang Curry – lightly sweetened panang paste with coconut milk, bell peppers, baby corn, bamboo shoot, mushrooms, carrots, and onions. Served with a side of rice (with tofu).
Fried rice – stir fried rice with egg, onions, and carrots (with shrimp and beef).

If you happen to visit and are unsure of what to order, they do have a picture menu, which makes it so much easier. On some dishes, it is recommended that you specify the spice level (mild, medium, hot, Thai hot). Sasi’s Thai Restaurant is a small, family owned business so their hours of operation may vary daily. While we were there, we noticed that their curbside service is popular with guests. Lee, one of the owners, took the time to talk to us, patiently answered our questions and confirmed that most people opt for the curbside service. It certainly is worth considering. So next time you are in the mood for something different, give your taste buds a treat and remember, shop small, shop local. Support your neighborhood small business; they will thank you for it. 

$ – $$

Sasi’s Thai Restaurant
937 N. Expressway Suite 2
Brownsville, TX 78526
(956) 435-9073

Business hours:
Sunday – closed
Monday through Friday 11a.m. to 8p.m

Rating: 4 out of 5.

  • Fresh spring rolls
  • Fried rice
  • Fried spring rolls
  • Panang Curry
  • Front counter
  • Noodle soup

‘Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ opens next Friday at the Camille Playhouse

‘Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ opens September 10, 2021. Photo: google

Opening next Friday September 10 at the Camille Playhouse is ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.’ The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a musical with a book by Texas author Larry L. King and Peter Masterson and music and lyrics by Carol Hall. It is based on a story by King that was inspired by the real-life Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas. 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. The performance will run approximately 90 minutes without intermission and no concessions will be sold. (Camille Playhouse, 2021)

‘Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ – Based on a story by Texas local legend Larry L. King and 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.

Cast includes:
Mona Stangley – Velma De Los Santos
Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd – Brian Warren
Angel – Tirzah Claus
Shy – Isabella Barrios
Melvin P. Thorpe – Francisco Partida
Jewel – Leslie Willard
Governor – David Salinas
Doatsey Mae – Sylvia Lester
Ginger – Melanie Claire

Please be advised that performers will NOT be wearing masks therefore all seating will begin on the fifth row back from the stage for everyone’s safety. Camille Playhouse will be following CDC recommendations and temperatures will be taken so please arrive early. Visitors must wear masks at all times. 

2021-09-10T12:44:00

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Opening night of ‘Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’

San Antonio Food Bank needs volunteers for Hurricane Ida food relief effort

Volunteers needed this weekend at the San Antonio Food Bank. Photo: google

The San Antonio Food Bank received an urgent request on Thursday to send six truckloads of food to counties in Louisiana impacted by Hurricane Ida. Volunteers of all ages and abilities are needed on Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday to help prepare the relief effort. Volunteer work will take place at the Food Bank’s main facility just west of downtown. COVID safety protocols are in place (masking, social distancing). Those interested in volunteering can visit San Antonio Food Bank to sign up or get more information. (San Antonio Food Bank, 2021)

Eric Cooper, President & CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank commented on the urgent need for volunteers: “Our community is in its finest hour when it serves. I have no doubt that our love and compassion will shine in this call to action over Labor Day Weekend. Let’s make it a labor of love for our neighbors in Louisiana.”

The San Antonio Food Bank’s mission is to fight hunger in Southwest Texas through food distribution, programs, education, and advocacy.

Circle Drive-In to host first annual Blood-O-Rama Shock Festival

The first annual Blood-O-Rama Shock Festival will take place on October 22, 2021 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Photo: Circle Drive-In, used with permission.

Calling all horror movie fans and drive-in movie enthusiasts. The Frankenstein Monster from 1971’s cult classic Dracula vs Frankenstein will be returning from the dead after a 50-year rest, courtesy of makeup effects artist Roy Knyrim of Sota FX Studio. The man-made monster will be making a live appearance as Sam Sherman’s Retro Road Show Drive-In Tour returns to the State of Pennsylvania with two back-to-back screenings of the Al Adamson cult classics, Dracula vs Frankenstein (1971) and Brain of Blood (1971). Both films will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary, on October 22, 2021 as part of the First Annual Blood-o-Rama Shock Festival at the Circle Drive-In in Scranton, PA. (Circle Drive-In, 2021)

Gates open at 4p.m. for this special event which will feature a local community blood drive and an opportunity to see the resurrected Frankenstein’s monster before the sun sets. The film festival begins at 6p.m. The night will also feature two other blood-soaked movies, The Mad Doctor of Blood Island and Beast of Blood, during the evening’s film program, as well as an opportunity to experience the Circle Drive-In’s spooky Halloween haunt, The Circle of Screams. Do not be surprised if another creature, The Beast of Blood, shows up to meet and greet fans during the evening’s drive-in festivities with free Zombie swizzle sticks. In addition, the first 100 cars that arrive at the drive-in will receive a free “Drac Pack,” which includes a plastic Dracula ring and plastic vampire fangs. (Note: One “Drac Pack” per car.)

The idea for the Circle Drive-In’s Blood-o-Rama Shock Festival, the drive-in blood drive and blood themed movie event was based on producer/distributor Sam Sherman’s packaging and marketing campaigns for Hemisphere Pictures during the early 1970s, entitled The Chiller Carnival of Blood and the Blood-O-Rama Shock Festival. A number of the films Mr. Sherman worked on emphasized the word “Blood” in the title to lure “blood-thirsty” horror and gore fans to seek the films out at their local theatre or drive-in. Some of the film campaigns and titles Sherman worked on include Blood Creature, The Blood Drinkers, Brides of Blood, Blood of Dracula’s Castle, Horror of the Blood Monsters, Hell’s Blood Devils, and Blood of Ghastly Horror. In fact, it was Mr. Sherman who was the brains behind the classic drive-in campaign and audience-participation gimmick called “The Oath of Green Blood” for the Tiki creature feature, The Mad Doctor of Blood Island (1968), which is part of the festival. Mr. Sherman, a drive-in movie pioneer, just completed his memoir “When Dracula Met Frankenstein,” (Murania Press) which will be available in limited supply at the Circle Drive-In.

Circle Drive-In Theatre has continually been running since September 10, 1949, making it one of the longest running drive-ins in America. The Circle Drive-In Theater operates from the spring to fall each year, showing first-run features and retro classics.

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First Annual Blood-O-Rama Shock Festival

Austin Food + Wine Festival returns in November

The tenth annual festival returns November 5-7, 2021. Photo: google

Tickets are on sale now for the tenth annual Austin Food + Wine Festival taking place November 5-7, 2021. Presented by FOOD & WINE Magazine and C3 Presents, Austin Food + Wine Festival is proud to be the benefactor of the Austin Food & Wine Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to fostering awareness and innovation in the Central Texas food and wine community through grants, educational programming and events. To date, Austin Food + Wine Festival has contributed over $1.1 million to the Alliance. (Austin Food + Wine Festival, 2021)

The tenth annual festival will feature chefs, restaurants and wine and spirits experts over three days at Auditorium Shores and the newly refurbished Republic Square Park. Festival highlights include the return of Friday night’s Grillin’ and Chillin’ hands-on, interactive dinner party hosted by chef Tim Love; fan favorite Rock Your Taco competition on Saturday night featuring several first-time competitors and James Beard Foundation Award nominees and winners; engaging cooking demonstrations + conversations; pit masters and chefs cooking over interactive Fire Pits; samples of signature dishes from local chefs and restaurants; dynamic wine, beer & cocktail tastings; live music; book signings; and much more. Showcasing a dynamic roster of chefs and restaurants throughout the weekend, attendees can sample signature dishes from some of Austin’s most beloved spots. Additional programming announcements will be made over the course of the fall. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older.

Grillin’ and Chillin’, Tim Love’s ultimate hands-on grilling dinner party hosted at Auditorium Shores, kicks off the Festival on Friday, November 5. This interactive party offers All-In ticket holders the opportunity to sharpen their skills as they join chef Love for a fun and informative evening of hands-on grilling, drinks and dinner, all underneath the Austin skyline. Grillin’ and Chillin’ attendees will share a charcoal grill with a partner and prepare their own dinner as chef Love guides them through the menu while offering tips for how to become a grilling expert. Grillin’ and Chillin’ is exclusively included with the All-In ticket and will be the only time that the hands-on grilling demonstration will be offered throughout the weekend.

On Saturday, November 6 and Sunday, November 7, the festival grounds will come alive with cooking demonstrations, book signings and an interactive area where chefs and pit masters will cook over live fire pits and offer tastes to attendees throughout the weekend. The fire pits will showcase live fire cooking expertise from John Bates (InterStellar BBQ); Sonya Coté (Hillside Farmacy, Store House Market + Eatery); Lance Kirkpatrick (Stiles Switch BBQ); Tom Micklethwait & Ren Garcia (Micklethwait Craft Meats); Marco Oglesby (The Switch); and more pit masters and chefs to be announced.

Festival attendees keen on learning from the pros can listen in as a host of chefs and authors, including Dawn Burrell (Late August, Houston); Helene Henderson (Malibu Farm); Fermín Núñez (Suerte); Yoshi Okai (Otoko); and Jam Sanitchat share their tricks, tips and favorite recipes during Cooking Demos and conversations. A roster of sommeliers, wine, beer and spirits experts to be announced will help round out the Austin Food + Wine Festival line-up.

Rock Your Taco, Saturday evening’s signature tasting event, returns to a newly renovated Republic Square Park. Chefs will square off against one another to create the ultimate taco, as deemed by a People’s Choice award. Rock Your Taco competitors include: Tatsu Aikawa (Ramen Tatsu-Ya); Nicola Blaque (Mi Roti, The Jerk Shack, San Antonio); Dawn Burrell; Tyson Cole (Uchi); Diego Galicia & Rico Torres (Mixtli, San Antonio); Sarah Heard & Nathan Lemley (Foreign & Domestic); Helene Henderson; LeAnn Mueller (la Barbecue); Ryan Pera (Eight Row Flint, Houston); Jam Sanitchat; Charles Schlienger (Sway); and more chefs and restaurants to be announced.

Detailed health and entry policies will be released closer to the event. Please visit Vaccines for questions about the COVID-19 vaccines or resources to find a vaccination location.

Tickets:
All-In ($625/per person)
The All-In ticket includes Saturday and Sunday Festival access; interactive cooking demos & book signings; hands-on beer, wine and cocktail tasting sessions; wood-fired culinary creations from the Fire Pits; tastes from Austin’s best chefs & restaurants; Friday night’s Grillin’ and Chillin’ with Tim Love; Saturday night’s signature Rock Your Taco competition; and more.

Weekender ($250/per person)
The Weekender ticket includes Saturday and Sunday Festival access; interactive cooking demos & book signings; hands-on beer, wine and cocktail tasting sessions; wood-fired culinary creations from the Fire Pits; tastes from Austin’s best chefs & restaurants; and more.

The Austin Food + Wine Festival is generously sponsored by Toyota, HEB, Republic National Distributing Company, Angry Orchard Hard Cider and FOOD & WINE.

For more than 40 years, from classic to cutting-edge, FOOD & WINE has defined the American epicurean experience. With the confidence of undisputed global authority among consumers and the culinary trade, we inspire and empower our wine and food obsessed community to discover, create, and devour the best in food, drink, travel, and home.

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Austin Food + Wine Festival

Bahnbrëcker launches world’s first Hefeweizen-style whiskey

Slow River Blend Whiskey will be available in bars and liquor stores throughout Texas and for nationwide shipping staring September 15, 2021. Photo: Bahnbrëcker, used with permission.

Country star Randy Rogers and co-founders Eric Chase, Cary Schindler, Ash Wineinger, Michael Devers along with spirits-industry veteran Steve Luttmann, are excited to announce the launch of their new spirits brand, Bahnbrëcker, based in New Braunfels, TX. Bahnbrëcker will enter the marketplace with Slow River Blend, the first-ever Hefeweizen-style whiskey. Slow River Blend will be available in bars, restaurants and liquor stores throughout Texas, as well as for nationwide shipping, starting September 15, 2021. (Bahnbrëcker, 2021)

Bahnbrëcker, derived from ‘trailblazer’ in German, is a nod to the company’s hometown of New Braunfels, TX, and to the spirit of ingenuity found in the early pioneers of Texas. Slow River Blend is a blend of Texas and Midwestern straight wheat whiskeys macerated with lemon peel and clove. The end product features notes of lemon, clove, caramel, and vanilla, making it reminiscent of a Hefeweizen-style beer. Inspired by an ideal Texas summer day spent floating down the river in New Braunfels, this unpretentious craft whiskey is designed for easy drinking and a smooth finish. Tastes great neat, on the rocks, or with your favorite mixer or soda. Bahnbrëcker is a truly craft spirit made with only real ingredients, and is completely “WONF-free” (i.e., no “With Other Natural Flavors”).

With two Top 10 hits and multiple albums hitting the country charts, Randy Rogers has already distinguished himself in his hometown of New Braunfels, but along with his fellow co-founders, the Texas musician decided the time was right to leave another legacy in the historic Hill Country city.

“We wanted to create something that the people who came before us in this great community of New Braunfels would be proud of. I think you’re going to find that this craft whiskey distinguishes itself from others. Slow River Blend gives you this aroma, it gives you this flavor of the lemon and the clove blended with your whiskey that creates this Hefeweizen taste, this Hefeweizen spirit that is the spirit of New Braunfels.” – Co-Founder Randy Rogers

Bahnbrëcker Slow River Blend will be available throughout Texas starting September 15, 2021, including top venues such as Pour Haus, Freiheit Country Store, Cheatham Street Warehouse, Nutty Brown Café, and Nickel City. The brand will also be available to purchase in 750 ml bottles throughout Texas at all Total Wine & Spirits and Skip’s locations, and other locations starting September 15, 2021 for a suggested retail price starting at $37.99 per bottle. RNDC is Bahnbrëcker’s exclusive distributor for the State of Texas. The whiskey will also be available for nationwide shipping starting September 15, 2021. While this marks the brand’s first and only product to date, Bahnbrëcker has plans to expand with additional spirits offerings in the future.

An eclectic group of New Braunfels friends wanted to pay tribute to their unique Texas town founded by German pioneers in 1845 where the Comal and Guadalupe rivers meet. What better way to capture the spirit of New Braunfels they thought, than with an easy drinking craft whiskey. They called it Bahnbrëcker, meaning ‘trailblazer’ in German, and like New Braunfels, it is a quirky combination of German engineering and Texan swagger. Slow River Blend, the first product to launch, is a smooth Hefeweizen-Style Whiskey distilled from Texan and Midwestern winter wheats with notes of lemon peel, clove, caramel, and vanilla. Co-founded by Randy Rogers, Eric Chase, Cary Schindler, Ash Wineinger, Michael Devers, and spirits-industry veteran Steve Luttmann.

Whataburger and UTSA reopen Resource Room to support student success

UTSA Whataburger Resource Room at UTSA Main Campus Ribbon Cutting. Left to Right: LaTonya (LT) Robinson, Senior Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA); Whataguy; Dash Blaker, Director of Community Experience and Public Relations, Whataburger; Herb Ganey, Executive Director of the Student Union at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA); Rowdy the Roadrunner; Melba Harris, Manager, Media & Community Experience, Whataburger; and Eric Cooper, President & CEO, San Antonio Food Bank. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

Last week, Whataburger and The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) celebrated the reopening of the enhanced UTSA Whataburger Resource Room at UTSA’s Main Campus. (Whataburger, 2021)

As part of the Whataburger Feeding Student Success program, this rebranded, student-operated resource room provides nutritious food, toiletries, and other basic needs to help UTSA students succeed on their college journey. This is all made possible by Whataburger’s three-year commitment to support this resource room. With the help from the San Antonio Food Bank, nutritious food, free of charge, is now available again year-round. The UTSA Whataburger Resource Room is open to all UTSA students. A similar Whataburger resource room also operates at the UTSA Downtown Campus.

Since 1950 when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi, Whataburger has focuses on its fresh, made-to-order burgers and friendly customer service. Today, the company is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 850 locations across its 14-state footprint, and sales of more than $2.8 billion annually. Whataburger has 50,000 Family Members (employees) and more than 60 million customers who like to customize their Whataburgers just the way they like it.

UTSA Whataburger Resource Room at UTSA’s main campus. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

Briscoe Western Art Museum’s fall exhibit: Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo

La sabanía del peñasco blanco, Huásabas, 2012 Digital photograph on photographic paper. Photo: Werner Segarra, used with permission. Part of Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo, fall exhibit at the Briscoe.

The Briscoe Western Art Museum will transport everyone to the birthplace of the modern cowboy during its fall exhibition, Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo: Contemporary Photography of the Northern Mexican Cowboy. Making its United States debut at the Briscoe, Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo features celebrated photographer Werner Segarra inviting audiences to peer into the world of the Norteño Cowboys from Sonora, Mexico – not as a casual tourist, but as an intimate observer. A series of opening events that includes a documentary, artist’s lecture, and tours spans September 23-26. Following a preview party on September 24, the exhibition opens to the public September 25, 2021 – January 24, 2022. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2021)

With almost sixty images that span more than twenty years of the lives of the vaqueros, Segarra showcases the expansive landscape, their daily work, and the intimacy of their homes, not merely documenting the vaquero, but bringing forward through his images both meaning and a celebration of his subjects and their way of life. Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo takes you into the little-known culture of the cowboys of Sonora, Mexico, sharing aspects of their daily lives through the eyes and lens of Segarra. The photographs share the unique, passionate and strenuous life that these vaqueros lead. The exhibition is accompanied by Norteño music especially created by Leo Lopez. Video clips woven throughout the exhibition further illustrate the stories.

A professional photographer for more than thirty years, Segarra has participated in numerous group and individual exhibitions in various international galleries and museums. Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo showcases the lives and people Segarra has encountered by immersing himself in the Mexican cowboy world. Inspiration for Segarra’s work comes from personal experience after living in various countries around the world during his childhood and adolescence. Knowledge acquired throughout those years cultivated Segarra’s artistic sensitivity and respect for native cultures. The most significant encounter and inspiration for this exhibition was a student exchange that took him to northern Mexico. That experience captivated and motivated him to transmit his love and respect for this culture and share it with the rest of the world.

Exhibition opening events include:

“The Making Of” Vaqueros – Documentary Screening with Werner Segarra and Ellen Riojas Clark
Thursday, September 23 from 6p.m to 8p.m.
Instituto Cultural de Mexico.

Join the Briscoe at the Instituto Cultural de Mexico for a documentary screening and conversation with distinguished guest Ellen Riojas Clark, Ph. D., Professor Emerita in the Department of Bicultural Studies at University of Texas at San Antonio, and Werner Segarra, photographer of Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo: Contemporary Photography of the Northern Mexican Cowboy. A highly respected scholar, Dr. Clark’s received three National Endowment for the Humanities grants focused on Mexican American and Latino literature and culture research examines ethnic and cultural identity and cultural studies topics and is executive producer for the “Latino Artist Speaks: Exploring Who I Am” series. The event is free and open to the public.

Exclusive Preview Party: Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo
Friday, September 24, from 6:30p.m. to 8:30p.m.
The Jack Guenther Pavilion at the Briscoe Western Art Museum

Join photographer Werner Segarra and Briscoe CEO and President Michael Duchemin, Ph.D., for the first look at Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo: Contemporary Photography of the Northern Mexican Cowboy. The event includes complimentary valet, beer, wine, specialty cocktails, and light bites. Free for Briscoe members and $25 for future members, RSVP or purchase tickets by September 20. Tickets are also available by calling 210.299.4499.

Artist Lecture: Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo with Werner Segarra and John Philip Santos
Briscoe Western Art Museum
Saturday, September 25, from 1p.m. to 3p.m.

Listen in as Werner Segarra and guest moderator John Philip Santos take a closer look at how the videos and photographs of Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo were created and what inspired Segarra to pursue the subject. Following the lecture, Segarra will sign copies of his book, “Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo,” available at the Museum Store. The lecture and signing are free with museum admission.

A member of the board of directors of the Briscoe Western Art Museum, John Philip Santos serves as a University Distinguished Scholar in Mestizo Cultural Studies to the Honors College at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He is the author of the acclaimed book, “Places Left Unfinished at the Time of Creation,” as well as “The Farthest Home Is in an Empire of Fire.” Santos has created an international forum for exploring mestizo cultural identity, or mestizaje, at UTSA and As an Emmy-nominated television producer, he has produced more than forty broadcast documentaries and news programs on cultural themes in sixteen countries for CBS and PBS.

Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo Artist Tour with Werner Segarra
Briscoe Western Art Museum
Sunday, September 26, from 1p.m. to 3p.m.

Join photographer Werner Segarra for a guided tour through Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo. Peer into the world of the Northern Mexican vaquero as an intimate observer and discover how Segarra was able to capture the life of the vaquero and a way of life that is on the brink of disappearing. Free with museum admission.

Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo is supported in part by the Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Foundation of 1992, the Betty Stieren Kelso Foundation, and the Texas Commission on the Arts, with special consideration to the Wyatt Family Foundation.

Preserving and presenting the art, history and culture of the American West through engaging exhibitions, educational programs and public events reflective of the region’s rich traditions and shared heritage, the Briscoe Western Art Museum is located on the San Antonio River Walk at 210 W. Market Street in the beautifully restored 1930s former San Antonio Public Library building. Named in honor of the late Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. and his wife, Janey Slaughter Briscoe, the museum includes the three-story Jack Guenther Pavilion, used for event rentals and programs, and the outdoor McNutt Sculpture Garden.