Plaza San Antonio announces new First Friday Market, Happy Hour Deals, and more. Anaqua Garden Bar photo: Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, used with permission.
September Happenings at Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection
Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa is excited to present a vibrant lineup of September events—ranging from happy hour specials and live music to yoga classes and unique wellness experiences. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun, relaxing spa time, or unforgettable entertainment, there’s something for everyone this month. (Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, 2025)
📅 Friday, September 5 | 5–8 p.m. Celebrate the start of each month with $10 cocktails, live acoustic sets by Leon Sanchez, and local vendor pop-ups on the garden lawn. Perfect for sipping, strolling, and soaking in the First Friday energy. 👉 Reserve on OpenTable
Beats and Bubbles
📅 Every Saturday in September | 5–9 p.m. Turn up the sparkle with a bubble party featuring a live vinyl DJ. Enjoy a $39 Disco Ball Cocktail to share, or sip champagne for just $9 a glass. 👉 Reserve on OpenTable
5•5•5 Sundays
📅 Every Sunday | All Day $5 pool passes, $5 cocktails, $5 bites—plus $55 cabanas and shareable cocktails. A DJ keeps the vibes going in the lush downtown garden. 👉 Use code SUNDAY555 on Resort Pass for pool passes. 👉 Reserve on OpenTable
Tropic Like It’s Hot
📅 Friday, September 26 | 4–7 p.m. Tropical cocktails, island-inspired bites, lei giveaways, and live music under the torches. A perfect tiki-inspired evening. 👉 Reserve on OpenTable
📅 Every Saturday in September | 9:30–10:30 a.m. Outdoor yoga led by Kristel Perry on the Oasis Lawn. Includes all-day pool, Zen Lounge, and fitness center access, plus 25% off same-day spa services. 💲 $17.85 via Eventbrite
Poses at The Plaza
📅 Sunday, September 28 | 10 a.m. A 60-minute yoga flow with EnergyXFitness, followed by the Anaqua Tea Ceremony at 11 a.m. Includes pool and spa access, plus a reservation at Corinne San Antonio. 💲 $15 via Eventbrite
Moonlit Wellness: Floating Sound Bath Under the First Quarter Moon
📅 Friday, September 19 | 8:30–9:30 p.m. Float in the spa pool while immersed in a 60-minute sound bath with crystal bowls and gongs by Caitlyn Garrison. Includes spa amenities, valet, and 25% off spa services. 👉 Reserve via Eventbrite
📅 Friday, September 12 & 19 | 4–7 p.m. Unwind with chef-driven bites, craft cocktails, and smooth live Latin jazz during golden hour. 👉 Reserve Sept. 12 | Reserve Sept. 19
4-5-6-7 Happy Hour
📅 Monday–Thursday | 4–8 p.m. Enjoy $7 food and drinks, including Lobster Queso, Loaded Cauliflower Nachos, local Texas beers, and La Villita Margaritas. 👉 Reserve on OpenTable
📍 Venue Details
Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa 555 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205 🚗 Valet Parking: $15 for up to 3 hours
Scheduled events include the hotel’s first-ever Quinceañera Showcase Expo on Sunday July 20. Photo: Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, used with permission.
🎉 July Happenings at Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection
Summer is heating up, and so are the events at Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection! Whether you’re looking to relax, celebrate, or simply enjoy a day out with family and friends, our hotel has something for everyone this July. From rejuvenating spa treatments and lively garden parties to unforgettable family showcases, here’s what’s happening this month: (Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, 2025)
🌿 Now Through July 31: Red, White & Renew Facial
Treat yourself to our exclusive Red, White & Renew 50-minute facial in honor of the Fourth of July. 💆♀️ Price: $155 📅 Available until July 31 🔗 Book your appointment here
🧘♀️ Soul Flow Saturdays
Ease into your weekend with outdoor yoga led by Kristel Perry. 📍 Oasis Lawn, Spa Plaza San Antonio 🕤 Saturdays in July | 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. 💸 Tickets: $17.85 🎟️ Reserve on Eventbrite
🍹 5•5•5 Sundays at Anaqua Garden Bar
Join us for an all-day summer series featuring: • $5 Pool Passes • $5 Cocktails • $5 Bites • $55 Cabanas • $55 Shareable Cocktails 📅 Every Sunday 💻 Use code SUNDAY555 on Resort Pass to book a pool Day Pass. 🎟️ Reserve a spot on OpenTable
🍽️ 4-5-6-7 Happy Hour at Corinne San Antonio
Enjoy delicious bites and sips — all for $7! 🕓 Monday – Thursday | 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. 🎟️ Make a reservation on OpenTable
🥂 Beats and Bubbles at Anaqua Garden Bar
Don’t miss this whimsical garden party featuring: 🎧 Live Vinyl DJ 🫧 Bubble Festivities 📅 Friday, July 26 | 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. 🎟️ Reserve your table here
🎉 National Tequila Day & National Avocado Day
Celebrate two delicious days at Anaqua Garden Bar: • July 24 – National Tequila Day: $6 Margaritas in Mexico • July 31 – National Avocado Day: $6 Guacapoke 🎟️ Book your spot on OpenTable
👑 Gowns & Glam: Quinceañera Showcase Expo
Plan the celebration of a lifetime at our first-ever Quinceañera Expo! 📅 Sunday, July 20 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. ✨ Local vendors, inspiration, and a grand giveaway 🎟️ RSVP for FREE on Eventbrite
🎶 Music Under The Stars: Featuring Leon Sanchez
Unwind with cocktails and live music in the breezy Anaqua Pavilion. 📅 Thursday, July 24 | 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. 🎸 Featuring local favorite Leon Sanchez 🎟️ Reserve a table on OpenTable
🎧 Raspa & Rhythm on the Lawn
Cool off and dance it out with: 🍧 Ice-Cold Raspas 🎵 Upbeat House Music 🎯 Lawn Games 📅 Fridays, July 18 & 25 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Plus: 🔍 Kids’ Scavenger Hunt | 10:00 a.m. 🔥 S’mores by the Fire | 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Make the most of your July at Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa — your downtown destination for summer relaxation, celebration, and connection.
Celebrate the 4th of July with a nostalgic summer garden party at Anaqua Garden Bar. Photo: Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, used with permission.
Celebrate Independence Day Weekend at Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa
This Independence Day weekend, Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection invites locals, travelers, and staycationers to enjoy a festive lineup of events that blend summer fun with refined hospitality. Whether you’re looking for a poolside celebration, a luxurious brunch, or a soothing spa experience, Plaza San Antonio is the place to be in downtown this 4th of July. (Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, 2025)
🌿Anaqua Garden Bar: Nostalgic Summer Garden Party
Friday, July 4 & Saturday, July 5 | 2 – 6p.m.
Celebrate the holiday with a vibrant garden pool party at Anaqua Garden Bar. With lawn games, pool access, festive treats, and DJ-spun vinyl, this elevated-yet-playful event is perfect for summer vibes. Enjoy:
🍰 Don’t miss their festive red, white & blue pan dulce and signature Apple Tart (to share) for just $12.50 – a perfect tribute to American apple pie. (La Panadería, 2025)
Photo: La Panadería, used with permission.
Celebrate your Independence Day weekend in style at Plaza San Antonio and its beloved community partners. With food, music, relaxation, and fun for all ages, there’s something for everyone this 4th of July!
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
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.
‘Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis’ by Joan K. Peters. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Book Review: ‘Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis’ by Joan Peters What It’s Really Like to Be in Psychoanalysis—From the Patient’s Chair
If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens during psychoanalysis—or what it feels like to unravel years of emotional knots on a therapist’s couch—Joan Peters‘ “Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis” offers a rare, intimate glimpse into that world.
Unlike most writing on psychoanalysis, which often comes from the perspective of clinicians, “Untangling” is told from the inside out. Peters chronicles her decades-long analytic journey with striking vulnerability, courage, and clarity. This journey consisted of two different analysts: Lane when she was 28 and Kristi when she was 67. While Lane was helpful, she remained impersonal and impartial. Kristi actually got to know her because she used relational psychoanalysis, a psychoanalytic approach that emphasizes the importance of the relationship between the therapist and patient in the therapeutic process. Peters brings readers into the room with her, detailing the subtle shifts, long silences, and emotionally charged breakthroughs that define the therapeutic process.
Highlights: Chapter 7 – Schizoid – Peters admits to Lane that from ages 14 to 19, she had lived an alternate existence because when she was 14, she started hearing voices. These voices guided her every action. Chapter 4 – Lane Explains Me to Me – Focuses on her family background, memories of her as a two year old seeing her mother preparing the morphine syringes for her dad who was dying of cancer. This explained her nightmares about syringes and being given injections with poisons. Two months after talking about this, her needle nightmares ended. That’s when Joan discovered the complicated issue of subconsciousness and how it affects our lives.
At its core, honesty is what makes this memoir so powerful. Peters doesn’t offer easy answers or dramatic resolutions—instead, she shows how transformation unfolds slowly, often painfully, through the act of being deeply seen and heard. It reveals how analysts’ methodology differ and how patients respond differently with age and life experience. Her writing is vivid and lyrical, making even the most abstract aspects of psychoanalysis feel grounded and human. “Sitting back in her chair, patient as a fisherman in a placid lake, she listened, questioned, interjected while I mostly avoided the story, as if its invisible tentacles might entangle (or strangle) me.”
Overall, “Untangling” is a courageous and necessary contribution to the literature on mental health. It demystifies a process often veiled in secrecy and offers an authentic voice to the patient experience. For readers curious about psychoanalysis—or the complexities of healing—this memoir is both enlightening and deeply moving.
“My question back in Vermont had loosened a scab; now the wound bled, unstoppable. She had offered me silence, and I had refused her gift. Now, at times, I felt I might drown in her words.”
*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book and received a copy. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
‘Safe and Sound: A Polyvagal Approach for Connection, Change, and Healing’ is the transformative new book by Dr. Stephen Porges. Photo: Barnes & Noble
Mental health awareness is crucial in today’s fast-paced world, where stress, anxiety, and depression are increasingly common. Recognizing the importance of mental well-being helps reduce stigma and encourages people to seek help. Various therapy methods are available, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing negative thought patterns; dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), used for emotional regulation; and art therapy, which provides creative outlets for expression. Mindfulness-based therapies and medication management also play vital roles. Addressing mental health is essential now more than ever, as it promotes resilience, healthier relationships, and improved quality of life in an increasingly complex society.
In today’s book news, “Safe and Sound” is the new book by Dr. Stephen Porges where he addresses Safe and Sound Protocol as another means of therapy.
Safe and Sound Protocol is a groundbreaking therapy based on the Polyvagal Theory developed by Dr. Stephen Porges. Now, together with researcher Karen Onderko, they have written “Safe and Sound: A Polyvagal Approach for Connection, Change and Healing.”(Sounds True, 2025)
In this new book,Porges and Onderko offer a glimpse into this innovative approach, highlighting not only the origin of SSP and its best practices, but also real-life stories of transformation and healing. SSP is backed by neuroscience and this technique aids in stress reduction and mental wellness. It’s gaining traction for its effectiveness in treating various mental health conditions.
Stephen W. Porges, PhD, is author of “The Polyvagal Theory” and creator of the Safe and Sound Protocol. He’s a professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina and Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University, where he’s founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium.
Karen Onderko, a cofounder of Polyvagal Institute, helped bring the Safe and Sound Protocol from the research lab to clinicians, who then enabled people to experience the benefits of improved nervous system regulation.
From Polyvagal Theory pioneer Dr. Stephen Porges comes a new resource sharing the origin and best practices of his groundbreaking new protocol, and highlighting real-life stories of transformation and healing.
“Safe and Sound” – We all want to live and share our truth, but when we don’t feel safe, it can be impossible to fully express or even know who we really are. The nervous system impacts daily well-being, to our benefit or detriment. Understanding how may be key to truly knowing yourself and better supporting the challenges holding you back.
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a groundbreaking therapy based in Polyvagal Theory, which looks at the role the autonomic nervous system and vagus nerve play in regulating health and behavior. SSP involves listening to music that’s been filtered to prioritize frequencies of human speech, providing auditory input that enables the nervous system to reset to its homeostatic state.
Porges and Onderko offer a glimpse into this innovative approach, highlighting not only the origin of SSP and its best practices but also real-life stories of transformation. They showcase clinical evidence demonstrating SSP’s impact on emotional dysregulation, social interaction difficulty, and auditory sensitivity, providing a comprehensive understanding of its therapeutic potential.
Whether patient, family member, friend, or clinician, you’ll find a deeper understanding of the nervous system and tools for a more resilient experience. Illustrating the incredible range of application and how autonomic regulation can lead to significant improvements—from stress and anxiety to grief and trauma—”Safe and Sound” demonstrates how SSP can promote a state of safety and calm, facilitating the foundation for long-awaited healing.
‘Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis’ is the new book by Joan K. Peters. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Psychoanalysis, a deep exploration of the unconscious mind, offers a powerful path toward mental health and self-awareness. Rooted in the belief that unspoken thoughts and early experiences shape our behaviors, it invites individuals to uncover, confront, and integrate hidden parts of themselves. In a time when mental health is gaining long-overdue attention, talking openly about therapy and inner struggles is vital. It reduces stigma, encourages others to seek help, and reminds us that healing often begins with honest conversation. Embracing psychoanalysis and mental wellness isn’t just personal—it’s a collective step toward a more compassionate, self-aware society.
The new memoir “Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis” dares to tell the patient’s side of psychoanalysis. It’s available now wherever books are sold.
Joan K. Peters was born in New York City and got her Ph. D in comparative literature from The University of Chicago. She’s published a novel and two books about women and work and is a professor emeritus of literature and writing at California State University at Channel Islands. She lives in Ojai with her husband, her dogs, and her chickens. In her much-anticipated new book “Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis,” she focuses on her experience in psychoanalysis at two different points in her life, comparing two different theoretical and technical analytic views, from the vantage point of her experience as a patient. (CS Lewis Publicity, 2025)
“Untangling: A Memoir of Psychoanalysis” – With the drama of a novel it tells the story of a turbulent and transformative psychoanalysis in this first ever in-depth patient’s account. Joan K. Peters’ story lays bare the inner workings of this complex treatment, which takes place behind closed doors, is rarely spoken about, and is largely unknown outside of professional circles.
A polished, poetic, and often funny writer, her willingness to expose her own demons brings psychoanalysis to life, from the intense strife to the fierce love that can develop between patient and analyst. Joan’s first analyst, Lane, helped Joan alleviate tormenting and recurring nightmares and to find herself by discovering her family’s secret past. Her second analyst, Kristi, guided her through the frightening depths of that past to a yearned-for freedom.
In another first, Kristi writes an afterword about the challenge of analyzing Peters. Unique in its reach, “Untangling”reveals the mysteries that lurk beneath the surface of our psyches.
Psychoanalysis is full of mysteries — it taps into the subconscious more than any other form of therapy and sets up a unique relationship between analyst and patient. No one really knows exactly how or why it works, just that it does. But one patient, in candidly revealing her own journey, invites readers into that very private patient experience as she grapples with hidden and haunting demons.
Whether due to taboo, fear, shame, or reluctance, very few patients have shared their journey of psychoanalysis with others, let alone written about the experience. Too many people are unaware of the transformative powers that this penetrating, multi-layered therapy has.
In her unique memoir, written in the narrative style of Mary Karr, the author recounts her two analyses — one when she is in her twenties and another in her sixties — that form one continuous story of immense discovery and healing. She dramatizes firsthand accounts of how she and her two very different analysts unlocked the traumas, losses and terrors of her past – enabling her to confront and understand them, and finally feel free to fully enjoy her life.
Author Joan K. Peters. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Upcoming tastings and celebrations at Hotel Emma include a wine tasting and a Mother’s Day brunch. Photo: Booking.com
Culinary events are a feast for the senses, drawing food lovers into a shared celebration of flavor, creativity, and culture. From food festivals and chef showcases to wine tastings and cooking classes, these gatherings offer a chance to explore new tastes and connect with fellow enthusiasts. It’s not just about the food, but in the experience—watching skilled chefs in action, discovering unique ingredients, and bonding over a mutual passion for food. Culinary events create a vibrant community, where stories are swapped over shared plates and every dish becomes a memory. For foodies, it’s pure edible joy.
Hotel Emma will be hosting several seasonal culinary events this month and the next – from tasting the Sonoma Coast without leaving San Antonio to meeting the team behind the iconic tequila brand El Tequileño, there’s a lot to look forward to. (Hotel Emma, 2025)
Friday, April 25 at 7p.m. in the OAK Room | Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Tasting Feat. Littorai Wine Sternewirth Bar Lead David Young will lead guests through a tasting of four exceptional single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from Littorai’s sustainable, family-run winery on the Northern California coast. Each wine will be thoughtfully paired with bites curated to complement these vintages, including the 2002 Littorai “Les Larmes” Pinot Noir and 2014 Littorai “Cerise Vineyard” Pinot Noir. Join the waitlist here. Tickets sell for $175.
Friday, May 2 at 6p.m. in the Elephant Cellar | El Tequileño Dinner To kick off Fiesta season, join Hotel Emma for a vibrant evening celebrating Mexican cuisine and world-class tequila. Meet the family behind El Tequileño and enjoy a tasting of four tequilas from their historic “La Guarreña” distillery.
Executive Chef Geronimo Lopez and Chef de Cuisine Ralph Montes have created a multi-course pairing menu inspired by the culinary heritage of Guadalajara—think aguachile-dressed oysters, “Carne en su Jugo,” classic buñuelos, and more.
The evening begins at 6p.m. with a reception in Hotel Emma’s Courtyard featuring Global Brand Ambassador Georgina Salles and Master Distiller Tony Sales, who will answer questions and sign complimentary bottles. Cocktail Hour begins at 6:30p.m. with Emma’s signature La Babia Margaritas, followed by dinner at 7p.m.
Tickets: Reception & Dinner: $175, see here. Cocktail Hour & Dinner Only: $125, see here.
Sunday, May 11 at Various Seating Times in the Elephant Cellar | Mother’s Day Brunch Celebrate Mom with an indulgent brunch at Hotel Emma, featuring chef-run stations and an expansive buffet. From Belgian-style waffles and a raw bar to carved meats and chimichurri-grilled vegetables, every detail is designed to delight. Additional highlights include ceviche platters, morning pastries, and exotic fruits like Rambutan and Soursop drizzled with lime and Tajín.
Seating Times: 10a.m. 1p.m., or 3p.m. Tickets: $125 per person | $50 for 10 & Under | see here.
Hotel Emma 136 E Grayson St San Antonio, TX 78215 (844) 845-7384
Twang, the official beer salt of Fiesta 2025, will set up a tent with tastings at several Fiesta events. Photo: Twang, used with permission.
Fiesta San Antonio 2025, running from April 24 to May 4, is the city’s premier 11-day celebration of culture, history, and community. With over 100 events, highlights include the Battle of Flowers Parade on May 2, the illuminated Fiesta Flambeau Parade on May 3, and the Texas Cavaliers River Parade on April 28. Culinary delights abound at A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), April 29–May 2, featuring iconic dishes like chicken-on-a-stick. The festival kicks off with Fiesta® Fiesta at Travis Park on April 24, offering live entertainment and family-friendly activities. Proceeds support local nonprofits, embodying Fiesta’s “Party with a Purpose” spirit.
Celebrate the city’s biggest party with these local businesses:
The Spa Plaza San Antonio at Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa: Fiesta Feet & Skin Detox Specials Unwind and relax after a long day of walking the vendor stalls at Market Square. The Spa Plaza San Antonio is offering tired toes a foot-focused massage service and refreshing facial to choose from this Fiesta season. The Fiesta specials are available to book the entire month of April. (Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, 2025)
Kimpton Santo Hotel: Viva Fiesta Hotel Package Fiesta 2025 is almost here. Experience the city’s biggest and most anticipated event like never before with Kimpton Santo’s Viva Fiesta Package. Join Kimpton in the heart of downtown for San Antonio’s annual 11 day city-wide celebration—a local tradition for over 130 years. Each year during Fiesta the city is buzzing with parties, parades, art exhibitions, concerts, foodie festivities, Mexican Charreada events, and more. Experience the culture, charm, and traditions of the Alamo City. Guests that book a stay during Fiesta 2025 (April 24 through May 5) will receive two official Kimpton Santo 2025 Fiesta Medals and two local German-style beers and commemorative Fiesta-inspired party cups. Booking is available online. (Kimpton Santo Hotel, 2025)
La Panadería: Pan Dulce Fiesta Medal This Fiesta season, La Panadería is offering a new Fiesta 2025 medal showcasing some delicious pan dulce. Stop by any La Panadería location now through Fiesta to purchase one of its beautiful Fiesta medals. Priced at only $10, the medals are a perfect addition to this year’s celebrations. The medal showcases the iconic Panadero logo with dangling Tequila Almond Croissant, Concha, and Oreja. (La Panadería, 2025)
Bakery Lorraine: Pop Tart Fiesta Medal + Fiesta Pastries Bakery Lorraine pays tribute to one of the fan favorite pastries with their Bakery Lorraine Pop Tart Fiesta Medal 2025. Designed by DeuxSouth Creative, produced by SA Flavor and photographed by Ben Yanto Visuals, purchases can be made for $12 each online or in stores at all Bakery Lorraine locations. Proceeds from the medals will go towards Fiesta Cornyation. (Bakery Lorraine, 2025)
Additionally, Bakery Lorraine has the below pastries available in stores:
Cascarones Moon Pie – Priced at $5.50 each, they’re available beginning the week of April 21.
Mangonada Macaron – Priced at $3 each, they’re mango flavored macarons infused with chamoy.
Fiesta Macaron Boxes (6ct) – Beginning Monday, April 21, guests can purchase these limited-time bright and colorful Fiesta themed boxes with the purchase of six macarons.
Twang: Official Beer Salt of Fiesta Twang is proud to be the official beer salt of Fiesta 2025. Guests can find Twang set up at a tent with tastings available at the Fiesta events below. (Twang, 2025)
Fiesta Fiesta on Thursday, April 24
Oysterbake on Friday April, 25 & Saturday, April 26
Battle of the Flowers on Friday, May 2 at the Sponsor Village area
Fiesta Flambeau Night Parade on Saturday, May 3 at the Sponsor Village area
Gunter Hotel:Historic Hotel Fiesta Medal The historic Gunter Hotel is excited to offer a beautifully crafted Fiesta medal this year. Priced at only $10, guests can purchase the medal at the front lobby of the recently renovated hotel. With the hotel’s iconic musical heritage, Gunter is giving proceeds from all medal purchases to Musical Bridges Around The World.(Gunter Hotel, 2025)
The Newstand: Fiesta Medal, Limited-Time Treats and Exclusive Merch The Newstand is set to celebrate its very first Fiesta with a medal that is hot off the press. The coffee and vintage shop has also collaborated with Southtown Supply Co. to present 100 limited-time merchandise boxes set to include a “Tow-Shirt” (available in crop and t-shirt styles), a custom Newstand-branded glass cortado mug, a 2025 Newstand Fiesta medal, and freshly-baked Concha. (The Newstand, 2025)
InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk: The Secret Garden Room + Fiesta Medals Alamo City’s latest luxury hotel hosts The Secret Garden Room at High Praise Rooftop Bar. For a limited time, guests can experience more than 10 specially curated and colorful cocktails inspired by natural elements while enjoying breathtaking views of the San Antonio skyline, including: “Crimson Petals,” “Blush & Bubbles,” “Garden Glow,” “Poison Ivy,” and more. Imbibe with Spring and Summer vibes while indulging in special pop-ups from partners like Kendra Scott, Valentina Paloma, and Texicanas on select dates. Make a reservation to experience Fiesta’s elevated oasis. While on-site, guests can also purchase the InterContinental Fiesta Medal. (InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk, 2025)
Omni La Mansión del Rio and Mokara Hotel & Spa: Fiesta Spa Treatments, Special Menus, River Parade Riverfront Stays & Packages, and Fiesta Medals Alongside the brightly colored fiesta medals, both Omni La Mansión del Rio and Mokara Hotel & Spa are just steps away from the iconic River Walk, ideal for easy access to River Parades and NIOSA. To enjoy the Fiesta festivities from the comfort of a 4.5 star hotel room, Omni La Mansión del Rio offers riverfront stays with unobstructed views of the river and just steps from the Selena Bridge. (Omni La Mansión del Rio/Mokara Hotel & Spa, 2025)
Mokara delivers the Fiesta! Package, including complimentary valet parking, a Mokara Hotel & Spa Fiesta medal and a $50 credit to dine at Ostra, the high-end riverfront seafood restaurant.
The 2025 Texas Cavaliers River Parade allows guests to choose to indulge in the limited-time Fiesta Menus available at Mokara’s Ostra or Four Brothers at Omni La Mansión del Rio with a guarantee of the best seats to watch this year’s River Parade while dining; options for River Parade seating only are also available. Across the river, the Spa at Mokara is offering limited-time Fiesta-themed treatments like the “Show Me Your Chanclas,” a pedicure appointment set to have guests ready for sandal-wearing fun, or the “Fiesta Flow Massage” meant to melt tension and promote circulation for non-stop excitement.
The Newstand’s Fiesta 2025 medal. Photo: The Newstand, used with permission.
The First PechaKucha of 2025 will be at the Historic Sunken Garden Theater. Photo: Ben Yanto, used with permission.
SAN ANTONIO, TX – PechaKucha San Antonio – the global arts and culture series that hosts speakers who share their passions in a unique format – is excited to announce its Volume 46 as the first event in the 2025 series. The event is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Historic Sunken Garden Theater (3875 N. St. Mary’s St. San Antonio, TX 78212), centrally located at Brackenridge Park. The night begins with a welcome reception at 7p.m., followed by presentations starting at 8p.m. (PechaKucha San Antonio, 2025)
The Historic Sunken Garden Theater has long been a local favorite for hosting annual events such as Fiesta’s Taste of New Orleans, as well as staging concerts featuring Carlos Santana and other well known national acts. Originally carved into an old Limestone Quarry in the 1930s, the San Antonio Civic Opera Society quickly established the site as a premiere performing arts venue. Renovated numerous times, and having played host for thousands of events, the Theater, centrally located in the heart of San Antonio, remains popular with concert goers of all ages.
Volume 46 will feature a talented group of local speakers. The six presenters include:
Emily Casso, Animal Advocate
David Carlos Garcia Jr., Creative Director & Designer
The evening’s emcees will be local artists and husband-and-wife duo Cruz and Olivia Ortiz, co-owners of Burnt Nopal creative studio and longtime San Antonio residents fiercely dedicated to the development and enrichment of the local community.
The welcome reception will feature live music by Primo y Beebe – based in Marfa, Primo Carrasco and David Beebe play traditional border music of the Chihuahuan desert. The evening will also feature complimentary bites by San Antonio chefs and restaurants including Liberty Bar, Melvin’s Homemade Ice Cream & Expresso Bar, and Pharm Table. Additionally the event will feature cocktails available for purchase curated by local bar Amor Eterno.
Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased at Eventbrite.
Pronounced “PEH-chuh KOO-chuh,” PechaKucha is a 20 image x 20 second arts and cultures series. We host speakers who share their passions in a unique format: Each presenter gets exactly 20 images, and each slide advances automatically every 20 seconds (for a total time of 6:40). San Antonio’s first quarterly PechaKucha Night was held in February 2011 and now attracts hundreds of attendees to venues throughout San Antonio. It showcases a broad range of individuals, including architects, artists, makers, academics, community leaders and more. PechaKucha (Japanese for “chit chat”) is an event format developed by Tokyo’s Klein Dytham Architecture to encourage creative professionals to share projects and ideas that they are passionate about. Since it began in 2003, PechaKucha has expanded to more than 1200 cities around the world.
SA Examiner 