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CONTENTS March 11-17, 2015
12 NEWS
40 SCREENS
59 MUSIC
Undead On Arrival Aspiring SA filmmaker’s Hollywood dreams vanish as his ambitious zombie flick leaves behind a trail of lies
SXSW By Way Of SA Our rundown of films with San Antonio connections screening in Austin
Slow-Cooked Country Years in the making, El Campo’s Remember is an Americana effort worth the wait
43 FOOD
The (Heavily Branded) Cup Runneth Over The growing phenomenon of the SXSW spillover in San Antonio
Dangerous Greenways Amid random acts of violence and repeated car breakins, San Antonio may call for unprecedented beefedup security measures Dreams Deferred? Following an unexpected legal roadblock, it’s back to a waiting game for immigrants hoping for legalization
28 CALENDAR
Our top picks for the week
37 ARTS Choose Your Own Adventure Kim Beck takes Art in the Garden in a new direction with “One Way Trail” Twilight On The Plaza A review of local author Marian Martinello’s new novel Chili Queen
10 CURRENT • March 11-17, 2015 • sacurrent.com
Restaurant Business 101 Break Fast & Launch offers the first culinary entrepreneur training of its kind
Monthly Modular Music Over a year in, the Electronic Exhibition provides a space for computer musicians to rock out
Lunchtime Snob No buffets here — we visit Taste of India for speedy service
Music Calendar What to see and hear this week
Flavor File Bacon Fest at Central Market, more brunch options and farmers markets galore
71 ETC
53 NIGHTLIFE Sudsy Success Alamo Beer Company’s got a new home and three new brews to sip Keeping Tabs Find out which vino to pair with that spicy curry
Savage Love Free Will Astrology Jonesin’ Crossword This Modern World
ON THE COVER
Illustration by Nick Sadek Art direction by Eli Miller
sacurrent.com • March 11-17, 2015 • CURRENT 11
NEWS
KIKO MARTINEZ
UNDEAD ON ARRIVAL Aspiring San Antonio Filmmaker’s Hollywood Dreams Vanish As His Ambitious Zombie Flick Leaves Behind A Trail Of Lies KIKO MARTÍNEZ
It all began after church. In Sin City, of all places. For young Ramiro Avendano, those Sunday afternoons with his grandmother, huddled inside a movie theater taking in double features, was when he began falling in love with film. Avendano’s enthusiasm for cinema grew as he grew up. He found his own creative outlet when he started making short films with his friends with his family’s clunky video camera. “We made movies on our free time,” Avendano recalled. “We would build model spaceships and play Star Wars and pretend we were the heroes.” But to many members of the San Antonio film community, he’s turned out to be the villain of his own story. A film project he spearheaded has created deep-seated controversy and animosity among his peers. Instead of launching him into a directing career culminating with a shot at Hollywood, Avendano’s Zombie Reign ended up dead on arrival. The ambitious horror flick, seven years in the making, is unlikely to ever see the light of day and has left Avendano fending off accusations of engaging in unethical, unprofessional and possibly illegal actions. Avendano was born in San Antonio in 1970, but he moved with his mother when he was still a baby to Las Vegas, where most of his relatives lived. Years later, after several moves back and forth between SA and Vegas and limited by a lack of a college degree, he remained 12 CURRENT • March 11-17, 2015 • sacurrent.com
Aspiring SA filmmaker Ramiro Avandano is accused of adopting a Superman complex in directing his would-be signature movie, Zombie Reign.
unsure what he wanted to do with his life. John Lopez has known Avendano since they were 12. They went to Las Vegas High together in the late ‘80s. They still see each other occasionally when Avendano goes back to visit. Not that Lopez seems to think particularly highly of his lifetime buddy. Or perhaps more like he’s come to accept his troublemaking ways. “I always knew what kind of character Henry was,” Lopez said, using Avendano’s childhood nickname. “He was the type of person that would steal tips off the table when we would go out to eat so he wouldn’t have to pay for his food. I don’t think he’s ever changed.” Eventually, Avendano finally decided to make a go of his filmmaker career. He dug up a short story he had written back in high school to try to develop it into a
full-fledged movie script. Thus Zombie Reign was born. “It was like my dream was taking form,” Avendano told the San Antonio Current in one of several interviews in February. A pause and a sigh later, his next words foreshadowed the debacle of his high-stakes project — as well as his cinematic career. “Maybe I bit off more than I could chew,” he uttered.
Pipe Dreams Rochelle Dernbach met Avendano in 2011 when they were both living in Las Vegas. She was 18 then. Avendano, 41 at the time, found her through Facebook, recruiting her for his fledgling movie. A self-described theater geek, Dernbach was tempted by the possibility of making
a name for herself. She agreed to meet Avendano to talk about taking the lead female role. Turned out she wasn’t the first nor the sole person offered that gig. But she didn’t know that at the time. All she cared about was getting her big shot, slated to perform opposite Avendano, who was not only directing but also playing her love interest. Dernbach said he compared their on-screen relationship as “being like Hans Solo and Princess Leia from Star Wars.” She did start having second thoughts when Avendano tried to shove his tongue down her throat during rehearsal. “I was unprepared for that and was not very comfortable,” Dernbach told the San Antonio Current. “It was shocking and embarrassing.” But since they were working without a script, it’s hard to say
NEWS
Fledgling film Zombie Reign got as far as shooting promotional trailers in front of the Alamo.
whether Avendano was taking it too far. But he did pick up on her hesitation and seemed none too pleased to learn later she was dating a member of the crew. So, apparently, she paid for it. Dernbach said she was demoted from lead actress to production manager. At that point, in 2011, the project had already been in pre-production for four years as a TV series. He had auditioned and hired actors and actresses — informally, mainly promises of contracts and pay — to produce promotional footage. He told them he’d use the promos to lure investors willing to finance the show and then hopefully sell it to a network. Although no investors ever gave him money during that time, Avendano, who didn’t have much experience in the TV or film industry, moved back to San Antonio in 2012, continuing to hold auditions and rehearsals. He even obtained a permit from the San Antonio Film Commission to shoot a promo in front of the Alamo — a controversial move, with people complaining that such triviality and gore disrespected the historical shrine. After three years of holding out hope that Zombie Reign would turn into something real, Dernbach — who followed Avendano to the Alamo City — finally gave up on the stagnant project. Taking a look back, she said she should have called it quits much sooner. In five years, Avendano had not raised any money and had not shot a single scene for Zombie Reign. What he had done was collect a roster-full of actors and crewmembers and promised those that stuck around that he wasn’t about to give up — hoping they wouldn’t, either. But many former Zombie Reign cast
and crew dropped out through the years, convinced there wasn’t even a movie to make and that Avendano had been stringing them all along. Apparently, he did have a gift: Making people believe he was for real. “He’s played so many mind games with everyone, it’s ridiculous,” Dernbach said. “He has a superhero complex … He would even refer to himself as the ‘Tan Superman.’”
turned rehearsals into personal make-out sessions, constantly demanding them to rework those scenes. Apparently, swapping spit with his actresses is but the tip of the iceberg in a long list of accusations. Perhaps the most egregious charge against Avendano is that he lied to his cast and crew when he announced that an investor from Vegas was willing to plunk down a hefty $9 million to make
(Ramiro) kept saying we needed to have more passion and more tongue so we could get the character development right. I honestly thought he was showing these videos to investors
so they could see we had chemistry. — Aly Real, one of several leading ladies cast by director Ramiro Avendano who accuse him of taking advantage of them
Funding? What Funding? She may have been front and center in the rise and fall of Zombie Reign, but Dernbach is not alone. Over the last month, an investigation by the San Antonio Current, including interviews with a dozen former and current cast members, revealed many involved in the project said Avendano shafted them. Several other young women said he
Zombie Reign. They said Avendano had them believe the movie was being fully financed by DK Productions, a seasoned film and video production company where Avendano worked as a production assistant years ago. Avendano denies assuring anyone that DK Productions was funding the film. Yet that’s precisely what he said publicly on at least a couple of occasions, such as during an interview at the Alamo City Comic Con last September with webcast AFK Show.
Avendano said that Zombie Reign “got the green light to start filming in October” and was “being funded by DK Productions.” And in a separate interview with blog Von Ormy Star in October, he said that DK Productions is “funding us to make this big budget production happen” and “for them to trust me with their money on this is amazing.” Their involvement was news to folks at DK Productions. Vice-president Kimberlie Chambers said in an interview with the San Antonio Current that she was nothing short of “mortified” after she heard Avendano’s claims. “We told him that if he was able to raise the funds for the film, we would consider producing it,” Chambers said. “But the funding never happened over the course of two years, so it was all just talk as far as we were concerned.” Chambers denies ever working out an agreement with Avendano putting DK on the hook to finance, promote, produce or distribute the film. Avendano countered that DK only backed out because of untrue rumors and innuendo surfacing about his trials and tribulations in making the film. Yet when asked if he could produce a contract or anything in writing confirming DK’s participation, he shared a text conversation with Chambers. She definitely expressed interest in the project and reiterated her call for Avendano to drum up a financial plan but she clarified he never convinced her that he had his act together. “You can’t go around saying you’re making a movie unless you have a budget or the money to actually make the movie,” CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 ►
sacurrent.com • March 11-17, 2015 • CURRENT 13
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NEWS
Director Ramiro Avendano (left and right, holding a gun) insisted his movie project was legit and he was about to secure major funding but “rumors” led to his project’s debacle.
◄ ZOMBIE REIGN, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
a miffed Chambers said. Yet that’s precisely what he did, according to various cast and crewmembers. Avendano refused repeated requests by the San Antonio Current to share names of other investors he claimed had committed to backing his movie. “It was still an undetermined amount, but they believed in us to help make it happen,” is all he was willing to say. And how did he come up with the $9 million budget, anyway? That was his “wish figure.” He said he never promised he’d raise that much, but he remained optimistic some money people could come around since he was willing to tweak the script into any format they desired. So even without any funding in place, Avendano continued to hold auditions, assuring his production team that “people were ready to invest” and that there was “enough money already in place to start filming.” He also required actors to attend free acting workshops to get them ready for callbacks and for the actual shoot. “We would have everyone work with our acting coaches,” said Cynthia Aline, Avendano’s current girlfriend, who also had a role in the film. “We were doing everything possible to set them up for success.” Andy Martin didn’t consider himself an established actor, but he had been on a handful of TV shows and independent film sets before. When he was told he would
have to take acting classes, he thought Avendano had it backwards. Plus, he said, the amateurish teachers reminded him of acting exercises he had done in middle school. “The classes were a waste of everyone’s time,” Martin said. “You
financing base, it would mean the cast and crew of 100-150 would get off volunteer status and be provided official contracts so they could begin filming and actually get paid. It seemed that moment where everyone could breathe a collective sigh
“Ramiro has never once lied to us. He has been working on this thing since he was a teenager and immersed himself into this project. He is a creator. This is his life.” — Gigi Parker Hudnell, makeup artist on Zombie Reign and supporter of the film’s embattled director, Ramiro Avendano
don’t make actors take classes after you hire them. Ramiro was a nice guy, but he had no idea what he was doing. It almost felt like I was a part of an Ed Wood movie.” But even Wood’s Plan 9 from Outer Space had a $60,000 budget in 1959. If Zombie Reign did have in fact a
of relief had finally arrived in September, after Avendano held a red-carpet event at SA’s Santikos Palladium to screen the latest promotional trailer. It was then when he announced that everyone was getting a contract. Actresses Mae McEntire and Aly Real thought it had all been worth it.
How Many Leading Ladies? McEntire became the latest iteration of leading lady, cast for the role in March. At that time, she was told contracts would be distributed within two weeks. But it didn’t happen. Avendano, in his perennially convincing ways, reassured her all was OK. “He would say things like, ‘Our investors are asking us to shoot one more scene before we can get contracts in,’” McEntire said. Real was also offered a lead role. She was cast last summer and was also told contracts were on their way. Over the following months, Real met with Avendano to repeatedly rehearse kissing scenes. Investors needed to verify that she was right for the part, she said he told her. “I remember once, there was a guy there filming us with an iPad. [Ramiro] kept saying we needed to have more passion and more tongue so we could get the character development right,” Real recalled. “I honestly thought he was showing these videos to investors so they could see we had chemistry since they were putting so much money into the production.” No matter how many leading ladies he cast or how much tongue action took place, Avendano remained steadfast: It was all about the work. The scenes had to be right. He insisted that he kept it strictly professional, never doing anything inappropriate and always making sure CONTINUED ON PAGE 17 ►
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NEWS
“bEsT tHeAtER iN aMeRiCA” - eNtErTaInMeNT wEeKlY
Ramiro Avendano still has some backers, but numerous others have turned their back on him.
◄ ZOMBIE REIGN, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
there was someone else in the room during rehearsal. His girlfriend, for one, didn’t mind. She understood steamy scenes come with the territory in the world of filmmaking. “Even Brad [Pitt] and Angelina [Jolie] had to have those kinds of screen tests before they did Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” Aline said. “That is completely normal in a production.” Lingering worries for the actresses seemed to go out the window when Avendano presented them with contracts — $30,000 for Real and $48,000 for McEntire. They looked official and all, even listing for the first time actual production dates: October 26, 2014, to January 31, 2015. “When he gave me the contract, I was like, ‘Wow, he has money!’” Real said. “It was exciting.” It lasted for all of three weeks. That’s right. After all the ups and downs, months or even years with no pay, cast and crew still didn’t get a buck. Avendano called a meeting at his home. He had some bad news: All contracts were “null and void.” That’s because his company, which he called RA Productions, was going to merge with DK Productions and create a new company to produce Zombie Reign. The move supposedly brought good news: The film’s overall budget would increase and everyone would receive new contracts with higher pay. Cue a collective roll of the eyes. He may have completely concocted
the whole story about the contracts or, again, he may have misunderstood certain conversations. Either way, perhaps not surprisingly by this point, his plan didn’t pan out. “There’s no merger. There’s no contract. There’s no nothing,” DK’s Chambers said. So did Avendano possibly break the law and commit fraud in drawing up those contracts? Maybe. According to Deena Kalai, an Austinbased entertainment lawyer, there are many issues at play. It’s no simple matter. For instance, Kalai said one decisive factor is whether “the original party to the contract may be able to assign that contract to another party — for example, if another entity is formed.” The Zombie Reign standard contract — the San Antonio Current obtained copies — did not include language about assigning it to another group. Avendano deemed the first contract null and void because of an alleged merger. But Kalai said it could be a moot point because “assigning a contract … doesn’t deem it null and void. The contract stays alive and in effect. It’s just that a new party steps into the assigning party’s shoes.” Kalai said a contract could be considered fraudulent if there is wording lying about financing being secured. Although the Zombie Reign CONTINUED ON PAGE 19 ►
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NEWS
The little flick that never could? Zombie Reign, seven years in the making, never materialized.
◄ ZOMBIE REIGN, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17
contract did not include language on financial backing, Kalai noted it remains a “grey area” because someone could also be held liable if they guaranteed financing was in place “during the negotiation of the document.”
Faithful Hang On The majority of his cast and crew eventually lost all hope of seeing the project come to fruition. So it likely comes as no surprise that Avendano has built himself quite a lengthy list of enemies — some may feel sorry for him while others liken him to a scheming scoundrel. But he still retains a tightknit posse, diehard believers and close confidantes, who continue to support him and his Zombie Reign dream. They’re not easy to find. At least not in San Antonio’s cinematic circles. Actress Gigi Parker Hudnell, a makeup artist, continues to be impressed by Avendano’s diligence as a director and screenwriter despite his lack of experience. And, in what Avendano’s critics would see as a slap to the face, she said he’s been an open book. And that he deserves credit for not being a quitter. “Ramiro has never once lied to us,” Hudnell said. “He has been working on this thing since he was a teenager and immersed himself in this project. He is a creator. This is his life.” Summer Collett, another actress still involved with the project, said Avendano has taken a beating for working his ass off and bringing him down is akin to
shooting the messenger. He has been doing everything possible to lock down financing and she doesn’t fault him for not having figured out a way to make it happen yet. So she’s more than willing to keep working gratis. “I’ve been with Ramiro for almost a year,” Collett said. “In all that time, he’s been trying to get investors involved, but it takes time. Nothing goes as smooth as you’d like, but that’s part of life. Anything worth anything in this world is worth fighting for.” Fair enough. Most people would tend to agree that standing up for what you believe in is a good thing. But at what point does a likely foible become a selffulfilling prophecy to the point where one could swear it’s a true story? It seems hard to argue that, whether completely done or not, the downfall of Avendano’s once-ambitious dream is of his own doing. If at no other point, the giveaway moment for those close to the project, as well as knowledgeable external observers, was October 26, 2014. That was the date movie production was supposed to start, as confirmed in the later-nullified contracts. But when the date came and went and the movie still sat idle, that’s when Avendano lost any remaining shred of innocence — and credibility — in many peoples’ eyes. For actor Scott Burright and many others, it proved that he intentionally misled everyone and that Zombie Reign was nothing but a charade. CONTINUED ON PAGE 21 ►
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◄ ZOMBIE REIGN, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19
“He never had any intention to make a movie or fulfill the terms of those contracts,” said Burright, who was cast along with his wife Katherine in February 2014. “There is no evidence of him planning anything. It was all a hoax.” That’s because certain steps must be taken to be ready for the first full of day filming. A basic structure needs to be in place.
Unanswered Questions Galore San Antonio film producer Ralph Lopez, who has worked on numerous projects, said a legitimate film — particularly one with a multi-milliondollar budget — can’t just come together out of the blue. It takes precise planning on every front: renting camera equipment, booking a craft services company, location scouting, hotel reservations for out-of-town talent, hiring a costume designer and countless details in between. For example, Lopez said, for director Ya’Ke Smith’s 2012 feature film Wolf, which had a budget of about $50,000, preproduction lasted eight months. Avendano’s critics argue that if Zombie Reign really was going to begin shooting in late October, why hadn’t anything been planned? And if there was a structure in place, why didn’t he disclose any of the particulars? When the San Antonio Current probed Avendano for such details, he was vague and unwilling to give specifics about pre-production. When asked about costumes for Zombie Reign, he stated that he already “had the wardrobe, which has accumulated over the years.” What about a catering company to feed his cast and crew for the three-monthlong shoot? No plan in place. “Food was coming out of my pocket or volunteers to help make it happen ... it was a team effort,” Avendano said. And on it went. Pressed for locations of rented spaces for interior shots, he said: “We were planning to film mostly outdoors. Houses and property were being donated to us.” He supposedly had A-list talent lined up. That’s at least what he went around telling people. So who were they and what kind of commitment had they made to him? He said he had
personally spoken to Ricardo Chavira — of Desperate Housewives fame — over the phone and was supposed to have a follow-up meeting in person. Never happened. And then there was Danny Glover, a known entity in Hollywood. Supposedly Avendano had “a great conversation” with him. Hard to tell how great it was, since nothing came of it. And how about city permits for filming, did he have that all squared away? He said at least one downtown SA scene would require taking out a permit. But Drew Mayer-Oakes, head of the San Antonio Film Commission, said Avendano never submitted an application for approval to shoot during the contract-specified film dates. Clearly, nothing was actually in place for production to start. “Producing a feature film isn’t something you can just throw together at the last minute,” said Lopez. “And even if you did, it’s not something you could cancel at the last minute. Film production is serious business.” Right. So was Avendano serious about getting Zombie Reign off the ground? Depends on whom you ask, but the consensus isn’t in his favor. Was he mostly a well-meaning guy with plausible ambition simply over his head? Or has he been more of a cunning, deceitful sociopath desperate for attention, particularly from the female persuasion? At moments during a series of interviews for this article, he seemed to open up to the point where one thought confession time had arrived. In one such instance, he declared the movie as “officially dead.” But just a few days later, he recanted. Despite all the hits he and his project had taken, he said he still had fight in him. He was not quite six feet under. “I’ve made my share of mistakes,” Avendano lamented. “But Zombie Reign might still have a heartbeat. It just might.” And so, apparently, he may have created yet another self-fulfilling prophecy: He has so internalized and obsessed over this movie, his life’s work, that he has actually turned into a zombie, oblivious to the real world around him. So Hollywood isn’t likely to come calling anytime soon, after all. But hey, at least he pursued his dream — too bad he had to drag so many people down in the process. sacurrent.com • March 11-17, 2015 • CURRENT 21
NEWS
DREAMS DEFERRED? Back To Waiting Game For Immigrants Hoping For Legalization TONY CANTU
Undocumented immigrants in San Antonio have been relegated to a wait-and-see approach as to their potential future as legal members of American society. The hiatus to President Obama’s legalization push caused by the ruling of a federal judge in Brownsville hasn’t stopped advocates from encouraging immigrants to get ready, hopeful the ruling will be lifted on appeal. They’re urging immigrants to keep seeking legal advice and gather paperwork for an expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) and the newly-created Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA), applications for which would’ve begun in mid-February and May, respectively, were it not for the injunction. “There’s a lot of things that we’re doing,” said Evelyn Martinez-Huron, director of legal services for Catholic Charities, a service branch of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Despite heightened anti-immigration rhetoric from conservative lawmakers, those potentially eligible for expanded protections proposed by President Obama are no longer waiting in the shadows. They seem emboldened by the most realistic chance in years to get right by the system. “They’re not afraid to say anymore they don’t have papers,” Martinez said. “They’re not looking over their shoulder.” President Obama’s directive in November expanding DACA and creating DAPA is designed to shield some 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation. The move raised the ire of conservative lawmakers, who went so far as to wage an unsuccessful attempt 22 CURRENT • March 11-17, 2015 • sacurrent.com
Immigrant advocacy groups like Catholic Charities encourage undocumented immigrants to apply for legalization, despite a legal setback.
to defund the Department of Homeland Security unless the immigration programs were discarded Obama opponents across the country are now focused on stopping the legalization programs in court, with Texas leading a multi-state coalition. They were successful in getting a temporary stop through the injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen, a Republican appointee. Obama’s fighting back by appealing the ruling. Immigrant advocates remain confident the appeal will prevail. Mehron Azarmehr, an immigration lawyer with offices in Austin and San Antonio, said it’s clear the president is in his legal right. “When you get to the substance of what was issued, it doesn’t take away from the fact of the Constitutional Supremacy Clause,” Azarmehr said, referring to the wide federal discretion of which Obama availed himself. “Immigration is one of those areas where the Constitution has given that authority, and in which states are precluded from acting.” Even if the president eventually comes out on top, it won’t happen quickly. But advocates don’t want the sense of optimism to dissipate and want immigrants to keep applying. Last week, nonprofit agency American Gateways expanded in space and staff, betting on much more work coming its way. “It was really in response to the family detention centers in Dilley and Karnes City, because we provide services to people there,” said Elizabeth Hartman, executive director of the Austin-based
agency which provides legal services to detained immigrants in South Texas. Hartman said there are 96 people on a waiting list for the expanded DACA program. To get the word out on further eligibility, the nonprofit stages informational sessions at schools churches, neighborhood associations — “any gathering more likely to have an immigrant population,” she said. For its part, Catholic Charities in San Antonio leverages its array of communications tools for maximum outreach. In addition to regular gatherings at churches to inform those affected, the group broadcasts a monthly current affairs program on Catholic TV, which lately has been dominated with discussion of DACA/ DAPA-related issues. About 150 people attended a seminar at the Guadalupe Community Center, Martinez said. She added that the agency’s doing its part to keep the pressure up and maintain the issue front and center, planning additional shows solely focused on public awareness on DACA/DAPA developments. And there’s additional outreach going on in the city’s many churches. Unlike other Texas cities where heightened anti-immigrant rhetoric has led to a frenzy of law enforcement activity designed to ensnare the undocumented, San Antonio’s more deeply established immigrant population yields a different dynamic, Martinez said. “In this community, the immigrant population is so integrated that’s is not really an issue for a lot of people and businesses,” she said.
That seems a far cry from what’s taking place farther north, as close as Austin. The Travis County Sheriff’s Office has taken an aggressive role there in weeding out the undocumented under a program dubbed “Secure Communities,” instructing local law enforcement officials to hold arrestees for a minimum of 48 hours in jail to allow time for federal immigration agents to process them for deportation. Since its inception in 2009, the program — now also temporarily suspended pending the outcome of Obama’s appeal — has resulted in roughly 5,000 deportations. At the very least — as they wait to see if they’re allowed to continue to live, work and raise their families in their adopted homeland — undocumented immigrants in San Antonio don’t share a similar level of anxiety from the rising anti-immigrant backlash, Martinez said. “People aren’t afraid to march and make their voices known,” she said. “It’s very easy to live in this community, be productive and send children to school and pursue their version of the American Dream.” That resolve is fueled by a desire to enter the fold of American society with the full blessing of the government. “It’s a shame there’s so many people who are essentially waiting to get on the tax rolls.” Until then, deferred deportation initiatives are mired in the court system while the fate of millions of immigrants hangs in the balance. For them, the quest for the American Dream has become – at least for the time being – a dream deferred.
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NEWS
ADRIANA RUIZ
DANGEROUS GREENWAYS Do We Need Cameras And Emergency Beacons Along City Trails? MARK REAGAN/@210REAGAN
From security cameras to blue light beacons, a new greenway trail security proposal has San Antonio park and fitness enthusiasts buzzing with support. But over the last decade as the city has greatly expanded its emerald ring of trails, no “direct and proactive strategy of prevention” has existed to protect people from crime, according to City Councilman Ron Nirenberg. In addition to cameras and emergency beacons, Nirenberg wants to expand trail-watch programs and launch a public awareness campaign. “We want to make sure that as we expand the linear creek-way system that we’re also building a safety strategy,” he said. The trails, however, are not lawless dens of criminal enterprise. The greenway trail system is patrolled by the San Antonio Police Department, Park Police and by neighborhood watch groups. At O.P. Schnabel Park last week, a Park Police officer made rounds through the winding trails on a four-wheeler – the same trail where just over a year ago, a random act of violence sent shockwaves through San Antonio. In December 2013, a passerby found the body of 24-year-old Lauren Bump lying in a pool of blood on the trail. A convicted felon, just a few months out of jail, was accused of stabbing the graduate student to death. It could be seen as an unusual, onetime crime, but it still lingers in Michael Lopez’s mind. Lopez, who works at nearby YMCA, said many people still run with one earphone in and one out. “Especially after all that happened,” Lopez said. “I think any security upgrades are beneficial because I’d rather be safe.” Joy Davis, a former San Antonio resident who was enjoying the park while visiting family, said she never felt danger 24 CURRENT • March 11-17, 2015 • sacurrent.com
Are we safe on city trails? Some high-profile violent crimes prompted one city leader to call for new measures to beef up security.
when biking through the trails, but she backs the move to beef up security. “I think in certain places cameras would be good, but not all throughout the trails,” Davis said, suggesting that upgrades should focus on crime hotspots. Murder in the greenways made headlines again last year. In May, the body of Russell McKinely, 29, was discovered in Salado Creek. He was killed at his apartment and dumped in the creek, which sits next to the trail. And in October, a man was found shot to death along the Medina River Greenway Trail System. So there’s definitely sufficient malfeasance along the city’s growing trail system, but police said violent encounters are not the norm. “The most predominant is petty crime,” said Javier Salazar, San Antonio police spokesman. “I don’t mean to downplay it. When it happens to you it’s the most important time in the world.” But he did clarify that by and far most police reports from the trails and parks areas are filed under the small property crime category. Edgar Gonzalez, who owns We Run San Antonio, a fitness store and running
club, said he most often hears stories of car break-ins at trailheads when people talk to him about crime in the greenway. “One of our runners didn’t lock her car door and she had everything stolen,” he said. That’s why a nuanced public awareness campaign is needed, according to Councilman Nirenberg. He saw that as the most important measure of all ideas to increase security. Gonzalez definitely embraced the idea, noting that the campaign should remind people to lock car doors, keep valuables out of sight, enjoy the trails with a group or companion and try not to be a target by being discreet with valuables. It may seem obvious, but many people seem to overlook it or think they don’t need to bother because nothing will happen to them. “The less appealing you are, the less of a chance there is to be a victim,” Salazar said. The effort is definitely in its nascent stage. Nirenberg has yet to even offer an estimate of how much his proposal would cost and how it would be funded. “I wanted to make sure that I didn’t jump to any conclusions as to what that
safety strategy should look like so that we can get robust public input on ideas and get feedback from public safety departments about what works and what doesn’t,” Nirenberg said. To come up with a price tag, the councilman said he’s having his staff look into what other cities have done, such as New York City with its iconic Central Park. Salazar said crime prevention measures are always positive but at the end of the day, taxpayers should have a say on whether they feel this is a good use of their money. “You have to weigh bang for the buck. Most things have a price tag,” Salazar said. Nirenberg said if voters choose to pay for continued linear greenway development in a referendum in May, some of that money could be put toward security. “But we need to do some things immediately up front,” he said. “I’ve talked to the city manager and believe that during the mid-year budget adjustment, we should have some options to look at.” A committee will consider the proposal and determine if it will go to city council. mreagan@sacurrent.com
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CALENDAR
FRI
13
Fed Up FILM
Fed Up might look like one of the scores of documentaries where the underlying message is that Coke and cheeseburgers are making our kids super-sized. But this film narrated by journalist Katie Couric and directed by Stephanie Soechtig gets bold when it starts pointing fingers at people besides Ronald McDonald and Tony the Tiger. Look out Michelle Obama: Your “Let’s Move” campaign might look good on paper, but Soechtig argues it’s not doing as much as it could to fight childhood obesity. The doc screens at the Botanical Garden in conjunction with Chipotle Sustainable Films. Free, 7:15pm, San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Pl., 2073250, slabcinema.com. – Kiko Martínez
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FRI-SUN
13-15
Crime and Punishment THEATER
If you were ever assigned to read Crime and Punishment, chances are you joked it was both a crime and punishment. Dostoevsky’s classic follows a down-and-out ex-student as he plots the death of an unsavory pawnbroker. Curt Columbus and Marilyn Campbell’s fastpaced theatrical adaptation intriguingly tasks three actors with portraying an array of characters. Upon its 2007 debut, The New York Times wrote, “Who would have thought that the novel no high school student has ever finished reading would make such engrossing theater?” David Rinear directs the Playhouse’s production. $12-$30, 8pm Fri-Sat, 3pm Sun, The Playhouse, 800 W. Ashby Pl., 733-7258, theplayhousesa.org. — Murphi Cook
SAT
14
Lerma’s: El Corazon del Conjunto TALKS PLUS
For more than 60 years, Lerma’s Nite Club functioned as the vibrant center of the conjunto universe, hosting the likes of Eva Ybarra and Esteban “Steve” Jordan on its compact stage and providing a puro San Anto backdrop for the film Selena and Girl in a Coma’s video for “Clumsy Sky.” Shuttered in 2010 for code violations and now under the guardianship of the Esperanza Center, Lerma’s has been designated a historic landmark. On Saturday, the nonprofit welcomes historian Susana Segura and accordionist Juan Tejeda to discuss the cherished venue’s cultural significance. Free, 10am-1pm, Rinconcito de Esperanza, 816 S. Colorado St., 228-0201, esperanzacenter.org. — Bryan Rindfuss
SAT
14
San Antonio Folk Dance Festival DANCE
Supported by the Texas Commission on the Arts, the always-eclectic San Antonio Folk Dance Festival returns to Our Lady of the Lake with a full weekend of workshops and parties rooted in traditions from around the globe. While daytime sessions attract dancers of varying skill levels, Saturday evening’s public concert wraps the best of the fest into a colorful showcase of global styles. Highlights from the 57th annual event include performances by New Orleansbased Komenka Ethnic Dance Ensemble, SA’s own Raíces de Arte Español featuring Carmen “La Chiqui” Linares and Houston’s Gazelle Turkish Dance Ensemble. $7-$15, 7:30pm, Thiry Auditorium, 411 SW 24th St., 431-3922, safdf.org. — BR
CALENDAR
SAT
14
Tango Buenos Aires DANCE
Created by composer Osvaldo Requena, Tango Buenos Aires is billed as “the most authentic and uncompromising representative of the tango.” Comprising 13 original works set to music composed by Astor Piazzolla, Aníbal Troilo, Fernando Marzán and others, the globetrotting company’s new performance The Song of Eva Perón charts a journey through the life and times of the first lady of Argentina (1946-1952). Not unlike Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita, Tango Buenos Aires’ production follows the icon’s transformation from struggling actress to the influential wife of President Juan Perón. $35, 8pm, Jo Long Theatre, 226 N. Hackberry St., 207-7211, thecarver.org. — MC
SAT
14
‘Slick’ ART
Evidenced by Los Angeles-based Institute for Figuring’s “Crochet Coral Reef” (on view at the Southwest School of Art) and local artist Margaret Craig’s haunting “Ocean Harvest” (on view at REM Gallery), ecology is a hot topic in the art world. Having grown up on the beaches of Florida, SA-based Sabra Booth counts the health of the oceans among the issues influencing her work. Inspired by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Booth’s project “Slick” has so far taken shape in the form of a satirical animation, a book printed on rubber gaskets and an installation that toured Texas in a vintage RV. Free, 7-10pm, 3rd Space Art Gallery, 141 Cassiano St., arttothethirdpower.com. — BR
SAT
14
Bush MUSIC
When Gavin Rossdale’s alt-rock outfit Bush dropped its sixth album last year (Man on the Run), it came just a few months away from the 20th anniversary of the group’s landmark debut album Sixteen Stone. And while this latest album, the band’s third release in the past 15 years, lacks the immediacy and sheer inspiration of Bush’s first outing, it improves mightily on 2011’s The Sea of Memories. As the band hits town this Saturday, fans might have a few questions. Will they play “Glycerine”? Probably. But, can they still rock a live show? Only one way to find out. $39.50-$49.50, 8pm, The Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., 226-3333, majesticempire.com. — James Courtney
TUE
17
Hip-Hop Music Festival MUSIC
Whatever you did for your most recent birthday, chances are it wasn’t half as cool as the one-night rap extravaganza Saytown rapper Guuru Sagod has cooking for his. We’re talking about a list of performers more than 20 deep — a veritable cornucopia of local hip-hop talent. Aside from the MTVu-lauded birthday boy (pictured), we are particularly excited to catch perennial Blacknote badass Kree23, uber-raunchy leftfield rap antagonists Dead the Poets, talented and passionate wordsmith Mr. Composition, seasoned battle rapper KT Da Titan and King Kyle Lee, an Alamo City Boy and creator of rad Spurs-centric bangers. $10-$15 (free before 9pm), 7pm-2am, Nesta, 122 Nogalitos St., 354-3399. — JC
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Judge Genie Wright and Brian Nienhouse
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HOSTS
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32 CURRENT • March 11-17, 2015 • sacurrent.com
CALENDAR NIGHTLIFE
FRI
13
‘Move Me’
THU
Thrown into Contemporary Art Month’s vivid mix back in 2012, the CAM Perennial exhibition tasks out-of-town curators with fishing from a vast and varied pool of San Antonio artists. As we outlined last CAM in Leslie Moody Castro’s guest column The Curator Diaries, the selection process — and sometimes even the exhibition’s theme — relies heavily on studio visits. Although she knew little about the Alamo City’s art scene, New Orleans-based curator Amy Mackie dove into it late last year when she narrowed down a list of 200 potential artists and conducted 20 studio visits. Offering a bit of a double entendre with its title, “Move Me” connects eight artists using physical movement as a visual tool as well as others creating works that “move” Mackie. Broad in its scope, the group show promises everything from conceptual video projects by Jimmy James Canales (pictured) and Jennifer Ling Datchuk to performance-based experiments by Roberto Celis and Kristin Gamez. Free, 6-9pm, Museo Guadalupe, 723 S. Brazos St., 271-3151, guadalupeculturalarts.org. — Bryan Rindfuss
Art
Art opening: “Aeon” Elisa Hernandez
and Lauren Treviño co-curate large-scale abstract paintings by Louis Vega Treviño, Jorge Puron, Ben Mata and Cande Aguilar. Free, 8-11pm Thursday; Brick, 108 Blue Star, 241-2073.
Art opening: “Ladies Night: An Exhibit by the Women of San Antonio”
Co-curated by Madison Turner and Missi Smith, “Ladies Night” celebrates the impressive works being produced by a broad range of San Antonio-based female artists, including Amada Miller, Ethel Shipton, Mira Hnatyshyn, Shannon Gowen and Cindy Palmer. Free, 5:30-9pm Thursday; Studio 455, 455 Bailey Ave., 241-0527.
Art opening: “Necrotic Black Black Swimming Pool With A Heavy Mossy Surface Film” The writings of Philip
K. Dick, the Kübler-Ross model, Henri Bergson’s concept of Duration and a grocery store lobster tank become creative fodder for this odd collaborations between artists Jeff Gibbons and Gregory Ruppe. Free, 6-9pm Saturday; Epitome Institute, 222 Roosevelt Ave., 535-0918.
Art opening: “Nine Lives III” Silkwörm’s
latest unites artists James Supa Medrano, Angie Riojas, David Shek Vega, Chelsea Von Peacock and others. Free, 7pm-midnight Saturday; Silkwörm Studio and Gallery, 1906 S. Flores St., 607-1322.
Art opening: “On the Edge of Reality” La Casa Rosa hosts a CAM reception for “On
the Edge of Reality,” a two-person show pairing painters Luis Lopez and Adrian Jesus Falcon. Free, 6-10pm Friday; La Casa Rosa Art Studio, 527 E. Dewey Pl., 542-9070.
Art opening: “Out of the Elements” Shek
Vega’s Gravelmouth brings the “colossal, unconventional” work of Dallas, Austin and San Antonio muralists (including the Sour Grapes Crew, Josh Row and Los Otros) “Out of the Elements” and into a gallery setting. Free, 7-11pm Saturday; Gravelmouth Artist Space, 1906 S. Flores St.
Art opening: “Past the Checkpoint”
Through her paintings, Harlingen native Celeste De Luna addresses the “migrant/ border experiences of women, children, and families, the social effects of documentation status and the spiritual struggle of conflicting identities.” Free, 6-9:30pm Saturday; Gallista Gallery, 1913 S. Flores St., 212-8606.
Art opening: “Scene and Unseen”
Cinnabar’s CAM exhibition features works by San Antonio artists Fernando Andrade, Hiromi Stringer and Mark Hogensen as well as Joanne Lefrak (Santa Fe), Anne Lilly (Boston) and Claude Van Lingen (Austin). Free, 6:30-9pm Thursday; Cinnabar Art Gallery, 1420 S. Alamo St. #147, 557-6073.
Art opening: “The Texas Size Breach Collaborative: From El Paso to San Antonio” More than a dozen Texas artists display large-scale prints created with the help of industrial tools and construction machinery. Free, 6-9pm Thursday; Texas A&M’s Educational & Cultural Arts Center,
12
The Temptations and The Four Tops
The landscape of American music would not be what it is today without the soulful contributions of Motown Records. And with that said, Motown Records wouldn’t be the R&B juggernaut we know today without the musical styling of The Temptations and The Four Tops. The Temptations are synonymous with the sounds of the ’60s thanks to hits like “My Girl,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” and countless others. Despite several personnel changes over the last half-century, founding and sole surviving original member Otis Williams remains the leader and has been integral in maintaining the legacy of The Temptations. Best known for the ubiquitous rom-com soundtrack staple “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” The Four Tops maintained the same lineup for decades until founding member Lawrence Payton died in 1997. The legendary quartet’s latest roster includes sole surviving original member Duke Fakir and Payton’s son Roquel. $44.50$67.50, 7:30pm, The Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., 226-3333, majesticempire.com. — Erik Casarez
101 S. Santa Rosa Ave., 784-1105.
Art Party: “Ancient to Modern” SAMA’s
Second Friday happy hour series continues with tours of the exhibition “Ancient to Modern: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics,” cocktails in the Luby Courtyard and live music by Austin-based singersongwriter K. Phillips. $5-$10, 6-8pm Friday; San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones St., 978-8100.
I Love My Brain S.M.A.R.T. Fundraiser
Currently engaged in a partnership with 600 students from Briscoe Academy, S.M.A.R.T. hosts an evening with multiple exhibitions, pop-up performances by Miniature Curiosa and Trillerhighlife Comedy Troupe, plus “brain gear” for purchase, live music and glassblowing demos. Free, 6pm-midnight Saturday; 1906 Gallery, 1906 S. Flores St., 227-5718.
Film
River Flicks: National Treasure The San
Antonio River Authority and Slab Cinema team up for an outdoor screening of director Jon Turteltaub’s 2004 adventure flick starring Nicolas Cage as a historian and amateur cryptologist in search of a lost treasure. Guests are invited to get in the treasure-hunting spirit by geocaching in the park (7pm) before the film. Free, 8pm Saturday; John William Helton San Antonio River Nature Park, 15622 FM 775, Floresville, 302-3259.
UFC 185: Pettis vs. Dos Anjos Live UFC
lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis will defend his crown for the second
time against Brazilian contender Rafael dos Anjos. Plus, the first women’s strawweight champion in UFC history, Carla “Cookie Monster” Esparza puts her belt on the line against Poland’s Joanna Jedrzejczyk. $20, 9pm Saturday; Huebner Oaks 14 (11075 I-10 W.), Santikos Embassy (13707 Embassy Row), Santikos Rialto (2938 NE Loop 410).
Theater
A Numbers Game Four actors take on
setbacks.” $10-$15, 8pm Friday-Saturday, 3pm Sunday; Jump-Start Performing Arts Center, 710 Fredericksburg Rd., 227-5867.
Serpientes y Escaleras Drawing inspiration
from the ancient Indian board game Snakes and Ladders, Serpientes y Escaleras unfolds on the set of a game show hosted by Silverio Morena and psychic emcee Saligia Jones. Lucky members of the “studio audience” will be invited on stage to compete in the game of “virtues and vices, successes and setbacks.” $10$15, 8pm Friday-Saturday, 3pm Sunday; Jump-Start Performing Arts Center, 710 Fredericksburg Rd., 227-5867.
The Addams Family Rick Sanchez directs the Woodlawn’s production of Andrew Lipp’s macabre musical inspired by cartoonist Charles Addams. $15-$23, 7:30pm Friday-Saturday, 3pm Sunday; Woodlawn Theatre, 1920 Fredericksburg Rd., 267-8388.
The Snow Queen Performing Arts San
Antonio debuts a new pop-rock adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, the coming-of-age classic that
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CALENDAR
inspired Disney’s Froz en. $18-$25, 8pm Friday-Saturday, 3pm Sunday; Performing Arts San Antonio, 15705 San Pedro, 557-1187.
Words
Antonio Ruiz-Camacho Mexican author
Antonio Ruiz-Camacho visits the Twig to read from Barefoot Dogs, his new collection of stories following a wealthy family after the patriarch is kidnapped. Free, 5-7pm Wednesday; The Twig Book Shop, 306 Pearl Pkwy., 826-6411.
Poetry, Film and James Franco San
Antonio playwright/poet Gregg Barrios leads a four-session workshop exploring the work of poets Frank Bidart, Hart Crane and C. K. Williams in the context of short films created by actor/director James Franco. $65, 6:30-8pm Tuesday; Gemini Ink, 1111 Navarro, 734-9673.
Sun Poet’s Society 20th Anniversary Celebration Poets, artists and musicians
come together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of San Antonio’s longest running weekly open-mic poetry reading. $5, 8pm Saturday; Olmos Pharmacy, 3902 McCullough Ave., 822-1188.
Special Events
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
13th Annual Wild Hog Explosion It’s
people vs. pigs as teams of two attempt to catch wild hogs and race to the finish line. In addition to the main event, Wild Hog Explosion features a runt and shoat piglet scramble, plus arts and crafts, a bicycle rodeo, music and a BBQ cook-off. $3-$7, 10am Saturday; Mansfield Park, 2886 Hwy. 16 N., Bandera, (830) 796-4447.
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Fest of Tails This free annual festival
celebrates the arrival of spring by inviting kite enthusiasts and their four-legged friends to spend a day in the park with food, live music, arts and crafts, dogs of all sizes and breeds and an air show with stunt kite flyers. Free, 9am-4pm Saturday; McAllister Park, 13102 Jones Maltsberger Rd., 212-8423.
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Foxx) hosts an evening of burlesque and drag performances by Squirrely Temple, Miss Lucky Strike, Chola Magnolia, Tencha La Jefa and many more, with proceeds benefiting Pride Center San Antonio. $10, 6-9pm Sunday; Heat Nightclub, 1500 N. Main Ave., 227-2600.
Murphy’s St. Patrick’s Day River Parade & Festival Downtown gets 6000 North New Braunfels San Antonio, Texas 78209-0069 mcnayart.org
its Irish on with the annual dyeing of the River Walk green (2pm), live music and plenty of green beer on Saturday, followed by a family-friendly festival with
food, games and a river parade (4:30pm) on Sunday. Free, noon-6pm SaturdaySunday; Arneson River Theatre, La Villita, 418 Villita St., 227-4262.
South Texas Alamo Irish Festival The
Harp and Shamrock Society’s South Texas Alamo Irish Festival takes over the UIW campus with a St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Gaelic football, vendors and performances by San Antonio Pipes and Drums, Blaggards and Inishfree Irish Dancers. $5, 11am-7pm Saturday; University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway St., 896-1598.
Zenshin Daiko Comprised of more than
50 members between the ages of 6 and 17, Maui-based taiko drumming group Zenshin Daiko performs at the Witte. $7-$10, 2pm Sunday; Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway St., 357-1900.
Talks Plus
Artist Talk: ”Confections and Fictions”
Accomplished local artists Kelly O’Connor and Jesse Amado speak about their works featured in the exhibition “Confections and Fictions.” Free, 7-9pm Tuesday; Southwest School of Art, 1201 Navarro, 224-1848.
Backstage at the McNay: Ballet from Classic to Contemporary Ballet
San Antonio’s artistic director Gabriel Zertuche and ballet mistress Amy Fote and Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts curator Jody Blake shed light on “how contemporary companies approach now-classic ballets.” Free, 6:30pm Thursday; McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., 824-5368.
SAnext Lecture Series Build San Antonio Green partners with CPS Energy and Geekdom to present this inaugural lecture in a series focused on new urbanism in downtown San Antonio. Free, but RSVP requested at JEyer@ buildsagreen.org, 6-8pm Friday; Geekdom, 110 E. Houston St., 373-6730.
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36 CURRENT • March 11-17, 2015 • sacurrent.com
ARTS
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE Kim Beck’s ‘One Way Trail’ Adds Intrigue To The Botanical Garden JAMES COURTNEY
the park, we come to appreciate the many ways there are to appreciate a single thing. Over the phone from her home in Pittsburgh, Beck spoke to the San Antonio Current last week about her vision for this installation. Tell me a bit about the concept of “One Way Trail” and how it works. People will arrive at the park and get maps that will point them to different walking tours or ‘sits’ that will give them different perspectives of the park. Or they might walk, for instance, to the South Texas trail and see a trailhead that I designed. And on that one, Richard Bennett, who’s a rancher, came and walked the trails with us and told us stories about everything from rattlesnakes to murder stories and other Texas tales. The tour then will feature audio recorded during our walk. And that’s how all of them work. So, there’s a physical and an audio component to the tours and the audio can be accessed by cell phone. For the opening, we will have several live tours, but otherwise it’ll be recorded audio. The title “One Way Trail” is meant to suggest that there are many different ways ... that each trail and story is just one way of experiencing the park. There are also some sculptural elements and signage with editorializing text. It has been an interesting process determining the voice of the signs, because it’s partially me as the artist and partially the language of the tour guides.
For this year’s incarnation of the annual Art in the Garden series, Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum and the San Antonio Botanical Garden have enlisted celebrated multi-disciplinary artist, urban reimaginer and Carnegie Mellon art professor Kim Beck. In her work Beck brings the stamp of the natural organism to synthetic creation and the order of the built world to nature’s particular prolificacy. Or, maybe, she reminds us that human beings are inextricable from nature, so our creations necessarily demand reflection through a natural lens. Her thoughtful and intellectually provocative art plays with our notions of urban and natural background noise, bringing fresh perspectives to our consciousness of the everyday. Beck’s contribution to the Art in the Garden series, a multifaceted and multi-modal installation entitled “One Way Trail,” expands on the nuances of these concerns What would you say is the overall narrative of the and involves a sacrifice of the artist’s own narrative voice piece? Is there one? to the personal whimsy of the characters that helped shape the project. The concept is simple: no one goes This is a different sort of artwork for me. It’s not a piece to a park and only experiences the park. We bring our with one, single-artist vision. I’m asking the visitors to see lives and worldviews and emotional palettes to bear on the vision of the individuals and to take a broad, egalitarian our experience of any setting. Likewise, no one trail is the view ... that no one voice or path is any more valid or right trail, no one experience is exhaustive and no one important than another. We each bring a kind of artistic understanding is complete. vision to our experience. So I’ve de-centered myself as the Through a mechanism of 16 ‘tour guides,’ several trail artist to allow multiple voices to lead the narrative. heads and a multitude of color-coded, text-embellished signs, Beck’s installation offers a plethora of alternatives How did you recruit the locals to act as guides? to the ‘predictable’ or ‘official’ trail. Complete with phone-accessible snippets of audio from interviews the I came up with a dream list of sorts, with artist did with each guide — a motley crew all kinds of folks, that included everything that includes SAY Sí art students, two dogs, a One Way Trail from a thespian troupe to a 95-year-old to a Buddhist priest, a Texas rancher and a 95-yearOpening reception: free, goat, and Blue Star found me the wonderful old SA native, among others — “One Way Trail” 5:30-7:30pm Thu, Mar 12 participants. (Note: a willing goat was located Run of show: $7-$10, 9am-5pm envisions our stories, our preferences and our daily through Jan 31 but was sadly nixed by the Botanical Garden.) desires as integral parts of our experience of SanAntonio Botanical Garden the park. By tracing the steps and thoughts of 555 Funston Pl./207-3250 What does this piece tell us about the others, here and there as they meander through sabot.org
Rancher Richard Bennett with artist Kim Beck at the Botanical Garden (top); Beck’s “NOTICE: A Flock of Signs” (above)
interplay between humans and nature? We interact with nature, but we are nature. We are inextricable from nature. Plants have histories that exist alongside with and entangled with our own. Plants and trees are cultural as well as natural. We live in these built environments, but when you break everything down, it’s all organic.
F E B R UA RY 1 8 | M AY 1 7 , 2 0 1 5
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ARTS
TWILIGHT ON THE PLAZA Marian Martinello’s Chili Queen Conjures A Night In Old San Antonio MURPHI COOK
“It all began on the plaza that never slept – my favorite place in the whole of the city. In daytime, most people on San Antonio’s Plaza de Armas, Military Plaza, were selling or shopping. After sundown, they came to have a good time.” With those words, Marian Martinello begins her conjuring of the oft-forgotten world of the chili queens of 19th-century San Antonio. Inspired by the true tales of mobile food vendors on the plaza, Chili Queen: Mi Historia follows 17-year-old Guadalupe Pérez as she attempts to use storytelling, music and a budding entrepreneurial spirit to help her family’s business thrive. Her fictional memoir is built with actual historic artifacts — maps, recipes, folklore, photographs and songs — inserted into the narrative in order to craft a lushly detailed experience for young adults and history buffs alike. A professor emeritus at UTSA, Martinello is no stranger to teaching history, but this is her first attempt at writing historical fiction. Building
a career on historic inquiry, the lifetime teacher’s previous TCU Press publications, The Search for Pedro’s Story, The Search for Emma’s Story, and the similarly themed Search for a Chili Queen: On the Fringes of a Rebozo, encourage readers to use evidence as a means to interpret the past. While at book signings for the latter, it became apparent to the author that there was an audience hungry for a full story from this world. Conceptually, Chili Queen soars as it unearths an exciting piece of the past, however, there is a bit of weakness in the execution. Overall, the novel feels formulaic: With every chapter, our young female protagonist meets a character that provides her with a piece of information to incorporate into her business. When plot points occur, they often seem forced, and with a pivotal storyline introduced and resolved in the last 10 pages, it’s clear that while Lupe’s world is rich, her journey is murky. Journey aside, Lupe’s belly is full — and Martinello taunts her readers with descriptions so vivid the aroma of enchiladas, chili and poblanos practically wafts from the pages. As a bonus, the author includes authentic recipes adapted from 1880s-era newspaper articles and the handwritten Spanish cookbook Cocina Mexicana so readers may join our heroine in the kitchen for a bit of culinary time travel. Despite some bumps in storytelling, Martinello’s historical investigation is a worthwhile read that would shine in a classroom setting. And when it’s at its best, Chili Queen paints a lamp-lit portrait of old San Antonio, complete with chili con carne cooked over an open flame, hand-rolled cornhusk cigarettes and true Texas trail driver histories. Chili Queen: Mi Historia by Marian L. Martinello TCU Press | $22.95 | 200 pp
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SCREENS
Devon Keller plays a student facing an unplanned pregnancy in Micah Magee’s film Petting Zoo.
SXSW BY WAY OF SA 7 Films With San Antonio Connections Screening In Austin KIKO MARTÍNEZ
Seven features and shorts with ties to San Antonio will screen at the 2015 South by Southwest Film Festival. Last week, the San Antonio Current spoke to each of the directors behind the films. If you didn’t buy a badge this year, there will be single-admission tickets available for festival screenings. Tickets are $10 each and go on sale 15 minutes prior to screening time. For a complete schedule of screenings, visit sxsw.com. Petting Zoo After graduating from Clark High School in 1995, director/screenwriter Micah Magee attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned degrees in Plan II liberal arts and film production. This led to a Fulbright Fellowship for Journalism in Berlin, Germany, where she studied at the German Film and 40 CURRENT • March 11-17, 2015 • sacurrent.com
Television Academy. In her first feature narrative, Magee tells the story of a San Antonio teenager facing an unplanned pregnancy and the life choices she has to make when she decides to keep the baby. “I hope the film will break some of the silence and isolation that a lot of young people, unfortunately, have to face growing up,” Magee said. “I would love to encourage everyone to look at a pregnant teen not as a burden on society or some girl who made a mistake, but as a source of enormous potential, be it as a mother or any of the other amazing things she might choose to do and be in life.” Petting Zoo, which was shot in San Antonio, was one of 18 films nominated for Best First Feature at the 65th Annual Berlin International Film Festival this past February. (Full disclosure: Current creative services manager John Mata is a producer on the film). Sir Doug and the Genuine Texas Cosmic Groove Making its world premiere in the 24 Beats Per Second section of the film festival is director Joe Nick Patoski’s feature documentary on legendary San Antonio-born musician Doug Sahm, who emerged as one of the best performers of rock ‘n’ roll, Tex-Mex, and blues when he formed the Sir Douglas Quintet in 1964 with Augie Meyers. Patoski remembers working in a small Ft. Worth record shop in the early ’70s when they got a shipment of SDQ’s album The Return of Doug
Art purchased from a vending machine is shown in Joe Couvillion’s short Art-O-Mat: The Art Machine.
Saldaña. Although the group had already put out five albums before that, it was at that moment when Patoski became a huge fan. “To see that cover where Doug is wearing his cowboy boots and a hat and drinking Big Red on that porch really just spoke to me in a way no image ever had,” Patoski said. “That album remains one of my all-time favorites because it’s Doug coming back to San Antonio after he had been in San Francisco for a while.” Darknet Delivery: A Silk Road Story In this 14-minute short, co-director/ co-writer Lacey Dorn, who grew up in San Antonio and attended Alamo Heights High School and Saint Mary’s Hall before studying at Stanford University, peers into the lives of a group of young adults who stumble across a website where ordering drugs online is only a mouse click away. It’s a film, she said, that explores “a general disconnect in our generation.” Dorn, who now calls New York City home, adds, “You can know someone intimately in the analog world and have no clue about their identity in the cyber world. Silk Road encompasses this society rich in cyber connectivity but poor in human interaction.” Luminosity and KERS Saint Mary’s Hall junior Alexia Salingaros returns to SXSW after premiering a short film last year with her sister. This time, two of her shorts were accepted into the Texas High School Shorts Competition. In the stop-motion animation Luminosity,
imaginative creatures attempt to save their dying civilization. In the documentary KERS, Salingaros follows a classmate who shares her experiences as a graffiti artist. “I thought what my friend was doing was amazing and I wanted to learn more about her,” Salingaros said. “She was on her own creative journey.” Home Loosely adapted from a short story by sci-fi author Ray Bradbury, North East School of the Arts junior Caitlin O’Brien tailors this narrative by adding a human character to her screenplay about a terminally ill girl whose artificially intelligent home is programmed to care for her during her final days. Bradbury’s original story does not include people. “Even though there were no characters in his story, I could really feel for all the little machines in the home,” O’Brien said. “It still brought me to tears at the end.” Art-O-Mat: The Art Machine During a trip with his North East School of the Arts cinema class to WinstonSalem, North Carolina, senior Jose Couvillion made this documentary on artist Clark Whittington and his collection of vending machines that contain small pieces of original art for purchase. “I really liked the idea of spreading art to the masses,” Couvillion said. “That really sparked my interest.” After high school, Couvillion plans to study film at Santa Fe University of Art and Design.
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RESTAURANT BUSINESS 101 Break Fast & Launch: Helping Entrepreneurs Avoid Common Pitfalls JESSICA ELIZARRARAS/@JESSELIZARRARAS
Sisters Silvia Alcaraz and Lupita Rivero had a tough decision to make last month. Barely a few months after opening Cocina Heritage, an interior Mexican breakfast and lunch joint specializing in pre-Columbian recipes passed down through generations, the pair learned that construction on Medina Street would continue much longer than originally expected. “When I got the email saying the streets were being worked on for five more months, we were distraught,” Alcaraz said of the construction crews that have lined Cocina Heritage’s front door since they first moved into the space. “When they closed [the street for] the first time, they said it would only be for six weeks … Then it became six months.” Even with an increase in new customers and fans visiting Cocina each month, it became clear to the sisters — they had to cut their losses and close up shop. This painful process could likely have been avoided had Break Fast & Launch been in place last year. The grant-funded program is known as a culinary business accelerator that falls under the Café Commerce umbrella. The point is to provide resources needed to launch a new venture, enhance engagement and educate entrepreneurs on all levels of business tenets — at little to no cost to them. Because one in five Café Commerce participants came from the culinary sector, President Peter French and Ryan Salts,
current director of Break Fast & Launch, applied for a grant from the federal Small Business Administration. The BFL was funded, applications were accepted through the end of November 2014 and the first cohort began its three-month business crash course in January. “It’s not about the food per se, it’s about the business,” Salts said, alluding to a dose of real talk he’s used throughout the course of the program: “Your grandmother can make the best cakes ever, and everyone might love them enough for you to want to go into business, but a) are they really that good and b) do you have the ability to do this on scale?” In order to stop folks from getting lost in the emotional moment of signing a lease, taking out loans and later failing, Salts created a curriculum based on what he thought would be the most important aspects of owning a business: real estate, accounting, marketing, business plan. Then he’d bounce the curriculum around to culinary business leaders like Charlie Biedenharn and Chad Carey of Empty Stomach Restaurant Group, Jeret Peña of Brooklynite, Stay Golden and The Last Word and Jody and Steve Newman of The Friendly Spot. Responses ran the gamut. “Everyone put [priorities] in order differently, even over the course of a conversation,” French said, “but the best answer was Chad’s, who said ‘restaurant accelerator? Have them wash dishes for 12 hours.’” Once the curriculum was set, choosing the right experimental cohort was in order. The first — BFL is planning two more in 2015 — focused on restaurants and food trucks. The second will zero in on all things beverages from bubble tea to coffee shops to bars and the third will dive into food periodicals, food tech and apps and consumer product goods. Out of a pool of 16 applicants who filled out the 30-plusquestion application, French and Salts whittled the group down to 10. From there, in-person interviews were conducted
The new BFL program may have helped Silvia Alcaraz in keeping her restaurant open.
and five cohort members were chosen to reflect the diversity of the culinary field: Maxine Dickinson of 2TheMax Catering; Jesse Torres of Mezcalería Mixtli; Cariño Cortez of the Mi Tierra Cortezes; Hitish Nathani of Bombay Salsa Co.; Alcaraz and Rivero rounded out the group. “The delineations we set at first totally blended once we picked the cohort,” French said. “We wanted to pick a cohort that was diverse enough to help set up Break Fast and Launch with a mix of teams at different places, stages, goals and it certainly worked the teams have given very different views.” Meetings were set for Monday through Thursdays with assigned lessons for the week. Mondays included a visit by either a mentor or someone familiar with the topic at hand; Tuesdays were reserved for field trips to other shops such as Cruising Kitchens, C.H. Guenther’s baking plant; Wednesdays were for 1 Million Cups presentations held at Café Commerce, where each team was asked to pitch ideas and given real-time feedback by community members and an entrepreneurial mindset course called “Who Owns the Ice House?” paid for
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by the Kauffman Foundation; Thursdays were workshop days for members to probe experts with in-depth questions in marketing, finance and accounting. As Torres put its, Break Fast & Launch helped in more ways than one. “I think it’s been more about the people I’ve met and their experiences, all the way to top level executives at HBO and USAA to people who opened restaurants just like me,” Torres says. “For us, it was knowing we were on the right path because they’d all been there before.” Aside form Cocina’s concerns over their location, the sisters learned their target audience and why accounting is just as important. They’ve since decided to refocus their efforts on catering. “In the course of this thing, they realized we need to change,” French said. “They closed the doors intentionally, instead of accidentally, to recalibrate, get themselves back in order, launch their pop-up dinner series … that was done with and intentionality that they didn’t have coming into the program.” All told, the cohort spent 15-20 hours CONTINUED ON PAGE 45 ►
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◄ FROM PAGE 43 (BREAK FAST & LAUNCH) a week together, not counting mentordriven homework, which included changing logos, prices and websites. All while running businesses and keeping full-time jobs. Take, for example, Dickinson, a 24-year-old St. Philips College student who will graduate in May with a Culinary Arts associate degree and another in restaurant management. Dickinson also works as a garde manger, or pantry supervisor, at Alamo Height’s members-only Argyle Club. During the interview process, Dickinson made a connection with fellow female businesswoman Newman, owner of The Friendly Spot, Tuk Tuk Tap Room and B & D Ice House. “Maxine was confident, commanding and organized. I love female entrepreneurs and want to empower women in business in San Antonio,” Newman said in an email interview. Newman helped Dickinson learn how to get over her fears related to pricing knowledge (“I was basically winging it before then,” Dickinson said), and when to put her foot down. “She helped me realize I had to know my business like the back of my hand, along with my message of who I am and what am I offering.” For Newman, sharing her expertise has been like reliving the early days of The Friendly Spot. But she agrees with French and Salts’ initial definition of success for the accelerator to help them succeed, even if it means taking steps back, as was the case with
Cocina Heritage. “I want them to visualize, get as close to the entrepreneur risk as possible. The reward is easy to see but, the risk never crosses your mind,” Newmain said. “You work your a** off, its thankless often and you spend and lose more money than you make in the beginning. We try to ground them so we can get to the reality of success.” She’ll share that message with Salts during this year’s South By South West in a presentation titled “Creating a New Accelerator for Culinary Business,” along with Blake Yeager, managing director of Techstars Cloud, a mentorship-driven startup network, and Celina Peña, chief program officer for LiftFund, formerly known as Acción Texas, which helps fund Café Commerce. The panel, slated for 9:30 a.m. on Monday, March 16 at Driskill Hotel, will discuss the creation, operation and challenges of this new program. “We’re the first ever. They’re the first to go through it, but nowhere else can you find a program like this based on scope,” Salts said. “Our talk will focus on how to make this happen for food and other food businesses.” Applications for the next group, which will focus on all beverage-related ventures, are still being revised. But that phase of Break Fast and Launch’s first year will launch later this spring. Do you have what it takes? jelizarraras@sacurrent.com
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Taste of India
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For those of us working on vegetable and two meats for $6.95. the city’s far North Side, we Both come with ample, presumably understand the struggle is real homemade naan, rice and khir. Meat when it comes to finding authentic local dishes include a variety of curries, tikka dining options in a sea of suburban chain masala and vindaloo (curry broth with restaurants. Finding quick, cheap, local meat and potatoes), all of which serve lunchtime grub in this non-chain desert as excellent naan dipping options. sounded like a challenge best suited for Refreshments include water, tea and Lunchtime Snob. Challenge accepted. soda in a can. There is also wine and Taste of India, nestled in your standard beer available, but probably better suited suburban strip center, offers quick for dinner. A quick peek at the dinner service, inexpensive, no-frills Indian menu reveals a line-up of appetizers, cuisine. Never at capacity, this place is seafood and specials. great for a solitary lunch or a big group. My lunch visit included chicken curry, What I can only assume was an effort chicken tikka masala, and mushroom not to distract from the food, décor is masala served on shiny stainless steel at a minimum and ambiance is created trays. I am no expert in the art of Indian solely with Bollywood films quietly food, but I do know that I am always playing in the background. There is a satisfied when I’m walking out the door. woman who acts as hostess, server, and Taste of India is generous with its naan, cashier and a man in the kitchen cooking ample protein servings in each dish and the selected dishes for the day. seasonings that are sure to warm you Although Taste of India (formerly Taste up. Even though I’m not usually a fan of Malabar) has an extensive menu of of desserts outside of American and traditional Indian vegetable and meat western European cuisine, Taste of India’s dishes, the laminated menus are marked khir has just enough sweetness to fulfill up daily to reflect the three or four items my sweet tooth at the end of the meal. from each category that will be offered. I was in and out in less than 25 Personally, it keeps me on my minutes. Although you can toes and prevents me from certainly linger if you choose Taste of India getting too comfortable with to, it’s nice to have a place 5999 De Zavala, Suite 109 a single menu item. Your plate for a sit down, authentic meal 561-4409 options are dal plus, a lentil that isn’t going to take your full 11am-2:30pm and 5-9:30pm daily soup, two veggies or one hour for lunch.
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Bacon Fest At Central Market, More Brunch Options And Farmers Markets Galore JESSICA ELIZARRARAS/@JESSELIZARRARAS
February may have been a tad skimpy, but March packs a punch with plenty of culinary events. For starters, Central Market is making my dreams come true (I have pretty simple dreams, I suppose) with Bacon Fest through March 17. The store (4821 Broadway, 368-8600) will be peppered in bacon-filled goodness, maybe even some peppered bacon. Find your bacon bliss with more than 35 varieties available to choose from – including duck.
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In brunch news, Barbaro is filling bellies with giant pancakes on Saturdays now from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (2720 McCullough, 320-2261). I’m hearing good things out of the biscuits and gravy and they also have late-night lasagna making a daytime cameo. Brunch is also being served over at SoBro Pizza Co. (1915 Broadway, Suite 100) on Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. where pesto, pancetta and egg meet to create a harmonious pie.
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The Corona Paella Challenge is back at the Pearl on March 15; get those tickets ASAP as it tends to sell out. But the celebration starts early at Gaucho Gourmet (935 Isom Road, 277-7930), which hosts its third annual Viva Paella cooking and tasting. Members of the Chef Cooperative will team up to create three different paellas from start to finish. Take in the show, taste Spanish chorizo and sample beers out of Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery. Tickets are $15 through Friday, March 13, going up to $20 at the door. This weekend is the debut of the Dignowity Hill Farmers Market at Dignowity Park (701 Nolan), which will be held every second and fourth Sunday of the month starting in April from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors include Cisneros Farms, Chuck Hernandez of Mercado O’liva and Arugula Catering, Urban Spice Farm and Amaya’s Tacos. The event will feature community groups such as SA Fit City/Mayor’s Fitness Council, the Texas AgriLife Extension, the Eastside Sprout Community Garden and the Martinez Street Women’s Center. The groups will team up to provide fitness classes, health screenings, gardening information and nutrition tips. Taylor Becken, of C’est La Vie Baking Company (8055 West Ave., Suite 107, 2598359), has launched the Castle Hills Farm to Market (2211 N.W. Military Hwy., 259-8359) on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with more than 25 vendors including Johnson’s Backyard Garden of Austin, Theory Coffee and Youngblood Honey. And because locally-sourced produce and products are so hot right now, the Pearl Farmers Market will launch a Sunday counterpart to its popular Saturday offering from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting March 22. Finally, don’t forget that the CIA Bakery Café will return as a student-led pop-up March 12 through April 16, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shop will be held in the Student Service Center, 312 Pearl Pkwy., with returning favorites and a few new treats. flavor@sacurrent.com
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SUDSY SUCCESS Alamo Beer Opens Brewery A Decade After Hitting The Local Market JESSICA ELIZARRARAS/@JESSELIZARRARAS
The dust has settled and the doors are finally open to the public at the multi-million dollar brewery we’ll soon find synonymous with the downtown landscape. After all, Alamo Brewery is 15 minutes away from its namesake city center. But the road to its opening wasn’t an easy one. Let’s bring everyone up to speed. Alamo Beer Company owned by California transplant Eugene Simor, was first brewed in the late ’90s, responding to several local breweries closing their doors, including Frio, Yellow Rose and Lone Star. In order to get his beer in Texan hands, Simor teamed up with Brad Farbstein of Real Ale Brewing in Blanco. Through a licensing agreement, Real Ale brewed Alamo Golden Ale starting in 2003. Statewide distribution came in 2009 through boutique distributor Ben E. Keith Specialty Beverages. It’d be nice to say that once plans for the brewery were laid out, and permits cleared, construction began, but that wasn’t the case. In true Alamo fashion, the brewery vowed to “never surrender or retreat” several times over. A lawsuit was filed in 2012 against the city on behalf of the Hays Street Bridge Restoration Group, alleging COSA had no right to sell the land. Two years, public protests and a confusing jury verdict later, the brewery was built on land already owned by Simor that wasn’t part of the original lot in question. The brewery sits at 402 Lamar — though the business address is 415 Burnet, and will eventually grow to include 803 Burnet, the future location of a mixed-used facility and restaurant. Alamo Beer Company opened to the public last week, when the brewery held a
The company offered its product in SA for a decade, but Alamo Beer now has its own brewery on the city’s East Side.
celebration of the 179th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo. Runners should be familiar with Alamo’s bold logo, since it sponsors a slew of races including the Santa Run, Revenge of the Nerds 5K, Gladiator Rock ‘N’ Run and Prickly Pear Run, to name a few. It’s also available at various eateries in town, including The Friendly Spot, Taps Y Tapas and others. “The main difference between craftbrewed and mass-produced is that craft beer has a face that goes with the product, they have a team of brewers,” Simor said of the process of ingratiating themselves in the city. “You’re becoming one with your brand. The only way to do that is to go out, meet people, serve beer, talk about beer and have the local folks meet the local folks that run the brewery.” Bob Riddle, owner of Big Bob’s Burgers, wasn’t familiar with Simor until he started planning the first anniversary of the Hildebrand location. “Ever since then, he’s been at every party, every anniversary, fundraisers for Elf Louise,” Riddle said. “He’s never said no to anything.”
For Denise Aguirre, co-owner of Taps Y Tapas, her continued relationship with Alamo is simple: “Eugene and crew are very supportive and approachable. They actually take the time to get to know us. They support us, we support them.” Simor’s also brought more than five decades of experience via his COO, Jim Walter, who previously served in a similar role at Pabst Brewing Co. On the beer side of things, Simor tapped brewmaster James Hudec in late 2013 to bring brewing operations to SA. During the San Antonio Current’s visit to the brewery days prior to the official grand opening, Hudec toiled away in a pair of overalls and rubber boots. The 23-year industry veteran has brewed or consulted for Brenham Brewery, Rahr & Son’s, Crescent City Brewhouse and Gordon Biersch Brewery. Hudec, unsurprisingly, is all about traditional brewing methods — no barrel aging allowed. “I think it’s sacrilegious to put a great beer in a whiskey keg,” Hudec said. Surly, yes, but his prickly demeanor softened slightly when he started talking about beers. The new offerings, which
are being introduced collectively as a family of four, have been an undertaking as San Antonio’s signature hard water adds an extra layer of necessary steps. It might be hard for the brewing process, but the water’s had an interesting effect — the usual sweetness is gone and a slight dryness fills the palate. And it still goes down easy. “We’re not going weird, esoteric, or funky,” Hudec added. “It’s the beer drinker’s beer.” Area ale lovers can add a visit to the brewery this spring to sample the new amber lager, German pale ale and pilsner inside the 1,800-square-foot beer hall. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. Thursdays, 3 p.m. to midnight Fridays, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Don’t bother looking for Simor if you head over this weekend. The father of four is on a much-needed vacation. “I feel comfortable doing that now. There’s a great team in place to handle this next phase where we open to the public. We just have to live up to our branding of being ‘The Legendary Texas Beer.’” flavor@sacurrent.com sacurrent.com • March 11-17, 2015 • CURRENT 53
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KEEPING TABS Want Some Wine With That Spicy Dish? RON BECHTOL
This is not news: Wine lists (if there is one) at most Mexican, Indian and Thai restaurants, well, mostly suck. So what’s a spice-seeking, wine-loving diner to do? Keeping Tabs is here to help with a few simple guidelines for at-home and BYOB options (all widely distributed and $8$19 in price), the first of which is this: ditch the subtle wines. Ditto those that are ruthlessly bitter or over-the-top alcoholic, which rules out a lot of Bordeaux and most – not all – of California. Let’s start at an obvious point, considering our hometown: Mexican food. It isn’t monolithic. But there are some common threads running through many dishes. For those with lime, cilantro and maybe a little serrano, think sauvignon blanc. Its citrusy, grassy qualities will play well with, say, a ceviche. Fortunately, there are lots of options under $15. From California, look for widely available bottles such as Bogle or Dancing Bull. From Chile, seek out the likes of Veramonte or Cono Sur. An even more flexible wine for Mexican food, especially as the spice level ratchets up, is the offdry chenin blanc. A personal go-to is Pine Ridge’s appealing Chenin-Viognier blend out of California, but South Africa is another good source. Look for Secateurs, Mulderbosch and the cheap but dependable MAN Vintners. The closer we get to the border with its ancho chiles and comino, the more appealing spicy red wines such as almost any zinfandel, shiraz/ syrah and Cotes du Rhône begin to sound. From Australia, look for shiraz such as Oxford Landing or Layer Cake. Syrahs from California and Washington State also rock. Some to consider are Barefoot, Smoking Loon and Hogue Genesis. From the Côtes, which blends syrah with other grapes such as grenache, dependable names include Perrin, Guigal and Chapoutier’s Belleruche. Another fave for the price is Jaboulet’s Parallele 45. Some of the same suggestions above apply equally to other cuisines. The earthy syrahs and blends get downright frisky with the pungent spices of Indian and Pakistani food — think accents such as cardamom and cinnamon. With the more aggressively hot food coming from Thai (and some Chinese) kitchens, we need to go back to whites such as riesling. The residual sugar that many of these wines have is good against spunky spice, and their low alcohol content means the wines will be more refreshing. Gulpable, even. You may think Germany, but why not keep it in the U.S. and look for bottles coming out of Washington (Kung Fu Girl, Pacific Rim) or New York (Ravines, Dr. Konstantin Frank)? For those with the “keep it simple, stupid” mentality, here’s a one-bottle-fits-all solution: bubbly. Even the pink stuff. The slight sweetness of bottles labeled sec/ seco/secco does its usual magic, the bubbles engage in a little mano-a-mano with the spice and everybody wins.
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MUSIC
CAITLYN GRIMSLAND
SLOWCOOKED COUNTRY El Campo’s Remember, An Alt-Americana Masterpiece 7 Years In The Making JAMES COURTNEY
Hallmarked by a patient and deliberate pace and the twangyyet-sweet crooning of singersongwriter Jerid Morris, El Campo’s sound hearkens back to early incarnations of country music. On Saturday, a full seven years since Morris penned his first song, the band celebrates the digital and vinyl release of the brilliant debut album Remember. “It’s been so long since I started working on this thing that none of the cells in my body are the same now,” Morris mused over the phone with the San Antonio Current last week. Written entirely by Morris, the album loosely chronicles disparate past events in the life of its weary and scorned narrator — from exquisitely rendered lamentations of love gone wrong to tall tales adopted from his grandfather; from childhood memories fused with bits of waking dream to poignant moments of solitude and reflection. “I would say the lyrics are largely autobiographical, but a lot of it is flight of fancy,” said Morris. “I don’t think I really realized this until recently, but much of it is about my granddad. He grew up in the panhandle during the Dust Bowl, he was the son of a rancher. He’s a preacher now and we are long estranged ... But this man was the most formative male influence in my life, and he was very severe and miserable. So much of him and the mystique that my grandmother built up around him are a part of this album.” Perhaps that’s why the song “Open Casket” finds Morris considering his grandfather “Jimmy Fred” — who’s
Songwriter Jerid Morris (left) and El Campo come correct with their debut album, Remember.
actually still very much alive — through a poetic remembrance of a funeral that has yet to come. Steeped in rich Texan imagery and symbolism, the album’s golden sonic sheen is undercut by the frank desolation of the lyrics, creating an exasperating experience of beauty and sorrow. “I feel that this record is a legacy that I can give my kids,” said the father of three. “Because there’s no money in art like this, but there is something that you can do, in terms of saying ‘I was here and even if I’m ultimately insignificant, I can still say something.’” Remember opens with the short track “Faux Fur” asking the ominous question — amid banjo strums, dreamy guitar plucks and tension-building percussion — “What if I told you I held a sinister lie between the back of my head and my eyes?” The lyric continues, addressing the audience and the beloved at once: “This record is my lullaby and if I sleep like a baby at
night is for you to decide.” Remember’s A-side ends with “Caliche,” From somber beginnings, the album an exercise in harmony that riffs on regret opens up its heart with the paradoxically and oneness with nature, and “Battle jangly and bouncing lament “Who’d You Hymn of Boy and Blood,” a youthful Save Your Love For?” In it, the narrator runaway tale of escaping alienation only to bemoans a one-sided love that was find fear and impermanence. doomed from the start. The B-side begins with the slinky On the real-life subject of the album’s banjo-driven ballad “A Slip of the Pen,” lovelorn narrative, Morris said that “it’s in which Morris sings again of his lost just that one girl that breaks your heart love, recounting in painful and poetic and who you’ll never make happy. It’s this terms how reminiscing on what could magical thing that turns out to just be a lie have been only makes things worse. After you told yourself.” two more tracks that confront loneliness The fiery uptempo song “The Palo through racing rural images (“Lit a Fucking Duro” widens the narrative and Shuck for Dixie”) and death through the finds Morris considering his interminable preposterous reductionism of a tombstone feelings of otherworldly (“Open Casket”), the album’s emptiness alongside the denouement (“Baby’s El Campo feat. D.T. Buffkin, solitude of a lonely Texas Breath”) offers no solace, The Gents, Adam Torres landscape. Perhaps the as Morris sings of gazing $10 7pm Sat, Mar 14 most lyrically drastic track longingly at a hillside where Highwire Arts on the album, “Duro” is also his beloved once frolicked, 326 W. Josephine the album’s most lively and concluding “there’s only wind 320-5702 (dare I say) catchy. highwirearts.com in baby’s breath.” sacurrent.com • March 11-17, 2015 • CURRENT 59
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MONTHLY MODULAR MUSIC
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Electronic Exhibition Bucks Press-Play Computer Music Trend MATT STIEB/@MATTHEWSTIEB
creativity that goes into these things and I like for people to see a person behind that, that there is a level of humanity to it – it’s not a machine.” As for the music onstage, the definition of electronic music varies wildly, changing monthly along with the weather. From noise bands to hip-hop producers, house to ambient textures, Electronic Exhibition welcomes all kinds of synthesized tunes. “The definition is super vague,” said In some pedant circles of rock Omoxi. “At this point, electronic music ‘n’ roll and analog instruments, is post-genre. It doesn’t give justice to a electronic music suffers a lot of what’s out there.” reputation as non-music, stuff that This month, the exhibition features just can’t be performed. Without the Omoxi’s fiancée Kimberly — aka physicality of a drum kit or guitar, an Pleasurefaces of e-pop duo Calico audience member can’t really see Club — doing “light noise and modular what’s happening on a computer screen stuff,” according to Omoxi. SA trio or in a Korg’s settings. So, they assume PBLC is always evolving, having it’s not being created in real time. recently taken a step from noisy punk to It’s the performance equivalent of band-driven “live house music.” Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe’s anti-global Filthy works in scalding post-punk, warming argument on his bring-acombining drum pads and synth snowball-to-work day — if I can’t see lines with traditional instruments at what’s happening in a way I understand, masochistic decibel levels. Producer then it must not be happening at all. Moze Pray rounds out the bill with Unfortunately, the press-play some bouncing and thoroughly stereotype of electronic music is strange SoundCloud tracks. “It’s as if gaining traction. In May 2014, mega-DJ John Carpenter made dance music,” David Guetta cancelled a worldwide said Omoxi, referring to the director tour after losing a USB drive containing and composer behind Escape from his prefab set. And last year on SNL, New York. Andy Samberg ripped on EDM artists To help fulfill the promise of as “Davvincii,” flirting with a big red electronic performance, Omoxi pipes in “Bass” button and stalling the drop to video installations on a Playstation 3 to collect bags of money and credit card drench the audience in multi-media art. swipes from the audience. On Friday, visuals from New Orleans Last January, video artist and artist Brittan Rosendahl and NYC GIF electronic musician Daecos Omoxi Animator Peter Puskas will adorn the kicked off the monthly Electronic wall behind the electronic musicians Exhibition to help clarify the role of shredding on stage. performance in electronic music. And every month, you can “Actually getting to see it find Omoxi running around happen gives you a better Electronic Exhibition feat. with a PS3 controller idea of where it comes PBLC, Filthy, Moze Pray, in hand, controlling the from,” said Omoxi. “It’s PleasureFaces settings of the electric not just cut and paste and $3 9pm Fri, March 13 light and helping put the throw this up here and it Hi-Tones “human” in post-human art. sounds like this. There’s 621 E. Dewey mstieb@sacurrent.com a lot of time, effort and 785-8777
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THE (HEAVILY BRANDED) CUP RUNNETH OVER SXSW Spillover Turning Into SA Staple MATT STIEB/@MATTHEWSTIEB
For the past four years at South by Southwest, Doritos focused the promotional noise of the Austin festival into a single, 62- foot vending machine, pumping out music and boasting king-sized images of its newest MSG and cheese dust offerings. “I’m almost positive — I don’t know these people so I can’t speak for them directly — that the original SXSW SA’s spillover includes Monogold at K23. intent of SXSW was not to have a two-story tall Doritos machine and aisles with sticky-sweet garage pop Jägermeister-sponsored Lady Gaga bands — nine of which will be visiting us. shows,” said Gem Hotvet, co-operator of Over at K23 Gallery, owners Glenn SA’s K23 Gallery. and Gem Hotvet are throwing a pair of Founded in 1986 by the staff of spillover shows in their minimal, shotgun The Austin Chronicle, SXSW began gallery. Named after the K23 perfume as a showcase for local musicians from Tom Robbins’ novel Jitterbug and as “a way to reach out to the rest Perfume, the gallery seeks to explore of the world, and bring them here to taboo themes in art and occasional do business,” according to SXSW’s spurts of rock ‘n’ roll. official site. Nearly three decades later, “We wanted to embody that original business from SXSW is a city-swallower, South by Southwest spirit of let’s get a commandeering every venue and pedigood DIY show going, let’s get a good cab in town. band in here and get good music fans For San Antonio, the neighbors’ to come in and experience this,” said heavily branded pain is our musical Gem Hotvet. pleasure, picking up shows in a The gallery will host Monogold and phenomenon known as the SXSW Dead Leaf Echo, a pair of Brooklyn spillover. But as the talent comes bands trafficking in psych pop and through San Anto, the marketing and shoegaze, respectively. On March 21, social media tricks lose their way on the gallery hosts Zig Zags, a roll-yourI-35. Interestingly, the pay cut that bands own stoner punk outfit from Los Angeles. take for SXSW still applies in SA. Though it’s only a few weeks every “You’re able to put on really big bills spring, the annual spillover helps and not worry as much with payout,” boost musical momentum in SA. Like said Nick Ivarra, drummer for The Rich the marketing calamity of SXSW, San Hands and co-operator of booking Antonio’s music scene exposure has company Fuzzland Productions. grown at a bustling rate over the past “‘Cause people don’t mind too much few years. about it. You’re able to showcase them “It’s something that should have in your city and give them the exposure happened a while ago, but now people so that they can come back within the are turned on about playing San next couple months.” Antonio,” said Ivarra. “People like the Fuzzland, run by Ivarra and The Bolos idea now. We’re this small market, but bassist Osita Anusi, is responsible for with a big population. There’s no reason the Lolipop Records SXSW Takeover to not have good shows everyday.” at the 502 Bar on Monday, March 16. mstieb@sacurrent.com Out of Los Angeles, Lolipop stocks their
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13
Freddie Gibbs
After getting cut from Interscope in 2006, Freddie Gibbs put in seven years of commercially unnoticed, critically acclaimed gang life mixtapes set in his rustbelt hometown of Gary, Indiana. His 2013 debut ESGN came and went with nary a flicker of attention, but it was 2014’s Piñata with hip-hop alchemist Madlib that allowed Gibbs to light up with full fury. Originally named Cocaine Piñata, the album offers a laundry list of the hard life, with Gibbs “payin’ off the CO’s and smokin’ on the gateway” and Madlib cutting beats with baking soda and soul jazz. In November 2014, Gibbs was targeted in a shooting outside the Rough Trade record store in Williamsburg, New York, with two members of his crew taking bullets in the leg and hand. On scene, Gibbs told the New York Post, “They tried to kill Tupac. They tried to kill me. I’m still alive.” With hoarse delivery and an idolization of gang life, Gibbs’ closest analogue has certainly been the late Makaveli. But Gibbs’ best take yet was a step outside that style, when he anchored the summer 2014 track “Old English.” Featuring A$AP Ferg and Young Thug, the wonky trio raps in a drug dealer’s language isolate, occasionally returning to good old English. With QLee, Mad One, Blues, Doeman, G-Jet, GO DJ JB, DJ Notion. $26.31, 7pm, Fitzgerald’s Bar, 437 McCarty #1, 629-5141, facebook.com/ fitzgeraldsbarsa Matt Stieb/mstieb@sacurrent.com
Wednesday, March 11
One-eyed Doll Austin pop-punk outfit
One-eyed Doll rocks a Halloween attitude and heavy eye-makeup year round. With Celeste’al Descent, All Sides Equal, Vagenda. Fitzgerald’s, 7pm
Noah Peterson On his live album At
Biddy McGraw’s, SA saxophonist Noah Peterson charts his way through funklaced bop standards like “Song for My Father” and “Watermelon Man.” J&O’s Cantina, 7pm
Screambreak Fest 2015 The Korova’s
observance of Spring Break caters to heavy music from South Texas. With Your Coffin is Waiting, Embrace the Moment, Havana Red, All Who Defy, Just a Dream, Noble, XURL, Of Grand Design, Alive & Fighting, Closed Eyes & Open Minds, Empty Eyes, Screams of Terror. The Korova, 5pm
The Happen-Ins Austin’s The Happen-Ins cut through two-chord garage pop with the romp and attitude of a cheap motel stay. Sam’s Burger Joint, 8pm
The Rotten Cores Guitarist Aden Pal
leads his quartet The Rotten Cores through fast blues and New Orleans rockabilly. With Ghost Writer. The Mix, 10:30pm
Thursday, March 12
Buttercup, Walter Salas Humara
Buttercup bassist Odie, with cowboy hat and braided goatee, provides the rhythmic momentum to propel the band
through lengthy but quick-moving sets. Singer Erik Sanden jigs, kneels, lays down on the stage, while guitarist Joe Reyes’ solos more than takes up the slack. As the singer of The Silos, Walter Salas Humara came to fame in 1990 with the playful country rock album The One with the Bird on the Cover. 502 Bar, 9pm
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Bluestar 1420 S. Alamo • 210.227.1420
Check out out fresh fresh daily daily content content at at blogs.sacurrent.com blogs.sacurrent.com Check Check out fresh daily content at blogs.sacurrent.com
Cannibal Bitch, Filthy SA duo Cannibal
Bitch creates awesome and truly weird thrash metal with surprising fullness for just two members. Filthy’s music is a roaring noise rock effort coming in like the king tide. The Mix, 11pm
Japanese Breakfast, Lonely Horse, Delenda From Philadelphia, Japanese
Breakfast created a lovely bedroom pop album with 2014’s American Sound. Recorded on the illustrious toys of the Sonic Ranch studio outside of El Paso, Lonely Horse’s pending debut album My Desert Son 2 extends the band’s aesthetic in glorious high fidelity. Diary-personal and thoughtfully arranged, Haley Mills’ output as Delenda makes for great headphones music. In performance, she brings a new dimension to her work, bringing a flavorful answer to the sometimes-stale problem of live electronic music. With Tides. The Ten Eleven, 8pm
Happy Hour
Joel Fletcher Australian producer Joel
Fletcher hit the international EDM stage with his 2013 remix of New Zealand rapper Savages’ “Swing.” With DJ Chris Duano. The Falls Bar, 9pm
FEATURING DJ SLIC RIC & DJ NAAWZ • MIXING THE LATEST MUSIC AND VIDEOS ON 5 HD SCREENS
sacurrent.com • March 11-17, 2015 • CURRENT 65
HAPPY HOUR
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6441 BLANCO RD • 863.3591 • ASK FOR RENE • SOFTSENSUOUSMOVES.COM 66 CURRENT • March 11-17, 2015 • sacurrent.com
www.SanAntonioSSC.com
MUSIC
Josh Heinrichs Singer Josh Heinrichs
got his career momentum going with Jah Roots, creating eight years of wellreceived reggae before going out on his own. Jack’s Bar, 7pm
The Suite feat. DJ Gibb and Donnie Dee Two of SA’s finest soul and funk
jockeys deliver a Thursday night soundtrack in original funky drummers. Southtown 101, 10pm
Friday, March 13
Band of Heathens Austin rock ‘n’ rollers Band of Heathens have eight countrytinged albums under their belts. Sam’s Burger Joint, 8pm
Gary Allan Since signing to Decca Records in 1996, Gary Allan has earned spots for all nine of his records on the Billboard Country chart. With Hudson Moore. Floore’s Country Store, 7pm
Henry + The Invisibles SA’s own Henry
+ the Invisibles continues to turn in nothing but spectacularly soulful, ridiculously costumed one-man shows. Rebar, 10pm
Rat Fist, No Parents No Age guitarist
Randy Randall and Pissed Jeans drummer Sean McGuinness teamed up to create Rat Fist, pulling from their sucessful day gigs to create a new direction in sludgy punk. On May the Thirst Be With You, LA outfit No Parents riffs through the simple and angry punk trailblazed by Jay Reatard. 502 Bar, 9pm
Roger Creager Corpus Christi’s Roger
Creager cracked the Billboard Top 200 with his 2014 album Road Show. Gruene Hall, 9pm
The Georges South Texas stalwarts The
Georges inject rockabilly with the pop stylings of the Fab Four. Floore’s Country Store, 7pm
The Town Hall Devils On Ouroboros
Blues, Austin’s The Town Hall Devils shred on twelve-bar and jangly pop structures. With The Signature. Bottom Bracket Social Club, 10:30pm
Wall of Soul SA blues-rockers Wall of
Soul celebrate the releae of their album Beginnings. With Just Hits, Notorious Sinners. The Falls, 9pm
Whores., Grasshopper Lies Heavy, Ghost Police Atlanta’s Whores. navigate
through noise and grimy tones on the 2013 EP Clean. The Grasshopper Lies Heavy’s 2014 album All Sadness, Grinning into Flow serves a master class in long droning riffs, expansive textures and the importance of badass amps. The Korova, 7pm
Saturday, March 14
B. Dolan Providence rapper B. Dolan
updates N.W.A.’s middle-finger message to cops with “Film the Police,” an anthem on the abuses of power. With Wheelchair Sports Camp, Rubedo, Chisme, Evolve, Mexican Stepgrandfather. The Korova, 9pm
Kim Burrell Houston’s Kim Burrell
brings gospel out of her mega-church with a powerhouse set of pipes. Tobin Center, 7pm
NY2SA 2015 With a lineup boasting San
Antonio transplants by way of New York, as well as New York transplants by way of San Antonio, NY2SA features Decora, Vocab and DJ Pakman. Greg G headlines, pulling out the backpack hits from his 2015 album The Feelin’. Rosella, 9pm
Rio Jordan y los Hijos de Esteban Jordan The sons of conjunto legend
Esteban “El Parche” Jordan, Esteban III and Ricardo Jordan keep their father’s blend of tejano and cumbia churning in the 21st century. Hi-Tones, 10pm
Rose Quartz On the Axis of Love EP,
Denver’s Rose Quartz combine synth pop with the sound of Clear Channel pop. With What Moon Things, The AMFMs. 502 Bar, 9pm
The Trishas Austin all-girl country rock
outfit The Trishas sing of a road-tested life over country staples of fiddle and harmonica. Sam’s Burger Joint, 8pm
White Elefant Born in a one-car garage in
2006, White Elefant carved a faint niche for themselves sporadically playing their simple, organically honed, and sharpedged indie rock tunes around San Antonio. With The Rosedale Highs, The Native Roar. Jack’s Bar, 8pm
let’s get
SHAM
ROCKED
ST. PATRICK’S DAY TUESDAY MARCH 17
GREEN BEER • IRISH OFFERINGS live music by
LE FREAK • THE KLOCKS E7 • UPTOWN DRIVE BRENT MICHAEL WOOD
Sunday, March 15
Bobby Bare, Jr. Tennessee songwriter
Bobby Bare, Jr. got into the family business at an early age, providing his own twist on his father’s All American blues. First going on the road with his father at the age of seven, Bare, Jr. was nominated for a Grammy by age eight for “Daddy What If,” a duet with Bare, Sr. Sam’s Burger Joint, 7pm
Doc Watkins Trio Unlike some jazz
musicians whose claim to a doctorate is just a nickname (looking at you, Dr. Lonnie Smith) and others who have won honorary degrees (congrats Sonny Rollins!), Brent ‘Doc’ Watkins has a doctorate in music from UT Austin. It’s a degree he’s put to good use, swinging viciously on his piano or Hammond B3 rig. Esquire Tavern, 3pm
SHERLOCK’S BAKER ST. PUB & GRILL - SAN ANTONIO 16620 US 281 N 210.572.9307 sherlockspub.com
sacurrent.com • March 11-17, 2015 • CURRENT 67
ent by Live Entertainm , he Enigma Live Point Blank, T an Suspension m u H k In 'n m a Scre Tickets available at: outhousetickets.com/Event/Event6544/ 8111 Meadow Leaf Dr, San Antonio, TX 78227
68 CURRENT • March 11-17, 2015 • sacurrent.com
Fred Sings Celebrating Women’s History
Month, Fred Sings features vocalists Katchie Cartwright, Carol Cisneros, Judi Deleon and Leonor Ramirez, with Polly Harrison on 7-string guitar and Nina Rodriguez on drums, plus house band George Prado (bass), Aaron Prado (piano) and Chuck Glave (drums). Bihl Haus Arts, 4pm
Holychild LA duo Holychild trafficks in the
self-described genre of “brat-pop,” which includes a heavy reliance on radio hooks and light rhythmic touches of Afrobeat. 502 Bar, 9pm
Monday, March 16
Deuce Coupe Austin trio Deuce Coupe
whips through simple takes on ’50s rock ‘n’ roll. Sam’s Burger Joint, 7pm
Lolipop Records Takeover LA’s Corners
headlines this Lolipop Records SXSW spillover gig, playing understated riffs with a mischievous vibe. In the video for “Pressure,” the band, impeccably dressed, lays down their brooding outlook. As the music glides on a slippery surf guitar line, a quartet of skaters carve out a long hill and humiliate an innocuous boyfriend in front of his squeeze. Later, when the song’s eponymous refrain kicks in, the boy learns that the crew’s leader has stolen his girl. In a little under four minutes, “Pressure” proves the band’s other man/woman allure, a dark and sumptuous sound. With Psychomagic, Adult Books, The Sloths, The Electric Magpie, Cobalt Cranes, Tele Novella, Kim and the Created, Winter, DJ Proper Yarn. 502 Bar, 8pm
Monogold, dead leaf echo From New
York, Monogold’s This Bloom picks up
Mutilation Rites On the 2012 album
Empyrean, Brooklyn’s Mutilation Rites howls over the typical haunted fare of black metal. With Mantar, Sturmgewehr, Haunter. The Korova, 8:30pm
Small World Led by drummer Kyle Keener and guitarist Polly Harrison, Small World places world music in the jazz setting. The band features music from the Great American Songbook and bossa nova sung in the original Portuguese. Olmos Bharmacy, 7:30pm
Tuesday, March 17
Jim Cullum Jazz Band Playing the music of King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet and Bix Beiderbecke, cornetist Jim Cullum is a leader among the growing community of trad jazz players. Bohanan’s, 7pm
Korby Lenker Ukele songwriter Korby
Lenker writes adorable pop tunes for his cute-toned instrument. Wolverton Home Concerts, 8pm
Norma Jean Georgia metalcore outfit
Norma Jean has been creating heavy and unabashed music since 1996, earning a Grammy nod in 2006 for O God, the Aftermath. With For the Fallen Dreams, Sirens & Sailors. The Korova, 6pm
Ha a-7 ppy Hour 11
p
through stoned and doomy presentations on the 2015 album Lore. With Bridge Farmers, Mount Sherpa, Mau, Deguello, DJ Smoak. The Korova, 8:30pm
on the smart and perfetly spaced pop of Animal Collective. On true.deep. sleeper, dead leaf echo wanders through a shoegaze dream. With Bloody Knives, Femina-X. K23 Gallery, 9pm
ic Mon W Mus ed ve Li
at iS Fr
Elder Boston metal trio Elder carves
Orig ina l
MUSIC
4032 Vance Jackson
March
Every Wednesday: Live Music by: Mike Nesloney and Rene Munoz
Mar. 13 The Georges Free Show!
03.13 Given a Chance & Solitary Runway 03.14 Welcome Back Pavel Demon & the Revenant with Raising Saints, Viejo, Midget Tranny Strippers 03.17 St. Paddy’s Day BASH!! Green Beer and TONS of Giveaways!!
Mar. 14 Gary Allan
03.20 Hard Luck Heroes St. Paddy’s Celebration w/One Last Shot/The Lucky Odds & Raising Saints 03.21 Go Kart Productions Presents: Addix Cure, Crystal Sh*t, Valyrian, Pinche Dez Madre
Mar. 20 Max Stalling plus Luke Olson
03.27 Tammy’s Birthday Smash w/Texas Tea & the Shine Runners, Sideline Rookies and more 03.28 Knockin’ Chucks and Friends Now Booking Live Music: besttexasbarteam@gmail.com FREE SHOWS!! 21+
Mar. 21 Cody Johnson
Roger Clyne With The Refreshments,
guitarist Roger Clyne helped pen the theme song to Mike Judge’s King of the Hill. In solo form, Clyne now creates huge Springsteen-like anthems. Sam’s Burger Joint, 8pm
San Antonio Jazz Orchestra Co-led by
Dale Schultz, Rick Horn, and George DeRocher, the San Antonio Jazz Orchestra cruises through the repetoire of Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Buddy Rich. Blue Star Brewery, 8pm
502 Bar 502 Embassy Oaks, 257-8125, 502bar.com Bihl Haus Arts 2830 Fredericksburg, 383-9723, bihlhausarts.org Blue Star Brewery 1414 S. Alamo, 212-5506, bluestarbrewing.com Bohanan’s 219 E. Houston, 472-2600, bohanans. com Bottom Bracket Social Club 1603 N. Colorado, 267-9160, facebook.com/bottombracketsocialclub Esquire Tavern 155 E. Commerce, 222-2521, esquiretavern-sa.com Fitzgerlads Bar 437 McCarty, 629-5141, facebook.com/ fitzgeraldsbarsa Floore’s Country Store 14492 Old Bandera, Helotes, 695-8827, liveatfloores.com Gruene Hall 1281 Gruene, (830) 606-1281, gruenehall.com Hi-Tones 621 E. Dewey, 573-6220 Jack’s Bar 3030 Thousand Oaks, 494-2309, jacksbarsa.com J&O’s Cantina 1014 S. Presa, 485-7611 K23 Gallery 704 Fredericksburg, 776-5635, facebook. com/K23 GalleryOlmos Bharmacy 3902 McCullough, 822-1188, olmosrx.com Rebar 8134 Broadway, 320-4091, rebarsatx.com Rosella 203 E. Jones, 277-8574, rosellacoffee.com Sam’s Burger Joint 330 E. Grayson, 223-2830, samsburgerjoint.com Southtown 101 101 Pereida Street, 263-9880 The Korova 107 E. Martin, 226-5070, thekorova. com The Mix 2423 N. St. Mary’s, 735-1313 The Falls 226 W. Bitters #120, 490-5553, thefallsbar.com The Ten Eleven 1011 Avenue B, (210) 320-9080, theteneleven.com Tobin Center 100 Auditorium, 223-8624, tobincenter.org Wolverton Home Concerts Call for address, 473-9062
Happy Hour 10am-7pm Featuring Texas Brews and Booze Rascals Alumni Association Meetings Daily Monday Closed Texas Tuesday All Pints $2.50 -Free Darts Wednesday $3 You “Call” it Thursday $3 All Tequilas-Free Pool Friday Fireball Friday $3 Saturday Ladies Day-Happy Hour All Day Sunday Free Food-All the Games Come “check-in” and you can try our Moonshine Jell-O Shots
Apr. 9 Los Lobos plus Max Baca & Los Texmaniacs
Apr.11 Pat Green & Cory Morrow
May 2 Kacey Musgraves
14492 Old Bandera Rd
Helotes, TX • 210-695-8827 For tickets: liveatfloores.com
sacurrent.com • March 11-17, 2015 • CURRENT 69
Open 3p-2a Everyday • Happy Hour 3-7pm Daily
PSYCHIC HAPPY HOUR: Free Readings Tue., March 16 • 6-8pm DJ and No Cover Saturday Nights
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70 CURRENT • March 11-17, 2015 • sacurrent.com
119 El Mio off San Pedro • 210.366.0338 OPEN 9pm-2am Tues-Sun • 23&UP
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TRUTH BE TOLD
SAVAGE LOVE by Dan Savage
When I was 15, I had a threemonth-long sexual relationship with a 32-year-old woman. She was a friend of the family, and my parents were going through a divorce. I stayed with her for the summer, and she initiated a sexual relationship. Looking back, I can see that she had been grooming me. We used to have conversations online and via e-mail that were very inappropriate considering our age difference. The relationship ended when I went home, but she remained flirty. As a 15-year-old, I had a hard time sorting out my feelings for her, but we remained in contact. Now we speak sporadically, and it’s usually just small talk. Soon after, I met a girl my own age and we started dating. Twenty years later, we are happily married and have two wonderful children. Our sex life is active and fulfilling. The only problem is my wife is very proud of the fact that we were each other’s “first and only” sex partners. When we first slept together at 16, I couldn’t admit that she wasn’t my first, and I didn’t want to get the older woman in trouble. I don’t want to hurt my wife by revealing the truth. Can I keep this secret to myself? This Revelation Undermines Total Harmony Like you, TRUTH, I lost my virginity to an older woman at age 15. My first was closer to me in age (20s, not 30s) than your first — the woman who preyed on you — and I never felt like she took advantage of me. If anything, I was taking advantage of her, as our sexual relationship helped me sort out my shit. Over the years, well-meaning people have tried to convince me that I was damaged by this experience, but I never felt that way. Based on your letter, TRUTH, it doesn’t sound like you were damaged or traumatized by this relationship. You quickly figured out that what she had done to/with you was squicky and inappropriate; the fact that she didn’t leave you damaged or traumatized doesn’t make what she did okay. But it sounds like your only issue — it’s the only issue you raise — is whether you can
continue to allow your wife to think she was your “first and only.” You can. Unless you need to unburden yourself to the wife for your own sanity, TRUTH, or you think there’s a chance she could discover the truth on her own, don’t let one marital ideal — you should be able to tell each other everything — obscure an equally important if less obviously virtuous marital ideal: You don’t have to tell each other everything. Protecting your spouse from the truth, allowing your spouse to have their illusions, is often the more loving choice. While there are deceptions that aren’t okay — crushing student-loan debt, a second family hidden in another city, you are Dinesh D’Souza — some deceptions are harmless. Allowing your wife to continue to believe that she was your “first and only” falls squarely into the harmless camp.
$3 KCCO
My boyfriend and I have been together for three years. I grew up in Hawaii and currently reside on the mainland. My parents love my boyfriend, and we try to visit their home in Hawaii once a year. Until recently, they were caring for my uncle, but he died last year. I told my mom that we were coming to visit, and she was elated. However, when I asked if we could stay in the newly spare bedroom, she said “no” and cited her religious beliefs. We weren’t raised in a religious household, but my mom has become more “Christ-y” since I left. When I ask why she would treat me differently than her other two heterosexual kids, who ARE allowed to stay in the spare bedroom with their partners, she just says that those are “her rules.” I told her that as long as she discriminates against us based on our “chosen lifestyle” (her words), then she can’t expect a visit from us. Am I being unreasonable? Vexed In Seeking Island Time Nope. As an adult, your only leverage over your parents is your presence, VISIT. Tell your mom that if she can’t treat you with respect, then she has no one to blame but herself for your absence. sacurrent.com • March 11-17, 2015 • CURRENT 71
Karaoke • Live Music • Trivia • Guest DJ’s • Pool • Darts • 160” Projector Screen & More
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JONESIN’ CROSSWORD by Matt Jones
Answer on page 34
full bar opens at 7am! serving breakfast!
“Know Now!” – and now you know. ACROSS 1 Go out 4 Faddish 1990s collectibles 8 Hawke of “Boyhood” 13 Bovine opinion 14 “Head Like ___” (NIN song) 15 A nephew of Donald 16 AM drinks 17 Looked longingly 18 Checkout line count 19 Comedian Garofalo gives negative feedback? 22 Least tropical 23 Execute perfectly 24 Topeka residents provide instructions? 30 “This ___” (1979 hit) 31 One of The Judds 32 Schnitzel stuff 36 “South Park” surname 39 Period of silence 40 Appearance at home? 42 2010 Apple release 44 Brew inspired by a fictional search engine on “The Good Wife”? 50 Not quite the leader 51 Yuletide refrain
14 “Open” author Andre 20 Ending for Hallow 21 “Boo-___!” 25 “Boiler Room” co-star Long 26 Reduce to essentials 27 Work the soil 28 Chanted syllables 29 Comedian’s forte 32 “Wet/dry” buy 33 Shakespearean suffix 34 “Aladdin” monkey 35 Glove material 37 Detox place DOWN 38 Size for some margins 1 Modern pictograph 41 Daytime fare with Sharon 2 “___ Horseman” (title Osbourne character voiced by Will 43 Troi on “Star Trek: TNG” Arnett) 45 Sport-___ (4WD vehicle) 3 1990s conflict site 46 Gathered in a crowd 4 Imaginary figure 47 “Solve for x” subj. 5 Move like The Blob 48 Bedridden 6 “By the Time I Get to 49 Bad weather culprit, Phoenix” singer Campbell sometimes 7 Car styles 52 Texas A&M player 8 Slurred speech? 53 Junk or dinghy ON THE CORNER, WURZBACH @ 4314 GARDENDALE 9 All-out battle 54 “Let It Go” singer 10 A nephew of Donald 55 Giga- times a thousand 11 Uses a scope 56 Je ne ___ quoi 12 “Dr. Mario” platform 57 “Downton Abbey” airer 53 Grammy category for fiveyear-olds? 57 “Beer Barrel” dance 58 Actor ___ William Scott 59 “Get it, man?” 60 Herb in pesto sauce 61 “All My Children” femme fatale 62 Prefix before brow 63 Needed a bath badly 64 40-yard race 65 Longfellow contemporary
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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY by Rob Brezsny ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): In the old Superman comics, Mister Mxyztplk was a fiendish imp whose home was in the fifth dimension. He sometimes sneaked over into our world to bedevil the Man of Steel with pranks. There was one sure way he could be instantly banished back to his own realm for a long time: If Superman fooled him into saying his own name backwards. You might think it would be hard to trick a magic rascal into saying “Klptzyxm” when he knew very well what the consequences would be, but Superman usually succeeded. I’d like to suggest that you have a similar power to get rid of a bugaboo that has been bothering you, Aries. Don’t underestimate your ability to outsmart the pest.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): In 1637, mathematician Pierre de Fermat declared that he had solved the “Last Theorem,” a particularly knotty mathematical problem. Unfortunately, he never actually provided the proof that he had done so. The mystery remained. Other math experts toiled for centuries looking for the answer. It wasn’t until 1994, more than 350 years later, that anyone succeeded. I think you are on the verge of discovering a possible solution to one of your own long-running riddles, Taurus. It may take a few more weeks, but you’re almost there. Can you sense that twinkle in your third eye? Keep the faith.
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Your upcoming efforts might not be flawless in all respects, but I suspect you will triumph anyway. You may not even be completely sure of what you want, but I bet you’ll get a reward you didn’t know you were looking for. Cagey innocence and high expectations will be your secret weapons. Dumb luck and crazy coincidences will be your X-factors. Here’s one of your main tasks: As the unreasonable blessings flow in your direction, don’t disrupt or obstruct the flow.
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): As soon as a baby loggerhead turtle leaves its nest on a Florida beach, it heads for the ocean. It’s only two inches long. Although it can swim just one mile every two hours, it begins an 8,000-mile journey that takes ten years. It travels east to Africa, then turns around and circles back to where it originated. Along the way it grows big and strong as it eats a wide variety of food, from corals to sea cucumbers to squid. Succeeding at such an epic journey requires a stellar sense of direction and a prodigious will to thrive. I nominate the loggerhead turtle to be your power animal for the coming weeks, Cancerian.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22):
In 1961, 19-year-old Bob Dylan began doing
solo performances of folk songs at New York clubs. To accompany his vocals, he played an acoustic guitar and harmonica. By 1963, his career had skyrocketed. Critics called him a creative genius. Pop stars were recording the songs he wrote, making him rich. But he still kept his instrumentation simple, relying entirely on his acoustic guitar and harmonica. That changed in 1965, when he made the leap to rock and roll. For the first time, his music featured a full drum set and electric guitar, bass, and keyboards. Some of his fans were offended. How dare he renounce his folk roots? I wonder if it might be time for you to consider a comparable transition, Leo. Are you willing to risk disorienting or disturbing those who would prefer you to stay as you are?
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): “Whoever travels without a guide needs 200 years for a two-day journey.” That’s an old Sufi saying sometimes attributed to the poet Rumi. I don’t think it’s accurate in all cases. Sometimes we are drawn to wander into frontiers that few people have visited and none have mastered. There are no guides! On other occasions, we can’t get the fullness of our learning experience unless we are free to stumble and bumble all by ourselves. A knowledgeable helper would only interfere with that odd magic. But right now, Virgo, I believe the Sufi saying holds true for you. Where you’re headed, you would benefit from an advisor, teacher, or role model.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22):
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21):
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18):
One of your important assignments in the coming week is to get high without the use of drugs and alcohol. Let me elaborate. In my oracular opinion, you simply must escape the numbing trance of the daily rhythm. Experiencing altered states of awareness will provide you with crucial benefits. At the same time, you can’t afford to risk hurting yourself, and it’s essential to avoid stupidly excessive behavior that has negative repercussions. So what do you think? Do you have any methods to get sozzled and squiffed or jiggled and jingled that will also keep you sane and healthy?
In I’m tempted to furrow my brow and raise my voice as I tell you to please please please go out and do the dicey task you’ve been postponing. But that would just be a way to vent my frustration, and probably not helpful or constructive for you. So here’s my wiser advice: To prepare for that dicey task, lock yourself in your sanctuary until you figure out what you first need to change about yourself before you can accomplish the dicey task. I think that once you make the inner shift, doing the deed will be pretty easy.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19):
In the fairy tale “The Ugly Duckling,” the young hero suffers from a peculiar case of mistaken identity. He believes that he is a duck. All of his problems stem from this erroneous idea. By duck standards, he is a homely mess. He gets taunted and abused by other animals, goes into exile, and endures terrible loneliness. In the end, though, his anguish dissolves when he finally realizes that he is in fact a swan. United with his true nature, he no longer compares himself to an inappropriate ideal. Fellow swans welcome him into their community, and he flies away with them. Is there anything in this story that resonates with you, Pisces? I’m guessing there is. It’s high time to free yourself from
Singer Gloria Gaynor recorded the song “I Will Survive” in 1978. It sold over two million copies and ultimately became an iconic disco anthem. And yet it was originally the B-side of “Substitute,” the song that Gaynor’s record company released as her main offering. Luckily, radio DJs ignored “Substitute” and played the hell out of “I Will Survive,” making it a global hit. I foresee the possibility of a similar development for you, Capricorn. What you currently consider to be secondary should perhaps be primary. A gift or creation or skill you think is less important could turn out to be pre-eminent.
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20):
THIS MODERN WORLD by Tom Tomorrow
There’s a meme rolling around Tumblr and Facebook that goes like this: “Everyone wants a magical solution for their problems, but they refuse to believe in magic.” Judging from the astrological omens, I think this Internet folk wisdom applies to your current situation. As I see it, you have two choices. If you intend to keep fantasizing about finding a magical solution, you will have to work harder to believe in magic. But if you can’t finagle your brain into actually believing in magic, you should stop fantasizing about a magical solution. Which will it be?
SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): I have taken a passage from a letter that Henry Miller wrote to Anais Nin, and I have chopped it up and rearranged it and added to it so as to create an oracle that’s perfect for you right now. Ready? “This is the wild dream: you with your chameleon’s soul being anchored always in no matter what storm, sensing you are at home wherever you are. You asserting yourself, getting the rich varied life you desire; and the more you assert yourself, the more you love going deeper, thicker, fuller. Resurrection after resurrection: that’s your gift, your promise. The insatiable delight of constant change.”
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