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Make sure to try our brisket tamales this holiday season
4 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
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6 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 7
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8 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
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10 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
IN THIS
FIRST WORDS
1
ISSUE
On “UTSA Releases Preliminary Recommendations for Gun-Free Zones” // Don Mathis: College campuses have a high concentration of people. Millennials, aged 18-33, are the country’s most-stressed generation. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. Homicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 15-24 years. More than half of all people who (commit) suicide do so by firearm. Drug use is highest among people in their late teens and twenties. 39 percent of college students engaged in binge drinking in the past month. Guns on college campuses; what could go wrong? [sic]
Issue 15_50 /// December 16-22, 2015
12
NEWS
Newsmonger Deputies walk in Flores case, no name change for Lee H.S., Serial has an SA spin
On “Blue Bell to Return to All San Antonio H-E-B Locations on Monday” // Michael Orbe: Nope! The food industry has 1 rule. Send out safe foods. If your food company cant do that I’m not looking for anything they put out. [sic]
18
CALENDAR
Our top picks for the week
Year in Review 2015’s been a doozy, here’s a look back at the year
On “New KISS Restaurant at AT&T Center Sets Opening Date” // Carlos Valdes: So during the spurs games we can rock and roll all night? [sic]
29
On “Guess How Much Texas Paid to Lure WrestleMania 32 to Dallas” // Benjamin Nicholas: I remember when Wrestlemania was cool… Back in 1987 [sic]
SCREENS
Nobody Stands Between Me and My Movies Our film critic’s best of 2015 movie list
• Send your thoughts, comments or kudos to letters@sacurrent.com
24
27
ARTS + CULTURE
Year in Review From Hotel Emma to the Yanaguana Garden, 2015’s been a great year Shades of Gray Is graffiti art or vandalism?
33
FOOD
What I Ate This year held tons of tasty dishes
37
NIGHTLIFE
On the Rocks Mezcal, bloodies and more — we drank a lot this year Top 10 Beers So many beers, so little time
May the Force Awaken One fan’s expectations for Star Wars: The Force Awakens
39
44
46
MUSIC
Best of 2015 Our old and new music editors’ favorite 2015 moments O.D. On T.S.O. A behind-the-scenes look at Trans-Siberian Orchestra You Really Can Live by The Sword Contact high in the gleam of The Sword
56
ETC.
Savage Love Jonesin’ Crossword Freewill Astrology This Modern World
ON THE
COVER As 2015 turns to 2016, we reflect on arts, culture and news in San Antonio. Art direction by Rick Fisher and Sarah Flood-Baumann
35
sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 11
NEWS
this summer in the wake of the shooting in Charleston, South Carolina at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Dylann Roof allegedly killed nine black worshipers there on June 17. Images of Roof with the Confederate flag emerged after the shooting, which sparked a nationwide wave of backlash against symbols of the Confederacy – including in San Antonio. Less than a week later, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro said on his Facebook page that Lee should be renamed, and that “there are other, more appropriate individuals to honor and spotlight as role models for our young people.” Kayla Wilson, a student at Lee, later started a petition to rename the school. There was even an effort to call it “Gregg Popovich High School,” to honor the Spurs coach (an idea that Popovich, predictably, called “ridiculous” and to be “[squashed] … as quickly as humanly possible,” according to the San Antonio Express-News). Lee is the only school in town around which this kind of movement has coalesced. There’s been no push to rename schools whose names honor other slaveholders, including Sam Houston and Thomas Jefferson.
NEWSMONGER Deputies Walk in Flores Case // No Name Change for Lee H.S. // Serial Has an SA Spin No Charges in Gilbert Flores Case Last week, a Bexar County grand jury elected not to indict the two Bexar County Sheriff’s deputies who shot and killed Gilbert Flores on August 28. Greg Vasquez and Robert Sanchez responded to a domestic disturbance call on the 24400 block of Walnut Pass, on the Northwest Side of San Antonio. The sheriff’s office claims that Flores attacked the deputies when they arrived, and they tried to use non-lethal force to subdue him. Cellphone video from a passerby showed Vasquez and Sanchez shoot Flores while he appeared to have his hands up as if to surrender. The sheriff’s office has maintained that Flores was
MICHAEL MARKS/@MICHAELPMARKS
holding a knife. “When a deputy makes a decision to use deadly force we have an obligation to investigate that decision thoroughly,” a statement from the sheriff’s office said. “That’s exactly what has been done with deputies Robert Sanchez and Greg Vasquez. Their actions have been reviewed by their peers, the media, federal authorities and now a grand jury. While we support the grand jury’s decision to no-bill these deputies, we also know there are truly no winners in this situation. A man lost his life and for that we are all saddened.” Flores’ family has sued the county over the event. Attorney Thomas J. Henry is representing them. Lee High School Keeps Its Name The North East Independent School District board of trustees voted against changing the name of Robert E. Lee High School in a 5-2 vote. The push to rename the school came
12 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
Serial Podcast Features San Antonio-Based Soldier Serial, the podcast phenomenon that last year made telecommunications truthers out of us all, is back. And the second season focuses on the saga of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who left his platoon in rural Afghanistan in 2009 and was held captive by the Taliban for five years. Questions and controversy over Bergdahl have swirled since the U.S. retrieved him from the Taliban in exchange for five prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay in May 2014. Some have called him a deserter or a traitor for leaving his base. Bergdahl is still on active duty and is now stationed in San Antonio, where he has a clerical position at Fort Sam Houston. Bergdahl has been charged with desertion and misbehavior, and investigations concerning his capture are ongoing. The army announced on December 14 it would try him in a court-martial. Serial will feature interviews with Bergdahl, soldiers from his company and others involved in his case. New episodes will be available on Thursdays. mmarks@sacurrent.com
BEXAR-O-METER Checking the temperature of events in Bexar County and beyond
SPURS WIN BY 51 Against the 76ers, but still
SERIAL IS BACK Rejoice, podcast people
SA IS MONARCHFRIENDLY Mayor takes pledge to bring in butterflies
NO CHARGES IN GILBERT FLORES’ DEATH Sheriff’s deputies will not be indicted
LEE HIGH SCHOOL KEEPS NAME Gregg Popovich High will have to wait
FBI LOOKING INTO SAPD Innocent man paralyzed after beating
DONALD TRUMP IS A BIGOT And we shouldn’t take him seriously
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sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 13
NEWS
YEAR IN REVIEW +
a look back at news that mattered , from sa to dc
MICHAEL MARKS + MARK REAGAN
HOMETOWN NEWS
Questionable Shooting • There are still as many questions as answers surrounding the death of Gilbert Flores, a 41-year-old man who was shot and killed by Bexar County Sheriff’s deputies on August 28. Cellphone video of the event shot from a long distance by a passerby appears to show Flores raising his hands as if to surrender before he is shot, a detail that the county saw fit to leave out of a state-mandated report on the incident. Sheriff Susan Pamerleau said her office believes Flores was holding a knife and had earlier tried to attack the deputies. The two deputies who shot Flores won’t face charges, the District Attorney announced last week. � Does He or Doesn’t He Want the Job? • City Manager Sheryl Sculley’s search to replace San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, who left SAPD in December 2014 to become head of security at CPS, ended in curious fashion. After fielding dozens of applications and bringing in a handful of finalists for interviews and community forums, Sculley eventually picked McManus himself, after he reached out to ask about getting his old gig back. McManus was unanimously confirmed by the City Council in October. Betting on MLS • The quest to bring Major League Soccer to San Antonio continued this year, with a new cast of characters taking the reins. Local developer and philanthropist Gordon Hartman sold Toyota Field to the City of San Antonio, Bexar County and Spurs Sports & Entertainment for $21 million. The Spurs Group will try to lure in a MLS team. In the short-term, they will field a team in the third-tier United Soccer League, which leaves the San Antonio Scorpions’ future in limbo.
→
From San Antonio to Washington D.C., 2015 has been a big year. The Alamo City reached a milestone by electing its first African-American mayor, but — as usual — there’s been no shortage of scandal, including the police shooting of a man who appeared to be surrendering. But there was plenty of good news, the biggest being that the San Antonio Missions received World Heritage status, the first site in Texas to do so. What follows is a breakdown of 2015’s most important stories.
A Big Catch • The biggest free agent signing in Spurs history? We think so. The Spurs won the 2015 offseason when they lured Texas native LaMarcus Aldridge with a four-year, $80 million contract. Aldridge and the Spurs are still going through some (relative) growing pains, but there’s no question he and Kawhi Leonard mean the Silver and Black’s present and future is bright. Chew on This • Joan Cheever didn’t mean to start a debate — she just wanted to feed the hungry. But when San Antonio police issued her a $2,000 ticket on April 7 for operating a food truck without a permit in Maverick Park, that changed. The city eventually dismissed the ticket, and Cheever sparked a debate about hunger and homelessness in San Antonio. Now city decision-makers are expected to consider changing the ordinance this week to make it easier for charitable feeders to help the hungry. Spurs Bounced • In the Duncan-Popovich Era, the Spurs have typically won tight series. But that wasn’t the case this spring when hopes of a title defense faded after the Clippers’ Chris Paul lofted a bank shot over Danny Green in Game 7 of their first round series, which was a classic — perhaps the best-ever first round matchup. But that was little consolation to a Spurs team that won 55 games and hoped to repeat as NBA champions.
� The First in Texas • This summer, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) granted the missions San Juan, Concepcion, Espada, San José and the Alamo World Heritage status. The designation came after nearly a decade of work and gave San Antonio the honor of hosting Texas’ first World Heritage Site and the 23rd in the United States. Now, the city needs to maintain growth around the sites to make sure development doesn’t jeopardize UNESCO World Heritage standards. � Historic Mayoral Race • On June 13, Ivy Taylor beat former state Senator and one-time Lt. Governor candidate Leticia Van de Putte by a little more than 3,000 votes in a runoff to become San Antonio’s first AfricanAmerican mayor and the second woman to hold the position. Her success was bolstered by largely conservative North Side voters who disapproved of Van de Putte, fearing another Julián Castro-style administration. Initially, Taylor was appointed mayor after Castro left to work for President Barack Obama’s administration. Ride-Hail Saga • Uber and Lyft had a tumultuous relationship with San Antonio this year. In March, both companies ceased operations after City Council amended its vehicle-for-hire ordinance to regulate them, which Uber and Lyft called burdensome. The fiasco gave San Antonio the appearance of being backward and averse to change. In August, Lyft reached a deal with the city
CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 ► 14 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
We feature Central Texas’ BEST selection of Imported Cig s & E-Cig s, Papers, Pip es, Vaporizers, Incense, Posters, Erotica, and we sell HEMP...
sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 15
NEWS
◄ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14
to operate a 9-month pilot program but didn’t officially return until late November. Uber did the same, but began operations quicker, returning to the streets in October. Water Grab? • Despite efforts from a broad coalition of opponents, City Council unanimously approved a significant San Antonio Water System rate increase for residents to cover the cost of multiple projects, including a $4.3 billion Vista Ridge pipeline. The pipeline will bring water from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer — 142 miles away — and save the Alamo City from any future water woes. Critics, however, say the rate increases harm low-income families and seniors, and that the Vista Ridge project threatens the environment by encouraging suburban sprawl. The kicker: Abengoa — the Spanish company that owns a subsidiary building the pipeline — is in danger of going bankrupt. Pedal On • Former B-Cycle Executive Director Cindi Snell raised red flags when she announced her resignation this spring. The nonprofit lacked a corporate sponsor, prompting funding concerns that could’ve thrown a wrench in its plan to expand. The city listened, allotting more than $100,000 in funding to the organization. Then it went further, and partnered with San Antonio Bike Share, the nonprofit operating B-Cycle. The organization also hired a new executive director, JD Simpson, former director of operations at Austin B-Cycle, and is exploring a partnership with VIA Metropolitan Transit.
STATE
� Alarm Bells • Somehow, the temporary loss of an iconic ice cream brand caused more panic in Texas this year than the plummeting price of oil. After a Listeria bacteria contamination killed three people and sickened dozens more, Blue Bell recalled all of its products. The company’s future looked to be in jeopardy, and it laid off hundreds of employees. But Blue Bell weathered the storm, and its ice cream returned to San Antonio shelves on December 14. Accused Politicians • At what point will felony indictments become compulsory for statewide officials in Texas? In 2015, the courtroom saga continued for former
16 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
Gov. Rick Perry. A state court threw out the charge of coercion of a public official, but he still faces an abuse of power charge. In August, a grand jury indicted Attorney General Ken Paxton on three felony counts of securities fraud, in a case that promises to drag into 2016 and beyond. � Grab Your Guns! • Firearm fanatics won two major victories in the state Legislature this year: open carry and campus carry. The first measure allows a licensed handgun owner to carry their weapon on their hip or in a shoulder holster. The second will allow licensed gun owners who are 21 and older to carry guns on college campuses. The Federal Invasion • Oh, boy, this was a doozy. So, if you’re reading this, the federal government has not taken over Texas to usher in martial law and suppress everyone’s rights, from the Second to the First Amendments. However, earlier this year, seemingly thousands of Texans were sure that the routine military exercise called Jade Helm was really just a ploy by President Barack “Not My President” Obama to take over the Lone Star State. During the two-month exercise that spanned seven states, the military practiced against hypothetical hostile forces. People really believed Texas was being invaded. Naturally, once again, the Lone Star State was the laughing stock of the nation. Jailed Families • Rep. Joaquin Castro, along with 134 other Democrats, asked Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson in May to end the use of family detention facilities — to no avail. The federal government continues its policy of jailing undocumented women and children, many of whom have fled from gang violence in Central America, even after a California judge ruled the administration violated rules about detaining immigrant children.
NATIONAL
Equality in Love • On June 26, a new case was added to the pantheon of landmark Supreme Court decisions. Now Obergfell v. Hodges, the case that declared same-sex marriage bans unconstitutional, will be mentioned in the same breath as Roe v. Wade, Brown v. Board of Education and Korematsu v. United States. The 5-4 decision cleared the way for same-sex couples to marry. In Bexar County, John Truho and Larry Stern, who have been together for 17 years, were the first couple to apply for a marriage license. � War on Planned Parenthood • After heavily edited videos purporting to show Planned Parenthood staff talk about selling “baby parts,” Republican politicians spent a significant amount of time in 2015 trying to figure out how to defund Planned Parenthood, which provides an array of services in addition to abortion. Republicans even launched an investigation into the organization, and the Senate voted to defund it. Those videos, it turns out, were doctored, but the fallout has trickled down to Republican states across the nation, including Texas, which have waged mini-wars against Planned Parenthood. Immigration Battle • Two executive orders from President Barack Obama would pave the way for nearly 5 million undocumented immigrants to find deportation relief. That, however, doesn’t sit well with Republicans. Led by Texas, a coalition of states filed a lawsuit against the executive orders, which has found its way to the Supreme Court. Republicans tried to stall the case so the court wouldn’t hear it until after Obama is no longer president, hoping that a Republican is elected and repeals the order. However, it’s likely the court will take up the case before Obama leaves the White House. mmarks@sacurrent.com + mreagan@sacurrent.com
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sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 17
CALENDAR
GETTY IMAGES
THU
17
The English Beat MUSIC
Along with like-minded acts Madness and The Specials, The English Beat helped define the UK’s Two-Tone movement, a late-1970s ska revival fueled by punk and mod sensibilities. Co-led by vocalists Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger, the group disbanded just after finding success in the U.S. via danceable hits like “Mirror in the Bathroom” and “Save it for Later.” Although reunited shortly thereafter as General Public, the frontmen now lead their own bands, with California-based Wakeling driving the version that lands in SA this week in support of the crowdfunded album Here We Go Love. $20$25, 7pm, The Korova, 107 E. Martin St., (210) 226-5070, thekorova.com. — Bryan Rindfuss
FRI
18
Spurs vs. Clippers SPORTS
After knocking off the Spurs in the opening round of last season’s playoffs, Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers appeared poised to shake off the franchise’s losing stigma. But an embarrassing collapse against the Houston Rockets in the Conference Semifinals halted that momentum. As the Golden State Warriors play at a historic pace and the reloaded Spurs continue gelling, the Clippers have somehow become an afterthought in the West. With DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin in the frontcourt and Doc Rivers on the bench, the Clippers remain a formidable foe, but Tony Parker usually delivers against his buddy CP3. $50-$235, 7pm, AT&T Center, One AT&T Center Pkwy., (210) 444-5000, attcenter.com. — M. Solis
18 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
SAT
19
Alamo Vaudeville THEATER
Following a successful first year, Courvier Productions’ Alamo Vaudeville returns to the Tobin for one night only. Featuring a broad range of Texas talent — including comic George Rosales, country duo Moonlight Social and SAMMinistries’ singing president Navarra Williams, among many more — the family-friendly showcase is touted as “a place where dreams really can come true.” The brainchild of Ronnie Courvier, the evening represents his commitment to the arts — a lifelong passion sparked by a childhood friendship with The Little Rascals creator Hal Roach. $29.50, 8pm, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter.org. — Murphi Cook
SAT
19
‘Tap to View’ ART
While FL!GHT residents André Stitt and James Cobb’s collaborative installation “14 Secret Masters of the Universe” remains on display through January 1, the gallery also has some exciting pop-ups in the works. One of these shows, opening Saturday and on view through December 26, is San Antonio artist Kelsi Sharp’s “Tap to View,” an exhibit comprised entirely of Snapchat screen grabs. Through a series of interesting juxtapositions, Sharp playfully reminds us that, despite Snapchat’s claims regarding the ephemeral nature of content on its servers, nothing is ever really deleted in the digital age. Free, 6-10pm, FL!GHT Gallery, 134 Blue Star, (210) 872-2586. — James Courtney
CALENDAR
SAT
19
Stars and Garlands BURLESQUE
Christmas comes early when the scantily clad gals of Stars and Garters peel away their holiday wrappers for an evening of “boobs and tinsel” around an indoor “glampfire.” Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, troupe all-stars Pystol Whips, Black Orchid, Coco Simone, Lucky Strike, Candy Kane and Squirrelly Temple encourage you to “pitch your tents and roast your chestnuts” while enjoying audience participation games, classic striptease and variety acts featuring special guests Lola LeStrange (Austin’s “Rear and Pleasant Danger”), Sherry Bomb (Black Widow Burlesque) and aerialist Marshall Jarreau (Cirque du Soleil). $17-$25, 8pm, Brick, 108 Blue Star, starsandgartersburlesque.com. — BR
SAT
19
Hoops to Hippos! WORDS
Spurs forward Boris Diaw is a bit of a Renaissance Man. In addition to dropping dimes and dunks on the court, Diaw’s also a photographer, a wine enthusiast and now an author. On Saturday, meet Diaw during a book signing for Hoops to Hippos!: True Stories of a Basketball Star on Safari at Barnes & Noble at the Shops at La Cantera. Part of a series for children published by National Geographic, the book is full of photos and stories from Diaw’s adventures in Africa. Free with purchase of Hoops to Hippos! (reserve a spot in line as early as 6pm Wed, Dec. 16), 4pm, Barnes & Noble, 15900 La Cantera Pkwy., (210) 5582078, barnesandnoble.com. — Michael Marks
SAT
19
The Elf Movie Party
FRI-SUN
FILM
Leave it to Travis Park (with its 250,000 twinkling lights) and Centro San Antonio to host a holiday party that’ll be hard to top. Toss on your ugliest sweater and tightest yellow tights for a screening of Jon Favreau’s 2003 classic starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf as he makes his way from the North Pole to the Big Apple in search of his dad. Bring a blanket and pick up jingle bells and a scratch ‘n’ sniff card (for a smell-along) at the event. Did we mention the snowball fight and pre-show sing-along hosted by Alamo Drafthouse? Just make sure not to land on the naughty list. Free, 6pm, Travis Park, 301 E. Travis St., (210) 225-3862, downtownsanantonio.org. — Jessica Elizarraras
18-20
Jo Koy
COMEDY
Many comics imitate their immigrant mothers onstage. But when Chelsea Lately alum Jo Koy tells a story about his Filipino mom playing Wii or mocking him for losing his car keys, not only is the attention to detail closer to a short story than a caricature, but he, not his mother, becomes the ultimate butt of the joke. When he describes picking his girlfriend up from the bar, the physical imitation of her peeing in public transitions into a dissection of sexual politics that’s more likely to leave men squirming uncomfortably. $22.50$42.50, 8pm & 10:15pm Fri-Sat, 7pm Sun, Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club, 618 NW Loop 410, (210) 541-8805, lolsanantonio.com. — Jeremy Martin
sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 19
CALENDAR
FRI
18
Jimmy James Christmas Show
SUN
20
Antonio Gaudí
“Older than Britney but younger than Madonna,” native Texan Jimmy James (born James Jude Johnson in Laredo) rose to prominence in the 1980s impersonating Marilyn Monroe so flawlessly that his increasingly iconic L.A. Eyeworks ad (shot by celebrity photographer Greg Gorman) has erroneously inspired everything from tattoos and iPad cases to postage stamps in the Central African Republic. Since retiring his Marilyn act in the 1990s, James has proven his chops as a recording artist (exemplified by the Billboard-charting 2006 club hit “Fashionista”), vocal impressionist (channeling everyone from Billie Holiday and Barbra Streisand to Elvis and Eartha Kitt) and comedic storyteller. Hosted by local stand-up Joan Riviera, the Los Angeles-based entertainer’s Christmas homecoming show promises a “festive sprinkling of holiday songs,” including “Blue Christmas” (as Cher), “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (as Judy Garland) and “Feliz Navidad” (as Bette Davis). $15, 8pm, SA Country Saloon, 10127 Coachlight St., brownpapertickets.com. — Bryan Rindfuss
Spanish architect Antonio Gaudí was an unparalleled genius in his field. As something of an early magical realist, his work inspires the feeling of the fantastical sublime in its viewers like perhaps no other architect’s body of work. Born in 1852, his designs are closely associated, like his Spanish contemporary Joan Miró, with the modernist movement in art. Gaudí, however, was inspired as much by the sweeping drama of religion and the organic, imperfect perfections of nature, as he was by the clean and severe lines of modernism. In this 1984 film by Japanese avant-gardist Hiroshi Teshigahara, Gaudí’s work is showcased in full, including his still incomplete masterwork, the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona, and the viewer is left to build their own philosophies around the genius that confronts them. Part of the McNay’s Miró-inspired This Is Not a Film Series, Antonio Gaudí is a visionary depiction of an artist who was content to let his fantasies guide his artistic choice rather than merely following the mode of the moment. Just as Miró’s abstraction beguiles critics still, Gaudí’s defiance of realistic and purely functional forms serves as a reminder of how the creative individual can reinvent the very space of life itself. $15-$20, 2pm, McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., (210) 824-5368, mcnayart.org. — James Courtney
Art
Peter Pan Following the boy who would
Art opening: “Artist Lab Showcase” In
partnership with the Surdna Foundation, the Guadalupe unveils projects created by inaugural Artist Lab participants Luis Valderas (“Black Dream Place”), Kim Bishop (“Sometimes”), Fernando Andrade (“God Bless America”), Daniela Riojas (“Rio Abajo Rio”) and Nicole Geary (“Darkness and Dust”). Free, 6-9pm Friday; Guadalupe Galería, 723 S. Brazos St., (210) 271-3151.
“Celebracion a La Virgen de Guadalupe” A broad cross-section of San Antonio artists explore the cultural significance of la Virgen de Guadalupe for this 20th annual exhibition organized by Centro Cultural Aztlán. Free, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, Centro Cultural Aztlán, 1800 Fredericksburg Road, Suite 103, (210) 432-1896.
Holiday Reception The Jackson Ranch
hosts a holiday reception with artwork and musical performances by artists/ musicians Patricia Vonne, Rosie Flores, Armando Sanchez and Michael Martin. Free, 3-7pm Sunday; The Jackson Ranch, 8910 Callaghan Road, (210) 344-8910.
RAW San Antonio: “Holiday Rawk”
Maximo Anguiano hosts a multidisciplinary showcase combining the talents of nearly 30 artists, including photographer David L. Peché, fashion duo Socorro Society, accessory design outfit PressStartCrafts, self-taught painter Adrian De La Cruz and guitarist/vocalist Trisha Lynn. $15, 7-11pm Thursday; Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Marys St., (210) 812-4355.
Film
GET REEL Film Series: Pather Panchali The McNay revives late Indian director Satyajit Ray’s 1955 debut exploring rural Bengali life through the lens of Italian neorealism. Free, 7pm Thursday; McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., (210) 824-5368.
Silver Screen Classics in the Garden: March of the Wooden Soldiers Villa
Finale hosts an outdoor screening of 1934’s March of the Wooden Soldiers, a Laurel and Hardy musical fusing elements of the nursery rhyme There Was An Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe and the 1903 operetta Babes in Toyland. Lawn chairs and blankets welcome; hot cider and popcorn available for a donation. Free, 5-8:30pm Friday; Villa Finale, 401 King William St., (210) 223-9800.
Theater
A Charlie Brown Christmas The Magik
brings Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang to life onstage in Eric Schaeffer’s adaptation of the 1965 TV special surrounding “the true meaning of Christmas.” $12-$15, 9:45am & 11:30am Wednesday-Thursday, 9:45am, 11:30am & 7pm Friday, 7pm Saturday, 2pm Sunday, 11:3am Monday, 11:30am Tuesday; Magik Theatre, 420 S. Alamo St., (210) 227-2751.
A Tuna Christmas Nicki Roberson and
Gary Sartor team up to recreate all of the denizens of Tuna, Texas in Joe Sears and Jaston Williams’ Yuletide staple that plays out during a holiday yard display contest. $12-$20, 8pm Thursday-Saturday, 2pm Sunday; Josephine Theatre, 339 W. Josephine St., (210) 734-4646.
20 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
not grow up and the children he lures to Neverland, Peter Pan brings high-flying antics and adventure to the Woodlawn. Based on J.M. Barrie’s classic tale, made famous by the Walt Disney cartoon, and later mocked across Twitter thanks to NBC’s live version, the story’s undergone facelifts over the decades, but one thing remains the same: Peter must fly. Director Greg Hinojosa partners with ZFX Flying Effects Equipment to bring the magic of flight to Peter (Carlye Gossen) and his ensemble of lost boys, pirates, Indians and Darlings. $17-$26, 7:30pm Friday-Saturday, 7:30pm Monday-Tuesday; Woodlawn Theatre, 1920 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 267-8388.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical It just wouldn’t be Christmas
without that animated special about a certain red-nosed reindeer. Cozy on up in the Island of Misfit Toys, as the beloved characters (Elves! Santa! Bumble, the Abominable Snowman!) come to life through puppetry and song. $15-$47.50, 7pm Monday, 2pm Tuesday, 2pm & 7pm Wednesday, 2pm Thursday; Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624.
Santa The Conqueror Mary Griffith and Scott McDowell co-direct this original production following Santa from the North Pole to the Red Planet, where he’s enslaved by powerhungry martians. $10-$14, 8pm ThursdaySaturday, 2:30pm Sunday; The Overtime Theater, 1203 Camden St., (210) 557-7562.
Scrooge on the Riverwalk The culmination of the Company Theatre’s 13th annual tour
of Bah Humbug! A One-Man Christmas Carol, Scrooge on the Riverwalk sees award-winning actor Damian Gillen taking on every role in the Dickens’ classic assisted by special effects, rapid costume changes and traditional Celtic Christmas tunes. $10-$15, gates at 6:30pm, show at 7:30pm Saturday; Arneson River Theatre, 418 Villita St., (800) 838-3006.
The Santaland Diaries Bart Roush directs the Classic Theatre’s production of this cult classic based on the true chronicles of NPR comic genius David Sedaris’ bizarre experiences portraying Crumpet the Elf in Macy’s Santaland display. The play contains adult content and is recommended for mature elves only. $20, 8pm Friday-Saturday, 3pm Sunday; Classic Theatre of San Antonio, 1924 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 589-8450.
The Book of Mormon Just ask Mountain
Dew or any number of energy drink providers and they’ll tell you that South Park’s demographic is one that you want on your team. So when Trey Parker and Matt Stone mobilized their audience to leave the basement and hit the theater for The Book of Mormon, it was almost predetermined that the musical would break sales records. But it was a surprise when the deliciously offensive production swept the critical establishment. Teaming with composer Robert Lopez (the EGOT winner responsible for the Frozen soundtrack), Stone and Parker penned a story about two Mormon missionaries trying to share Joseph Smith’s teachings in Uganda. Elder Kevin Price (Billy Harrigan Tighe) dreams of a deployment
Are Your BatHrooms
On view through January 10
Mother-in-law
Approved? WE CAN HELP!
r t m p s . n e t • c o n t a c t r o b f o r a n o n - t h e - s p o t e s t i m a t e : 2 10 - 3 9 9 - 10 0 0
Stocking Stuffers! McNay Art Museum San Antonio, Texas
Whole Earth Provision Co. Quarry Market at 255 East Basse • 210-829-8888
6000 North New Braunfels San Antonio, Texas 78209-0069 mcnayart.org
EXHIBITION ORGANIZED BY THE SEATTLE ART MUSEUM AND THE MUSEO NACIONAL CENTRO DE ARTE REINA SOFÍA. THIS EXHIBITION IS SUPPORTED BY AN INDEMNITY FROM THE FEDERAL COUNCIL ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES. JOAN MIRÓ, FIGURE AND BIRD, 1968. LOST-WAX CASTING, PATINATED BRONZE. NACIONAL CENTRO DE ARTE REINA SOFÍA. © SUCCESSIÓ MIRÓ / ARTISTS RIGHTS SOCIETY (ARS), NEW YORK / ADAGP, PARIS 2015.
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Comic-Con Night
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sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 21
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CALENDAR NIGHTLIFE
in Orlando, while Elder Cunningham (A.J. Holmes) improvises his teaching with Star Wars dogma, having never read Smith’s scriptures. $49-$164, 7:30pm WednesdayThursday, 8pm Friday, 2pm & 8pm Saturday, 2pm & 7:30pm Sunday; The Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St. (210) 226-3333.
Dance
Fiesta de Navidad: La Pastorela Folklórico Guadalupe Dance Company
members play Mary, Joseph, Lucifer and the Archangel in this original production that puts a folklórico and flamenco spin on the traditional Shepherds’ play. $10, 7pm Friday-Saturday; Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe St., (210) 271-3151.
The Nutcracker ARTS San Antonio presents Mejia Ballet International’s production of the holiday favorite set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score and featuring Russian prima ballerina Olga Pavlova. $44-$110, 7:30pm Friday, 2pm & 7:30pm Saturday, 2pm Sunday; Lila Cockrell Theatre, 200 E. Market St., (210) 226-2891.
Special Events
Open Holiday Market Quickly establishing themselves as highlights on SA’s Yuletide calendar, the Center City Development Office’s OPEN: Downtown Pop-Up Shops return to activate underutilized storefronts on Houston and Travis streets. The collab between property owners, businesses and artists continues daily through December 19, tempting browsers with everything from handcrafted soaps and chocolates to fresh flowers and plus-size apparel. Free, 11am-7pm Wednesday-Saturday; 140 E. Houston St. (Suite 40 & 41), 231 E. Houston St., 115 E. Travis St. (Suite 109).
Symphony Tacky Sweater Soiree Don
your tacky holiday sweaters and join the
SA Symphony for cocktails in the Founder’s Lounge, where attendees will get a sneak peek of the Holiday Pops concert. Watch the rehearsal in style from the luxury Grand Tier Boxes then end the night with drinks and desserts. $25-$40, 6-9pm, Thursday; Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 212-0914.
S’mores by the Fire Hyatt Regency Hill
Country Resort and Spa turns up the heat with campfires and s’mores sessions on Saturday night. All are welcome to sit by the fire for a sweet and gooey holiday experience as Santa’s helpers roast s’mores and holiday jams fills the lobby. Free, 7-9pm Saturday; Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa, 9800 Hyatt, (210) 647-1234.
Winter Solstice Celebration Alchemy
Kombucha & Culture celebrates the longest night of the year with a fire, food by chef Mark “Wildcat” Garcia, fun and music. Free, 6pm-1am, Tuesday; Alchemy Kombucha & Culture, 1123 N. Flores St., (210) 320-1168
Winter Solstice: “Underground Sounds”
The Winter Solstice is upon us and what better way to celebrate than inside the Cave Without A Name with vocalists Rudi Harst and Sarah Gabriel, Steve Daniel on the didgeridoo, and others for an eclectic concert of contemporary acoustic songs, improvisation and contemplation. $25$30, 7-9pm Saturday; Cave Without A Name, 325 Kreutzberg Road, Boerne, (830) 537-4212.
DATE NIGHT Buy one, get one free
Holiday Pops Celebrate the holidays with
the San Antonio Symphony and this whimsical ode to the season complete with a sing-along, special guests and a program featuring traditional and popular music to get you in holiday spirit with Akiko Fujimoto conducting soprano Diane Penning and featuring the Trinity University Handbell Ensemble. $25-$100, 8pm FridaySaturday, 2pm Sunday; Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624.
Holiday Saxophones The Regency Jazz
Band brings together sax players from across the region for jazzy renditions of holiday favorites. Featured artists include Richard Garcia, Frank Rodarte, multiGrammy nominee Joe Posada, John Magaldi and more. $20-$25, 7pm, Sunday; Guadalupe Theatre, 1301 Guadalupe St., (210) 271-3151.
Julius Chan Photography
Friday, December 18 | 6:00–9:00 p.m. Two-for-one admission to the contemporary art exhibition, 28 Chinese (a $20 savings)
Live music by Kyle Keener Small World • Dress: Contemporary chic Tours of the exhibition • Watercolor painting • Cash bar 10% discount in the Museum Shop for non-members; 20% discount for members
SAN ANTONIO MUSEUM of ART 200 West Jones Avenue | San Antonio, Texas 78215 | 210.978.8100 | samuseum.org Liu Wei, Liberation No.1 (detail), 2013, oil on canvas, triptych: overall 118 1/8 x 212 5/8 in. (300 x 540 cm), Courtesy of Rubell Family Collection, Miami, Photography by Chi Lam Li Shurui, I am not ready…, 2013, acrylic on canvas, 98 x 98 in. (250 x 250 cm), Courtesy of Rubell Family Collection, Miami, Photography by Chi Lam This exhibition is generously supported by the Koehler Foundation, Bank of America, N.A.,Trustee, and the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation.
sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 23
ARTS + CULTURE
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WholeEarthProvision.com 24 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
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Like every year in San Antonio, 2015 was chock-full of exciting, important and innovative happenings in the realm of arts and culture. From stellar exhibitions to new business openings, from updates to old favorites to brand new favorites, from shakeups and milestones to key leadership changes — these are the 10 developments we found most impactful in 2015 and well worth keeping an eye on in the new year.
The DoSeum Opens • When the DoSeum, the new San Antonio Children’s Museum, opened its doors back in June, people took note. The state-of-the-art, sustainably built facility on Broadway kept the best parts of the old Children’s Museum and updated the rest. For the past six months, under the direction of CEO Vanessa Lacoss Hurd and her team, the DoSeum has practiced its philosophy of learningby-doing. And, with a plethora of engaging programming, for adults and kids alike,
this contemporary learning wonderland promises to remain a hub of education in our community. � Hotel Emma Opens • Hotel Emma, the crown jewel of The Pearl’s extensive collection of gems, opened its doors in November. The 146-room boutique hotel — named for the former brewmaster’s wife Emma Koehler, who ran the brewery after his death in 1914 — is a glorious tribute to the history, culture and eclectic yet rustic style of San Antonio. Boasting an elegant
W
ARTS + CULTURE
restaurant, a library, a beautiful bar, a quaint little grocery store and a truly one of a kind experience, Hotel Emma is a game changer. Anna Stothart Takes the Contemporary Helm at SAMA • For a world-class art museum, the contemporary curator position is something akin to the quarterback of a football team: just as necessary as any other position, but more glamorous and challenging all the same. As of February 2015, the San Antonio Museum of Art’s Brown Foundation curator of Modern and Contemporary Art position belongs to Anna Stothart, who earned her Master’s in Art History and Museum Studies from Tufts University and has previously served as assistant curator at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. Blue Star Gets its Groove Back Under the Direction of Mary Heathcott • Since February 2014, ever since she departed her position as deputy director at Artpace San Antonio to take up the executive director reins at Blue Star, Mary Heathcott has been in the business of making Blue Star great again. Her curatorial choices are visionary in their cohesiveness (between the four galleries) and engagement with important currents in the larger art world, and her management has reinvigorated and refocused the organization. With these recent trends, we couldn’t be more excited to see what 2016 holds for Blue Star.
Hot Wells Designated as a Protected Site • Recent coal spill notwithstanding, San Antonio’s Hot Wells — the warm, sulfurous springs near the Edwards Aquifer’s saline/fresh water interface on the city’s Southeast side — won quite a victory this October, when Bexar County officially agreed to take over the property and transform it into an educational park. Following a history laden with mishaps and long sitting in various states of abandonment, Hot Wells’ future in the county’s hands seems bright and bubbly (pun intended).
Southwest School of Art Turns 50, Welcomes ‘Legacy’ BFA Class • A San Anto arts and culture fixture since its founding in 1965, the Southwest School of Art notched its 50th year of arts education, exhibition and outreach this year. To mark the occasion, the school celebrated its new Bachelor of Fine Arts class as its legacy class and detailed the success of the 50th Anniversary Capital Campaign, which brought in millions of dollars in donor funds designated to plan for expansion, support scholarships and continue historic preservation efforts.
� Ballet San Antonio Turns 30, Artistic Director Leaves • When both Executive Director Courtney Mauro Barker and Artistic Director Gabriel Zertuche called it quits in August, Ballet San Antonio was left in a state of uncertainty, despite a new home at the Tobin Center and the celebration of its 30th year. The talented duo raised Ballet SA’s profile over their tenure since 2012 and some feared a regression would follow their departure. New Artistic Director Willy Shives, a ballet master and native Texan who comes back to us after years of experience with Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet, had this to say on the matter: “I feel I have so much to offer the company and the timing of this appointment couldn’t have been better. The dancers are hungry for strong leadership, and I have no question in my mind that I can take them to the next level.”
Anjali Gupta Takes the Torch from Hills Snyder at Sala Diaz • Sala Diaz has been an important player in both the exhibition and creation of contemporary art in San Antonio since its founding in 1995. This year, after nearly 20 years as its artistic director, San Anto renaissance man Hills Snyder officially turned over operations to Anjali Gupta, who has been running the Casa Chuck residency program at Sala Diaz since 2013. While she will begin 2016 by finishing out Snyder’s programming, we can expect her own stamp on things to become apparent by next fall.
ALEXANDER DEVORA
Contemporary Art Month Turns 30 • In March, Contemporary Art Month celebrated its 30th year. That it is still alive and, in fact, thriving is a testament to the vision of its organizers and the necessary role that it plays in our city. Above all, CAM is a key resource for young up-and-coming artists to reach a larger audience with their work and to find motivation, encouragement and outlets to continue their pursuit of the arts. Here’s to another 30.
� Yanaguana Garden Opens • There has been a great deal of excitement in San Antonio this year surrounding new developments in old spaces: the missions, The Pearl, etc. One such development has been the ongoing transformation of Hemisfair Park, which included this year’s unveiling of Yanaguana Garden. The 4.1-acre garden and playground is part gathering space, part play place and part permanent (and stunning) outdoor art exhibit, which pays tribute to, at least in part, the region’s indigenous roots.
BRYAN RINDFUSS
sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 25
26 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
ARTS + CULTURE
SHADES OF GRAY MICH AEL MARKS
Graffiti' s
legal and artistic standing is murky MICHAEL MARKS/@MICHAELPMARKS
Luis Muñoz just wanted to raise some money for charity. When he spray-painted the words “I love you so much,” crossing out the “you” and replacing it with “tacos,” he wasn’t trying to spark a deep discussion about public art in San Antonio. It wasn’t even a completely original idea, rather a riff on something similar in Austin. Muñoz planned to donate a dollar to children’s charities for every person who posted a picture on Instagram of themselves next to the wall, located across the street from Viva Tacoland near the Pearl. Though at first it garnered more attention than he anticipated, it didn’t become a citywide sensation until city workers accidentally painted over it on December 3, mistaking the words for illegal graffiti. It was a bummer, but a brief one. Muñoz raised over $3,000, including matching donations from local businesses. The painting is already back up. And the stunt has had some unintended but welcome consequences, according to Muñoz. “The good part about it is ... that I think it’s opened some dialogue about what is street art,” Muñoz said. “Is that art or not? As a city, are we giving enough outlets ... to these artists? Because if you want to grow the city, you’ve got to grow your art and culture in my opinion.” San Antonio is lucky to have a wealth of skillfully crafted street art. But some parts of the city are plagued by hastily sprayed tags. It makes answering Muñoz’s question — is that art or not — complicated when it comes to graffiti, and highly dependent upon who you ask. LICENSE TO
Tag For the City of San Antonio, whether something is “art” isn’t a concern. Mike Shannon, who heads the city’s Graffiti Abatement Program, is just worried about an artist getting permission to paint a wall. “We don’t regulate content; we don’t say ‘We don’t like the look of that,’” Shannon said. “Some of the graffiti criminals, they’re pretty good. Some of them have real skill. But at the end of the day it’s all about permission.”
•Complicated pieces of street art and quick tags alike both cover buildings along San Pedro, where these pictures were taken.
Eliminating illegal graffiti as quickly as possible is a major priority for San Antonio. The city spends about $1.2 million annually to administer the Graffiti Abatement Program, which employs 19 full-time staffers to paint over graffiti around town. The goal is to wipe out every tag within three days. It’s an ambitious objective — sometimes they meet it, sometimes they don’t. In the most recent fiscal year, the program painted over 36,000 pieces of graffiti, which spanned over 3.7 million square feet. And that’s just what was painted over — it doesn’t report the countless tags that linger on light poles, fences and buildings around the city. But it’s important to address graffiti as quickly as possible, Shannon said. Otherwise, an area will become known as a safe haven for tagging, which some law enforcement officials believe can lead to more serious criminal activity. “You’ve got to [cover it up quickly]. You leave a tag on a wall, someone’s going to say, “‘Oh, it’s cool to tag on this wall,’” said Nik Soupé, a local painter and street artist. Soupé, who goes by the nickname Soup, would know. He came up tagging, learning the ropes on cheap RustOleum paint from the Dollar Store, and taking heat from more experienced guys for his style of painting. Now, after years of making a living as an artist, Soupé feels fortunate to be accepted both by graffiti artists on the street and the art gallery set. And while most members of both groups seek attention for their work, Soupé said there’s a certain breed of tagger who’s only interested in havoc. “If you get permission to paint a wall, that’s not cool. Vandalism is cool, looking over your shoulder is cool,” Soupé said. But is a wall littered with scribbles and half-assed scrawlings still art? “We’re talking about it, that forces it to be art. That’s all art is, is getting a feeling, getting people talking,” he said. That even applies to the taco wall, which Soupé said rankled some taggers he knew who were unsure of Muñoz and the message he was trying to send with the painting. Muñoz gets that. He doesn’t lump himself in with fulltime, dedicated street artists, and the experience he’s had with the wall has changed his view of graffiti entirely. “Now that I’ve done this and seen a positive reaction and knowing that I did it with good intentions … I’m never going to look at graffiti the same. I’m going to say ‘That’s somebody’s art, that’s somebody trying to express themselves,’” Muñoz said. He hopes that the taco wall will open San Antonians’ minds, and doors for artists in the city. To that end, he’ll meet with officials from the city’s Department for Culture and Creative Development in a couple weeks to discuss ideas for public art. “The only reason that I’m happy — outside of the charity factor is that something is going to come from this ... for street art and the art community in San Antonio,” Muñoz said. “If a corporation says ‘I’m going to give a $1,000 competition to fund a scholarship for art school or college,’ my mind would be blown. If anything like that happens, all the attention would be worth it.” mmarks@sacurrent.com sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 27
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After scraping through 189 films over the last 12 months, here is a look at my picks for the best films of 2015.
ME+ AND MY MOVIES film critic lists his top
10
films of
2015
10. Grandma (Dir. Paul Weitz) • Sweet, funny and delightfully acerbic, watching actress Lily Tomlin do her best work since earning an Oscar nom for 1976’s Nashville is monumental in itself. As a grandmother driving her pregnant teenage granddaughter around town to find the money she needs to get an abortion, this prochoice dramedy is a charmer. 9. The Revenant (Dir. Alejandro González Iñárritu) • Oscar-winning director Iñárritu (Birdman) takes a harrowing tale of survival and revenge and gives fivetime Oscar nominee Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street) the most physically demanding role of his career, which he effortlessly disappears into. It’s the most beautifully shot film this year, with two-time Oscarwinning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki (Gravity) behind the camera turning bear attacks into poetry in motion. 8. The Second Mother (Dir. Anna Muylaert) • Household dynamics are agitated in this Brazilian film when the estranged daughter of a live-in housekeeper moves in with her mother and the family she works for. Themes of classism and motherhood run deep as lines are crossed and characters maneuver their way through uncomfortable domestic situations. 7. Amy (Dir. Asif Kapadia) • Devastatingly sad, this extremely well constructed documentary on talented British musician Amy Winehouse, who died in 2011 at the age of 27, takes a heartbreaking and eye-opening look into celebrity culture and reveals the iconic singer’s downfall with admiration and insight. Director Kapadia (Senna) uses powerful archive footage and interviews to paint a striking portrait of a tragic spirit. 6. Ex Machina (Dir. Alex Garland) • Spellbinding, unique and oftentimes humorous, this directorial debut by Garland (writer of Sunshine) is in the same quiet realm of the sci-fi genre as
KIKO MARTINEZ
recent movies Moon and Source Code. When a tech programmer (Domhnall Gleeson) wins a contest to meet his company’s reclusive CEO (Oscar Isaac) at his remote office location, he is introduced to a unique brand of artificial intelligence. It’s creepy, compelling and asks some interesting questions about the power of human sexuality. 5. Sicario (Dir. Denis Villeneuve) • The most viscerally engaging film of the year stars Emily Blunt (Edge of Tomorrow) as an idealistic FBI agent recruited to work with a mysterious government agency that is crossing into Mexico and the darkest corners of the drug war. Blunt and Oscar winner Benicio del Toro (Traffic) are terrific, and director Villeneuve (Prisoners) keeps the thriller pumping with brutal momentum. Add some breathtaking cinematography by 12-time Oscar nominee Roger Deakins and a terrifying and brilliant score by Oscar nominee Jóhann Jóhannsson (The Theory of Everything) and the wasteland created south of the border becomes all too palpable. 4. Room (Dir. Lenny Abrahamson) • So much of what makes this exceptionally moving drama by director Abrahamson (Frank) work is the world he and screenwriter/novelist Emma Donoghue establish in such a confined space where a mother and son (Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay) are held captive in a backyard storage shed. The relationship between Larson and Tremblay’s characters is genuine, and the fact that the film is told through the eyes of a child gives it a sense of innocence that touches the soul without being overly sentimental. 3. Steve Jobs (Dir. Danny Boyle) • It might have been a failure at the box office, but Oscar-winning
director Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) creates a wholly original biography on late Apple founder Steve Jobs that is worthy of the tech genius’ contribution to the computer industry. Broken into three professionally defining acts over the course of his career, Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network) pens the type of fastpaced, clever and sardonic dialogue he lives for, but also gives Jobs (Michael Fassbender) a series of personal demons to exorcise, all of which give fascinating depth to his larger-than-life character. 2. The Look Of Silence (Dir. Joshua Oppenheimer) • A follow-up to his 2012 Oscarnominated documentary The Act of Killing, Oppenheimer delivers an even more heart-wrenching narrative in this intimate companion piece. Raw emotion rises to the surface as we follow an Indonesian optometrist, whose brother was murdered during the country’s 1965 genocide, as he bravely confronts the men who carried out the killings. The discomfort during these meetings is chilling. � 1. Spotlight (Dir. Tom McCarthy) • Expertly paced, absorbing and featuring the most impressive ensemble cast of the year, this print journalism procedural about the award-winning Boston Globe team of reporters who uncovered a long history of corruption and sexual abuse inside the Catholic Church will forever be mentioned in the same breath as other top-tier newspaper films including 1976’s All the President’s Men. Credit director/writer McCarthy (The Visitor) for avoiding sensationalism and turning investigative journalism into an art form.
+
Honorable Mentions: Bridge of Spies; Cinderella; Clouds of Sils Maria; Creed; Far from the Madding Crowd; 45 Years; Love & Mercy; Manson Family Vacation; Mustang; Trumbo
sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 29
YOU AND A GUEST ARE INVITED TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING OF
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17703 W IH-10, San Antonio, TX 78257 FOR A CHANCE TO RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY PASS FOR TWO, PLEASE VISIT:
3703 Broadway, San Antonio ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19 AFTER 10:00 AM NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Rated PG-13. Passes are available on a firstcome, first-served basis. Limit one pass (admits 2) per person. While supplies last. Employees of all promotional partners and their agencies are not eligible. Void where prohibited. SEATING IS LIMITED, SO ARRIVE EARLY. PASS DOES NOT GUARANTEE A SEAT AT THE SCREENING.
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SCREENS
Cloaked in secrecy Star Wars: The Force Awakens emerges
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Will the home of the mouse destroy the galaxy of the Jedi?
My list of expectations for Star Wars: The Force Awakens is short. Mostly because of the ironclad secrecy maintained by J. J. Abrams and co. Also, everything we could have pieced together about the plot from the Shadows of the Empire book collection and several comic series has become non-canon. So, that takes what we would have expected from a post-Return Of The Jedi movie and ejects it into the dark, vast nothingness like so much space trash, our best guesses hiding amidst it, clinging to it, floating away from our grasp. Secrecy and codex aside, we know Abrams is capable of delivering an action packed sci-fi blockbuster with, at the very least, a decent plot. He has done it before and I’m not worried about whether he will do it with The Force Awakens. The two latest Star Trek movies prove this and the hardcore Trekkies can disagree with that all they want, but I have had actual intercourse with another human being in real life, so ... Also, writer Lawrence Kasdan (Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi) rejoins the Star Wars writing team along with Abrams and Michael Arndt
(The Hunger Games: Catching Fire). Kasdan is rumored to be writing for the entire trilogy, which brings a new hope to the franchise, a hope that maybe they are trying to do this right. One thing that did have us diehards worried was the Disney buyout of Lucasfilm’s rights to the profitable franchise. It’s not that Disney makes horrible films, I am just one of those people who hates when something I deem “uncool” invades a thing that I have loved so vehemently my entire life. Mostly, I just fear change. But, as the wise, old Jedi master Yoda once said, “Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” And I have no intention of suffering in my theater seat because I decided to hate the movie even before John Williams’ classic theme music accompanies those giant yellow letters on their journey into the void.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (PG-13) 136 min. Dir. J. J. Abrams; writ. Lawrence Kasdan, J. J. Abrams and Michael Arndt; feat. Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver Opens nationwide Fri, Dec. 18
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32 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
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FOOD
WHAT I ATE +
the top
10
things food editor jessica noshed in
Torta Ahogada • Ro-Ho Pork & Bread, 623 Urban Loop, (210) 800-3487, ro-hoporkandbread.com Chef Jorge Rojo’s torta was a highlight in the downtown area, which saw plenty of openings this year. Savory, well-seasoned lechon meets a delicate and light tomato salsa inside, over and under a fresh, house-made birote for an exquisite level of flavor. The cabbage and raw red onions dressed in pepper, salt and citrus helped cut through some of that richness of the pork, making this dish one I keep going back for (it also helps me work on my torta-eating technique). � All of the gelato • South A La Mode Panini & Gelato, 1420 S. Alamo St., (210) 788-8000, southalamode.com To say I was anxiously awaiting the opening of this panini and gelato shop was a bit of an understatement. I’d been a fan since their early Quarry Farmers Market days and, thankfully, a permanent location has allowed chef Josh Biffle and co. more freedom to experiment with flavors. I’m a sucker for the
2015
→
It’s hard to whittle down several hundred meals’ worth into a tiny list of 10 best dishes. Here’s my old college try at what stood out and what kept me sated in 2015 (check out a longer list at sacurrent.com).
JESSICA ELIZARRARAS/@JESSELIZARRARAS
cannoli and pistachio, but you can’t go wrong with any of the flavors, if you ask me. Mangonada Macaron • Bakery Lorraine, 306 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 110, bakerylorraine.com There was something pleasantly kitschy about Parisian macs trying to embody “puro” San Anto flavors. Kitsch aside, the flavors were on point and delicious. Buddha Belly “sliders” • Buddha Belly, 7331 N. Loop 1604 W., (210) 660-8460, facebook.com/buddhabellysa Think White Castle and you’re halfway there, but instead of having to deal with the cold, bitter winters of the Northeast, you can pick up an order or six of these sliders from Buddha Belly, the sister truck to Singhs Vietnamese. Hardly handled but well-seasoned patties meet melted mozzarella and sweet grilled onions on a buttered bun for a truly enjoyable bite. Go. Get. Them. Now.
Steve McHugh and his slew of cooks who rotate the Wurst Case Scenario sausage special almost daily. The seasonal and creatively prepared vegetables that come with it are an added, tasty bonus. � Lamb Burger • Folc, 226 E. Olmos Drive, (210) 822-0100, folc-restaurant.com Two burgers in one list could be partly to blame for my expanded waist size, but I’ll deal with that later. Brunch this year meant taking down Folc’s massive, but subtly flavored burger that combined house-made ricotta, thinly sliced cucumber pickles, red onion and a gooey fried egg. Share this burger beastie, if you don’t feel like spending the afternoon in a food coma.
Wurst Case Scenario • Cured, 306 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 101, (210) 314-3929, curedatpearl.com Variety is the spice of life, and at Cured, I know I can trust my cured, smoked, sous vide meats to chef
CONTINUED ON PAGE 35 ►
THURSDAY DECEMBER 10 & 17 ON PEARL PARKWAY FROM 3–7 PM
Holiday Gift Market
MUSIC, SPECIALTY VENDORS, HOLIDAY GIFTS, & MORE! VISIT ATPEARL.COM FOR MORE INFO!
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FOOD
◄ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33
Chirashi • Niki’s Tokyo Inn, 819 W. Hildebrand Ave., (210) 736-5471 There’s nothing I want more in life than to share a meal with headwaiter and bow-tie fan Pat. Until then, I’ll settle for just eating my chirashi bowl of fresh fish, squid, octopus and shrimp over perfect white rice while overhearing him chit-chat with other customers about NPR, his latest read or the weather. � Fish Tacos • Amaya’s Cocina, 1502 E. Commerce St., (210) 265-5449 It’s hard to get excited about fish tacos. Everyone’s got some these days and not all are worth actually ingesting. This isn’t the case for Amaya’s, where the Arciniega/Herrera chef cohort takes their fish tacos to another level. Though iterations change often, the early spring rendition was filled with fresh greens and thinly sliced radishes that give these tacos a bite. � Dongpo Braised Pork Belly • Sichuan House, 3505 Wurzbach Road, #102, (210) 509-9999, facebook.com/sichuaneats Pork belly is so 2000 and late (and so is this reference, sorry!), so when the braised pork belly was recommended
KA
by our server at Sichuan House, I was apprehensive to say the least. But her description of the dish reeled me back into the bacon — a massive slab of pork belly is fried, then steamed and later braised in the juices leftover from its earlier steam bath. The result, all tender and crispy bits of it, is a meal made for sharing with all your friends. � Beautiful Bowls • Pharm Table Café, 106 Auditorium Circle, (210) 802-1860, pharmtable.com A year in from its launch, Pharm Table has become one of my go-to eateries for when I’m feeling less than awesome. Chef Elizabeth Johnson’s kitchen delivers the gluten-free, sugar-free dairy-free bowls of goodness that have yet to disappoint whether filled with carrot or beet mash, kale, curry or whatever’s in season. You’ll never savor the same bowl twice, but each bowl is more exciting than the next. Oh, and the cardamom date bites aren’t to be missed either. flavor@sacurrent.com
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12/16 Wine Tasting - Bubbles. Sparkling, beautiful, sensational bubbles. And plenty of bubbles there will be at Nectar Wine Bar on December 16th. We will be sampling 6 different Champagnes. Come sip, sample and get ideas for the perfect holiday gift!
12/31 New Year’s Party
Come to Nectar for your New Year’s Eve Celebration. Ring in the New Year with a nice relaxing night out, without all of the debauchery. Free bubbly toast at Midnight, Party Favors and more.
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Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & everything in-between! FULL BAR OPENS AT 7AM! Sun: 11 am - 2 am | Mon-Sat: 7 am - 2 am | 5562 Fredericksburg Rd. In the Medical Center
NIGHTLIFE
ON+ THE ROCKS OUR BOOZEHOUNDS PICK THEIR POISON
� Shamekiller • Alchemy Kombucha & Culture, 1123 N. Flores St., (210) 320-1168, alchemysanantonio.com This fall, the little restaurant that could delivered one of the best brunches this city has to offer. The biscuits were pillowy, coddled eggs creamy and market hash a delight. Bonus: You could wash it all down with the Shamekiller, a lightened up version of tiki classic Painkiller created by Milan & Turin dude Javi Gutierrez. House-made coconut vodka (the vodka is “fat-washed” using unfiltered coconut oil so it draws in all of the oil’s flavor) meets a pineapple juice-orange syrup that’s thickened up for better mouthfeel with gum Arabic and a splash of bubbles. It’s a patiopounder for sure. Bananas Foster Milkshake • Cured, 306 Pearl Pkwy, Suite 101, (210) 314-3929, curedatpearl.com I’m a dessert person through and through. So when one of the most classic desserts (flambéed bananas, vanilla ice cream, brown sugar, dark rum — what’s not to love?) makes it into cocktail form, then all bets are off. During one of last year’s meet the distiller dinners in advance of the San Antonio Cocktail Conference, the cocktailians at Cured ditched the rum for Nelson’s Greenbrier Distillery’s Tennessee white whiskey. The result was sweet, not cloying and addictive. But while the homemade vanilla ice cream was an excellent touch, the star of the drink was instead the Belle Meade Bourbon booster inside a clear pipette filled with just a touch more bourbon to really warm the bones. You could release the bourbon at your own leisurely place, or breakneck speed like I did. Brunch Cart • Hot Joy, 1014 S. Alamo St., (210) 368-9324, hotjoysa.com Mimosas are basic, and I’ll fight anyone who disagrees (though I’ll never turn one away either). So what’s the Asian hot spot that hates being pigeonholed as any particular genre to do when it comes to their brunch drinks? Enter the dumpling-style brunch cart. Served in smaller glasses at $3 a pop, the brunch drinks include Frozen Thai tea, Frozen Five Spice Colada and Pho. Get. It. Though these summertime coolers are on their way out to make room for a winter brunch cart menu, the “Scream Bloody Mary”
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Turns out we drank a ton of booze this year. With more cocktail bars in San Antonio than ever before, choosing a top 10 was a challenge, but one we gladly accepted as we sipped, tipped and guzzled these cocktails below through 2015.
RON BECHTOL + JESSICA ELIZARRARAS
will remain and we’re not mad about it. The half-sized mary is bar manager Elisabeth Forsythe’s take on the tom yum soup with a strong tomato base and fragrant aromatics of makrut or keffir lime, lemongrass and galanga (similar to ginger) root. A Thai chili-infused vodka and house-made oyster sauce round out the creation, which goes great with the Korean fried chicken sandwich from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Mariposa Negra • Mezcalería Mixtli, 1513 McCullough Ave., (210) 320-1660, mezcaleriamixtli.com Is there such a thing as an embarrassment of riches? Or is too much never even quite enough? An admitted fondness for mezcal makes almost every drink on the Mezcaleria’s list worth investigating, but early on the nod for best cocktail might have gone to Chingos de Hongos — not only for its cheeky name but also for its even ballsier use of chanterelle-infused mezcal and mushroom demi-glace syrup. But a recently revised list yielded a new seductress, the Mariposa Negra — reposado tequila this time, paired with Averna, a demerara syrup, licorice root and basil tea and Angostura bitters. The indeed dark and sultry drink is enlivened by an orange twist, the licorice comes through — but just enough, and, unlike the more intense Chingos, you will feel free to have more than one. Yes, this matters. Trophy Wife • Paramour, 102 9th St., Suite 400, (210) 340-9880, paramourbar.com An office full of powerful attorneys, an amazing view, a cheeky name … the Trophy Wife combines everything your side boo needs — gin, watermelon cordial, lime, strawberries and rosé cava. Oh, and she tastes just as great whether you’re trying to
land a man or you’re an independent honey who’s makin’ money. Feel me? The Porthole • Park Social, 224 E. Olmos Drive, (210) 822-0100, park-social.com The Porthole may be an admitted rip-off of a drink system Park Social’s David Naylor learned while at Chicago’s Aviary — and it does require equipment and techniques not in everybody’s wheelhouse … but wait: According to Naylor, a dedicated cadre of Olmos Parkers has become enamored enough of the $25 (serves two) drink that they have sprung for the porthole toy, inspiring him to contemplate doing a class or two on how to DIY. Naylor’s own first concoction at Park was meant to be sipped in shot form; it changed substantially from first drink to last. The latest iteration, number three, is very different. Think of it as an updated clarified milk punch with brandy, dark rum, bourbon, citrus and spices, milk oolong tea, cacao nibs and even hay — from his parent’s sheep ranch. “It’s kinda like chocolate milk, though heavier and more chocolatey with time. It’s quite soft but will definitely catch up to you,” he says. Grab a friend and take the ride. Stroke of Genius • Brigid, 803 S. St. Mary’s St., (210) 236-7885, brigidrestaurant.com Now that Nick Kenna is filling the considerable shoes of Olaf Harmel at Brigid’s diminutive bar, he has been tasked with coming up with a drink list to pay appropriate homage to the legend. “I’m looking for 20 total by January — 10 classic, 10 proprietary,” says Kenna. Enter the already-ready-for-prime-time, decidedly not-classic Stroke of CONTINUED ON PAGE 39 ►
sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 37
38 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
NIGHTLIFE
◄ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37
Genius, a cocktail with Austin-distilled Genius Gin as its base. In addition to the very floral gin, Kenna uses Pink, a new-style rosé Port from Croft (sipped solo, it comes across all raspberries and bright cherries), the orange-derived French digestif/amaro known as ChinaChina, a dash each of orange and Angostura bitters, and a lemon swath. It’s both pretty and potent at the same time. We await the next nine. The Guns of Brixton • Sternewirth, 136 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-7375, thehotelemma.com The Three Emmas may have the best backstory (Lust! Infidelity! Murder!) at Hotel Emma’s Sternewirth bar, but The Guns of Brixton comes in a close second, and may be the better cocktail — when properly made. (The first time it was eye-opening, the second, on a busier night, it was out of balance to the sweet side.) So assuming that this young operation sorts out any inconsistency issues soon, here’s what to expect: Earl Grey tea, gin, cacao, lemon, Smith & Cross overproof rum, served on the rocks with a grapefruit slab. The fragrant Bergamot from the tea is first and forward but plays well with the subtler cacao. It’s a drink that evolves beautifully in the glass. As for The Guns of Brixton, the Clash lyrics are more nihilistic than the drink ever could be — “You can crush us, you can bruise us…” Probably not a reference to muddling.
Punch Drunk Punk • The Old Main Assoc., 2512 N. Main Ave., (210) 562-3440 Until now, Old Main has been coasting along, not without success, on a hit parade of drinks from sibling bars Brooklynite and The Last Word. Hand-me-downs no longer rule the new cocktail menu, from which an early favorite is the Punch Drunk Punk. Yes, it has mezcal — sorry, it’s a thing. As developed by bartender Ben Guerra and manager Steven Martín, the drink started out with the mezcal infused with flor de Jamaica (hibiscus) and a tequila float and morphed into a Jamaica simple syrup to be added to the mix with straight mezcal, Cynar, both lime and lemon, and a couple of drops of a hella-hot house-made chile tincture. No tequila. Watching this drink evolve into a thing of beauty — its smoke and floral qualities elevated by the tincture — was a helluva lot of fun, too. Rebecca Creek Bloody Mary • Luke, 125 E. Houston St., (210) 557-5853, lukesanantonio.com For me, this was the year of the bloody mary. Maybe I had that many hangovers to cure, or maybe I just like snacking on all the accoutrements that come with most bloodies. Whatever the reason, I’ve no idea why it took me so long to discover Lüke’s Rebecca Creek bloody mary, a massive mason jar’s worth of all things sour, salty and delicious. They start with Enchanted Rock vodka, Zing Zang’s bloody mary mix, a healthy dose of horseradish and end with a picklefilled skewer with house-made picklin’s and two jumbo Gulf shrimp. Hangover or not, this bloody is damn good.
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40 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
drink TEXAS Biergarten 265 S. Main Street Boerne, Texas
NIGHTLIFE
TOP 10 BEERS + A LOOK BACK AT THE BEST BREWS OF 2015
Beer Advocate awarded a perfect rating to the ’15 edition of Prairie Artisan Ales’ BOMB!, but I think their Brett C farmhouse saison took the gold. Remarkably light for an 8.1 percent ABV and carbonated to the point of effervescence, it rolls around in the horse-blanket funk of your favorite outlaw yeast, tempering that wildness with the lemony-citrus touch of Cascade and Citra hops. In a just world, this would be the Champagne of Beers. I am inclined to hate vegetables, so while I was game for the orange juice and thyme ingredients in Jester King’s Hibernal Dichotomous farmhouse ale, the butternut squash-beet part of the recipe tested my capacity to drink anything. Of course, I was a fool to question Garrett Crowell’s genius: his house blend of bacteria tarted up Dichotomous’ more savory flavors, the earthy roots and sweet fruits complementing each other like the Garden of Eden. If I were to analyze the total percentages of gallons of beer I’ve drunk since January, I’m fairly certain the Real Ale Commissar Russian Imperial Stout would constitute the biggest slice of the pie chart. A big, boozy, beautiful black beer for $5.99 on a Friday (and Saturday, and Sunday) night? That’s a no-brainer when you lived on a teacher’s salary for most of the year. No Beer-Year List is complete without an IPA or two, and here again I found Real Ale to be the leader of the proverbial pack. Their Full Moon Rye IPA kept regular hours in our refrigerator all summer, giving equal time to its citrus-loaded hop profile and grain-diverse malt base. And, again, that $7.79-a-six-pack pricing was heaven-sent for the beer correspondent on a budget. Southerleigh got off to a great start this year, pouring Les Locke & Co.’s panoply of pints for Saytown beer lovers crowding the hallowed hall of the reinvigorated Pearl brewhouse. For this year, at least, my favorite remains the Fanny Porter. South Indian food reigns supreme in our household’s kitchen, and Fanny Porter’s coconut-and-an-entire-spice-aisle adjuncts delivered similar delights. I’d be remiss, of course, not to also mention (and here I will plagiarize my own review from last June) their “Irish moss-inflected and honey-hopped Scofflaw Imperial IPA,” which accounted for many a second round with friends this year. 5 Stones Brewing turns out the most consistent
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Beer is God’s gift to man and each year more and more variations are created by brew masters. Here’s our take on the best ones of 2015.
LANCE HIGDON
big-bottle beers in SA, but they really outdid themselves with the Melo Rainbow. It was the Cibolo brewery’s second saison (after their Zero Anniversary one-off), elevated to iconic status by the inclusion of cantaloupe and peppercorns. Melo Rainbow drinks light and easy, but the peppercorns light off sparks across the tongue with the cantaloupe lending melon mellow underneath. Johnny Cash released a career-spanning collection of songs titled according to his favorite themes: Love, God and Murder. Though I can personally endorse only two-thirds of that list, I suspect Ranger Creek’s Sunday Morning Coming Down English Strong Ale could accompany contemplation (if not execution!) of all three. It’s certainly a beer brewed for introspection — strong pitched with generous portions of Merit Coffee, it suggests cocoa, caramel and java by turns, the gentle caffeine current fueling late-night ruminations/songwriting sessions on The Man in Black’s primary preoccupations. Houston’s Karbach Brewing has become a ubiquitous presence in San Antonio in recent years, but that doesn’t mean their beers are always easy to find. I was fortunate enough to chance across a bottle of their Trigave last month. I know that brewers are looking beyond the bourbon barrel for their aging options these days, but was ambivalent how well this Belgian tripel would fare after hanging out in those Dulce Vida tequila barrels. Needless to say, it was a most pleasant surprise: The esters from the Low Country yeast paired well with the agave overlay, as did the unexpected vanilla flavors that revealed themselves alongside some oaky husk.
Freetail Brewing celebrated the first anniversary of their Southtown locale this November and sixth year in operation. How Scott Metzger keeps up with such a robust operation while teaching macroeconomics to UTSA undergrads is beyond my comprehension, as is how their Soul Doubt IPA manages to remain so eminently drinkable while slacking not at all on its hop punch. It was the beer of choice during my round (picnic) table with some of SA’s beer finest at the reinvigorated Hills & Dales in October, and while I hold it responsible for the technical failure of my recorder during the second half of our hangout, I can’t say I wouldn’t repeat the experience.
sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 41
DOWNTOWN C E NTRA L The Local Bar
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Luna Rosa
2603 S. E Military HAPPY HOUR 3-7PM $3 Small Guava-Rita, $4 House Rita $4 Sangria, $5 Tapas $2.50 Budweiser, Bud Light Lime, Bud Light $2.75 Wells $3 Dos XX
Club Sirius
DrinkSirius.com • @ClubSirius HH Daily Noon-8pm: $2 Wells, $2 Domestic 16oz Cans/Pints, $3 Jager
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42 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
The Bar
Beto’s Alt-Mex HH Happy hour from 4pm-7pm Every Day! 8142 Broadway St
Amp Room
On The Rocks Pub
270 Losoya, SATX 78205 facebook.com/ontherockspubTX HH: Mon-Fri, 2pm-7pm: $3 Wells, $3 Domestics, $3.75 Flavored Vodkas
Kimura
Happy hour monday - friday 4-7 Saturday 12-4 $6 Kimura Cocktails, $5 House Wines $4 Bottled Beer, $6 Draft Beer $3-$4 Appetizers, $6 Miso Ramen
Flair
6462 N. New Braunfels Ave. 78209 Flairmexicanstreetfood.com HH:Monday-Friday,4- 7pm, Sunday, 8-10 pm 1/2 price apps and Guac! $4 craft draughts $3 off cocktails and win $6 Michelada all day everyday
Tucker’s Kozy Korner
1338 E Houston St • (210) 320-2192 Sunday Brunch: Bloody Mary Bar and Bottomless Mimosas
Happy Hour MONDAY-FRIDAY 4PM - 8PM: $2 DOMESTICS, $2 CALLS, $1 TAPAS ENJOY $3 YOU CALL IT’S EVERY SUNDAY AND MONDAY EVERYDAY $5 BEER + SHOT SPECIAL
Toro Taco Bar
Cullum’s Atta Girl
628 Jackson St, • (210) 320-1840 4- 7pm Every Day Frozen Margs: $2.25, Well Drinks: $3.25 Select Cans: $2.50 Monday - Wednesday: Reverse Happy Hour 9-11pm
726 E Mistletoe • (210) 437-4263 Get your Happy Hour Started Early Friday Lunch Pop 11a-2p and Micro Beers
Moses Roses
516 E Houston All Day Food and Drink Specials Everyday Kitchen Open Until 1am Everyday
114 Brooklyn Ave • torotacobar.com Reverse Happy Hour 9pm
Sancho’s
Nectar
Tuesday is 20% off of entire check all day and night, for Downtown Tuesdays Wed & Fri 15% off entire check 4-6pm
VISI T HAPPYHOUR S.SACURRENT.C OM
NORTHWEST Smitty’s Pub
$2.50 Domestic long necks $2.75 well drinks everyday 2pm - 8pm
Wurzbach Ice House
HH: 4- 8pm Home of the $2.50 Well Drink! $2 Domestic Draft $3 Import Draft, Daily specials 8 till close
Raffles
1039 NE Loop 410 210.826.7118 HH 11a-6p Tuesday-Friday & 9p-11p Tues.Thurs. Daily Lunch Specials 11a-3p Closed Mondays
Embers Woodfire Bar & Grill
Happy Hour at the Bar and on the Patio Daily from 4pm - 7pm and 9pm - Close Drafts 12 oz. $2.00 16 oz. $3.00 | 25 oz. $4.00 Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, Bud Light & Shiner $1 Off All Cocktails Wine by the Glass Premium Draft Beerst
NORTH CENTRAL Michin Mexican Kitchen
7pm - 9pm $5 House Margaritas, $2.50 Domestic Bottles, Tecate & Dos XX, $3 Indio and Bohemia, and Mexican Draft $4. 427 N Loop 1604, Ste 202, SATX 78258 Behind Trader Joe’s
Slackers
Sports-Drinks-Arcade SlackerSA.com • $2.50 Domestics, $3 Wells Daily, $3 You Call It
Highlander Bar & Grill
Mon-Sat: 7am - 4pm $3.25 Import Drafts & Mini Margaritas $2.75 Domestic Drafts Tue- $3.25 Mini Hurricanes Thu- $3.25 Premium Vodka Specials Sun- $.75 Wings & $3 Sunday Specials 4-8pm: $1 off mixed drinks & appetizers!
NORTH EAST Charlie-Browns.com 210-496-7092 Mon.-Fri. until 7pm $2.75 well drinks, $8.50 domestic pitchers, $2.75 domestic longnecks Mon.-Fri. 2-6pm 60¢ Wings Wednesday special from $6.50 domestic draft pitchers
Pecan Grove
1526 Roosevelt Ave Cheap Ass Monday $1.25 Domestic Beers Daily Specials, it’s always Happy Hour
sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 43
MUSIC
BEST OF 2015 + a curated collection of this year’s music miscellany
� Selena to Live Forever in Hologram Form • With the 20th anniversary of Selena’s death in March, the Quintanilla family announced a partnership with tech company Acrovirt to produce a hologram of the Tejano star. Personally, I’m all good with an impersonator with vocal chops and a rockin’ bustier. But, if digital performance is your thing, the company promises a “walking, talking, singing, and dancing, digital embodiment” of Corpus Christi’s great gift to mankind. Comedian H. Jon Benjamin Releases a Piano Jazz Album Without Learning Piano • With a baritone you can recognize like the call of an old friend, H. Jon Benjamin has made his career voice acting as the titular star of Bob’s Burgers and Archer. But did you know he can also play piano? Well, not really. In November, Benjamin surprised the comedy and jazz worlds with his debut record Well I Should Have… Released on Sub Pop, the indie-major label shelled out for some deft session musicians to play with Benjamin as he slaps at the piano on tunes like “Soft Jazzercise” and “I Can’t Play Piano” parts one through four. Sounding like a cross between Cecil Taylor and a kindergartner, Benjamin fumbles around on the keyboard “like a sophomore at some poor girl’s bra,” to borrow from David Foster Wallace. The result is some good, clean fun and a decent novelty record. But the promo video — digging at the seriousness and obligatory subway scenes of actual jazz PR teasers — is alone worth suffering the stupidity of this project. Producer SOPHIE Releases Product with a Sex Toy • With his best work, enigmatic UK producer SOPHIE creates surreal and brilliant dance cuts, melting trap and house together with impossible creativity. Everything about his music sounds totally, unabashedly new. From that perspective, it’s no surprise then that SOPHIE took liberties in merchandise for his debut collection Product. In a very polite way to say “go fuck yourself,” SOPHIE manufactured a “skin safe, odourless and tasteless” sex toy with his digital downloads. At $75.24, the toy is a bit pricy. But hey, it’s better than getting your significant other another goddamn band T-shirt.
44 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
TRAVIS BUFFKIN + MATT STIEB
→
Rather than bore you with our inane and completely relative list of the supposed best music of 2015, the former music editor and myself — the new music editor — have chosen to highlight some of the events and releases that caught our interest and/or ire this last trip around the sun.
Salman Rushdie Reads Drake Lyrics on the CBC • Like our friend Aubrey from Toronto, Salman Rushdie understands immense success, flawless women and being hated on — the novelist is the great voice of the Indian diaspora, he was once married to Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi and, after publishing The Satanic Verses in 1988, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini, put a fatwa on his head. So, when Rushdie appeared on the CBC (Canada’s PBS) in September, it only made sense that he read some Drake in free verse. As a literary/rap nerd, I can’t tell you how satisfying it is to hear the novelist say “running through the Six with my woes.” It’s so rewarding that I propose Rushdie tour through America, reading the transcriptions of each city’s great contemporary rapper — espousing “I Serve the Base” in Atlanta, “King Kunta” in Los Angeles and “Bound 2” in Chicago. A Very Bolo Halloween • On and off the stage, I’ve seen The Bolos do some truly debaucherous things in the pursuit of rock ‘n’ roll. Like anyone who spends their weekends on the St. Mary’s strip, I’ve seen the quartet’s set a thousand times. But, I’m truly bummed that I missed their Halloween gig at Paper Tiger. As bands postured as their favorite idols (Massiver as Joy Division, Cannibal Bitch as GG Allin, etc.),
The Bolos took on smut-rockers The Cramps. As San Anto stalwart Chris Smart joined the band as the late Lux Interior, bassist Osita Anusi swapped his instrument for the drum kit and lit the ride cymbal on fire. Bob Dylan Releases Sinatra-inspired LP Shadows in the Night • The nasally bard of the blues and king of croak belches and whinnies his way through the Great American Songbook. If you’re not interested in hearing Dylan try his hand as an honorary member of the Rat Pack, or you have not yet developed a taste for red wine, women over 40, playing cards or dominoes, there probably ain’t much in this release for you. But, that’s OK. The pop world is devoted entirely to you, iChild, and Santigold’s newest drops in January. The Velvet Underground Loaded: Re-Loaded 45th Anniversary Edition • One of the perks of my bougie rock-critic job is that huge labels that used to put out great records send me all of the remarketedremember when-remasters of classics. Unfortunately, they send them all in Compact Disc format with the barcodes hole-punched so I can’t play them on my turntable, and I can’t resell them to CD Exchange. However, it does remind me to include them in my inane list of 2015 shit. If you’re unfamiliar with the VU, Loaded, along with The Velvet Underground and Nico (and an eighth of KB), are great places to begin your trek into the Velvet void, even if upon his death more and more people are coming out to talk
MUSIC
about what a sexist prick Lou Reed was. Luckily, I don’t one-hit my way to nirvana cruising down Zarzamora in my VW station wagon with “Cool it Down” blaring because I give a fuck what Lou Reed calls his girlfriend in a swanky Manhattan restaurant in 1981. I do it because it’s cool, and I’m cool, man. Know your roots, kids. Justin Bieber’s Dick • I just can’t get behind the synth’ed jazz flute or the rubbery semi of a croon that is The Bieb’s “What Do You Mean?” I don’t think he even believes it. I can get behind his literal semi, though. This is what teenage millionaire pop stars are supposed to be doing — crashing Lambos and wagging their wangs — and at a time when Ed Sheeran is considered a bad boy, taking the mantle from the millennial dry-heave that was James Blunt, it’s nice to see that the crown is back across the pond, even if it’s in Canada. North Uh-
merica! North Uh-merica!! The New Flaming Lips Record • So, technically, it’s called Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz, (with glorious, painfully placed ‘Z’) but Wayne Coyne and Steven Drozd’s magic mushroom touch is so prevalent on the free-art sequel to Bangerz that it might as well be a Flaming Lips record. Disregarding the Miley-penned tracks, which are the musical equivalent of your first trip to Disney World with a legal ID, it’s an alright Lips record. Miley Cyrus likes sex, weed and saying bad words. The thing to do is get past the fact that she’s Miley Cyrus. If this was your friend’s sister’s band, would you dig it? And the answer, for me, is eh … kinda. It’s really just a numbers game. There are maybe 283 23-year-olds making incredible music in the U.S., Miley Cyrus isn’t one of them. It’s smart how Wayne Coyne has strapped his wagon to that star, though. � Amy Teaches Us What Pieces of Shit We, and Her Dad, Are • To be honest, I never thought Amy Winehouse was that great of an artist when she was alive. Sure, girl could sing well, but so can Aretha, Etta and Diana, and they had far better production and tunes. However, four-and-a-half years after her death, despite the inevitable do-gooder doggy-pile of “I hate myself for being complicit in her eventual breakdown,” Amy, the doc chronicling her rise and descent, cast a spotlight onto the fame monster and our perpetual feeding of it. Why do we love watching celebrities deteriorate before us? Is it some form of class warfare? A shared subliminal satisfaction in knowing that when a lucky one is plucked from the prole ranks and passed up the social strata, that they eventually must return to the masses, destroyed by their elevation, further reaffirming the forthrightness of our anonymity? � Har Mar Superstar Plays K23 Gallery, Proves That He’s a Bad Motherfucker • Best show of 2015 and all dude had was an iPod, two drummers, a microphone and ICP face paint.
2410 N. ST MARY’S ST. / ADVANCE TIX - PAPERTIGERSA.COM
Friday, December 18th Transmission Events Presents
THE SWORD
W/ ROYAL THUNDER 8:00PM ALL AGES Saturday, December 19th (MAIN ROOM) Transmission Events Presents
GIRL IN A COMA W/ ALYSON ALONZO, THE BOLOS 8:00PM ALL AGES Saturday, December 19th (SMALL ROOM) Paper Tiger Presents
COP WARMTH W/ BODY PRESSURE, COLONIA 8:00PM ALL AGES
Wednesday, December 23rd Paper Tiger Presents
‘DECK THEM HALLS’ W/ GAREETT T CAPPS, DT BUFFKIN & MORE! 8:00PM ALL AGES Saturday, December 26th (MAIN ROOM) Paper Tiger Presents
SUB CULTURE COLLECTIVE 9:00PM ALL AGES Tuesday, December 29th (SMALL ROOM) Paper Tiger Presents
KILLER KILL W/ FEUDING FATHERS, PINKO 8:00PM ALL AGES Wednesday, December 30th Paper Tiger Presents
WARTHOG
W/ IMPALERS, SIN MOTIVO, STACKER, ILL INFORMED, CREEP STARE 8:00PM ALL AGES Thursday, December 31st (NEW YEARS EVE!) Paper Tiger Presents
‘PUTTN’ ON THE GLITZ’
DJ JESTER / TERPSI AND MORE! 9:00PM ALL AGES Friday, January 1st (NEW YEARS DAY!) Fun Fun Fun Fest Presents
BIG FREEDIA 8:00PM ALL AGES Thursday, January 7th Transmission Events Presents
MATTHEW LOGAN VASQUEZ (OF DELTA SPIRIT) 7:00PM ALL AGES
sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 45
MUSIC
“
“YOU WILL NEVER SEE THIS MANY LASERS IN YOUR LIFE.”
O.D. ON T.S.O.
JASON MCEACHERN
Trans-Siberian Orchestra ready 2015 tour JEFF NIESEL
“We have stuff everywhere,” says Adam Lind, the selfproclaimed “guy who’s responsible for everything that goes wrong.” Lind heads up Night Castle Management, the firm that handles all of Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “artistic endeavors.” He makes the remark as he walks through the cluttered hallways of the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa, a small town just across a bridge from Omaha where the prog rock band rehearses each year in preparation for its annual winter tour. To say TSO has taken over the venue would be an understatement. You can hear wailing guitars and operatic vocals emanating from behind the closed arena doors as the band practices tunes such as “What Child is This?” and “Music Box Blues.” Inside roadies walk the empty arena floor while carrying open laptops. A giant pyramid-like contraption sits under a black tarp as if it’s a modern-day Batmobile, ready to shock and awe once the tarp comes off. For the past seven years, the group has rehearsed in this small, centrally located town that puts the East and West Coast versions of the tour in prime launching position. A fleet of trucks and tour buses are already positioned in the arena’s parking lot. Soon, they’ll roll out and haul crew and gear across the country for the next eight weeks to bring the biggest, baddest, most over-thetop and extravagant Christmas rock show you’ll ever see. When he was young, Paul O’Neill, the group’s mastermind, had trouble reading anything more sophisticated than Cat in the Hat. In the first grade he was in danger of falling behind. But then his mother spent a summer teaching him phonetics, and the floodgates opened as O’Neill, whose parents forbid him to watch TV, started devouring the books around the family’s home. Now, he easily recites facts from European history and 46 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
quotes Cicero. As he was learning to play guitar, he went to see The Who perform at Madison Square Garden in the late ’60s, something he describes as a pivotal moment. “The Who were the only band that I walked out on because they were so good I couldn’t stand watching them,” says O’Neill, who, with his black leather jacket, dark Italian sunglasses, speckled gray beard and shoulder length hair, looks like a cross between a member of the Ramones and a Lord of the Rings wizard. His dressing room includes a keyboard, two guitars and a KISS-themed pinball machine. For guests, the room also contains a few cases of Trans-Siberian swag — a stack of denim jackets with the TSO emblem on the back and CDs of the band’s new album, Letters from the Labyrinth. He gives the stuff away at such a rapid pace the cases have to regularly be replenished. Later, as he toured with Aerosmith in the ’70s, he started collecting letters and developing his esoteric sense of the world. He has every letter from Thomas Edison. He bought the letters through the auction house Christie's and at various estate sales. These literary sensibilities would inform the prog band Savatage, which originally recorded “Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24” in 1995. The song would reappear on TSO’s debut, 1996’s Christmas Eve and Other Stories, and launch the band into the behemoth that it is today. In 1998, the band recorded a TV show before it had ever toured. O’Neill has described it as the band’s “first show.” Filmed in an old Jersey City theater, the show features Ossie Davis, Jewel and Michael Crawford. O’Neill has said the band, though still in the early stages, captured a certain “magic,” as the special features some of the best
songs from the band’s catalog at the time. At the urging of Cleveland disc jockey Bill Louis, the group took its 1996 Christmas rock opera Christmas Eve and Other Stories, the first part of a trilogy of prog rock-influenced Christmas albums, on the road in 1999. Lewis had been playing the album’s single, “Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24,” on WNCX and had gotten great feedback from fans. “He said, ‘You can do a show in New York, but not in Cleveland?’ So he nagged me to death,” O’Neill says of Lewis. “Turns out, he was right. The first show sold out in four hours.” The group then added another Cleveland show and that sold out. A third was added. It also sold out. Cleveland-based Belkin Productions also booked gigs in Detroit, New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. With the exception of Chicago, each show exceeded expectations. The following year, the band hired Elliot Saltzman to be its tour director as it expanded to about 30 shows with two different installations traipsing across the country. That incarnation of the tour had a good 13-year run before O’Neill decided to mix things up, often playing new albums in their entirety while still incorporating the “hits.” Now, it’s consistently one of the highest grossing tours in the world. In its 19-year history, TSO has played more than 1,600 shows for more than 11 million fans, officially making it one of the world’s biggest arena rock acts. For the past several years, the band’s winter tours have consistently ranked in the Top 10 for attendance and grosses; back in 2009, Billboard called it one of the “Top Touring Artists of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 49 ►
ON SALE NOW! sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 47
48 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
ETC.
strapped across his chest. He unleashes one meaty riff after another Decade.” Last year’s 2014 Winter Tour while a tender Christmas tune featuring grossed more than $51 million in 52 children singing plays over the house days; it played to nearly one million fans. PA. Huge flames shoot from the This year’s “Ghosts of Christmas rear of the stage as a crew of sound Eve” production will hit 60 cities guys hovers over mixing boards and across North America to perform computers, adjusting the sound levels 100 shows. Based on TSO’s multiand positioning the tresses near the platinum DVD and long-running PBS arena’s roof. “Freebird!” yells one fundraiser, the concert follows the roadie, causing O’Neill to break into a journey of a young runaway who, smile. And when the crew cranks up the on Christmas Eve, breaks into an pyro, O’Neill responds favorably. “Fuck, abandoned vaudeville theater seeking yeah!” he screams. shelter from the cold. She then “TSO is all about walking out of the experiences “ghostly visions” from show and saying, ‘That’s the best show that concert hall’s past. I’ve ever seen,’” he says. “The The band will also play past firepower we have out there is Trans-Siberian hits such as “Christmas Orchestra “Ghosts of unparalleled. We spend in the Christmas Eve” Tour Eve Sarajevo 12/24,” “O’ millions of dollars for lighting $44.75-$73.00 Come All Ye Faithful,” and pyro. For us, it’s full 3 & 8pm Sat, Dec. 19 “Good King Joy,” “Christmas AT&T Center blown. It’s a risk, though not Canon,” “Music Box Blues,” 1 AT&T Center Parkway so much now that we have a (210) 444-5000 “Promises to Keep” and dedicated fan base. But these attcenter.com “This Christmas Day” during are lighting and pyro effects the two-hour concert. that people have never seen before. The current show also features a You will never see this many lasers in new high-definition video screen that’s your life. At one point, it looks like the about the size of half a football field. whole stage is morphing and coming The production involves 40 trucks, 20 off its tracks and moving toward you. buses, 240 touring personnel, 276 local It’s an onslaught. It’s visual and sensual stagehands per date, 256 rigging points, experiences you’ve never had before. 256 one-ton motors, 1,248 intelligent It’s like putting on a new dress.” lighting fixtures, 36 full-color lasers, Saltzman concurs as he watches a including audience scanners, 6,352 video dress rehearsal of the 140-minute show panels, 1,552 pyrotechnic effects, 596 come to an end. flame/fire modules, 112 speaker boxes “This passes the shiver test,” he says and four mixing boards (the boards alone emphatically, pointing at the stage. “If cost a total of one million bucks). you get the shivers from the singing As a dress rehearsal of the current and then the shivers from watching show commences, which O’Neill says the production, it’s the double shivers. hearkens back to TSO’s beginnings, And if you have that, then you have the O’Neill arrives on stage, black guitar audience in the palm of your hand.” ◄ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 46
sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 49
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TUESDAY IS $3 PINT NIGHT ON A SELECTION OF MORE THAN 20 DRAFT BEERS! OPEN SAT-SUN AT NOON FOR SUNDAY FUNDAY AND FOOTBALL!
50 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
MUSIC
YOU REALLY CAN LIVE BY THE SWORD But you might die poor JAMES WOODARD
•
DEC 19 – CHARLIE ROBISON SANDY CARSON
The Sword: T-shirts? How level one of you.
DEC 26 – WILLIAM CLARK GREEN
Austin’s The Sword have been own Iron Swan Beer, brewed by fellow blowing out eardrums and Austinites Real Ale Brewing Co. giving stoned teenagers dopeThe band’s newest record, High visions of dragon-slaying conquests, Country’s Collector’s Edition Bundle Amazonian warrior women with a even comes with a stash box, dugout, bloodlust only the edge of their blades one-hitter, rolling papers and grinder; can satisfy, and THC-fueled space just to make sure every time you light travel to far off nebulae since the midup, some stoner-rock riff from beyond 2000s. our realm of understanding gets The band’s full-length debut, Age of beamed into the pleasure-centers Winters, took off like a flaming arrow of your brain. Ironically enough, and pierced its way into the armored High Country seems like the band is chest plates of metal fans the world attempting to reel back, or shed off, over. Since these humble beginnings, some of the well-tread tropes of the the band’s popularity has exploded, stoner rock genre and introduce more sparking tours with Metallica, classic rock and bluesy elements, Lamb of God, Machine Head and including multi-part harmonies and Clutch, appearing on your Xbox and a guitar tone that has way more PlayStation — thanks to Guitar Hero breathing room. This time around — and contributing to the soundtracks there’s probably just as much Blue of comic book movies that someone, Öyster Cult as there is Black Sabbath. somewhere has to give a shit about, While the songs will never surprise right? You can tear up the trailer park you (High Country makes you think with your LARPing buddies on your you’re some sort of oracle; some of the The Sword BMX bike, or even slather riffs are so predictable you see them The Sword hot sauce on your favorite coming a mile away), it’s a solid genre slain beast’s tender hindquarters, record and is in no way horrible, but cooked on a spit in the it does come across as a bit darkest enchanted forest middle-of-the-road. The Sword with night. You, your Dungeon The Sword’s performance at Royal Thunder Master and your fellow the Paper Tiger on Friday should $18 8pm Fri, Dec. 18 adventurers can wash the hold you over until Uncle Acid Paper Tiger fiery concoction-infused flesh 2410 N. St. Mary’s St. make their way ‘round these down with The Sword’s very parts of the shire. papertigersa.com
DEC 31 – WADE BOWEN
MARCH 25 & 26 – RANDY ROGERS BAND WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
APRIL 8 – DWIGHT YOAKAM
14492 Old Bandera Rd Helotes, TX (210)695-8827
For tickets: liveatfloores.com
sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 51
MUSIC
SAT
Esta Semana Dec. 16
8-10pm • Ruben V
Dec. 17
6 - 7:30pm • Billy Kiesel
Dec. 18
7 - 9pm • West Kings Highway 9 - 11pm • Shady Rest Band
Dec. 19
9 - 11pm • Brian Wolff Duo
Dec. 20
1 - 5pm • El Westside Sound
System and Friends
Go to sanchosmx.com for full listings
s
ma y a n i cant
628 Jackson St | 210-320-1840
19
Cop Warmth
My memories of Houston’s “most hated” band are pretty fuckin’ hazy. Having played several shows with them almost a decade ago at the now-defunct 180 Grams and a dive in H-Town called the White Swan, I remember lots of boxer shorts (and only boxer shorts), bodily fluids, terrible alcohol and a drummer named Zlatan who swung wildly — dismantling his kit in the process — connecting with the audience more often than his cymbals. The rickety construction of their music worms into your head holes like the burn of a skateboard wipeout on molten Texas asphalt, or a flag bonfire with lighter fluid functioning as the incendiary provocateur and beverage of choice. As a spectator, making it through a show was as much a treat of punk carnage as it was a source of pride, most people taking several looks at the band and the rugby scrum of their set and turning tail. If feedback was a viable nutrient, to witness a Cop Warmth show would be like gorging on the dingiest blister buffet; stuffed to the gills on white noise and razor-burned distortion. Gosh, I hope they remember me. With Body Pressure and Colonia. $5, 8pm, Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersa.com –dtbuffkin@sacurrent.com
Wednesday, December 16
Alamo Lounge Sessions feat. Anonymous Henchmen The San Anto-based band should pull an Airheads and hold a radio station and its douchey DJs hostage until they are signed to a record deal, their tunes fit so well in the 99.5 KISS canon. Alamo Lounge at Alpha Media, 6pm Hinder If Anonymous Henchemen decide to go through with the radio station sabotage described above and they have to alchemistically remove one band from the playlist of 99.5 FM, Hinder isn’t a bad choice. With Saving Abel, Within Reason and Ages Apart. Aztec Theatre, 7pm
Sandpaper Sally with The Sandworms The driving blues instrumentation of Sandpaper Sally keeps you from missing the vocals. Surf the crimson waves of a hellish sci-fi soundscape with The Sandworms. The Mix, 10pm
Friday, December 18
Antique Sunlight The brush-drummed, honky-tonk house band of whatever hip-ass parlor Lou Reed attended when he visited the Southwest. With Collective Dreams, Elena Lopez and Austin Jimison. Imagine Books & Records, 8pm
Kottonmouth Kings Their mouths are dry because of all the weed they smoke. Get it? In their 18-year run, the Kottonmouth Kings have produced enough stoner jamz to be held in the high company of Snoop, Cypress Hill and Willie. With CB4 and Chucky Chuck. The Korova, 7pm
Cas Haley “The runner up on Season 2 of America’s Got Talent” is a depressing thing to read on so many levels. Cas Haley is best known for this designation, but his voice and reggae vibe are beyond a pedantic prime time talent show. Sam’s Burger Joint, 9pm
Lucas Jack Jack writes tunes in the wheelhouse of Scrubs alumni and Garden State writer/director/soundtracker Zach Braff. Perfect for graduations, depressing “real job” searching and other highly emotional, coming-of-age white kid moments. Gruene Hall, 6pm
Gay Sportscasters Fronted by Dwight Yoakam’s darker, punker, younger brother, Gay Sportscasters is Jeff Smith’s ticket off the farm. He ambles over the cattle guard of The Hickoids and settles into a gas-guzzling landboat next to a bee-hived tranny. With Harvey McLaughlin & the Bottomfeeders. The Mix, 11pm
Mt Eden In the age of the remix – a reworking of a hip-pop hit with added rhythmic and melodic elements, functioning as its own work – the New Zealand duo of Mt Eden are heralded viral masterminds. Lush Rooftop, 10pm
Thursday, December 17
Elf The Musical Relive the musical charm of the Will Ferrell comedy that made a mainstream star out of the blue-eyed 52 CURRENT • December 16—December 22, 2015 • sacurrent.com
hipster pinup with the velvet voice, Zooey Deschanel. Cameo Theatre, 7:30pm
Metal Shop If reruns of Rock of Love starring Bret Michaels and his weave aren’t enough to assuage your hunger for teased hair, oddly shaped neon guitars and dudes in poorly applied makeup, Metal Shop will make you regret those expensive Rock of Ages tickets. The Falls Bar, 9pm Mobley Disaffected and nonchalant, Mobley’s “Swoon” is a piecemeal
MUSIC
concoction of a pop hit, melded together from slightly unidentifiable bars of previous pop gold. Limelight, 9pm Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue Get the Soul Train line together for NOLA’s pop king of the bone. I’m dancing in bed as I type this. Gruene Hall, 8pm
Saturday, December 19
37th Annual Tubameiseter Christmas Functioning as a cultural lynchpin between Mexico and Central Europe, the Tuba carries special significance in San Antonio and la frontera. It also makes wicked awesome fart sounds. Arneson River Theater, noon Basketball Shorts Basketball Shorts' “Magic Legs” could be an undiscovered Adolescents B-side; the anthem of a poppunk pep rally in which the cheerleaders all look like Paul from The Wonder Years. With the Be-Helds. Hi-Tones, 10pm Canvas People The O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack as done by reformed emo kids. In the red dirt and rustcolored vein of nü-busking groups like Mumford & Sons and the Avett Brothers. 502 Bar, 9pm Casey Donahew Band The aw-shucks odes to a romanticized version of every trailer park aphrodite Jaime Pressly has ever played. Gruene Hall, 8pm Girl in a Coma with Alyson Alonzo The star of Open Mic Monday at Limelight moonlights in some little group from around the way. SA’s chanteuse-foryour-caboose preps herself for bigger things under the wing of one of our most succesful bands. With The Bolos. Paper Tiger, 7pm Guy Forsyth & Carolyn Wonderland Holiday Roast Show Guy Forsyth should change his name to Guy That Comes Down The Chimney To Deliver Presents To Good Boys And Girls Annually, to match the seasonal enthusiasm of “Carolyn Wonderland,” if only for the holidays. Sam’s Burger Joint, 9pm Kill Liberal and American Swine Why reinvent the wheel? Straight ahead punk rock, recorded and played poorly. Is that a bad
thing? With Lemmings, Dead Weight and Kyle Nichols. Ten Eleven, 9pm Pale Dian, Calico Club and Massiver A night of dark-disco, hearse-bumping dance for the downtrodden. But you don’t have to be sad about it. La Botanica, 9:25pm Rivers Want Nineties freestyle as heard through Game Boy speakers. With Voodoo Boogaloo. The Mix, 11pm Televangelist and Levees SA/ATX act Televangelist blends post rock and a light hue of emo with progressive guitar shredding. Levees combine booming, blues riffs with sultry pop sensuality. With Sunrise & Ammunition, Sioux & Fox, Ion, Cliffside of the Pinkeyed Sky. Jack’s Patio Bar, 7pm
Sunday, December 20
Backbones The Beach Boys have been pulled out by the undertow and got stoned on some coral reefer. Oh wait, it’s Backbones. With Rattlesnake Milk, Antique Sunlight and Ziemba Hi-Tones, 9pm The Band of Heathens The transformation of Austin from “weirdest” big town in Texas to perpetual corporate retreat is made manifest in the city slicker country music of The Band of Heathens, to me. Sam’s Burger Joint, 8pm Massiver Take the sparse, breathy soundscapes of dark Hollywood auteur David Lynch with the arpeggiated, minimalist punk brilliance of Suicide and you’re in the same area code as Massiver. With Troller and Trip the Light. K23 Gallery, 8pm
Monday, December 21
Ryan Scott Travis Ryan Scott Travis does bluegrass for the coffee shop. Floore’s Country Store, 7:30pm
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Joseph King With an exceptional ear for melody and spacey instrumentation, King has a sound all his own: X-Files pop. I can forgive the Bono-ness of “Velvet Skin” because of the brilliant church organ texture. 502 Bar, 9pm
502 Bar 502 Embassy Oaks Drive, (210) 257-8125, 502bar.com Alamo Lounge at Alpha Media 4050 Eisenhauer Road, (210) 658-5100, llloungesa.com Arneson River Theatre 418 Villita St., (210) 207-8614 Aztec Theatre 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355 theaztectheatre.com Cameo Theatre 1123 E. Commerce St., (210) 212-5454, cameotheatre.org Floore’s Country Store 14492 Old Bandera Road, (210) 695-8827, liveatfloores.com Gruene Hall 1281 Gruene Road, (830) 606-1281, gruenehall.com Hi-Tones 621 E. Dewey Pl., (210) 573-6220, hitonessa.com Imagine Books & Records 8373 Culebra Road, (210) 236-7668, imaginebookstore.com Jack’s Patio Bar 3030 Thousand Oaks Drive, (210) 4942309, jacksbarsa.com K23 Gallery 703 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 776-5635, facebook.com/K23Gallery La Botánica 2911 N. St. Mary’s St., vivalabotanica.com Limelight 2718 N. St. Mary’s St., thelimelightsa.com Lush 4553 N. Loop 1604, (210) 858-9028, facebook.com/lushrooftop Paper Tiger 2410 N. St Mary’s St., papertigersa.com Sam’s Burger Joint 330 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-2830, samsburgerjoint.com The Falls 226 W. Bitters Road, (210) 490-5553, thefallsbar.com The Korova 107 E. Martin St., (210) 226-5070, thekorova.com The Mix 2403 N St. Mary’s St., (210) 735-1313 , The Ten Eleven 1011 Avenue B, (210) 320-9080, theteneleven.com
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I’m a single straight guy and this is probably going to sound really stupid, but … I basically stumbled over the cuckold fetish and I can’t get it out of my mind. I’ve tried to stay away from it because I’m pretty sure you aren’t supposed to feel like garbage after enjoying porn. But I can’t get it out of my head. It’s worrying, since I fear that one day it might end up spoiling things when I fall in love with someone since I’m a bit of a jealous person. The idea of a cheating woman is really hot in spite of all of that. But there’s this lingering feeling of disgust surrounding the whole thing. Is it possible to have a fetish you hate? Baffled About Romantic Future Don’t you just hate it when someone leaves a fetish sitting on the steps and then you come along and stumble over it and — bam! — you fall and hit your head and when you come to you’ve got a brand-new fetish? Yeah, no. We don’t know exactly where people’s fetishes and kinks come from — how or why someone’s erotic imagination snaps on an inanimate object (high heels, leather gear, rubber masks) or a particular sexual scenario (cuckolding, role-play, outdoor sex) — but we can safely say that people don’t stumble into their fetishes or kinks. Forgive me for being a pedantic asshole, BARF — I’m sure you didn’t mean you literally stumbled over a cuckold. But misinformed, sexnegative, kink-negative pornophobes
SAVAGE LOVE by Dan Savage
routinely talk about fetishes and kinks— and fetish/kink porn — like a moment’s exposure can transform an innocent person with purely vanilla tastes into a horned-up, slobbering, gimp-outfitwearing kink monster. And that’s not the way it happens. So what did happen to you, BARF? You found some cuckold porn online, and your dick said: “DUDE. THIS IS IT. THIS IS WHAT WE’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR. RUN WITH THIS.” Your particular kink was already in there somewhere, already rattling around in your erotic subconscious, but you couldn’t articulate it—it didn’t take shape — until you finally “stumbled over” the images and narratives you were looking for all along. And your kink, like the kinks of so many other people (see SEAN’s fiancée, above), seems to be grounded in insecurity and fear — you’re the jealous type, you fear being cheated on, and your erotic imagination/reptile brain took your fears and spun them into a kink. Congrats. On to your question: Yes, you can have a fetish you hate, i.e., you can have a kink you don’t want to act on because the fantasy can’t be realized for moral or ethical reasons (it involves children, nonconsensual acts, Donald Trump) or because you’re fairly certain doing so would suck for emotional or physical reasons (potentially traumatizing, physically dangerous, Donald Trump). But if your only issue with your kink are those lingering feelings of disgust, BARF, those feelings may diminish the more time you spend thinking/ jacking about your newly revealed kink. Time will determine if your feelings of disgust are merely your run-of-the-mill, beneficial-to-overcome kink negativity or if they’re a sign cuckolding should remain a go-to masturbatory fantasy for you, BARF, without ever become a cheating-womawn reality. On the Lovecast, Peter Staley on the benefits and dangers of PrEP: savagelovecast.com. mail@savagelove.net @fakedansavage on Twitter
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PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A DIABETES STUDY!
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Answer on page 23
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“Two-Way Streets” — hey, look where you’re going! ACROSS
1 Widescreen medium 5 DJ Kool ___ (hip-hop pioneer born Clive Campbell) 9 College football coach Amos Alonzo ___ 14 Blarney Stone land 15 Like much family history 16 Spanish citrus fruit 17 “Author unknown” byline 18 City south of Tel Aviv 19 Adult insect stage 20 Tribal carving depicting the audience for a kids’ show street? 23 Part of TMZ 24 More than just clean 25 Storm warnings 28 Macy Gray hit from the album “On How Life Is” 29 “Cold Mountain” star Zellweger 30 Amos with the album “Little Earthquakes” 31 Beach bucket 35 “Look out, bad generic street, my show’s on the air!” 38 Lindsay Lohan’s mom 39 Hose problem 40 Chair designer Charles 41 Incandescent light bulb depiction (because I have yet to
see a CFL bulb depict one) 42 Philadelphia hockey team 43 Follow-up to “That guy’s escaping!” 47 “Buena Vista Social Club” setting 48 Financial street represents a smell-related statute? 53 Came to a close 54 Nick Foles’s NFL team 55 “Hawaii Five-O” setting 56 Bothered constantly 57 Bendable joint 58 “JAG” spinoff with Mark Harmon 59 Mozart’s “___ Alla Turca” 60 Lawn sign 61 Acquires
DOWN
1 ___ index 2 “The Flintstones” pet 3 Harness race pace 4 Home to the world’s tallest waterfall 5 Hulk and family 6 Take out 7 Completely destroy 8 School excursion with a bus ride, perhaps 9 Oscar the Grouch’s worm friend
10 Kitchen noisemaker 11 Big name in violins 12 “Diary of a Madman” writer Nikolai 13 $1,000 bill, slangily 21 Device needed for Wi-Fi 22 Heart chambers 25 Street ___ 26 Jeans manufacturer Strauss 27 “Come ___!” 28 Ancient Greek region 30 Signs of a quick peel-out 31 Just go with it 32 “Paris, Je T’___” (2006 film) 33 “Skinny Love” band Bon ___ 34 Word in an express checkout lane which annoys grammarians 36 ___ Ababa, Ethiopia 37 Nellie of toast fame 41 “There was no choice” 42 Sweated the details 43 Go blue 44 “So much,” on a musical score 45 “Here we are as in ___ days ...” 46 Respond to a charge 47 Caravan member 49 It means “one-billionth” 50 Lingerie trim 51 Take ___ (lose money) 52 Chicken
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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY by Rob Brezsny ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19):
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): The English
The Neanderthals were a different human species that co-existed with our ancestors, homo sapiens, for at least 5,000 years. But they eventually died out while our people thrived. Why? One reason, says science writer Marcus Chown, is that we alone invented sewing needles. Our newborn babies had well-made clothes to keep them warm and healthy through frigid winters. Neanderthal infants, covered with ill-fitting animal skins, had a lower survival rate. Chown suggests that although this provided us with a mere one percent survival advantage, that turned out to be significant. I think you’re ready to find and use a small yet ultimately crucial edge like that over your competitors, Aries.
word “fluke” means “lucky stroke.” It was originally used in the game of billiards when a player made a good shot that he or she wasn’t even trying to accomplish. Later its definition expanded to include any fortuitous event that happens by chance rather than because of skill: good fortune generated accidentally. I suspect that you are about to be the beneficiary of what may seem to be a series of flukes, Leo. In at least one case, though, your lucky break will have been earned by the steady work you’ve done without any fanfare.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Artist Robert Barry created “30 Pieces,” an installation that consisted of pieces of paper on which he had typed the following statement: “Something which is very near in place and time, but not yet known to me.” According to my reading of the astrological omens, this theme captures the spirit of the phase you’re now entering. But I think it will evolve in the coming weeks. First it’ll be “Something which is very near in place and time, and is becoming known to me.” By mid-January it could turn into “Something which is very near and dear, and has become known to me.”
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): ”There is in every one of us, even those who seem to be most moderate, a type of desire that is uncanny, wild, and lawless.” Greek philosopher Plato wrote that in his book The Republic, and I’m bringing it to your attention just in time for your Season of Awakening and Deepening Desire. The coming days will be a time when you can, if you choose, more fully tune in to the uncanny, wild, and lawless aspects of your primal yearnings. But wait a minute! I’m not suggesting you should immediately take action to gratify them. For now, just feel them and observe them. Find out what they have to teach you. Wait until the new year before you consider the possibility of expressing them.
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): Congratulations! You have broken all your previous records for doing boring tasks that are good for you. In behalf of the other eleven signs, I thank you for your heroic, if unexciting, campaign of self-improvement. You have not only purified your emotional resources and cleared out some breathing room for yourself, but you have also made it easier for people to help you and feel close to you. Your duty has not yet been completed, however. There are a few more details to take care of before the gods of healthy tedium will be finished with you. But start looking for signs of your big chance to make a break for freedom. They’ll arrive soon.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): You may not have to use a literal crowbar in the coming weeks, but this rough tool will serve you well as a metaphor. Wherever you go, imagine that you’ve got one with you. Why? It’s time to jimmy open glued-shut portals ... to pry loose mental blocks ... to coax unyielding influences to budge ... to nudge intransigent people free of their fixations. Anything that is stuck or jammed needs to get unstuck or unjammed through the power of your willful intervention.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): The coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to consort with hidden depths and unknown riches. In every way you can imagine, I urge you to go deeper down and further in. Cultivate a more conscious connection with the core resources you sometimes take for granted. This is one time when delving into the darkness can lead you to pleasure and treasure. As you explore, keep in mind this advice from author T. Harv Eker: “In every forest, on every farm, in every orchard on earth, what’s under the ground creates what’s above the ground. That’s why placing your attention on the fruits you have already grown is futile. You can’t change the fruits that are already hanging on the tree. But you can change tomorrow’s fruits. To do so, you will have to dig below the ground and strengthen the roots.”
gemstones. Wherever you find garnets near the surface of the earth, you can be reasonably sure that diamonds are buried deeper down in the same location. Let’s use this relationship as a metaphor for your life, Sagittarius. I suspect you have recently chanced upon a metaphorical version of garnets, or will do so soon. Maybe you should make plans to search for the bigger treasure towards which they point the way.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Ready for the Cool Anger Contest? You can earn maximum points by expressing your dissatisfaction in ways that generate the most constructive transformations. Bonus points will be awarded for your ability to tactfully articulate complicated feelings, as well as for your emotionally intelligent analyses that inspire people to respond empathetically rather than defensively. What are the prizes? First prize is a breakthrough in your relationship with an ally who could be crucial to your expansion in 2016. Second prize is a liberation from one of your limiting beliefs.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): A fourth-century monk named Martin was a pioneer wine-maker in France. He founded the Marmoutier Abbey and planted vineyards on the
surrounding land. According to legend, Martin’s donkey had a crucial role in lifting viticulture out of its primitive state. Midway through one growing season, the beast escaped its tether and nibbled on a lot of the grapevines. All the monks freaked out, fearing that the crop was wrecked. But ultimately the grapes grew better than they had in previous years, and the wine they produced was fabulous. Thus was born the practice of pruning, which became de rigueur for all grape-growers. What’s your equivalent of Martin’s donkey, Aquarius? I bet it’ll exert its influence very soon.
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): “The deepest urge in human nature is the desire to be important,” said educator John Dewey. If that’s true, Pisces, you are on the verge of having your deepest urge fulfilled more than it has in a long time. The astrological alignments suggest that you are reaching the peak of your value to other people. You’re unusually likely to be seen and appreciated and acknowledged for who you really are. If you have been underestimating your worth, I doubt you will be able to continue doing so. Here’s your homework: Take a realistic inventory of the ways your life has had a positive impact on the lives of people you have known.
THIS MODERN WORLD by Tom Tomorrow
SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): In the coming weeks, the pursuit of pleasure could drain your creative powers, diminish your collaborative possibilities, and wear you out. But it’s also possible that the pursuit of pleasure will enhance your creative powers, synergize your alliances, and lead you to new opportunities. Which way will you go? It all depends on the kinds of pleasures you pursue. The dumb, numbing, mediocre type will shrink your soul. The smart, intriguing, invigorating variety will expand your mind. Got all that? Say “hell, no” to trivializing decadence so you can say “wow, yes” to uplifting bliss.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): Garnets are considered less valuable than diamonds. But out in the wild, there’s an intimate connection between these two
sacurrent.com • December 16—December 22, 2015 • CURRENT 59
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