Hotel Emma will host a holiday concert this Saturday to kick off the season. Photo: Nick Simonite, used with permission.
Hotel Emma is thrilled and honored to continue their annual Salvation Army benefit this holiday season from December 14 through December 22. To kick off the holiday season and give a special preview of the upcoming caroling, Hotel Emma will host a concert on Saturday, December 1 from 3p.m. to 5p.m. in the Pearl Amphitheatre. The community of San Antonio is invited to sing along with local 12-year old musician Marisa Rose Mejia and additional holiday performances including the Children’s Choir. Santa will be available for photo opportunities and guests will be able to enjoy complimentary cookies and hot chocolate during the performance. The presentation is free and open to the public. (Hotel Emma, 2018)
Chordsmen will perform in Supper for guests’ enjoyment from December 14 through December 22 from 11a.m. to 2p.m. Reservations for Supper are encouraged and can be made by calling (210) 448-8351. Donations can be made to the Salvation Army kettles in Supper and in the hotel lobby area. Hotel Emma will be matching all donations received up to $5,000.
Holiday Performance:
Pearl Amphitheatre
303 Pearl Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78215
Carolers at Supper:
Supper at Hotel Emma
136 E Grayson St
San Antonio, TX 78215
Join the Grinch at SweetFire Kitchen at La Cantera for brunch and a reading of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Welcome to Whoville! Join Grinch for a Brunch Feast at SweetFire Kitchen at La Cantera Resort & Spa, Saturday, December 1 from 10a.m. to 3p.m. Grinch will read “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” to the children by the Christmas Tree on Plaza San Saba, just off the patio at SweetFire Kitchen at 11a.m., 1p.m. and 3p.m. Brunch seating will be from 10a.m. to 3p.m. Feast menu includes Roast Beast; Who Hash; Grinch Greens; Cindy Lu Salad; Who Pudding; Grinch Bread, Whoville Feast treats, Grinch juice and so much more. The Grinch will make his rounds, stopping by the tables to pose for photos.(SweetFire Kitchen, 2018)
Tickets are $75 for adults and $30 for children. Five dollars from every ticket sold will benefit the San Antonio Library Foundation. To make a reservation please call 210-558-2479.
SweetFire Kitchen
La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500
‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914’ will be playing at The Public Theater of San Antonio from November 23 through December 23. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.
A new holiday tradition returns to The Public Theater of San Antonio with opening night of ‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914’ on Friday November 23. It will play in the Russell Hill Rogers Theater until Sunday December 23 and has George Green as Director, Zachariah Baker as Music Director and Courtnie Mercer as Choreographer. It stars Zachariah Baker, Chaz Ingraham, David Nanny, Robby Vance, Travis Trevino, Robert Nauman, Gavin Rohrer, Aaron Ely, Eric Dean Buchaus, John Towry, Miguel Ochoa and Trey Hoadley. Show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sundays at 2p.m. Tickets are available online or by calling the box office at (210) 733-7258. Prices are $30 for Adults, $25 for Military members with ID, $25 for Seniors age 60 and older and $25 for Students with ID. Group rates are available for ten or more guests. (The Public Theater of San Antonio, 2018)
‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914’ by Peter Rothstein has musical arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy C Takach. It is set in 1914, at the Western Front, where out of the violence comes a silence, then a song. When a German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing “Stille Nacht” it brings about a night of camaraderie, music and peace. A remarkable true experience, it is told in the words and songs of the men who lived it. This acapella musical highlights the beauty and power of the human spirit during the darkest of days.
Special Event Nights:
Opening Night with post show reception to follow – Friday November 23
Education Night – Thursday December 6
Food Truck Friday – Friday December 7
Special Marcsmen performance following show – Friday and Saturday December 14 and 15
The Public Theater of San Antonio
800 West Ashby Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 733-7258
Horseshoe Bay Resort has a number of activities planned for the holiday season. Photo: Horseshoe Bay Resort, used with permission.
Horseshoe Bay Resort is at the forefront of Texas’ luxury travel destinations, named by Condé Nast Traveller as one of the ‘Top Resorts in Texas and The Southwest.’ Just a short 90-minute drive from San Antonio, it features a variety of lakeside activities, kid-friendly amenities and dining outlets with spectacular views of Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, Horseshoe Bay Resort is the perfect place to cozy up for the holiday season and enjoy seasonal programming like a complimentary shuttle to the Marble Falls Walkway of Lights, Winter Wonderland, New Year’s Eve activities and more. (Horseshoe Bay Resort, 2018)
Upcoming events for November:
Thursday November 22 through Saturday November 24
• 6p.m. to 7p.m. – Marble Falls Walkway of Lights – watch more than two million lights transform Marble Falls Lakeside Park into a Winter Wonderland. Complimentary shuttles are available for overnight guests and club members.
Saturday, November 24
• 5p.m. to 9p.m. – Candy Cane Course – guests can enjoy a round of putting at the Whitewater Putting Course while surrounded by beautiful scenery decorated in holiday cheer. Regular rates apply.
• 6:30p.m. to 8p.m. – Letters to Santa – guests can take a memorable holiday photo and let the little ones hand deliver their letters to Santa. Enjoy a complimentary laser light show and candy cane s’mores.
Horseshoe Bay Resort’s everyday activities for November:
• 9a.m. to 5p.m. – Creative Play – at the Jungle Kid’s Club, children can create crafts including slime, suncatchers, dream catchers, mini-pumpkin decorating, edible crafts and more. Cost is $15 per child and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
• 11a.m. to 12p.m. – Birds of the Bay – guests can take a memorable photo with the exotic birds on property. A staff member will be on-site to share interesting bird facts.
• 11a.m. to 12p.m. – Tortoise connection – mingle with the tortoises on-property as guests learn unique facts. Guests may feed the tortoises a snack and take a picture to commemorate the occasion.
Horseshoe Bay Resort
200 Hi Circle North
Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657
(877) 611-0112
North Star Mall’s cowboy boots will light up starting Thursday November 22. Photo: North Star Mall, used with permission.
The world’s largest cowboy boots at North Star Mall will light up after sunset on Thursday, November 22 as a beacon for the holidays. The glow from 8,000 red and white LED lights that adorn North Star’s 35-feet tall Cowboy Boots during the holidays serve as a guiding light for Santa Claus and officially symbolizes the beginning of the holiday season. The boots will glow nightly from 5:45p.m. to 7a.m., November 22 through December 31. The Boots are located at the frontage road of Loop 410 in front of Saks Fifth Avenue. (North Star Mall, 2018)
The boots stand 35 ft. high, are 8 ft. in diameter and weigh five tons, that’s 5,000 lbs. each. Artist Bob Wade, a native Texan, originally created the boots in 1979 for the Washington Project for the Arts, funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. The black, brown and white simulated plucked ostrich skin boots took Wade six weeks to build. In November 2014, Guinness World Records officially declared the art sculpture that symbolizes cowboy phenomena the “World’s Largest Cowboy Boot Sculpture.”
North Star Mall
7400 San Pedro
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 340-6627
The Chanukah lighting ceremony is set for Monday December 3. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.
The Pearl continues to host a variety of events and activities to celebrate the season. Coming up next is the Holiday Night Market this month followed by Chanukah and a Posada in December. Everyone is invited to celebrate the joys of the season at the trendiest place in town which also happens to be family and pet friendly. All events are free and open to the public. (Pearl, 2018)
HolidayNight Market: Starting November 29
Pearl is excited to host a holiday night market every Thursday starting November 29 through December 20 from 4p.m. to 8p.m. with Farmers Market vendors, additional craft vendors, live music and holiday activities. Stock up on gifts from handmade soaps to artisan goat cheese and gourmet dog treats. Pearl will also light up the property Thanksgiving weekend to kick off the holiday season. The dates for the holiday night market include November 29 and December 6, 13 and 20.
Chanukah: December 3
Pearl welcomes back the 4th annual holiday tradition in partnership with Young & Jewish San Antonio (YJSA) with the Chanukah Menorah lighting celebration on Monday December 3. The festivities at Pearl will bring the entire San Antonio community together from 6p.m. to 7:30p.m. The Menorah at Pearl will be lit each evening of Chanukah.
Posada: December 19
Inspired by the Mexican tradition of Las Posadas, Pearl host its second annual traditional Posada on Wednesday December 19 from 6:30p.m. to 9p.m. Community members are invited to join the posada and become pilgrims traveling by candlelight. Las Posadas is a nine-day Christmas celebration in Mexico and Latin America, centered on the ritual re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s quest to find lodging in Bethlehem. The evening includes children’s crafts, piñatas and custom Mexican treats of buñuelos, tamales and Mexican hot chocolate. This event is free and open to the public.
Pearl Brewery
303 Pearl Parkway, Suite 300
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 212-7260
Vincent Ingala will be performing at this year’s holiday tree lighting at La Cantera Resort & Spa. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
La Cantera Resort & Spa, a Destination Hotel, sets a sweet and soulful tone for the holiday season as it hosts a free jazz concert by Vincent Ingala on Thursday November 29 from 7p.m. to 9p.m. The Grinch is sure to steal hearts as he joins Santa for the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony at 8p.m. on Plaza San Saba. Guests will be able to enjoy free holiday treats, children’s activities and photos with Santa. Donations will be accepted and proceeds will benefit the San Antonio Library Foundation. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2018)
Vincent Ingala is a twenty-something music prodigy who has catapulted to the top of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts, garnering three Billboard #1s and eight top 10 hits. Handpicked to open for Dave Koz at the age of 16, Ingala is an old soul with a musical identity and wisdom well beyond his years. His musical influences span the worlds of jazz, R&B, disco, pop and beyond. A virtual one-man band playing everything from tenor saxophone, piano and drums to guitar, bass and lead vocals, Ingala possesses ingenuity, extraordinary versatility and an endless supply of inspiration.
La Cantera Resort & Spa 16441 La Cantera Pkwy Plaza San Saba, just off the main lobby San Antonio, TX 78256 (210) 558-6500
The North Star Mall holiday parade will be on Black Friday, November 23. Photo: North Star Mall, used with permission.
This year’s North Star Mall annual holiday parade will honor hometown heroes. “Celebrating Our Hometown Heroes” is the theme for the parade which will feature representatives from the United States (U.S.) Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, San Antonio Police Department, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, San Antonio Fire Department, The Salvation Army and Elf Louise. (North Star Mall, 2018)
The public is invited to join Santa and Mrs. Claus for the Christmas Celebration Parade at 10a.m. on Black Friday, November 23. The parade starts in front of Dillard’s and winds its way through the mall to Santa’s home for the Holidays in front of Macy’s at IT’SUGAR.
Parade participants:
Brackenridge High School March Band, under the direction of Alfonso Alvarado
United States Air Force, Army and Navy representatives
San Antonio Firefighters representatives
San Antonio Police Department representatives
Bear-a-me, Build-A-Bear Mascot
The Cookie Man, Great American Cookie Company
Chick-fil-A, “eat mor chikin!” Cow
Android characters, Think Geek
Melinda Lou “Wendy” Morse, Wendy’s Restaurant
Elves, Elf Louise Christmas Project
Salvation Army
Mrs. Claus and Santa Clause
North Star Mall
7400 San Pedro Ave
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 340-6627
Shake Shack is one business offering veterans special offers on Sunday November 11. Photo: Shake Shack, used with permission.
Veterans Day is observed annually on November 11 and honors military veterans – those who served in the United States Armed Forces. This year it falls on Sunday and many area businesses have special offers for all veterans and active duty military. (Shake Shack, Fast Eddie’s, Pluckers Wing Bar, 2018)
Shake Shackwill be treating all veterans and active duty military with a free scoop of Shake Shack Custard (in-shack only) at ALL locations excluding stadiums, ballparks and airports.
Shake Shack
7427 San Pedro Ave, Suite 107
San Antonio, TX 78216
Fast Eddie’s
7616 Culebra Rd, #103
San Antonio, TX 78251
Pluckers Wing Baris excited to announce that veterans and active duty military eat free all day on Veterans Day. With a valid military ID, guests can enjoy a complimentary entree, side and a non-alcoholic beverage from Pluckers’ extensive menu (up to $15) when dining at the restaurant.
The Pluckers menu includes their trademark wings paired with signature sauces such as Buffalo, Spicy BBQ, and Spicy Ranch, along with unique flavors, like Fire in the Hole, Ginger Peach Sriracha, Gochujang, and Spicy Mandarin; appetizers like fried pickles and Holy Macaroni; great sandwiches and burgers like the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich and the Bypass Burger topped with bacon, cheddar, grilled onions, and jalapeños; signature salads; and epic sides like waffle fries, macaroni and cheese, and homemade potato chips.
Pluckers Wing Bar
14881 IH 35
North Selma, TX 78154
This year’s Dia de los Muertos celebration will be on Thursday November 1 and Friday November 2. Photo: Matt Buikema, used with permission.
The second annual Dia de los Muertos celebration at the Pearl is scheduled for Thursday November 1 and Friday November 2. Pearl honors the rich traditional Mexican holiday that remembers family and friends who have passed away with altars/ofrendas, live music, a procession, art making and more. The event is free and open to the public and costumes and face painting are encouraged. (Pearl, 2018)
Both days will feature traditional altars created by local and regional artists including Emma Tenayuca, Cruz Ortiz, Al Rendon, Cristina Sosa Noriega and students from Bonham Academy, Twain Academy, Hawthorne Academy and Lamar Academy. Visitors are also invited to honor their loved-ones by contributing to Pearl’s community altar. Several restaurants and retailers on the property will also have their own altars.
Mexico City-based artist Karima Muyaes will also be creating an altar and will be Pearl’s artist-in-residence for Dia de los Muertos. Muyaes’ artwork will be showcased and available for purchase from November 1 through November 11. As an internationally renowned artist and printmaker, Muyaes creates artwork with iconic imagery and characteristic style. Large format paintings, prints, paper skulls, and vintage Mexican masks will be available for sale. Muyaes’ altar/ofrenda in honor of the 43 Mexican male students who disappeared in 2014 will also be on view.
Pearl will have a special La Catrina, a skeletal woman figure adorned in a fine dress and hat, often referred to as Mexico’s Grand Dame of Death, from Mexico City – Estela Williams. Williams is a Mexico, Canada and UK-based actress and performer and will be performing as La Catrina during the event.
Schedule for this event: November 1 from 4p.m. to 9 p.m. (all at Pearl Park):
• 5p.m. to 5:45p.m. – Live music by Tallercito de Son
• 5:50p.m. to 6p.m. – Ambassador Reyna Torres Mendívil of the Consulado General de México en San Antonio to give remarks
• 5:30p.m. to 7p.m. – Sugar Skull Demo at Hotel Emma.
• 6p.m. to 6:15p.m. – Erica Prosper Nirenberg children’s reading
• 6:15p.m. to 7p.m. – Procession which will include Southwest School of Art children, Matachines, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Calavera stilt walkers, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Cabezudos, Las Monas, Selena doll, Frida dolls
• 7p.m. to 7:45p.m. – Live music by Conjunto Heritage Taller
• 8p.m. to 9p.m. – Live music by Volcán
November 2 from 5p.m. to 9p.m. (all at Pearl Park):
• 5p.m. to 5:15p.m. – Dr. Reyes children’s reading
• 5:30p.m. to 6:15p.m. – Live music by Conjunto Heritage Taller
• 5:30p.m. to 7p.m. – Sugar Skull Demo at Hotel Emma.
• 6:30p.m. to 7:15p.m. – Live music by San Antonio Mariachi Academy
• 7:30p.m. to 9p.m. – Live music by Azul Barrientos and Band
Pearl Brewery
303 Pearl Parkway, Suite 300
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 212-7260
SA Examiner 