Holiday happenings at Pearl

pearlholidays — This week Pearl has different activities planned to get visitors in the holiday spirit. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

This week at Pearl there are numerous holiday activities to get visitors into the holiday spirit. From the festive scenery to holiday entertainment, food specials, shopping and live music, there is something for everyone.

The featured designer brands at Popmarte this week are India Hicks, Snake Hawk Press, Mignonne Gavigan, Lambillotte, La Marée Swimwear, Uwila Warrior, Dawnson + Hellmann and Cheree Berry Paper. Popmarte is a rotating, multi-brand retail store open for a limited time through December 23.

On Tuesday, December 12 – Northwest Hills Baptist Church will be caroling at 7p.m. at Parkito.

The Holiday Night Market will take place on Thursday December 14 from 4p.m. to 8p.m. This week it features Farmers Market vendors, craft vendors, live music and holiday activities. Guests will be able to pick up tamales and other traditional goodies like chocolates and sweets and gifts including handmade soaps to artisan goat cheese and gourmet dog treats.

Holiday Canciones is set for Thursday, December 14 beginning at 6p.m. This is a a four-part music series that takes place as part of the Pearl Holiday Night Market and features popular Texas music genres with a holiday twist. This week’s ‘Blue Christmas’ showcases rising Texas blues star, Dylan Bishop with a performance of classic blues and Christmas tunes mixed with his authentic and well-groomed playing style. During the evening event, patrons can experience a special outdoor bar by Bottling Department. All female Mariachi group Las Coronelas will also perform at Parkito.

Pearl
303 Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78215

Popmarte pop-up store at Pearl

Popmarte, now open for a limited time at the Pearl, offers customers a wide selection of gifts for the holiday season. Photo: Popmarte, used with permission.

Pearl is making it easier for customers to do some holiday shopping this season. Popmarte, a rotating, multi-brand pop-up retails store, is now open at the Pearl grounds until December 23. Curated by fashion industry veterans Nina McCandless and Ashley Clauss, it is a 1,200 square-foot retail space which features a wide selection of goods from local, regional and national designers in the fashion, accessories, home, beauty, kids, tech, travel and lifestyle space. Each week, five to seven select brands will have their own shop-in-shop within the overall space offering newness and excitement for the consumer throughout this holiday season. (Popmarte, 2017)

Participating national and local brands include Mignonne Gavigan, Dawson+Hellman, Cruz Ortiz and Snake Hawk Press, Rica Bath and Body, Mimilore, Bib & Sola, Uwila Warrior, Angelina Mata’s new line Sonsuz, La Maree, Boyd’s of Texas, Mi Cocina of Ubi-Ind Denim and more.

Popmarte
110 Avenue A
San Antonio, TX 78215

Holiday fun with Christmas Light Fest

Christmas Light Fest is open from now until December 31. Photo: Christmas Light Fest, used with permission.

The holidays are well under way and so is the annual light show at Don Strange Ranch in Boerne. From now until December 31, visitors can enjoy Christmas Light Fest and its two million twinkling lights, hayrides and holiday fun. Opened nightly, this holiday extravaganza takes place on a picturesque ranchland and features tunnels of twinkling lights and holiday displays along a two-mile path and Santa’s Village, a rustic barn filled with holiday flavors and activities. Hours are Sundays through Thursdays from 6p.m. to 9p.m. while Friday and Saturday nights, as well as holidays, feature an extra hour, from 6p.m. to 10p.m. (Christmas Light Fest, 2017)

Santa will be visiting each weekend before Christmas, December 8-10, December 15-17 and December 21-24. Wednesday nights visitors can enjoy free cookies with Santa on December 6, 13 and 20. Decorate cookies, play games and stroll through even more lights for perfect picture opportunities and fun. Santa’s Village is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a variety of holiday flavors including s’mores, coffee, hot chocolate, kettle corn, sausage on a stick and more while doing some shopping and helping to feed Santa’s Longhorns. After all, in Texas Santa needs more than reindeer to pull his sleigh.

There are two ways to enjoy Christmas Light Fest: drive through the festive displays in a vehicle or ranch-style, catching a hayride to tour the lights. Tickets are $27 per vehicle to tour the ranch, or $15 per person for a hayride. To ensure availability, hayrides should be purchased in advance online. Onsite parking is free. Vehicle passes and hayride tickets are available online. Private hayrides are available by reservation.

This year, there are more displays and twinkling surprises, more family fun and a walk-through light displays. Visitors can support Christmas Light Fest’s food drive for the San Antonio Food Bank by donating non-perishable food and canned goods. For every donation, Christmas Light Fest will take $2 off a vehicle pass or $4 during the week, from Sunday through Thursday.

Don Strange Ranch
103 Waring Welfare Rd
Boerne, TX 78006

‘The Santaland Diaries’ at The Classic Theatre

‘The Santaland Diaries’ opens at The Classic Theatre on Friday December 8, 2017. Photo: The Classic Theatre, used with permission.

The Classic Theatre’s Second Series opens ‘The Santaland Diaries’ next week. This one-man show is based on the true chronicles of NPR comic genius David Sedaris’ experience as Crumpet the Elf in Macy’s Santaland display. In this cult classic he talks about some of his odd experiences during the height of the holiday crunch. John Stillwagon returns as Sedaris’ not so merry alter ego Crumpet the Elf with Bart Roush directing. The show is written by David Sedaris and adapted by Joe Mantello. It opens on Friday December 8 with subsequent show dates on December 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. (The Classic Theatre of San Antonio, 2017)

Tickets are $25 for general admission and may be purchased online or by calling the box office at (210) 589-8450. Group rates are available. There will be a complimentary eggnog reception on opening night Friday December 8. Please note that ‘The Santaland Diaries’ is recommended for ages 14 and over as it contains mature content and language and the secret of Santa is exposed.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio
1924 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 589-8450

Hiatus Spa + Retreat offers holiday packages

The holidays are in full swing and so is holiday shopping. For anyone looking for gift ideas for others or themselves, Hiatus Spa + Retreat, located at the Pearl, is offering hard to resist gift packages. These include monthly retreats and holiday packages. (Hiatus Spa + Retreat, 2017)

Monthly retreats are 80 minutes long and price ranges from $195 for non-members to $139 for H-Circle members.
November retreat – Creme Brûlée
Begins with a full-body brown sugar scrub exfoliation followed by a wrap in a steamy cocoon with caramel and vanilla aromas and a cool stone face massage. A refreshing rinse under the Vichy shower washes away any remaining glaze before the sweet finish of a warm vanilla and shea butter massage. Toast with a crème brut cooler to finish.
December retreat- Magi
Comforting aromas of ginger, cinnamon and clove and a snowfall of powdered Sea Salt create a delectably warm exfoliating masque. Rinse in a full-body Vichy shower, then enjoy a tension-melting massage, followed by a final drizzle with essences of Frankincense and Myrrh. It all ends with a warm cup of mulled wine flavored with cranberry, holiday spices and accented with Gold leaf.

Holiday Packages
The Merry & Bright – 2 or more hours – $179
Pick any two Essential Services–The Signature Massage, The Tailor Made Facial, The One & Only Mani-Pedi, The Body Glow or The Body Wrap.

The Mistletoe Kiss – 3 hours, $319
Start with a reinvigorating Monthly Retreat and after a cocktail, settle in for The Best Facial Ever.

The Peace, Love, & Joy – 3.5 hours, $269
The three most in-demand services, The Signature Massage, The Tailor Made Facial and The One & Only Mani-Pedi, are bundled up and tied with a bow.

Let It Glow! Let It Glow! Let It Glow! – 2 + hours, $239
The Body Glow, The Spotlight Massage (30 minutes) and The Sparkler Facial (60 minutes) will combine their magical powers for a rosy glow to fight off even the chilliest winter days.

The Warm & Cozy – 3 hours, $219
The Hot Stone Massage (90 minutes) is paired with The One & Only Mani-Pedi for some serious self-care, feel-good me-time.

Hiatus Spa + Retreat
312 Pearl Pkwy, Building 4, Ste 4112
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 202-3355

Shake Shack’s holiday shakes and gifts

shakeshackshakes1 — Celebrate the holiday season with Shake Shack’s holiday drinks. Photo: Shake Shack, used with permission.

Shake Shack is getting into the holiday season by offering holiday-themed food items and gift ideas. On November 15, Shake Shack launched their limited time holiday shakes for $5.79 at all Shacks nationwide except airports, stadiums and ballparks. Featured shakes include the Chocolate Peppermint Shake – chocolate frozen custard blended with peppermint and topped with whipped cream and chocolate peppermint candy crumble, the Christmas Cookie Shake – sugar cookie frozen custard topped with whipped cream, crumbled shortbread and red and green sprinkles and the Frozen Hot Cocoa Shake – hot chocolate frozen custard topped with whipped cream and a chocolate chip marshmallow. (Shake Shack, 2017)

For children, gifts like Kid Robot Plushes are available online for purchase including the Shake Shack x Yummy World Burger plush for $15, the Shake Shack x Yummy World Fry plush for $15 and the Shake Shack x Yummy World Burger & Fry set for $28. Shake Shack has also partnered with cool backpacks for a cause, State Bags, to offer Shake Shack x State bags for $75. For every STATE bag purchased, STATE will hand-deliver a backpack packed with essential tools for success to an American child in need.

Home cooks and Shack fans alike can enjoy Shake Shack’s first-ever cookbook filled with 70 recipes, 200 photographs and stories, fun facts and professional tips for making a Shackburger and crinkle-cut fries. The cookbook set is $26 and includes a voucher to redeem a complimentary burger with free domestic shipping.

Shake Shack opened in 2004 in New York City’s Madison Square Par and since then has expanded to more than 80 locations in 18 US states and the District of Columbia and more than 50 international locations including London, Istanbul, Dubai, Tokyo, Moscow and Seoul. Shake Shack’s mission is to Stand For Something Good^®, from its premium ingredients and caring hiring practices to its inspiring designs and deep community investment.

Shake Shack
Park North Shopping Center
7427 San Pedro Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 277-4770

‘All is Calm’ at The Playhouse San Antonio

alliscalmpic — ‘All is Calm’ returns to The Playhouse San Antonio and opens this Friday November 24. Photo: Daniel D Baumer, used with permission.

A new holiday tradition returns to The Playhouse San Antonio for a second year. Opening this Friday November 24 in the Russell Hill Rogers Theater is ‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914.’ It will run until Sunday December 24. George Green and Bill Gundry co-direct with musical direction by Nicholas Ponting. It stars Nick Szoeke, Nicholas Ponting, David Nanny, Aaron Ely, Robert Nauman, Eric Buchaus, Kevin Collins, Robby Vance, Kyle Krambeck, Brendan Brady, Travis Trevino and John Towry. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sundays at 2p.m. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the box office at (210) 733-7258. Prices range from $20 to $35. Group rates are available for groups of ten or more. (The Playhouse San Antonio, 2017)

‘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:
Pay What You Can Night – Wednesday November 22
Opening Night Reception – Friday November 24
Q101.9 Radio Night – Friday December 1
Food Truck Friday – Friday December 8
ASL Night/SA 2020 Talk Back Night – Saturday December 9

Project MEND is the community partner on ‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914.’ Project MEND is a San Antonio based nonprofit that provides home medical equipment and assistive technology items to individuals living with disabilities and life-altering illnesses.

The Playhouse San Antonio
800 West Ashby Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 733-7258

Holiday tree lighting and jazz concert at La Cantera Resort & Spa

canterachristmastree — La Cantera Resort & Spa will be having its annual Holiday Tree Lighting event on Thursday November 30. Photo: La Cantera Resort & Spa, used with permission.

La Cantera Resort & Spa, a Destination Hotel, is having its annual Holiday Tree Lighting event on Thursday November 30 from 7p.m to 9p.m. The evening will set a smooth tone for the Holiday season with a free Jazz concert by Paul Taylor, internationally acclaimed jazz saxophonist. The concert will coincide with the annual tree lighting ceremony on Plaza San Saba. Guests will be able to enjoy free holiday treats, festive cocktails, kids’ activities and photos with Santa. Donations will be accepted with proceeds to benefit a local children’s charity. Santa will be lighting the tree at 8p.m. This event is free and open to the public. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2017)

La Cantera Resort & Spa
Plaza San Saba, just off the main lobby
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

Spooky Halloween specials at Bakery Lorraine

bakerylorrainehalloween17 — Spooky Halloween treats available at both Bakery Lorraine locations. Photo: Josie Rees, used with permission.

With the fall season comes all things spooky and fun, including sweets and treats. For anyone looking for Halloween themed edibles, Bakery Lorraine is offering such delicacies as witch fingers, ghost moon pies, mummy tarts and more. Below are some of the treats available at both locations through Halloween. (Bakery Lorraine, 2017)

The Great Pumpkin Mac – $5.00 – 4” macaron shaped as a pumpkin with a pumpkin spice cream cheese filling
Witch Finger – $4.00 – Éclair filled with pistachio cream topped with a glaze and white chocolate nail
Mummy Tart $6.00 – Lemon curd filling with a lemon meringue topping
Pumpkin Spice Cake $7.00 – Pumpkin spice cake with layers of a cream cheese filling
Graveyard Tart $6.00 – Caramel with chocolate ganache
Ghost Moon pies $5.00 – Graham cookie with honey marshmallow filling
Gingerbread Voodoo Dolls $4.00 – Gingerbread cookie decorated in royal icing
Blackberry Cassis Cake $7.00 – Layers of blackberry mousse, blackberry gelée and joconde cake topped with buttercream, a mini cassis mac and fresh blackberry
Phantom Cake (Opera Cake) $6.00 – Layers of a spiced soaked joconde with pumpkin buttercream and dark chocolates ganache topped with a dark chocolate glaze

With locations at the Pearl and the Medical Center, Bakery Lorraine has rapidly become a San Antonio favorite and a nationally recognized pastry shop famous for its colorful macarons and exquisite French pastries. Owned by chefs Anne Ng, Jeremy Mandrell and operator Charlie Biedenharn, it was named one of the best new bakeries in the U.S. by Food & Wine and CNN’s Eatocracy blog, as well as one of the “13 Destination Bakeries” by Conde Nast Traveler. Bakery Lorraine offers handmade French pastries and macarons as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner items including its breakfast parfait, the quiche Lorraine, chicken potpies and an assortment of salads, soups and artisan sandwiches.

7338 Louis Pasteur Dr., Suite 201
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210) 303-0330

306 Pearl Pkwy, Suite 110
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 862-5582

Cinco Vodka and Uber to help San Antonians celebrate responsibly

Cinco Vodka and Uber are giving away free rides this Cinco de Mayo weekend to help San Antonians celebrate responsibly. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

This Friday is Cinco de Mayo and Cinco Vodka and Uber are helping San Antonians celebrate responsibly. San Antonio’s own Cinco Vodka is partnering with Uber to give away 1,000 free rides over the Cinco de Mayo weekend. They can cash in their free rides from noon Friday May 5 through 3a.m. on Sunday May 7 by tapping the card at the bottom of the Uber app to apply the code. This code is valid for a $10 Uber credit and can be used by new and current Uber customers. Users are limited to one code during this promotional period in downtown San Antonio and codes will be distributed on a first come first serve basis. This is just one more way Cinco Vodka is giving back to the community and both brands want to help them get around safely throughout this holiday weekend. (Cinco Vodka, Uber, 2017)

Trey and Kimberly Azar started Azar Distilling in 2010 as one of the first licensed distilleries in Texas. The Azar Family Brand’s (AFB) award-winning Cinco Vodka is made with non-GMO American wheat and distilled using old-world European methods. It is slow-distilled in small batches in a 530-gallon hand hammered European pot. Cinco Vodka won “Best of Division for Vodka” and “Best of Category for Wheat Vodka (Unflavored)” at the Los Angeles Spirit Competition in 2013.

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Category: Holiday themed events