Guitarist Eric Johnson at the Aztec Theatre

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Eric Johson will be releasing a new studio album in February and his new tour includes a stop at the Aztec Theatre. Photo: Google

Eric Johnson, the Austin, Texas based prolific guitarist, vocalist, composer and multi-instrumentalist, will release a new studio offering titled EJ Vol II, on February 28, 2020. To celebrate this 11th studio album, Johnson has a 55-date tour planned, spanning nearly 3-months. The tour will hit every major city across the U.S. and will also enter into Canada, for one show in Toronto as well. Locally, he will be performing at the Aztec Theatre on Thursday January 30. (Mad Ink PR, 2020)

With EJ Vol II, he presents new repertoire that combines electric and acoustic arrangements and once again represents a collection of originals with a couple of select covers. Among the new songs, there is deep meaning and messaging with each track, sometimes figurative while at times literal. On “Waterwheel,” he captures personal feelings about the gift of the flow of the spirit and synchronicity of all things under the universe in creation, utilizing the water wheel or an old paddle wheel that turns in water as the metaphorical symbolism. The song “Golden Way,” approaches finding the true higher path in life, while the poignant “For the Stars,” captures his introspection surrounding the loss of his mother as he looks up towards the sky at night wondering where she is now. Along with the 11 original songs there are two covers on the album; The Beatles “Hide Your Love Away” and Eric’s arrangement of Bert Jansch’s take on the traditional “Black Waterside.”

The new 2020 tour titled “Classics: Present and Past” will feature EJ Vol. II alongside selections from his prolific career. The EJ touring band will feature Roscoe Beck on bass (Leonard Cohen, Robben Ford, Dixie Chicks), Tom Brechtlein on drums (Kenny Loggins, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, Robben Ford), and on keyboards + second guitar, Dave Scher (a rising star from the Austin music scene).

Among Johnson’s many accolades are a Grammy award for “Cliffs of Dover,” a lifetime induction into the Guitar Player Gallery of Greats and his listing among the “100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century” by Musician. In his hometown of Austin, a city full of guitarists, the readers of the Austin Chronicle have voted Eric Johnson the city’s “Best Electric Guitarist” and “Best Acoustic Guitarist” in their yearly poll year after year. They also named him “Electric Guitarist of the Decade” and one of the top five “Musicians of the Decade.”

“Classics – Present and Past” Tour. Complete tour available online.
January 14          Miner Auditorium                      San Francisco, CA
January 15          Crest Theatre                               Sacramento, CA
January 16          Sunset Cultural Center              Carmel, CA
January 17          The Grove of Anaheim              Anaheim, CA
January 18          The Regent Theater                    Los Angeles, CA
January 19          Majestic Ventura Theater         Ventura, CA
January 21          House of Blues                            San Diego, CA
January 22          Rialto Theatre                             Tucson, AZ
January 23          The Crescent Ballroom              Phoenix, AZ
January 24          KiMo Theatre                              Albuquerque, NM
January 25          Paramount Theatre                    Denver, CO
January 26          The Lincoln Center                     Fort Collins, CO
January 29          House of Blues                             Dallas, TX
January 30          The Aztec Theater                      San Antonio, TX
January 31          House of Blues                             Houston, TX
February 1          Paramount Theatre                    Austin, TX
February 18       Cain’s Ballroom                            Tulsa, OK

The Squeezebox to host Familia, Food & Oldies this Sunday

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Courtesy photo, used with permission.

This Sunday December 15 at 6p.m., The Squeezebox will be hosting “Familia, Food & Oldies,” a holiday celebration. The event will include FREE cabrito tacos while supplies last and all the accompanying sides, prepared by local chef Teddy Liang. DJ Aaron Peña will be spinning oldies all night. Bar offerings include happy hour prices all night long as well as FREE Michelada upgrades by local family company Twang, featuring their recently launched Reserve Michelada Cocktail Mix. (The Squeezebox, 2019)

Starting on Tuesday December 10, The Squeezebox is also launching Karaoke Nights hosted by local Karaoke DJ Nicki Martinez. Karaoke Nights will be every Tuesday from 10p.m. to 2a.m. and will include happy hour pricing at the bar all night long.

The Squeezebox
2806 N St Mary’s St
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 314-8845

EDGE: The Texas Monthly Festival this weekend in Dallas

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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

 

Inaugural acoustic music series at Richter Goods

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The acoustic music series kicks off this Thursday. Photo: Richter Goods, used with permission.

Music lovers are invited to come and experience an intimate and eclectic music series titled Listen, a three-part music series, launching at Richter Goods on Thursday September 12, 2019. (Richter Goods, 2019)

Listen is an acoustic music series where Texas musicians are presented in a quiet and intimate pop-up concert. Fingerstyle guitarist and songwriter Adam Ahrens will host all three nights serving as emcee and performing in the first set of each show. The series will take place Thursdays on September 12, October 3, and November 14 with Richter Goods housing all three evenings that will shine a light on Texas acoustic musical talent and original music. Performances will be acoustic, intimate and the setting designed for quality listening in a unique atmosphere. Featured musicians include Vanessa Del Fierro, Azul Barrientos and Emily Gimble.

Tickets are $10 but space is limited, so guests are encouraged to reserve seats through advance payment via PayPal. If tickets remain, they will be available at the door. Desert Door Sotol will provide tastings prior to the show and during intermission.

Schedule:
September 12 – 9p.m. Adam Ahrens | 10p.m. Vanessa Del Fierro
October 3 – 9p.m. Adam Ahrens | 10p.m. Azul Barrientos
November 14 – 9p.m. Adam Ahrens | 10p.m. Emily Gimble

Richter Goods is a clothing company based in San Antonio and was founded by owner Mario Guajardo in 2011. The retail store designs small-batch men’s products, manufactured in-house using premium specialty fabrics – finished with details from the west.

Richter Goods
2202 Broadway St
San Antonio, TX 78215

Upcoming July events at Pearl

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Past Canciones have included Carrie Rodriguez, Laboratorio and Eva Ybarra. Photo: Matt Buikema, used with permission. 

Pearl is excited to present its July programming including Sound Cream Sunset Sessions with Cumbias Necias themed DJ sets, Great American Picnic to celebrate the Fourth of July, and Canciones: Sounds of San Antonio. Each event is free and open to the public with food and drinks available for purchase. (Pearl, 2019)

Sound Cream Sunset Sessions returns to Pearl Park this July with Cumbias Necias themed DJ sets. DJ sets are every Wednesday this summer from 5:30p.m. to 9p.m. Sound Cream Sunset Sessions is proud to partner with Lipton for the month of July and all month long, the sessions will feature complimentary ice-cold Lipton Texas-Style Sweet Tea, an exclusive product only available in Texas this summer.

The featured DJ for July include:
• July 3 – DJ Manny Dojo
• July 10 – DJ Isaiah
• July 17 – DJ Gracie Chavez
• July 24 – DJ Mexican Black Bird
• July 31 – Gio Chamba

Great American Picnic – Thursday July 4 from 5p.m. to 8p.m.
In honor of Fourth of July, Pearl will host a Great American Picnic. The Bottling Department will offer picnic specials and a special pop out by Bud’s Southern Rotisserie who will be selling BBQ chicken with corn and watermelon, as well as bacon-wrapped jalapeño sausage-on-a-stick–for guests to purchase and enjoy while listening to live music by the Peterson Brothers.

Canciones: Sounds of San Antonio – Friday July 26 from 6:30p.m. to 9p.m.
Canciones, the free concert series celebrating the sounds of South Texas, returns to Pearl Park this July for musical performances highlighting the unique Sounds of San Antonio. Mitch Webb and The Swindles will return to the Canciones Stage and welcome Rosie Flores, Will Owen Gage and D.T. Buffkin. The performance will highlight stories about the songs that have helped shape the musical landscape of San Antonio. Food and drink will be available for purchase at the Bottling Department and Southerleigh’s oyster bar.

Pearl Park
Pearl Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78215

Fredericksburg Peach Market and Free Country Concert Series

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The Fredericksburg Peach Market will take place at The Shops at La Cantera on Saturday July 13 along with the first concert in the Country Music series. Courtesy photo: used with permission. 

The Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau brings a taste of the Texas Hill Country to The Shops at La Cantera on Saturday July 13 from 10a.m. to 6p.m. Peach growers from the Hill Country Fruit Council will sell prized fresh peaches, while other specialty producers and wineries from Fredericksburg will offer wine, jellies, jams, salsas, soaps, lotions and more for sale in the mall’s common areas from Center Court to Forever 21. Later that day, Thomas Michael Riley will open The Shops at La Cantera’s free Country Music series in conjunction with Luckenbach Texas at 7p.m. on Main Street. Weldon Henson, Tessy Lou & The Shotgun Stars and Two Tons of Steel round out the line-up for the summer. (The Shops at La Cantera, 2019)

Shoppers are encouraged to bring the family, including canine companions, on leash or in carrier, and enjoy The Shops at La Cantera’s open container policy which allows visitors to sip and shop. Luciano’s Pizzeria and Tiny Cantina sell and serve beer and wine and issue wristband to wear while consuming the beverage on property.

Summer Concert Series on Main Street, 7p.m.

Saturday, July 13 – Thomas Michael Riley – Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Entertainer of the Year, Texas Music Awards

Wednesday, July 17 – Weldon Henson – Prepare to dance to what people think is arguably the best Texas Made Honky Tonk

Wednesday, July 24 – Tessy Lou & The Shotgun Stars – A mix of mountain, country, Americana, originals and bluegrass. Paramount featured one of their songs in Downsizing, starring Matt Damon and Kristen WiigWiig.

Wednesday, July 31 – Two Tons of Steel – “Band of the Year” on 12 separate occasions; “Album of the Year;” “Best Country Band” S.A. Current ten times; ‘Best Male Vocal’ honors four times. Before Americana or Texas Country, Two Tons of Steel rocked a sound that blends the best of musical worlds and pushed the envelope with a signature brand of country meets punk.

The Shops at La Cantera
Peach Market in the Common areas from Center Court to Forever 21, Music on Main Street
15900 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 582-6255

D-Day Remembrance Concert at UIW

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County Line Community Band will perform with the 323rd Army Band on June 2 for a D-Day Remembrance Day concert. Courtesy photo: used with permission. 

On Sunday June 2, the County Line Community Band will join forces with the 323rd Army Band, “Fort Sam’s Own,” in a joint performance of their “D- Day Remembrance Concert” at the University of the Incarnate Word at 6:30p.m. in the Luella Bennack Concert Hall. This year marks 75 years since the landings on the Normandy beaches in France that began the liberation of Europe and the eventual end to World War II. As a special part of this concert, the bands will premiere a new musical composition by local composer, Charles Booker, titled “Undaunted Courage” that pays homage to the Service-members who landed on the beaches and gave their full measure of devotion to our country. (County Line Community Band, 2019)

Commander and Bandmaster of the 323rd Army Band, CW4 Jono Ward and County Line Community Band Director, Toby Knight, would like to invite the public to this first of its kind joint performance between “Fort Sam’s Own” and one of San Antonio’s premier local community bands. This concert is FREE and open to the public. FREE reserved seating can be acquired at eventbrite by searching for “D-Day Concert.” The evening will help remember this monumental event in American History and to honor the Veterans from our greatest generation.

University of the Incarnate Word
4301 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78209
(210) 829-6000

Pink and Imagine Dragons to perform at Circuit of the Americas

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Tickets go on sale this Tuesday April 23. Courtesy photo, used with permission. 

Circuit of The Americas (COTA) announced last week that they will welcome two world-renowned musical acts to the Super Stage at the FORMULA 1 2019 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX. On Saturday, November 2, 20-time GRAMMY® nominated and international pop icon P!NK, who is sure to ‘get the party started’ and give fans an unforgettable performance, will take the Super Stage at COTA. The night prior, Friday, November 1, GRAMMY® Award-winning band Imagine Dragons will start the weekend on a high note after the first day of qualifying races. (Circuit of the Americas, 2019)

 

Tickets for the FORMULA 1 2019 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX, set for November 1-3, will go on sale Tuesday, April 23 at 1a.m. online at Circuit of the Americas.

Currently in the midst of her extended Beautiful Trauma World Tour, P!NK brings her truly spectacular show to the Super Stage at COTA Saturday night of USGP weekend. P!NK is known for her powerhouse vocals, uplifting anthems and showman stage skills. Since her debut in 2000, P!NK has released seven studio albums, one greatest hits album, sold over 50 million album equivalents, over 75 million singles, and over 2.4 million DVDs worldwide and has had 15 singles in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (four at #1). Her eighth studio album, Hurts 2B Human, is set for release April 26 via RCA Records and is available for pre-order today.

Imagine Dragons will bring the crowd to their feet on Friday night of the Grand Prix weekend when they bring their limitless passion and genre-bending music to Austin, Texas. Imagine Dragons has emerged as one of the biggest and most compelling rock bands in the world. The Las Vegas-based group released their latest album, Origins, in November 2018 and have seen great chart-topping success with the powerhouse single “Natural” and epic balladry of “Bad Liar.”

COTA will once again offer the rain plan guarantee. Should it rain over 1.5 inches within the 24 hr period leading up to the race, all three-day RESERVED seats purchased before August 31 will get a 105% of ticket price back. Three-day race tickets, which include access to both headlining concerts along with other featured entertainment, start at $175. Sunday-only bleachers and Sunday-only Main Grandstand tickets will also be available for purchase, along with premium on-track viewing upgrades for both concerts.

“We’re thrilled to welcome P!NK and Imagine Dragons to the Super Stage for this year’s United States Grand Prix. COTA is proud to host such an exciting, non-stop weekend of entertainment, bringing together the best of racing, through Formula 1 USGP, and music in welcoming these internationally-renowned artists to the Live Music Capital of the World.” – Bobby Epstein, founder and chairman of COTA.

Circuit of the Americas
9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd.
Austin, TX 78617

Spring Jazz at the Falls at The Shops at La Cantera

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Spyro Gyra will be performing as part of this year’s Spring Jazz at the Falls. Courtesy photo: used with permission. 

For the past nine years, the Spring Jazz at the Falls concerts at The Shops at La Cantera have earned a reputation for artistic creativity. This free, family-friendly event, located at The Falls near the Yard House, showcases and fosters an appreciation for all forms of jazz through free, quality, live musical performances. The Jazz at the Falls concert series has expanded to include local talent alongside national and international artists. This year’s jazz performances, presented by Porsche of San Antonio, are from 7p.m. to 9p.m., Wednesdays April 3, 10 and 17. The 2019 Spring Jazz at the Falls showcases Tejano Saxophonist Joe Posada; Latin Jazz by The Brew and Smooth Jazz by Spyro Gyra. Enjoy specialty sips, snacks, exclusive giveaways, photo opportunities and shopping incentives. Bring your lawn chairs; placement is allowed starting one hour prior to show at 6p.m. Schedule is subject to change. No outside coolers allowed. (The Shops at La Cantera, 2019)

Concert lineup:
Wednesday April 13 – Joe Posada, Jazz/Tejano Saxophonist
Joe Posada, one of Tejano music’s most celebrated saxophonists, is also recognized as a timeless vocalist and a well-versed lyricist. In November 2013, Posasda won his second Latin Grammy for a collaboration with David Lee Garza. A seven-time Tejano Award and four-time Tejano Academy Award winner, native San Antonian Posada, also is an accomplished composer. He has managed to successfully fuse the sounds of Jazz and Tejano by creating a melodic flow that music lovers find intriguing.

Wednesday April 10 – The Brew, Latin Jazz
The Brew consist of three brothers Michael Rodriguez (classical and electric guitar), Joe Rodriguez (harmonica, percussionist congas) and Mark Rodriguez (bassist). Continually inspired by jazz and Latin artists, The Brew has introduced a more organic, nouveau flamenco flavor into the band’s performances, following the influence of Ottmar Liebert, the Gipsy Kings, Jesse Cook and Strunz and Farah. An accomplished group with an incredible grass roots following, The Brew has opened for such diverse notables as the Rippingtons, George Howard, Everette Harp, Jeff Lorber, Chuchito Valdez, Hiroshima, Acoustic Alchemy, Larry Corryel and Kirk Whalum.

Wednesday April 17 – Spyro Gyra
Spyro Gyra has performed more than five thousand shows, released thirty-one albums (not counting “Best Of…” compilations) and sold over ten million albums while earning one platinum and two gold albums. Since the mid-1970s, long before the radio-generated buzzwords “New Adult Contemporary” or “Smooth Jazz,” Spyro Gyra was creating its own instrumental hybrid, incorporating elements of R&B, Latin, Brazilian and whatever struck their collective fancy into an infectious sound which coincidentally became a forerunner of today’s popular style. Signature songs include “The Shaker Song,” “Morning Dance” and “Catching the Sun.” The sound is described as smooth jazz with tropical flair.

The Shops at La Cantera
15900 La Cantera Parkway
The Falls, on the east end of Main Street near Yard House
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 582-6255

Zoé to perform at the Aztec Theatre

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Mexican rock band Zoé’ will perform at the Aztec Theatre on Tuesday February 26. Courtesy photo, used with permission. 

After earning a GRAMMY® in the category of ‘Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album’ for their album ‘Aztlan,’ Zoé, one of the most acclaimed Mexican rock bands of the past several decades, kicked off their 2019 U.S. tour this month. Canadian bands Metric and July Talk will join them for the majority of the concerts, which kick off this one of a kind multicultural tour that only a band with Zoé’s sound can pull. They will be playing at the Aztec Theatre on Tuesday February 26. Other Texas dates include February 28 at the Revention Music Center in Houston, TX, March 1 at the Southside Ballroom in Dallas, TX and March 2 at the Moody Theatre in Austin – (Metric & Zoé). (Zoé, 2019)

During Zoé’s 20th anniversary tour in 2018, the internationally popular rock band performed ‘sold out’ concerts in Los Angeles, Anaheim, New York, Chicago, Rosemont, Dallas, Houston, El Paso, Denver, San Francisco, San Diego and Riverside. At the renowned Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, the band received a special recognition by YouTube for reaching more than a million channel subscribers.

Zoé’s current GRAMMY® award winning sixth studio album titled ‘Aztlán’ was inspired by the mythical birthplace of the Mexica people who would later come to rule the Aztec Empire. The album incorporates psychedelic rock, synth pop, indie rock and classic rock en español influences and explores the universal themes of identity, technology, social-consciousness and love in the modern world.

‘Aztlán’ has since achieved gold status, with more than thirty thousand copies sold in Mexico and a Latin Grammy nomination in 2018 for ‘Best Rock Album.’ The album has also been streamed more than one hundred million times. Zoé topped the charts of music videos and downloads with the release of the album’s first single “Azul”, which they repeated with the release of their other two singles “Hielo” and “No Hay Mal Que Dure.” Eleven of its tracks reached the Top 200 of Spotify, a first for a band from Mexico, and the album continued to top physical and digital sales lists afterwards for several consecutive weeks.

“The title of the album, Aztlán, is a reference to our people. It is an invitation to discover the beauty and richness of our culture and look inward so we can recover that Mexican dignity and pride.” – front man Leon Larregui.

Aztec Theatre
104 N Saint Marys St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 812-4355