Trinity University is hosting the first PechaKucha of 2026. Photo: Ben Yanto, used with permission.
PechaKucha San Antonio Vol. 48: Celebrating 50 Years of KRTU
PechaKucha San Antonio, the global arts and culture series, is back! Kicking off the 2026 season is Volume 48, a special event honoring the 50th Anniversary of KRTU 91.7 FM. (PechaKucha San Antonio, 2026)
Join us for a night of rapid-fire storytelling, local flavors, and community celebration at the historic Laurie Auditorium.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Location: Laurie Auditorium, Trinity University (One Trinity Pl, San Antonio, TX 78212)
6:30 p.m. – Welcome Reception (Live music & bites)
7:30 p.m. – Presentations Begin
Tickets: $10 per person. Available at the door or online (online orders subject to fees).
A Golden Anniversary for KRTU
For five decades, Trinity University has been the heartbeat of San Antonio’s jazz and indie scene. Since flipping the switch as a modest 50-watt station in 1976, KRTU has grown into a cultural powerhouse. It remains a vital hands-on learning lab and holds one of the largest in-studio jazz collections in the nation. This Volume is our tribute to the “grooves” that have defined our city for 50 years.
The Volume 48 Presenters
Our lineup features seven diverse local voices, each sharing their passion in the signature 20×20 format:
Emcee: Bria Woods (Multimedia storyteller and Content Director at KRTU).
Live Music: JJ Lopez will be spinning soul, jazz, and disco-twist vinyl during the reception.
Food & Drink
Come hungry! The evening features complimentary bites from some of San Antonio’s favorites:
CheeseMé Charcuterie Boards
OK Kitchens
Roundabout
Olla Express Coffee
Tio Pelon’s Salsita
Cocktails and other beverages will be available for purchase.
What is PechaKucha?
Pronounced “PEH-chuh KOO-chuh,” this Japanese-inspired format (meaning “chit chat”) challenges speakers to be concise and engaging. Each presenter shows 20 images, and each slide advances automatically every 20 seconds. That’s exactly 6 minutes and 40 seconds to tell a story.
Since its San Antonio debut in 2011, PechaKucha has become a quarterly staple, bringing together architects, artists, and community leaders to share the ideas that move them.
Night of Artists celebrates 25 Years of defining the future of western art. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.
A Quarter-Century of the West: The 25th Anniversary of ‘Night of Artists’
For 25 years, San Antonio has served as the heartbeat of the Western art world. It began as a single evening event in 2001 and has blossomed into the Briscoe Western Art Museum’sNight of Artists Exhibition and Art Sale, one of the premier Western art events on the planet. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2026)
While the exclusive opening weekend is a legendary sold-out celebration, the beauty of this collection belongs to everyone. From March 29 through May 10, the public is invited to experience (and even purchase!) works from this landmark 25th-anniversary show.
Why This Year is Special
The 2026 exhibition is a powerhouse of contemporary talent, featuring over 300 new works. It reinforces San Antonio’s reputation as a top-tier destination for the genre, showcasing:
Renowned Icons: Legends like Thomas Blackshear II, Greg Beecham, G. Russell Case, and Sean Michael Chavez.
New Voices: Exciting artists who are currently redefining what “Western Art” means today.
Diverse Media: A stunning array of paintings, sculptures, and mixed media.
The Briscoe Purchase Award: Every year, the museum selects one piece to acquire for its permanent collection, ensuring the best of today’s Western art is preserved for future generations.
Go Behind the Canvas: Artist Events
Want to see how the magic happens? The Briscoe is hosting two exclusive opportunities to learn directly from the masters:
The Experience: Join West Texas native Mary Ross Buchholz for an intimate look at her graphite and charcoal process. All materials and lunch are included! Space is limited—register early.
🖌️ Artist Demonstration with Teal Blake
When: Thursday, May 7 | 6 – 8 p.m.
Cost: Included with museum admission
The Experience: Watch Teal Blake lead a live watercolor demonstration. It’s a casual setting where you can ask questions about his authentic portrayals of cowboy life and his creative journey.
Plan Your Visit: Dates & Special Offers
The six-week public exhibition is the only time this specific collection will be available for viewing in one place.
Public Exhibition & Sale: March 29 – May 10
Locals Day (May 3): Free admission for San Antonio and Bexar County residents.
Mother’s Day (May 10): Free admission for all moms—the perfect final day to catch the show.
Visiting the Briscoe
Located on the south end of the River Walk, the Briscoe is an “oasis of Western beauty.” Beyond the Night of Artists gallery, you can explore the McNutt Sculpture Garden and 14 galleries of history and art.
Hours: Thursday – Monday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays)
Admission: Always FREE for children 12 & under and active-duty military.
Briscoe Western Art Museum 210 W. Market St San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 299-4499
L-R: Allen Chapman (drums), Nao Demand (guitar), Mac Kennedy (vox, guitar), Will McAndrew (bass). Photo By Kat Bean, used with permission.
Scythes, Spirits, and Synths: Poison Ruin Announces ‘Hymns from the Hills’
Poison Ruin’s upcoming release, Hymns from the Hills, ambitiously rewrites the rules of punk. The Philadelphia outfit is pushing their sound into expansive new terrains without sacrificing an ounce of the bleak symbolism and uncompromising aggression that established them as one of extreme music’s most urgent voices. (another side, 2026)
Expanding their signature approach to grim mythmaking, these new songs feel equal parts natural, undeniably of this world, and phantasmal.
On Hymns from the Hills, Poison Ruin’s previous stories of toil are revealed to be but one chapter etched upon a bleaker tapestry. This is a landscape populated by:
Spirits traversing sunless deserts and wilted hillsides.
Demonic torture objects lining the psyche.
Bodies transfigured into Luciferian snakes.
Sadean prisoners bound to the screaming silence of abandoned towers.
Lead Single: “Eidolon”
The band’s signature raw, anthemic aggression pummels through on the lead single “Eidolon,” recently released alongside its official video.
Frontman, lyricist, and guitarist Mac Kennedy explains the track’s bleak inspiration:
“‘Eidolon’ is about being stuck in a broken reality, a cog in a fate-machine doomed to play out the same cursed loop until it fully breaks down. The ones who had the power to affect change have abandoned the scene… Grim reminders of what could have, but will not be.”
Expanding the Sonic Mythos
The record acts as both a forceful restatement and a bold departure. While listeners will recognize the crackling, cassette-dubbed darkness, it is now supported by a carefully sculpted mosaic of new textures:
Killing Joke-style hacksaw primitivism.
Blast-beats worthy of the Relapse catalog.
Crisp analog synth lines.
Ambient serenades reminiscent of Scott Walker and The Durutti Column.
The Craft: DIY Grandeur
Meticulously composed and self-recorded, the LP saw Kennedy relocate to a private practice space to meet the record’s greater sonic demands. To polish this “hissing abyss,” the band enlisted top-tier talent for the final touches:
Mixing: Jonah Falco (with Kennedy splicing in gritty tape segments for tonal continuity).
Mastering: Arthur Rizk.
The result is a rich structure of unconventional frictions—crystalline flashes of polish ripping through low-end grime, only to shatter against the whipping sting of rusted chains.
Mythic Sensibilities
Lyrically, Hymns from the Hills reaches new poetic heights. While the record continues the tradition of employing medieval-inflected fantasy imagery, Kennedy is quick to note that these figures are not intended to be read as historically accurate, but rather as tools for cynicism and defiant bravado.
“I’m not very interested in conveying the historical facts of medieval culture. If we are to make sense of the present, we need to employ a more mythic mode of language and symbol to reach beyond the spiritual malaise that envelopes us. A mythic truth resonates within any time, but its echoes call from outside of time. Medieval and fantasy imagery are simply effective personal starting points for tapping into that mode of communication.”
Hymns from the Hills tracklist: 01 – Intro 02 – Lily Of the Valley 03 – Hymn from the Hills 04 – Eidolon 05 – Howls From the Citadel 06 – Pilgrimage 07 – Guts (Lay Your Self Aside) 08 – Turn To Dust 09 – Puzzle Box 10 – Serpent’s Curse 11 – Sleeping Giant (Interlude) 12 – Crescent Sun 13 – The Standoff
The Study at Dean’s. Photo: Kimpton Santo, used with permission.
More Valentine’s Day Ideas in San Antonio 💕
San Antonio is turning up the romance this Valentine’s season. From heart-themed desserts and intimate chef-driven dinners to luxe hotel packages and festive Galentine’s gatherings, the city is full of ways to celebrate love — whether that’s with a partner, your best friends, or yourself.
Here’s your guide to more Valentine’s happenings around town.
🍰 Bakery Lorraine
Valentine’s & Galentine’s Treats 📅 February 1 – 15 📍 All Bakery Lorraine locations
Bakery Lorraine is offering a collection of sweet (and slightly edgy) Valentine’s treats perfect for gifting or indulging.
One highlight? Proceeds from the chocolate cherry macaron will benefit the San Antonio Food Bank throughout February, so your dessert does some good, too.
Available In-Store:
Sugar Skull Shortbread Cookies – Vanilla shortbread decorated with fondant and royal icing accents (individually bagged and gift-ready).
“Love You to Death” Vanilla Raspberry Skull Cakes – Moist vanilla cake with tart raspberry filling and buttercream flower eyes.
Heart Shortbread Cookie Stack – Pink vanilla shortbread cookies tied with string.
Dark Cherry & Chocolate Tiramisu – Coffee-soaked ladyfingers layered with dark cherry compote and mascarpone.
Raspberry Rose Japonaise – A delicate macaron filled with raspberry rose and mascarpone, topped with fresh raspberries and rose petals.
Celebrate Galentine’s in garden glam style with creative cocktails, interactive games, and playful activations. Expect a lively atmosphere designed for connection and fun.
Highlights Include:
Photo station
Temporary tattoo station
Lip gloss charm station
Bic lighter decorations
Hair tinsel & braid bar
Large Confession Burn Book
Card games at every table, including “We’re Not Really Strangers”
📅 Saturday, February 14 🎹 Live music from 9 PM – 12 AM
Toast to friendship at this speakeasy-inspired lounge inside The Gunter Hotel.
San Antonio–born pianist and vocalist Chris Guerrero will perform classic and guest-requested love songs, blending refined jazz with crowd-favorite sing-alongs.
Esencia is offering prix fixe menus ideal for couples and Galentine’s gatherings alike. Guests can enjoy shared appetizers, two entrées, and a shared dessert, thoughtfully crafted and priced per person.
📍 111 Newell Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212 🕚 Open daily at 11 AM
Located in the Historic Pearl District, Otto’s Ice House offers a casual, riverside setting perfect for low-key Valentine’s plans.
For something sweet, Goode Co.’s Brazos Bottom Pecan Pies are available to ship nationwide. Each pie comes in a handcrafted keepsake box with one of three limited-edition messages:
“Pie Love You”
“Ride or Pie”
“Bless Your Heart”
💲 $60 per pie
Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a luxe dinner reservation, or a festive Galentine’s night out, San Antonio offers something for every kind of love story this season. 💗
Mini Art Museum at the Contemporary’s Family Day, 2024. Photo by Bria Woods, used with permission.
Upcoming Exhibitions & Programs at Contemporary at Blue Star
San Antonio, Texas – In 2026, the Contemporary at Blue Star centers its exhibition programming around the theme of community, marking a major milestone: the organization’s 40th anniversary in June 2026. Curator and Exhibitions Director Jacqueline Saragoza McGilvray frames the year as an opportunity to reflect on the Contemporary’s history, the role community has played in shaping the institution, and the ways exhibitions can actively build and strengthen local, national, and international relationships. (Contemporary at Blue Star, 2026)
Below is a look at the upcoming exhibitions and programs.
Mark Menjívar: Murmurations
Opening Night: Friday, February 6, 2026 | 6–9 p.m. Taco Talk: Friday, February 6, 2026 | 10:30–11:30 a.m. On View: February 6 – May 3, 2026
San Antonio–based artist Mark Menjívar integrates social practice and participatory education models to create intentional community building. His work establishes frameworks for students, community groups, and leaders to engage in critical dialogue around the issues that shape their lives.
Menjívar’s participatory projects often incorporate oral history recording, archive building, publications, and installations that present collective conversations while inviting continued public engagement. Over the last two decades, he has completed more than a dozen multifaceted, long-term projects.
This mid-career survey highlights selected works—including The Luck Archive—while also debuting new projects. Menjívar is currently an Associate Professor in the Interdisciplinary School for Engagement at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Mini Art Museum
Honoring the Late Mary Cantú
Opening Night: Friday, March 6, 2026 | 6–9 p.m. On View: March 6 – June 7, 2026
The San Antonio arts community was deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Mary Cantú on February 18, 2025, at age 45. Cantú was a beloved advocate for arts education and served on the Contemporary’s Education Committee from 2014–2016, playing a key role in the development of the Creative Classrooms program and championing free access to art for San Antonio children.
In 2013, Cantú co-founded the Mini Art Museum with Gabriela Santiago. Using standard office binders as gallery “walls,” the Mini Art Museum invited artists to create miniature works sized to fit inside 8.5 × 11-inch plastic sleeves. Featuring original works by professional artists, the museum encourages close observation, often aided by magnifying glasses, creating a sense of wonder and intimacy.
In spring 2024, the Mini Art Museum collection was transferred to the Contemporary. Exhibited here in its entirety and in memoriam of Mary Cantú, the presentation includes over 100 works by artists such as Kim Bishop, Sarah Castillo, Michael Menchaca, and Vincent Valdez, reflecting the profound impact Cantú made on the community.
Roman Franc: Groups Collective
Opening Night: Friday, March 6, 2026 | 6–9 p.m. On View: March 6 – June 7, 2026
Artist Roman Franc will travel to San Antonio to create new photographs as part of his ongoing Group Pictures / Collectives series. Since 2015, Franc has photographed groups across cultures and geographies, from residents of Tanna Island in the South Pacific to the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C.
San Antonio’s layered and interconnected communities provide a rich setting for this project. In alignment with the Contemporary’s 40th anniversary theme, Groups Collective offers glimpses into a larger whole, reflecting the city’s diversity and collective spirit.
Franc (b. 1983, Brno, Czech Republic) holds an MA in Education from Masaryk University and an MFA in Photography from the Institute of Creative Photography at Silesian University, Opava. His practice focuses on non-traditional portraiture and staged photography, alongside curatorial and publishing work.
Berlin Residency Program
2026–2027 Application Cycle Now Open
Contemporary at Blue Star is now accepting applications from artists living and working in Bexar County for its Berlin Residency Program. Launched in 2013, the program enters its 12th cycle in partnership with Künstlerhaus Bethanien (KB).
Each year, four artists are awarded three-month residencies in Berlin, Germany, with the opportunity to also visit San Antonio’s sister city, Darmstadt, Germany.
Residency Support Includes:
$2,000 stipend for travel and living expenses
Coverage of all residency program fees, including:
Studio and living space
Inclusion in the internationally distributed BE magazine
Curatorial visits and workshop access
Eligibility guidelines are available through the application link. Application Deadline: Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 4 p.m.
About Contemporary at Blue Star
Contemporary at Blue Star presents exhibitions featuring artists from San Antonio and around the world, sharing global perspectives that encourage understanding, empathy, change, and action. As a non-collecting contemporary art space, the Contemporary offers fresh insights into cultural and societal issues by highlighting current trends, movements, and conversations in art.
Admission is always free.
Contemporary at Blue Star 116 Blue Star San Antonio, TX 78204
Dave Stewart and Boris Grebenshchikov in The Long Way Home: Remastered and Expanded. Photo: EG-PR, used with permission.
The Long Way Home: Remastered and Expanded (2026)
Screening at MoMA’sTo Save and Project: The 22nd International Festival of Film Preservation
Michael Apted’s The Long Way Home: Remastered and Expanded (2026) will be screened as part of To Save and Project: The 22nd MoMA International Festival of Film Preservation. (EG-PR, 2026)
About To Save and Project
To Save and Project is an international festival dedicated to newly preserved film treasures from archives, studios, and independent filmmakers. Many of the films premiering at MoMA will receive their first U.S. screening since their original release, while others will be shown in meticulously restored versions that more closely approximate their original presentation. Some titles will even be screened publicly for the first time ever in New York.
The festival runs from January 8 through February 2, 2026.
About the Film
The Long Way Home: Remastered and Expanded (2026) is a newly restored version of Michael Apted’s documentary, based on the only existing 16mm print, supervised by producer Steven Lawrence and editor Susanne Rostock.
The film is a revealing, rollicking portrait of Boris Grebenshchikov, the Soviet underground rock legend who became the first Russian rocker to record in the West during the early, optimistic days of Glasnost. It captures a rare moment of artistic freedom, cultural collision, and creative risk.
Featured Artists
The film features:
Boris Grebenshchikov
Dave Stewart
Members of the legendary Russian rock band Aquarium
With special appearances by:
Annie Lennox
Chrissie Hynde
Ray Cooper
Crosby, Stills & Nash
and many more
Boris Grebenshchikov is widely regarded as one of the “founding fathers” of Russian rock music and is the founder and lead singer of Aquarium.
Film Details
Title:The Long Way Home: Remastered and Expanded (2026) Directed by: Michael Apted Epilogue Directed by: Steven Lawrence & Susanne Rostock Produced by: Steven Lawrence Edited by: Susanne Rostock
To Save and Project: The 22nd MoMA International Festival of Film Preservation
Date:Wednesday, January 28, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM Location: MoMA, Floor T2/T1, Theater 2 (The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 2)
🎤 With an in-person introduction by Producer Steven Lawrence and Editor Susanne Rostock.
A Film Rediscovered
The Long Way Home was released to critical acclaim following its UK broadcast and its premiere at Sundance, yet it has largely disappeared over the past 30 years. By 1988, Michael Apted was already a highly regarded director in both fiction and nonfiction.
Apted’s extraordinary ability to draw people out results in a complex study of an artist who seized a fleeting moment of unimaginable freedom—recording new music with new collaborators—while grappling with the emotional fallout. Members of Aquarium felt abandoned, and longtime Russian fans were uncertain about Grebenshchikov’s English-language songs when he returned home to perform them.
Thanks to producer Steven Lawrence, the film now has a second life in this newly remastered edition. Together with editor Susanne Rostock, Lawrence has also created a new epilogue tracing Grebenshchikov’s life after the release of his U.S. album Radio Silence, including his years in exile and his outspoken criticism of Putin’s war in Ukraine.
The epilogue partially fulfills Apted’s own ambition to make a sequel—a project he hoped to complete before his death in 2021. (Courtesy of MoMA)
The Filmmakers
Michael Apted (Director)
Michael Apted made documentaries and feature films for over forty years. His globally recognized, award-winning work includes the UP Series (1964–2019), which followed the lives of fourteen British individuals from age seven, revisiting them every seven years. His documentary work also includes The Long Way Home, Moving the Mountain, Incident at Oglala, and The Power of the Game.
Steven Lawrence (Producer / New Epilogue Co-Director)
Steven Lawrence is a producer-director who has been making documentaries for over 30 years, focusing on artists, activists, and everyday heroes—from underground Soviet rockers and Senegalese rappers fighting female genital cutting, to Brooklyn cat rescuers and scientists racing to save the human microbiome.
As a producer, his collaborations with Michael Apted include three feature documentaries, among them The Long Way Home: Remastered and Expanded (2026) and Married in America.
Susanne Rostock (Editor / New Epilogue Co-Director)
Susanne Rostock’s more than 20-year collaboration with Michael Apted as editor resulted in a series of richly provocative films, including The Long Way Home, Incident at Oglala, Me & Isaac Newton, Inspirations, The Power of the Game, and Moving the Mountain.
‘The Life and Times of Vinny the Bug’ inspired a coffee mug collection. Photo: Allen Kimble Jr, used with permission.
Discover a Unique Business Opportunity: The Story Behind Pugona Rock Coffee Mugs
Entrepreneurship holds a powerful appeal for aspiring business owners because it represents possibility, independence, and the chance to create something meaningful from the ground up. For many, the draw lies in the freedom to shape their own path, choosing what to build, how to operate, and which values will guide their work. For those exploring small business opportunities, entrepreneurship opens doors to creativity and financial independence.
Unlike traditional employment, entrepreneurship invites innovation and encourages people to bring their unique ideas to life without waiting for permission. The promise of owning one’s future, transforming passion, skill, and determination into a business that reflects personal values, makes it one of the most compelling business ideas for retailers and future founders.
Meet the Entrepreneur: Allen Yhorst Kimble Jr.
Allen Yhorst Kimble Jr., a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, grew up in the mid-1950s and later entered the United States Air Force. He served one year in Vietnam, eight years across Asia, and completed a total of 11 years of military service. During his time in Southeast Asia, he discovered photography, a hobby he continues to enjoy today and one that eventually influenced his creative work and inspirational entrepreneur story. (Allen Yhorst Kimble Jr., 2025)
In 2001, while living in Orlando, Florida, he adopted a small pug named Vinny. After relocating to Phoenix following the 9/11 attacks, Vinny quickly adapted to the Arizona desert, climbing boulders, exploring rugged landscapes, and inspiring Allen’s picture-story book, “The Life and Times of Vinny The Pug.”This lovable canine would later become the heart behind one of the most unique pet-themed gift brands online.
The Birth of a Business: Pugona Rock Coffee Mugs
A creative and successful entrepreneur, Allen operates a wholesale-only coffee mug web store specializing in dog-themed merchandise. Each design in the Pugona Rock Coffee Mug collection is inspired by the real-life adventures of Vinny the Pug, making them standout products for boutiques, gift shops, bloggers, and anyone seeking unique gift shop merchandise.
Allen doesn’t sell individual mugs. Instead, he partners with retailers interested in wholesale coffee mugs, offering an accessible and profitable reseller opportunity:
Minimum order: 12 mugs
Wholesale cost: $10 each
Typical retail price: $20 each
This margin makes the mug reselling business a strong option for online stores, pet boutiques, artisan markets, and those looking to expand their product sourcing for small businesses with high-demand, story-driven merchandise.
Courtesy photos, used with permission.
Interested in Becoming a Retail Partner?
If you or someone you know is a retail seller seeking bulk mug orders, wholesale mugs, or a fresh coffee mug business opportunity, you can enroll directly in Allen’s wholesale program. There is no cost or fee to join, and early participants receive valuable perks and support as they begin building their retail partnership with Pugona Rock Coffee Mugs.
The Vega Vault Project and Sacred Bones to reissue Alan Vega’s first two trailblazing solo albums. Photo: Peter Noble/Redferns
Alan Vega’s Legacy Continues: Sacred Bones Announces Remastered Reissues and Deluxe Editions
The Vega Vault Project and Sacred Bones Records are once again unearthing the extensive body of work left behind by Alan Vega, visionary visual artist, musician, and poet. Their latest announcement brings exciting news: the reissue of Vega’s landmark 1980 self-titled debut, along with its follow-up, Collision Drive. (another side, 2025)
Remastered From Original Tapes & Streaming for the First Time
Both albums have been newly remastered from the original tapes and are available on streaming platforms for the first time ever. Sacred Bones Records will re-release the albums with a commitment to preserving the raw intensity of Vega’s original recordings while making them newly accessible to listeners worldwide.
These carefully curated reissues will be accompanied by Alan Vega Deluxe Edition, a limited deluxe double LP packed with unheard demos, unseen photos, new artwork, and Vega’s original track sheets from his 1978 Suicide / The Clash tour notebook.
Release Date and Availability
Alan Vega, Collision Drive, and the Alan Vega Deluxe Edition all arrive on January 23, 2026. The deluxe edition, available as a limited double LP, is positioned as the definitive version of Vega’s solo debut. Pre-order/Pre-save here:Alan Vega, Alan Vega Deluxe Edition, Collision Drive.
A Look Back at Vega’s Solo Breakthrough
Released in 1980, Alan Vega arrived at the same time Suicide released their second album, Suicide: Alan Vega and Martin Rev. Eager to explore his personal sonic identity, Vega drew inspiration from rockabilly, early rock ’n’ roll, and his lifelong admiration for Elvis Presley. Filling the spaces between Suicide sessions, he began writing and performing his own material, developing a sound that pushed even further into the edges of experimentation.
The Grit and Fire of Collision Drive
Recorded in the same year and the same New York studio as his debut, 1981’s Collision Drive expanded Vega’s artistic reach. The album delivered a harder, grittier, and more layered energy. Vega’s lyrics tapped into universal themes inspired by street culture, science fiction, politics, comics, love, and cosmic mystery. The result: a record bursting with rebellion, feeling, and the evolving spark of Vega’s creative vision.
Unearthed Demos and New Visuals
The new reissues pair the remastered original albums with early, previously unheard demos discovered in the Vega Vault by Liz Lamere and Jared Artaud. The tapes were transferred by engineer Ted Young and mastered by Josh Bonati, offering rare insights into the making of Vega’s cult classics.
All three albums include newly designed artwork by Artaud and Michael Handis, making each release a collector’s piece and an essential addition for longtime fans.
More About Alan Vega and the Vega Vault Project
Born in Brooklyn in 1938, Alan Vega co-founded the groundbreaking avant-garde band Suicide with Martin Rev in 1970. Their influence has echoed across genres for decades. Vega’s solo career took off with the hit “Jukebox Babe,” leading to a contract with Elektra Records and the release of two albums, including the cult favorite Saturn Strip, produced by Ric Ocasek.
Rejecting commercial constraints, Vega returned to his experimental roots, generating a steady stream of solo releases over the following decades, from Deuce Avenue to Dujang Prang (released on Henry Rollins’ 2.13.61 imprint), culminating in his late-career masterpiece, It. Vega viewed these albums as sonic counterparts to his visual art, capturing both the world around him and timeless, universal themes. His work remains just as relevant today.
During this prolific era, Vega began collaborating with Liz Lamere, his wife and most significant creative partner. In 2019, Lamere and Jared Artaud unearthed the lost Vega album Mutator, released in 2021, followed by Insurrection in 2024. They co-produced and mixed both records and now lead the Vega Vault Project, dedicated to bringing rare and unreleased Vega material to the public.
A third full-length collection of previously unheard recordings, Ascension Dive, is currently in development.
‘Maiden Voyage’ is the exciting new historical novel by Bradley Harper. Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours, used with permission.
Paste Creative Book Tours Participant
Book Review: Maiden Voyage by Bradley Harper
Three female thieves, a priceless painting, and a Pinkerton agent aboard the Titanic. What could go wrong?
Synopsis
Maiden Voyage by Bradley Harper follows an unlikely trio of thieves, Colette DuVall, Mary Carr, and Samantha “Sam” McMurphy, as they embark on a daring mission to steal a valuable painting by the French master Blondell. Their plan takes them aboard the RMS Titanic on its ill-fated maiden journey.
Colette, a young jewel thief from Canada, finds her resolve wavering when she meets Harry Worth, a young Pinkerton agent hired to safeguard the wealthy passengers. What she doesn’t know is that Harry is the son of infamous criminal Adam Worth. Torn between his sense of duty and his complicated family legacy, Harry begins questioning where he truly belongs, especially after falling for Colette.
As loyalties collide as fiercely as the ship meets the iceberg, all aboard must fight for survival. Amid disaster, they discover that love might be the greatest thief of all.
Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Review
Maiden Voyage is a brisk, character-driven historical adventure that blends romance, crime, and maritime tragedy into an undeniably compelling read.
A Vivid Criminal Underworld
The novel opens with Mary Carr and the notorious Forty Elephants gang, a real historical group of female thieves. This grounding in true criminal lore adds texture and authenticity, making the early chapters particularly immersive. When Harry discovers what the gang is planning aboard the Titanic, the tension begins to mount, soon followed by the ship’s own looming catastrophe.
A Strong Emotional Core
The narrative delves deeply into Harry’s personal conflict. As the son of a master criminal, he grapples with the weight of his heritage and the moral ambiguity of justice. His connection with Colette is one of the book’s strongest elements: tender without slowing the pace, layered without becoming overly sentimental.
Memorable Characters & Vivid Writing
Harper’s character development shines. One particularly striking description captures the lived-in dignity of a working woman:
“Her red, chapped hands declaring how she made her way in the world, the well-worn but clean clothes presented a defiant dignity the years and work had yet to take from her.”
These small touches make the characters feel real, and when tragedy strikes, you genuinely root for their survival.
History, Heart, and High Stakes
Harper integrates historical detail without overwhelming the story. The author’s notes at the end provide fascinating context on real figures like Mary Carr and the Forty Elephants, enriching the reading experience.
The Titanic disaster is woven into the plot with restraint and emotional weight. Rather than leaning into melodrama, the novel balances suspense with tenderness, exploring themes of identity, family, and survival.
A Fresh Take on Titanic Fiction
Fast-paced, atmospheric, and surprisingly heartfelt, Maiden Voyage offers a fresh twist on stories set aboard the Titanic. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a blend of crime, adventure, and romance will find much to love.
Harper leaves readers with a haunting reminder of the ship’s legacy:
“Beneath the water, the ship plunged 12,000 feet to the ocean floor, full of the wealth of millionaires and the humble possessions of hopeful emigrants; it carried them all away into the frigid darkness. Into legend.”
Bradley Harper is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and pathologist who has conducted more than 200 autopsies and around 20 forensic investigations.
His debut novel, A Knife in the Fog (2018), was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel and winner of the 2019 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion for Best Mystery. His second novel, Queen’s Gambit, won the 2020 Silver Falchion for Best Suspense and Book of the Year. Maiden Voyage is his fourth book.
Author Bradley Harper. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Courtesy photo, used with permission.
*Thank you to Paste Creative Book Tours and the author for my gifted copy for review as part of the tour. I have not been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
The final PechaKucha of 2025 will take place this Thursday November 6. Photo: PechaKucha San Antonio, used with permission.
PechaKucha San Antonio Closes Out 2025 with Volume 47 at the Tobin Center
SAN ANTONIO, TX —PechaKucha San Antonio, the global arts and culture series known for its fast-paced storytelling format, is excited to announce Volume 47— the final event in its 2025 series. (PechaKucha San Antonio, 2025)
📅 Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025 📍 Location: Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, San Antonio, TX 78205 🕕 Schedule:
6:30 p.m. — Welcome Reception
7:30 p.m. — Presentations Begin
A Night of Creativity at the Tobin Center
Nestled along the banks of the San Antonio River, the historic Tobin Center is a downtown landmark that blends its original facade with a state-of-the-art performance space. This beautifully restored venue has become a beacon of creativity, fine art, and urban revitalization and it’s the perfect setting for PechaKucha’s final 2025 event.
Meet the Volume 47 Presenters
This edition of PechaKucha San Antonio will spotlight seven inspiring local voices, each sharing their passions through the signature 20×20 format — 20 images, 20 seconds each.
✨ The evening’s emcee will be Naomi Shihab Nye, San Antonio–based poet, educator, editor, and former Poet Laureate.
Music, Food, and Community
The welcome reception will feature live music by Kitten Mitten, a band of animal-loving friends turning their pets’ antics into anthems, blending heart and humor to amplify both furry and human voices that too often go unheard.
Guests will enjoy complimentary bites from local favorites including: 🍽 Liberty Bar • Tio Pelon’s Salsita • Cheesy Jane’s • Bakery Lorraine • Tobin Catering
The Tobin Center will also offer drinks and cocktails for purchase throughout the night.
Tickets
🎟 Tickets: $10 per person 🔗 Purchase here:Tobin Center
About PechaKucha
PechaKucha (pronounced PEH-chuh KOO-chuh) is a global arts and culture event where presenters share their passions through 20 images x 20 seconds — a total of 6 minutes and 40 seconds per talk.
The format was created by Klein Dytham Architecture in Tokyo in 2003 to encourage creative professionals to share ideas in a concise and engaging way. Since then, PechaKucha has grown to over 1,200 cities worldwide.
San Antonio hosted its first PechaKucha Night in February 2011 and now attracts hundreds of attendees each quarter, featuring architects, artists, makers, academics, community leaders, and more.
SA Examiner 