Why Modern Economic Policy Failed: James K. Galbraith’s ‘The Power to Destroy’

‘In The Power to Destroy,’ James K. Galbraith explains how yesterday’s economic tools don’t work today. Photo: University of Chicago Press

📚 Book Spotlight: The Power to Destroy: How Bad Economics Drove America’s Decline

Author: James K. Galbraith

Release Date: September 23, 2026 (Available for pre-order)

The Dissonance of Modern Economics

Acclaimed economist James K. Galbraith sounds an urgent alarm on how conventional economic ideas and policies have failed to adapt to the most daunting challenges of our geopolitical moment. (University of Chicago Press, 2026)

Amid a mounting sense of American decline, everyday citizens live with a strange contradiction: traditional economists keep announcing that everything is fundamentally fine. They point to steady growth, low unemployment, relatively stable prices, and high stock markets, asking: what’s there to worry about?

Synopsis

The Power to Destroy shows that this dissonance reflects a failure of the discipline to evolve. Galbraith’s incisive history of 21st-century economic policy centers on a fundamental flaw: today’s experts are still deploying tools from yesterday’s wars.

Relying on obsolete ideas, outdated measures, and crude indicators like standard output and price indexes—many honed a century ago for a vastly different social landscape—offers little hope in the face of today’s existential threats.

Galbraith argues that these conventional policies are accelerating the decline of the US economy. Key policy shortcomings include:

Mismanaged Inflation: Weak responses to the post-pandemic inflation of 2021–2022.
Geopolitical Miscalculations: Flawed strategies regarding the sanctions war against Russia and the economic rise of China.
Stagnant Revival: Half-hearted and ineffective attempts at domestic industrial policy.
Unaddressed Crises: Inadequate preparation for climate change and the impending demographic crisis.

All of these failures root back to a flawed body of economic thought sustained for ideological rather than practical reasons. As Galbraith makes plain, while market systems have their virtues, government policies are what make functioning markets possible in the first place. Sticking with outdated theories brings the power to destroy, making new, realistic ideas an urgent necessity for survival in an emerging multipolar world.

About the Author

James K. Galbraith holds the Lloyd M. Bentsen, Jr. Chair in Government/Business Relations at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin.

His previous books include:

Entropy Economics: The Living Basis of Value and Production (with Jing Chen)
Inequality: What Everyone Needs to Know
Welcome to the Poisoned Chalice: The Destruction of Greece and the Future of Europe

1790173434

days

hours minutes seconds

until

‘The Power to Destroy’ release date

‘Reaping of Hellfire’ Review: Rue Blackwood Steals the Show in This Dark Romantasy Sequel

‘Reaping of Hellfire’ is Book 2 in the Guardians of Death series by Aurora Ramsden. Photo: Amazon

Book Review: Reaping of Hellfire by Aurora Ramsden

Synopsis

Reaping of Hellfire is the scorching second installment in the Guardians of Death series, continuing the paranormal chaos through the eyes of the wildest Blackwood sister, Rue. Rather than a standalone, this novel serves as a crucial chapter in a planned four-book dark romantasy saga.

The Blackwood sisters—Nyx, Opal, and Rue—are triplet hellhounds who were abandoned as babies and adopted by a kind, loving couple.

The Backstory

The novel kicks off with a prologue set 104 years in the past. On his 12th birthday, an orphan named Xander Drakonis undergoes the ceremony where a scythe chooses its master. Desperate to escape his boys’ home, Xander is transformed into a reaper and granted twin scythes: Terra and Shade.

The Present Day

In the modern timeline, Rue, Nyx, and Opal are celebrating their 25th birthday with their adoptive parents. It’s an important day for Ryker Calix (Nyx’s mate), who is meeting the parents for the very first time.

But the cozy family time doesn’t last long. The sisters are gearing up for their second year at Death University in the Soulmere Realm. They’re hoping for an easier year—fewer near-death experiences, more advanced courses, and plenty of naps.

They are in for a rude awakening.

Welcome to the Abomination Games

Upon returning to campus, they are immediately summoned for the Bone Rite. Headmaster Calix delivers the grim news: they have been selected to compete in the deadly Abomination Games. The order comes directly from Grand Deity Zeraphina, a volatile, five-year-old, glitter-happy deity. Saying “no” to her is the fastest way to get smote into cosmic confetti.

Between grueling coursework and a lethal competition, Rue also has to manage her growing obsession with Xander, a man who is fast becoming impossible to ignore. This year is shaping up to be one hell of a ride, and Rue plans to enjoy every sinful, sparkly second of it.

Review: Hellfire, Humor, and Unapologetic Spice

Reaping of Hellfire turns up the heat, delivering a wildly entertaining blend of dark fantasy, sharp humor, romance, and nonstop chaos. The story wastes no time throwing readers directly into the deadly Abomination Games, where survival is anything but guaranteed.

Character Dynamics & Perspectives

Told through a dual first-person narrative shifting between Xander and Rue, Ramsden gives us an intimate look at two incredibly compelling leads:

Rue Blackwood: An irresistible heroine whose sarcastic wit, reckless decision-making, and unapologetic personality make every chapter a joy to read. Her inner monologue is packed with laugh-out-loud moments that perfectly balance the book’s darker elements. Beneath her chaotic exterior lies a deeply resilient competitor.
Xander: The romantic tension simmers beautifully throughout the novel. The men in Rue’s life provide an intoxicating mix of sinful temptation and explosive chemistry, driving an irresistible dynamic that expertly balances suspense with playful “smut-book” tropes.

World-Building and Prose

Ramsden brilliantly expands her imaginative world this time around, introducing dangerous new creatures and unpredictable magic. The pacing is relentless; as alliances shift and secrets unfold, you can’t help but stay hooked.

What elevates this book above standard romantasy is Ramsden’s beautifully poetic prose. She seamlessly transitions from laugh-out-loud comedy to striking, visceral imagery:

“I scream without air—a sound ripped from somewhere deeper than lungs, deeper than ribs, deeper than bone.”

Core Themes

Agency vs. Divine Control: The characters must constantly navigate the reality of being mere pawns for unreliable, fickle deities.
Found Family and Survival: The fierce bond between the sisters anchors the story, contrasting the grim, dark magic of the university with glittering humor.

The Verdict

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (An absolute must-read for dark romantasy fans!)

Reaping of Hellfire by Aurora Ramsden is a thrilling, addictive ride that perfectly captures the joy of embracing the chaos. If you love morally gray characters, supernatural competitions, and high-stakes romance, you will devour this book.

This sequel leaves readers desperate for the next adventure in the series—which will feature Opal taking center stage!

“A pack is what a hellhound treasures most. Family-whether by blood or bond. Pack can be defined through love, loyalty, or friendship.”

Pick up your copy today!

Content Warning

Intended for mature readers (18+). It contains graphic and potentially triggering material such as:

Strong language and frequent profanity
Explicit sexual content and dominant/submissive dynamics
Graphic violence, blood, gore, and dismemberment
Supernatural, horror, and demonic elements
On-page and ritualistic killing

** Thank you to Aurora Ramsden for my gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Fear, Noise, and Propaganda: Reviewing ‘Piper at the Gates of Dusk’ by Patrick Ness

Piper at the Gates of Dusk by Patrick Ness. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Review: Piper at the Gates of Dusk by Patrick Ness

In Piper at the Gates of Dusk, Patrick Ness returns to the beautiful and brutal landscape of New World, the setting first introduced in the Chaos Walking trilogy (The Knife of Never Letting Go). This continuation feels urgent and intimate, bridging the gap between a scarred past and an uncertain future. It will be released on April 7, 2026.

A New Generation in a Fragile Peace

Set twenty years after the original trilogy, the story follows Todd and Viola’s sons, Ben and Max. Having grown up untouched by the violence that shaped their parents, the brothers now navigate a peace that feels increasingly thin.

The novel opens with a heart-pounding sequence: a figure the boys call a “god” emerges from the woods, leveling trees in its path. Ness’ prose captures the sheer scale of the terror:

“Like a mountain coming at you, like the whole landscape peeling up into the sky, as if someone’s grabbed the far corners of it like a blanket and pulled it into the air, and all you can do is watch your death come at you, because there’s nowhere to stand, nowhere to run–.”

While they survive the encounter, Ben is left injured, forcing Max to leave his side to find help, setting the emotional and narrative stakes early.

The Evolution of “Noise”

For those new to this world, Noise is the telepathic broadcast of thoughts. When settlers first arrived, men’s thoughts became public, while women’s remained private. While a “cure” was eventually developed, it came with side effects. For Ben, it affected his vocal cords; unable to speak, he relies on a communication device and sign language.

Now, a new threat is emerging:

Nightmares: Young people are experiencing terrors believed to be brought on by Noise.
Paranoia: As suspicion falls on indigenous people and rumors of an ominous object in the sky swirl, the adults’ fragile truce threatens to unravel.

The Weight of Legacy

The story is told through dual first-person perspectives, offering a poignant look at what it means to inherit a hero’s history. Ben carries Viola’s analytical strength and navigates the world through logic and sign language while Max inherits Todd’s impulsive bravery and is driven by action and the need to protect this brother.

Ness’ vivid language propels the action:

“The scream comes again, louder this time, like a siren blaring right in your face but filled with terror and pain.”

Themes: Fear as a Weapon

When children begin to vanish, the “uneasy truce” of New World collapses. Ness uses Noise as a brilliant and painful metaphor for the modern mental health crisis and the corrosive power of internalized fear.

In this new saga, Noise becomes a targeted psychological weapon used to create chaos and spread propaganda. It is a haunting examination of how quickly communities turn on one another when fear is weaponized.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Piper at the Gates of Dusk is a gripping and atmospheric science fiction novel. It explores whether the stories we tell ourselves are meant to protect us or if they are the very things keeping us in the dark. Epic and deeply personal, it stands confidently on its own while honoring the emotional legacy of the original trilogy.

Recommended for readers who enjoy:

Thought-provoking discussions on xenophobia and disinformation.
Imaginative world-building and sci-fi landscapes.
Nuanced explorations of gender identity and family legacy.

“They want the comforting lie, the one that lets them sleep at night. They want to know who their enemy is, because they’re never, ever going to believe it’s themselves.”

*Thank you to Sara DiSalvo for the gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Sacred Bones Unveils Remastered Alan Vega Classics and Rare Archival Gems

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.

Alan Vega Tracklist:

01 – Jukebox Babe
02 – Kung Foo Cowboy
03 – Fireball
04 – Love Cry
05 – Speedway
06 – Ice Drummer
07 – Bye Bye Bayou
08 – Lonely

Alan Vega Deluxe Edition Tracklist:

01 – Jukebox Babe
02 – Kung Foo Cowboy
03 – Fireball
04 – Love Cry
05 – Speedway
06 – Ice Drummer
07 – Bye Bye Bayou
08 – Lonely
09 – Ice Drummer (Demo)
10 – Fireball (Demo)
11 – Speedway (Demo)
12 – Love Cry (Demo)
13 – Kung Foo Cowboy (Demo)
14 – Lonely (Demo)
15 – Bye Bye Bayou (Demo)

Collision Drive Tracklist:

01 – Magdalena 82
02 – Be Bop A Lula
03 – Outlaw
04 – Raver
05 – Ghost Rider
06 – I Believe
07 – Magdalena 83
08 – Rebel
09 – Viet Vet

National Tell a Joke Day Just Got Sweeter Thanks to Damon Wayans Jr. and Laffy Taffy

Got jokes? Here’s your chance to get them printed on Laffy Taffy’s iconic wrapper … if you can make Damon Wayans Jr. laugh. Photo: Laffy Taffy, used with permission.

Make Damon Wayans Jr. Laugh—Your Joke Could End Up on a Laffy Taffy® Wrapper!

CHICAGO – Why did the candy fan call the Laff Line?
For the chance to make comedian, actor, and producer Damon Wayans Jr. laugh—and maybe see their joke printed on a Laffy Taffy® candy wrapper. (Laffy Taffy, 2025)

The beloved candy brand, famous for its classic dad jokes, has teamed up with Wayans to launch its first-ever Laffy Taffy Laff Line—a hilarious hotline for fans to share their punniest original jokes. Winning jokes could land a spot on Laffy Taffy’s new, easier-to-open wrappers.

How to Call the Laffy Taffy Laff Line

📅 When: August 16, National Tell a Joke Day
📞 Number: 1-844-LOL-HOUR (1-844-565-4687)
🕒 Time: 3p.m. – 7p.m. Eastern Time (aka “Laffy Hour”)

During Laffy Hour, select callers will get the chance to tell their joke directly to Wayans and his “Laff Squad”—a team of comedians from Zanies Chicago—hoping to make them laff out loud.

Joke Guidelines:

100 characters or less
Must follow the classic Laffy Taffy format: setup + punchline (up to 50 characters each)

Wayans will also share some of his own one-liners back to callers.

“I like to consider myself a dad joke expert, so I’m excited to hear some fresh material,” said Wayans. “Do you have what it takes to make me laugh? If so, give me a ring!”

New Wrappers, Same Sweet Laughs

Laffy Taffy Mini Bars now feature a smooth, easy-open wrapper—no more sticky or shredded packaging—while still serving up that signature creamy candy. With the new look, the brand is also refreshing its jokes, inviting fans themselves to help write the next batch.

“These moments of connection bring joy to our fans every day,” said Ashley Incarnato, Senior Marketing Director at Ferrara Candy Company. “With Damon Wayans Jr., the Laffy Taffy Laff Line is the perfect way to connect with our community, give them the chance to test their comedic chops, and bring more laughter to families of all generations.”

Win a Spot on a Laffy Taffy Wrapper

All callers can submit their original joke for a chance to be printed on Laffy Taffy wrappers sold nationwide. Jokes will be judged on humor, originality, creativity, and brand fit.

Prizes:

Top 100 jokes printed on wrappers
Winners receive a custom bag of Laffy Taffy Mini Bars with an exclusive preview of fellow winners’ jokes

About Laffy Taffy®

Since 1971, Laffy Taffy® has been bringing little bites of delight to families everywhere. Its lineup includes classic mini bars, Stretchy and Tangy bars, and Laffy Taffy Ropes, available in flavors like Cherry, Strawberry, Grape, Watermelon, Sour Apple, Banana, and Blue Raspberry.

Contest Details:
No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18+. Void where prohibited. Begins 3p.m. ET August 16, 2025, ends 7p.m. ET August 16, 2025. Full contest rules

Alternative Nation: Chicago Exhibition Captures the Raw Energy of ’90s Music

Alternative Nation: A Retrospective

A Raw, Unfiltered Look at the Rise of Alternative Music

Behind The Gallery proudly presents its latest exhibition, Alternative Nation: A Retrospective—a visceral journey through the explosion of alternative music and culture from the 1990s to the early 2000s. (Magnum PR, 2025)

Debuting in Chicago and hosted by After, the cocktail bar from Michelin-starred chef Curtis Duffy, the exhibition features never-before-seen and classic images of Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alice in Chains, Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Meat Puppets, and more.

The Photographers Who Shaped an Era

This unprecedented show brings together the iconic work of five visionary photographers—Joseph Cultice, Jonathan Rach, Chris Cuffaro, Kevin Westenberg, and Scarlet Page—whose lenses helped define the way we remember the era.

“This show isn’t just a trip down memory lane—it’s a time capsule of a moment when music felt dangerous, emotional, and deeply human,” says Behind The Gallery founder and curator Stephen Dallimore.

Each photographer was trusted by the bands, capturing the raw, unfiltered moments that defined a generation. Their work documents the cultural shift when grunge, industrial, and alt-rock went from the fringes to the forefront—changing not only the sound, but the very image of music.

A Time of Creative Rebellion

The 1990s alternative scene gave voice to a generation navigating alienation, identity, and emotional extremes.

Grunge acts like Nirvana and Pearl Jam rejected polished mainstream aesthetics, embracing vulnerability and grit.
Industrial pioneers like Nine Inch Nails fused electronics with rock, exploring darker, confrontational themes.

These photographs are more than concert shots—they’re portraits of authenticity, rebellion, and the raw pulse of an era when music was deeply felt.

Not Just for Nostalgia

While many of these artists are now considered legacy acts, the exhibition is curated for both longtime fans and a new generation craving authenticity.

“In a digital age where connection can feel shallow, there’s something powerful about experiencing these raw, analog images,” says Dallimore. “It was a time when music felt fresh, exciting, and dangerous—an era that still carried a sense of mystery.”

Photographer Inclusions by Artist

Chris Cuffaro: Alice In Chains, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Screaming Trees, Soundgarden
Joseph Cultice: Aphex Twin, Björk, Danzig, Marilyn Manson, Meat Puppets, Smashing Pumpkins
Jonathan Rach: Nine Inch Nails, Tool, Melvins
Kevin Westenberg: Pearl Jam, Nine Inch Nails, Soundgarden, White Stripes
Scarlet Page: Björk, Chris Cornell, Foo Fighters, Marilyn Manson, NIN, Placebo, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Smashing Pumpkins

Event Details

📍 Location:
After – Curtis Duffy’s Cocktail Bar
1338 W Fulton Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607

🗓 Exhibition Hours:

Opening Night: Friday, August 15, 2025 | 6:30–10 p.m.
Saturday, August 16 – Wednesday, August 20 | 4–10 p.m.

🎤 Artist Talk & Q&A:

Saturday, August 16 | 5:00 p.m.
Curtis Duffy hosts a conversation with Jonathan Rach & Joseph Cultice

The Art of Failing Forward: Lessons from Dr. S. Irfan Ali’s Unconventional Journey

The power of failure and how it fuels success. ‘Fractured but Fearless’ is the inspiring new book by S. Irfan Ali, MD. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Fractured but Fearless: The Art of Failing Forward with Dr. S. Irfan Ali

We live in a culture that celebrates success stories—highlight reels of achievement, brilliance, and arrival. But too often, we overlook the how behind the journey. According to Dr. S. Irfan Ali, that’s just human nature. In our rush to applaud the victors, we forget the losses, the missteps, and the quiet resilience that fueled the climb. (The Authority Company, 2025)

Dr. Ali knows this journey intimately. A physician, CEO of multiple healthcare companies, nonprofit founder, artist, and photographer, his path has been anything but linear. In his new book, Fractured but Fearless: Embracing the Art of Failing Forward, Dr. Ali reflects on the failures that shaped him—and how they ultimately propelled him forward.

Drawing from a rich personal and professional background, including his immigrant experience bridging East and West, Dr. Ali shares candid stories—many of them humorous—from his early days as a medical hopeful in a new country, working the most humbling jobs while chasing big dreams.

Witty, honest, and deeply inspiring, Fractured but Fearless is more than a memoir. It’s a compelling blend of life stories, leadership lessons, and visual artistry. Each chapter reads like a standalone essay, yet together they form a cohesive roadmap for aspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, and healthcare professionals alike. The book is also visually stunning, featuring Dr. Ali’s original photography and artwork, elevating the reading experience into one of both intellectual and artistic inspiration.

At its heart, this book is a tribute to the growth found in adversity—and to the quiet, often overlooked art of failing forward.

Key Takeaways from Fractured but Fearless:

Setbacks can become stepping stones to personal growth, emotional intelligence, and lasting impact.
Resilience isn’t born—it’s built through reflection, support, and repeated encounters with adversity.
Mental health care is broken. Systemic change and personal awareness are both essential.
Innovation thrives through unconventional thinking and trusting your instincts.
Career success means little without personal fulfillment and meaningful relationships.

About the Author

S. Irfan Ali, M.D. is a board-certified physician and co-founder, president, and CEO of Pioneer Medical Group, a leading hospitalist organization in Florida. He also founded Pioneer Medical Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to serving the homeless.

Dr. Ali earned his medical degree from the University of Karachi in Pakistan and completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Massachusetts. He later received a fellowship from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School and completed a leadership fellowship in hospital medicine at AdventHealth/CTI.

Whether through his medical work, nonprofit leadership, or art, Dr. Ali continues to embody the ethos at the heart of Fractured but Fearless: that within every failure lies the blueprint for greatness.

Senses Awakened: Experience the Art of Botello, Menchelli & Willome

Nadia Botello, *What the River Says.* Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Experience Three Immersive Solo Exhibitions at Contemporary at Blue Star

📍 San Antonio, TX – Contemporary at Blue Star invites the community to experience three new solo exhibitions opening on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 6–9 p.m. Featuring artists Nadia Botello, Fabiola Menchelli, and Jason Willome, each exhibition offers a unique, sensory-driven experience where the audience is invited to interact with the art through touch, movement, and presence. (Contemporary at Blue Star, 2025)

🎉 Opening Events

Taco Talk with the Curator
🗓 Friday, July 11 | ⏰ 10:30–11:30 a.m. | Register Here
Public Opening Reception
🗓 Friday, July 11 | ⏰ 6:00–9:00 p.m.

🖼 On View: July 11 – October 5, 2025

✨ Featured Exhibitions

Nadia Botello

Theophany

Sound artist and composer Nadia Botello explores the San Antonio River as a living entity—a shaping force with a voice of its own. A native Texan and fourth-generation San Antonian, Botello presents multimedia works in sound, sculpture, and film that ask: What might the river be saying for itself?

Her 16mm film series What the River Says reveals images formed solely by submerging film into the river—no human intervention, only the language of water.

Fabiola Menchelli

ombré

Blending photography with painterly process, Fabiola Menchelli introduces a new body of work from her Parallelograms series. Created in total darkness, her photograms are both intentional and accidental—revealing the mystery of creation when sight is removed.

In a fast-paced world of constant imagery, Menchelli’s slow, sensory process challenges viewers to pause and reflect.

Jason Willome

When a Mind Wanders

Jason Willome delves into memory, transformation, and the unknown through his deeply personal drawings. Sparked by the final moments leaving his father’s home and witnessing his father’s decline from Parkinson’s disease, Willome uses gouache, charcoal, and cattle markers to render consciousness in flux.

These abstract, layered drawings mirror the haze of memory and perception—reflecting both confusion and care.

This body of work was developed during Willome’s residency at Künstlerhaus Bethanien in Berlin through the Contemporary’s international residency program.

🏛 About Contemporary at Blue Star

Contemporary at Blue Star showcases artists from San Antonio and across the globe, presenting innovative exhibitions that spark empathy, action, and understanding. As a non-collecting contemporary art space, the Contemporary fosters fresh perspectives and cultural dialogue.

🎟 Admission is always free.
📍 116 Blue Star, San Antonio, TX 78204
📞 (210) 227-6960
🌐 Contemporary at Blue Star

🕒 Public Hours

Day	Hours
Mon–Tues	Closed
Wed	12 pm – 5 pm
Thu–Fri	12 pm – 8 pm
Sat–Sun	10 am – 6 pm

Photo: Contemporary at Blue Star, used with permission.

‘Inheritance’ Unpacks Family Ties and Hidden Truths

Emily Moss Wilson’s new film ‘Inheritance.’ Courtesy photo, used with permission.

When it comes to films, dramas contain emotional depth, compelling characters, and exploration of the human experience. They often tackle complex themes such as love, loss, identity, and morality, allowing viewers to connect with the story on a personal level. This emotional resonance is a key reason for their enduring appeal. Whether based on true events or fictional narratives, dramas invite introspection and empathy, offering a mirror to society and the self. Their ability to evolve with cultural shifts while maintaining timeless emotional truths ensures their continued popularity across generations, making them a cornerstone of cinema around the world.

The new drama film Inheritance will be showing in select US theaters from May 6 through May 22 and will be available on digital and on demand on June 3. (One Tree Entertainment, 2025)

‘Inheritance’…The Past Never Dies

Directed by Emily Moss Wilson
Starring Austin Highsmith Garces (Scream TV Series, Criminal Minds, Dolphin Tale), Rachel Noll James, Wes Brown (True Blood, 90210, Hart of Dixie), Michelle Hurd (Star Trek: Picard, Blindspot Hawaii Five-0)

Estranged sisters Lucy and Paige reluctantly reunite to bury their father, only to find themselves drawn back into the tangled web of their painful past. As old wounds resurface, they discover that they’ve inherited far more than just money.

CINEMA SCREENING TIMES BELOW

LOS ANGELES, CA
May 6th @ 7p.m. – Laemmle Glendale – MORE INFO HERE
*Talkback with actors Michelle Hurd & Austin Highsmith Garces
May 8th @ 7p.m. – Laemmle Santa Monica – MORE INFO HERE
*Talkback with actors Michelle Hurd & Austin Highsmith Garces
May 9th – May 22nd – Laemmle Santa Monica (Various Times – TBA)

WASHINGTON STATE
May 9th – 22nd @ 6:30p.m. daily – Bainbridge Island Cinemas – TICKETS HERE
*Talkbacks on May 13th and 22nd with actor/writer Rachel Noll James and producer Sienna Beckman
May 9th – 15th @ 6p.m. daily – Historic Admiral in West Seattle – TICKETS HERE
May 21st @ 7p.m. – Kingston Firehouse Theater – TICKETS HERE
*Talkback with actor/writer Rachel Noll James and producer Sienna Beckman

NEW ORLEANS, LA
May 18th @ 3p.m. – The Broad Theater – TICKETS HERE
*Talkback with director Emily Moss Wilson, editor Misty Talley, producer Daniel Lewis

Inheritance still. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Dallas Gets a Taste of Argentinian Indie Rock: El Mató a un Policía Motorizado at Frontera 2025

Argentinian band Él Mató a un Policía Motorizado will make its only Texas stop in Dallas. Photo: LPA Beer & Music Festival.

Él Mató a un Policía Motorizado, also known as EMAUPM or Él Mató, is an Argentinian indie rock band from La Plata established in 2003. The band has just announced their North American tour, and before they kick things off, they’ll be making a special stop in Dallas as part of Frontera 2025. This will be their only Texas performance.

This intimate 500-capacity show is free and open to the public, but RSVP is highly encouraged to guarantee entry: RSVP HERE. The performance will take place at Kessler Theater on Friday, April 11. Doors open at 7:30p.m., show begins at 8:30p.m. (Giant Noise/Southwest Review, 2025)

More information on Frontera 2025:

DALLAS – Dallas-based magazine Southwest Review, the third-longest-running literary quarterly in the United States, announces the lineup for the second annual Frontera. This year’s festivities will take place April 11–12, 2025, in Oak Cliff’s historic Bishop Arts District.

The lineup assembles artists from English-speaking North America and Spanish-speaking Latin America for a two-day celebration of literature, music, comics and film. Set to take place at The Wild Detectives, Kessler Theater and Texas Theatre, all Frontera events will be free and open to the public.

Frontera will kick off at The Wild Detectives with a conversation between American cartoonist Lynda Barry and fiction writer Mary Miller, followed by musical performances from The Paranoid Style, Karly Hartzman and Él Mató a un Policía Motorizado at Kessler Theater. RSVP highly encouraged HERE.

The second day will feature a screening of the Blood Simple (1984) by Joel and Ethan Coen, plus a conversation between award-winning author Megan Abbott and crime novelist William Boyle at the Texas Theatre. Additional readings at The Wild Detectives will feature Mateo García Elizondo, Brenda Lozano, Ashleigh Bryant Phillips, Joseph Grantham, Brenda Navarro, Federico Perelmuter, Julia Kornberg, Patricio Ferrari, Eli Cranor, and Kimberly King Parsons, offering audiences a chance to engage with some of the most compelling voices in contemporary literature.

Guests are invited to the festival’s final event at The Wild Detectives featuring a celebratory DJ set running from 7:30p.m. until close.

Because the Southwest is a place where borderlands converge, the region is dependent on the two-way flow of language and culture. Southwest Review has long championed Latin American literature in translation, working closely with independent publishers to introduce groundbreaking voices to new audiences. Thanks to the generous support of the Southern Methodist University Department of English, Frontera brings this editorial vision to life in an increasingly bilingual North Texas region.

The Kessler Theater

SA Examiner

Your Insider Source For Entertainment And Business Headlines

Tag: poetry