
Give dad a blockbuster Father’s Day at the Briscoe Western Art Museum where summer fun includes Hollywood Westerns shown in their full glory during the museum’s Summer Film Series. Let dad kick back and enjoy the 1970 classic “Little Big Man” at the Briscoe’s draft house-style film screening, served with a side of whiskey tasting courtesy of Ranger Creek Distillery. Father’s Day is also Locals Day at the Briscoe, where all Bexar County residents receive half off of general admission. Locals can enjoy the museum and the movie for $6. General admission to the museum, including the film, is $12. Or gift dad a museum membership so he can enjoy the Summer Film Series and more Western fun for free all year long. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2021)
Treat Dad like a king with a free whiskey tasting from Ranger Creek Whiskey and free Ranger Creek Beer paired with fantastic barbecue available onsite. Enjoy the 1970 classic, “Little Big Man,” the story of Jack Crabb telling the tale of his life being raised by Native Americans and fighting with General Custer. The film and tasting is Sunday June 20 at 1p.m.
Ranger Creek is San Antonio’s award-winning “brewstillery,” handcrafting beer and whiskey with love, attention, and Texas attitude. Ranger Creek Distillery makes award-winning Texas bourbon, single malt and rye whiskey, all grain-to-glass spirits made in small batches using Texas ingredients. The Father’s Day whiskey tasting will feature an array of Ranger Creek’s lineup, as well as free Ranger Creek beer.
The Summer Film Series is the perfect complement to the Briscoe’s summer exhibition, Still in the Saddle: A New History of the Hollywood Western, on view through September 6. Showcasing the cinematic art and storytelling of the Western, the Briscoe has transformed into a 1960s movie theater, welcoming everyone with a red carpet, velvet ropes and the unmistakable smell of popcorn. The exhibition includes almost 60 vintage original movie posters as well as movie costumes and dozens of authentic lobby cards. Display screens throughout the exhibition feature film clips illustrating representative moments of the genre and costumes worn by John Wayne in the movies “Chisum,” “The Cowboys,” and “The Undefeated” are on display.
Still in the Saddle was organized by the Briscoe with guest curator Dr. Andrew Patrick Nelson, a historian of American cinema and culture, film programmer, museum curator, and media commentator. Nelson is Chair of the Department of Film and Media Arts and Associate Professor of Film Studies at the University of Utah, as well as the author and editor of numerous books and essays on Western cinema, including “Still in the Saddle: The Hollywood Western, 1969-1980” and “Contemporary Westerns: Film and Television since 1990.”
The Summer Film Series continues with “True Grit” on July 18, “The Long Riders” on August 22, and “The Shootist” on September 5. Each film is free with museum general admission and as always, museum members enjoy the museum and film for free. Briscoe Summer Cinema passes include three films for $25 or enjoy all five films for $50 and receive an individual museum membership, granting you unlimited access to the Briscoe’s exhibitions and programming throughout the year. Tickets are available online, while Summer Cinema passes are available by calling 210.299.4499.
To further celebrate dads, the Briscoe is offering Father’s Day membership specials that include a year-long membership to the museum, as well as gifts for dad to sit back and enjoy. The membership specials are available online, with pickup from the Briscoe’s Museum Store in time for Father’s Day.
Package options include:
• “The Duke”: Allow dad to head West with an individual membership, along with a Briscoe Western Art Museum t-shirt and a Briscoe trucker cap from the Briscoe’s Museum Store, $65.
• “The Cowboys”: Duo membership includes museum admission for two adults, as well as a Briscoe Western Art Museum t-shirt, a Briscoe trucker cap, a pair of Texas Navy Men’s Socks, and a Blue/White Camp tin coffee cup, $85.
• “The Plainsman”: A family level membership that includes admission to the museum and events for two adults and all children/grandchildren under 18, as well as a Briscoe Western Art Museum t-shirt, a Briscoe trucker cap, a pair of Texas Navy Men’s Socks, and a Blue/White Camp tin coffee cup and “The Chisolm Trail” by James E. Sherow, $100.
All membership options include unlimited admission to the Briscoe and free or discounted admission to its events, as well as invitations to private member-only events. Full membership benefits are available online. Memberships are instrumental support that help the Briscoe continue to share the art, history and culture of the American West and are tax deductible.
The Briscoe Western Art Museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting the art, history, and culture of the American West through engaging exhibitions, educational programs and public events reflective of the region’s rich traditions and shared heritage. It is located on the San Antonio River Walk at 210 W. Market Street in the beautifully restored 1930s former San Antonio Public Library building. Named in honor of the late Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe Jr. and his wife, Janey Slaughter Briscoe, the museum includes the three-story Jack Guenther Pavilion, used for event rentals and programs, and the outdoor McNutt Sculpture Garden.