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

Main Plaza Farmers Market re-opens Tuesday

mainplazaThe Main Plaza Conservancy and the San Antonio Food Bank will kick-off the re-opening of the seasonal Main Plaza Farmers Market on Tuesday March 19. The Market will run each Tuesday through November and will feature local farmers and their produce, vendors with soap and jewelry, cooking demonstrations and mariachis and other entertainment. (San Antonio Food Bank, 2019)

The event begins at 10a.m. as the Main Plaza Farmers Market opens for sales, culinary demos and more. There will be an opening ceremony and speakers, including Jane Pauley, Executive Director, Main Plaza Conservancy, Eric Cooper, President and CEO of San Antonio Food Bank and Justin Rodriguez, Bexar County Commission, Precinct 2.

Main Plaza
115 N. Main Ave.
San Antonio, TX 78205

The San Antonio Food Bank is a 501c3 non-profit organization providing millions of pounds of food to more than 500 charitable organizations in Southwest Texas serving those in need. In addition to food distribution, the San Antonio Food Bank provides numerous programs that not only solve the immediate problems of hunger, but help individuals and families gain long-term food security.

March events at the Pearl

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Mi Golondrina will have a pop-up store at the Pearl during the month of March.  Photo: Pearl, used with permission. 

Pearl has exciting events planned for the month of March. From First Thursday Night Market to a Mi Golondrina retail pop-up and St. Patrick’s celebrations at the Bottling Department, Pearl is the perfect spot to enjoy Spring Break with the family and kids, with plenty of dining and shopping options for every taste. (Pearl, 2019)

Mi Golondrina Pop-up
March 5 through June 1- 11a.m. to 5p.m.
The Pearl is excited to bring back Mi Golondrina, a collection of handcrafted clothing and accessories, to San Antonio. Shop the collection at the Pearl pop-up store, located next to Niche and The Sporting District. Mi Golondrina’s collection is handcrafted in Mexico and the finishing details are added by their talented team in Dallas to create a curated collection of high-end artisan apparel and accessories. This event is free and open to the public.

First Thursday Night Market
March 7 from 4p.m. to 8p.m.
Kick off a new month with First Thursday Night Market at the Pearl. Shop from favorite local Farmers Market vendors and artists while enjoying music by regional performers. Big Cedar Fever performs at Pearl Park from 5:30p.m. to 7:30p.m. Richard Diaz de Leon Music performs in Pearl Parkito from 4 to 8 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

St. Patrick’s Day at the Bottling Department
March 17 from 8a.m. to 9 p.m.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Pearl with various drink specials at the Bar at the Bottling Department. Guinness will be flowing to celebrate the luck of the Irish as well as other beer and drink specials. Pearl Farmers Market will be open from 10a.m. to 2p.m. so guest can enjoy locally sourced goods. This event is free and open to the public.

Pearl
303 Pearl Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 212-7260

Culinaria 5K Wine and Beer Run at The Shops at La Cantera

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This year’s Culinaria 5K Wine & Beer Run will be on Saturday March 16. Photo: Culinaria, used with permission. 

Coming up next month is the Culinaria 5K Wine & Beer Run, a 3.1-mile trek through The Shops at La Cantera with the scenic hill country as a backdrop, which makes for a one-of-a-kind experience unlike any other run in Texas. All 5K Wine & Beer Run participants will be able to enjoy a post-run celebration that promotes healthy lifestyle including delicious eats, irresistible drinks, wine and beer tastings, activities, shopping and more. (Culinaria, 2019)

Scheduled for Saturday, March 16, the pre-race festivities will begin at 7a.m. with the race starting at 8a.m. The cost ranges from $40 to $55. This event is open to all types of runners, including teams with a minimum of 10 participants. For more information or to register visit Culinaria online.

Friends, family members and visitors can enjoy the race day reception by purchasing a Race Reception ticket. Tickets are $20 for ages seven and up to take part in the after party and enjoy the food and festivities after the conclusion of the race. Not into running? Sign up to be a volunteer and enjoy a different side of race day. Packet Pick-Up is a must for registered participants in the Culinaria 5k; as that is where they will receive the bib, timing chip and t-shirt. Anyone who is not registered, or running is welcome to register at Packet Pick-Up, space available. Check Culinaria for time and location. This is an event that runners and non-runners alike will enjoy – so toast to a race well ran and dig in with Culinaria.

As a non-profit organization, 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 Week, a 5k Wine & Beer Run, the Wine + Food Festival and the Hallowine Run as well as smaller events with several community partner events.

The Shops at La Cantera
15900 La Cantera Pkwy.
San Antonio, TX 78256

Carrie Rodriguez to perform at first Canciones of 2019 at Pearl

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Pearl’s Canciones kicks off this Friday February 22 with Carrie Rodriguez and Eva Ybarra. Photo: Pearl, used with permission. 

Pearl is excited to announce the first artist in its Canciones series of 2019: Carrie Rodriguez’s Laboratorio and special guest Eva Ybarra, who will both perform on Friday, February 22, from 7:30p.m. to 9p.m. at Pearl Park. (Pearl, 2019)

Led by bilingual singer/songwriter/fiddle player Carrie Rodriguez, Laboratorio features a different guest with each performance. Rodriguez and the Laboratorio band explore and stretch the boundaries of what is considered to be Latin music in America today. San Antonio’s “Queen of the Accordion,” Eva Ybarra, will join Rodriguez and Laboratorio. Ybarra is one of a very few number of women accordionists in conjunto music, a genre of music originating at the Texas/Mexico border based on Mexican and Czech-German folk forms such as the polka, mazurka, schottische, waltz and huapango.

Canciones is a free concert series celebrating the sounds of South Texas at Pearl Park. Food and drink will be available for purchase at the Bottling Department.

“We are thrilled to kick-off our 2019 Canciones series with such a strong female artist. Carrie Rodriguez embodies what this series is all about – celebrating the amazing music of South Texas.” – Elizabeth Fauerso, Pearl’s Chief Marketing Officer

Pearl Park
303 Pearl Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 212-7260

Pearl to host Valentine’s Day edition of Sound Cream Sunset Sessions

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Sound Cream Airstream returns this Thursday, Valentine’s Day with DJ JJ Lopez. Photo: Matt Buikema, used with permission. 

Pearl is excited to announce that Sound Cream Airstream is returning for a special Valentine’s Day edition of Sound Cream Sunset Sessions. On Thursday, February 14 from 6:30p.m. to 9p.m., DJ JJ Lopez will spin ‘Love Songs and Dedications’ throughout the evening to celebrate the holiday devoted to romance. Sound Cream Sunset Sessions is a dance party and DJ showcase, featuring every genre from Cuban salsa to House, mixed by locals and guest DJs from across the country. This event is free and open to the public. (Pearl, 2019)

Sweethearts, families and friends are invited to enjoy an evening on the lawn listening to their favorite love songs by DJ JJ Lopez. The featured artist grew up in a conjunto-loving family but got into music in 1989 when he started seeing DJs at dance clubs in Corpus Christi. He became a club DJ in 1995 and traveled the world checking out DJ culture and dance music scenes. He went through the music business program at San Antonio College and was a DJ on SAC’s KSYM.

Pearl Park
312 Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78215

Family fun at Old West Christmas Light Fest

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The Old West Christmas Light Fest is now open until December 30. Photo: Old West Christmas Light Fest, used with permission.

Old West Christmas Light Fest brings the holidays to life with drive-thru light displays and an Old West town filled with lights, music, food and fun and now it is at all-new location, Enchanted Springs Ranch, 242 Hwy 46 W in Boerne. Guests can enjoy dazzling lights, visit Santa, snap holiday photos and play games and other family friendly activities as Christmas Light Fest celebrates five years of bringing holiday magic to San Antonio and the Hill Country. (Old West Christmas Light Fest, 2018)

The 2018 event is open from 6p.m. to 10p.m., Thursday through Sunday evening until Sunday, December 16 and EVERY night December 20 to December 29 including Christmas Eve and Christmas night.

Spread throughout a 40-building Old West town brought to life with the magic of holiday lights, activities include drive-thru light displays, walk-around lights and experiences in a recreated Old West town, featuring a walk-through light tunnel, family games, a light maze for kids, a scavenger hunt, a mechanical bull ride, trampoline bungee jumping, cookie decorating, holiday movies, face painting, ornament decorating and more. There is live music every Saturday night and Santa is at his favorite ranch to hear holiday wishes through Christmas Eve. Photos with Santa are free.

Tickets are available online and are $15 per adult and $10 per child ages four and older. Children under four are free. Tickets at the gate are $17 per adult and $12 per child (tax included). A Family 5-Pack is available online only for $49. Members of the military—active duty, guard, reserves and all retired service members—as well as first responders and their families receive a $5 discount throughout the holiday season. Guests who bring a nonperishable item to donate to the San Antonio Food Bank and receive $2 off their ticket. Season passes are also available for $45 per person. Onsite parking is free.

Old West Christmas Light Fest
Enchanted Springs Ranch (exit 540 off of I-10)
242 Hwy 46 W
Boerne, TX 78006

Doc Watkins’ Big Band Holiday Classics concert at Pearl

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Doc Watkins’ Big Band Holiday Classics Concert is this Sunday December 9 at Pearl Park. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

Pearl is excited to present Doc Watkins’ Big Band Holiday Classics Concert this Sunday December 9 at 7:30p.m. at Pearl Park. Guests are invited to experience Watkins and a stellar line-up of San Antonio musical talent for an evening of big band holiday classic songs. The performance recreates Doc’s soon-to-be released and much anticipate album Doc Watkins Christmas in Jazz, TX. Alongside members of the San Antonio Symphony, Doc sings Silver Bells, White Christmas and other classic holiday standards. This event is free and open to the public with food and drinks available for purchase at the Bottling Department. (Pearl, 2018)

As part of the holiday programming, starting Wednesday, December 5, Pearl celebrates the tradition of Christmas Caroling with choirs from several local schools and organizations including Lamar Elementary, Hawthorne Elementary, Northwest Hills Baptist Church (Kidz Music Club), San Antonio Chamber Choir, Chantez Nouvelle and more. The dates for Christmas Caroling include December 5, 11, 12, 17 and 18. Times vary, please check Pearl’s social media and website for more information. This event is also free and open to the public.

Pearl
Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78215

Hotel Emma’s Salvation Army benefit kicks off with concert on Saturday

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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

Upcoming holiday events at the Pearl

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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)

Holiday Night 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