The San Antonio Book Festival brings together readers and writers to celebrate the literary world. Photo: San Antonio Book Festival, used with permission.
The San Antonio Book Festival was supposed to take place this April 4 but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The festival would still like to encourage people to read while at home during this time of social distancing and quarantine. They have put together a list of recommended books for adults as well as options for parents to provide for their children while homeschooling. (San Antonio Book Festival, 2020)
If You Feel Like Confronting the Pandemic Head-On:
Fiction:
– “Cold Storage” by David Koepp
– “The Memory Police” by Yoko Ogawa
– “Severance” by Ling Ma
– “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel
– “The Dog Stars” by Peter Heller
Nonfiction:
– “Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How It Changed the World” by Laura Spinney
If You’d Rather Be Distracted:
Fiction:
– “The Jetsetters” by Amanda Eyre Ward
– “A Good Neighborhood” by Therese Anne Fowler
– “Simon the Fiddler” by Paulette Jiles
Nonfiction:
– “The Hunt for History” by Nathan Raab
– “The Falcon Thief” by Joshua Hammer
– “The Rumi Prescription” by Melody Moezzi
For Kids/Teens Stuck at Home:
Kids:
– “Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom” by Louis Sachar
– “Prairie Lotus” by Linda Sue Park
– “Amal Unbound” by Aisha Saeeed
Teens:
– “Tigers, Not Daughters” by Samantha Mabry
– “The Hand on the Wall” by Maureen Johnson
– “Bull” by David Elliott
The mission of the San Antonio Book Festival (SABF) is to unite readers and writers in a celebration of ideas, books, libraries, and literary culture. SABF was first presented in April 2013. Founding partners include the San Antonio Public Library, the Southwest School of Art, the San Antonio Public Library Foundation, and Texas Book Festival. This “Fiesta for the mind” is a gift to visitors and the citizens of San Antonio, free and open to all.
San Antonio’s first and longest running contemporary art non-profit, Blue Star Contemporary, located in the heart of the Blue Star Arts Complex, is pleased to present the Novel Ideas Art Book Fair which will take place on Friday March 6 from 5p.m. to 9p.m. and Saturday March 7 from 10a.m. to 6p.m. at SAYSi. The first and only art book fair in the region coincides with Blue Star Contemporary’s spring exhibitions featuring the work of Emilia Azcárate, Ann Clarke, Arturo Herrera, Candace Hicks, Rand Renfrow, Benedikt Terwiel, Hye-Ryoung Min and Sarah Welch. Also complementing the fair are Contemporary Art Month San Antonio and the Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference taking place in San Antonio, March 4 to 7, 2020. (Blue Star Contemporary, 2020)
Novel Ideas Art Book Fair is a two-day art book fair organized by Blue Star Contemporary. It will feature artists’ books, monographs, zines, printed ephemera and more. Conceived as a platform and community-building event for artists and producers operating primarily in the Southwestern US region and Mexico who are dedicated to books as medium and material, the Novel Ideas Art Book Fair includes a range of exhibitors, both publishers and artists. Novel Ideas includes programming such as talks, pop-up workshops, signings, an after party hosted by Paper Tiger and four complementary onsite exhibitions.
The fair presents noted artist and curator Julie Ault as the keynote speaker for the event on Saturday March 7 at 3p.m. Julie Ault is a curator, writer, editor, artist and designer who began her career establishing the temporary exhibition as art form.
Admission
$15 – Friday, March 6, 2020 opening night (CAM supporters receive $5 discount at the door with CAM sticker)
$20 – Saturday, March 7, 2020 all day
Door cover charge – closing concert at Paper Tiger on Saturday, March 7, 2020 7p.m. to 11p.m.
$40 – All access pass to all the above, advance purchase only, limited edition artist print by Rand Renfrow for the first 40 purchasers.
BSC members, TPR members and members of any of our museum month partner organizations receive a $5 discount on the all access pass.
Participating 2020 exhibitors include
Animal Facts Club (Wimberley)
Annie May Johnston (Austin)
Artpace (SA)
Bill’s Junk (Houston)
Cattywampus Press (SA)
Cortney Cassidy (Oakland)
Coyote Bones Press (San Antonio)
Feral Editions (SA)
Flowerpot Books (SA)
French & Michigan (SA)
Glasstire (TX)
Hare and Hound Press (SA)
Hellen Jo (LA)
M12 (Colorado)
Lawrence Markey (San Antonio)
Lorenzo Gomez (San Antonio)
Pey-Jing Li Mehrinfar (San Marcos)
Mixed Media Press (Mexico City)
Modernizm Zine (Houston)
MOSAIC Student Artist Program (San Antonio)
Mystic Multiples (Houston)
Rand Renfrow (Austin)
San Anto Zine Fest (SA)
Southwest School of Art (SA)
Spend Time Zine Mart (Austin)
Sybil Press (SA/Baltimore)
Texas State University Photography Program (San Marcos)
TPR/David Martin Davies (TX)
Trilce Ediciones (Mexico City)
UT Riso Room (Austin)
Yes, Ma’am Press & Xicana Vegan(SA)
Blue Star Contemporary (BSC) is the first and longest-running nonprofit venue for contemporary art in San Antonio. Its start 32 years ago created a pathway leading to city bond funding that supported the revamp of an old warehouse complex into an artist-centric, mixed-use development, sparking the total revitalization of Southtown as it is today. Their mission to inspire, nurture, innovate and support artists and nurturing the community’s relationships with them are the very fibers of Blue Star Contemporary’s rich cultural tapestry.
SAYSí
1518 S Alamo St.
San Antonio, TX 78204
(210) 212-8666
Culinaria Restaurant Weeks will take place from January 20 through February 1. Photo: Culinaria used with permission.
Entering its 11th year, Culinaria Restaurant Weeks, from January 20 through February 1, 2020, is back with eateries in San Antonio and neighboring counties. Participating restaurants will offer special three-course prix-fixe menus: $15 lunch, and $35/$45 dinner. Guests can expect some restaurants to offer additional course options as well as wine, cocktail and beer pairings. This is the perfect opportunity to try out a new restaurant that has been top of mind or let it serve as the catalyst to reconnect with friends, family or co-workers. (Culinaria, 2019)
The best advice to anyone participating in Restaurant Week is to plan. Full details on participating restaurants, including Restaurant Weeks menus, are available online. Reservations are not required but are encouraged as walk-in service cannot be guaranteed.
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.
Culinaria has been promoting San Antonio as a premier destination for culinary, beverage and hospitality to an international audience, while also serving as a resource for educational opportunities in those fields. Events that make up Culinaria include Restaurant Weeks, a 5k Wine Run, the Wine + Food Festival and the Hallowine Run as well as smaller events and several community partner events throughout the year. Culinaria is continually expanding and additional participating restaurants are added weekly, as well as new events throughout the year.
Accolades:
Most Popular Food and Wine Festival – Vanity Fair, 2011
Top 10 American Food Festivals – The Telegraph 2016
Best Food & Wine Event in Texas – Essence 2017
Best Food and Wine Festival to Visit – Readers Digest, 2018
“San Antonio is a hub for great dining hotspots and Restaurant Weeks presents the ultimate opportunity for local residents and visitors to discover new culinary delights. It also generates enthusiasm within our diverse culinary community and extends another opportunity for Chefs to showcase the variety of food and flavors that define San Antonio and neighboring cities.” – Suzanne Taranto-Etheredge, president/CEO, Culinaria
EDGE: The Texas Monthly Festival is scheduled to take place this weekend starting Friday. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The 3rd annual EDGE: The Texas Monthly Festival, presented by VisitDallas, is set to take place in Dallas this Friday November 8 through Sunday November 10. The Festival will shed light on Texas culture through unique discussions and performances taking place at some of the best venues in Dallas. The event will feature a Saturday evening concert by Grammy Award-winning recording artist and songwriter Leon Bridges, exclusive interviews with Grammy Award-winning musician and record producer Annie Clark, also known as St. Vincent, and fashion designer and television personality Brandon Maxwell. A special performance of Texas Monthly LIVE featuring Texas Monthly’s talented editors and special guests will also be a part of the festival. General Admission tickets are $50 and available online. (Texas Monthly Festival, 2019)
The festival will open on Friday with a special edition of Texas Monthly LIVE at the Bomb Factory, the state-of-the-art venue located in the heart of Deep Ellum in Downtown Dallas. During Texas Monthly LIVE, audience members will experience a live issue of the magazine, re-imagined for a theatre audience. The 90-minute presentation uses music, video, and narration to take guests on a storytelling journey showcasing the rich tapestry of Texas. The evening will be hosted by the magazine’s beloved columnist The Texanist (David Courtney).
On Saturday, EDGE will continue with an afternoon of engaging interviews in Canton Hall with Texans who are shaping the national conversation. Featured speakers include Grammy award-winning musician and record producer Annie Clark, also known as St. Vincent, discussing her directorial debut; fashion designer and television personality Brandon Maxwell, and cancer immunotherapy experts Dr. Jim Allison, Nobel Prize winner, and his wife, Dr. Padmanee Sharma. Leon Bridges will headline the evening’s concert with sets by Medicine Man Revival, Keite Young, Jason Robert Burt and DJ Sober. There will be additional performances by Derrius J Harmon (aka Bang) with Nemo and KB, Leap for Grace Dance Company and art created by Israel Vasquez of Studio Real.
Sunday is time for Sunday in the Park, a community-wide outdoor picnic featuring live music, food trucks and an assortment of interactive pop-ups. The picnic will be open to the public in Klyde Warren Park from noon to 3p.m., where EDGE invites all of Dallas to join the fun. The picnic will feature multiple food trucks with food options available for purchase, including Resident Taqueria, hand-picked by Texas Monthly’s Taco Editor José Ralat, who will be serving a limited, one-day-only menu. Guests will enjoy music by 3-piece jazz cover band Royal Dukes Band, a Bar in the Park with beer and wine for purchase, VisitDallas popsicle pushcart, giant games like Connect Four and soccer pool, TVs by Savor that will show the Sunday football games and more.
The Bomb Factory
2713 Canton Street
Dallas, TX 75266
San Antonio native and visionary community leader Robert Hammond will be the keynote speaker at this year’s CityFest, to be held this week. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
San Antonio CityFest is the urban ideas and public policy festival presented by the Rivard Report. CityFest will bring together national and local thought leaders over three days to address the city’s many opportunities and challenges. Visitors at CityFest can expect panel discussions moderated by Rivard Report journalists in addition to one-on-one interviews, food and beverage experiences and musical entertainment. Tickets for the luncheon featuring Robert Hammond are $99 for general admission and $85 for Rivard Report members. Tickets for the festival range from $5 to $165 based on programming and festival day and available online. (San Antonio CityFest, 2019)
The program opens Wednesday, November 6, two weeks after Bexar County, the City of San Antonio and the performing arts community have celebrated the fifth anniversary of the world-class hall. Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff will deliver opening remarks on the luncheon program, Changing Cities: Thinking Big and Following Through.
San Antonio native and visionary community leader, Robert Hammond, whose advocacy sparked creation of the world-renowned High Line Park in New York City, will be the keynote speaker. Hammond is a founder of Friends of the High Line, a nonprofit conservation group dedicated to preserving and restoring the abandoned elevated railroad line running through a mile and a half of Manhattan. After his remarks, Editor and Publisher Robert Rivard will join Judge Wolff and Hammond on stage for a conversation and audience Q&A.
CityFest is inspired by the Texas Tribune’s Tribfest. Where Tribfest focuses on state and national politics, CityFest is decidedly urban. Invited guests who will appear with local thought leaders over three days include mayors, city managers, tech experts, urbanists, and educators from around Texas and outside the state.
Panel discussions include, but are not limited to, the following:
The Austin-San Antonio rail;
Making streets safe and expanding mobility options in San Antonio;
The urgent strides to make workplaces safe against active shooters;
The growth of San Antonio’s technology sector;
Climate change in Texas;
Expanding early childhood education in Bexar County;
How Texas city managers are grappling with new laws forcing budget cuts and limiting taxing options; and
Emerging young leaders in the city and county.
Founded in 2018, San Antonio CityFest is a festival held annually in San Antonio, Texas, presented by nonprofit news outlet Rivard Report. The festival brings together local politicians, thought leaders, and community members to discuss relevant topics affecting San Antonio, as well as ways to help adapt and grow the city in a productive and responsible way. Each year, CityFest features a series of guest speakers, live music, activations and more.
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
100 Auditorium Circle
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 223-8624
Young Thug at last year’s Mala Luna Festival. Photo: Brandon Todd, used with permission.
Mala Luna Music Festival is a multi-day music festival held each year on Halloween weekend in San Antonio. The annual weekend event will take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 26 and 27 at Nelson Wolff Stadium (parking lot) west of downtown. Two-day GA and various VIP ticket packages are on sale online along with single-day GA tickets, starting at only $89. Festival gates open daily at noon. Mala Luna ticket buyers looking for the ultimate festival experience should opt for one of the curated VIP ticket packages, which include Black Moon ($209), Harvest Moon ($229) and Fly Me to the Moon ($399). (Mala Luna Music Festival, 2019)
Mala Luna will be hosting an official pre-party featuring special guests on Friday, October 25 from 5p.m. to 10p.m. at Midnight Swim (2403 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212), a new music and cocktail bar on the St. Mary’s Strip. The event is free to attend before 10p.m., although those interested must RSVP.
Saturday, October 26 will feature a variety of internationally-acclaimed artists, including headliners Russ and Miguel. Additional artists rounding out the Day 1 performances include YG, Summer Walker, Jessie Reyez and Rick Ross, as well as Smino, DaniLeigh, Melii and more. The complete schedule is available online.
Diplo and Juice WRLD are both set to headline and close out the festival on Sunday, October 27, with additional sets from Playboi Carti, Trippie Redd, DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, Ari Lennox, Lil Keed and more all slated for Day 2.
In an effort to emphasize the local culture and the San Antonio community’s annual Diá de los Muertos celebrations, the festival has worked to elevate the onsite experience for all patrons to now include several new offerings in addition to other interactive activities:
Movie lounge featuring massive tent with HDTV projector playing popular Halloween holiday-themed films while offering shade and a comfortable place for fans to relax during the festival
Outdoor games, including giant “beer” pong, corn hole, an oversized version of Twister and more
Roaming performers dressed up in traditional Diá de Los Muertos costumes and attire
Diá de los Muertos altar in honor of Mac Miller, Nipsey Hussle, and more iconic music artists
Live art installations throughout the grounds.
Cricket Wireless’ outdoor lounge featuring misting fans and fun swag
Univision’s gaming tent
Mala Luna will offer ticket buyers a variety of food vendors hailing from San Antonio and across Texas. The 2019 food vendor lineup, featuring tasty bites from tacos and pizza to traditional fair foods and more, including Big Daddy’s, Brooks BBQ, El Guajillos and Torchy’s Tacos.
Mala Luna continues its philanthropic partnership with Miracle League of San Antonio and will donate a portion of the 2019 festival proceeds to the San Antonio-based nonprofit organization. The Miracle League of San Antonio is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that provides children with mental and/or physical challenges an opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league. Its four-acre complex includes a special-surfaced baseball field as well as three acres of custom-designed synthetic turf and asphalt, which allows individuals with wheelchairs and other walking assistance devices to participate in a variety of different sports in a safe, accessible environment.
Nelson Wolff Stadium
5757 W US Highway 90
San Antonio, TX 78227
(210) 675-7275
Houston Eaves, Beverage Director for Esquire Tavern and Downstairs at Esquire Tavern. Photo: Kody Melton, used with permission.
The Esquire Tavern will be participating in the ‘Holy Agave Spirits – It’s the Bat Man of Mexico!’ event during the annual 2019 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival and Parade on Saturday, October 19. The presentation will be from 6p.m. to 8:30p.m. and it will educate the public on how bats and other wildlife help create tequila, mezcal and other food and drink items. Space is limited. This event will feature agave influenced spirits from the James Beard nominated bar program at Esquire Tavern. Tickets are $15 and are available online; it includes general admission plus tasting of agave inspired drinks and eats. Food and drink will also be available for purchase. (Esquire Tavern, 2019)
Renowned bat ecologist and PhD Rodrigo Medellín, known as “the Bat Man of Mexico,” will lead the presentation. Beverage Director for Esquire Tavern and Downstairs at Esquire Tavern, Houston Eaves, will provide tastings of agave spirits and cocktails from behind the bar throughout the evening. Eaves will be available to answer questions about the importance of bats in producing the tequila and mezcal that can be found at the historic San Antonio tavern. Representatives from Bat Conservation International and San Antonio River Foundation will also be there, along with local artist, Ashley Mahaney displaying her bat art.
Confluence Park
310 W Mitchell St.
San Antonio, TX 78204
The Esquire Tavern has been serving drinks to locals, drifters, celebrities and all walks of life for over 80 years. It first opened in 1933 on Repeal Day, a day which celebrated the end of America’s 13-year-long alcohol prohibition. Lauded as the oldest bar on the San Antonio River Walk -still holding the title of the longest bar in Texas- The Esquire Tavern is a venue of untouchable historic significance and has many remarkable tales to tell. Although completely renovated in 2011, The Esquire Tavern still retains its vintage décor, classic furnishings and dusky lighting that allows guests to enjoy a rustic yet romantic atmosphere. Located along the River Walk, guests can sit outside and take in festive surroundings and sultry San Antonio evenings.
The Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival is one of the events taking place at the Pearl in October. Photo: Matt Buikema, used with permission.
Pearl recently announced its campus-wide programming throughout October. The property will host numerous family-friendly and fall-focused events including the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival, San Antonio Herb Market, Pumpkin Patch and more. (Pearl, 2019)
October programming includes: Bottling Department Two Dollar Tuesdays
The Bottling Department is excited to launch Two Dollar Tuesdays which kicked off on October 1. The following $2 specials will run all day every Tuesday at the food hall:
Maybelle’s: $2 soft serve cones
Bud’s Rotisserie: $2 jambo
Tenko Ramen: $2 edamame
The Good Kind: $2 corn in a cup
Fletcher’s Hamburgers: $2 large fry
Bar at the Bottling Department: $2 Pearl beer
San Antonio Herb Market – Saturday October 19 from 9a.m to 2p.m.
The 28th annual San Antonio Herb Market kicks off on Saturday, October 19 from 9a.m. to 2p.m. during Pearl Farmers Market. The featured herb of the year is Agastache Foeniculum (Giant Blue Hyssop), a perennial plant that belongs to the mint family. From 12p.m. to 1p.m., there will be a cooking demo held outside of Pearl Stable conducted by La Botanica Chef/Owner Rebel Mariposa. Pearl patrons can stop by to try recipes that use the highlighted herb.
Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival – Sunday, October 20 from 10a.m. to 2p.m.
Pearl and The Texas Butterfly Ranch are proud to host the fourth annual Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival on Sunday, October 20 from 10a.m. to 2p.m. Promising a weekend of science, education and fun, the festival will celebrate the Monarch Butterfly’s majestic migration through Texas on their way to Mexico to roost for the winter. The event will include a people for pollinators parade, monarch butterfly tagging, educational demonstrations, live music and the world debut of the Waggle Dance at noon. Costumes are encouraged. More information about events taking place around the city is available online.
Pumpkin Patch at Pearl Farmers Market – Saturday, October 26 from 9a.m. to 1p.m. and Sunday, October 27 from 10a.m. to 2p.m.
A weekend pumpkin patch provided by Braune Farms is set for right before Halloween and will take place during the Pearl Farmers Market. The annual Teal Pumpkin Project initiative will also be on site offering teal pumpkin painting to help grow awareness of a worldwide initiative that aims to cultivate inclusiveness of all children, especially those with food allergies, during the fall season/Halloween. Paint, brushes, and decorations are provided and families are encouraged to purchase small pumpkins from the patch to participate.
Pop-Ups at Pearl
Pearl is excited to continue its pop-up experiences during October at Pearl’s Dielmann Building. The Dielmann Building, located in the old Il Sogno space, will host retail shops Miron Crosby and Period Modern. Miron Crosby, a bespoke boot brand from Dallas, occupies the space in the beginning of the month, followed by Period Modern, a brand offering hand-selected vintage and authentic Danish mid-century furniture. Period Modern regularly features the work of makers such as Knoll and Herman Miller, as well as designers Milo Baughman, Paul McCobb and many of the Danish masters. Their vast collection of original vintage art pieces, fixtures and decor is updated daily. Period Modern often collaborates with other San Antonio business owners to sponsor live music shows and art exhibitions both in-house and off-premises. The October schedule includes:
Day of the Dead San Antonio will be a citywide celebration of Dia de los Muertos. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
This November, San Antonio, will host a new heritage festival marking Día de Los Muertos, Mexico’s holiday of remembrance. The City of San Antonio, Visit San Antonio and Day of the Dead San Antonio have partnered to launch Day of the Dead San Antonio, a citywide celebration destined to become a new tradition. Beyond a three-day festival to be hosted in La Villita from Friday November 1 through Sunday November 3, Day of the Dead San Antonio creates an official period of Día de los Muertos observation across the city, bringing authentic Mexican traditions to San Antonio and inviting residents and visitors to join in the festivities. (City of San Antonio, 2019)
Day of the Dead San Antonio, presented by H-E-B, offers an inclusive and diverse slate of events for the entire city. From a new River Walk parade to lectures, museum exhibitions, festivals, live music and performances, a 5K race and more, Day of the Dead San Antonio brings Mexican traditions to San Antonio to celebrate culture, family and life. Day of the Dead San Antonio’s activities will reach across the city to educate, enlighten and entertain.
Highlights of the festival include “Catrineras on the River”, a new river parade illuminating the San Antonio River with the spirit of the Day of the Dead. Co-hosted by official parade partner Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation, Catrineras on the River will feature more than 22 barges spotlighting local San Antonio organizations, with local children aboard many of the barges. This first-ever river parade will feature custom-made barges that mirror the colorful, flat-bottom gondola-like traijneras in Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site just south of Mexico City.
The river parade also serves as the grand opening of Day of the Dead San Antonio, launching the festival with a special ceremony afloat a barge on the San Antonio River. Mariachis and Day of the Dead dancers portraying La Danza de Los Mojigangas will fill the Arneson River Theater as part of the kick-off. Mojigangas, or giant dancing puppet figures, are a traditional part of Day of the Dead celebrations, providing the perfect start to the Day of the Dead San Antonio festival in La Villita.
From November 1 through 3, everyone can join in the festivities in La Villita Historic Art Village. Visitors can experience the picturesque Altar de Muertos, have their faces painted with traditional calavera designs and immerse themselves in the experiences surrounding the Day of the Dead. Among the decorations on display in La Villita will be 15 giant skulls painted by local artists and businesses to add a special local touch. Decorated skull sculptures will line downtown’s Houston Street, turning it into Mexicraneos Street, leading revelers to Frost Tower.
Traditions and art are woven throughout Day of the Dead San Antonio. A Catrina depicting Selena will reign over the Day of the Dead festivities from her customized altar at the corner of S. Alamo and Market Streets. Standing more than 8 feet tall and adorned with more than 2 million beads, the Catrina was handcrafted by more than 40 indigenous Huichol artisans in Mexico and took two months to produce. There will be fifteen more Catrines and Catrinas displayed across the city.
Day of the Dead San Antonio links San Antonio with Mexico’s enduring Día de Los Muertos traditions, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This bridging of cultural heritage will build upon the city’s profile as a place of historic richness, enduring traditions, memorable tastes and unforgettable hospitality.
“…The Day of the Dead celebration will be a time for San Antonio to celebrate our ancestors, community, heritage and neighbors. As we look forward to a holiday that’s focused on the memories we’ve created, I look forward to the memories our community will create through this celebration for years to come.”- San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg
Jaclyn Kenyon will be performing at the Harlequin Feel Good Day on October 5 at the Omni La Mansion Del Rio. Courtesy photo: used with permission.
Harlequin announces the OutStander Award winners to be honored at Feel Good Day next month. First Lady of San Antonio Erika Prosper Nirenberg will help present the awards on Saturday, October 5, to six individuals who champion good causes and improve the quality of life in our community. Those being honored are: April Ancira, Millennial Groundbreaker; Kathy Armstrong, Cultural Champion; Ande McBay, Person of Positivity; Amy Palmer, Harlequin Hometown Hero; Isabel Torres, Personal of Positivity; and Laura Vaccaro, Women United Community Catalyst, United Way. (Harlequin, 2019)
Millennial Groundbreaker – April Ancira “goes big” for one lucky non-profit each year and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the American Heart Association, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Brighton Center, ALS, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Association and Family Services.
Cultural Champion – Kathy Armstrong is an advocate for the arts as a curator, director and participant in the cultural scene of San Antonio. She has put the Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival on San Antonio’s cultural map, showcasing innovative contemporary art to more than twenty thousand festival attendees each year.
Person of Positivity – Ande McBay, the self-proclaimed military “brat,” has overcome numerous personal and medical challenges to become the first Deaf female Executive Chef in San Antonio and co-founded the Ladies’ Raspa and Adventuring Society and the Dames Who Dine.
Harlequin Hometown Hero – Amy Palmer is a veteran of the Armed Forces who has committed her post-Air Force work to supporting those on the front lines through Soldiers’ Angels. Palmer has spearheaded the creation of a Veteran Internship Program at Soldiers’ Angels to help military service members transition to civilian life and learn more about nonprofit management.
Personal of Positivity – Isabel Torres, after the loss of her six-year-old daughter Gabriella, founded the Gabriella’s Smile Foundation to support families who are battling with childhood cancers. Through the Foundation, Torres sets out to give families a reason to smile while coping with the challenges of grief and loss.
Women United Community Catalyst – United Way winner Laura Vaccaro is an active fundraiser for the MS Society, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association and Girl Scouts. Her valuable leadership and ambitious fundraising goals has earned respect within the United Way family of volunteers.
Harlequin Feel Good Day San Antonio is set for 10:30a.m. to 6p.m., Saturday, October 5 at the Omni La Mansion Del Rio. All guests will receive a SWAG BAG filled with inspiring gifts valued at $200. Harlequin, a leading publisher of romance and women-centric literature for nearly seven decades, is bringing its powerhouse community to San Antonio for a day of Feel Good programing and community building that celebrates and explores what makes women feel their best, do their best and be their best selves. Jaclyn Kenyon will be the musical performer for the day.
“I believe these women deserve to have their passion, commitment and outstanding achievements recognized not just in our city, but on a national and international scale. I am excited to be a part of the Harlequin Feel Good Movement showcasing San Antonio and our residents to a global community.”- Erika Prosper Nirenberg
SA Examiner 