San Antonio strikes a cultural chord this month with the arrival of the largest cultural celebration in Texas, the 45th Annual Texas Folklife Festival. Live music is also on tap at this month’s 12th annual San Antonio international piano competition and the Ancira Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram 2016 Live Music Series benefiting the SA Food Bank. And, of course, new eateries are dotting the landscape to embrace our desire to be out and about. Enjoy!
New Eateries
Lone Star Beer at Franks
Smoke at 1170 E. Commerce St. has opened a second location in St. Paul Square serving barbecue and more; also moving into downtown is Sukeban at 1420 S. Alamo St. # 101, serving Asian-fusion in the Blue Star Arts Complex (think sushi). Checkout Knockout & Pup’s Pizza at 1420 N. Main Ave, a sports bar with pool tables, darts, full-screen televisions and handmade pizza. Tost on Blanco is now Mimosa at 14415 Blanco Road – new chef, new name, new identity and new nibbles to try!
Tony Parker’s personal chef, Cliff Chetwood, has opened a French-inspired food truck, Crème de la Crème. Look for the red, white and blue food truck. Frank at 1150 S. Alamo St. is serving up more than just a chili cheese dog — how about giving the Jackalope, German Currywurst or the Frank thunder brat a taste test? Fat Rack’s Sports Bar and Billiards is a new hot spot for billiards and libations, with daily happy hour from noon-7 p.m.; it’s located at 11813 West Ave. Check out Monday night trivia or catch a sporting event shown on one of several television sets.
Battle for Texas: The Experience Opens
Artifacts displayed at the Battle For Texas: The Experience
For the first time, locals and visitors to San Antonio alike now have the opportunity to experience the Battle of the Alamo at “Battle for Texas: The Experience. From the perspectives of the mission’s defenders and the Mexican army, guests are invited on a multi-sensory journey through history as they experience the daily lives of early Texas settlers, the tensions leading up to the Texas Revolution and the climactic battle told from the point of view of the mission’s defenders and the Mexican army.
Spanning 11 galleries, the exhibition features 250 never-before-seen Alamo artifacts and heart-racing multimedia re-enactments of the 13-day battle. Visitors walk through the entire story of the Battle of the Alamo starting with a “Land Called Texas,” which sets the Texas Revolution in context, followed by “Meet the Heroes,” where Alamo defenders introduce themselves and share their perspective. You can also design your own flag, walk in Santa Anna’s tent, pull a cannon up a ramp and cross the famed line in the sand. Rattling walls and the smell of gunpowder add to the emotion of the visit as you journey through history.
Kids will also love seeing Santa Anna’s uniform, bed and personal effects kept in his tent, Davy Crockett’s “long knife,” and the cannonball shot at Santa Anna’s Army in response to the “No Quarter” flag.
“Battle for Texas: The Experience” is located in the newly renovated Shops at Rivercenter, where the Texas Revolution will be relived daily. Timed-entry tickets are available Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Admission: • Adult (13+): $19.50 • Senior (65+): $17.50 • Child (3-12): $15.50 • Under 3 years old: FREE • Military/College Student with ID: $17.50 • Grade School Groups (10 person minimum): $9.50 per person For further information visit BattleForTexas.com.
Texas Folklife Festival
Don’t miss this three-day festival showcasing the Lone Star State’s diversity and rich heritage through a wide variety of ethnic food, music, dance, arts and crafts. The 45th Annual Event brings together more than 40 ethnic groups to the Institute of Texan Cultures on the UTSA Hemisfair Campus, this festival runs June 5-12. Check www.texancultures.com or call 210-458-2224 for more information.
It’s Hot Now!
Fur designer and master furrier Gerardo Zavala at Elegant Furs, 4434 Blanco Road, recently renovated his workshop to include a more client-based design studio for his custom orders. He is working with several hunters and ranchers from around Texas to turn their hunted and trapped pelts into one-of-a-kind home accessories and garments.
If you won’t be providing your own pelts, they have plenty to choose from, including the latest additions of the most exclusive sables and chinchillas. Zavala is also incorporating the finest 100 percent Italian cashmeres, water-repellent silks and furs from around the world.
Overwhelmed by the endless possibilities? Consult his inspiration board or design archive for guidance, or supply your own photos of your dream piece. Cold weather will be here before you know it; plan ahead and be prepared and fashionable too. For more info call 210-829-5700 to set up a consultation appointment.
San Antonio International Competition
Held every four years, this 12th International piano competition will bring 12 of the world’s best aspiring pianists to San Antonio for 30 incredible performances that are free of charge. Founded in 1983, the competition will provide an enriching musical experience for San Antonio and South Texas audiences while offering a challenging, yet inspiring opportunity to promising young artists.
Limited to pianists between the ages of 20 and 32, the San Antonio International Competition provides significant cash awards through a series of daily concerts given by 12 competitors, five concerts by finalists, and a final winner’s recital.
The event runs June 5-12. Visit www.saipc.org for dates, location and schedules.
Wine for a Good Cause
The Texas Cavaliers Charitable Foundation received a check for $25,000 from Ruth’s Chris Steak House during a presentation April 18 at the King’s reception prior to the start of the Texas Cavaliers river parade. The funds benefit more than 50 charities that the foundation supports each year. Ruth’s Chris will donate $5 from every bottle sold of Laguna chardonnay from Laguna Ranch Vineyard, Russian River Valley, or J. Vineyards & Winery pinot noir, Russian River Valley, to the Texas Cavaliers Charitable Foundation.
Dine and Unwind for the San Antonio Food Bank
The popular Ancira Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram 2016 Live Music Series at The County Line benefiting the San Antonio Food Bank is back. New this year, full seating and dining will be available on the patio each concert night from 6 til 9:30 p.m. Happy hour will run inside and outside the restaurant from 3 to 9:30 p.m. on concert days. Performing on the restaurant’s open-air patio, the headliner goes on at 7:30 p.m. Concerts are held rain or shine, and don’t forget to bring an item or two for the Food Bank.
June 2: Ruby Janet Rogers
June 9: Cody Canada – Solo
June 23: John Baumann
June 30: Mike & The Moonpies
The County Line is located at 10101 IH-10 West (between the Wurzbach and Huebner Road exits, near the Colonnade). Free parking is available at Hallmark College, less than one block away. For additional updates visit www.countyline.com.
