Category: Holiday themed events

Easter offerings from local businesses

Bakery Lorraine will be offering several Easter treats. Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.

Easter is right around the corner, and whether you are planning a socially distant picnic or a small gathering with family, these San Antonio favorites can help make your celebration memorable. (Bakery Lorraine, EVO Entertainment, Twang, 2021)

Bakery Lorraine – This year Bakery Lorraine will offer a festive Easter themed dessert box. This box is available for $28 and includes the following treats:

  • 2 Egg shaped Moonpies
  • 1 Chocolate Nest Tart
  • 1 Bunny Tart
  • 1 Lemon Blueberry Tart

Bakery Lorraine will also offer a delightfully decorated spring themed Carrot Cake for $65. Both items are only available by pre-ordering through Bakery Lorraine’s website under the “Custom Orders” tab. The last day to place an order is Wednesday, 3/31 by noon. Items are available for pickup on Saturday 4/3 and Sunday 4/4 starting at 9a.m. at all Bakery Lorraine locations. Bakery Lorraine will continue to offer its signature Easter treats for in-store or online pickup on Friday 4/2 through Sunday 4/4 at all locations until items sell out. Items include:

  • Egg shaped Moonpies $4
  • Chocolate Nest Tart $6
  • Bunny Tart $6
  • Lemon Blueberry Tart $6

EVO Entertainment – EVO will be hosting Easter-themed pajama pancake parties at the Schertz, Springtown, Belterra and Kyle locations on Saturday, April 3 at 9:30a.m. Kids can enjoy screenings of the festive movie, “Hop” while chowing down on a stack of pancakes from EVO’s specialty menu, which includes Classic, Cookies and Cream, Strawberry, and Birthday Cake pancakes. Tickets will be available online.

Recipes from Twang Partners

Wow your friends and family with these light and fresh appetizers/sides from Twang.

Cucumber Avocado Chili Lime Roll

Ingredients:

  • 1 avocado
  • ¼ of cream cheese block (4 oz.)
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 2 tsp of lime juice
  • 3 tbsp. of pine nuts
  • 1 tbsp. of ZAS Chili Lime (and a dash for garnish)
  • 1 cucumber
  • Mandolin or potato peeler

Preparation:

  • Toss all ingredients (except cucumber) in a blender or food processor. Or if you want to be traditional do it by hand, finely mince garlic and mash ingredients together with a fork until smooth and creamy. Let the mixture sit in a refrigerator for 10 minutes.
  • Use a mandolin or potato peeler to cut long thin strips from the cucumber. Be sure to leave the skin for pretty color.
  • Take a cucumber strip and spread a thin layer of the avocado mixture along the length of the strip. A little goes a long way so be mindful. Make sure the spread goes all the way to the end so that it sticks once rolled.
  • Roll it up! No toothpicks needed. Sprinkle on a dash of ZAS Chili Lime Seasoning to give it more presentation.

Tamarind Tomatillo Watermelon Salad

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups of watermelon, chopped bite sized
  • 8 strawberries, chopped bite sized
  • 1 cup of tomatillos, chopped bite sized
  • 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 ½ tbsp. of fresh lime juice
  • ZAS! Tamarind Super-Seasoning

Preparation:

  • Put watermelon, strawberries, tomatillo, and onions in a bowl and gently toss.
  • Drizzle olive oil and lime juice and gently toss once more.
  • Sprinkle on ZAS! Tamarind Super-Seasoning and serve immediately

Gaby Natale teams up with HBO Max for Isabel Allende biographical series

Photo: google

Triple Daytime EMMY-winning journalist and entrepreneur Gaby Natale teamed up with HBO Max to honor Isabel Allende’s legacy as part of the launch of her biographical series Isabel during Women’s History Month. (AGANARmedia, 2021)

Natale is part a of a group of Latina powerhouses who joined forces to share a message of hope and resilience with the next generation. Along with Allende, 23 Latina activists and thought leaders united to create “Dear Future Latina Trailblazer.” The book is a collection of letters for revolutionary Latinas by revolutionary Latinas that uses the power of writing to elevate women’s voices and help create change. Each letter reflects the authentic personal journey of the contributor while passing stories and traditions to future Latina revolutionaries and trailblazers. “Dear Future Latina Trailblazer” was created in honor of the new 3-part series, Isabel, that premiered on HBO Max on March 12.

 Isabel follows the incredible life of award-winning author and feminist icon Isabel Allende. Her story is a testament to how you can find strength in your struggles and succeed despite them. At the peak of her career, Isabel receives the devastating news that her adult daughter is on the verge of dying. She abandons everything to become a full-time mother, and her daughter dies in her arms a year later. In parallel,  Isabel must leave her native Chile due to political conflicts, abandoning everything for love and immersing herself into literature to heal her wounds.”

“A few years ago, I interviewed Isabel Allende. She did not disappoint. It was one of the most heartfelt, funny, raw and inspiring conversations I had in my career. It was such an authentic exchange that the show on which that interview was featured received a Daytime Emmy nomination. I wondered if our paths would ever cross again, until 2021 brought Isabel back to my life in the shape of a book. But this time, it was a book I was able to contribute to.” Gaby Natale.

Gaby Natale is a triple Daytime EMMY® winner, TV personality, bestselling author, and motivational speaker. She is the executive producer and host of the nationally-syndicated TV show SuperLatina on PBS’ Vme network. People magazine named Natale one of 2018’s “25 Most Powerful Latinas,” highlighting the inspirational story of how she went from a local TV show that started out of a carpet warehouse to becoming the only Latina in US history to win triple back-to-back Daytime EMMYs. Natale is also the founder of AGANARmedia, a marketing company with a focus on Hispanic audiences that serves Fortune 500 companies such as Hilton Worldwide, Sprint, AT&T, eBay, and Amazon. Natale holds a bachelor’s in International Relations and a master’s degree in Journalism from the University of San Andres and Columbia University.

Celebrate Easter at JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa is having its 5th Annual Easter celebration on April 1 – 4, 2021. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

With the Easter holiday officially around the corner and families planning nearby Spring Break getaways this year, the stunning, naturally distanced JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa is egg-cited to announce its fifth annual Easter celebration taking place April 1-4, 2021. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021)

Available over the holiday weekend across the resort’s 13,000 sprawling acres in the heart of Texas Hill Country, guests will be able to enjoy several events.  

Egg-cellent Dining: From Friday, April 2 – Sunday, April 4, JL Bar will offer a family-friendly feast daily with live music, including a Chicken & Fish Fry (Friday), a JL Bar Saturday BBQ (price: $32.95 for adults $10.95 for children 12 & under), and Sunday Easter Brunch from 10am to 2pm (price: $39.95 for adults, $12.95 for children 12 & under) 

Saturday Play Day: To kick off the weekend of Eggstravaganza, guests and locals are invited to participate in Saturday Play Day on Saturday, April 3, from 12pm to 5pm. There will be a bounce house, water slide, yard games, swimming, and music for everyone to enjoy. Kids (ages 0-12) can also partake in an Easter Egg Hunt on the sprawling JL Bar lawn. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken strips will be served from 12pm to 2pm and our adult friends will have the chance to experience premium drink service from start to finish.  

Adult Day Pass: $65 | Children 6-12: $25 (event included for all guests staying on property)  

Easter Egg Dash: Celebrate Easter with the little bunnies on Sunday, April 4, at the Easter Egg Dash hatching at 2pm. Children (0-6) will be able to search for eggs hidden in plain sight following Easter Brunch. JL Bar Ranch will provide easter baskets for no additional charge. Included with Easter Brunch, parental supervision required. 

Holiday Home Away from Home: The stunning Hill Country resort is offering exclusive Easter weekend rates, starting at $499/night for a multi-night stay and $599/night for one night. Holiday stays can be booked online or by calling 855-414-3337.

St. Patrick’s Day DIY cocktail recipes from Twang

San Patricio with Desert Door Sotol and Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime. Photo: Twang, used with permission.

St. Patrick’s Day is next week and what better way to celebrate than with some tasty cocktails inspired by the Emerald Isle. Below are two festive cocktail recipes from Twang, the San Antonio, Texas-based producer of salts and seasonings. Twang is a family-owned and operated company based in San Antonio with product lines that include Twang-A-Rita, Beer Salt and more; these are salts and seasonings designed to easily add flavor to drinks and elevate your at-home alcoholic beverages to cocktail bar status. Twang’s products are available throughout the country in 46 states, in grocery stores, convenience stores, online and through Amazon. (Twang, 2021)

San Patricio with Desert Door Sotol and Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime

Ingredients:
Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime
2 oz. Desert Door Texas Sotol
.5 oz. Agave nectar
1 oz. Lime juice
1 oz. Pineapple juice
Ice
Pineapple wedge for garnish

Instructions
Rim glass with Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime. In a shaker with ice, combine Desert Door Texas Sotol, agave nectar, lime juice, and pineapple juice. Shake and strain over ice, garnish with pineapple wedge.

Lucky Grapefruit Sour with Twang-A-Rita Paloma Love

Ingredients:
Twang-A-Rita Paloma Love
1 kiwi
Ice
½ oz. simple syrup
1 oz. lime juice
2 oz. Irish whiskey
Jarritos Grapefruit Soda; make sure it is cold

Instructions
Rim Collins glass with Twang-A-Rita Paloma Love. Cut kiwi in half and use a spoon to scoop out the fruit and put it into a shaker filled with ice, along with the lime juice. Pour into glass over ice. Top with Jarritos Grapefruit soda. Stir and garnish with a kiwi slice.

 

Lucky Grapefruit Sour with Twang-A-Rita Paloma Love. Photo: Twang, used with permission.

March events at Twin Liquors

Twin Liquors’ March events include virtual tastings all month. Photo: Twin Liquors, used with permission.

Twin Liquors is excited to announce that beginning next week, the Texas based liquor store will be offering a variety of virtual tastings featuring guest appearances from Whiskey ambassadors as well as a special Austin Cocktails virtual tasting presented by the founders. All virtual tastings are free and the full March schedule can be found below. Additionally, to get in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit this month, Twin Liquors will be offering deals on Irish Whiskies beginning March 4 through March 17. More information can be found online. (Twin Liquors, 2021)

The March virtual tastings presented by Twin Liquors are as follows:

March 11
Jameson St. Patrick’s Virtual Pre-Party, Tasting & Cocktailing
From 6p.m. to 7:30p.m., join Gareth Jordan, Jameson Brand Ambassador, to learn more about your favorite Irish Whiskey & how to make a perfect Jameson Black Barrel Old Fashioned as we prepare for St. Patrick’s Day. Register here in advance for the event.

March 12
All Things Irish – High Marques virtual tasting of Redbreast, Middleton, Green Spot & Powers
From 6p.m. to 7:30p.m., Whiskey Ambassador, Simon Nicolian, will be leading a tasting of some of Ireland’s most premium offerings to elevate your St. Patrick’s Day. Be sure to pick up the list of ingredients and register in advance.

March 23
How We Built This: Jill Burns & Kelly Gasnik of Austin Cocktails
The family tradition that launched a craft cocktail company: Co-Founders and sisters Jill Burns and Kelly Gasnik discuss how their grandfather’s philosophy shaped the company’s brand personality and will answer questions about everything from their biggest cocktail failure and riskiest business decision to how getting out of their comfort zone brought one of Austin Cocktails biggest and most unexpected wins. Event URL link can be found here.

Born and raised in downtown Austin, Texas, Twin Liquors began as one small store and has developed into a successful “home-grown” Texas company that has a unique and well-respected reputation throughout the United States for having impeccable team members, outstanding customer service, conveniently located stores, extensive selections of fine wines and premium spirits from around the world, and substantial community involvement. Twin Liquors currently operates 85+ neighborhood stores across central, south, and southeast Texas.

Taco Cabana introduces limited-time shrimp options

Taco Cabana introduces new Shrimp Yucatan quesadilla and taco. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Launching this week, Taco Cabana is introducing Shrimp Yucatan for the Lenten season at all Texas Taco Cabana locations. (Taco Cabana, 2021)

Enjoy Taco Cabana’s new Shrimp Yucatan in a quesadilla or a taco. The quesadilla is filled with delicious shrimp marinated in achiote sauce then grilled with pico de gallo, smothered in melted jack and cheddar cheeses and served with a side of sour cream, shredded lettuce and returning favorite, pineapple salsa. The new Shrimp Yucatan taco, made with the same delicious shrimp, is topped with pickled onions, and shredded lettuce and served with a side of pineapple salsa as well. Both savory shrimp items provide a flavorful, tempting choice for all Taco Cabana guests.

Craving an original TC classic? Taco Cabana delivers with a flaky and shareable favorite – TC Flautas! Guests can order the crispy chicken-filled flautas in a three- or six-pack with a choice of queso, guacamole or sour cream for dipping. Taco Cabana’s flautas are perfect to share or enjoy individually and can also be purchased as a combo or plate.

Taco Cabana is sweetening any meal with the introduction of its new Pecan Sandies. The crispy, sugar-coated treat is available in a pack of five.

All menu items can be ordered via online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, via the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MyTC! App. Select Taco Cabana dining rooms and patios are open for onsite dining.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRGI), was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of beer and tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up, and delivery. As of January 1, 2021, Taco Cabana operates 144 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns, operates and franchises Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana® restaurant brands. The brands specialize in the operation of fast casual/quick service restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. The brands feature fresh-made cooking, drive-thru service, and catering.

Bluegrass Pride presents virtual Valentine’s Day sing along

Bluegrass Pride invites public to join them for a special Valentine’s Day edition of their series. Photo: google

Bluegrass Pride, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ+ folks in American roots music, invites the public to join them for a special Valentine’s Day edition of their monthly livestream series, Live With Bluegrass Pride. On Sunday, February 14, 2021 at 1p.m. PST / 4p.m. EST old-time musicians, multi-instrumentalists, and educators Rachel Eddy & Em Hammond will lead Bluegrass Pride members and fans in a beginner-friendly jam-along of queer-centered love songs to celebrate the occasion. Viewers will be able to watch via BGP’s Facebook page, YouTube channel, and website. (IVPR, 2021)

Live With Bluegrass Pride benefits each month’s featured artists as well as supporting the ongoing work of Bluegrass Pride. The virtual event is free to attend, but there is a suggested $25 donation.

Launched in the fall of 2020 after the smashing success of Bluegrass Pride’s flagship virtual event, Porch Pride, Live with Bluegrass Pride is a periodic livestream series celebrating LGBTQ+ folks and their allies in bluegrass, old-time, country, and beyond. Most months, viewers enjoy songs and casual conversation from the Bluegrass Pride family of artists and bands, but on occasion, they like to include the public. So, on February 14, BGP and featured musicians Rachel Eddy (they/them) & Em Hammond (they/them) will also display lyrics, chords, and simple instructions so that anyone can play along and enjoy a beginner, slow-jam flow. As a holiday celebrating traditional and consumerist ideas of love and romance, BGP realizes that Valentine’s Day can leave queer folks feeling erased, left out, and isolated. As such, BGP has purposefully created this space for queer folks and roots music fans from across the country and around the world to join the music, fellowship, and celebration of queer, non-binary, non-heteronormative love.

Rachel Eddy is a native of West Virginia who grew up in a musical family steeped in the traditions of Appalachian music and dance. Now based in Washington, D.C., they are known throughout the world as both a dynamic, emotionally powerful performer and an engaging, thoughtful teacher. Eddy’s soulful singing and multi-instrumental finesse—including fiddle, banjo, guitar, and mandolin—may be heard on numerous solo and collaborative recordings as well as at dances and jam sessions, where they are dedicated to fostering community and sharing a love of music with others. Eddy will be joined by special guest, their partner, multi-instrumentalist Em Hammond.

Celebrate February holidays at Taco Cabana

Taco Cabana’s specials this month make celebrating Galentine’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, and National Margarita Day so much sweeter. Photo: Giant Noise for Taco Cabana, used with permission.

In celebration of Galentine’s and Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras and National Margarita Day, Taco Cabana is expanding its margarita offerings with new limited-time flavors. (Taco Cabana, 2021)

Starting on Friday February 12, 2021, enjoy Taco Cabana’s “Love Potion” margarita, made with pomegranate and lavender; available through Monday, February 15, 2021 for $2. Sweeten the deal with the purchase of the “Be Mine” bundle for $19.99, featuring two “Love Potion” margaritas (or any flavor), 12 chicken flautas, an order of small chips, three quesos, and 5 pecan sandies cookies. 

Getting into the Mardi Gras spirit? From February 14-18, 2021, stop by Taco Cabana to try the MardiGraRita for $3. The MardiGraRita is a colorful and flavorful blend of strawberry, blue curacao, mango, and lime. This is a great way to toast and celebrate Mardi Gras.

Celebrate National Margarita Day all weekend February 19-22, 2021 with limited-time Mango Jalapeño and Strawberry Mint margaritas for just $2. TC guests can also enjoy lime, strawberry, mango, strawberry mango and mangonada margaritas for $2, or go all-in with the purchase of a lime, strawberry or mango margarita gallon for $29.99. Guests can add chamoy to any margarita for no extra charge.

Hungry too? Enjoy a soft taco (choose from Ground Beef, Shredded Chicken, Chicken Fajita or Bean & Cheese) + any choice of margarita flavor for $3.

New menu items will be available for in-store, drive-thru and online ordering in participating Texas locations in Austin, San Antonio, DFW, Houston and El Paso.

• Galentine’s & Valentine’s Day Specials: February 12-15, 2021

• Mardi Gras Specials: February 14-18, 2021

• National Margarita Day Weekend Specials: February 19-22, 2021

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRGI), was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of beer and tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up, and delivery. As of Jan. 1, 2021, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns, operates and franchises Pollo Tropical and Taco
Cabana® restaurant brands. The brands specialize in the operation of fast casual/quick service restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. The brands feature fresh-made cooking, drive-thru service, and catering.

Celebrate National Almond Day with La Panaderia’s Tequila Almond Croissant

La Panaderia’s Tequila Almond Croissant. Photo: La Panaderia, used with permission.

National Almond Day is coming up on Tuesday February 16, and there is no better way to celebrate than with one of La Panadería’s signature Tequila Almond Croissants. La Panadería’s staple Tequila Almond Croissant has a golden, flaky exterior and is dusted with powdered sugar and topped with slices of roasted almonds with a creamy tequila almond filling guaranteed to make National Almond Day sweet. (La Panadería, 2021)

The pastry was created when Chef David Cáceres was experimenting with the traditional almond croissant recipe and did not have rum handy. He instead reached for a bottle of 1800 Reposado Tequila, and the rest is delicious history. The Tequila Almond Croissant is now one of the San Antonio bakery’s best sellers and customers can place orders online for pickup, enjoy in-store or via statewide shipping in Texas.

Brothers José and David Cáceres opened bakery-café La Panadería in 2014 to share their Mexican heritage and love for baking with the people of their adopted hometown of San Antonio, Texas. The Cáceres’ passion for baking began when they were young boys selling loaves of their mother, Doña Josefina’s fresh baked bread on the streets of Mexico City. Eventually José and David took over their mother’s homegrown business and started baking on a large scale, supplying bread and pan dulce for businesses throughout Mexico. After finding financial success in Mexico, the brothers realized they wanted to get back to the basics, and they decided to bring their passion for bread cultura to Texas.

Encore performances of ‘Thurgood’

‘Thurgood’ is back for encore performances for Black History Month. Photo: The Public Theater of San Antonio, used with permission.

The hit production of Thurgood is back for four special encore performances this month. Celebrate Black History month with this historical production. If you missed Thurgood the first time or want to see it again, join The Public Theater of San Antonio for this online performance. (The Public Theater of San Antonio, 2021)

To purchase your streaming link to see the encore performances of Thurgood, click on one of the links below. The encore performances are $10.00.

Wednesday February 10 (available to watch until 11:45p.m. on this day

Thursday February 18 (available to watch until 11:45 pm on this day

Saturday February 20 and 27 at 7p.m. – production will begin at 7:00 pm on these dates

Thurgood by George Stevens, Jr. is a story rich in history, humanity, and humor and depicts the life of Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court justice and his role in the historic decision on the Brown v. Board of Education case. He was an influential leader of the civil rights movement and his legacy lives on in the pursuit of racial justice. **This performance may contain themes and content not suitable for all audiences.**