Summer Turns Sinister in J.D. Barker’s Island Horror Masterpiece

‘Something I Keep Upstairs’ is the new thriller by J.D. Barker. Photo: Barnes & Noble

📚 Book Review: “Something I Keep Upstairs” by J.D. Barker

The story begins with 17-year-old Billy Hasler recounting the day everything changed. He and his best friend, David Spivey—known simply as Spivey—have been inseparable since their parents paired them up as kids at the age of four. Raised on New Castle, a small island off the coast of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, their bond is unshakable.

But during the final week of their junior year, everything shifts. Principal Wilson and Police Chief Whaley interrupt their algebra class with shocking news: Spivey’s grandmother, Geraldine Rote—whom he met only once—has passed away and left him her entire estate on nearby Wood Island. That includes a house, a couple of boats, and enough money to secure his future.

A Summer Adventure Turns into a Nightmare

J.D. Barker’s “Something I Keep Upstairs” is a pulse-pounding descent into psychological horror, steeped in folklore, trauma, and the eerie quiet of an isolated island. What begins as a carefree summer quickly spirals into a chilling exploration of generational secrets and supernatural terror.

As Billy and Spivey dig into the island’s dark past, they awaken a force that has long lurked in the shadows—something ancient, hungry, and deeply rooted in the land and its people. Their friendship, once a refuge, becomes fragile. Even Billy’s relationship with his girlfriend Kira is suffering:

“If our relationship was held together by a thread, I was standing on that thread, carefully balanced, and the wrong move would send me teetering over the side and falling into an abyss from which she and I would not recover.”

Vivid, Atmospheric Horror

Told alternately in first-person through Billy’s perspective, the novel is rich in atmosphere and tension. Barker’s writing is cinematic and emotionally layered, balancing fast-paced plot with psychological depth. The horror builds gradually, creeping in before crashing down with relentless force.

“The smell hit me the moment I crossed the threshold. A damp, heady scent of dirt, must, and mold over something horribly sweet, like burnt sugar forgotten in a simmering pan.”

At nearly 500 pages, the pace slows slightly in the middle, but fans of Stephen King and Dean Koontz will appreciate the blend of ghostly apparitions, time distortions, family legacies, and soul-hungry ancient entities.

Final Thoughts

“Something I Keep Upstairs” is more than a horror novel—it’s a haunting tale of memory, legacy, and the things we inherit without understanding. It lingers long after the final page and is highly recommended for fans of ghost stories and supernatural thrillers.

“When left alone, the mind can either be your biggest asset or worst enemy. When mine  began rattling off the possibilities, it became the single voice I no longer wanted to hear…”

Rating: 4 out of 5.

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

**There is still time to enter the contest to win a night in the haunted house that inspired the book. The winner will be selected on June 13, 2025. Related post: Enter If You Dare: Win a Spine-Chilling Night in the Haunted House That Inspired ‘Something I Keep Upstairs.’

Aloha Vaqueros: Celebrating the Cultural Fusion of Mexican Vaqueros and Hawaiian Paniolos

Aloha Vaqueros: Briscoe Western Art Museum explores the western spirit across oceans. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

Aloha Vaqueros: Where the American West Meets the Pacific

On view June 13 – September 1, 2025 | Briscoe Western Art Museum

This summer, the Briscoe Western Art Museum invites you to journey beyond the mainland and explore an extraordinary chapter of the American West that stretches across the Pacific Ocean. Aloha Vaqueros, presented in partnership with the Museo del Vaquero de las Californias (MuVaCa), unveils the surprising and powerful ties between Mexico’s legendary vaqueros and Hawaii’s storied paniolo cowboys.

Member Preview Party – June 13, 6–8 p.m.

Briscoe members are invited to an exclusive preview party to celebrate the opening of the exhibition. Enjoy:

  • Beer, wine, and specialty cocktails
  • Light bites
  • Complimentary valet service

👉 RSVP here.

The Roots of a Cross-Cultural Cowboy Culture

Long before Hawaii became a U.S. state, Mexican vaqueros traveled across the Pacific in the early 1800s to teach cattle handling to Hawaiian islanders. These expert horsemen brought with them tools, techniques, and traditions that took root and evolved into Hawaii’s distinct paniolo culture—a unique blend of island spirit and Western grit that still thrives today.

“This exhibition beautifully illustrates the rich cultural exchange that helped shape the cowboy traditions of the Pacific. It’s a compelling reminder that the spirit of the West is both diverse and far-reaching, stretching from the plains of Texas to the mountains of Maui.”
— Liz Jackson, President and CEO, Briscoe Western Art Museum

What to Expect from the Exhibition

Through a rich collection of artwork, artifacts, and immersive storytelling, Aloha Vaqueros explores:

  • The deep-rooted traditions shared by vaqueros and paniolos
  • The artistry, attire, and music of island cowboys
  • The resilience and horsemanship central to both cultures
  • A hands-on educational area showcasing traditional island crafts

Developed by MuVaCa in El Triunfo, Baja California Sur, the exhibition challenges the conventional boundaries of the American West—broadening the story to include the Pacific’s enduring cowboy legacy.

Visit the Briscoe

📍 Briscoe Western Art Museum
210 W. Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205
🕘 Museum hours, parking, and admission information available online.

About the Briscoe Western Art Museum

Located on the San Antonio River Walk in the beautifully restored 1930s former public library, the Briscoe preserves and presents the art, history, and culture of the American West. Named in honor of Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe Jr. and his wife Janey Slaughter Briscoe, the museum features:

  • The Jack Guenther Pavilion for events and programs
  • The McNutt Sculpture Garden, an outdoor tribute to Western heritage

Don’t miss this chance to experience a chapter of Western history that redefines borders and celebrates a shared spirit of grit, grace, and tradition.

Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

A Quiet Summer in Japan: Masashi Matsuie’s ‘The Summer House’

‘The Summer House: A Novel’ by Masashi Matsuie. Photo: Barnes & Noble.

📚Book Spotlight: “The Summer House” by Masashi Matsuie
Release Date: June 17, 2025

Japanese author Masashi Matsuie makes a powerful debut with “The Summer House: A Novel,” a richly atmospheric and deeply observant story set in the world of architecture. This award-winning novel offers a unique window into modern Japan, told through the eyes of a young architect navigating personal and professional transformation. (Other Press, 2025)

At the heart of the novel is Tōru Sakanishi, a recent university graduate who joins the prestigious Murai Office—a boutique Tokyo architecture firm founded by a former student of Frank Lloyd Wright. Sakanishi’s keen, introspective voice captures the artistry and care that defines the firm’s ethos.

As the oppressive Tokyo summer approaches, the Murai Office decamps to Kita-Asama, a faded artists’ colony in the mountains. There, the team—Sakanishi, his enigmatic boss Murai, and two intriguing women who stir Sakanishi’s affections—embark on a high-stakes design competition: creating the new National Library of Modern Literature, while contending with a rival firm dominating government commissions.

Elegantly translated by Margaret Mitsutani, National Book Award winner, “The Summer House” is a quiet yet compelling exploration of creativity, tradition, and longing. Matsuie’s prose evokes the serene beauty of Japan’s natural world while probing the tension between modern ambition and enduring heritage.

This character-driven novel is ideal for fans of Mitsutani’s acclaimed translations and for readers interested in Japanese literature, architecture, and coming-of-age stories with artistic depth.

👩‍💻About the Author
Masashi Matsuie began his career as a fiction editor at Shinchosha Publishing Company, where he worked with literary icons including Yoko Ogawa, Banana Yoshimoto, and Haruki Murakami. He also helped launch Shincho Crest Books, a translation-focused imprint. “The Summer House” is his debut novel and winner of the prestigious Yomiuri Prize for Literature, an honor rarely given to first-time authors.

👩‍💻About the Translator
Margaret Mitsutani is a renowned translator of Japanese literature, known for her work with Yoko Tawada and Nobel laureate Kenzaburō Ōe. She was a finalist for the National Book Award for “Scattered All Over the Earth” and won the award for her translation of The Emissary.

Advance Praise for Masashi Matsuie (“The Summer House”):

“Elegantly understated novel of a tenuous love affair in modern Japan…Matsuie, renowned as an editor (of Haruki Murakami, among other writers) before becoming an author, delivers a simple but graceful tale that’s full of intriguing asides on architecture, which Sensei insists is “function, pure and simple.” A novel packed with ideas about art, life, and love.”
—KIRKUS REVIEWS

“The more I read, the more I fell in love with this beautiful novel…Its foremost charm is the fluent, clean-cut use of words. Nothing in Matsuie’s descriptions is superfluous, nor is anything missing, and the refreshing vitality of his prose is impressive…The birth of such a writer is cause for celebration.”
—Hiromi Kawakami, author of Strange Weather in Tokyo and The Nakano Thrift Shop

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Urban Fantasy Spotlight: ‘Hunted in the Shadows’ Casts a Spell on Readers

‘Hunted in the Shadows’ by Mary Dublin and Anne Kendsley. Photo: Barnes & Noble

📚 New Book Release: “Hunted in the Shadows“

A Spellbinding Enemies-to-Lovers Urban Fantasy Adventure

I’m thrilled to spotlight the latest installment in the Shot in the Dark series:
Hunted in the Shadows by Mary Dublin and Anne Kendsley — the much-anticipated sequel to “Shot in the Dark” and a gripping setup for the upcoming “Lured in the Crimson.”

📖 Synopsis

Stay within the shadows.
Never cross the water’s edge.
Beware the siren’s beckon.

Two months after her exile from Elysia, Sylvia finds herself wandering through a world at once thrilling and unfamiliar. Journeying toward Aelthorin with companions Jon and Cliff, she grapples with the pull of her past and the lure of dangerous new freedoms. (Barnes & Noble, 2025)

Though she’s promised to reunite with her family, Sylvia is drawn into a forbidden and intensifying bond with Jon—one that defies the laws of the spectral plane. Jon, equally conflicted, is determined to help Sylvia obtain a rare gemstone that could make their impossible love a reality.

Their journey veers off-course when they’re forced to stop in a mysterious bayou town. There, a hidden darkness begins to unravel. Former hunter allies reappear, secrets surface, and a deadly new plot emerges—one tied to a shady trade in monster remains and a sinister client.

With sirens and fairies entering the fray, forming uneasy alliances, Sylvia and Jon must decide what they’re willing to sacrifice to defy fate—and whether their love can survive the cost.

Hunted in the Shadows is a lush urban romantasy perfect for fans of Supernatural and Fern Gully, exploring themes of forbidden love, found family, and identity.

👩‍💻 About the Authors

Mary Dublin
Raised in Florida, Mary has been storytelling since childhood. She holds a Bachelor’s in Character Animation and Emerging Media and now works in communications while writing captivating novels filled with aching romance, high-stakes suspense, and complex characters that linger in your heart.

Anne Kendsley
Based in South Texas, Anne writes fantastical, gritty stories that fuse magic, emotion, and survival. With a deep love for fantasy and sci-fi, her tales explore what it means to endure, transform, and find beauty even in the bleakest of worlds.

✍️ Book Signing Recap

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a book signing event at Búho in Brownsville, where co-author Anne Kendsley introduced “Hunted in the Shadows” to an eager crowd. She shared the story behind her collaboration with Mary Dublin and revealed how the characters and world came to life.

Anne read one of her favorite passages—teasing just enough to leave us wanting more—and hinted that this is only Book 2 of a planned six-part series. After a lively Q&A, she graciously signed my copy.

Thank you to Búho for hosting such a welcoming event, and to Anne Kendsley for her warmth and insight. I can’t wait to dive into this Supernatural-inspired adventure and share my full review soon!

📚 Have you read “Shot in the Dark?” Are you excited about “Hunted in the Shadows?” Let me know in the comments!

Arcades, Lawsuits & Love Songs: Walter Day’s Legacy Hits a New Note

Arcades & Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day is the follow up film to the iconic indie The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

🎮🎶 Arcade & Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day — Release News, Review & Director’s Insight

The highly anticipated follow-up to The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters is finally here. Arcade & Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day will be available globally on TVOD and digital platforms beginning June 9, 2025. (Cinematic Red PR, 2025)

🎬 About the Film

Directed by Ed Cunningham (Undefeated, The King of Kong), this musical documentary is his feature film directorial debut. Arcade & Love Songs revisits beloved characters from The King of Kong, reconnecting with the real-life gamers who captivated audiences since their Slamdance debut.

The film follows 74-year-old Walter Day, the father of esports and iconic star of The King of Kong, as he navigates a lawsuit that threatens his legacy. At the same time, he embarks on a deeply personal journey: finally recording and performing the rock-opera love songs he’s carried in his heart since a devastating 1980s heartbreak—right at the height of the arcade boom.

The film premiered in U.S. theaters earlier this year through Monkey Wrench Films, capturing the same nostalgic magic that made The King of Kong one of Slamdance’s most celebrated documentaries.

Run time: 1 hr. 31 mins.

🎥 Credits

  • Director: Ed Cunningham
  • Producers: Jonathan Perkins, Seth Gordon (Baywatch, The King of Kong), Mike J. Nichols (Zappa)
  • Writers: Ed Cunningham, Mike J. Nichols, Paul Leach (The Woodsman)
  • Executive Producers: Ed Cunningham, Byron Ashley, Scott Jackson, Harrison Kordestani Kerry, Cathy Loveland, Paul Campoamor
  • Editor: Mike J. Nichols

👨‍🎤 Director’s Statement

The King of Kong premiered at Slamdance 2007 to a packed house of just the right type of audience. As the filmmakers, we could not have selected a better group of people to be the first to see something we had lived with for three years. The gamers, tech-types and doc lovers were all into it from frame one….The whispers, laughs and touching moments were all hitting…We knew the film could be seen as mocking people we had grown to love, doubt and admire and had worked tirelessly to present them truthfully and empathetically. And this audience got it. From that night forward, the original documentary has changed many people’s lives – for better and worse – so when Billy Mitchell called to tell me Walter Day was being sued based on things that happened in our movie, I began helping make sure he was properly defended…I felt a responsibility to document the conclusion to Walter’s journey and it was also a great opportunity because I love his music and want to help get out in the world.

– Ed Cunningham

⭐ Movie Review: Arcade & Love Songs: The Ballad of Walter Day

Arcade & Love Songs is a tender, quirky, and unexpectedly profound documentary that shines a spotlight on a cultural pioneer. Walter Day, once the steady-handed referee of The King of Kong, becomes the heart and soul of this new film—revealing the music, memories, and emotions that shaped his life.

Ed Cunningham blends archival footage, heartfelt interviews, and theatrical musical sequences to create a vibrant portrait of resilience. Walter’s songs—strange, sincere, and oddly beautiful—are as much about heartbreak as they are about healing. Especially moving are the testimonials from younger gamers, who speak to how Day and the esports community shaped their sense of belonging.

This is more than a film about retro games—it’s about chasing your passions, no matter your age. Arcade & Love Songs is a love letter to the 8-bit generation, to late-blooming artists, and to anyone still holding onto the dream of finishing their song.

📅 Watch It

🗓 Release Date: June 9, 2025
🎟 Pre-order Now: Apple TV & Vimeo-on-Demand
📺 Available On: Apple, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube Movies, Fandango, Vimeo-on-Demand

Let your heart hit “Start.” Walter Day’s ballad is one worth listening to.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

*The author was contacted for a review of this film and received a screening link. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Hunted and Haunted: A Review of ‘Soon to Be Mine’ by K.J. Kalis

‘Soon To Be Mine’ by K.J. Kalis is book 4 in the Detective Emily Tizzano Vigilante Justice series. Photo: Amazon

Book Review: “Soon to Be Mine” by K.J. Kalis

A Detective Emily Tizzano Vigilante Justice Thriller

Synopsis

Federal prosecutor Nicole Strickland is being hunted. Terrorized by a man who won’t leave her alone, she lives in constant fear, feeling his eyes on her at every turn. Her brother, FBI Agent Cash Strickland, wants to help—but without actionable evidence, the law is powerless.

Desperate, Cash turns to Emily Tizzano, a former Chicago PD cold case detective known for bending the law to serve justice. But Emily and Cash have unresolved history, and she’s skeptical—of him, his sister, and the true motives behind the request for help.

Is this really about protecting Nicole, or is it something more complicated?

Review

“Soon to Be Mine” plunges readers into a suspense-filled world where justice doesn’t always follow the rules. Nicole is a compelling protagonist—strong, principled, but also deeply vulnerable. K.J. Kalis crafts her anxiety and growing desperation with raw, emotional depth. Nicole’s determination to handle things her own way can be frustrating, especially as her stalker Ethan escalates his pursuit.

Cash’s position as both a brother and an FBI agent adds emotional complexity, while the tension between him and Emily fuels the narrative. However, Emily’s hesitancy to engage due to her murky past with Cash lacks sufficient backstory. Similarly, her dynamic with her tech-savvy friend Mike feels underdeveloped—his role and relationship to her remain unclear.

The novel’s strength lies in its pacing and emotional stakes. Kalis writes with intensity, and scenes like Ethan’s obsessive search for Nicole or Nicole’s late-night fear feel chillingly real:

“Ethan was frustrated. He’s spent the entire morning circling the building, trying to get a glimpse of Nicole, but she was nowhere to be found.”

“Fear gripped her. She stared out into the backyard again through the gap in the curtain, waiting. Her breath was caught in her chest. Her heart pounded, sending a rush of blood into her ears.”

Though it’s the fourth in the Emily Tizzano series, “Soon to Be Mine” works as a standalone, but readers may find themselves craving more character depth that previous books might provide.

Series Reading Order

  1. Twelve Years Gone
  2. Lakeview Vendetta
  3. Victim 14
  4. Soon to Be Mine
  5. The Investor
  6. The Killing Graves
  7. Deadly Verdict

About the Author

K.J. Kalis is known for gritty, heart-pounding thrillers that explore the darker sides of justice, obsession, and survival. Her work spans categories including medical thrillers, military suspense, and vigilante justice. A former poet and professional copywriter, her thrillers consistently rank in Amazon’s Top 100.

Final Thoughts

This book is perfect for fans of fast-paced suspense novels by authors like James Patterson and Harlan Coben. With its chilling stalker plot, themes of justice and family loyalty, and a resilient heroine, “Soon to Be Mine” delivers gripping storytelling that stays with you long after the final page.

Have you read any of the Emily Tizzano books? Let me know in the comments which one is your favorite or what you thought of Nicole’s story.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Bring the Heat: Pullman Market Hosts Chili Cook-Off in San Antonio

Pullman Market announces chili cook-off on Saturday June 7, 2025. Photo: Robert J. Lerma, used with permission.

🌶️ Pullman Market’s First-Ever Chili Cook-Off Heats Up San Antonio – June 7

Get ready, San Antonio! Pullman Market at Pearl is bringing the heat with its inaugural Chili Cook-Off, happening Saturday, June 7 from 7–9 p.m. This family-friendly culinary showdown celebrates the city’s rich food culture and invites local home cooks to show off their best chili recipes in a spirited community competition. (Pullman Market, 2025)

🔥 A Cook-Off for a Cause

More than just a spicy good time, the event also supports a heartfelt mission—a portion of the proceeds will benefit the 100 Club of San Antonio, a nonprofit serving the families of fallen and critically injured first responders in Bexar County.

🍲 Two Ways to Compete

Pullman’s Chili Cook-Off features two flavorful categories:

  • Traditional San Antonio Style Chili: Meat-based, no beans, and made from scratch.
  • Creative Chili: Vegetarian, uniquely spiced, or outside-the-box takes on the classic.

Every submission is eligible for the People’s Choice Award, where the public votes for their favorite flavor.

🏆 Prizes Up for Grabs

Winners will walk away with bragging rights and some great rewards:

  • Grand Champion – $500 gift card, trophy, and recipe feature on Pullman’s website and newsletter
  • Traditional Winner – $250 gift card + medal
  • Creative Winner – $250 gift card + medal
  • People’s Choice Award – $200 gift card + medal
  • Best Booth Presentation – $100 gift card + medal
  • All Participants – Certificate of Participation

🎟️ Tickets & Participation

Tickets are available on Eventbrite:

  • VIP Admission includes early access (6–7 p.m.), 10 voting tokens, and two complimentary drinks
  • General Admission includes 5 voting tokens
  • Kids 12 & under get in free!

Want to enter your chili? Email Kyle Lopez, Pullman’s Event Coordinator.

🕖 Event Schedule

  • 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. – VIP Hour
  • 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Main Event
  • 7:15 – 7:45 p.m. – Judges’ Voting
  • 8:15 – 8:30 p.m. – People’s Choice Voting
  • 8:45 – 9:00 p.m. – Awards Ceremony

📍 Location: Pullman Market, 221 Newell Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215
🔗 More info: www.pullmanmarket.com
📷 Follow @pullmanmarket on Instagram
🙏 Learn about the 100 Club: www.100clubsa.org

About Pullman Market:
Located at Pearl in San Antonio, Pullman Market is a 53,000-square-foot culinary destination by the award-winning Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group. With a specialty grocer, whole animal butcher, sourdough bakery, tortilleria, five quick-service eateries, and four full-service restaurants, it’s a celebration of Texas ingredients and community connection.

Photo: Pullman Market.

‘The Isolate’ Explores Inner Turmoil in Demons My Friends’ Latest Heavy Release

Demons My Friends share new single and video for The Isolate. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Demons My Friends Drop New Single “The Isolate” Ahead of Sophomore Album

Last month, Demons My Friends, the heavy-hitting trio from Mexico City and Austin, unveiled their latest single, “The Isolate,” marking their debut release with acclaimed heavy music label Ripple Music. (US/THEM Group, 2025)

A Sonic Reflection on Teenage Anxiety

“The Isolate” is a deeply personal track, capturing the intense anxiety the band members experienced during their socially awkward teenage years. The song lays the thematic groundwork for their upcoming sophomore album, soon to be officially announced.

“Demons My Friends continues to be a therapeutic effort for all of us,” says guitarist/vocalist Pablo Anton. “With this new song we wanted to shine a light on our teen years… so much of the drama in our lives is invented by our own minds, by our own demons.”

Behind the Music

  • Music by: Demons My Friends
  • Lyrics by: Pablo Anton and Luis Salinas
  • Recorded at: One Pot Mexico (Querétaro, Mexico) and Red Nova Ranch (Austin, TX)
  • Produced & Mixed by: Jeff Henson (Red Nova Ranch)
  • Mastered by: Alberto de Icaza

Band Members:

  • Pablo Anton – Guitars and vocals
  • Lu Salinas – Bass and vocals
  • Tarro Martinez – Drums

From SXSW to Sonic Catharsis

Formed during an impromptu session at SXSW 2022, Demons My Friends brings together members of Fellowcraft (Washington, DC) and Mexican rock veterans QBO. What began as a spontaneous collaboration quickly evolved into a fully-formed musical identity.

Their concept is clear: confront inner demons—anxiety, depression, rage—and transform them into creative fuel.

Debut Album Demons Seem To Gather (Out Now)

Their 2023 debut Demons Seem To Gather (via Gravitoyd Heavy Music) showcases a powerful blend of drop-tuned grunge riffs, doom-laden structures, psychedelic harmonies, and groove-heavy rhythms. Fans of Monolord, King Buffalo, All Them Witches, Soundgarden, and Baroness will feel right at home.

“The Austin/Mexico City groove unit applies their sonic dominance toward deftly-written, clever songs… climactic hooks shake up their luxuriously groovy pacing.” — Invisible Oranges

Available now on LP, CD, and streaming platforms.

Demons Seem To Gather tracklist
1.The Tower Falls
2.Bring The Night
3.Inner Slay
4.Ghosts Of You
5.Make Them Pay
6.Fire Mountain
7.Your Bones
8.We Are The Resistance

Stay tuned for more from Demons My Friends as they gear up for their next chapter—haunting melodies, introspective themes, and thunderous grooves included.

In the Shadows and Beyond: Contemporary at Blue Star’s Summer Exhibitions

En Las Sombras, Nuestros Fantasmas Acechan, Installation View, 2024. On view at Laguna, Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Rubén Garay, used with permission.

Contemporary at Blue Star Announces Summer Exhibitions

Exploring the Body, Perception, and the Unseen Through Conceptual Art

San Antonio, TX – Contemporary at Blue Star is excited to present a compelling lineup of summer exhibitions that spotlight artists from Mexico and San Antonio. Through conceptual practices, these artists create work that transcends the physical, exploring how space, technology, memory, and sound influence the human body. (Contemporary at Blue Star, 2025)

🌑 En Las Sombras, Nuestros Fantasmas Acechan

(In the Shadows, Our Ghosts Lurk)
Curated by Fabiola Iza
On View: June 6 – October 5, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, June 6 | 6–9 p.m.

Taco Talk with Curator Fabiola Iza
Friday, June 6 | 10:30a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Kick off the exhibition with “Taco Talk,” a curator-led walkthrough paired with breakfast tacos and coffee. Learn about the works and themes with guest curator Fabiola Iza, and engage in an open conversation about the ideas behind the show.

Featuring Artists:

Alicia Ayanegui, Enrique Arriaga Celis, Daniela Bojórquez Vértiz, Virginia Colwell & Raquel Bañón Sodini, Manuela García, Leo Marz, Jonathan Miralda Fuksman, Daniel Monroy Cuevas, Paloma Rosenzweig, Oswaldo Ruiz

Inspired by the design of the panopticon, this exhibition examines the evolution of surveillance and the “omniscient gaze” in the age of modern technology. Originally exhibited at Laguna in Mexico City, the show has been reimagined for Contemporary at Blue Star by independent curator Fabiola Iza.

✨ Jason Willome

On View: July 11 – October 5, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, July 11 | 6p.m. – 9p.m.

Fresh from his residency at Künstlerhaus Bethanien in Berlin, Jason Willome debuts a new body of work that delves into the cosmos, consciousness, and personal mythology. Incorporating a wide range of media, this exhibition invites viewers to examine our relationship with the universe and the stories we tell ourselves.

🌊 Nadia Botello: Theophany

On View: July 11 – October 5, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, July 11 | 6p.m. – 9p.m.

Sound artist Nadia Botello presents a site-specific installation from her Bodies of Water series. Listeners must physically engage with translucent tank sculptures to activate the audio compositions—sonic works created from field recordings of the San Antonio River and original choral arrangements. Botello’s work invites reflection on the body as both listener and vessel.

📸 Fabiola Menchelli

On View: July 11 – October 5, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, July 11 | 6p.m. – 9p.m.

In complete darkness, without even the glow of a safelight, Fabiola Menchelli constructs photographs that unfold like sculptures. This immersive, darkened gallery experience mimics her creation process, allowing viewers to “discover” the artworks just as the artist did. Her work challenges and expands the limits of photography, light, and perception.

About Contemporary at Blue Star

Contemporary at Blue Star presents exhibitions by artists from San Antonio and around the world. Through a focus on global perspectives, we foster empathy, innovation, and action—fulfilling our mission to inspire, nurture, and innovate. As a non-collecting contemporary art space, we engage with current social and cultural issues through art.

🖼️ Admission is always free.
🔗 Read our full story

🕒 Visiting Hours

Monday–Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 12p.m. – 5p.m.
Thursday–Friday: 12p.m. – 8p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 10a.m. – 6p.m.

📍 Contemporary at Blue Star
116 Blue Star, San Antonio, TX 78204
📞 (210) 227-6960

From the Alamo to the Gulf: Texas-Set Novels to Heat Up Your Summer

Escape into the heart of Texas with these three unforgettable novels set against the backdrop of frontier battles, coastal romances, and historic storms. Photo: Stoney Creek Publishing, used with permission.

Summer Reading & Stories Set in the Lone Star State

Summer reading lists hold a special charm, offering readers a chance to slow down and escape into new worlds during the year’s warmest, most relaxed months. Whether lounging by the beach, traveling, or enjoying quiet evenings at home, summer invites exploration through books.

These curated lists often feature lighter, more engaging reads—thrillers, romances, memoirs, or thought-provoking fiction—that match the season’s mood. For many, it’s a time to catch up on long-awaited titles or discover hidden gems. Summer reading isn’t just a pastime; it’s a seasonal ritual that blends leisure with the joy of discovery, turning every page into a small adventure.

With Father’s Day around the corner, here are three novels set in Texas that the book-loving dad in your life might enjoy. (Stoney Creek Publishing, 2025)

📚 “Dangerous Latitudes“ by Jack Woodville London

A gripping historical thriller set in the violent Republic of Texas during the 1840s. This novel follows an unlikely spy, two bumbling horse thieves, and a bewildering Black woman—all caught between Sam Houston and a Mexican army that crosses the Rio Grande with impunity.

Synopsis

Six years after the fall of the Alamo, Texas is on the brink of losing its hard-won independence. Naïve surveyor Alexandre LaBranche takes on a risky commission to map the Rio Grande, only to find himself embroiled in a dangerous game of war and espionage.

Packed with iconic figures like Sam Houston, Mirabeau Lamar, and Jack Hays, “Dangerous Latitudes” is a sweeping quest through a fractured frontier—culminating in a desperate race to save 200 captured Texans.

About the Author

Jack Woodville London is the author of four novels, including “French Letters: Children of a Good War,” winner of the 2018 Gold Medal for War and Military Fiction. He is also a respected legal author and essayist on literature, history, and travel.

🌊 “Under the Gulf Coast Sun” by Skip Rhudy

A coming-of-age love story set against the sunny beaches of 1970s Port Aransas. When Kassie Hernandez meets surfer Connor O’Reilly at a legendary beach party, sparks fly—but life on the coast is far from simple.

Synopsis

Kassie is focused on her dream of working in the space program, but her summer romance with Connor complicates everything. After a disastrous misunderstanding and a tragic accident at sea, both must wrestle with regret, longing, and the power of second chances.

With themes of young love, nostalgia, and resilience, “Under the Gulf Coast Sun” is perfect for readers who cherish memories of wild beach parties, endless summers, and the deep pull of the Gulf.

About the Author

Skip Rhudy grew up surfing the beaches of Port Aransas, Texas. He’s a translator, writer, and author of One Punk Summer and numerous short stories. His love for the Texas coast is evident in every page.

🌪 “Island Intern” by Paul Remmers

Set in the summer of 1900, this medical drama unfolds in Galveston just as the deadliest hurricane in U.S. history approaches. A young doctor must rise to the occasion—and face the storm of a lifetime.

Synopsis

Fresh from medical school, Douglas Schuler is eager to prove himself. As he navigates the pressures of hospital life, he falls for Rosa—a local girl with a big heart. But when a massive hurricane devastates the island, Douglas must rely on every ounce of skill and courage to save lives.

As disease spreads and the death toll rises, Douglas’s greatest fear is losing Rosa. “Island Intern” is a tale of heroism, love, and survival amid catastrophe.

About the Author

Paul Remmers is a physician with over 40 years of experience. Born and raised in Galveston, he’s a graduate of UTMB and has served on the faculty at both UTMB and Baylor College of Medicine. Island Intern is his debut novel.

Looking for the Perfect Father’s Day Gift?

Books like these offer more than great stories—they connect readers to the culture, history, and heart of Texas. Whether your dad is a history buff, a romantic, or a fan of character-driven fiction, one of these Texas-set tales is sure to make his summer reading list one to remember.