Hill Country SUN, April 2017

APRIL 2017 28th Annual

Llano Crawfish Open Great music & good eats for a worthy cause

R

Wimberley Arts Fest Beautiful art & setting

R Prolific musician

Larry Garcia Master of the "SA Sound"

R

Hill Country Parks

by Suzy Moehring Mallard

R The Hill Country’s most complete

Calendar of Events

28th Annual

Llano Crawfish OPen

Serving Austin, Bandera, Blanco, Buda, Bulverde, Burnet, Canyon Lake, Castroville, Comfort, Concan, Driftwood, Dripping Springs, Fredericksburg, Georgetown, Gruene, Henly, Hancock, Johnson City, Kerrville, Kyle, Lakeway, Llano, Leakey, Luckenbach, Marble Falls, Medina, New Braunfels, San Antonio, San Marcos, Sattler, Sisterdale, Stonewall, Wimberley, Utopia, Uvalde, Vanderpool & More

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Suzy Moehring Mallard

Big Bend: a girls’ trip out West

hill country PARKS

J

ust got back from a glorious trip to Big Bend with a couple of women who have never been – my sister Robin and my cousin Sheryl, both Texas gals.

Took us forever, y’all, to get to Chisos Mountain Lodge. Granted that trip from Austin to Fort Stockton is a booger, and we did stop for a big ol’ breakfast at the steakhouse in Sonora that my Ozona deer hunter friend said we couldn’t miss.

But then: Marathon and the Gage Hotel, the search for a post office on a Saturday, and a tailgate lunch at Gage Gardens; Persimmon Gap and those friendly Big Bend National Park volunteers from Ohio that can’t stop talking about the beauty of the place, and the sweet ranger who sold me a $10 lifetime pass instead of charging us $25 to enter Big Bend (another perk of being a grandma-age person); a short turnout at Dagger Flat and stops at every, I mean, every, pull over and interpretive sign we saw on our way to Panther Junction.

I did mention these women had nev-

er been to Big Bend? Robin took 800 photos before our five-day trip was over.

So, on to Chisos Mountain Lodge, but first we closed down Panther Junction and took our first little trail walk there at the ranger station to try to learn more about Big Bend plants.

More stops for photos as we zigzagged up the Chisos Basin road and just let our mouths hang open at the beauty, the vastness, the miracle of all that is Big Bend.

And part of that miracle was sitting at the end of the Window View Trail after supper to watch the sun slip behind Carter Peak and dress the desert and hill landscape below in blue and pink and orange.

I realized I needed this trip when I got itchy in February to see some wide, open spaces that had those three-foot tall bluebonnets.

I’ve been three times before: one quick Easter weekend in 1968 in ‘64 Corvette convertible, a spring break trip with that grandson of mine when he was about eight (he’s 23 now), and a Chisos

Discover the hill country at owlspringranch.com HUNTING, LODGING, RIVER OUTFITTERS, HISTORIC DANCEHALLS, LIVE MUSIC.

PAGE 2 APRIL 2017 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

Burro Mesa Pouroff in Big Bend and a bunch of Moehring girls -- me (Suzy), my cousin, Sheryl, and my sister, Robin. Photo courtesy Suzy Moehring Mallard.

Mountain Lodge and Prude Ranch trip with three Sunday School women friends of mine about 12 years ago.

We tried to see it all, y’all. Our first full day we aimed for Santa Elena Canyon, with a drive along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, and a stop at Castolon.

Again – Every. Single. Pullout. I had taken my book “Big Bend Vistas; A Geological Exploration of the Big Bend,” and my sister provided color commentary by reading from it as we drove and naming things we were seeing.

And we learned $10 words like anticline, graben, alluvial, and tuff. Our second full day took us to an early morning ranger hike at Rio Grande Village, then Boquillas Canyon. We meant to soak at Hot Springs, but after a lunch at a little cottonwood picnic area back at Rio Grande Village, my sister, who was wearing her swimsuit, somehow fell into the Rio Grande. Sheryl had already ditched her shorts and was wading in her panties, so she ran back to the car and got her swimsuit. Cool water seemed much better in the heat of the day than the hot springs.

We left Big Bend the next day via Study Butte, Terlingua, Lajitas, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and the River Road.

More pull overs, tons of photos, great stuff to see and remember.

Our drive to Alpine (with more color commentary by Robin from Big Bend Vistas) included a dust storm and a drastic drop in temperature.

And that drop in temperature only intensified as we trekked up to McDonald Observatory from Hotel Limpia in Fort Davis Tuesday evening. I’m almost positive I told those girls it would be

cold, but I don’t think they got how cold I meant.

Which brings me to a second vastness of Big Bend – the night sky. We saw beautiful skies and the Milky Way all three nights we stayed in Chisos Basin.

Robin and I sat out at the end of Window View Trail in our jammies one night until about 11, seeing shooting stars, naming the constellations we knew, telling each other that groupings of stars were bound to be something, wowing at the beauty. And at McDonald Observatory, one of the scientists led us all over the night sky as he named constellations, nebulae, stars, and planets – and then we looked at galaxies through a telescope. Mind blowing. Vast.

We made it to Marfa Wednesday morning on our way home – right, going the wrong way, but Chinati Foundation was closed Monday and Tuesday, and I couldn’t go all that way without seeing it again and making another visit to The Book Company.

Once we turned back toward the north from Marfa, our destination was Balmorhea State Park and another swim.

By the time we got to Solomon Springs, the outside temperature was 57 degrees and that was one brisk swim. Actually, being in the water was great because it was about 72 degrees, but Robin and I about froze when we got out. Sheryl opted to stay bundled up and document our craziness with photos.

Texas is such a beautiful place with such a diversity of landscape. We’re fortunate to have these parks – national and state – to pull us outside of ourselves as they fill us with wonder and appreciation.

Lucky us. I’m ready to go west again.

Hill Country SUN April 2017 Volume 27 • Number 10 ISSN: 1524-2315 Entire contents copyright © 2017 by TD Austin Lane, Inc. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any fashion without the written consent of the publisher.

Julie Spell Harrington Publisher/Advertising 512-484-9716 julie@hillcountrysun.com Melissa Maxwell Ball Editor/Design 512-569-8212 melissa@hillcountrysun.com Ernie Altgelt Colleen Brooks Suzy Moehring Mallard Writers Gerry Burns Adelle Spell Distribution

Luke, Julie & Kenzie Harrington

The Hill Country Sun is published monthly. For advertising rates or information, call Julie Harrington at 512-484-9716 (email julie@hillcountrysun.com). Credit cards accepted.

• Circulation: 22,000. Distributed monthly to more than 450 popular Hill Country locations (see list of towns on front cover) and home delivered to all 5,276 Wimberley homes and 8,663 Dripping Springs homes by the US Postal Service.

• Cover: Kyle Park headlines the musical entertainment at the 27th annual Llano Crawfish Open April 21-22.

(See story, page 6.) In addition to plenty of crawfish and delicious eats, you’ll find more great live music, plus a 5K, golf tourney, arts and crafts, vendors, team roping, motorcycle run, kids’ activities and more. Photo courtesy Kyle Park. Small inset photos courtesy Llano Crawfish Open.

Deadline for calendar events is the 15th of each month.

Email events/releases to melissa@hillcountrysun.com. hillcountrysun.com facebook.com/HillCountrySun

INDEX

HENLY

Texas Hill Country Locator Map

© 2017 by TD Austin Lane, Inc.

Austin J5 Bandera B10 Bergheim D9 Bertram I2 Blanco F6 Boerne D9 Buchanan Dam F2 Buda J7 Bulverde G10 Burnet G2 Camp Verde B8 Canyon Lake G9 Castroville C12 Center Point B8 Clear Springs H11 Comfort C8 Concan A11 Driftwood H7 Dripping Springs H6 Fischer G8 Fredericksburg C5 Georgetown K2 Granite Shoals G2 Gruene H10 Hancock G8 Helotes G6 Henly G6 Highland Lakes F2/3 Hondo B13 Hunt A7 Hye E6 Ingram B7 Johnson City F5 Kendalia F8 Kerrville B7 Kingsland F2 Kyle I8 Lampasas G1 Leakey A9 Llano D2 Liberty Hill I12 Luckenbach D6 Luling K10 Marble Falls G3 Martindale J9 Mason B2 Medina A9 New Braunfels H10 Oak Hill I6 Oatmeal H2 Pipe Creek C10 Round Rock K3 San Antonio F12 San Marcos I9 Sattler H9 Seguin I11 Sisterdale D8 Spring Branch F9 Startzville G9 Stonewall D6 Utopia A10 Vanderpool A9 Wimberley H8

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Arts Fest expands to new venue

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By Colleen Brooks

he Wimberley Valley Art League will host 9th Annual Arts Fest April 22 - 23 at The Waters Point Retreat at Rio Bonito. Organizers are excited about the new venue, which will provide more space for artists and visitors, as well as ample shade in a beautiful pecan grove.

“With the space increase, we are expanding from 75 to 115 artists,” explains Stan Allen, Arts Fest chairman.

“We have artists coming from all over the United States — from California to New York —and from many Texas towns,” he adds.

“Arts Fest is gaining a national reputation among artists and we had no problem at all in ‘luring’ a 50 percent increase in artists.”

Artists selected to participate in Arts Fest are juried into the festival after submitting photos of their art and booth.

Admission is extremely competitive.

“We feel confident we will have a good assortment of art mediums (media) and very talented people,” Stan says. “The array includes painting, photography, jewelers, sculptors, mixed-media artists, glass and metalsmiths, watercolorists, potters and much more.”

About a quarter of the artists sched-

uled to appear are local. One lucky artist will receive the People’s Choice Award, an honor accompanied with the award of a complimentary ad in Southwest Art magazine. Festival attendees determine the winner by casting their vote for their favorite exhibit.

Guests can also enjoy plenty of continuous live music at the event of the jazz, country, blue grass and rock varieties. Performers include Gerry Burns, Gypsy Moon, Erik Hokkanen, the Ash Family, Three Hands High, the Jazz Messenger Boys, Hot Texas Swing and more.

A dozen beautifully restored vintage cars will be also be on the scene, courtesy of the Wimberley Classic Car Club.

The new venue at Rio Bonito offers plenty of space to relax along the beautiful Blanco river. Numerous food vendors will offer a variety of choices, and wine and beer will be available.

The Wimberley Valley Art League — host of Arts Fest — is a non-profit organization made up of about 180 Hill Country artists now in its 18th year.

Stan recalls the first festival. “It started in 2009 with about two dozen artists around Wimberley Square. It quickly grew and became too unwieldy to hold in the center of town,” he explains.

Admission is free and dogs are welcome on a leash. And if you don’t have a dog, the local animal rescue group, Wimberley Adoption Group (WAG) will be at the fest with dogs available for adoption. Plan to come out for this allinclusive (human and pets) familyfriendly event.

FYI • Wimberley Arts Fest is Saturday, April 22, from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, April 23, from 11 am to 5 pm. Parking is available at the Waters Point Retreat for $5, or park free on the Wimberley Square, with shuttles available to deliver attendees to and from the event.

For more information about Wimberley Arts Fest, including a list of participating artists and images of artwork, visit the web site at www.wimberleyartsfest.com.

A young festival-goer checks out the art.

Photo courtesy Wimberley Arts Fest.

Tree sculpture by artist Ed Bratton.

Photo courtesy Ed Bratton.

The 2016 Wimberley Arts Fest. This year’s event (April 22-23) has a new location at The Water’s Point Retreat at Rio Bonito on the Blanco River. Photo courtesy Wimberley Arts Fest.

PAGE 4 4 AUGUST APRIL 2017 R HILL COUNTRY SUN PAGE 2016 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead annual Heritage Gala April 29

DRIPPING SPRINGS H The Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead will host Twilight and Starlight, A Sparkling Country Evening on its beautifully decorated grounds Saturday evening, April 29. More than 250 members of the Dripping Springs community are expected to be in attendance at the annual Heritage Gala; the event has grown considerably over the last several years, bringing in significant funding for the ongoing preservation and operation of the farmstead.

Gala Chairwomen Stephanie Pope and Aubrey Munguia, along with their committee, have planned an unforgettable evening of dining, music, dancing and auction items. The evening will begin at 6 pm with a cocktail hour, featuring music under the beautiful, stately oak trees performed by classical guitarist, Jose Manuel Tejeda.

Guests will be treated to appetizers generously provided by Austin Java, Creek Road Café, Gourmet Gals, Hays City Store, Primizie Catering, and Railroad Bar- B-Que, while sipping beverages donated by 9 Banded Whiskey, Acopon Brewing, Dripping Springs Vodka, Treaty Oak Distillery and Twin Liquors.

The hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be complemented by tours of the Pound House Museum, and a highly anticipated silent auction, featuring fabulous goods, beautiful jewelry, and top-notchservices donated by local businesses.

Guests will then move into the glittering, softly lit tent on the grounds for dinner and a program emceed by local celebrity Penny Reeves, while savoring cuisine donated by Verde’s Mexican Parrilla, and desserts from Well Yeah Cakes. Dinner will be followed by a spirited live auction, with auctioneer Cameron Whitehead tempting the crowd to bid on items ranging from upscale local excursions to travel packages to fine art.

A few highlights of the auction include a trip to Carmel, CA; tickets to a taping of The Ellen Show, a demonstration and dinner prepared by Fabienne of Thyme & Dough, and a sculpture by local artist Doyle Fellers.The evening will culminate with live music by Hudson and Pope and dancing.

FYI • Tickets are $125 per seat. More information and a limited number of tickets are available for purchase on the Pound House Farmstead web site for at www.drpoundhistoricalfarmstead.org.

Celebrate nature at the Balcones Songbird Fest LAGO VISTA H The Balcones Songbird Festival is a celebration of nature through a collection of interpretive events to experience both birds and their habitat. April 21-23, 2017.

While many of the nature tours and events take place across the Hill Country, the main event will be located at the Refuge Headquarters on Farm Market 1431, just west of Lago Vista. The festival is hosted by the Friends of Balcones and Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge and supported by local and national conservation-minded sponsors who make this event possible.

For tourists and residents, the Texas Hill Country has long been one of the most beautiful spots in Texas – a place to wile away the hours on the shores of Lake Travis, catch a few bass in the coves, or travel the farm roads enjoying the wildflowers.

Migrating birds, on the other hand, consider the Hill Country a sort of freeway rest stop – a way station where they can relax, catch a good meal and gather strength for the rest of their journey.

Nestled in the hill country is a 24,000acre Wildlife Refuge that provides critical habitat for two endangered songbird migrants-the Black-capped Vireo and the Golden-cheeked Warbler. They not only stop to rest.., they stop to nest.

The Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge offers some of the best bird watching and habitat left in Texas, with more than 215 bird species part or all of the year. Some of the birds at the

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Fine Art in the Hill Country Female Eastern Bluebird. Photo © Steve Byland. refuge include the Painted Bunting, Black-crested Titmouse, Vermilion Flycatchers, Bushtits, Black-throated Sparrows, LeConte’s Sparrows and Canyon Towhees. Redtails and Red-shouldered Hawks nest regularly as well as Cooper’s Hawks.

You can be among the first to see the refuge’s newest acquisition – Peaceful Springs – 525 acres of pristine habitat.

Registration is open and spaces are limited. Go to www.Friendsof Balcones.org and sign up today for birding tours, photograph workshop, plant identification seminar and lots more at the Balcones Songbird Festival.

FYI • For more information about the 17th Annual Balcones Songbird Festival, visit the web site at www.BalconesSongbirdFestival.org. For more information about the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, visit the web sites at www.fws.gov/refuge/balcones_canyonlands/ or www.friendsofbalcones.org.

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Crawfish lovers delight at annual Llano Open

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very third weekend in April, Llano finds itself swamped and swimming amid thousands of snapping, strutting, steaming, spicy and, most importantly, super savory crawfish. Yep, these curious crustaceans annually come a’calling – and a’clawing – in the expectation of enticing, exciting and engorging countless crawfish cravers (of the human variety) from here to the far bayous of East Texas and everywhere in between.

And, happily (or, hungrily) it’s almost that time again as the eagerly anticipated 2017 Llano Crawfish Open prepares to play host once more April 21-22 to these oh-so cute creek critters, their famished fans and bucketfuls of related fun.

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First celebrated in 1989, the “open” initially grew from the charitable need of a motorized wheelchair for local individual. Area residents wanted to hold a

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Kyle Park headlines Saturday night at Llano 28th annual Crawfish Open.

Photo courtesy Kyle Park.

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fund raiser but weren’t sure what to do.

Enter the “Beaumont Connection.”

Each year a group of visiting deer hunters from East Texas made Llano their base camp. When they heard that the town’s citizenry was looking for something “fun and different” to generate donations, these guys had just the thing – a traditional Cajun crawfish boil!

Add to the mix a golf tourney (to attract those who weren’t quite sure about the little snappers) and an event was born. Folks came, consumed and contributed. All agreed, it was a hoot but, more importantly, the imported crawfish ultimately netted the $400 needed for the purchase of the wheelchair.

Realizing that there were so many other deserving charities, city leaders soon decided to make the Llano Crawfish Open an annual happening and, for the next quarter century, that’s exactly what they did, again and again and again!

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Catch Jake Hooker and the Outsiders Friday night. Photo courtesy Jake Hooker.

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Texas Pride JalaPeno MusTard Peach salsa Peach aMareTTo & Pecan JaM JalaPeno Jelly Hwy. 290, 7 miles west of Dripping Springs Diners enjoying the LLano Crawfish open, serving up 18,000 pounds of Crawfish April 22-23. Photo courtesy Llano Crawfish Open.

This month’s open marks the 28th annual iteration. Over the years, the number of participants – human and crawfish – has grown exponentially. Attendees are expected to number in the thousands and, to accommodate, 18,000 pounds of crawdads have offered their services (and their heads and tails as well!).

The Beaumont Connection will be on hand to oversee the cuisine while local volunteers will run everything else including the two-day golf tournament to be held at the challenging Llano Golf Club, the various (and exciting) live auctions and the kid’s activities (which include crawfish racing), arts and crafts shopping fair, the team roping, a 5K race and motorcycle run.

And don’t forget the not-to-bemissed, top-shelf entertainment-fueled day concerts and nightly dances. Jake

Hooker & the Outsiders and Weldon Henson headline Friday evening, and don’t miss Kyle Park — performing with Dub Miller — Saturday night.

With the majority of the activities taking place in the very comfy and commodious City Park facilities, all agree that the Llano Crawfish Open is truly a one-stop cavalcade of boiled bliss.

So, grab your bibs, put on your dancing boots and sidle on over to Llano this April. But you better be snappy. There’s gonna be a crowd!

FYI • For more information about the multi-day, multi-activity event, including times, directions to the City Park, ticket pricing, to register in the golf tournament, vendor participation, as well as race, motorcycle run and rodeo entry requirements visit the web site at llanocrawfishopen.com. The event primarily takes place on Friday and Saturday, April 21-22. Extended activities including the team rodeo starts on Thursday, April 20. All proceeds raised benefit area charities.

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FOUNDERS DAY!

Carly C. Cunningham, D.D.S., M.S. 512-858-1311 Next to Dripping Springs High School 131 Benney Lane, Suite A • Dripping Springs There’ll be music all weekend — anf plenty of opportunities for boot scootin’ — at the Llano Crawfish Open. Photo courtesy Llano Crawfish Open.

www.CunninghamOrthodontics.com HILL COUNTRY SUN R APRIL 2017 PAGE 7

Musician Larry Garcia, a master of the “SA Sound”

C

By Ernie Atgelt

ulturally-speaking, the greater Alamo City area has long been recognized for its unique and spirited fusion of exceptional musical expression.

Over time, thanks to the inevitable mixing of Spanish, German, Mexican and Polish influences, a delightfully distinct audible “flavor” came into being

that many simply refer to today as “puro San Antonio!” Colorful Mariachi, polkadriven Conjunto, sensuous Tejano and steamy Salsa bands all provide a homegrown beat that continues to be enjoyed by natives and visitors alike.

One paramount practitioner of all these related varieties, for the vast majority of his long, gifted and productive life, is Lazaro (Larry) Torres Garcia.

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A respected veteran accordionist, drummer, vocalist and allaround “musician’s musician,” he continues to create, record, teach and perform for any and all seeking a taste of that spicy “SA sound.”

One just might say that musically, Larry is truly one of the city’s more “noteable” residents.

But, if you’ve ever heard him, you already knew that!

Born in 1944 on a working farm near New Braunfels to a loving, accordion-playing father and equally nurturing mother, Larry was the youngest of his ten other siblings.

With two uncles who were adept at the guitar and seven older brothers who also ably played instruments (mostly accordions), it’s no surprise that Larry, true to the Torres Garcia name, quickly took up music as well.

Together, the family would play the traditional songs trading Lazaro “Larry” Garcia, respected veteran accordionist, tips and advice that drummer, vocalist and all-around “musician’s musician.” further enhanced their He has been performing professionally for 60 years. considerable individuPhoto by Ernie Altgelt. al abilities.

The Torres Garcia clan was always popular at area parties. Eventually, several told, he visited 23 states, performed in brothers became so accomplished that hundreds of different venues, spent they went on to very successful profes- months on the road and did quite well sional careers. monetarily.

Larry was one of these. His first onAnd remarkably, as busy as he was stage performance was in 1955 where the professionally during this time, he was 11-year-old wowed the crowd with his still able to earn his GED, and later, even accordion. attend San Antonio College.

Sadly, in 1959 with his father’s passBut, by 1972, Larry found himself ing, financial hardship required that happily married with five adored chileven the youngest Torres Garcia leave dren to support. home. Larry, at age 14, headed to San Wishing to spend more time at home Antonio to live with his older brother. with his family, he signed on with the Before heading south, the teenager San Antonio-based Alamo Cement Comhad attended school advancing through pany. He spent 34 productive years the 7th grade. Once, more or less “on his working full time at the quarry. own,” and, encouraged by his considerDuring that tenure however, enterable musical abilities, Larry, in search of taining and performing were always an earned income, opted to put his aca- close at hand. demic education “temporarily” on hold Larry, on evenings and weekends, and turn “pro.” directed several well-respected Tejano For 12 years, Larry traveled and per- and Conjunto bands, singing and, usuformed with a number of different bands, ally playing the drums or accordion in ably playing accordion and drums. All See LARRY GARCIA, page 9

Send In Your Calendar events!

PAGE 8 MARCH 2017 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

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Frio/SABINAL RIVER VALLEY

LARRY GARCIA, from page 8 each. He also found the time to “sit in” with numerous other groups that specialized in everything from rock, oldies, Salsa to even Country & Western.

Following “retirement” from the Alamo Cement Company in 2006, Larry was free to devote more of his energies to his beloved family and making music.

Today, after 60 years as a professional, the tireless talent still performs (often accompanied by his singing wife, Janie) at events and private parties across South Texas.

He heads his own Conjunto and Mariachi bands and can be found regularly entertaining at weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and other celebrations.

Most recently, Larry, backed by his latest “seasoned” quartet, Grupo Experiencia, cut an exceptional CD (Como Quisiera) that “went to number five” on a national Internet musical program broadcasting out of California.

So, the next time you hear a tight riff on the accordion or a little harmonious Mariachi, smile and think of the “noteable” Lazaro (Larry) Torres Garcia because, if you’re lucky, it just might be him! Viva la musica!

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Larry Garcia’s publicity photo, circa 1960. His first performance was in 1955, when at age 11 he wowed the crowd. Photo courtesy Larry Garcia.

More than 100 films screen at independent fest April 27-30 FREDERICKSBURG H The Hill Country Film Festival (HCFF), presented by the Hill Country Film Society, has announced its official program selections for the eighth annual event in the heart of the Hill Country April 27-30, 2017.

The festival will screen 17 feature films and 85 short films, representing nine countries along with panel discussions, a closing night party and awards program, and a sendoff reception.

The festival will also screen short films fully produced and directed by high school or college student filmmakers including a showcase of films from the All American High School Film Festival. This year’s festival will also showcase a screenplay competition with five feature screenplay finalists and five short screenplay finalists.

FYI • For more information, including the complete lineup, visit the web site at www.hillcountryff.com.

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Celebrate Earth Day and learn about olive trees from experts DRIPPING SPRINGS H Texas Hill Country Olive Company celebrates of the grand opening of a new garden center and nursery, The Orchard Garden Center, with special tree sale events April 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 11 am to 4 pm. The April 22 event will also celebrate Earth Day, featuring several olive tree experts eager to answer planting and care questions for guests.

The garden center offers a selection of cold-hardy olive tree types, with all listed varieties perfectly equipped to flourish in central Texas weather. Trees growing approximately 12 to 18 inches in height include: Coratina, Lucca, Chemlali, Leccino, Picual and Chiquitita. Trees reaching approximately 3 feet include: Arbequina, Mission, Pendolino, and Picual. The Chiquitita is available for pre-sale and delivery by the end of June.

Texas Hill Country Olive Company is a family owned artisanal organic olive orchard located in Dripping Springs, a perfect environment for growing olive trees.

Texas Hill Country Olive Company is focused on developing some of the finest olive oil produced in the United States, using an old-world process that is quality driven and involves meticulously creating delicious Texas blend extra virgin olive oil.

FYI • The Texas Hill Country Olive Company is located on 17 acres at 2530 W Fitzhugh Road in Dripping Springs.

Customers interested in pre-purchasing trees should email Cara at info@texashillcountryoliveco.com or visit the Texas Hill Country Olive Company store location. For more information, visit the web site at www.TexasHillCountryOliveCo.com or call 512-607-6512.

Find Us on

at River Rim Resort on the Frio

Cabins & RV Sites • www.RiverRimResort.com

(830) 232-5758 • 1204 CR 350 • PO Box 72 • Concan, TX 78838

JANUARY

7 March 201

Since 1990

2017

Bringing you the stories of interesting people, places and things in the Texas Hill Country.

Brenda Freed’s

WOMEN SING Group experien ces joy of music

EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens 19th annual

Butterfly festival

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HILL COUNTRY WILDLIFE

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C.J. Wright’s Hill Country

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The Hill Country e most complet Calendar of events

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Serving Austin, Bandera, Driftwoo Blanco,

Buda, Bulverde us ond, Dripping Springs, Find Kerrvill , Burnet, Frederick e, Kyle, Lakeway Facebook sburg, Georgeto Canyon Lake, Castrovi San Antonio, , Llano, wn, Gruene, lle, Comfort, Leakey, Luckenb HillCountrySun San Marcos, Sattler, Henly, Hancock Concan, ach, Sisterdal Marble Falls, , Johnson City, ll, Wimberle Medina, New y, Utopia, Uvalde, VanderpBraunfels, ool & More

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Find us on Facebook HillCountrySun

Read online at www.HillCountrySun.com HILL COUNTRY SUN R MARCH 2017 PAGE 9

Hill country calendar

April 21st - 23rd 2017

2017 EDITION AVAILABLE NOW!

Your guide to Concan Camp Wood Leakey Rio Frio Utopia Uvalde Vanderpool Published by the Hill Country Sun

Read it online!

HillCountrySun.com

For rates & information, contact Julie Harrington

512-484-9716 • julie@hillcountrysun.com PAGE 10 APRIL 2017 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

NOTE: Dates or locations for the events listed in the Calendar may change. Some require admission fees or reservations.

Please call ahead to confirm information.

EVERY DAY GRUENE: Enjoy great, live music at Gruene Hall. There are free music shows Monday through Thursday nights, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Find a complete schedule of performers at gruenehall.com.

WIMBERLEY: Gardens Open Daily at EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens. Musical garden, creative play area. www. emilyann.org, 512-847-6969.

EVERY SUNDAY BEE CAVE: Thundering Paws Pet Adoption Event. Noon to 4 pm at PetSmart. Call 512-402-9725 for details.

SECOND SUNDAY BANDERA: Cowboy music at Frontier Times Museum. 1 pm - 5 pm. 830-328-0321.

JOHNSON CITY: Taste Wine + Art. Kirchman Gallery. 830-868-9290.

FIFTH SUNDAY DRIFTWOOD: United Methodist Church Bluegrass Gospel Sing-along Service. 11 am. 512-944-6300.

EVERY MONDAY CANYON LAKE: Seniors Bingo. 12:30 pm at Habitat for Safe Seniors, 2174 Old Road, Startzville. 830-899-2256.

CYPRESS MILL: The Bunkhouse Gang at Wenmohs Ranch. Paint and enjoy fellowship of artists. 830-825-3465.

EVERY TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY WIMBERLEY: Enjoy Glass Blowing Demonstrations at Wimberley Glassworks.

Details at wgw.com, 512-213-2110.

EVERY TUESDAY SAN MARCOS: Community Bible Study (Interdenominational). Tuesdays through May 9. 6:30 pm to 8 pm. “Red Sea to the Jordan River.” Classes for men, women and couples. First Christian Church, 3105 Ranch Road 12. 512-808-9156.

EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY WIMBERLEY: All Abilities Chair Exercises. Free class includes breathing, gentle strengthening exercises and mild yoga stretches – all from seated position.

Wimberley Library, 9:30 am to 10:30 am.

512-847-2188.

FIRST TUESDAYS BANDERA: Cowboy Capital Opry.

Silver Sage Senior Center. 830-796-4969.

WIMBERLEY: Hill Country Community Band Rehearsal. Chapel in the Hills. 7 pm to 8:30 pm. 512-517-3111.

SECOND TUESDAYS WIMBERLEY: Art Society of Wimberley (ASW). 6:30 pm. Art Room, 100 Melody Way, Suite H. Email msalaun@austin. rr.com for information.

THIRD TUESDAYS NEW BRAUNFELS: Country Music.

Knights of Columbus. 830-629-4547.

LEANDER: Low Cost Pet Spay, Neuter, Vaccination. For more information, call 512- 260-3602, extension 101.

EVERY WEDNESDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Farmers Market. 3 pm to 7 pm at Highway 290, Ranch Road 12. cityofdrippingsprings.com.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Veteran Music

Group at VFW Post 7110. 5 pm to 8 pm.

Open to all veterans, all skill levels. Song writing, guitar, keyboard and more. VFW Post 7110, 600 Peace Avenue. Gary Walter at 512-460-9919.

WIMBERLEY: Farmers’ Market. Senior Citizen’s Activity Center on Ranch Road 12. 512-264-1637.

WIMBERLEY: AARP Tax Preparation (through April 12). Free tax prep by trained volunteers. Sign up for dates and times in person at the Wimberley Library. wimberleylibrary.org.

SECOND WEDNESDAYS WIMBERLEY: Wimberley Garden Club meets at Lutheran Church of Resurrection. 101 West Spoke Hill.

(September through May.) Refreshments 9:30 am; meetings and programs at 10 am.

WimberleyGardenClub.org.

THIRD WEDNESDAYS DRIPPING SPRINGS: Cook Off Club.

6:30 pm. VFW Hall. Email ryoncrew@ yahoo.com for more information.

WIMBERLEY: The Herb Society of America Hill Country Unit Meeting (August through May). 9:45 am to noon at Wimberley Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 956 Ranch Road 2325.

HillCountryHerbs.org.

WIMBERLEY: Heart of Texas Genealogy Society meets at Wimberley Village Library. 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm. wimberleylibrary.org.

FOURTH WEDNESDAYS WIMBERLEY: Hill Country Neighbors.

Meet at 10:30 am. Wimberley Community Center. 512-847-2849.

EVERY WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY WIMBERLEY: Live music at Cypress Creek Cafe. Check the schedule at cypresscreekcafe.com.

EVERY THURSDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Coffee House with Light Dinners, Desserts, Open Mic. 6 pm to 9 pm. Thyme and Dough. 512-894-0001. thymeanddough.com.

WIMBERLEY: Cafe’ Susanna. Serving lunch 11 am to 1 pm. $9 for entree, two sides and decadent desserts. Wimberley United Methodist Church, wimberleyumc.org.

FIRST THURSDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: First Thursday.

Participating businesses offer events, food and music plus special sale items. 5 pm to 9 pm. drippingspringstx.org.

FIRST AND THIRD THURSDAY CANYON LAKE: Noon Lions Meeting.

Canyon Lake Golf Club. 830-899-4406.

SECOND THURSDAY WIMBERLEY: Hill Country Bead Society.

Wimberley Community Center. 1 pm.

Marilyn Pierce, mp@smpierce.net.

SECOND AND FOURTH THURSDAY WIMBERLEY: Toastmaster Club. Learn public speaking, leadership. 7:10 pm at “old” Baptist Church, 501 Old Kyle Road.

512-847-6822.

THIRD THURSDAY WIMBERLEY: Susanna’s Kitchen Coffeehouse presents some of best in Hill Country music. wimberleyumc.org.

WIMBERLEY: Third Thursdays. Shops open ‘til 8 pm. WimberleyMerchants.com.

EVERY THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY WIMBERLEY: Live Music at Linda’s Fine

Hill country calendar Foods. 500 Farm Market 2325. 512-8475464. facebook.com/LindasFineFoods.

EVERY THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Craft Beer Tasting and Free Tour at Twisted X Brewing Company. 23455 West Ranch Road 12.

Tex-MexBeer.com.

EVERY FRIDAY BLANCO: Tasting Room Open and Brewery Tours at Real Ale Brewing Company. realalebrewing.com.

GRUENE: Friday Afternoon Club at Gruene Hall. Broadcast live KNBT-92.1 FM Radio. 4 pm to 7 pm. 830-629-5077.

WIMBERLEY: Bingo. VFW Hall on Jacobs Well Road. 512-847-6441.

FIRST FRIDAY FREDERICKSBURG: First Friday Art Walk. Tour fine art galleries, many offering special exhibits, demonstrations, refreshments and extended viewing hours the first Friday of every month. ffawf.com.

SAN MARCOS: Laugh Tracks. Subtle DJ set broken up between two local comedian acts. Texas State University’s Student Center. 8 pm to 11 pm. Email ktswpr@gmail.com for more information.

SECOND FRIDAY UVALDE: Four Square Friday Shopping, food, music, art. 6 pm to 9 pm. Downtown. visituvalde.com.

WIMBERLEY: Wimberley Community Civic Club Meeting. (September through November, January through May) 11 am.

Chapel in the Hills. Email Milly Maxey (millymaxey@gmail.com) or call Aurora LeBrun at 512-847-3595.

FOURTH FRIDAY BANDERA: Fourth Friday Jam. Enjoy music at the Silver Sage Corral beginning at 6:30 pm. 830-796-4969.

EVERY FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FREDERICKSBURG: Rockbox Theater.

Variety, music, and rock ‘n roll show, great family fun. 866-349-6688.

EVERY SATURDAY AUSTIN: Austin Farmers Market.

Republic Square. 512-236-0074.

AUSTIN: Sunset Valley Farmers Market.

Barton Creek Mall. 512-280-1976.

BANDERA: Flying L Ranch Chuck Wagon Dinner. Barbecue, wagon rides, roping, branding, more. flyingl.com.

BOERNE: Tejas Pro Rodeo Series Live Rodeo. Gates 5 pm, rodeo at 7:30 pm. Live music and dancing 9 pm. tejasrodeo.com.

BOERNE: Farmer’s Market. 9 am to 1 pm. cibolo.org.

COMFORT: Area Farmer’s Market. 8 am to 1 pm. Comfort Park, Highway 27.

DRIPPING SPRINGS: Texas Music and Wine. solaroestate.com.

FISCHER: Jackson Open Artisan and Farmers Market. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm. 6341 Farm Market 32. jacksonopenairmarket.com, 830-935-2781.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Canyon Trail Chuckwagon Supper and Cowboy Music Show. www.theenglishbrothers.com.

WIMBERLEY: Tour Jacob’s Well.

Hear stories about floods, divers, and experience beauty of the spring that started the town of Wimberley. 10 am. jacobswellspring.org.

WIMBERLEY: Arnosky Family Farms Market. Find flowers, veggies, transplants, cheeses, much more. Ranch Road 2325 and Highway 165. 830-833-5428 WIMBERLEY: Saturday Evening Dinners. blairhouseinn.com.

UTOPIA: Lunch and Dinner Served at Laurel Tree. utopiagourmet.com.

FIRST SATURDAY BANDERA: Market Days. Courthouse Square. 830-796-4447.

BANDERA: First Saturday Book Sale.

Public Library. 830-796-4213.

DRIFTWOOD: Driftwood Community Club. Group meets to enhance community spirit. Dinner at 7 pm. driftwoodtx.org.

WIMBERLEY: Market Days. (First Saturday March through December).

Shop more than 475-plus booths, enjoy free admission. Hours are 7 am to 4 pm. shopmarketdays.com.

SECOND SATURDAY AUSTIN: Gain Peace, NOW: A Study in ‘Divine Love Consciousness’ with Vrinda Devi. 9 am to 11:30 am. $20 (first class free). radhamadhavdham.org, 858-722-5474 or Laura@RadhaMadhavDham.org.

CASTROVILLE: Market Trail Days.

Houston Square. 830-539-2316.

WIMBERLEY: Second Saturday Gallery Trail. 15 galleries around Square stay open late offering art, wine, appetizers. Facebook. com/ SecondSaturdayGalleryTrail.

THIRD SATURDAY MARBLE FALLS: Bluegrass, Country and Western, and Gospel. 6 pm to 10 pm. Boys and Girls Club. 830-898-1784.

EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY DRIPPING SPRINGS: Craft Beer Tasting and Free Tour at Twisted X Brewing Company, live music and food. 23455 West Ranch Road 12. TexMexBeer.com.

ROUND MOUNTAIN: Tours at Westcave Preserve. westcave.org.

SECOND SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AUSTIN: Tours of Bright Leaf Natural Area. brightleaf.org.

FOURTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY JOHNSON CITY: Market Days.

Food, artisans, more. Information at JohnsonCityTexasChamber.com.

APRIL 1-16 FREDERICKSBURG: Texas Hill Country Wine and Wildflower Trail . Self-guided tour includes special events, tastings and discounts.

Various locations. texaswinetrail.com.

APRIL 1-23 KERRVILLE: Hill Country Youth Art Show. Features 1,000-plus students from grades K-12. Kerr Arts and Cultural Center, 228 Earl Garrett Street. kacckerrville.com.

APRIL 7-9 BURNET: Bluebonnet Festival. Declared “The Bluebonnet Capital of Texas” by the 67th State Legislature, the city of Burnet celebrates with festival the second weekend of April. Come for some fun and bring your camera to take pictures of the bluebonnets. Burnet’s Historic Square. bluebonnetfestival.org.

WIMBERLEY: Near Death Experience Symposium. Wimberley Community Center. www.EnlighteningArts.com.

APRIL 8 BOERNE: Second Saturday Art and Wine.

Participating galleries go all out each month with complimentary beverages and a variety of hors d’oeuvres along with fantastic art. Travel to each gallery in the downtown area on foot or on the Shabby Bus. Various locations. visitboerne.org.

FREDERICKSBURG: Bluebonnet Tractor Ride. Antique tractors, cars and trucks make a 20-mile loop through scenic Gillespie County. Various locations. rustyiron.org.

WIMBERLEY: 27th Annual Pie Social.

Good, old-fashioned family fun, with live music, activities for kids, best pie contest, hot dogs, lemonade and lots of homemade pie! 11 am to 2 pm at historic Winters-

Wimberley house located at Ranch Road 12 and River Road. Free admission, food/ activity tickets $1. Hosted by Wimberley Institute of Cultures. For information and to download pie contest entry form, go to www.wimwic.org.

APRIL 8-9 BOERNE: Market Days. Enjoy a magical outdoor market that blends the traditions of the Texas Hill Country with the creations of today’s culture. Main Plaza, 100 N. Main Street. visitboerne.org.

FREDERICKSBURG: WWII Pacific Combat Program. Brings history to life with equipment and weapons used during WWII and a battle re-enactment 41set on an island in the Pacific. pacificwarmuseum.org.

CANYON LAKE...YEAR ROUND VACATION LIVING Come enjoy our clear lake and cool, refreshing river!

Shop • Dine • Swim • Tube • Raft • Canoe • Fish • Camp • Sail

800-528-2104 • canyonlakechamber.com

~BEvery I NFriday G O~ v 4 Early Bird Games 7:15pm ~ 50/50 Split v 10 Regular Games 8pm VFW Hall Post 6441 @ Veterans Park 4 mi. no. on RR 12 to Jacobs Well Rd Non Smoking • Plenty of Parking • Air & Heat • Food Available www.texasvfw.net • 512-847-6441 • Lic. #1-74-6066562-7 www.visitwimberley.com/vfw

WHERE KIDS BECOME A COMMUNITY YMCA Camps offer children & teens safe, exciting, and memory-making experiences. At the Y, campers gain a sense of accomplishment, build relationships, and find their sense of belonging.

SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION OPEN NOW! -Ages 4-14 -5 days a week

-Sites in Travis, Hays & Bastrop counties -Financial assistance is available

Register today at AustinYMCA.org/camp or call Program Services at 512.236.9622

Now Enrolling for Swim Lessons *Financial Assistance Available

HILL COUNTRY SUN R APRIL 2017 PAGE 11

Hill country calendar

Books

By

ErniE LEE New Release!

A Book of Poetry by Ernie Lee, the Bard of the Blanco

Enjoy a fun, old-fashioned dance at the more than 100-year-old Twin Sisters Dance Hall the first Saturday of every month. Photo by Willard Gibbons.

Signed copies or appearances

ernie.lee@live.com

Available at Amazon.com or & Aim-HiBooks.com

GET LISTED! Email Your Calendar events to

melissa@hillcountrysun.com

Bring out the best!

34+ Years Experience

We Do What We Promise!

Great References • Friendly Service • Guaranteed!

Exterior Painting H Interior Painting H Restoration Staining H Decks H Carpentry H Drywall Repair

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BallBrothersPainting.com PAGE 12 APRIL 2017 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

FREDERICKSBURG: Waltstock and Barrel Wine and Music Festival. Music, wine and craft beer festival featuring headliner Walt Wilkins, as well as artists and food trucks on site. Texas Wine Country Jellystone Park Camp-Resort. waltstockandbarrel.com.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Folkfest. Annual family heritage festival features living history re-enactments, pioneercraft demonstrations, free museum tours, children’s activities, musical entertainment and delicious food. nbheritagevillage.com.

APRIL 8-23 FREDERICKSBURG: Wildflower Celebration. Colorful fields, shopping, butterfly gardens and special activities.

Wildseed Farms. wildseedfarms.com.

APRIL 13 BOERNE: Diva Night. Night of shopping, music, dining and great specials. Hill Country Mile. visitboerne.org.

APRIL 14-15 AUSTIN: “Greater Tuna.” Take a trip to Tuna in this irreverently hilarious comedy about Texas’ third smallest town.

The Long Center. thelongcenter.org.

AUSTIN: Reggae Festival. A fundraiser for Capital Area Food Bank, this event features three days of reggae, world and dub talent, with more than 50 vendors selling food, arts and crafts. Auditorium Shores. austinreggaefest.com.

APRIL 14-16 FREDERICKSBURG: Trade Days. Shop with more than 450 vendors or relax in the Biergarten while listening to live music. fbgtradedays.com.

KERRVILLE: Easter Hill Country Bike Tour. Quiet, well-paved roads, fullystocked rest stops and panoramic scenery make this tour a premier cycling event in Texas, with routes suitable for all categories of participants—from novices to experienced riders. Y.O. Ranch Hotel and Conference Center. ehct.com.

APRIL 15 BOERNE: Hot Rod Night. Reminiscent of old-fashioned Americana street parties. sodapopsboerne.com.

COMFORT: Easter Volksmarch. Choose

between two distances in traditional volksmarch race, starts at Comfort Park.

Prizes awarded. comfort-texas.com.

JUNCTION: Easter Pageant.

On picturesque hillside beneath bluff known as Lover’s Leap, local thespians present the re-enactment of crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Begins at dusk.

Cedar Creek Road at Farm Market 2169. junctionmensbibleclass.com.

KERRVILLE: Here’s to the Heroes Easterfest and Cook-Off. Free community event includes barbecue and chili cookoff, games, vendors, live music, washerpitching tournament, Easter egg hunt, and open car and bike show. Flat Rock Lake Park. kerrvilletx.com.

APRIL 19-30 AUSTIN: “The Phantom of the Opera.”

Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s phenomenal musical success. Bass Concert Hall. broadwayinaustin.com.

APRIL 19-22 AUSTIN: Moontower Comedy Festival.

Comics from around the globe perform. austintheatre.org/moontower-comedy.

APRIL 20-23 DRIFTWOOD: Old Settler’s Music Festival. Enjoy bluegrass, folk and Americana acts performing on four stages over four days, along with camping in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch. oldsettlersmusicfest.org.

APRIL 21-22 LLANO: 28th Annual Llano Crawfish Open. (See story, page 6.) Golf tournament, live auctions, kid’s activities (including crawfish racing), arts and crafts shopping fair, team roping, 5K, and motorcycle run.

Jake Hooker & the Outsiders and Weldon Henson Friday, Kyle Park and Dub Miller Saturday. www.llanocrawfishopen.com.

APRIL 21-23 AUSTIN: MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas. Pinnacle of two-wheel racing features high-speed racing all weekend, culminating with the Grand Prix Sunday. circuitoftheamericas.com.

DRIPPING SPRINGS: Founders Day Festival. Features free music

HILL COUNTRY CALENDAR and entertainment on two stages, the Mighty Thomas Carnival, food, beer, street dances, cook-off competitions and more than 150 arts and crafts booths and vendors. Downtown Mercer Street. cityofdrippingsprings.com.

LAGO VISTA: Balcones Songbird Festival. (See story, page 5.) Balcones Canyonland National Wildlife Refuge.

BalconesSongbirdFestival.org.

APRIL 22 AUSTIN: Girls in STEM Conference.

Discover STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers at event for 4th to 8th grade girls. Hands-on workshops led by women in STEM fields, lunch, and a t-shirt. Registration at www.girlstart.org.

BOERNE: Texas Corvette Association’s 25th Annual Open Car Show.

Downtown. visitboerne.org.

FREDERICKSBURG: Spring Fish Fry. Enjoy a freshly fried catfish dinner with all the trimmings and live music.

Marktplatz. visitfredericksburgtx.com.

JUNCTION: Outdoor Women Event.

Women learn or brush up on archery, team wagon driving, fly-fishing, bird watching, hands-on self- defense, trailer backing, tomahawk throwing, kayaking, shooting, outdoor photography and more. South Llano River State Park. junctiontexas.com.

KERRVILLE: Cajun Festival in the Park.

Activities for kids, music, dancing and Cajun flavors with wine and beer. kerrvilletx.gov.

APRIL 22-23 AUSTIN: Monster Jam. Trucks are custom-designed machines that sit atop 66-inch tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds. Frank Erwin Center. uterwincenter.com.

JOHNSON CITY: Market Days. Local artisans and craftsmen sell their wares.

City Park, U.S. Highway 290 and Avenue G. lbjcountry.com.

KERRVILLE: Texas Gun and Knife Show. Includes new and used guns, knives, gold and silver coins, jewelry, camping gear, military supplies, more.

Kerr County Hill Country Youth Event Center. texasgunandknifeshows.com.

WIMBERLEY: 2017 Arts Fest at the Waters Point at Rio Bonito. (See story, page 4.) 115 juried artists, live music, classic car show, plus free admission and shuttles to the Wimberley Square.

WimberleyArtsFest.com.

APRIL 23 AUSTIN: Capitol 10K. Texas’ largest 10K race as. Downtown Austin. cap10k.com APRIL 27 AUSTIN: Umlauf Garden Party. Event highlights include a silent auction, wine and savories by more than 20 of Austin’s top restaurants, live music in museum’s garden. umlaufsculpture.org.

BOERNE: A Thirst for Nature. Join Cibolo Nature Center and their team of experts for an evening of themed cocktails and educational programs. visitboerne.org.

WIMBERLEY: Girls’ Night Out Shop & Stroll. 5 pm to 8 pm. Experience Wimber-

ley’s eclectic shops, galleries and dining at this Wimberley Mercants Association event. www.WimberleyMerchants.com.

APRIL 27-30 FREDERICKSBURG: Hill Country Film Festival. Annual film festival that screens the best of independent film from Texas and around the world.

Fritztown Cinema, 2254 U.S. Highway 87. hillcountryff.com.

APRIL 28-29 FREDERICKSBURG: Fort Martin Scott Days. Re-enactors in period dress bring to life Fort Martin Scott in the 1850s, demonstrating pioneer skills and crafts.

Fort Martin Scott, 1606 East Main Street. ftmartinscott.org.

APRIL 28-30 AUSTIN: Food + Wine Festival. Top chefs from across the nation host more than 40 events, including hands-on grilling demonstrations, expanded interactive fire pits, numerous tasting tents, book signings and more. Various locations. austinfoodandwinefestival.com.

FREDERICKSBURG: Wings Over the Hills Nature Festival. Educational and entertaining opportunity for family to experience unique winged wildlife of Texas Hill Country. wingstx.org.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Crawfest. Enjoy four stages filled with live music, gumbo championship, 5K dash, arts and crafts market, and more than 10,000 pounds of crawfish. comalcountyfair.org.

APRIL 29 AUSTIN: Eeyore’s Birthday Party. Pease Park. eeyores.org.

WIMBERLEY: The Wimberley Garden Club & Wimberley Art League present “Art in the Garden.” Tour five homes with magnificent views, one newly designed event center, and more. Tour includes live art and sales by league artists and garden art and native plant sale focusing on attracting pollinators. www.wimberleygardenclub.org.

APRIL 29-30 BUDA: 20th Annual Lions Club Country Fair and Wiener Dog Races. (See story, page 8.) Barbecue cookoff, vendors, kids’ activities, arts and crafts, food booths and more. 8 am to 6 pm. Buda City Park. www.BudaLions.com.

MAY 3-7 AUSTIN: 20th Annual Cine Las Americas International Film Festival. Various locations. cinelasamericas.org.

MAY 4 NEW BRAUNFELS: The Bellamy Brothers in Concert. Best-known for easy rolling, ’70s southern soft rock classic “Let Your Love Flow,” The Bellamy Brothers are one of the most successful duos in country music history, consistently climbing into the upper reaches of the Billboard country charts during the ’80s. brauntex.org.

MAY 4-7 AUSTIN: “Six Guitars.” Chase Padgett becomes six different guitarists, each with their own distinct voice, views and musical style. The Long Center. thelongcenter.org.

MAY 5-7 FREDERICKSBURG: Hill Country Run Motorcycle Rally. Enjoy bike rides

through the hills, live music, a cowboy breakfast, brews and barbecue, and more.

Luckenbach Texas, 412 Luckenbach Town Loop. hillcountryrun.com.

MARBLE FALLS: Howdy-Roo CASI Regional Chili Cook-Off. Join the Highland Lakes Chapter of CASI in Johnson Park for three days of good food, good friends and good fun. Johnson Park, 230 Avenue J. howdyroo.com.

MAY 6 BLANCO: Twin Sisters Dance. Family friendly monthly old-fashioned dance in a more than 100-year-old country dance hall. Twin Sisters Dance Hall, South of Blanco on U.S Highway 281. twinsistersdancehall.com.

BOERNE: Art in the Park. Free community festival celebrates both beauty of natuand artistic expression.

Artists set up art activity stations, where both kids and adults participate together in making art and more. Music, dance

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and storytelling throughout the day.

Cibolo Nature Center, 140 City Park Road. visitboerne.org.

BOERNE: Handmade Market. All handmade items, including bath and body products, home decor, children’s items and food. Food trucks will be on site, plus playground for kids and live music. Kendall County Fairgrounds. visitboerne.org.

BOERNE: Hauptstrasse Quiltfest.

Colorful quilts on display, live music, special exhibits, presentation, more. Main Plaza, 100 North Main. visitboerne.org.

CONCAN: River Road Market Fest: Fiesta on the Frio. Vendors, petting zoo, face painting, food, kids’ games. a jalapeno eating contest and more at Andy’s on River Road. 830-232-4310, www.VisitUvaldeCounty.com.

KERRVILLE: Hill Country Swap Meet.

Giant community garage sale, flea market and trade days combined, with

2/15/17 12:35:44 PM

HILL COUNTRY SUN R APRIL 2017 PAGE 13

Hill country calendar concessions and lots of free parking. Pets on a leash welcome. Kerr County Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3785 Texas 27. kerrmarketdays.org.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Kindermasken Parad. Enjoy New Braunfels’ oldest heritage tradition. nbheritagevillage.com.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Wein and Saengerfest. Wine and craft beer tastings, live music, a grape stomp, an artisan market, a chef showdown and plenty of family fun. Main Plaza. weinandsaengerfest.com.

WIMBERLEY: Market Days. More than 475 booths along a winding, shady path featuring treasures of all sorts. Live music and barbecue, too. Lions Field, 601 Farm Market 2325. shopmarketdays.com.

MAY 6-7 AUSTIN: Pecan Street Festival. Street fair features local artisans, food vendors, musicians and kids’ activities. Sixth Street Historic District. pecanstreetfestival.org.

COMFORT: Spring Antique Show at Comfort Park. 423 Main Street. comforttexas.com.

STONEWALL: Lavender Festival.

Celebrate everything lavender with vendors, cooking demonstrations, more. beckervineyards.com.

MAY 6, 20 BOERNE: Hot Rod Night.Reminiscent of old-fashioned Americana street parties—a gathering place for old and new friends. Derringer Band and The

Lost Mule Band perform. Soda Pops, 103 North Main. sodapopsboerne.com.

MAY 7 FREDERICKSBURG: Maifest German Chorale Concert. An evening of German song and Fredericksburg hospitality at St. Joseph’s Halle. visitfredericksburgtx.com.

MAY 9 COMFORT: Music in the Park. 423 Main Street. comfort-texas.com.

MAY 10-13 MARBLE FALLS: MayFest. Fun for the entire family in a lovely outdoor green space, with carnival, free concerts, washer pitching, games, food and craft vendors, more. Johnson Park, 230 Avenue J. marblefalls.org.

MAY 12-14 AUSTIN: “Alice in Wonderland.” Alice, and all of the eccentric characters she encounters, jump from page to stage in wacky, whimsical production. The Long Center. balletaustin.org.

MAY 13 BOERNE: Art Waddle. Stroll, ride bikes, picnic along Cibolo Creek, as neighbors display art in The Flats of Boerne. Works by more than 30 artists on sale; event supports scholarships to summer art camp at Cibolo Nature Center and Farm. artwaddleboerne.com.

BOERNE: Second Saturday Art and Wine.

Travel to each gallery in the downtown area on foot or on the Shabby Bus. Various locations. visitboerne.org.

SATURDAY, APR 22: 10 - 6 SUNDAY, APR 23: 11 - 5 115 TOP NOTCH JURIED ARTISTS CONTINUOUS LIVE MUSIC BEHAVED DOGS WELCOME CLASSIC CAR SHOW FREE ADMISSION & SHUTTLES TO SQUARE

WIMBERLEYARTSFEST.COM PAGE 14 APRIL 2017 R HILL COUNTRY SUN

Shop more than 475 vendors at Wimberley Lions Market Day the first Saturday of the month (March through December). Photo courtesy Wimberley Lions Market Day.

MAY 13 FREDERICKSBURG: Texas Flower Country Women’s 5K and 10K Run. Enjoy a post-race champagne brunch. Wildseed Farms. runintexas.com/flower.

MAY 13-14 BOERNE: Market Days. Artists, crafters and vendors share their creative talents and wares to sounds of homegrown Texas musicians. Main Plaza. visitboerne.org.

MAY 14 AUSTIN: Mother’s Day at the Capitol.

Austin Symphonic Band performs on south steps of State Capitol. 1100 Congress Avenue. austinsymphonicband.org.

GRUENE: Mother’s Day Gospel Brunch

with a Texas Twist. gruenehall.com.

MAY 14-15 DRIPPING SPRINGS: Tour the Talent Studio Tour. Visit seven studios in Dripping Springs area representing 30 artists. artistsalliancehc.com MAY 19-21 FREDERICKSBURG: Trade Days. Shop with more than 450 vendors or relax in the Biergarten while listening to live music. Sunday Farms, 355 Sunday Farms Lane. fbgtradedays.com.

MAY 20 KYLE: Starlight Symphony Orchestra Concert. Hays Performing Arts Center. starlightsymphony.org.

Hill country calendar MAY 20-21 GRUENE: Old Gruene Market Days.

Features more than 100 artisans offering handmade items including packaged Texas foods. Event includes live entertainment, specialty shopping, wine tasting, unique dining and river rides. Gruene Historic District. gruenemarketdays.com.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Liberty Gun Show.

Show provides safe environment to buy, sell or trade guns in a legal manner, with everything from firearms to ammo and hunting gear. New Braunfels Convention Center. libertygunshow.com.

MAY 21 AUSTIN: New Kids on the Block in Concert with Paula Abdul, Boyz II Men. Frank Erwin Center. uterwincenter.com.

WIMBERLEY: Starlight Symphony Orchestra.

First Baptist Church. starlightsymphony.org.

MAY 25 BOERNE: A Thirst for Nature. Join Cibolo Nature Center and their team of experts for an evening of themed cocktails and educational programs. visitboerne.org.

AUSTIN: Clint Black in Concert. Nutty Brown Cafe & Amphitheatre. Tickets on sale now. www.NuttyBrown.com MAY 25 - JUNE 11 KERRVILLE: Kerrville Folk Festival.

Texas Hill Country–based international songwriters festival features more than 100 songwriters and their bands. Quiet Valley Ranch, 3876 Medina Highway. kerrvillefolkfestival.org.

MAY 25 - JUNE 25 KERRVILLE: Southwest Gourd Fine Art Show. National competition of some of the best gourd artists in America. Kerr Arts and Cultural Center, 228 Earl Garrett Street. kacckerrville.com.

MAY 26-28 BANDERA: Pro Rodeo. Three nights of action-packed PRCA rodeo action featuring the top cowboys in the nation, mutton bustin’ for the little ones and nationally recognized entertainment. banderaprorodeo.org.

FREDERICKSBURG: Crawfish Festival.

A three-day fest dedicated to music, entertainment, food, beverages and fun inspired by all things Cajun. Marktplatz.

fbgcrawfish.com.

KERRVILLE: “Dimensions in Quilting” Quilt Show. Hill Country Quilt Guild presents more than 200 judged quilts, wearable and fiber arts, plus boutique with handmade items, fabric and notion vendors, scissors sharpening and a fundraising quilt drawing. hillcountryquiltguild.com.

KERRVILLE: Texas Masters of Fine Art and Craft. Show features Texas artists who are masters in media, from jewelry design to handmade furniture, sculpture and painting. Y.O. Ranch Hotel and Conference Center. texasmasters.com.

MAY 27 FREDERICKSBURG: USO Style Memorial Day Hangar Dance. Dress in your best 1940s-inspired outfit and help support the USO in Fort Hood. Swing dance lessons and music by Lone Star Swing Orchestra.

Pacific Showroom, Hangar Hotel, 155 Airport Road. hangarhotel.com.

FREDERICKSBURG: WWII Pacific Combat Program Bringing history to life with equipment used during WWII and a battle re-enactment set on an island in the Pacific. Pacific Combat Zone, National Museum of the Pacific War. pacificwarmuseum.org.

MAY 27-28 AUSTIN: Citywide Garage Sale. Vintage, collectible and antique market at Palmer Events Center. cwgs.com.

JOHNSON CITY: Market Days. Local artisans sell their wares. City Park, U.S. 290 at Avenue G. lbjcountry.com.

KERRVILLE: May 27-28 Festival of the Arts. Features 100 artists working in a variety of media outside under big tents, with concessions on site and nearby restaurants and shops. Downtown Kerrville. kvartfest.com.

NEW BRAUNFELS: Schlittercon XIV. Celebrate Schlitterbahn’s 35th birthday with discounted member pricing includes two days of admission, hot breakfast, two dinners, a nighttime float, two evening heated pool parties and an evening dessert party. schlitterbahn.com.

MAY 29 AUSTIN: Life Time Tri CapTex. Annual triathlon attracts all levels of athletes,

from top-ranked professionals to firsttime triathletes. captextri.com.

FREDERICKSBURG: Memorial Day Observance. National Museum of the Pacific War. pacificwarmuseum.org.

JUNE 2 - JULY 2 WIMBERLEY: “West Side Story.”

EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens. www. emilyann.org, 512-847-6969.

JULY 7-9 WIMBERLEY: Wimberley Valley Art League (WVAL) Cool Art Show. Reception July 7. Enjoy hundreds of cool original pieces of fine art in many media from local artists. Art will be on display and for sale at the Wimberley Community Center. 512-826-4286, www.WimberleyArtLeague.com.

Based in Wimberley,Texas Offering Small Group Tours Since 2012

For More Information Contact Cynthia Marion - 214.497.4074

Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City

Tuesday, September 12 - Wednesday, September 20, 2017 9 Days / 8 Nights

Final Payment Due No Later Than June 12, 2017

Eastern Canada Fall Tour Cuba! The Time is Now! Various Dates Available 2017 Call Cynthia @ 214-497-4074 for Details

9 Days / 8 Nights

Monday, October 2 Sunday, October 8, 2017

Fall in Big Bend Country & National Park

7 Days / 6 Nights

Final Payment Due No Later Than August 4, 2017

Contact Cynthia Marion at (214) 497-4074 cynthiamarion@travelphiletours.com www.tr a velphilet ours.com

Circulation: 22,000 February 2017

Distributed monthly to more than 450 popular Hill Country locations and home delivered to all homes in Wimberley ISD and Dripping Springs ISD by the United States Postal Service.

Bandera’s 11th Street Cowboy Bar hosts

Cowboy Mardi Gras R

Hill Country Parks

by Suzy Moehring-Mallard

R Wimberley’s delightful

kiss tHe Cook kitchen shop

R

Hill Country wildlife

Contact Julie Harrington

by CJ Wright

R The Hill Country’s

512-484-9716

most complete

Calendar of events

Serving Austin, Bandera, Blanco, Buda, Bulverde, Burnet, Canyon Lake, Castroville, Comfort, Concan, Driftwood, Dripping Springs, Fredericksburg, Georgetown, Gruene, Henly, Hancock, Johnson City, Kerrville, Kyle, Lakeway, Llano, Leakey, Luckenbach, Marble Falls, Medina, New Braunfels, San Antonio, San Marcos, Sattler, Sisterdale, Stonewall, Wimberley, Utopia, Uvalde, Vanderpool & More

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HILL COUNTRY SUN R APRIL 2017 PAGE 15

h g i t Out N s l r Gi

Shop & Stroll W i m b erle y

Visit the EmilyAnn Butterfly Festival ♦ Summer Musical Butterfly Releases ~ Games ~ Nature Activities Flight House ~Art~ Live Entertainment

5 pm - 8 pm THURSDAY

April 27 Fiesta! July 27 Summer Luau October 26 Moonlight Madness Experience Wimberley’s Eclectic Shops, Galleries and Dining!

Another Fabulous Wimberley Merchants Association Event!

June 2 - July 1 Fridays & Saturdays Sunday, July 2 8:15 p.m.

Performed on the outdoor Patti S. Harrison Main Stage.

Tickets Available online or at the gate

ARTWORK BY JILL PANKY

More Info @

www.WimberleyMerchants.com

Gardens open daily! Creative Play Areas ♦ Musical Garden

1101 FM 2325 ♦ Wimberley, TX ♦ www.EmilyAnn.org

20th Annual

April 29-30, 2017 • 8:00 am to 6:00 pm WEINER DOG RACES - Saturday 10:00 am and 2:00 pm & Sunday 10:00 am with finals Sunday at 3:00 pm MIXED BREED RACES - Saturday 11:30 am and 3:00 pm & Sunday at 11:30 am with finals Sunday at 1:30 pm BBQ Cook-Off (Saturday), Arts & Crafts Booths, Food, Kid Games includes Bouncy Houses, Petting Zoo, Fish Pond, Live Music, The Buda Bee and Bake-Off (Sunday) $5.00 General Admission - Kids 12 years & under get in FREE!

PAGE 16 APRIL 2017 R HILL COUNTRY SUN