screens Significant Cinema

CineFestival to explore notable Latino narratives at Guadalupe Theater from July 11-16

BY KIKO MARTINEZ

The 44th edition of CineFestival will take place July 11-16 at the historic Guadalupe Theater. San Antonio’s original Latino film festival will feature 114 films, including 38 from the Alamo City and 40 from Texas.

“The amount of work being done by local and regional Latinx and Indigenous filmmakers is staggering,” CineFestival Programmer Eugenio del Bosque said in a statement. “It is very encouraging to see young and veteran filmmakers in San Antonio and Texas are hard at work. We look forward to being a part of bringing an audience to these films and helping some of these voices mature, now and in the years to come.”

CineFestival will open with a 30th-anniversary screening of the 1993 drama Blood In, Blood Out starring Damian Chapa, Benjamin Bratt and San Antonio’s own Jesse Borrego, who will be in attendance to host the screening.

“CineFestival is an important vehicle to showcase the Latino narrative,” Borrego said in a statement. “It offers the community a unique chance to see authentic Latino stories being told, from Latinx filmmakers, whose work may not easily be found at the movie theater.”

Below is a preview of some of the feature and short films that will screen at this year’s festival. For a complete screening schedule, visit guadalupeculturalarts. org.

Conjunto Blues

Directed by Joel Settles, Conjunto Blues started life as a stage play and was adapted for the screen by local conjunto musician Nicolás Valdéz. The film explores the social and historical conditions that gave birth to the development of conjunto, the South Texas-born musical form. “We want to tell authentic stories with dynamic and nuanced characters that reflect our own community honestly,” Valdéz told the Current. “I hope that we aid in the understanding of ourselves as a community of working-class, Mexican-Americans who are part of the fabric of this country, and that our numerous contributions to its rich cultural landscape need to be recognized and celebrated.”

Sacred Mask

In director David Mendez’s film, a luchador, or Mexican wrestler, forsakes his family name and the lucha libre mask to purse his own dreams. But can the luchador really stay out of the wrestling ring? “I grew up watching old Santos and Blue Demon lucha films and was influence by my dad who recently passed away,” Mendez said. “I wanted to pay homage to him and those films. Hopefully, [Sacred Mask] will revive the love of those types of films with our heroes in them.”

Regeneración: The Donkey Lady Show Presents Ricardo Flores Magón cludes interviews with 14 San Antonians telling their personal stories. It also includes poetry from Anthony M. Flores. “[San Antonio] is a living, breathing being, alive with stories and rich in culture,” Garcia said.

CineFestival

Filmmaker Marisela Barrera said she wants to break down stereotypes and misinformation to reveal the true Tejana lore of the Donkey Lady by giving the creature a talk show. Her first guest: Mexican anarchist and social reform activist Ricardo Flores Magón. “If you don’t know the legend of the Donkey Lady, you probably just moved here from Austin,” Barrera said. “Regeneración is myth-making at its core.”

$8-$40, various times

July 11-18

Guadalupe Theater

1301 Guadalupe St. (210) 271-3151 guadalupeculturalarts.org

Most Likely To

In Vanessa Lerma’s six-part web series, the San Antonio-based filmmaker created a collection of narratives written from across the U.S. that explore virtual love stories during the pandemic. “Young love makes high schoolers do some crazy things,” Lerma explained. “Oftentimes, Latinx TV is filled with stereotypes, so we avoided that as much as possible. We took a few slices of life out of modern-day San Antonio Latinx and LGBTQ teens trying to make it through school — sans any mention of a chancla.”

I Am San Antonio

Robb S. Garcia’s documentary short is all about what makes the Alamo City a special place. The film in-

“San Antonio would not be the San Antonio we love if it wasn’t for the diverse, unique and vibrant people who call this place home.”

Face the Music

Nick Rodriguez’s film tells the story of a band on the verge of a breakout but whose members all have different visions of their future. “We wanted a human scenario of longtime friends at a crossroads dealing with tough choices and the raw emotion that comes out when faced with conflict,” Rodriguez said. “I hope the people that watch the film feel the earnestness behind the message of trying to create art while also protecting your values and staying true to yourself.”

Loteria

In Loteria, filmmaker Max Wright covers a topic with great personal resonance: immigration. Wright’s loved ones have dealt with the effects of U.S. immigration policies, and he’s tired of the “hateful and harmful rhetoric” that’s spread across the country over the past few years. “I’m shocked that both federal and local Texas governments let policy and personal interest prevent them from seeing and treating asylum-seekers coming from Latin America as their sisters and brothers,” Wright said. “It’s a reflection of my feelings towards the subject.”

Queens of Cuisine

Here’s where to have brunch — or another meal — in San Antonio with a festive side of drag

BY NINA RANGEL

In recent years, drag shows have gained popularity in the restaurant biz, bringing the captivating world of sequins, towering hair and over-the-top makeup to dining rooms around the country. One event that San Antonians have embraced with gusto is the drag brunch, which eviscerates gender norms with humor and Broadway-worthy acts over a weekend meal. Whether you’re looking to tip back mimosas at a weekend brunch, enjoy an evening fete with heartier fare or simply take in a show with cocktails to fuel the fun, these San Antonio bars and restaurants all offer drag shows where the food and drinks are as fabulous as the action onstage.

Paramour at the Phipps

Paramour’s rooftop bar offers a breathtaking view of the San Antonio skyline, but it’s no match for the drag performers — including host and Best of San Antonio winner Kristi Waters — who put on multiple spellbinding shows each Saturday and Sunday. Check the website for the full range of options. Paramour’s trendy, colorful and modern atmosphere creates a vibrant backdrop for some of the city’s most dazzling performers, and the bar’s craft cocktails and chef-driven bites make for an experience that will have you dancing in your seat. 102 9th St., (210) 3409880, paramourbar.com.

Picks Bar

Although primarily known as a live music venue, Picks pairs cheeky drag show vibes with craft cocktails and filling brunch items from French toast to chilaquiles every Sunday. Live performance was at the forefront of Picks’ 2021 redesign, and the drag shows certainly take advantage of the huge stage, sound system and sprawling indoor-outdoor footprint. It’s almost a given that visitors will have at least one up-close interaction with one of the many talented performers. 4553 N. Loop 1604 W., #1101, (210) 253-9220, picksbar. com.

Dakota East Side Ice House

Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race can swing by this East Side gem for Friday watch parties during the TV show’s season, drinks, dancing and food. When RuPaul isn’t dominating the screen, the Dakota also hosts other LGBTQ-friendly events, often with perks such as vendor markets and free HIV-STI testing. The beer selection and food menu — which includes pizzas, sandwiches and shareable snacks — make posting up on the expansive patio a real party. 433 S. Hackberry St., (210) 375-6009, thedakotasa.com.

The Bonham Exchange

The Bonham’s multiple levels and themed rooms may be its claim to fame, but the diverse crowd, thumping music and lively drag performances are what make this iconic establishment a go-to for a night on the town. Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, the Bonham is a place where everyone can come together for drinks, dancing and epic drag experiences — including performances by RuPaul’s Drag Race stars hosted by Rey Lopez Entertainment. You won’t find brunch food here, but if day drinking is your jam, the 18-and-up bar offers a Sunday Funday Day Party that kicks off at 3 p.m. 411 Bonham St., (210) 224-9219, bonhamexchange.com.

Pegasus Nightclub

Main Strip fixture Pegasus offers its Sunday Budget Beer Brunch featuring deep discounts on suds while talented drag performers take the stage. Emceed by San Antonio drag legend Tersa Mathews, the bar’s Sunday funday kicks off at 5 p.m. and brings a variety of performers to the outdoor stage, which has hosted anyone from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 winner Sasha Colby to Miss Gay Texas Newcomer USofA Angelique Rodriguez Davenport. Food options vary depending on the day and time, but local pop-ups and food trucks such as TacoWay San Antonio, Texas Bexar Burger Co. and El Cochis Tacos y Antojitos have been known to provide onsite sustenance. 1402 N. Main Ave., (210) 299-4222, pegasussanantonio.com.

Knockout Sports Bar

This North Main spot may be known for its onsite pizza, but it ably busts out brunch eats for Sunday afternoon drag shows. Think house-made honey-butter chicken biscuits and high-piled brunch burgers. Sundays also feature a specialty brunch cocktail menu, which include micheladas, bloody marys, tequila sunrises and screwdrivers available by the pitcher. You can even get your bloody mary pitcher “loaded” with fresh celery, olives, bacon strips, chicken on a stick, jalapeños, fried pickle spears and tornado potatoes. 1420 N. Main Ave., (210) 227-7678, knockoutsa.com.

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