New and returning Fiesta items, like the Fiesta Croissant, will be available March 28 through April 13 at all La Panadería locations. Photo: La Panadería, used with permission.
In celebration of Fiesta taking place from March 31, 2022 through April 10, 2022, La Panadería will bring back last year’s best-seller, the Fiesta Croissant, in addition to two new colorful menu items. From March 28, 2022 through April 13, 2022, guests will be able to enjoy the delicious Fiesta Croissant, filled with fresh strawberries and whipped mascarpone cream and topped with bright, Fiesta-themed icing. Always innovating, the bakery-cafe will also unveil Fiesta-themed Orejas and the brand-new 24-Carat Champagne Cheesecake topped with real 24-carat gold leaves. The rich, creamy cheesecake is infused with champagne and topped with edible gold leaf. (La Panadería, 2022)
To purchase these limited-time Fiesta items, visit any of La Panadería’s three locations or order online from March 28, 2022 through April 13, 2022.
Hoping to share their Mexican heritage with citizens in the U.S., José and David Cáceres opened La Panadería in San Antonio, Texas in 2014. The bakery, which specializes in handmade bread, pan dulce and pastries inspired by Mexico’s Golden Era, or Epoca de Oro, draws influence from French, Italian, and American bread making techniques. La Panadería’s unique approach to breadmaking includes a minimum 48-hour fermentation process that results in artisan bread and pastries unlike any other. La Panadería has three locations in San Antonio, Texas.
“The San Antonio community supports La Panadería every day, so we want to do our part in celebrating them with these specialty items. Fiesta is all about the bright colors and celebration of culture, and our pan dulce perfectly reflects that.” – La Panadería co-founder and head panadero, David Caceres.
Juno Award-Winner Steve Dawson makes the best out of his time with upcoming album Gone, Long Gone, out March 18, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
When 2019 turned into 2020, Canadian guitarist, composer, and seven-time Juno Award-winning musician Steve Dawsonwas as busy as he had ever been in his life—playing with his friends Matt Anderson or Birds of Chicago and helming his acclaimed Music Makers and Soul Shakers podcast, all while producing albums for a multitude of roots artists and touring under his own name. So when the pandemic hit and pulled the ripcord to slow down Dawson’s life, he took the positives with the negatives and relished in some time off to work on music that may have never seen the light of day otherwise. His flurry of activity resulted in enough solo material for three distinct albums, the first of which, Gone, Long Gone—an album focused entirely on Dawson’s songcraft—will be released on March 18. (Steve Dawson, 2022)
American Songwriter premiered “Dimes,” Gone, Long Gone’s horn-laden, funk-infused opener. With a punchy, funky guitar attack akin to Ry Cooder, “Dimes” explores the age-old idea of quality versus quantity. “I just wanted to have a nice laid-back, funky feel going on over this, and then in the middle, a 70s cop-show theme song breaks out,” says Dawson, reflecting on recording the tune which features an all-star lineup of players. Fans can hear “Dimes” now at this linkand check out the song’s lyric video, which premiered yesterday across the pond with Americana UK.Gone, Long Gone can be pre-ordered or pre-saved ahead of its March 18 release at this link.
Gone, Long Gone is Dawson’s first collection of songs since Solid States and Loose Ends came out in 2016, and features nine original cuts (mostly co-written with Alberta songwriter Matt Patershuk) and a soulful cover of The Faces’ “Ooh La La.” These new originals represent the first time Dawson has collaborated on songs with another artist, conceding that co-writing was a process that he previously found uncomfortable. Once Patershuk started firing off ideas to Steve, the ball got rolling, ideas flowed back and forth, and once the dust had settled, they had come up with a batch of new songs. The finished product proves that, as much as anything else, Steve Dawson is a singer-songwriter of the highest caliber and that Gone, Long Gone is the most realized album to be released under his own name to date.
As much as everyone has suffered through the past year, the beautiful music featured on Gone, Long Gone shows us that there is a bright side to our enforced isolation. It is not simply a record of the pandemic. These are songs with a life of their own that will resonate long after the memories of our current situation have faded.
Steve Dawson has long been recognized as one of Canada’s finest instrumentalists and record producers. He has collected seven Juno awards and 22 more nominations, was named Western Canadian Music Awards’ “Producer of the Year” three times and Canadian Folk Music Awards’ “Producer of the Year” four times with nominations too many to count between the two organizations. Dawson is the mastermind behind the popular podcast Music Makers and Soul Shakers, which has now published more than 100 episodes. His new album Gone, Long Gone is the first of three releases coming from a bountiful quarantine recording streak and is available on March 18, 2022. Phantom Threshold, a psychedelic pedal steel-driven instrumental album, is expected in July 2022.
Gone, Long Gone Track list: 1. Dimes 2. King Bennie Had His Shit Together 3. Bad Omen 4. Gone, Long Gone 5. I Just Get Lost 6. Kulaniapia Waltz 7. 6 Skeletons 8. Ooh La La 9. Cicada Sanctuary 10. Time Has Made A Fool Out Of Me
Jason Erie reconciles with country’s past and present on new album Tiny Fires, due out March 25 via Wirebird Records. Photo: Jason Erie, used with permission.
Is it okay to be proud of where one comes from even if that past is far from perfect? Can a country learn from the scars of its past and build something greater than any flawed, hand-me-down patriotism could ever summarize? According to New Jersey-born-and-raised folksinger and songwriter Jason Erie, the answer is a resounding “yes.” On Erie’s new full-length album Tiny Fires he spearheads a rebuilding effort, utilizing his signature hyper-sensory poeticism in intimate, agonizing portraits of the common man’s oft disregarded depth and frailty. Erie explores everything from modern consumerism to isolation, attempting to reconcile the imperfect realities of the U.S.A. and the flawed system passed down by its forebears. With that said, Erie’s message on Tiny Fires runs deeper than any run-of-the-mill, partisan protest record. Rather, it is an inherently unifying exposé on what it means to be human in a seemingly smoldering world and to find a home in its ashes. Tiny Fires can be pre-ordered or pre-saved ahead of its March 25 release at this link. (Jason Erie, 2022)
Over the course of 12 songs, Tiny Fires takes the listener across a sonic landscape that manages to incorporate everything from intimate acoustic ballads to raucous rock anthems—all of which showcase Erie’s unmatched versatility. Whereas producer Brett Ryan Stewart (Wirebird Productions) creates a masterful musical backdrop for the record, it is Erie’s extraordinary lyrical content and the consistency of his heart which ties the whole collection together. Where the first half of Tiny Fires is brimming with raw, dystopian hopelessness, in the latter half, the listener is greeted by a coming to terms of sorts. Erie seemingly begins taking ownership of his own role as a father, son, American, and human being. Perhaps the most obvious illustration of this empowerment comes in the song “Sins of my Father”—a marching rock track that seems equal parts anthem and dirge. It is written by the perspective of a son grappling with the troubled history of his father and his own identity within that lineage. The lyrics are deeply personal to Jason. “I’ve always been close to my dad and realize now that he worked really hard not to become his father. Thanks to that I get to say I hope to become more like him. Now that I am a father, this song serves as a reminder that trauma does not define who we are.” On another layer, the lyrics are also undoubtedly relevant to Americans forced to question their own collective history, the sins of their forefathers. It seems to beg some very important questions.
Within only a few years in Nashville, Jason has established himself as a must-know act in the renowned East Nashville Americana scene and a rising star in the Americana scene abroad. His first studio offering, The Art of Letting Go, gained widespread critical acclaim and landed the #28 slot on the Roots Music Report Americana chart. The Music Mermaid said, “The thing about Erie is that he’s not just a wildly talented musician — he’s a poet, a gut-puncher, a soul-shaker, an artist so in tune with the special ways that words can be spun. Not all singer-songwriters can do this, but somehow Erie does it all.” This sentiment is shared by anyone who has witnessed Jason’s live performances throughout his tours of the North and Southeast U.S.—as evidenced by his victory in the 2019 Eddie Owens Presents: Songwriter Shootout in Duluth, GA. Past winners of this competition include John Mayer, Shawn Mullins, Clay Cook, Jennifer Nettles, Tyler Childers, and Elliot Bronson.
The annual exhibition and sale that celebrates the beauty and spirit of the west returns to full schedule. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
The Briscoe Western Art Museum proudly welcomes Western artists and collectors to celebrate the vibrancy of Western art during the museum’s 2022 Night of Artists Exhibition and Sale, on March 25-26 in San Antonio. With the opportunity to view and purchase nearly 300 new works of painting, sculpture and mixed media by 78 of the country’s leading contemporary Western artists, Night of Artists draws artists, collectors and art enthusiasts to the banks of the San Antonio River Walk for two days of festivities kicking off one of the premier Western art exhibitions and sales in the world. Beyond the opening celebration, Night of Artists is a public exhibition and sale that spans six weeks at the Briscoe, March 27 – May 8, and is included with general admission to the museum. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2022)
“After the last two years, which included the temporary closure of the museum and an online celebration of Night of Artists, the opportunity to celebrate the beauty and impact of the rich stories shared through Western art is especially welcome. Now more than ever, the importance of art in our lives cannot be understated and the fantastic artists and the remarkable works featured this year deserve to be celebrated. We are honored to work with a premier showcase of emerging and well-renowned contemporary Western artists and grateful to the collectors and buyers who recognize the quality of the works showcased.” – Michael Duchemin, President and CEO of the Briscoe Western Art Museum
The wide range of artwork reflects the vastness of the great American West. From scenic landscapes and inspired Native Americans, classic cowboys and dazzling vaqueros to stunning wildlife and detailed portraiture, Night of Artists features something for every art enthusiast to enjoy. Some of the featured artistsinclude Mary Ross Buchholz, C. Michael Dudash, Teresa Elliott, Martin Grelle, George Hallmark, Z.S. Liang, Kenny McKenna, Jan Mapes, Don Oelze, Paul Rhymer, Stefan Savides, Billy Schenck, Michael Ome Untiedt, Kim Wiggins, and Xiang Zhang. Notable new artists participating this year include Teal Blake, Nancy Cawdrey, Donna Howell-Sickles, Brenda Kingery, Dave LaMure, Jr., Joshua LaRock, Bruce Lawes, and Jim Vogel.
Night of Artists is a fundraiser for the museum, benefiting the Briscoe’s full array of exhibitions and programs throughout the year. The event’s two-day opening weekend kicks off with the annual Briscoe Bison Society Collectors Summit, where artists, collectors and gallery owners gather to share their insights during panel discussions and conversations exploring the Western art market and trends. The two-part summit takes place March 25 and March 26 at The Westin Riverwalk. Intended for everyone from novice to seasoned art collectors, the panels feature nationally recognized Western artists, experts and gallery owners.
The Exhibition Preview, Dinner and Live Auction unfolds March 25 with an evening of cocktails in the Night of Artists exhibition, an elegant, seated dinner and a vivacious live auction. Conducted by Troy Black, the live auction features 32 separate works. The evening takes place in the Briscoe’s Jack Guenther Pavilion on the banks of the San Antonio River Walk.
New to this year’s schedule, the Night of Artists Awards Luncheon takes place March 26, honoring the artists in this year’s exhibition and recognizing the annual award winners.
Night of Artists’ signature event, the Exhibition Opening, Art Sale and Reception, takes place March 26. This memorable evening includes the “Luck of the Draw” Art Sale, where works of art are available for purchase at a fixed price established by the artist. Attendees are provided with a ballot book and may place an intent to purchase slip in the box by a work of art they would like to purchase. When time expires, two slips are randomly drawn allowing the first drawee the opportunity to purchase the piece or pass it along to the second drawee. All the excitement happens to the tune of live music under the stars in the museum’s McNutt Sculpture Garden.
Tickets for all Night of Artists events are available online or by calling 210.299.4499. The Night of Artists public exhibition will be on display during regular museum hours March 27 – May 8 and is included in museum admission. Works that are not sold through opening weekend will be available for purchase both in-person and online.
Preserving and presenting the art, history and culture of the American West through engaging exhibitions, educational programs and public events reflective of the region’s rich traditions and shared heritage, the Briscoe Western Art Museum is located on the San Antonio River Walk at 210 W. Market Street in the beautifully restored 1930s former San Antonio Public Library building. Named in honor of the late Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. and his wife, Janey Slaughter Briscoe, the museum includes the three-story Jack Guenther Pavilion, used for event rentals and programs, and the outdoor McNutt Sculpture Garden.
Harlan Coben’s new novel ‘The Match’ will be out Tuesday, March 15, 2022. Photo: amazon
Harlan Coben is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of the world’s leading storytellers. His suspense novels are published in forty-five languages and have been number one bestsellers in more than a dozen countries, with seventy-five million books in print worldwide. His Myron Bolitar series has earned the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards, and five of his books have been developed into Netflix original series, including his adaptation of ‘The Stranger,’ ‘The Innocent,’ ‘Gone for Good,’ ‘The Woods,’ and ‘Stay Close,’ which was released on December 31, 2021. His new book, ‘The Match’ will be released on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, is book two of the Wilde series. In this new thriller, Wilde follows a tip that may finally reveal the truth behind his abandonment—only to end up in the sights of a ruthless killer. (amazon, 2022)
‘The Match’ – After months away, Wilde has returned to the Ramapo Mountains in the wake of a failed bid at domesticity that confirms what he has known all along: he belongs on his own, free from the comforts and constraints of modern life. Suddenly, a DNA match on an online ancestry database brings Wilde closer to his past than he has ever dreamed, and finally gives Wilde the opening he needs to track down his father. But meeting the man brings up more questions than answers. So Wilde reaches out to his last, most desperate lead, a second cousin who disappears as quickly as he resurfaces, having experienced an epic fall from grace that can only be described as a waking nightmare. Was his cousin’s downfall a long time coming? Or was he the victim of a conspiracy as cunning as it is complex? And how does it all connect to the man once known as The Stranger, a treacherous fugitive with a growing following whose mission and methods have only turned more dangerous with time?
The new documentary Stronger By Stress in now available on digital and on On Demand. Photo: Gravitas Ventures, used with permission.
Stronger by Stress is a documentary film about leveraging the concept of hormesis to our advantage. It talks about the science of stress, how it affects our bodies, what to do for stress management and which kind of positive stressors we should incorporate into our lives. The movie is told through the lens of biohacking and health optimization. It focuses on the idea of preventive healthcare, personalized medicine, self-quantification, experimentation and scientific enquiry. Stronger By Stress: Leverage the science of stress adaptation and become more resilient in your everyday life. From Gravitas Ventures, the documentary is now available on digital platforms and it is directed by Andzei and written and produced by Siim Land. (Gravitas Ventures, 2022)
Stronger by Stress – With conventional medicine struggling to keep up with our ever-increasing stress, biohackers show us their holistic approach to life not only increases a resilience against stress but also helps us to perform on higher level. If there is one thing the past year and a half has taught us, then it is that unexpected events and chaotic situations are bound to happen. No matter how advanced we think we are as a species, there is always something unpredictable that could cripple us as not only individuals but as an entire society. It is not a matter of if but when. We cannot do much about preventing these events from happening – we can only prepare for them in advance.
Humans and other life forms have developed complex systems for dealing with environmental stressors. In fact, these pathways actually make us more resilient against the same kind of stress in the future. Thus, we become stronger by the stress we experience. The biological phenomenon to describe this is called ‘hormesis,’ which is a dose-specific response to a particular toxin or stressor that does have a weakening effect on the body but leads to adaptation and super-compensation afterwards.
The Leprechaun Margarita will be available from March 11 through March 30, 2022. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.
Taco Cabana diners are in luck this month, because from March 11, 2022 through March 30, 2022, guests can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a signature Leprechaun Margarita for just $3 at all Texas Taco Cabana locations. The festive green margarita is a refreshing blend of Taco Cabana’s frozen Mango and Blue Curaçao margaritas, which creates its signature green color. Guests can pair this holiday beverage with their favorite menu items to create the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day meal. (Taco Cabana, 2022)
Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, 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 bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up, delivery and catering. As of March 1, 2022, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.
With these upcoming promotions, San Antonio residents and travelers alike will be feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and restored. Photo: Thompson San Antonio Spa, used with permission.
Thompson San Antonio Spawill be promoting all things self-care with upcoming deals this Spring. The hotel’s expertly crafted 5,000 square-foot spa features five treatment rooms, intimate relaxation areas, a steam room, and a sauna. (Thompson San Antonio Spa, 2022)
The full-service spa is now opening their doors 7-days a week, with exciting, new deals that will help guests, and locals alike, achieve their ultimate wellness goals. With Spring Break around the corner, from March 11-20, Thompson San Antonio Spa will be offering 25% off any a la carte treatments for all teachers and administrators with a valid school ID.
Continuing into Spring, from April 8 – May 8, the spa will be offering a $20 Complimentary Spa Voucher to those who purchase a $125 gift card. With Mother’s Day on May 8, this is the perfect excuse to give the gift of self-care not only to your mom, but to treat yourself as well.
As June approaches, Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk Spa will be relaunching their new Membership Program, which will be even more elevated this year with 50% off the first month of either Silver or Gold monthly memberships, and pool usage at the hotel’s luxurious Cenote Pool Deck. Step out onto the pool deck and sun terrace, complete with an alfresco bar, incredible city views, plush lounge seating, and private cabanas. Silver Card Members, for $299a month, will receive numerous treatments, complimentary fitness classes, access to the steam room and sauna, and much more. Gold VIP Card members, for $499a month, will receive all Silver Card Member inclusions plus a complimentary 50-minute Birthday Treatment, four complimentary guest passes per year, a complimentary hotel night stay, and endless perks.
Lastly, the spa will be taking care of those who take care of us with a 25% off any a la carte treatments for first responders who show a valid ID.
First Generation American will be out April 1, 2022. Photo: Elliah Heifetz, used with permission.
“Her second tongue was English, but her first was patience,” sings Elliah Heifetz on his new single, “Living Proof”—a loving ode to his mother who, along with his father and sister, came to America in 1990 as political refugees from the Soviet Union. “Everything she did, she had to do.” This story of upbringing is typical for generations of immigrant children, but Heifetz’ tale carries a unique calling card, his unabashed love for American country and roots music. “Living Proof” embodies the hope and resilience of Heifetz’ mother with equal parts John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, and Don Williams, riding a quiet half-time groove accented by sweet pedal steel guitar and true-to-life lyrics. “She was fighting for a corner of a brand new nation, and I, I’m living proof.” The first release from Heifetz’ upcoming full-length album First GenerationAmerican, fans can hear “Living Proof” now and pre-order or pre-save the album at this link. (Elliah Heifetz, 2022)
Set to be released on April 1, First Generation American finds this son of eastern European immigrants telling his most personal truths and truly confronting his life-long identity crisis. In late 2020, Heifetz connected with Grammy-nominated producer and fellow first-generation American Andrija Tokic. Flying to Nashville to track thirteen songs with Tokic at his all-analog Bomb Shelter studio, Heifetz recorded with an all-star band of legendary musicians including Dennis Crouch, Jeff Taylor, Jimmy Lester, Jack Lawrence, and JJ Tourville.
The record’s opening title track is a raucous, joyously tongue-in-cheek anthem for all children of immigrants, followed by the honeyed, heartfelt “Living Proof.” Other standouts include “Modern Man,” a rip-roaring blues rocker with a wink in its eye; “Anxiety,” a vulnerable conversation with mental illness; “Keep the Grass in the Ground,” a tonal nod to Heifetz’s late hero John Prine; and “Buzzin’,” the honky tonk shout-along he has always dreamed of leading. First Generation American blows open the door to the musical world inhabited by tour-de-forces like Tyler Childers, Waylon Payne, Joshua Ray Walker, and Margo Price.
Heifetz likes to say that on this record, he is a “tourist through country music”—paying reverent homage to the genre’s traditions while upending every old-guard, exclusionary norm he can find. It is a vital album for a hellishly turbulent time, a way to belly-laugh while we swallow the bitter reality of America’s hateful roots and complex future. And it is a perfect summary of something that has taken Heifetz down a rough road to learn: the stranger it is to listeners that he plays country music, the more right it feels. In this nation of immigrants, this patchwork quilt of a million differences, strangeness is precisely what makes you belong.
First Generation American follows the release of Heifetz’ debut EP, New Folk Songs, from which a number of songs were added to curated playlists—including TIDAL’s 2018 Best Of: Rising Folk/Country. Additionally, Dramatist Guild Foundation Fellow Heifetz has been crowned as one-to-watch as a composer and pop songwriter. In his songwriting career, Heifetz has collaborated with hit pop songwriters and producers like Freddy Wexler, Dave Kuncio, Corey Sanders, and Neff-U.
‘A Doll’s House, Part 2’ opens on Thursday March 10 at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Photo: sRagnar Fotografi
Calling all theatre lovers! The Classic Theatre will kick off its first outdoor production of the year with the Tony-nominated play, ‘A Doll’s House, Part 2,’ which will run from March 10-27, 2022 and stars local favorites Anna Gangai and Vic Treviño. Outdoor and COVID-safe performances will be held Thursday, Friday, and Sunday evenings at the San Antonio Botanical Gardenbeginning at 7:30p.m. Join us after the opening night performance (Thursday, March 10) for a complimentary glass of champagne, as you meet and mingle with the cast, crew, staff, and board members of The Classic Theatre of San Antonio. (Classic Theatre, 2022)
The play picks up where the original ‘A Doll’s House,’ created by Henrik Ibsen and embraced by activists throughout the last century, leaves off. And no, you do not have to see the original play in order to enjoy the fiery debate in this rich sequel. Hnath takes away the century-long guesswork of what might have become of our lead character, Nora, after ‘A Doll’s House’ concludes. Wit, artistry, and raw emotion make this piece as impactful as the original drama, especially in this era of “Me too.”
The synopsis of ‘A Doll’s House, Part 2’ from Playbill.com reads, “In the final scene of Ibsen’s 1879 ground-breaking masterwork, Nora Helmer makes the shocking decision to leave her husband and children, and begin a life on her own. This climactic event — when Nora slams the door on everything in her life — instantly propelled world drama into the modern age. In ‘A Doll’s House, Part 2,’ many years have passed since Nora’s exit. Now, there is a knock on that same door. Nora has returned. But why? And what will it mean for those she left behind?”
Enjoy a thought-provoking and extraordinary evening as you watch Nora, one of our most important dramatic heroines, return to the home and family she left all those years ago. What will she find? And what will you find as you reexamine her story?
Tickets for ‘A Doll’s House, Part 2’ are available online. This production will feature an ASL interpreted evening on March 25, 2022. Please visit The Classic’s website and social media pages for additional events tied to this show.
Guests are asked to bring their own chairs and blankets to the performance. The Classic Theatre will have masks and chairs available for purchase if needed. Masks are required.
San Antonio Botanical Garden 555 Funston Place San Antonio, TX 78209
The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is a small nonprofit professional theatre in San Antonio, Texas that is committed to producing excellent theatre that is relevant, diverse, entertaining and transformative. The theatre produces five main stage shows a year, along with a Second Series of smaller productions in partnership with local and national artists. Founded in 2008 by Chris Cheever, Asia Ciaravino, Anthony Ciaravino, Diane Malone, Rick Malone, Terri Peña Ross, and Allan S. Ross; The Classic Theatre has earned more than 70 Alamo Theatre Arts Council (ATAC) Awards and works with The Actor’s Equity Association.
SA Examiner 