K-Pop Icon Tiffany Young Marks Landmark PMG Era with New Album

Tiffany Young’s *Edge of Calm* is out now. *Photo: Pacific Music Group, used with permission.*

Tiffany Young Reclaims Her Sanctuary with New Solo Album Edge of Calm

HONG KONG — Global K-pop icon Tiffany Young has officially released her debut solo album, Edge of Calm, via Pacific Music Group (PMG), alongside the evocative music video for its title track. (Pacific Music Group, 2026)

To celebrate this milestone, Tiffany has embarked on the Edge of Calm Tour, kicking off in Hong Kong with upcoming stops in Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok, before concluding with a special homecoming performance in Seoul on December 27.

Finding Peace in the Chaos: The “Edge of Calm”

The title track, “Edge of Calm,” serves as the emotional centerpiece of the entire project. Built around themes of vulnerability, reassurance, and quiet resilience, the song looks past the need for perfect words to explore the profound impact of simply being there for someone during life’s most overwhelming moments.

Gentle yet deeply affecting, “Edge of Calm” captures the healing power of true companionship—reminding listeners that sometimes the greatest act of love is staying by someone’s side through uncertainty.

“Edge” symbolizes anticipation and complete immersion, while “Calm” embodies emotional balance and clarity. Together, the two halves create a visual and sonic identity that mirrors the record’s emotional arc.

Inside the Album

The 11-track album offers a rich journey across genres and emotional landscapes, highlighting Tiffany’s signature versatility as an artist.

Key Highlights:

Featured Tracks: Includes the hit single “Summer’s Not Over” (and its Korean version), released earlier this year in honor of the 10th anniversary of Tiffany’s solo debut.
Impressionable Numbers: The “Summer’s Not Over” music video has already surpassed 1.8 million YouTube views, with over 487,000 Spotify streams.
Collaborations: Hand-picked guest features expand the record’s sonic footprint, bridging diverse musical worlds.

Edge of Calm marks Tiffany’s second release under PMG and its flagship label, Pacific Records, following her landmark global 360 partnership with the company. As the flagship artist leading PMG’s Korean expansion, this project represents both a personal creative milestone and a major step in the label’s international growth.

Edge of Calm tracklist

Codes
Drip Drop
Halfway Honest
Moment
Come Call Me Yours
Edge of Calm
Lips Together (feat. 미연 (MIYEON))
Lovers (feat. JUNNY)
Summer’s Not Over (KOR Ver.)
Summer’s Not Over
Moonlit Rain

About the Artists & Visionaries

About Tiffany Young

Born in Los Angeles, Tiffany Young moved to Seoul alone at age 15 to pursue her dream of performing, ultimately debuting with the legendary K-pop group Girls’ Generation. As part of one of the most influential girl groups in pop history, boasting 16 No. 1 singles, over 1.8 billion YouTube views, 120+ global awards, and 15 album releases, Tiffany cemented her legacy early on.

Launching her solo career to critical acclaim, she debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Next Big Sound chart and won Best Solo Breakout at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. Entering a dynamic new chapter with Pacific Music Group, Tiffany continues to expand her footprint with new music, global collaborations, and exciting projects ahead.

About Pacific Music Group (PMG)

Pacific Music Group is a next-generation music company founded in 2025 by NE-YO, Sonu Nigam, MC Jin, and Jonathan Serbin. Headquartered in Hong Kong with a Pan-Asian footprint, PMG is dedicated to developing global careers out of Asia and fostering seamless cultural exchange between East and West through world-class production and mentorship.

🎧 Listen & Watch Now

Stream Edge of Calm on all major platforms today, and check out the new music video on YouTube!

Lyal Strickland Releases ‘I’m Still Poor’ Ahead of Anticipated New Album ‘Shooter of Truth’

Lyal Strickland’s *Shooter of Truth* will be out October 16. *Photo: Jym Wilson Photography, used with permission.*

New Music: Lyal Strickland Returns with ‘I’m Still Poor’ Ahead of First Album in a Decade

“I’m Still Poor” is the third and final single from Lyal Strickland’s forthcoming album, Shooter of Truth. Following the success of the title track and the duet “Birds,” “I’m Still Poor” is out now on all streaming platforms. (Broken Jukebox Media, 2026)

Shooter of Truth marks Strickland’s first full-length album in ten years, arriving with the weight of a life fully lived in the years between. The album drops on October 16.

A Decade in the Making

After the death of his father and a string of hard miles on the road in 2016, Strickland went through an emotional breakdown that left him questioning his place in music alongside his ability to keep writing honestly.

In the decade that followed, life didn’t stand still:

He got married.
He became the father of two young daughters.
He stayed tied to the land and the cattle that have shaped his family’s story for generations.

Then, in one weekend, the songs returned.

“Those songs became the foundation of Shooter of Truth, an album that looks directly at alcohol, depression, old relationships, present love, failure, survival, and the strange grace of still being here.”

The breakthrough came during a Southwest Folk Alliance conference, where Strickland wrote a batch of songs with a new kind of clarity: brutally honest, unguarded, and unwilling to dress up the truth.

The Sound of the Ozarks

Across its ten tracks, Shooter of Truth moves between solo acoustic performances (“Another Place And Time” and “Hellbent On A Heartache”), an acoustic guitar and cello-backed duet (“Birds”), a couple of irreverent fast-paced tracks, and a collection of mid-tempo tunes rooted in country, folk, and Americana.

The record is earnest, raw, and unpolished, capturing a side of Lyal that hasn’t been fully captured on record before. The backing musicians all hail from the Ozarks, lending the project a sound deeply tied to place: unpretentious and lived-in. It’s music shaped by the same hills, highways, churches, barrooms, and back roads that run through Strickland’s writing.

The Singles

The album’s three singles trace its full emotional range:

“Shooter of Truth” — Sets the tone with a plainspoken reckoning and the hard edge of self-examination.
“Birds” (feat. Rachel Laven) — Explores the strain of life on the road and the temptation to push past your limits in search of something true. Not originally written as a duet, Laven was the first and obvious choice when the track called for a complementary voice, bringing out an understated tension in the lyrics.
“I’m Still Poor” — Brings Strickland’s hard-earned realism to the forefront—a song about the sacrifices artists make, the cost of chasing the work, and the long search for the people who understand why you keep doing it anyway.

Betting on the Music

To make the album happen, Strickland is making big changes on his farm by dwindling his cattle herd down to Herefords, the same breed raised by his grandfather and great-grandfather on his mother’s side. It’s both a sacrifice and a promise: Strickland is putting his heart into this release, letting go of one version of the farm to carry forward another while making room for the music that has never quite let him go.

On Shooter of Truth, Strickland sounds like an artist less interested in reinvention than reckoning. He returns as a husband, father, and farmer still marked by the road, singing with fewer illusions and more at stake. After ten years away, he has come back with songs that do what the title promises: aim straight for the truth without flinching.

About Lyal Strickland

Lyal Strickland is an Americana singer-songwriter, whose music is as authentic as the Ozark hills. With a background deeply embedded in the rural landscapes of Missouri, his lyrics resonate with the experiences of small-town life, weaving tales of struggle, resilience, and unyielding human spirit. (Lyal Strickland, 2026)

Strickland’s songs are a testament to his commitment to his roots and his versatility as an artist. His albums move through stages of life, showcasing his distinctive voice that brings his narratives to life. Each song is a window into Strickland’s world, inviting listeners to step into stories woven with candor and crushing humility.

Album Credits

Co-Produced by: Adam Dawson & Lyal Strickland
Recorded, Mixed, & Mastered by: Jeff Smith at Studio 2100
Songwriting: All songs written by Lyal Strickland (except “Hellbent On A Heartache”)

Musicians

Lyal Strickland – Vocals, Guitar
Molly Healey – Fiddle, Cello
Joe Terry – Organ, Keyboards
Oran Thornton – Electric Guitar
Kyle Vance – Bass
Nick Smith – Drums
Rachel Laven – Duet Vocals on “Birds”
Jeff Smith, Dillon Hasten, Damien Thousand – Background Vocals

Shooter of Truth tracklist:

Shooter Of Truth – 4:35
Birds – 3:44
I’m Still Poor – 4:37
Homewrecker – 2:48
Before It’s Gone – 5:14
Another Place And Time – 3:09
Boosters – 3:25
Church List – 2:56
Gatherin’ Dust – 3:36
Hell Bent On A Heartache – 2:59
Full run time: 37min 5sec

What Is a Conversation Architect? The Critical New Role in the Age of AI

‘Garbage In, Faster’ is a companion to ‘Connecting Goals to Impacts and Outcomes.’ *Photo: Amazon*

Book Spotlight: Garbage In, Faster: Why AI Needs Conversation Architects

By Claude Hanhart

Synopsis: The Alignment Paradox

“AI doesn’t remove the need for human alignment. It amplifies it.”

From the co-author of the #1 Amazon Kindle Bestseller Connecting Goals to Impacts and Outcomes comes a provocative companion: a book exploring why AI makes human conversation skills more essential than ever. (Amazon, 2026)

Across industries, organizations rushed to lay off Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches, only to immediately adopt AI. They eliminated the very people responsible for creating organizational alignment and bought a technology that makes alignment more critical than ever.

The result? Garbage in, faster.

Fascinatingly, Garbage In, Faster was written in collaboration with Anthropic’s Claude AI, with the entire manuscript generated in under 60 seconds. However, those 60 seconds only worked because of the hours of structured conversation that preceded them and the twenty years of expertise behind those conversations. In short: the process of writing this book proved its thesis.

What You’ll Learn

The Diagnosis: Why “agile is dead” is the wrong conclusion, and what actually failed.
Communication Debt: The invisible liability quietly destroying your organization.
The AI Multiplier: Why AI multiplies clarity and confusion equally and how you choose which one wins.
Syntax & Infrastructure: How VERB + NOUN syntax creates infrastructure for both humans and AI.
Context Engineering: Why “context engineering” is just Structured Conversations by another name.
The Unautomatable: The five conversations AI can never have for you.
The New Role: How to become a Conversation Architect, the role organizations need most right now.
Actionable Steps: Five conversations you can have on Monday morning using no new tools.

Who This Book Is For

Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches wondering what comes next in their careers.
Product Managers whose AI tools produce beautiful, meaningless artifacts.
Executives who invested in AI but aren’t seeing the promised results.
Anyone who suspects that better conversations might actually be the answer.

Note: This is a companion to Connecting Goals to Impacts and Outcomes: Harnessing Structured Conversations for Customer-Driven Value Delivery. While that book provides the complete toolkit, this one is the vital argument for why that toolkit is now existential.

Structure the Conversation. Deliver the Outcome.

About the Author

Claude Hanhart is a Product Strategist and Agile Coach with over 10 years of leadership experience driving groundbreaking product strategies and agile transformations. His approach centers on fostering innovation rooted in business objectives, customer experience, and market leadership using tools like Generative AI, OKRs, and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD).

Claude brings a uniquely interdisciplinary perspective to modern product challenges, holding an MA in Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology and Languages from the University of Berne in Switzerland and an MA in Geography from the University of Minnesota. Multilingual in German, Swiss German, and French, he thrives in international collaborations.

Structured Conversations represents Claude’s commitment to bridging strategic thinking with practical implementation. Currently based in New Jersey with his wife, Claude finds that their three energetic dogs serve as daily reminders of the importance of clear communication and patient guidance, principles that translate beautifully into his professional coaching work.

Are you leveraging AI to speed up your work, or are you just accelerating the chaos?

‘The Vanishing Family’ Review: Robert Kolker’s Powerful Story of FTD and Hope

‘The Vanishing Family’ by Robert Kolker is a moving look at genetics, dementia, and identity. Photo: Penguin Random House

Book Review: The Vanishing Family: Love, Fate, and the Quest to End Dementia

Author: Robert Kolker

Genre: Nonfiction / Narrative Journalism / Science

The Story

The narrative opens with a tense prologue: after years of delaying testing, 41-year-old Barb receives a lab letter that will confirm whether she carries a devastating genetic mutation. She’s currently the same age her mother, Jean, was when symptoms first emerged.

Oliver and Jean lived in Pleasant Hills, Pennsylvania, raising nine children: Kathy, Christy, Sue, Dutch, Mary, Peggy, Scott, Jenny, and Barb. As the older siblings moved out to start their adult lives, Barb remained at home to witness their vibrant mother fall under a dark, gothic spell, transforming into someone withdrawn, neglectful, and entirely unrecognizable.

A Cruel Genetic Mutation

The family carries a rare genetic mutation (V337M) that causes frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with a cruel twist. Striking early, often in a person’s early forties, it causes formerly devoted parents and high-achieving executives to:

Lose their jobs unexpectedly
Have reckless affairs and take up heavy drinking
Shed all social inhibitions and moral responsibility
Experience total personality loss, leaving families with strangers

With a 50/50 chance of inheritance, the children face the constant terror of an impending genetic fate.

Alongside this human tragedy, Kolker documents the high-stakes scientific race against neurodegenerative disease. Decades of research into this single family’s rare FTD mutation may ultimately provide the key to preventing and treating all forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Pick up your copy of ‘The Vanishing Family!’

Review

The Vanishing Family unfolds like a heartbreaking psychological thriller as the siblings watch the illness strike one by one: first Christy, then Mary, and beyond. Kolker captures the agonizing tension between love and fear, forcing the family to confront profound questions about predetermined fate, obligation, and identity.

Key Themes Explored

Identity and Disintegration: The erosion of character when the brain’s frontal lobe declines.
Family Resilience and Devotion: How siblings step up to care for one another despite emotional devastation.
Medical Discovery and Hope: The scientific journey to turn a family curse into a cure for millions.

The Science Behind the Story

Beyond the personal narrative, Kolker guides readers through the history of neuroscience:

Historical Milestones: From the famous 19th-century case of Phineas Gage, whose altered personality after a brain injury proved that specific brain regions govern behavior, to early diagnostic breakthroughs that established dementia as an organic physical disease rather than a mental defect.
The Clinical Battle: A clear overview of genetics, clinical trials, and the decades of frustrating dead ends that have challenged medical researchers.

Chapter Highlights

Chapter 10: Barb has been caring for Christy, the first sibling to display symptoms, when Mary arrives unexpectedly. Seeing the exact same behavioral shifts in Mary, Barb realizes with horror that the disease is genetic and that every sibling is at risk.
Chapter 11: A deep dive into neuroscience for readers who want the exact mechanics of FTD, Alzheimer’s, and brain pathology.
Chapter 20: A crucial breakdown comparing Alzheimer’s and FTD. While Alzheimer’s primarily destroys memory and cognition, FTD attacks emotional processing. Patients lose the ability to recognize their own physiological responses to emotion, causing drastic changes in personality without self-awareness or shame.

“It’s a conclusion with relevance beyond dementia. We most profoundly lose ourselves, it seems, when we can no longer see, feel, or touch the minds and hearts of others.”

Final Thoughts

Overall, The Vanishing Family is a compelling look at family genetics that balances intimate human drama and medical detective work. It’s deeply tragic without ever feeling hopeless, showing how severe illness can reshape a family while highlighting extraordinary resilience.

Kolker never lets complex science obscure the real people at the center of the narrative. For readers who enjoy family sagas, medical mysteries, or popular science, this is an unforgettable read. It serves as a powerful reminder of how much of our identity is tied to memory, personality, and the people who love us, and how hope remains a force even against inherited fate.

“The tragedy is that because some elements of the person are still detectable, the sense of loss is ongoing – like witnessing a living death.”

About The Author

Robert Kolker is a contributing writer at The New York Times Magazine and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Hidden Valley Road, named an Oprah’s Book Club Pick, a New York Times Book Review Top 10 book of the year, a GQ Best Book of Literary Journalism of the 21st Century, and a Kirkus Reviews Best Nonfiction Book of the Century. His first book was Lost Girls, named a New York Times Notable Book and a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2013.

** Thank you to Michael Goldsmith and Penguin Random House for the gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Deux Visages Announces Debut Album ‘Call It Goodbye’ & Releases New Single ‘Automatic’

Deux Visages will be on tour this fall with The Linda Lindas. Photo: Enoch Chuang, used with permission.

Rising Rock Trio Deux Visages Announces Debut Album Call It Goodbye & Shares` New Single ‘Automatic’

Promising rock trio Deux Visages, comprising vocalist Daphney Hanono, guitarist Jack Chiu, and bassist Tony Jouvin, is stepping into a major new era. (another side, 2026)

Their emergence has been a whirlwind. Founded over a thread of DMs in high school, they quickly signed to Atlantic Records once word of their rampant and immersive live shows hit. Fast-forward through a series of breakthrough singles, an EP, support tours alongside Mannequin P*ssy, julie, and Wunderhorse, plus an uprooting from Miami to Philadelphia: the three have now perfected their chemistry and eclectic, earnest dream-pop rock that is singularly Deux Visages.

Call It Goodbye: A Visceral Coming-of-Age Story

The trio recently announced their debut full-length, and first with Pure Noise Records, titled Call It Goodbye. It will be out November 6. Pre-Order/Pre-Save here.

It’s Deux Visages’ coming-of-age story: a sophisticated yet visceral examination of the conflict between the past and the future. Each invigorating and powerful track bristles with the tension and emotions that come with youth and new experiences. On Call It Goodbye, the trio looks back at what’s been, while also confidently leaving that past behind.

Listen to ‘Automatic’

On their new single ‘Automatic,’ available now alongside an accompanying music video, Hanono reflects on an internal monologue of feeling “less than” and “predictable.”

“A lot of this track has to do with things crashing down around us with our first record deal. It was our early days as a band and touring, and we weren’t feeling worthy or ready to handle all of these major changes.”

— Daphney Hanono

Crafting the Sound

Deux Visages recorded Call It Goodbye in Miami with longtime friend Arquimides ‘Arkii’ Cala, who also recorded all of the band’s early material, including their very first single “Cheetah.”

Cala masterfully captures Deux Visages’ dreamy, soaring, feedback-soaked sound across the entire record:

“Always You” – The album’s euphoric leading single.
“Behind” – An immediate, hard-hitting track balancing vulnerability with explosive guitars and dynamic shifts.
“Call It Goodbye” – The title track closing out the record with a sense of frustration and urgency, confronting the inevitability of time slipping away.

Together, these songs depict the instability, uncertainty, and growing pains of youth while ultimately embracing change. Call It Goodbye is a record about asserting yourself amid uncertainty, and discovering that, with enough determination and self-belief, you can leave the past behind and move confidently toward whatever comes at you next.

On the Road

Deux Visages just wrapped up a North American run supporting Sweet Pill. Next month, they join The Linda Lindas as special guests on their East Coast run, performing in New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, and more.

See below for the full list of tour dates, and grab your tickets and details here.

Deux Visages Live Dates:

Oct 02: Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls Theatre ~
Oct 04: Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts ~
Oct 06: Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club ~
Oct 07: New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place ~
Oct 08: Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel ~

~ w/ The Linda Lindas

Call It Goodbye tracklist:

Disengage
Always You
Behind
Missed Calls
Automatic
Afterthought
Fleeting Wishes
Silhouette
Paint Myself Blue
Pixelate
Call It Goodbye

1793977226

days

hours minutes seconds

until

Call It Goodbye release date

Magik Theatre Kicks Off 2026–27 Season with ‘If You Give a Mouse a Cookie’

‘If You Give a Mouse a Cookie’ opens Oct. 3 at Magik Theatre. *Photo: Magik Theatre, used with permission.*

Magik Theatre Kicks Off 2026–27 Season with If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

SAN ANTONIO, TX — Magik Theatre is opening its new season with a beloved treat that will have audiences of all ages laughing, smiling, and demanding more silliness. (Magik Theatre, 2026)

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie marks the official start of Magik’s 2026–27 season. The production opens on Saturday, October 3, with a sweet kickoff party and runs through October 25. Guests can savor Magik’s remarkable renovations, completed just this summer, while enjoying brand-new season ticket options that make it easy to save room for a full slate of acclaimed productions featuring “fun, fantastical friends.”

A Zany, Cause-and-Effect Adventure

Laura Numeroff’s If You Give a Mouse a Cookie has been charming generations since the picture book’s release in 1985. Adapted by Jodi Davidson, Magik’s version recounts the simple tale of a boy whose peaceful afternoon of cookies and comics is interrupted by a mouse whose simple request snowballs into a zany, physical comedy adventure.

“This production is fun, silly, and full of slapstick humor.”

— Pam Ramirez, Director

A professional clown whose resume includes Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus, and studies at the world-renowned Dell’Arte School of Physical Theatre, Ramirez was the perfect choice to lead this production.

“I’m especially thrilled that our production will be filled with physical comedy… The endless funny bits brilliantly executed by Michael Roberts (Mouse) and Christopher Deuter (Boy) will make you giggle for 50 minutes straight.”

— Collin Pittmann, Artistic Director

While the story is famed for its repetition and circularity, Magik’s hour-long production is anything but boring. Ramirez and the company have created a comic book story-within-a-story packed with excitement, suspense, and non-stop energy.

Rejuvenating Magik, All Year Long

Guests who didn’t get a glimpse of Magik’s major renovation over the summer will find even more to love about the theatre. The multimillion-dollar effort includes:

Enhanced Accessibility & Safety: Quadrupled ADA-accessible seating, improved entry points, and upgraded security, electrical, and plumbing systems.
Modern Comforts: Brand-new theater seats, carpet, and HVAC systems.
Fresh New Look: Brightly painted upper and lower lobbies, with main exterior doors wrapped in colorful signage marking where the outside world ends and Magik begins.

What’s Next in the 2026–27 Lineup?

Joining Mouse and Boy later this season are the Grinch, Frog and Toad, Pinocchio, Charlotte the Spider, the Cat in the Hat, and many more beloved characters.

Musical Lovers Subscription: Enjoy all four season musicals: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Year with Frog and Toad, Pinocchio (a collaboration with OPERA San Antonio), and Seussical the Musical.
Full Season Pass: Secure seats to all four musicals plus If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and Charlotte’s Web in Magik’s biggest season yet.
School & Educational Groups: Curriculum-connected student matinee performances run October 1–23. Contact the theatre directly to reserve your school’s spot.

Special Events & Add-On Experiences

🎈 Opening Night “Party in the Park”

When: Saturday, Oct. 3 | Party at 3:30 p.m. • Show at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Hemisfair Park
Details: Celebrate the first performance with a free, cookie-filled party in partnership with Hemisfair. Enjoy a live DJ set, themed crafts, and special treats. Concessions will feature specially wrapped celebration cookies available for purchase throughout the run.

(Note: The party is free to the public; show admission requires a ticket.)

🎟️️ Backstage Experience Add-On

Cost: $20 per person (Available after every performance, excluding special event nights)
Includes:
- Onstage meet-and-greet and photo opportunities with the cast.
- A 15-minute guided behind-the-scenes tour of the set, props, and rehearsal space led by Magik Theatre staff.
- A sweet treat to cap off the experience.

🎂 Birthday Parties at Magik

Cost: $160
Includes: Main stage show admission, a complimentary birthday ticket, ribbon, lobby signage, a merch gift, a specialty drink or popcorn, and a personal cast shoutout during the post-show Q&A. Email theatre to book.

Special Access Performances

Educator Appreciation Day: Sunday, Oct. 4 at 3:00 p.m. – Educators and school administrators receive one free ticket with valid I.D., plus 20% off additional tickets for family and friends.
Pay-What-You-Wish: Sunday, Oct. 11 at 3:00 p.m. – Donation-based performance supporting theatre accessibility for all. Tickets are available at the door on show day.
Sensory-Friendly Performance: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 10:00 a.m. – Designed for individuals on the autism spectrum or with sensory sensitivities. Features a relaxed, judgment-free environment with adjusted lighting and sound.
ASL-Interpreted Performance: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2:00 p.m. – Features Robert Cardoza, San Antonio’s primary American Sign Language theatre interpreter.

Plan Your Visit

Located in the heart of Hemisfair Park, families can catch a show, explore Yanaguana Garden, grab a bite at nearby restaurants, and make unforgettable memories.

Box Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: 420 S Alamo, San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: (210) 227-2751
Ticketing: Single tickets, flex passes, and season subscriptions are available online, by phone, or at the door. Group rates are available for parties of 10 or more.

(Note: Children under 2 occupying a seat or car/booster seat require a general admission ticket.)

About Magik Theatre

Established in 1994, Magik Theatre is a professional theatre for young audiences. Its mission is to create theatrical experiences that ignite imagination, spark curiosity, inspire empathy, and foster a lifetime love of learning in young people.

Building a Reliability Culture in the Trades: A Guide by Gerard Wood

‘Only Tradies Improve Reliability’ is Gerard Wood’s new book on effective trades culture. *Photo: Amazon*

Book Spotlight: Only Tradies Improve Reliability – Effective Trades Culture

By Gerard Wood

In every workshop and on every job site, one truth determines whether equipment thrives or fails: reliability is built by tradies who take pride in their work. But in too many workplaces, that pride is buried under weak culture, rushed decisions, and invisible standards that slowly erode both performance and job satisfaction. (Amazon, 2026)

In Only Tradies Improve Reliability, Gerard Wood, former tradie, maintenance leader, and author of Simplifying Mining Maintenance, reveals the practical, culture-driven routines that transform ordinary maintenance teams into reliability powerhouses. Drawing on four decades of real-world experience, he shows leaders and tradies how to build a culture where quality becomes visible, accountability becomes natural, and reliability improves faster than any technical program could.

What You’ll Discover Inside

Spotting the Invisible: Why most failures aren’t caused by tradies who “don’t know” or “don’t care,” but by tradies operating in a culture where they “don’t see,” and how to fix it permanently through simple routines that sharpen the eye for quality.
The Leader’s Role: How leaders create the culture, and why no reliability strategy works unless the tradies executing it feel ownership, pride, and trust.
Empowering the Trades: How tradies can dramatically improve their satisfaction and impact, even in tough workplaces, by focusing on quality, feedback, and craftsmanship.
The Power of Proactive Care: Why proactive maintenance is always cheaper, easier, and more fulfilling than the chaos caused by allowing small defects to become large breakdowns.

Only Tradies Improve Reliability is more than a maintenance book. It’s a blueprint for restoring respect, pride, and craftsmanship in the trades, and for building workplaces where reliability improves quickly, costs fall naturally, and people genuinely want to stay.

Ready to transform your job site’s culture and performance? Grab your copy of Only Tradies Improve Reliability today.

About the Author

During his engineering career, Gerard Wood became passionate about two things: practical asset management and quality work by tradies. After 40 years in maintenance, starting as a tradie, leading asset management across entire businesses, and helping companies sustainably improve reliability, he has seen firsthand what really drives performance. Spoiler alert: it’s not reports, dashboards, or meetings. It’s skilled people doing the right work, the right way. That’s the engine room of reliability.

Through decades of helping sites lift their game, Gerard came to a simple realization: nothing improves reliability faster than quality trades work backed by practical, no-nonsense maintenance leadership. That is the heartbeat of his coaching and his books, Simplifying Mining Maintenance and Only Tradies Improve Reliability. He keeps it sharp, straight-talking, and always shares a few laughs along the way.

Gerard’s mission for this book is ambitious: to positively impact 1 million tradies, helping them gain greater job satisfaction, feel proud to be part of a successful team, and drive better business performance. Realizing that consulting alone has a limited reach, he turned to media, books, and online platforms to share his 40 years of hard-earned experience with a global audience.

New Digital Releases: Shadow Force & Battle Cabin

Battle Cabin is one of two movies being released in digital this September 29. *Photo: Lionsgate, used with permission.*

Digital Release Alert

Movie night just got an upgrade! Two action-packed thrillers are heading to digital platforms on September 29, 2026. Whether you are in the mood for a post-apocalyptic survival story or a high-stakes espionage chase, here is everything you need to know about this week’s biggest releases from Lionsgate. (EG PR, 2026)

🏕️ Battle Cabin

Release Date: September 29, 2026 (Digital)
Genre: Action, Thriller
Rating: R (for violence and some language)
Runtime: 100 minutes

Synopsis

In the wake of a massive global attack, the world has become a brutal, lawless landscape where electricity, government, and civility are distant memories. When Kellan is forced to venture outside his secure homestead to save his wife, he is met by a wave of murderous thieves with a connection to his past. His family’s survival now depends on a brilliant battle plan and an unlikely alliance with a hardened warrior.

Cast & Crew

Starring: Josh McKenzie, Delaney Tabron, Michael Hurst, Kali Kopae, Rama Marrow, Nell Fisher, Marshall Napier
Directed By: Aaron Falvey
Written By: Justin Eade

Technical Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 | Subtitles: English SDH, French, Latin American Spanish | CC: Yes

Where to Stream: Fandango at Home, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play.

🕶️ Shadow Force

Release Date: September 29, 2026 (4K, Digital)
Genre: Action, Thriller
Rating: R (for violence, and language throughout)
Runtime: 104 minutes

Synopsis

Kyrah (Kerry Washington) and Issac (Golden Globe nominee Omar Sy) were once the leaders of a multinational special forces group called Shadow Force. They broke the rules by falling in love, and in order to protect their son, they go underground. With a large bounty on their heads, and the vengeful Shadow Force hot on their trail, one family’s fight becomes an all-out war.

Cast & Crew

Starring: Kerry Washington, Omar Sy, Mark Strong, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Jahleel Kamara
Directed By: Joe Carnahan
Written By: Leon Chills and Joe Carnahan

Special Features

Shadow Force: Declassified — Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Joe Carnahan and Editor Kevin Hale
Making Shadow Force — Ain’t Nothing to F*** With
International Waters: The Locations Behind Shadow Force
Isla Gunfight: Final Battle Breakdown
Couples Therapy: Stunts and Weapons Training
Theatrical Trailer

Buy 4K Blu-ray

Technical Specs: Format: 16×9 (2.39:1) Presentation in Dolby Vision | Audio: English Dolby Atmos, English Descriptive Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Audio | Subtitles: Spanish, English, English SDH, French | CC: No

Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play, Fandango, Apple TV

National Coffee Day 2026: Best Freebies, Deals, and Local Events

Bakery Lorraine is launching cold foam for National Coffee Day. *Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.*

Celebrate National Coffee Day: Events, Deals, and How to Get Your Free Cup

National Coffee Day is just around the corner on September 29. This year, the holiday lands on a Tuesday, giving us the perfect excuse to skip the morning slump and support our favorite local and independent coffee shops.

Whether you like your java piping hot or ice-cold, there are plenty of exciting local events and nationwide chain deals to help you fuel up.

** Update: Verena Street Coffee/Carl’s Jr **

Verena Street Coffee is celebrating National Coffee Day with 25% off all bagged coffee and 15% off single-cup coffee, available from September 9 through midnight September 29. Coffee lovers can save across the range online, including Pumpkin Smasher, a seasonal fall coffee available for a limited time. (Verena Street Coffee, 2026)

Carl’s Jr. is offering 25% off sips, shakes and sides for My Rewards members in the app. If you’re looking for an afternoon pick me up or a caffeinated sweet treat, try Carl’s Jr.’s iced coffee line up including Black, Vanilla, Mocha, and for a limited time, Churro.
A new coffee to try, the Churro Iced Coffee: Bold Iced coffee brewed from 100% Arabica medium roast beans poured over ice for a crisp, refreshing taste, and sweetened with Churro syrup. (Carl’s Jr, 2026)

Local Spotlights & Events

Bakery Lorraine: To celebrate the big day, this fan-favorite bakery is officially launching cold foam on Tuesday. Available in vanilla and marshmallow flavors, you can add it to any espresso or matcha order. (Bakery Lorraine, 2026)
The St. Anthony Hotel (“The Art of Coffee” at Esencia): Kick off the celebrations early on Saturday, September 26, from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Reservations required. (The St. Anthony Hotel, 2026)
- 12:00 PM: Welcome coffee cart with tableside pours and latte art.
- Interactive Session: James Mireles of Pulp Coffee Roasters will lead a workshop on coffee origins, roasting techniques, and flavor profiles.
- Brunch: Concludes with a four-course brunch curated by two-time James Beard-nominated Executive Chef Leo Davila, paired with specialty coffees.

National Coffee Day Deals & Freebies

Looking to score a freebie/deal on September 29? Here’s a breakdown of what major chains are offering (KSAT, 2026)

Brand	The Deal
7 Brew	Exclusive Texas-themed sticker for every guest. Try their seasonal pumpkin blondie, salted pumpkin macchiato, or pumpkin house blend.
Circle K	Free medium hot or iced coffee via the Circle K app or Inner Circle Reward (no purchase required).
Dunkin’	Free medium hot or iced coffee with a purchase for Dunkin’ Rewards members.
Dutch Bros	Two free car coasters with the purchase of two or more drinks (while supplies last).
Einstein Bros. Bagels	Free hot or iced coffee with an in-app purchase for rewards members at participating locations.
Frutta Bowls	Free 16-ounce cold brew with any purchase of $9.99 or more using code COFFEE25 (in-store and online).
Grubhub	$7 off $20 Starbucks delivery orders for Grubhub+ members (valid midnight to 11:55 p.m. local time).
La Madeleine	Any regular-sized coffee free with a food purchase for Bonjour Rewards members.
Pilot	Free hot or iced coffee via the myRewards Plus app.
PJ’s Coffee	Free 16-ounce cold brew when ordered through the PJ’s Coffee app.
Scooter’s Coffee	Free medium brewed coffee via the mobile app from Sept. 27–29 (limit one per day). First 100 customers on Sept. 29 get a free sticker with any purchase.
Shipley Do-Nuts	Free donut with any coffee purchase for loyalty members (plus, check out their new cold brew donut launching Sept. 26!).
Smoothie King	Show your Starbucks Rewards stars on Sept. 29 (open to 10:30 a.m.) for a free 20-ounce coffee high protein almond mocha or pumpkin smoothie.

** Pro Tip: Make sure to download the respective apps ahead of time, as many of these fantastic deals require rewards membership or app activation to redeem. Check their websites for deal details.

What is your go-to coffee order to celebrate the big day?

San Antonio Luxury Wellness: Loma de Vida Spa Celebrates 10 Years in Hill Country

Loma de Vida’s sky loft tub. *Photo: Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa, used with permission.*

Loma de Vida Spa & Wellness, the award-winning luxury retreat at Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa, is celebrating a decade of relaxation in the Texas Hill Country. To mark 10 years of tranquility, guests are invited to enjoy a week-and-a-half of daily savings leading up to an exclusive evening celebration. (Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2026)

10 Days of Anniversary Savings

From September 21 through September 29, 2026, take advantage of a 10% daily discount on featured spa services, retail, and wellness sessions:

Sept 21: Osmosis Facials
Sept 22: Custom Massages
Sept 23: Hormones, Stress, & Nutrition Lecture & Personal Assessments
Sept 24: Manicures / Pedicures
Sept 25: Babor Facials & CBD Treatments
Sept 26: Hair Services
Sept 27: Fitness Sessions (10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 12:00 PM)
Sept 28: Skin Authority Facials
Sept 29: Body Treatments

GLOW: Radiance After Dark Event

Date: September 30, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Age Requirement: 21+

Close out the celebration with the latest iteration of GLOW: Radiance After Dark. The evening features a curated lineup of local vendors, including Kay Spears Functional Nutrition, ROCK YOUR MAGIC, Six Twists Sparkling, Wild Pony Hat Bar, Lifestyling permanent jewelry, and more.

Tickets: Reserve your spot here.

Award-Winning Wellness in the Hill Country

Loma de Vida Spa & Wellness continues to earn national recognition, recently named one of The Zoe Report’s “Top 10 Best U.S. Hotel Spas for 2026” and featured in the San Antonio Current’s Best of San Antonio 2026 as one of the “Best Places to Get Pampered.”

Location & Contact Information

Loma de Vida Spa & Wellness
Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256

About Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa

Perched at the highest elevation point in San Antonio, La Cantera Resort & Spa is a 550-acre oasis overlooking the Texas Hill Country. The resort features:

Relaxation & Amenities: Five year-round heated pools—including Topaz, the adults-only infinity pool—and a 25,000-square-foot spa featuring outdoor Sky Loft treatment suites.
Golf & Events: A championship golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, alongside The Calera, a scenic event space for weddings and gatherings.
Dining: Nine culinary concepts, including the Michelin Guide-recommended Signature restaurant.
Accolades: Named the #1 Resort in Texas and the Southwest by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and a Top Ten Texas Resort in Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards.

SA Examiner

Your Insider Source For Entertainment And Business Headlines

Tag: Writing