‘Total Power’ is the new novel in the Mitch Rapp series by Vince Flynn/Kyle Mills
Vince Flynn was an American author of political thriller novels best known for the Mitch Rapp series. He created one of contemporary fiction’s most popular heroes: CIA counterterrorist agent Mitch Rapp, featured in thirteen of Flynn’s acclaimed political thrillers. Rapp’s primary focus is stopping terrorist attacks on the United States and usually does so using less than acceptable measures. His frustration with procedures and red tape is a major theme throughout the entire series. All of Flynn’s novels are The New York Times bestsellers, including his stand-alone debut novel, “Term Limits.” He was a consultant for the fifth season of the television series 24. “Total Power” is the new novel in the Mitch Rapp series and it is a race against the clock when ISIS takes out the entire US power grid and throws the country into chaos.
Starting in 2015 with “The Survivor,” the Mitch Rapp series has been continued by Kyle Mills. Kyle Mills is the #1 bestselling author of nineteen political thrillers, including “Red War” for Vince Flynn and “The Patriot Attack” for Robert Ludlum. He initially found inspiration from his father, the former director of Interpol, and still draws on his contacts in the intelligence community to give his books such realism.
According to amazon, in “Total Power,” when Mitch Rapp captures ISIS’s top technology expert, he reveals that he was on his way to meet a man who claims to have the ability to bring down America’s power grid. Rapp is determined to eliminate this shadowy figure, but the CIA’s trap fails. The Agency is still trying to determine what went wrong when ISIS operatives help this cyber terrorist do what he said he could, plunge the country into darkness. With no concept of how this unprecedented act was accomplished, the task of getting the power back on could take time. Rapp and his team embark on a desperate search for the only people who know how to repair the damage, the ones responsible. With computers and communication networks down, fuel can no longer be pumped from gas stations, water and sanitation systems are on the brink of collapse and the supply of food is running out. Rapp needs to get the lights back on before America descends into chaos.
EVO Entertainment Group’s Pumpkin Spiked Shake returns Monday September 7, 2020. Photo: EVO Entertainment Group, used with permission.
EVO Entertainment Group is kicking off the Fall season early with exciting new promotions and screening opportunities. Throughout September, guests can enjoy limited-time promotions such as the return of EVO’s Pumpkin Spiked Shake as well as buy one, get one cheeseburgers for National Cheeseburger Day. In addition, guests can celebrate National Video Game Day with all-day game play deals, as well as enjoy private film screening and on-screen gaming with private theater rentals. (EVO Entertainment Group, 2020)
EVO’s Pumpkin Spiked Shake Returns – Beginning Monday, September 7, 2020, EVO’s Pumpkin Spiked Shake will return to all open locations for a limited time through Monday, November 30, 2020. The Pumpkin Spiked Shake includes vodka and Baileys Pumpkin Spice liqueur and is available for $10.50; a non-alcoholic version of the shake will be available for $8.50.
National Video Game Day – Saturday, September 12, 2020 – In celebration of National Video Game Day, guests can enjoy unlimited all-day video game play for only $10 at all participating EVO locations.
National Cheeseburger Day – Friday, September 18, 2020 – In honor of National Cheeseburger Day, EVO is offering a buy one, get one free burger deal for all EVO Elevate members at EVO Schertz, Kyle, Springtown and Belterra when purchased through the EVO app.
EVO Film Fest with Jason Faunt & Michael Copon – The EVO Film Fest returns with back-to-back, in-theater events at EVO Belterra (Friday, September 18, 2020) and EVO Schertz (Saturday, September 19, 2020). The special event will feature a screening of Power Rangers Time Force and will be hosted by Power Rangers stars Jason Faunt and Michael Copon. A Q&A session will take place following the conclusion of the movie. Tickets are available online for $15.
Grub & Game Combos – Launching Friday, September 25, EVO Entertainment will be offering a special Grub & Game promotion, pairing select entrees from the EVO Cafe with EVO game cards at a discounted rate. Combinations include: Entree + $10 game card for $15.99 and Entree + $20 game card for $24.99. Entree offerings include Classic Burger, Chicken Tenders, Honey Sriracha Tacos, Chicken and Waffles, Pesto Chicken Flatbread, Philly Cheese steak, 10” Pepperoni Pizza, Fried Shrimp Basket, Classic Caesar with Shrimp or Chicken or Pulled Pork Nachos.
Game on the Big Screen – Available at EVO Springtown and EVO Belterra, guests can instantly book a theater (Belterra) or Flex Room (Springtown) to play video games using their own gaming console for two hours for $54.99.
Private Film Screenings – Now available at all EVO locations, guests are now able to book a private auditorium for up to 20 guests to enjoy a private screening of classic films (i.e. The Goonies, Space Jam, Jurassic Park) for $75, or new releases like The New Mutants, Tenet and others for $165.
William Clark Green will headline the Hospitality Tour Music Festival which will benefit the Culinaria Hospitality Fund. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
On Saturday September 12, Culinaria will host an outdoor music festival at the Historic Freiheit Country Storeto benefit the Culinaria Hospitality Fund in support of the New Braunfels community. The Culinaria Hospitality Fund provides aid to restaurateurs and furloughed workers. (Culinaria, 2020)
William Clark Green and Statesboro Revue, known for music that redefines rock and roll, headlines the Festival with a performance at 7p.m. Tony Taylor with his country, folk and Americana tunes, opens the day of music with Blue Water Highway, known for Americana roots-rock, at 11a.m., followed by a rock performance at 3p.m. with Austin Gilliam and Mario Flores, Latin Jazz. Tickets are $10 for the 11a.m. and 3p.m. performances and $25 for the finale. A small number of VIP tables are available for the entire day, $300 for a party of four, and $450 for a group of six. Tickets are available online.
Freiheit Country Store is in New Braunfels at 2157 FM 1101. The venue is limiting access to less than half of its capacity and social distancing is required as well as masks when inside or purchasing beverages outside. Between each show, staff will disinfect and sanitize the venue for the next audience.
Cash donations to the Culinaria Hospitality Fund are welcome and can be made through PayPal, Venmo, or by check payable to Culinaria, 999 East Basse Road, Suite 180-448, San Antonio, TX 78209. Donations are tax-exempt through Culinaria.
Culinaria is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to promoting San Antonio as a premier wine and food destination while fostering community growth and enrichment. Culinaria is a registered 501 c (3) tax-exempt organization. A volunteer board of directors who represent the community and guide the organization in its mission to champion the wine and food industries governs Culinaria.
Receive a free EVO 2020 Fiesta Medal with the purchase of a Frozen Mangonada Margarita at EVO Entertainment Group. Photo: EVO Entertainment Group, use with permission.
Even though this year’s Fiesta has been cancelled, many in San Antonio still love to celebrate Fiesta and collecting medals. This week, EVO Entertainment Group is kicking off a limited time offer at their Schertz and Creekside locations where guests can purchase a Frozen Mangonada Margarita and receive a free EVO 2020 Fiesta Medal with purchase. The Frozen Mangonada Margarita is available for purchase for just $9.
This Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8, EVO Kyle and EVO Schertz will welcome celebrity guest and Freddy vs. Jason actress, Monica Keena, for special showings of the film. Tickets are $10 each and are available for purchase now using the link below.
Freddy vs. Jason showcases the epic face-off between horror icons Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees. Monica Keena, who portrays the role of Lori Campbell, will host these back-to-back showings and a Q&A following each screening, discussing her time on-set, behind-the-scenes stories and more.
EVO Cinemas at Belterra Village. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
EVO Entertainment Group® recently announced that it will assume operation of the former Sky Cinemas space at Belterra Village in Dripping Springs, TX. The 14-screen cinema is slated to reopen to the public under EVO® ownership on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 in alignment with current city and state ordinances. (EVO Entertainment Group, 2020)
The theater will immediately undergo re-branding to become EVO® Cinemas with plans for significant improvements over the next 12 months. EVO® plans to invest over $1 million dollars toward the venue in order to implement offerings such as EVO® dine-in with push button in-theater service, as well as expansion of the existing kitchen into a signature scratch kitchen, and the addition of EVO®’s craft cocktail and beer programming. The venue will also feature expanded live music and community event offerings, allowing for an overall improved guest experience.
This move further expands EVO Entertainment Group’s® cinematic offerings to 71 screens across Central Texas and achieves over six-times growth for EVO Entertainment Group® since the company’s founding in November 2014.
EVO Entertainment Group® is an Austin based out-of-home entertainment operator that includes a number of innovative brands including EVO® Entertainment, EVO® Cinemas and EVO® Concerts. Since its launch in 2014, EVO® has gained a reputation as a leader in innovation, as well as one of the fastest growing independent cinema circuits in the country. EVO® Entertainment Group currently employs over 1,000 team members and entertains nearly 3 million guests annually.
“Dripping Springs is such a beautiful community that we’re thrilled to join. We look forward to expanding the cinematic experience that Sky Cinemas has built here and bringing the EVO® experience to Dripping Springs.” – EVO Entertainment Group® CEO, Mitch Roberts.
The television adaptation of Wally Lamb’s bestselling novel “I Know This Much Is True” premieres on HBO on May 10. Photo: google
Wally Lamb is an American author of several novels including “I’ll Take You There,” “She’s Come Undone” and “I Know This Much Is True;” the last two were both selected for Oprah’s Book Club. He was the director of the Writing Center at Norwich Free Academy in Norwich and has taught Creative Writing in the English Department at the University of Connecticut. “I Know This Much Is True” is the bestselling novel about identical brothers Dominick Birdsey and Thomas Birdsey, who suffers from schizophrenia. Dominick struggles to take care of his twin brother while discovering the truth about his own family. It has been adapted into a limited television series that will air on HBO and premieres on Sunday May 10. Mark Ruffalo stars in the double role of Dominick and Thomas.
According to Amazon, in “I Know This Much Is True,” Dominick Birdsey, is a forty-year-old housepainter living in Three Rivers, Connecticut. He finds his subdued life suddenly disturbed when his identical twin brother Thomas, a paranoid schizophrenic, commits a shocking act of self-mutilation. Dominick is forced to care for his brother as well as confront dark secrets and pain he has buried deep within himself—a journey of the soul that takes him beyond his blue-collar New England town to Sicily’s Mount Etna, the birthplace of his grandfather and namesake. Coming to terms with his life and lineage, Dominick struggles to find forgiveness and finally rebuild himself beyond the haunted shadow of his troubled twin.
April online events at Pearl include Typewriter Rodeo Poems for National Poetry Month. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.
Prompted by COVID-19,Pearl has launched several online program offerings for the month of April. April programming includes a celebration for National Poetry Month, online story time brought by the Twig Book Shop and a new Interfaith Project with messages of hope and resilience from some of San Antonio’s spiritual leaders. (Pearl, 2020)
The April line-up is as follows: Miss Anastasia Storytime
Miss Anastasia brings her popular story time adventures online. Join Miss A on her Instagram page every Friday at 10:30a.m. to catch her fun and spirited readings of popular children’s books, brought to you by the Twig Book Shop at Pearl. This event is free and open to all ages.
Every Friday in April (10, 17, 24) | 10:30a.m. | Online on Instagram
Typewriter Rodeo Poems for National Poetry Month
In honor of National Poetry Month, Pearl has commissioned Typewriter Rodeo to create four custom poems to share on Pearl’s social media channels every Tuesday in April. The poems touch on themes of resilience, innovation and the importance of staying emotionally connected yet physically distant—all of which are important now more than ever. This program is in partnership with the City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts & Culture. This event is free and open to all ages.
2020 Interfaith Project
While this time of year usually brings many opportunities for gathering, we must now find ways to stay connected amidst physical separation. Given all the uncertainty, we can turn to each other and members of our San Antonio interfaith community for words of comfort and faith. Throughout the month of April, Pearl will share messages of hope and resilience on its social media channels from some of San Antonio’s spiritual leaders in honor of Easter and Passover. Dates include 9, 10, 11, 12, and 14 on Facebook.
Partners for this program include:
Reverend Michael Newman – President, Texas District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Rev. Michael Newman is the president of the Texas District LCMS. He has served as the MMF for Area C since July of 2008. Before serving the Texas District he served in pastoral ministry since 1987 in congregations in Texas, Illinois, and Minnesota. He has been blessed to be involved in the leadership, development and growth of a mission congregation and has served congregations both large and small. His ministry journey has included participation in multi-ethnic ministry, international mission trips, the planting of new ministries, radio and television ministry.
Rabbi Levi Teldon – Assistant Rabbi, Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning. Rabbi Levi Teldon was born and raised in a loving Chabad family on Long Island. At 14 years old he was shipped off to study at Yeshivas on two continents and Detroit and wisely chose to become a rabbi at the age of 23. A true born-again Texan, he teaches and co-directs programming at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning in S. Antonio with his wife Rochel, and is the co-founder of Young & Jewish San Antonio
Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller – Archbishop of San Antonio. Born in Mexico, Gustavo García-Siller was named Archbishop of San Antonio by Pope Benedict XVI on October 14, 2010. Previously, he was appointed an auxiliary bishop of the Chicago Archdiocese on January 24, 2003 by Pope John Paul II, where he served as Cardinal Francis George’s liaison to the Hispanic community. On a national level, Archbishop García-Siller currently serves on a number of committees for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB): The Cultural Diversity Committee on Hispanic Affairs, African American Affairs, Committee on Hispanics and the Liturgy, the Committee on Migration, and the Committee on Consecrated Life and he served as Chair of Region 7 of the USCCB.
Dr. Carey Latimore – Associate Minister, Mount Zion First Baptist Church. Dr. Carey Latimore is an associate professor of history at Trinity University who has a passion and love for God’s word. An ordained minister, Carey is excited about connecting his faith to his scholarly interests and community concerns. Among his many projects, he has worked with Urban Ministries (UMI) on their Vacation Bible School curriculum and wrote their Building a City on a Hill adult student book.
“Now more than ever we want to acknowledge the powerful human connections that make up our community. Because we cannot physically gather, we want to use our social media channels to bring a little bit of the energy and human connectedness we all experience at Pearl into everyone’s home during this time as well as a message of hope and staying emotionally connected with each other.” – Pearl’s CMO Elizabeth Fauerso
Texas Monthly LIVE will take place this Wednesday December 4 at the Witte Museum. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Texas Monthly LIVE, presented by the 80|20 Foundation, is bringing the unique experience of a live issue of the magazine reimagined for a theatre audience to the Witte Museum on Wednesday, December 4 from 7p.m. to 8:45p.m. The first Texas Monthly LIVE performance premiered in Austin in the Spring of 2018 and has been performed in Austin, Houston, Brownsville and Dallas. San Antonio will be the fifth and final stop of the 2019 tour. This marks the first year that the magazine will bring the event to San Antonio audiences. (Texas Monthly, 2019)
Mixing music, video, narration, and live performances, this special 90-minute editorial production will take audience members on an unforgettable storytelling journey. Texas Monthly LIVE will feature stories and performances curated and performed by Texas Monthly editors, showcasing the breadth and depth of Texas. Hosted by Texas Monthly columnist David Courtney, this unique event will explore the sights, sounds and feelings of Texas and will have the audience laughing, reminiscing and dancing.
Ticket holders will have access to the exclusive after-party following the show where guests will have the opportunity to explore the first-floor exhibits of the Witte Museum after dark. After-party experiences will be custom-produced by the Witte’s curatorial staff and will bring the exhibits to life with special activations curated based on the stories from the Texas Monthly LIVE performance. Museum activations include: Chili Queens at the Alamo, Better Living through Botánicas, Water Runs Through It: San Antonio River as Lifeblood and How Beef Became BBQ. Light bites and beverages will be available for purchase. The after-party will take place until 11p.m. VIP tickets to the show are sold out but General Admission tickets are still available online until the day of the event for $20.
Performance highlights (subject to change)
Confessions of a Skinny Bitch / Executive editor Patricia Sharpe fondly reflects on her upbringing as a picky eater and how it led her on her journey to becoming Texas Monthly’s food editor.
Patient Observation / Executive Editor Skip Hollandsworth recounts his younger years in Wichita Falls, Texas when he stepped inside the gates of the local state hospital and realized that every town has another side.
Star Hunter / The Rio Grande Valley is steeped in lore. Senior Editor Carlos Sanchez tells the tale of one Brownsville resident that began 1.3 billion years ago.
Life, In Dog Years / Following the death of her father and the inheritance of his beloved corgi, Executive Editor Mimi Swartz explores the way her family expresses love through their pets.
The Biggest Wild Plant Catalog in the World / Executive Editor Katy Vine tells the story of one man in Austin who has been cataloguing all of the plants in Texas since 1971.
G-L-O-R-I-A / Executive Editor Michael Hall tells the story of the Gloriathon, when, in the summer of 1999, he and dozens of Austin’s finest musicians, performed Van Morrison’s song “Gloria” for 24 hours as a way to say goodbye to a beloved club — and a beloved era.
The Witte Museum
3801 Broadway St.
San Antonio, TX 78209
Fall menu offerings at participating EVO locations. Photo: Felicia Curtis, used with permission.
EVO Entertainment Group, the family-owned entertainment operator with locations throughout South Texas, is excited to announce its programming for fall 2019. Guests can settle into the autumn season and cozy up to culinary and entertainment specials from now through November. EVO’s fall fun includes the launch of a new LTO menu filled with fall-themed cocktails, pumpkin-themed events for both adults and children, as well as various film activations like a free Mean Girls screening. (EVO Entertainment Group, 2019)
Mean Girls Day Free Movie Night: Thursday, October 3 at 7p.m.
Join EVO in celebrating the iconic comedy, Mean Girls, with a free screening of the film in the Flex room at The SPOT Cinema Eatery & Social Haus. Guests who come dressed in pink like The Plastics will receive half off select appetizers. There will be $5 frozen jack and cokes on special to cheers to the cult classic. Seating is first come, first served.
Participating locations: San Marcos at the Spot
Fall LTO Menu Available now until December 1
Available from September through December 1, EVO has launched its Fall Limited Time Menu (LTO) for movie-goers, gamers and bowlers looking for fall-themed food and cocktails. Patrons can find seasonal flavors at EVO’s open kitchen and bar all curated by a culinary manager.
Pecan Old Fashioned – This fall take on the classic cocktail uses Texas pecan whiskey and Buffalo Trace and was created to make patrons feel right at home for the cozy fall months. ($10)
Pumpkin Spiced Shake – Guests can get their pumpkin fix by selecting from pumpkin or vanilla ice cream and spiking their milkshake with vodka and Bailey’s Pumpkin Spice. ($10)
Sweet Potato Hummus – Starters reminiscent of a fall harvest include sweet potato hummus, blended in-house and served with veggies and fresh-baked pita chips. ($8)
Participating locations: Schertz, Kyle and the SPOT in San Marcos
Pumpkin Carving Party – Wednesday, October 16 at 7p.m. with Hocus Pocus playing at 8p.m.
EVO is proud to present its Pumpkin Carving Party to gear up San Antonians and Austinites for Halloween. Tickets include a pumpkin, carving tools and access to the pumpkin carving area where EVO will be showing Hocus Pocus. Guests 18 and over are invited to enjoy items from the fall menu and those 21 and up can take advantage of specials on pumpkin craft beer. Tickets are $12 and will be available for purchase on October 1 on the website, Eventbrite and Facebook.
Participating locations: Schertz and Kyle
Drunken Pumpkin– Wednesday, October 16 at 7p.m. with Hocus Pocus playing at 8p.m.
Drunken Pumpkin invites San Marcos locals to experience a Pumpkin Carving Party to prepare for Halloween madness. Tickets include a pumpkin, carving tools and access to the pumpkin carving area where EVO will be showing Hocus Pocus. This is an 18 and up event which features fall menu items and specials on pumpkin craft beer. Tickets are $12 and will be available for purchase on October 1 on the website, Eventbrite and Facebook.
Participating locations: the SPOT in San Marcos
Pumpkins & Popcorn- Saturday, October 26 at 10:30a.m.
The Halloween event Pumpkins & Popcorn will be held for children and includes a small pumpkin, painting and decorating supplies, along with a popcorn and candy treat. Tickets will be sold on the website, Eventbrite and Facebook and a limited amount will be available for purchase at participating EVO locations. $10 – for Pumpkin & Popcorn; $15 – Pumpkin & Popcorn plus $10 Game Card.
Participating locations: Schertz and Kyle
Charlie’s Angels VIP Ladies Night– Thursday, November 14 at 6p.m. with the movie at 7:30p.m.
To celebrate the reboot of Charlie’s Angels, EVO is hosting a Charlie’s Angels VIP Ladies Night event.. A pre-show cocktail hour that includes a champagne bar, passed appetizers, desserts, a $5 specialty cocktail and a small gift. Tickets are coming soon to the website, Facebook and Eventbrite.
Participating locations: Schertz, Kyle, and The Spot
The ‘Blue Man Group Speechless Tour’ will play at the Majestic Theatre in November. Photo: Blue Man Group, used with permission.
Blue Man Group returns to the Majestic Theatre this November and individual tickets for the San Antonio engagement, part of the North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio 2019-2020 season, will go on sale at 10a.m. Friday, September 13. The ‘Blue Man Group Speechless Tour’ features new and original compositions, acts and instruments alongside iconic Blue Man Group moments based in joy, art, music, laugher and escapist absurdity. They will play five performances Friday November 22 through Sunday November 24. Performance times are 8p.m. on Friday; 2p.m. and 8p.m., Saturday and at 2p.m. and 7:30p.m. on Sunday. Tickets start at $40 and are available online, by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-982-2787 or by visiting the Majestic Box Office. The Majestic Box Office does not accept single ticket orders over the phone; all ticket sales must be made in person. Orders for groups of 10 or more may be placed by calling (210) 226-5967. (Broadway in San Antonio, 2019)
It is the same blue but the rest is new at this interactive experience perfect for the whole family. The Blue Man characters embark on a fresh journey of discovery, the result of more than 27 years spent observing humanity. The tour features material that fosters communal moments, continues the evolution of tube-based instruments to support all new music and includes large-scale audience participation. Blue Man Group is the global entertainment phenomenon, known for its award-winning theatrical productions, iconic characters and multiple creative explorations. The performances are euphoric celebrations of human connection through art, music, comedy and non-verbal communication.
Since debuting at New York’s Astor Place Theatre in 1991, the live show has expanded to additional domestic residencies in Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas and Orlando, an international residency in Berlin and multiple North American and World tours, reaching more than 35 million people worldwide. Blue Man Group is universally appealing to a broad range of age groups and cultural backgrounds. The ‘Blue Man Group Speechless Tour’ will debut a trailblazing new audio experience by L-ISA, providing audiences with a vivid sound quality never heard in a theatrical setting.
Majestic Theatre
224 E. Houston St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 226-3333
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