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Publisher: Michael Wagner Associate Publisher: Lara Fischer Editor-in-Chief: Hernán Rozemberg
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Saturday, Mar. 7, 2:00-4:00 pm Fred Reads, Reading and Book Launch by Victoria García Zapata-Klein from “Te Prometo” (Alma Press, 2015)
Sunday, Mar. 15, 4:00-6:00 pm
A Tribute by Men to Women in Jazz Poolside concert by George Prado & The Regency Jazz Band featuring jazz vocalists Ken Slavin, Johnny Panzarella and Jose Ruben De Leon,
Saturday, Mar. 28, 5:30-8:30 pm
Opening reception for “On the Eve of Consciousness” installation with new paintings by Elizabeth Rodriguez
Saturday, Apr. 4, 2:00-4:00 pm
GO! Poetry Readings from the Bihl Haus GO! Arts Creative Writing Program with instructors and poets Jim LaVilla-Havelin and Amanda Flores and the fabulous GO! Arts Goldens
Saturday, Apr. 18, 2:00-4:00 pm
Her Texas: Story, Image, Poem & Song (Wings Press, 2015) San Antonio book launch and reading by Her Texas authors
Open Fridays & Saturdays, 1-4 pm, or by appt. 2803 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio TX 210.383.9723 | bihlhausarts.org 6 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
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Chief Executive Officer: Andrew Zelman Chief Operating Officers: Chris Keating, Michael Wagner Chief Financial Officer: Brian Painley Human Resources Director: Lisa Beilstein Digital Operations Coordinator:Jaime Monzon www.euclidmediagroup.com National Advertising: Voice Media Group 1-888-278-9866, voicemediagroup.com San Antonio Current 915 Dallas San Antonio, Texas 78215 www.sacurrent.com Editorial - (210) 227-0044 / Fax - (210) 227-7755 Display Advertising - (210) 227-0044 Fax - (210) 227-7733 Classified - (210) 227-CLAS / Fax - (210) 227-7733 The San Antonio Current is published by Euclid Media Group Verified Audit Member San Antonio Distribution – The Current is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. Copyright - The entire contents of the San Antonio Current are copyright 2015 by Euclid Media Group LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Publisher does not assume any liability for unsolicited manuscripts, materials, or other content. Any submission must include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All editorial, advertising, and business correspondence should be mailed to the address listed above.
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Welcome To City Guide! Whether you were born and raised here or are just visiting for the weekend, you’ll likely notice that San Antonio is busy growing and evolving — doing so in its own distinct fashion, simultaneously embracing tradition and innovation. While the expansion of our famed River Walk and continued growth around the Pearl Brewery have already transformed the look and vibe of our downtown area, other spots — from Southtown to Stone Oak — are going through significant booms of their own. Seems fair enough to say that, as much as many people like to see the Alamo City retaining a traditional big town feel, in many aspects it’s now resembling more of an image folks may have when thinking of the country’s seventh-largest city. So, no surprise that all this change comes full circle in terms of how we at the Current conceptualize and present to you our annual City Guide. Last year, for example, we offered you a geographical approach, carving up the city into distinct neighborhoods or areas of interest (dining, shopping, nightlife, recreation, etc.). This time around, we thought we’d take a different path. Why not, we thought, offer you a great conversation starter while at
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the same time provide you with some insight on great points of interest around our beautiful metropolis? Hence our title: “100 Things To Do In San Antonio Before You Die.” Catchy? We think so? Over the top? Maybe! Guess we really wanted to drive home the point that we feel they’re all really good. From obvious musts (the Mission Trail) to off-the-beaten path oddities (Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Museum) and campy traditions (Fiesta Cornyation), we tried to cram in a little bit of everything (in no particular order) to satisfy many tastes and preferences. But hey, don’t get us wrong, we don’t even pretend to think we’ve got all the answers. Or even the best ideas, for that matter. And the sheer reality is that there are more than 100 things you should experience here — we just had to draw the line somewhere! If we left out one of your faves, apologies for the oversight, but please do let us know. We’re all ears. Oh, and despite the word “die” on the cover, we’re not feeling morbid — we were just having a bit of fun. It’s a great city with a rich history and a promising future, and all we want is for you to enjoy it here as much as we do.
Does anything say San Antonio more than its never-ending choice of taco places?
1. Embark On A Breakfast Taco Tour Let’s assume you’ve had a wild night of drinking, or just happen to wake up with a voracious appetite ... Sounds like a taco tour is in order. When it comes to San Antonio, the options are plenty and there’s no way we can cover the plethora of choices in 500 words, but here’s our most valiant effort concentrated around the Hildebrand area. Kick off the tour with a stop at El Rafa’s Café (1535 W. Hildebrand Ave.), a house-turned-eatery that serves up hand-rolled tortillas to hundreds of guests that crowd the tiny parking lot, waiting for their turn inside. A quick jaunt down Hildebrand to Blanco will land you squarely between two more fine taco establishments. Owned by Rolando Rodarte, Rolando’s Super Taco (919 W. Hildebrand Ave.) is known for its massive tacos. Get there early or risk a pretty intense wait as folks try to get their hands on the namesake taco with refried beans, cheese, egg and guacamole. If you’re not ready for a taco-induced nap, then head right across the street to Fina’s Kitchen (914 W. Hildebrand Ave.), where the friendly staff will hook you up with a cafecito and damn good breakfast tacos. Make a pit stop at Taco Taco (145 E. Hildebrand), once considered the source of the best tacos in America by Bon Appetit. While that is still wildly contested, we’ll agree Taco Taco’s got a fun setup nestled just outside Monte Vista. Take a slight detour on McCullough and land at Mary Lou’s Café (4405
McCullough Ave.) where some of the city’s best flour tortillas await (the pork chop taco is a staff fave) along with posh digs that mean you can stay a while and chat over a bacon, egg and cheese taco. The breakfast taco action continues at Tobin Hill’s El Milagrito Mexican Restaurant (521 E. Woodlawn Ave.), where you’ll find sleepy Trinity students and neighbors nursing hangovers on weekends. Breakfast is served all day so choose from any sort of combination with tacos rarely breaking the $2 mark (that’s saved for barbacoa, machacado, fajita and lengua guisada). Taqueria Chapala Jalisco (1819 McCullough Ave.) ditched its former shabby-chic digs for a new hacienda-style building with a drive-thru that makes grabbing a thick chilaquiles taco to-go easier than ever. Try it on their corn tortillas. A breakfast taco tour wouldn’t be complete without a nod to Southtown’s Cascabel Mexican Patio (1000 S. St. Mary’s St.) where breakfast starts at 10 a.m. and the menu features hand-rolled corn tortillas along with a vibrant chori-queso and savory machado a la Mexicana. Or visit one of the three Thousand Oaks Café locations around town, found off Jones Maltsberger, Austin Highway and Thousand Oaks Drive, where each nails the art of the breakfast taco with great tortillas and flavorful fillings. You’ll leave ready to conquer the day … or sleep off that hangover. That’s up to you.
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The Alamo City displays its Mexican-American heritage through vivid street art.
2. Feel The Neighborhood Onda With A Tour Of San Antonio Murals Like Miami or Los Angeles, San Antonio is one of those cities in the geographic American South that doubles as a LatinAmerican cultural outpost, splitting time and city space between borders. Nowhere is this more apparent in San Antonio than in the murals scattered across the city’s West Side. The best way to take in this public art is to live in the area and let the pop-art frescos soak into the daily barrio flavor. Obviously not possible for tourists, we recommend a self-guided bike tour around the murals. An adventurous route is to wander up and down Colorado or Zaramora, where many of the displays take residence. For those who crave an itinerary, the city’s Office of Cultural Affairs (saculturaltours.com) and San Anto Cultural Arts (sananto.org) have prepped guides to the most vibrant murals around town (by reservation, San Anto Cultural Arts will give a guided tour for $10). At 1711 Guadalupe Street, a reverent and exceptionally ripped Jesus is the focus of Seeds of Solidarity. Created by Mary Agnes Rodriguez and Jose Cosme, the mural includes imagery of Aztecan, Christian and populist political leaders, including SA labor organizer Emma Tenayuca and Rosie 10 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
Castro, the mother of Joaquín and Julián Castro. On the cross, above Jesus’ sunburst crown is the word “salud,” wishing neighborhood residents and visitors well-being. At 1303 W. Commerce, La Música de San Anto is a sprawling, kaleidoscopic portrait of Alamo City music. Finished by lead artist David Blancas in 2009, the mural honors eight SA favorites, including Doug Sahm, saxophonist Clifford Scott and Randy Garibay, the Los Blues legend and writer of the all-time San Anto jam “Barbacoa Blues.” At 1401 S. Brazos, End Barrio Warfare is a powerful call for peace. By John Montez, the piece shows a man in a Spurs jersey offering AKs to a proud female figure pulling strength from the Aztec calendar behind her. On her right, a couple outlined in blue hold each other in mourning for those lost to gang violence. On her left, three young men stand in solidarity, arms locked, bearing witness to the strength of community. These three are only a sample of West Side murals — the Office of Cultural Affairs includes 60 spots on its online tour. If you don’t have a bike to get the tour going, we recommend the nearby Alamo Bike Shop (1016 N. Flores St.) or tap into the city’s B-Cycle program.
2015 IS OFF TO A GREAT START. And news this sweet deserves more than one tweet. Apparently, the Alamo Colleges are on a roll. Our recent Bellwether coup— awarded for workforce program innovations in an incredibly competitive field—comes right on the heels of several other prestigious wins, including: • The Star Award 2014 – won by Alamo Colleges/San Antonio College. • The Cyber Cup – won by Information Technology Security Academy for the 4th year in a row! • Finalist ranking in Bellwether competition – I-BEST (Integrated-Basic Education and Skills Training). Awards are nice, but we’re prouder still of how we’re making college and better careers available to everyone: • Zero increase in tuition or in tax rate for the past two years. • 73% more students graduated in 2014 than in previous years. • 90% + student course completion rate. • Increase in students transferring to 4-year universities. • Six new Early College High Schools – now nine total. • 9,000 students earned dual (HS/college) credits. • 75% + tech job placement rate. • Expanding workforce programs—in Vision Care Technology, a new Heavy Equipment Academy, and tuition-free Manufacturing Training for veterans. And there are other impressive advantages that the entire community can appreciate: • New Scobee Planetarium and Challenger Learning Center open to the public—one of only 40 in the world. • Positive bond ratings have boosted the monetary strength of Alamo Colleges and our plans for growth. • Taxpayers’ return on $233.9 million in taxpayer funding: taxpayers receive $1.2 billion extra tax revenue from students’ higher future incomes, plus $61.8 million savings in social services! Sorry we couldn’t wrap it up in 140 characters, but there’s simply too much to tell. To learn more, enroll!
Dare to Dream. Prepare to Lead.™
To learn more about financial aid, visit a Student Aid San Antonio (SASA) event near you sponsored by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, San Antonio Education Partnership and Café College, COSA, College Advising Corps, P-16 Plus and SA2020. Learn more at: http://www.studentaidsa.org March 7 and April 11, 2015.
alamo.edu sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 11
Chill wave act Washed Out performing at the Maverick Music Festival.
3. See A Show At The Arneson River Theatre What do former President Franklin D. Roosevelt and an iconic spot on San Antonio’s River Walk have in common? Well, FDR’s Works Progress Administration, or WPA, was part of the “New Deal” that put to work millions of people left idled by the Great Recession. Among myriad projects across the country was the lovely, quaint Arneson River Theatre (418 Villita St.). Named after Edward P. Arneson, former WPA regional engineer, the open-air theater cascades down from tourist haven, La Villita, with grassy steps that serve as benches. It plays host to many festivals and shows. Take the Maverick Music Festival, a two-day festival coming up in April that features acts such as Cypress Hill, Cake and The Toadies. Come November, you can honor your ancestors at Muertos Fest, which is free, and fuses art and culture with live music over two days to celebrate Day of the Dead. This festival also includes 12 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
art, dance, live poetry and a large-scale puppet procession. Celebrate San Antonio’s heritage at the Arneson Theatre every July with ¡BRAVO! An Evening of Song and Dance. This award-winning festival highights the Alamo City’s Mexican heritage by featuring the Fandango and Alamotion Dance Troupes performing folkloric, jazz, hip-hop and Latin dance routines. In its 59th season, Fiesta Noche del Rio continues to wow residents and tourists alike from late spring to summer. The festival, which runs May 15 through August 15, features song and dance from around Texas and as far as Mexico, Spain, Argentina. If popular festivals and crowds aren’t what you’re looking for, a visit to the historic theater is a great way to spend a weekday afternoon. Grab a bite to eat, a cup of coffee and a great book and spend some time on the grassy steps of the Arneson River Theatre.
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The closest you may get to flying! Zip across the Hill Country.
4. Fly Through The Hill Country With Wimberley Zipline Adventures Sure, a picturesque drive through the Hill Country is nice. It’s also boring. Experience the vistas of Central Texas breezing above the trees at Wimberley Zipline Adventures. Zig-zag down the hillside via 10 zip lines as you feel the wind rush across your exhilarated — or terrified — face. For any acrophobics out there, this may not be an ideal activity, what with the course’s steep drops and all, but you have to check it off your list, because we said so. And don’t worry, when you’re done defying death with the assistance of Wimberley Zipline’s well-trained staff and numerous safety measures, you can make a side trip to nearby barbecue mecca The Salt Lick and treat yourself to a meaty reward. Wimberley Zipline Adventures, 300 Winn Valley Dr., Wimberley, (512) 8479990, wimberleyzipline.com; The Salt Lick, 18300 FM 1826, Driftwood, (512) 858-4959, saltlickbbq.com
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5. Share A Bucket Of Beer At The VFW Post 76 Any spring day will do to head over to “The Oldest Post in Texas” and enjoy the biergarten. This Victorian-style home is open to the public, so anyone can take in its splendor and learn from its history, which dates back to 1917. Moreover, you can make use of the breezy, San Antonio River-adjacent patio filled with wooden picnic tables and patrons that span the gamut from World War II veterans and families to 20-something hipsters taking in cold brewskies en route to the Pearl. The beer selection won’t knock any socks off (Bud Light, Modelo, Ziegenbock and Shock Top are all staples), but we’ll wash down buckets as the mercury rises come summertime. Although, prices vary, buckets range from $2 to $3 per brew during happy hour (4-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday). 10 Tenth St., (210) 223-4581, vfwpost76ontheriverwalk.org
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Who knew? San Antonio is quickly becoming home to one of the largest comic book conventions in the country.
6. Unleash Your Inner Geek Geek culture has outgrown the comic book shop and gone mainstream. The superhero, sci-fi and fantasy nerds that were tormented in high school turned out to be tastemakers, and they’ve taken over pop culture with their superhero obsessions. Resistance is futile, as the Trekkies would say. So rather than fight the nerdy invasion, embrace it by taking part in San Antonio’s growing geek community. Start by purchasing a weekend pass to Alamo City Comic Con (alamocitycomiccon.com). Held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center (200 E. Market St.), the expo celebrates comic book and pop culture fandom with three days of events, panels, attractions and cosplay. Despite being a relative newcomer to the national comic con scene — the inaugural event took place in 2013 — ACCC has proven extremely popular with area fans. More than 73,000 people attended the event in 2014, and in just two years, ACCC’s attendance figures have outpaced numbers for more established pop culture conventions. Credit for ACCC’s success goes to its creator and mastermind, Alfredo “Apple” de la Fuente and his ability to book an impressive roster of celebrity panelists and guests, including comic book icon Stan Lee, Star Trek’s George Takei, Nightmare on Elm Street’s Robert Englund and several cast members from AMC’s The Walking Dead. 16 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
Alamo City Comic Con also provides a showcase for figures in the local geek community, with the inclusion of the Nerd411 podcast, and de la Fuente’s own Guardian Knights Comics. Members of San Antonio’s vibrant cosplay community also take to the convention floor in full superhero and sci-fi ensembles. The 2015 convention is scheduled for September 11-13, giving you ample time to invest in spandex and perfect your superhero cosplay. This year, organizers plan to expand the convention’s size and scope with the addition of the Alamo City Film Festival. Of course Alamo City Comic Con isn’t the only game in town. The San Japan Convention (san-japan.com) celebrates anime, manga, J-rock/pop and other Japanese media. This year’s event, set for July 31-August 2 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, marks San Japan’s eighth convention. The weekend is expected to attract more than 15,000 Japanophiles. Even if you don’t know your Full Metal Alchemist from your Dragon Ball Z, it’s worth attending San Japan just to see the impressive costumes attendees make to cosplay as their favorite anime characters. Scheduled events include a formal masquerade ball, the San Japan Idol karaoke contest, a live action Pokemon Battle, J-rock/pop concerts and midnight dance parties.
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San Antonio jazz legend Jim Cullum.
7. Pair Historic Styles With The Jim Cullum Jazz Band At Tucker’s Kozy Korner
QUALITY SERVICE VALUE
Any serious reputation San Antonio has as a jazz town should be chalked up to Jim Cullum Jr. Consistently swinging in the Alamo City for decades, Cullum’s the man behind the long-running public radio show Riverwalk Jazz. Though he may no longer be at his Landing on the River Walk, catching a Monday night set at Tucker’s Kozy Korner is a befitting enough experience. Cullum is one of the many legends this city has, like some bow-tie-wearing anachronism who could only fit in a town like this, playing the old jazz canon in a tiny historic bar on the East Side. 1338 E. Houston St., (210) 320-2192, tuckerskozykorner.com
8. Join An Intramural Sports Team San Antonio Sports and Social Club offers a variety of team sports — including kickball, flag football and more — for you and your pals who want to get out there, have some fun and maybe even drink a little beer while doing it. New to town? San Antonio SSC is also a great way to meet new people. Each season lasts about six weeks, with playoffs and championships worked into the schedule, and the league hosts social events and happy hours throughout the year. Not the sportiest of folk? Not to worry, the league offers a range of levels for each sport. The games are intended to be more recreational than competitive. Visit sanantoniossc.com for a full list of sports and schedules.
210-736-0990 • COWTOWNBOOTS.COM
4522 Fredericksburg Rd. @ Wonderland of the Americas Mall Mon-Sat 10-7p • Sunday 12-5p
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The classic appeal of Cool Crest never gets old.
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9. Play A Round At Cool Crest Miniature Golf For decades now, date night in San Antonio has often included a round or two at Cool Crest Miniature Golf, a historic landmark offering the best in retro swagger. Tucked away at the tail end of the Deco District, Cool Crest opened up during the Great Depression at the height of the miniature golf craze. Although renovated by new owners in 2013, the San Antonio classic still hearkens back to another era with its vintage sign and an oasis of banana trees lining the course. Cool Crest reopens for the season on March 6 and green fees per round are $9 for adults. 1402 Fredericksburg Rd. (210) 732-0222, coolcrestgolf.com
10. Make Friends With Pat At Niki’s Tokyo Inn The notion that hole-in-the-wall, often unsightly joints make for some of the best food couldn’t be more true for Niki’s Tokyo Inn, an inconspicuous family-owned spot you’ll find off West Hildebrand between San Pedro and Interstate 10. Walk in and you’re sure to be greeted by head waiter Pat, who with a wide smile and jovial demeanor will usher you to either the standard table seating area, traditional Japanese tatami seating or the sushi bar. Peruse the extensive menu for fresh, no-muss, no-fuss Japanese options, and trust Pat or his wait staff when they suggest going for a chef’s choice of sushi. Pat has also been known to treat his loyal customers with little surprises here and there, from off-the-menu rolls to homegrown fruit. 819 W. Hildebrand Ave., (210) 736-5471
Open Monday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm Stinson Airport
8535 Mission Road, Suite 104, San Antonio, TX 78214
866-205-7084
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Not the only game in town, but you’re sure to satisfy your carnivorous cravings at Bohanan’s steakhouse.
11. Get Your Steak On At Bohanan’s
12. Bike Or Canoe The Mission Reach
If planned correctly, this could be the ultimate night out on the town. Make sure you’ve put in a reservation at Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood, or risk the restaurant being swamped by a Broadway show crowd or a slew of oil bigshots taking in a big ol’ steak. Under the direction of owner Mark Bohanan and head chef Heather Nañez, the ambience at Bohanan’s is that of a tight ship from the impeccably dressed servers to the art-filled walls and solid food offerings. For our purposes, once you’ve taken in the menu, ask about the offmenu 40-ounce porterhouse. Pair it with a smooth and boozy number from the downstairs bar and call it a night. 219 E. Houston St., (210) 472-2600, bohanans.com
Reserve a sunny, cool afternoon to traverse the eight-mile San Antonio Mission Reach stretch of the San Antonio River just south of downtown and the Alamo. The hike and bike trail and river improvements are all part of a multimillion dollar investment by the city and other partners to encourage outdoor play in and around San Antonio’s most historic sites. Grab your bike or canoe and snake along this revitalized part of the San Antonio River, which connects four historic missions that flourished in the 1700s during Spanish exploration. Along the way you’ll find informational plaques that tell the story of each mission, as well as picnic tables and benches for you to enjoy a snack or lunch during your excursion.
13. Spend An Afternoon At The Japanese Tea Garden
14. Debate Who Has The Better Puffy Tacos
In a wave of xenophobia that swept the nation during World War II, tea gardens around the country were vandalized. To protect the Alamo City’s most famous tea garden, City leaders renamed it the Chinese Tea Garden. But in 1984, the name was changed back to the Japanese Tea Garden. Filled with Koi ponds, beautiful plants and more often than not, couples dressed in tuxedos and wedding gowns, the former limestone quarry that helped fuel San Antonio’s growth is always the way to a peaceful afternoon. For the full experience, pause for photos by the waterfall and follow the trail up to the pavilion for a bird’s-eye view. 3875 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 207-3050, saparksfoundation.org
Grab a few friends and argue the merits of what exactly makes a puffy taco the best in the land. Visit institutions like Leon Valley’s Henry’s Puffy Tacos (multiple locations), which has been cranking out family-driven recipes since 1978 and also cranks out chilly margaritas to wash down your puffy. Or bring some cash and head to Ray’s Drive Inn (822 SW 19th St., (210) 432-7171), a West Side landmark since 1956, which doles up simple orders of puffies inside a quaint café. Debate the properties of an excellent taco — is it the delicate way the corn masa pillows? Or the first big crunch as you bite into the puffy with purpose? After all, you’ve gotta eat it before the whole things falls apart in your hands.
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www.thehomeconsignmentcenter.com sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 21
A State-of-the-Art Meeting and Training Venue.
The San Antonio Meeting Center offers uniquely flexible space for computer training, staff retreats, and other strategic planning. Ideal for groups who prefer on-demand technology and unmatched hospitality, the San Antonio Meeting Center guarantees a positive impact on your events, meetings, and training sessions.
www.SATXMeetingCenter.com • (210) 226-4600 15 SAMC City Guide Ad.indd 1
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15. Dress Your Dog Up For Fiesta Amidst the sea of colorful Fiesta parades, music, food and beer is man’s best friend — and even he’s flaunting a feathered headdress. The Fiesta Pooch Parade is the only place where Fido can strut his stuff in a costume contest and enjoy a 5K jaunt through Alamo Heights. While pre-registration is required to compete, all proceeds benefit Therapy Animals of San Antonio. If your furry friend isn’t too pooped, end his day at the King William Fair where you’re sure to see a pup or two pop up on one of the parade floats. While pets aren’t the focus of the event it is pet friendly (as long as your pet is friendly). fiesta-sa.org
16. Wax Nostalgic With A San Antonio Zoo Animal Sculpture
out
Among the 750 species in residence at the San Antonio Zoo are several Mold-A-Rama machines, using hydraulic arms to press candy-colored wax into little zoological statues. Sort of a precursor to the 3D printer (with a very limited menu), these relics from the 1950s have a nostalgic and thriving eBay following for those looking to get their hands on some waxy childhood memories. At $2, they’re more charming and significantly cheaper than much of the zoological fare in the gift shop, helping to keep the cost down on family trips. So after seeing your favorite exotic animal, stop by the Mold-A-Rama for a trinket to cherish forever or to sell to sad old guys on the Internet. 3903 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 734-7184, sazoo-aq.org
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CASEY HOWELL
Night owl and need a bite? No problem. The city’s packed with wee-hour options.
17. Explore Your Late-Night Food Options The party’s over. You’ve danced, you’ve mellowed, you’ve taken in a few cold ones and now you’re starving. When it comes to late night options — whether you’re winding down from the club, just getting off work or craving a midnight snack — San Anto’s options are slowly growing and varying from lowbrow to highbrow. Taco fiends can find their fix within the usual suspects (aka their favorite late night taco truck). Parked outside Hardbodies (2726 N. St. Mary’s St.), El Regio serves up tiny tacos topped with crumbled queso fresco and fresh avocado (seeing the dancers in their Magic Mike costumes is a bonus). When it comes to 24-hour joints, head to any of three Los Roberto’s Taco Shop locations, off Bitters, Loop 410 and TPC Parkway, or visit old standbys such as Taco Cabana, Mama Margie’s or Las Palapas (open 24 hours on weekends). Each carries a sizable menu of signature Tex-Mex dishes that will get the job done. You can’t mention Taco Cabana without a nod to Whataburger — they start serving breakfast at 11 p.m. for a reason, and that reason is so you can chow down on a potato, egg and cheese taquito. Go the diner route and visit Mary Ann’s Pig Stand (1508 Broadway St.), which stays open till 24 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
2 a.m. with breakfast and pies; Lulu’s Bakery and Café (918 N. Main Ave.) will lure you in with chicken-fried steak and their signature three-pound cinnamon roll; while Luther’s Café (1422 N. Main Ave.) will satiate late-night cravings with burgers and comfort food in a lively LGBT-friendly setting. Take in some local color at Las Salsas (2018 San Pedro Ave.) as you chow down on chips, breakfast tacos and more. If you’re jonesin’ for Italian at night, Barbaro’s (2720 McCullough Ave.) kitchen (open until 1 a.m.) cranks out a fried lasagna that’s amassed quite the following, and sister location Hot Joy (1014 S. Alamo St.) doles out kooky takes on late night snackage that spans the globe. The kitchen at TBA (2801 N. St. Mary’s St.) stays open until 1 a.m. with a little something called a lasagna sandwich, among other pressed goodies. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Chacho’s (multiple locations) nachos, a perennial favorite in our Best of San Antonio poll. And finally, what’s a night out without a pit stop at Mi Tierra (218 Produce Row), which stays open 24/7 in a cheery space decked with twinkling lights and papel picado? Stumble in and order a fresh-baked concha, some menudo or a plate of flautas. We won’t judge.
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9240 Guilbeau Road Suite 102 San Antonio, Texas 78250 sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 25
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Talk about a country music institution that you just cannot miss.
18. Dine Outside At The Grist Mill And See A Show At Gruene Hall Get things rolling in the prototypically Texan town of Gruene at the Grist Mill (1287 Gruene), the sprawling eatery perched high above the Guadalupe River. Just about every table features a killer view of the tubers drifting by below, and the phonebook-sized menu (with a beer list to boot) should keep just about everyone in the party pleased. Then it’s off to Gruene Hall (1281 Gruene), a honky-tonk institution that ranks alongside Luckenbach and Willie Nelson’s braid in the upper echelon of Texas music landmarks. The 150-year-old venue has played host to the likes of Townes Van Zandt, Robert Earl Keen and Lucinda Williams over the years, and you’ll still have no trouble catching the best up-and-coming acts in Americana.
19. Brave The Alamodome With everything from Monster Jam truck shows to Disney on Ice: Frozen, the Alamodome offers no shortage of events that galvanize people of all ages and backgrounds in San Antonio. If Budweiser beer and giant trucks or home and garden shows aren’t your cup of tea, the cavernous stadium offers numerous sporting events. The place is so well-known that it’s up there with the Alamo among the city’s top landmarks. With 1.6 million square feet and 130145 events each year, there’s more than enough room — and variety — for tourists and locals alike. So brave the crowds and hustle for a parking spot because the iconic stadium is a must-see. 100 Montana St., (210) 207-3663, alamodome.com sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 27
20. Tour San Antonio’s Burgeoning Brewery Scene
Freetail is one among many new local breweries now calling San Antonio home. 28 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
After Lone Star and Pearl skedaddled for more lucrative pastures, San Antonio suffered a long drought of local breweries to quench our thirst. But, lucky for us, new breweries have popped up in and around town as the national craft brew craze has grown to outperform Anheuser-Busch in aggregate sales. For the Alamo City brew tour, start with Blue Star Brewery (1414 S. Alamo St.), serving up eight originals in its restaurant and bar. Try the Spire Stout, a 5.3 ABV full-bodied brew in the Irish style, or the Männerchor Märzen, a 5.4 ABV take on Munich’s Oktoberfest beers. There’s also the Texican, a crossover between a Texas lager and a lime-friendly Mexican pale. A little further south is Freetail Brewery, operating out of its new Southtown location (2000 S. Presa St.). With a rotating, seasonal selection of beers, our favorites include the Bat Outta Helles, a 5.0 ABV light German lager and the Freetail Ale, a 6.0 ABV American amber with a light red color. The most recent arrival takes after our city’s namesake – talking about Alamo Beer Company (718 N. Cherry St.), which operates out of a state-of-the-art facility on the East Side near the Alamodome. Try the local brew with the widest distribution, their 5.1 ABV headless Golden Ale. For fans of craft beer and clean typography, Branchline Brewing Company (3633 Metro Pkwy.) offers charming brews across the IBU spectrum. The 5.2 ABV Evil Owl is a lightly carbonated, relatively dry American Amber with crystal and caramunich delivering a malty flavor with a caramel-like finish. The Shady Oak is a 4.45 ABV blond ale with a touch of wildflower honey that gives the beer a unique and untamed texture. With a rich gold hue and buoyant flavor, it’s an ideal prescription for summer heat. Our picks at Busted Sandal Brewing Company (7114 Oaklawn) include the Fire Pit Wit, a 5.25 ABV wheat beer with fresh ginger root and Texas red grapefruit peel, and the Slippery Rock IPA, a 7.1 ABV ale with citrus tones in harmony with the IPA’s signature hoppy flavor. Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling (4834 Whirlwind Drive) is the only “brewstillery” in Texas, with beer and whiskey bred at their distillery. With a Lone Star bourbon, a quick-finishing white whiskey and smallbatch options, Ranger Creek won two silver medals at the 2014 Whiskies of the World Awards. Over at the brewery, we’re partial to the Mesquite Smoked Porter, a chocolaty 6.4 ABV rauchbier featuring malt smoked over Texas mesquite. And if you’re up for a day trip to Cibolo, 5 Stones Artisan Brewery (850 Schneider) offers wild illustrations on the bottles of their complex beers. Our darlings are their blonde beers, the 6.4 ABV Aloha Piña crossed with pineapple and the 6.83 Norma Jeane crossed with strawberry and vanilla beans.
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Eclectic Fliers of Movement, Power and Grace: Changing the Yoga Game.
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tonio
by San Antonio Current’s Best of San Antonio 2014
BY SAN ANTONIO MAGAZINE BEST OF THE CITY
Spotting a Spur on the street is easier than you’d think.
VOTED BEST ANTIQUE STORE
2015
Voted Best Antique Store
san an
21. Spot A Spurs Player In The Wild Let’s get this clear: We are not encouraging you to stalk a Spurs player. So don’t lurk in their neighborhoods or cruise Instagram, making a mad dash whenever they post food pics from nearby restaurants. Still, we can help provide some vague details on where you might be able to say hello to your favorite Spur. Tim Duncan has made his love for Chic-fil-A quite apparent, so try to catch him in line at one of the city’s 20-plus locations. Or outside the former Nueve Lounge (23535 I-10 W), you might find Tony Parker (above) shedding a lone tear for his failed venture into the clubbing business. If you do meet any of these rare creatures in the wild, treat them with respect and buy them a drink or dessert for their contribution to San Anto pride.
Check out our epic guitar wall! Layaway Available
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22. Suffer Through Dinner At The Magic Time Machine This one’s for the kiddos: a birthday dinner at the Magic Time Machine is a fantasy-filled land of bubbling concoctions delivered by costume-clad servers dressed as popular Disney characters, superheroes and sci-fi favorites. For adults, this can be a truly frightful and insufferable experience. But beyond menu mainstays like the Roman Orgy (billed as a “conglomerate roast feast”), the mazelike space warrants at least one visit — especially if it’s just for a couple of nononsense cocktails in the kitschy confines of the adults-only Mine Shaft Saloon or an evening of stand-up in the basementlevel Blind Tiger Comedy Club. 902 NE Loop 410, (210) 828-1470, magictimemachine.com
Best Band & Orchestra Service -MUSIC LESSONS FOR ALL INSTRUMENTS -INSTRUMENT REPAIRS -STUDENT RENTALS
3 Locations • 210.545.3131 www.HilljeMusicCenter.com
18130 U.S. Highway 281 North, Suite 112 • 11654 Bandera Road, Suite 109 3703 Colony Dr. (At Wurzbach Road) sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 31
LOUIE PRECIADO
First Friday has greatly expanded, but there’s still lots of art to explore.
23. Do First Friday The Right Way Born out of the same perfect storm that led to the spontaneous creation of the Blue Star Arts Complex and Contemporary Art Month back in 1986, First Friday has evolved from a grassroots gallery crawl to a full-blown monthly affair some say has less to do with art than it does intoxicated foot traffic and overflowing parking lots. While it’s true that changes in the Complex (namely a departure of artist-run spaces and subsequent arrival of restaurants) and Southtown’s rapid growth have contributed to First Friday’s transformation, there’s still plenty of visual art left in the wild monthly mix. Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum The mothership of the Complex, Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum mounts upward of 20 annual exhibitions encompassing all disciplines (painting, drawing, photography, video, sculpture and even the occasional performance piece). Under the direction of Mary Heathcott, BSCAM is more focused than ever as it gears up for its 30th anniversary in 2016. Beyond the confines of its four distinct gallery spaces, the nonprofit boasts the year-round mentoring program MOSAIC (led by accomplished local artist Alex Rubio) and a residency program in Berlin. Word to the wise: Beat the First Friday crowds by visiting the museum on the first Thursday of the month, when new exhibitions are officially unveiled to the public. 116 Blue Star, (210) 2276960, bluestarart.org FL!GHT Longtime ringleaders of the First Friday alternative known as Second Saturday, gallery owner Justin Parr and his senior creative co-conspirator Ed Saavedra traded in their cozy digs at 1906 South Flores for a larger Blue Star space in 2014. Lucky for FL!GHT’s faithful followers, the gallery’s irreverent but causal approach to displaying and selling contemporary art wasn’t lost in the upgrade. With assistance from next-door neighbors Terminal 136 (UTSA’s offsite 32 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
gallery), FL!GHT is activating a previously quiet corner of the Complex. 134 Blue Star, (210) 872-2586 Hello Studio Whereas some galleries maintain a strict San Antonio roster, Amada Claire Miller’s tiny Hello Studio thoughtfully shakes things up by pairing local and regional artists in tightly curated exhibits. Regardless of the subject matter or discipline at hand, the gallery consistently delivers intriguing solo and group shows organized and hung in a way that echoes Miller’s background in graphic design. 1420 S. Alamo St. #106, (210) 291-8640, hellostudiosa.com Cinnabar Since opening its doors in September of 2013 with an exhibition of large-scale nudes by Wimberley-based photographer George Kraus, Cinnabar has established itself as a gallery to watch, picking up approving nods from Artforum and Garden & Gun while building an eclectic roster of local, regional, national and international artists. Founded by jeweler Susan Oliver Heard and named after a deep red (and poisonous) mineral, Cinnabar stands out from other artist-run spaces in the Complex by keeping weekly gallery hours and hosting daytime events such as artist talks and ice cream socials. 1420 S. Alamo St. #147, (210) 5576073, cinnabarart.com Zollie Glass Gallery An offshoot of local glassblower Jake Zollie Harper’s combined workspace, studio and classroom on South Presa, Zollie Glass Gallery offers an intriguing snapshot of San Antonio’s burgeoning art glass scene. While Harper’s imaginative chandeliers, perfectly imperfect tumblers, acidgreen skulls and crystal-clear swords might be among the first things you notice, the compact shop champions rising glass artists crafting one-of-a-kind marbles, pendants and functional wares. 1414 S. Alamo #117-2, (210) 601-3883, zollieglass.
GAUGUIN, PICASSO, & VAN GOGH HAVE A SAN ANTONIO HOME.
Vincent van Gogh, Women Crossing the Fields (detail),1890. Oil on paper, Bequest of Marion Koogler McNay.
And it’s only ten minutes from the Riverwalk.
6000 North New Braunfels San Antonio, Texas 78209-0069 mcnayart.org
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MORE TIME
WITH THE FAMILY.
LESS TIME
WITH THE LAUNDRY
Drink in the Texcentric atmosphere at Floore’s.
24. Take The Willie Nelson Pilgrimage To Floore’s Country Store Established in 1942, John T. Floore’s Country Store has presented a veritable who’s who in Americana over the years, including Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and, of course, Willie Nelson. Regarded by many as his musical home, the Red Headed Stranger infamously immortalized the Helotes dance hall, via its namesake, on 1973’s Shotgun Willie. Texas BBQ fanatics will feel right at home in the Honky Tonk Cafe, which offers brisket by the pound and is also known for its “world-famous tamales” and homemade bread. While regular concerts from the best in country, blues and rockabilly are usually on the docket, the intermittent Family Night and Free Dance on Sundays offers a “Texcentric” environment to close out the weekend. 14492 Old Bandera Rd., Helotes, (210) 695-8827, liveatfloores.com
M I L I TA R Y D I S C O U N T S ! MENTION THIS AD AND PRESENT YOUR MILITARY ID FOR DISCOUNT
4611 MCCULLOUGH AVE • 210-804-1710
BYOB
Join us to
25. Experience PechaKucha The idea is simple: 20 slides, 20 seconds each, talk about whatever you want. PechaKucha (Japanese for “chit chat”) nights have become a worldwide phenomenon ever since architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham organized the inaugural event in Tokyo in 2003. Now with more than 700 cities participating, it’s apparent this world loves to share ideas, and the Alamo City is no exception. Seventeen gatherings into the game, the local chapter unites eight fascinating speakers at each quarterly event. Emceed by Emmy-winning News 4 anchor Randy Beamer, these fastpaced, funny and unpredictable happenings pop up at cultural institutions across town (previous venues include Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum, Charline McCombs Empire Theatre and the Southwest School of Art). Visit pechakucha. org/cities/san-antonio for news about upcoming events and videos of past presentations.
Look at our website for full class listings
2211 NW MILITARY HIGHWAY STE.116 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78213
WhimsyArtStudio.com | 210.460.6610 sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 35
San Antonians are on the move, leading a local running and fitness boom.
26. Make A Run For It San Antonio’s running and fitness culture has been booming for the last five years or so, as the city continues to grow and infrastructure improvements prioritize pedestrians, bikers and runners. Whether you’re a novice runner or have been lacing up your sneaks for as long as you can remember, San Antonio’s central historic neighborhoods and legendary River Walk offer multiple options for getting your daily run in. Starting in Midtown and Tobin Hill, snake your way along North St. Mary’s and Josephine streets toward the Pearl, where you can pick up the River Walk and follow the path along the Museum Reach and into downtown. Skip the tourist-heavy Paseo del Rio by popping back onto the main road at West Commerce Street before dipping back down onto the River Walk just past Main Plaza. Soon, you’ll find yourself in the historic King William District and approaching the Blue Star Arts Complex and Lone Star Brewery, for a total of about five miles. If you’re looking for more mileage, continue toward the Mission Reach hike and bike trail for eight more miles, though be sure to wear a hat if you’re out there during the day, as this part of
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the trail doesn’t offer much in the way of shade. Bike lanes and renovated sidewalks in Southtown are also great options for shorter runs, with local favorite joints like The Friendly Spot and La Tuna easily accessible for a post-run happy hour. Hit Olmos Park or Alamo Heights for hill workouts, or McAllister Park (13102 Jones-Maltsberger Rd.) and Eisenhower Park (19399 NW Military Hwy.) for miles of trail running. Looking for a more structured running schedule or fellow runners to hit the pavement with? Take your pick from these local training groups, whether you’re looking to get ready for your next marathon or get over those physical and mental hurdles and ease back into running: San Antonio Road Runners (saroadrunners.com), Soler’s FIT/USA FIT San Antonio (sanantoniofit.com), or Fleet Feet Sports San Antonio (fleetfeetsanantonio.com/training). The new San Antonio Running Company (711 S. St. Mary’s St.) store in Southtown offers weekly social runs (some followed by happy hour or brunch), as well as yoga for runners and Revolucion Juices for all your healthy living needs.
Hand Feed Exotic Birds • Interact with Rainforest Reptiles Discover Jellyfish and Seahorses • Take a Selfie with a Crocodile U S E
SPECIAL OFFERS T H E S E O N L I N E P R O M O C O D E S :
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210-310-3210 | 6320 Bandera Rd. San Antonio, TX 78238
www.sanantonioaquarium.net
sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 37
d A tailor ma
k of tastes fo r
d som
EAT, DRINK, GIVE.
e ing for veryone
This is a festival with a purpose. More than just a week in May, Culinaria is a year round experience that gives you the best that San Antonio has to offer and in return gives the best back to the city. We invite you to Eat. Drink. Give. at one (or more) of these events!
2015
RUN. WINE. BEER. CHEFS. FUN. Okay, so there’s more to it than that. Come enjoy the race in a beautiful setting geared for your senses and your taste buds. Gather your friends for a team or meet new ones at the race. There’s a race expo to get you equipped for all your race day needs and a reception like none other. Run. Drink. Give at the tastiest run in town. #EatDrinkGive.
Saturday, March 21st, 2015 8:00 a.m. at The Shops at La Cantera
For more information please visit www.culinariasa.org or give us a call at 210.822.9555 Team and Individual awards for all age groups. All proceeds benefit Culinaria. Twitter: @culinariasa | Facebook.com/CulinariaSanAntonio | Instagram: @culinariasa
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eth
MAY 13-17, 2015
ee ew
an Tex
THREE SIMPLE WORDS DESCRIBE CULINARIA:
stes f or
ans – and som Tex
on your hairdresser
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just wash, blo, go. $40
blo lincoln heights
A room with a view and a drink at Tower of the Americas.
27. Skip The Observation Deck And Have A Drink In The Tower
The Shops at Lincoln Heights 999 E Basse Road Suite 182 San Antonio, Texas 78209 210 368 9473 blolincolnheights@blomedr y.com blomedry.com |
Built as the centerpiece of HemisFair ‘68, the Tower of the Americas is a San Antonio icon and every local must take the elevator ride up to the top at least once. Sure, you can take in the panoramic view from the Observation Deck, but why fall into a ticketed tourist trap 750 feet above the ground? Instead, take advantage of happy hour (4:30-7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday) in the bar area of the Tower’s Chart House Restaurant. While the libations are fairly standard (draft imports, specialty martinis and mojitos among them), the view of the Alamo City is unbeatable — and the Chart House’s rotating floor is likely to enhance your buzz. 739 E. César E. Chávez Blvd., (210) 2233101, toweroftheamericas.com
28. Take A Date To Luna Or Wayne Harper’s Martini Club If you’re lucky enough to be wooing someone who prefers authentic ambience and an eclectic scene over velvet ropes and bottle service, date nights in the intimate confines of Luna (6740 San Pedro Ave.) and Wayne Harper’s Martini Club (8507 McCullough Ave.) are written in the stars. Existing in an odd Twilight Zone between local landmarks and best-kept secrets, both nightspots lure college kids, lounge lizards and a little bit of everything else to unassuming strip centers near North Star Mall — but the similarities end there. While Luna hosts live jazz, blues and soul acts (Wednesday-Saturday), the Martini Club showcases the impressive talents of owner/ vocal impressionist/multi-instrumentalist Wayne Harper, who interprets classics by the likes of Neil Diamond and Elvis backed by a live band (Friday-Saturday). sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 39
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Fam
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You can say you’re from SA after being hit with cascarones.
331 W Mulberry, Ste 1 • (210) 738-8089 • luxsanantonio.com on sale now
$60
presents
saCURRENTflavor.com
san antonio flavor 2015
29. Go Nutty With Cascarones In Hand Rumor has it that Marco Polo brought the cascarón to Europe from China, where locals use a specially filled egg in a festival manner. The cascarón (meaning “eggshell”) has since evolved and become prominent in celebratory customs and holidays in Mexican and Latin-American culture. In San Antonio, cascarones are synonymous with Easter and Fiesta. It’s then when they’re sold by the dozen at grocery and seasonal specialty stores, roadside stands and by Fiesta vendors. Workplace floors littered with broken eggshells, tissue paper and confetti are commonplace in April. “It’s a fun, easy tradition,” said Kristelle Aly, administrative assistant at The Fiesta Store, which sells cascarones with every other thing one would need to adequately celebrate Fiesta. “You dye the egg, make a little hole, drain it, put in confetti or whatever and cover the hole. But I’ve been bad about it: Some family members and I have put flour in the egg.”
30. Catch A Show At The Carver featuring the
Culinary
SHOWDOWN o3.05.15 at the san antonio museum of art 7p-11p www.sacurrentflavor.com
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When the heavy hitters of jazz today, the innovators of the 21st century, the contemporary dance troupes and little plays that turn heads come to town, they come through this East Side jewel with not a single bad seat in the house. Executive Director Yonnie Blanchette and the rest of the talented staff regularly book a fascinating, eclectic season of performances that’s sure to tickle your fancy (while not being too fancy, if you don’t feel like dressing up, but it’s still nice). These folks really do bring serious talent to town with an ever-growing reputation. 226 N. Hackberry St., (210) 207-7211, thecarver.org.
17101 La Cantera Parkway #7110 SA, TX • located at the Eilan 210.560.2700 • CustomShopGuitars.com sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 41
31. Take A Hike
Enchanted Rock park in Fredericksburg is only about an hour north of SA.
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As San Antonio continues to grow and become more urbanized, locals from all sides of the Alamo City have learned where to find green spaces. There’s nothing so sweet as shutting down or starting the day with a walk or jog in one of the many linear parks that make up the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System (sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/greenway_trails. aspx). These are the ditches we used to play in as kids, only now the city has transformed them into a system of parks that includes 46 miles of trails and 1,200 acres of green space that is close to forming a ring around San Antonio. While some are more popular, like the trails around Phil Hardberger Park (entrances at 13203 Blanco Rd. and 8400 NW Military Hwy.), don’t forget other great spots like Mud Creek Park (166675 Jones Maltsberger Rd.). But sometimes a little slice of greenery just isn’t enough. Luckily, for Bexar County residents, we are surrounded by so much natural beauty that choosing a destination can be daunting. We’ve got a few ideas to help you in your outdoor pursuits outside Loop 1604. Take Government Canyon State Natural Area (12861 Galm Rd.), which is northwest of San Antonio and has more than 12,000 acres of the classic hills and canyons that make up the Texas Hill Country. And it also has dino tracks. The 110-million-year-old tracks are one of a kind in Bexar County and may have been left by Acrocanthosaurus and Sauroposeidon dinosaurs. The park also has 40 miles of hiking and biking trails and there are weekend overnight camping options, in case you need a break from the city. The Hill Country is vast and parks abound, but Enchanted Rock (16710 Ranch Rd.) in Fredericksburg is worth the drive. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, people have been visiting the gigantic pink granite dome for thousands of years. The park offers camping, hiking, rock climbing, birding and much more. And on your way home, stop off in Fredericksburg for a taste of German culture, and maybe a cold beer. If the popular outdoor spots aren’t a trail you like to hike, Hill Country State Natural Area (10600 Bandera Creek Rd.) is southwest of Bandera and more secluded. There are approximately 40 miles of trails that wind up and down through mesquite trees and by slow bubbling creeks. This isn’t your typical state park and TPWD bills it as a backcountry setting for primitive camping, backpacking, mountain biking, horseback riding and equestrian camping. Want even more options? Check out TPWD’s map of SA-area parks, an informationpacked resource: tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/ nearby/sanantonio.
32. Experience ‘Una Noche En La Gloria’ A resounding hit since its arrival on the local landscape back in 2009, Una Noche en la Gloria: Contemporary Art in the Cultural Zone rounds up a motley mix of visual artists, musicians, poets and performers for a night of creative revelry in the heart of the West Side. Presented by Gabriel Quintero Velasquez’s Contemporary Art and Literature Organization (CALO) and sponsored by the Avenida Guadalupe Association, the multimedia block party takes over multiple outdoor stages and 20-plus venues. A consistent highlight, la Gloria’s “Runway en la Calle” brings a massive catwalk to the historic ’hood for a fashion show featuring San Anto’s most progressive designers. Save the date for the seventh annual event, which is set for September 12. Corner of Brazos and Guadalupe streets, lagloriaarts.com
33. Visit The Ghost Tracks
Who needs NYC? Catch a glam fashion show right here in SA.
San Anto’s most recounted paranormal legend surrounds the Southside “ghost tracks” where Shane Road meets Villamain Road. While multiple variations exist, legend has it that during the 1940s a school bus full of children stalled on the tracks and was hit by a speeding train, killing several of the young passengers. According to Alamo City lore, if you leave your car in neutral while stopped on the tracks, unseen hands will push it out of harm’s way. Some thrill-seekers go so far as to sprinkle talcum powder on the trunk and bumper in hopes of obtaining “proof” in the form of tiny handprints. Here’s a tip: Do drive across the allegedly haunted tracks, but think twice before stopping. Not only does the traffic annoy the neighbors, the legend has been thoroughly debunked.
IT’S MORE THAN A SHOE STORE. SHOES. APPAREL. GEAR. TRAINING PROGRAMS. RUN. WALK. FITNESS 6408 N. New Braunfels Ave, SATX 78209 • 210-805-0845 | 17603 La Cantera Pkwy, SATX 78257 • 210-877-6007 | www.fleetfeetsanantonio.com sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 43
AN EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY through 5,000 years of civilization EXQUISITE DANCE, MOVING STORIES HEAVENLY MUSIC, IMPASSIONED SONGS STUNNING COSTUMES & ANIMATED BACKDROPS
Millennia of Chinese Legends Brought to Life through Dance Shen Yun at Jones Hall: A Show for All People A daughter disguises herself as a son and takes her father’s place at war. A magical monkey, an ogre, and a humanoid pig protect a Buddhist monk as he journeys to the western heavens on a quest for true teachings. A folk hero gets drunk, but then saves a village from a vicious tiger. And the Lord Buddha asks the deities in heaven to come down to China and walk among the people, creating a civilization that would last 5,000 years. To unlock the treasures of Chinese civilization, there is one language that anyone can understand, although it is entirely unspoken—the language of classical Chinese dance.
March 15-17, 2015 TOBIN CENTER 44 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
Ancient myths and legends come alive with classical Chinese dance.
Live orchestra with unique East-West sound
100 AUDITORIUM CIRCLE, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78205
Classical Chinese dance was developed and refined over thousands of years. With a vast system of movements, postures, and gestures, it has deep roots in traditional Chinese ideas about beauty and grace. It is also physically demanding, incorporating dramatic flips and tumbling techniques that share a common ancestry with martial arts. Any character can be portrayed: deity or villain, victorious general or shy maiden. This ability to bring such characters to life makes classical Chinese dance the perfect medium for telling stories. Today, classical Chinese dance is experiencing a global revival, and its new home is in New York. With a name that roughly translates as “the beauty of divine beings dancing,” the New York-based classical Chinese dance and
TICKETS & INFO: 800.380.8165 | ShenYun.com
“THE SPIRIT OF HOPE, BEAUTY, AND THE BLESSING IS A FABULOUS GIFT TO US.” —Sine McKenna, singer
ALL-NEW SHOW WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA music company Shen Yun Performing Arts strives to revive the world’s most ancient heritage through classical Chinese dance. In a program of some 20 masterful dances and songs, the show moves quickly from one story, region, and dynasty to the next. Dancers fly across the stage in an array of flips, spins, jumps, and aerials. Gorgeous backdrops extend the stage, transporting audiences to distant lands and eras. An orchestra, combining Western and Chinese instruments like no other, accompanies the dancers with stirring, original scores.
“Very beautiful and moving! Very pleasing for all the senses!” —Joshua Bell, internationally renowned
violinist
March 15-17, 2015 TOBIN CENTER
“Exquisitely beautiful! An extraordinary experience.” —Cate Blanchett,
Academy Award-winning actress
“It’s the most amazing, uplifting spiritual journey into the divine.” —Margaux Brooks,
executive producer and actress
Shen Yun derives its content from ancient Chinese culture, but somehow this seems like a culture that is so fundamentally human, audiences of all backgrounds easily connect with it. It is so mesmerizing that it transcends nationalities, so beautiful that it speaks a universal language, and so inspiring that it presents values and themes shared by all cultures. Stories that have stirred people for thousands of years are still touching today. For an uplifting experience both enriching and inspiring, a taste of one of the world’s most ancient and spectacular cultures, there is no better choice.
“So inspiring! It
“Demonstrating the highest realm in arts, Shen Yun inspires
was tremendous to see the wide range of different types of performance art come together as one, almost like going to the theater and the movies at
the performing arts world.”
—Chi Cao, lead actor in Mao’s Last Dancer and principal dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet
100 AUDITORIUM CIRCLE, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78205
the same time.”
—Robert Stromberg, Academy Award-
winning production designer for Avatar
TICKETS & INFO: 800.380.8165 | ShenYun.com sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 45
An array of pastries from Bakery Lorraine.
34. Spend The Day At The Pearl Routinely evolving since its founding back in 1881 as J. B. Behloradsky Brewery and the City Brewery, the multipurpose complex we now know simply as the Pearl is getting bigger and better with age. While its Can Plant Residences attract young urban professionals and the Pearl Stable and Pearl Studio can be rented for special occasions, the complex is arguably known best as a culinary hot spot. Beyond the presence of the Culinary Institute of AmericaSan Antonio (students from which staff the adventurous pan-Latin restaurant Nao) and the bustling Pearl Farmers Market, exclusive to vendors within a 150-mile radius of San Antonio (9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, rain or shine), the complex attracts all walks with its eclectic assortment of eats and drinks. Among the varied standouts are vegetarian and vegan offerings from Green; impeccable pastries, sandwiches and salads from Bakery Lorraine; upscale seafood and fine wines from Sandbar Fish House & Market; craft beer and barbecue from The Granary ’Cue and Brew; regionally inspired charcuterie from Cured; Mexican street food from La Gloria; modern American cuisine and cocktails from Arcade Midtown Kitchen; and rustic Italian fare from Il Sogno Osteria. 46 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
Fortunately, such indulgences can be worked off with a brisk stroll on the adjacent Museum Reach of the River Walk, a B-Cycle ride through the surrounding neighborhoods or even a yoga class at Synergy Studio. And whether you’re out to browse or buy, the Pearl boasts one of the city’s most thoughtful assortment of retailers, with treasures ranging from custom-made guayaberas by Dos Carolinas and locally focused reading material from The Twig Book Shop to colorful kitchen supplies at Melissa Guerra Tienda de Cocina and refined menswear from The Sporting District. Stay tuned to the Pearl’s website and social media channels for news about recurring events like Tamales!, a sprawling food festival with vendors, live music and a high-stakes tamale contest; Burgers, BBQ & Beer, a relaxed, chef-driven outing sponsored by the nonprofit Culinaria; the Summer Dance Hall Series, featuring live Texas swing, conjunto and jazz in the historic Pearl Stable; and Échale Latino Music Estyles, a kid-friendly concert series and block party that’s imported such eclectic acts as Colombian Depeche Mode cover band DMK and Albuquerque-based Beatles tribute Mariachi Mystery Tour.
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35. Watch A Movie Outside Rick and Angela Martinez’s Slab Cinema has been “building community through outdoor movie events” since its screening of Bucket of Blood in 2004. The 1959 horror comedy was projected onto a concrete slab outside La Tuna ice house and viewers had to sit within a few feet of the Martinez’s borrowed projector to hear the sounds of the film. Slab Cinema has come a long way since then — the Martinez’s now have several inflatable screens and high-quality sound and projection equipment at their disposal. Movie buffs looking for an ideal (and free) date night can find the duo periodically at a number of outdoor locations around the city, including the San Antonio Botanical Garden, the lawn at San Antonio Museum of Art, Travis Park and the former Mission Drive-In, now known as Mission Marquee Plaza. Visit slabcinema.com for details about upcoming screenings.
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36. Take A Potty Break At The Toilet Seat Museum In a 2011 paperback, cultural critic Greil Marcus coined the term “The Old, Weird America” to describe the eerie, odd and often forgotten nuggets of American culture. At Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum, the weirdness is alive and well. Founded by plumber Barney Smith, the museum opened in 1992 after his eccentric folk art was featured in the local news. As of last year, the 93-year-old Smith had completed 1,150 works, ranging from a lamentation of the Space Shuttle Challenger to a commemoration of his appearance on Montel Williams. If you bring a toilet seat, Smith will honor your donation with an engraving on the back of the finished work. But call ahead before visiting — the museum doubles as his home. 239 Abiso Ave., (210) 824-7791.
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We’re all Spurs fans, but check out other SA teams in action.
37. Don’t Forget The Other Games In Town While the Spurs receive their fair share of sports-themed accolades in San Antonio, and deservedly so, a handful of franchises remind us throughout the calendar year that the Alamo City is far from a one-sport town. San Antonio’s premiere Fútbol Club, the Scorpions, displayed some championship moxie of its own last season, capturing the NASL crown in sparkling Toyota Field (5106 David Edwards Dr.). The Double-A Missions, a baseball institution in South Texas since 1888, recently rebranded their image to include more local flavor, complementing their long-running dollar nights on Thursdays. Dollar drink nights are also a regular occurrence at the AT&T Center (One AT&T Center) when the Rampage take the ice, but free tailgating at the Alamodome (100 Montana) for a UTSA football game is tough to top.
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38. See A Touring Broadway Show At The Majestic Theatre Built in 1929, the ornate Majestic Theatre was the first totally air-conditioned movie theater in the Lone Star State. Over time, even promises of central air couldn’t lure the crowds to the downtown theater, and the venue shut its doors after almost 50 years of entertainment. Briefly gone, but never forgotten, the venue was intensely restored (alongside its sister, the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre) to its former glory: intimate, elegant and with acoustic renovations to boot. Today, the revamped theater is equipped to bring touring mega-musicals to the Alamo City with its Broadway in San Antonio Series. Upcoming shows include Annie (April 14-19), Newsies (May 12-17) and Mama Mia (June 9-14). 224 E. Houston St., (210) 226-3333, majesticempire.com
Come celebrate our tradition of Family, Friends & Good Food!
sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 51
BRYAN RINDFUSS
A run-of-the-mill highway underpass is turned into an entertaning light show tunnel.
39. Take A Night Tour Of Public Art Installations Sadly, there are plenty of San Antonio natives who can’t point out a single piece of public art other than Mexican sculptor Sebastián’s La Antorcha de la Amistad (Friendship Torch), that bright-red punctuation mark in the roundabout at Commerce and South Alamo. Not to knock the 65-foot, 45-ton enameled iron monument — which has appeared in countless skyline photos since the Mexican government gifted it to San Antonio in 2002 — but the Alamo City boasts a bounty of public art, thanks in no small part to the city-funded Public Art San Antonio program. Guided by a premise that “public art projects should create places and spaces to reveal influential stories about San Antonio’s history, cultures, characteristics and uniqueness,” PASA and its ever-evolving map of installations (which run the gamut from the wry irony of Gary Sweeney’s postcard-perfect Nostalgia Texas to the sublime conceptualism of Anne Wallace’s prairie-summoning Golden Age) inspire suburban treasure hunts and downtown bike rides alike. In keeping with Luminaria’s mission to wrap San Antonio’s varied cultures and disciplines in a colorful blanket of light, three of the Alamo City’s brightest examples of public art look better at night. Bill FitzGibbons, Light Channels, 2007 A morphing, blinking, circus-striped smorgasbord beneath the I-37 underpass at Commerce and Houston streets, Light Channels is a collaboration between visual artist Bill FitzGibbons, the City of San Antonio, the Texas Department of Transportation and others. Beyond offering passing cars a technicolor encounter with computer-controlled LEDs, Light 52 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
Channels invites foot traffic to “cross under the highway, through the barrier” between downtown and the near East Side. Donald Lipski, F.I.S.H., 2009 If the Museum Reach were to elect a mascot, the lepomis megalotis would be a shoo-in. Better known as longear sunfish and found in rivers and streams throughout the Lone Star State, the orange and turquoise beasties take center stage in New York-based artist Donald Lipski’s whimsical F.I.S.H., a glowing installation that dangles beneath I-35 near the intersection of Camden Street and Newell Avenue. While the 25 LED-equipped fiberglass sunfish are spitting distance from the San Antonio Museum of Art, Lipski’s installation is also easily reached from the Pearl — just head south on the River Walk and look for a school of fish out of water. Blessing Hancock and Joe O’Connell, Ballroom Luminoso, 2013 Not unlike Light Channels, Blessing Hancock and Joe O’Connell’s Ballroom Luminoso activates a freeway underpass (below I-35 near Theo and Malone avenues) as a color-saturated space designed to “connect the community.” Oddly hypnotic despite the din of overhead traffic, the 2013 project paints a surreal, slowly changing scene with LED lights beamed from lotería-inspired chandeliers crafted from upcycled bicycle parts and powder-coated steel. Likened to a “community shadow theater,” Ballroom Luminoso took home the Transformative Design Award at SXSW Eco’s inaugural Place by Design Awards in 2013.
sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 53
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54 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
The Block Food Park and Patio Bar.
40. Follow The Food Trucks Food trucks roamed San Antonio’s streets long before they became a popular side business for some, a full-time venture for others. Thanks to social media and an increasing number of destinations for local foodies, one need not go far to spot a food truck roadside, serving lunch to workers, or being a focal point for diners enjoying a night outdoors. A handful of food truck parks currently operate in and around the city. Want a catering alternative for your event? Food trucks have made this option amenable to different kinds of venues, from museums to microbreweries. Even businesses such as Rackspace regularly invite food trucks to be available for employees. Over with the “roach coach” connotation that trucks had years ago, food trucking is now an industry. More than tacos, mobile chefs provide a wider variety of tasty options, from Moroccan sandwiches and Colombian dishes to Cajun/creole and hot wings. Sameer Siddiqui co-owns the Rickshaw Stop truck, which serves Pakistani street cuisine. He said, as with any industry, there are more successful food trucks and those that fail. “There are a handful of trucks that have closed over the last couple of years and a few new ones have opened,” he said. “Overall, the food truck scene in San Antonio is healthy and
has room to grow. Personally, I would love to see an authentic Ethiopian food truck.” Siddiqui said food truck patrons generally like fast service and a unique, inexpensive meal in a no-hassle atmosphere. “Thanks to television shows like Eat Street, people are more aware of what a modern gourmet food truck has to offer,” he added. Here are some local food truck parks; many serve craft beer, are pet-friendly, and boast games and children’s areas. Alamo Street Eat Bar, 609 S. Alamo St. Open 5 p.m.midnight Tuesdays-Thursdays, 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 5 p.m.-midnight Sundays. Twitter: @alamoeatbar Boardwalk on Bulverde, 14732 Bulverde Rd. Open 6-10 p.m. Fridays, noon-10 p.m. Saturdays during winter. @TheBoardwalkSA The Block Food Park and Patio Bar, 14530 Roadrunner Way. Open 5 p.m.-midnight Mondays and Wednesdays, noon-2 a.m. Thursdays-Sundays. @TheBlockSA The Point Park and Eats, 24188 Boerne Stage Rd. Open 5-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, noon-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, noon-10 p.m. Sundays. @ThePointPark Random Beer Garden, 11 Upper Cibolo Creek Rd. Open 4-10 p.m. Thursdays, 4 p.m.-midnight Fridays, noon-midnight Saturdays, noon-10 p.m. Sundays. @RandomBeerGardn sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 55
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Much more than a mere walk in the park.
41. Get In Shape With Fitness In The Park Want to get in shape? Put on your workout attire and walk/ drive/bike to the nearest public park. You’ll likely find a yoga or fitness class there. The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department’s three-year-old program Fitness in the Park continues to grow. There are about 400 offerings at little more than half of the city’s parks. The program attracted 42,000 participants throughout 2014. Longtime offerings include Tai Chi, aerobics, walking, Zumba, boot camps and circuit training. Times vary and no registration is needed. No matter the age or fitness level, an adult or a whole family has plenty of options. New classes include piloxing — a blend of Pilates, boxing and dance — and non-contact cardio boxing led by former Spur Antonio Daniels and his wife Sonia. “Antonio and Sonia want to be part of the San Antonio fitness community,” said Michael Baldwin, special project manager for parks and recreation. The program has also added a mobile wellness unit, where visitors may receive basic screenings. Visit sanantonio.gov/parksandrec for details.
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42. Dance To San Anto Rhythms At The Tejano Conjunto Fest Each Spring, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center celebrates the local genre with a five-day festival showcasing internationally renowned and local artists (most often those two overlap). But before we go any further, let’s debrief for out-of-towners and locals who’ve never had a strong grasp on the differences between the two. Conjunto is the progenitor, born at the turn of the century when German settlers brought the accordion and oompah rhythm of the polka to the norteño music and bajo sexto of northern Mexico and Texas. Tejano is also a cross-cultural invention, merging conjunto with the horn section of orquesta and the dominant styles of post-war America — rock ‘n’ roll, blues and soul. This year’s festival is slated for May 13-17 in Rosedale Park, a perfect time and place for two-stepping to this music born in the Rio Grande Valley, Corpus Christi and above all, San Anto. Rosedale Park, 340 Dartmouth St., (210) 271-3151, guadalupeculturalarts.com.
228 E. Cevallos
210-455-3044
sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 57
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S H OP S
Explore. Shop. Dine. •
G ALLER I ES
•
R E STAU R AN T S
La Villita, south of the River Walk in downtown San Antonio, was originally settled nearly 300 years ago as one of the city’s first neighborhoods. In 1939, La Villita Historic Arts Village was established and the neighborhood was adapted into a center for teaching regional arts and crafts and to serve as an artists market. Today, nearly 30 shops and galleries offer distinct handcrafted items by artists from San Antonio and surrounding areas. You’ll find paintings, folk art, textiles, sculptures, copper wares, jewelry, and more. Plus, in the midst of these tree-lined walkways and plazas, enjoy a savory culinary experience at the area restaurants with options ranging from traditional Mexican flavors to steakhouse favorites.
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sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 59
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Artpace inspires creative young minds through hands-on programs and summer camps.
43. Make The Most Of Artpace Within the confines of a former Hudson automobile dealership, anything is possible, and that’s the way Linda Pace wanted it. Pace opened the doors to Artpace with the intent to nurture artists’ “freedom to dream,” and engage locals with an innovative, international art world; her space was to be a playground of possibility for all parties. Even though Pace passed away in 2007, her legacy lives on through this unparalleled institution and the Linda Pace Foundation. Her world-renowned artist residency program helped put San Antonio on the map with guest curators selecting one Texas-based, one national and one international artist for three two-month residencies each year. During this time, each artist is provided studio space, funding and support from full-time staff to create new works for exhibition. With access to these resources, artists are able to take risks and realize previously impossible pieces. Artpace is very much woven into the fabric of San Antonio through its free programming. Artist talks provide insight into the creative process, while opening receptions give locals the chance to mingle among new work, even the gallery’s Main
Avenue windows offer passersby contemporary art via the rotating installations commissioned for the Window Works program. Whatever the happening, engagement from the community is necessary (and hey, you’ve got no excuse, it’s free). And if it’s a VIP vibe you seek, become a Fresh Art First Member, for access to the members-only lounge and invitations to rooftop concerts. From Taco Fridays to youth outreach, there’s always something happening at Artpace. For its annual fan favorite, Chalk it Up, Artpace ditches the gallery altogether and sets up shop on historic Houston Street. For one day only, the stretch of concrete becomes a temporary canvas for the community. With chalk in hand, selected artists and impressive teams of students and cultural organizations develop fleeting masterpieces for upward of 20,000 viewers. Visitors are also given the chance to collaborate on a giant public mural with complimentary chalk and the freedom to explore the wildest crevices of the imagination, just as Pace intended. Artpace, 445 N Main Ave., (210) 212-4900, artpace.org sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 61
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62 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
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44. Pair Sustainable Eats And Texas Brews At The Cove Whether meeting family for a weekend brunch or kicking back with a couple of cold ones after work, The Cove’s organic offerings rarely disappoint. It all starts with Lisa and Sam Asvestas’ savory menu that pops with some of the freshest foods in the city. Whether noshing on the rockin’ fish tacos or throwing down on a grass-fed SOL (sustainable, organic, local) burger, flavor beckons. The expanded Texas Beer Garden offers close to 60 suds brewed in the Lone Star State and hosts periodic Thursday night beer tastings to savor them all. The adjacent playscape and ping-pong table offers a welcome diversion for the young and young at heart, and even the staunchest multitaskers will have their hands full with such conveniences as an onsite car wash and laundromat. 606 W. Cypress St., (210) 227-2683, thecove.us
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45. Stargaze With The Sidewalk Astronomers Houston lays claim to NASA, but SA is not without its own space program, albeit one a little bit more down to earth. Spend an evening stargazing with the San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers. Weather permitting, this long-running group of astronomy enthusiasts sets up telescopes at McAllister Park Trailhead every Wednesday at sunset. Examine celestial objects often obscured by the nightly veil of light pollution and learn a thing or two about the stars. On cloudy days, visit San Antonio College’s Scobee Planetarium, which was renovated last year. San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers, salsaastro.com; Scobee Education Center, 1300 San Pedro Ave., (210) 486-0100, alamo.edu/sac/planetarium
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210.822.9533 • 145 E. HILDEBRAND & McCULLOUGH sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 63
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64 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
What does Pee-wee have to do with SA? Hint: The Alamo.
46. Ask An Alamo Tour Guide If You Can Visit The Basement This joke requires a little backstory. In the 1985 cult comedy Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Pee-wee begins his escapade when a psychic foresees his lost bicycle in the basement of The Alamo. Like most buildings in San Anto, the missionturned-monolith doesn’t have a basement. But it does have tourists to troll — the battle site draws more than 2.5 million visitors a year, the most-visited landmark in Texas. Thirty years after the movie came out, the joke is probably well-worn for Alamo tour staff. But trust us, they’d prefer this homage to Pee-wee over a pissy tribute to Ozzy Osbourne’s ’82 urination. Bonus points if you dress up in a gray herringbone suit and red bowtie. 300 Alamo Plaza, (210) 225-1391, thealamo.org.
47. Summon The Spirit Of Robert Johnson First off, load up the playlist: “Cross Road Blues,” “Come on in My Kitchen” and “Terra Plane Blues.” Then it’s downtown to the historic Gunter Hotel, the turn-of-the-century landmark that, in November 1936 served as the makeshift recording studio for blues legend Robert Johnson. The mysterious Delta blues master cut only 28 songs in his lifetime, over half of which were captured over that three-day span in Room 414. The Mississippi crossroads where Johnson allegedly sold his soul to the devil may hold more mystique, but Room 414 is a rare tangible spot among hallowed blues grounds. 205 E. Houston St., 227-3241, sheratongunter.com
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Biga on the Banks
Fine Dining on The San Antonio River Walk
Overlooking the San Antonio River Walk
203 S. St Mary’s at Market Street • San Antonio, Texas 78205
210.225.0722 | www.Biga.com sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 65
The Friendly Spot won’t hound you for bringing your dog.
48. Ride A B-Cycle For nearly four years now, the Alamo City has enjoyed the convenience of B-Cycle, a community bike sharing program that allows riders to rent bikes from any bike station peppered throughout central San Antonio, cruise around and then return the bike to either that same station or another one nearby. The bikes are great for perusing some of San Antonio’s most active areas, including the Pearl, King William and Southtown. Designed for “quick” rides, B-Cycle offers day passes for $10, a seven-day pass for $24 or an annual membership for $80. If you’re looking for a fun afternoon with friends or are Alamo City newcomers and visitors, pick up a B-Cycle bike in the Blue Star Arts Complex and hit up some of our favorite outdoor patios, all of which are dog friendly. First, enjoy a snack and a drink at La Tuna Grill (100 Probandt St.), located just across the street from the Complex. La Tuna offers a chill vibe and patio where you can grab a cold beer and grill favorites like loaded nachos, sandwiches and fish tacos at prices ranging from about $5 to $8 for appetizers and up to $15 for heftier meals. 66 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
Grab your rented bike when you’re done and hop on Pereida Street over to South Alamo Street, where you’ll pass local favorites Liberty Bar, Feast and Hot Joy before hitting The Friendly Spot (943 South Alamo St.). As the name suggests, Friendly is essentially one giant gravel patio, perfect for taking a quick break from the bike and meeting up with pals. The ice house offers loads of beers on tap and a menu of traditional bar snacks as well as unique items like lamb sliders, a Creole-style fish sandwich and an edamame-jasmine burger, all for $10 or less. Hop back on your bike and cruise up Alamo Street, where you’ll pass the Alamo on your right and downtown on your left. Once past the mission, you’ll veer slightly right and continue toward Brooklyn Avenue. A few more blocks north and you’ll hit a relatively new barbecue joint, Alamo Ice House (802 N. Alamo St.). The spot features onsite BBQ pits and a menu loaded with smoked favorites, such as brisket, chicken and sausage. After stuffing yourself with barbecue, you can return your bike at a B-station a few blocks away at The Luxury (103 E. Jones St.)
BUEN APETITO La Paloma Riverwalk Restaurant, a blending of culture and time, is housed in a historic building erected circa 1900. It is set on the most charming and oldest stretch of the San Antonio River walk. La Paloma offers indoor and riverside seating, scenic views of pedestrian bridges and the shade of 100 year old sprawling Cypress and Magnolia trees.
est. 2007
La Paloma Riverwalk • 215 Losoya San Antonio, TX 78205
Mon - Sun: 4pm - 2am Food + Cocktails + Craft Beer
sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 67
BRYAN RINDFUSS
Feeling musically old school? We’ve got your fix right ‘ere.
49. Browse LPs At Alamo Records And Janie’s Record Shop There’s a disembodied feeling that occurs shortly after stepping into Alamo Records & Sheet Music in the Alamo Antique Mall (125 Broadway St.), where you may feel you’ve inadvertently stepped into an episode of Hoarders. The room itself isn’t particularly large, but every square inch of the walls — the floors and the double, sometimes triple, stacked shelves — are stuffed with records. What it lacks in alphabetization, or any distinguishable element of organization, it makes up with pure crate-digging potential. SA’s other must-stop record shop takes you just a few miles down Bandera to the heart of the city’s historic West Side, and the spiritual center of Tex-Mex culture. Janie’s Record Shop (1012 Bandera Rd.) doesn’t just boast the best tejano, conjunto and norteño selection in town. For the past three decades, storeowner Janie Esparza has amassed perhaps the best collection of its kind in the world, and she’s got the Tejano Lifetime Achievement award to prove it.
50. Take A Driving Tour Of Historic Neighborhoods Take a leisurely drive through the Alamo City’s seemingly enchanted neighborhoods at dusk, when the street and porch lights illuminate homes from various eras. Start west of Highway 281 in Monticello Park, once a dairy farm that an area developer and prominent Texas architect turned into a 40home neighborhood with tudor-style structures. Keep heading east to Olmos Park and Monte Vista, where you’ll find quiet streets lined with tall, picturesque trees and old-school street lamps illuminating stately, early 20th-century homes, many of which have been deemed historical landmarks. Make your way under Highway 281 near the San Antonio Zoo, where you’ll end up in the quiet and secluded River Road district, which backs up to sprawling Brackenridge Park. 68 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
O
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Good vibes and German brews flow at The Beethoven Halle und Garden.
51. Hit Up The Old-School Spots Not much has changed since Winnie and Pappy DeWese opened up their little restaurant all those years ago. Tip Top Café (2814 Fredericksburg Rd.) retains the magical charm of yesteryear with knotty pine walls, a brigade of dedicated waitresses and taxidermy décor. Generations of customers have chowed down on chicken-fried steak and onion rings in this little spot that feels like home. Even bleach-tipped foodie Guy Fieri was family for a day in an early season of the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. The only caveat: with so many loyal customers, you may have to wait – particularly if you hit it up at lunchtime, but like mama always said, the best things are worth waiting for. Earl Abel’s (1201 Austin Hwy.) holds a devoted fan base, too, but with its roomy dining room and banquet room, it’s got the space to hold ‘em. It wasn’t always that way. The first Earl Abel’s was a 10-seater on Main Street, opened after the Great Depression left the restaurant’s namesake, a once famous silent film organist, jobless. Abel’s original location survived countless changes before it was ultimately demolished and moved in 2006 to make way for The Broadway condos. But,
luckily for us, the no-longer new Earl Abel’s retains the retro charm and humor that made it a San Antonio staple. And the food is still as good. You’ll want to save room for dessert here, folks, because the lifelong waitresses will be ready to slice up a piece of any one of their delectable pies. A la mode or straight up, the choice is yours. After a steady day of eating, there’s nothing like cozying up with a cold stein of beer. Home to one of the oldest German singing societies in Texas, The Beethoven Halle und Garden (422 Perieda St.) is the perfect mix of history and old school German kitsch. Tuesday through Saturday, the Club Room opens to the public – the simple bar is the ideal place to lay low like the locals and spy on Tuesday’s chorus rehearsals. Things change on First Fridays when crowds flock to the Southtown spot, brought together by beer, wieners and live traditional German tunes. Be sure to check out the group’s annual events, including Gartenkonzert, a German take on Fiesta, Oktoberfest and Kristkindlmarkt, a traditional Christmas outdoor market. One big caveat: cash only. sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 71
52. Hunt Down The Paleta Guy More elusive than any ice cream truck, the paleta man has evaded us plenty and we’re on his route. Turns out there’s more something like 10 independent vendors who lease out the colorful pushcarts from El Paraiso Ice Cream (1934 Fredericksburg Rd., (210) 737-8101), and each has a different route. According to Maggie Flores, the eldest daughter of owners Jose and Maria Flores, paleteros have been around since the ’80s, when El Paraiso needed a fleet of almost 50 to market and share their wares. Need to find one of these frozen treat angels roaming the streets of San Antonio with their old-school pushcart, plenty of bags of chicharrones and paletas in tow? You can find them just about anywhere, but you won’t be able to miss them on the west and south sides of town.
53. Read A Book At ‘Enchilada Red’
Another great influence from south of the border: Paletas.
San Antonio’s enchiladas are so famous and tasty that we decided to roll all of our books into one. OK, not really. The “Enchilada Red” six-story building encompassing San Antonio’s Central Library was designed by Ricardo Legorreta, the famous Mexican architect who won a design competition in 1991. The building, described as Mexican Modernist, is unmistakable. Head up the escalator to the second floor and look up as far as you can see to take in “Fiesta Tower,” the two-story multicolor glass sculpture created by world-famous artist David Chihuly. Put your tech gadgets away and go analog downtown and read a book. 600 Soledad St., (210) 207-2500, mysapl.org
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54. Catch A Hometown Hero In Concert
Patricia Vonne is part of San Antonio’s growing local music scene.
Frankly, you’re a fool if you think you have to go up the road to the “Live Music Capital of the World” to see some classic, homegrown Texan artists. San Antonio has a rich and delightedly quirky musical tradition, taking Tex-Mex culture to new sonic highs. Take for starters tejano and conjunto, the genres born and bred in South Texas and San Antonio. Grammy winners Max Baca y los Texmaniacs gig pretty frequently around town, performing their blend of tejano rock and cowboy blues. It’s well worth Grammy Lifetime Achievement-winning accordionist Flaco Jiménez in solo form. Since the ’70s, Jiménez has released 14 solo albums of scorching button accordion riffs. Seeing the squeezebox institution is a San Anto tradition — we recommend doing so during his boisterous, if infrequent, gigs at Hi-Tones (621 E. Dewey). Another local favorite is Eva Ybarra, La Reyna del Acordeón, with a hurricane-strength contralto. With a heavily-stamped musical passport, Tish Hinojosa offers a deep understanding of the folk styles of Mexico and America, from country to the corridos and boleros of northern Mexico. Operating in her own Tex-Mex vein is songwriter Patricia Vonne, splitting between English and Spanish and time between Austin and SA. The sister of director Robert Rodriguez, Vonne’s silver screen highlights include a roll as Zorro Girl in Sin City, though her five albums to date are as killer as any work she’s put down on celluloid. Performing at Olmos Bharmacy (3902 McCullough) or V.J.’s Squeeze Inn Club (1755 S. General McMullen), the West Side Horns are one of the last strongholds of the West Side Sound. Beginning in the ’50s, the Chicano musicians integrated Spanish language and Latin rhythms into blues and R&B, developing later into vicious funk. Sadly, many of the musicians of the West Side movement have passed, or are no longer playing, leaving a long legacy of YouTube links, seven-inches and reissues. But, the barrio oldies live on with trumpeter Arturo Gonzalez and the West Side Horns, performing San Anto classics like Randy Garibay’s “Barbacoa Blues.” Let’s not forget about rock ‘n’ roll. SA native Alejandro Escovedo began his career in the early ’80s with San Francisco punk outfit The Nuns, transitioning into his current brand of charming blues rock in the mid ’90s. On hiatus from hometown altrock favorites Girl in a Coma, Nina Diaz is putting in exciting work, blending cumbia rhythms and electronic instruments into her comatic work. And, of course, there’s the Texas Tornados, the tejano rock supergroup founded in 1990. Though Doug Sahm and Freddy Frender are in the great Tex-Mex gig in the sky, Doug’s son Shawn has joined with founding organist Augie Meyers and accordionist Flaco Jiménez to help keep “Hey Baby Que Paso?” — a local anthem — active in SA dancehalls. sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 75
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200
Can’t beat it: High art at zero cost.
55. Visit SAMA On Free Tuesdays Head down to the Mission Reach and let your visual senses play at the San Antonio Museum of Art on free Tuesdays. Art connoisseurs and novices can take in artistic styles from all over the world, including Islamic, contemporary, Oceanic art and much more. SAMA also provides the Alamo City with a variety of exhibitions that rotate throughout the year. This year, SAMA has offered everything from tapestries of Pablo Picasso masterpieces to a Diego Rivera exhibition. So shrug Monday off and turn Tuesday around with free admission to a great collection of fine art. 200 W. Jones St., (210) 978-8100, www.samuseum.org
56. Drink Booze For Breakfast At Cobalt Club Skip the breakfast taco on the morning commute and stop in at Cobalt Club, offering an early morning happy hour beginning at 7 a.m. And don’t knock the place as a trap for Bukowski-inspired, dawn-drinking barflies, either. We’ve found it to be a surprisingly regular crowd, consisting mostly of people in scrubs getting off hospital graveyard shifts. Made of ashy gray concrete with touches of the titular blue, the windowless building looks as if it were made to shelter patrons from aerial bombings. If you want to know if the sun is out, there is a latticed, enclosed patio in the back. Either way, the bar’s morning menu is cheaper than most with $2.50 wells, $2.50 longnecks and $4 premium spirits. 2022 McCullough Ave.
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Bluestar 1420 S. Alamo • 210.227.1420 sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 77
A big win for the Silver and Black turns downtown into an impromptu block party.
57. Celebrate A Spurs NBA Championship A playoff bid and 16 postseason wins stand between the Spurs and the NBA championship every year. But on the joyous occasions when the Spurs beat the odds and pull in a ring, San Antonio feels at its most alive and most like a unified city. At the epicenter is the downtown celebration — an impromptu block party for the Silver and Black kept in check by the boys in blue. To set yourself up for a downtown jaunt, watch all potential championship games at a bar in the area. The Esquire Tavern (155 E. Commerce St.), Ernie’s Bar (320 Bonham St.) or Drink Texas (200 Navarro St.) are tucked in the heart of the city, though prepare to stay through the celebration’s end, ’cause your car isn’t moving till thousands of revelers in the street decide they’re done for the night. A better option lies in Southtown, where street parking is ample and icehouses blow up air-inflated screens to project the games for overflowing audiences. The Friendly Spot (943 S. Alamo St.) and Alamo Street Eat Bar (609 S. Alamo St.) provide these moonbounce-like monitors, taking advantage of the warm June evenings. But if you’re looking for a celebratory shot, you’ll have to look elsewhere, for these serve just beer 78 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
and wine. Rosario’s (910 S Alamo St.), Southtown 101 (101 Pereida St.) and Bar America (723 S. Alamo St.) all stock a full bar, if you’d like a liquor kickoff to the evening. From there, take a stroll up South Alamo and into downtown proper. The police will route traffic elsewhere, so you can strut in the street just like the tourist-carrying horses do. If you’ve brought any celebratory items — a plastic vuvezela from 2010, cascarones, a blown-up cut-out of LeBron James crying — now is the time to whip them out. Remember, the Spurs are now holding the Larry O’Brien trophy once again. Being in your city when the NBA team wins the finals is a strange and beautiful hybrid of a party and a well-mannered riot. Climb on stuff, hug strangers, kiss your date and above all, respect personal boundaries. Prepare relevant chants and save your best high-fives for those rocking vintage Spurs gear. Make your way to La Antorcha de la Amistad and howl with city pride, for the Spurs have another ring and hopefully it’s a weekend. After you’ve had enough, return to your car tucked on a side street like a smart SA native and take the back roads home.
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58. Attend Fiesta Cornyation There ain’t nothing like “the raunchiest, cheapest event of Fiesta.” Cornyation started back in 1951 as part of A Night in Old San Antonio. After one irreverent poke too many, the show was kicked out of NIOSA, and lay more or less dormant until its revival in 1982 by Bob Jolly and Ray Chavez. Today, this spoof on the Fiesta Coronation brings together hundreds of volunteers including politicians, business owners, restaurateurs and basically anyone available, for three elaborately costumed nights of tacky troubles and campy politics, all in the name of a good cause (the organization has donated more than $1.5 million to local AIDS charities). For a scholarly take on Cornyation, keep an eye out for Trinity professor Amy Stone’s forthcoming book on the politics of sexuality in urban festivals. Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, 226 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 226-3333, fiestacornyation.org
59. Make Yourself Sick Riding Every Six Flags Fiesta Texas Roller Coaster When The Rattler was first built, the initial near-vertical drop had to be modified. Rumor in the schoolyard then was that the heads flew right off the test dummies. Well, as of 2012, Fiesta Texas’ signature coaster is no more. It’s been replaced with the even more menacing Iron Rattler, and that steep drop has returned. Spend the day trying to get your stomach to hate you, and ride the theme park’s seven — soon to be eight — roller coasters. We’ve got the aforementioned Iron Rattler; the head-spinning, looping Boomerang; the inverted steel Goliath, the spinning Pandemonium; the Poltergeist, which zips to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds; the cartoon-themed Roadrunner Express; and the Superman: Krypton Coaster, featuring the world’s tallest vertical loop. Summer 2015 brings the absolutely bonkers-looking Batman: The Ride. Enjoy them all, but don’t expect your stomach to thank you. 17000 I-10 W. (210) 697-5050, sixflags.com/fiestatexas
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SARAH FLOOD
Mexican ceramics abound at El Mercado.
60. Play Tourist At El Mercado No matter if you’re a tourist or a native San Antonian, you could easily lose yourself in Market Square. Hey, it’s not a bad thing, don’t be ashamed. Across from Milam Park lies a three-block outdoor plaza filled with the sights, sounds and cuisine reflective of old Mexico – one of the most famous outdoor markets in the country, according to Frommer’s. More than 100 shops, galleries and stalls occupy areas known as El Mercado and Farmers Market Plaza. Browse curio shops with everything from hand-embroidered Mexican dresses and hats to musical instruments and decorations. Shopkeepers play a variety of Mexican music, adding to the atmosphere. Most of the shops, such as Old Mexico Imports, a fixture here since the 1960s, remain family-owned. “This is all I’ve known,” shop owner Michael Herrejon said matter-of-factly. Hungry patrons may visit the food court or an assortment of food booths. Just outside are traditional Tex-Mex spots like La Margarita Restaurant and Oyster Bar (120 Produce Row) 82 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
and Mi Tierra Café and Bakery (218 Produce Row). Adorned with Christmas lights and other decorations, Mi Tierra is open around the clock. It’s a spot popular with tourists, locals celebrating a special milestone and late-night partygoers seeking a pre-bedtime meal. Mariachi musicians stroll around and offer to play a few tunes for willing diners. Market Square buzzes with even more activity on weekends and in certain seasons. Artists and live musicians, food and beverage booths and outdoor family activities bring in big crowds during Fiesta and Easter, as well as around Cinco de Mayo, Halloween and Christmas. Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s Educational and Cultural Arts Center sits within the Market Square plaza area. Its presence as the former Museo Alameda, lined by colorful walls, complements the adjacent restaurants and shops. Merchants such as Herrejon acknowledge that some individuals may see Market Square as a tourist trap. But he feels it offers something more. “People are fascinated with Hispanic and Mexican culture. They appreciate that this place has some charm of old Mexico,” he said.
San Antonio|The Saga
61. Watch San Antonio|The Saga The San Fernando Cathedral in downtown San Antonio is the oldest operating Catholic sanctuary in the United States. Nestled in Main Plaza, the church blossoms into a remarkable and colorful infusion of old and new worlds. Every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at 9, 9:30 and 10, San Antonio|The Saga, a 24-minute video, splashes across the church’s facade. French artist Xavier De Richemont’s saga tells the story of discovery, settlement and development of San Antonio. If you’re downtown for dinner and drinks — or even business — take a few minutes and soak in some vibrant, artful history shown at this anchor of Alamo City history. 115 Main Plaza, (210) 227-1297, mainplaza.org
#wrapcity
62. Join The Hall Of Foam At Hills And Dales San Antonio has no shortage of beer joints, and visiting all of them is a definite must. But there’s one far North Side institution that every beer-loving local should frequent often. Drink your way through the hundreds of brews at Hills and Dales Ice House. This dive off 1604 boasts a wall of coolers stocked with around 400 brews. Down them all — not at once, of course — and earn a spot on the bar’s crowded wall with a sign commemorating your hoppy achievement. Longtime locals are familiar with Hills and Dales reputation as a biker bar, but you’ll usually find people of all types in this ice house enjoying a few cold ones. Be sure to get some of the best bahn mi in town at the Singhs Vietnamese food truck, which is parked across the street most nights. 15403 White Fawn Dr., (210) 695-2307
8503 Broadway San Antonio, TX 78217 Phone: 210-824-0188 mindseyetattoos.com sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 83
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BRYAN RINDFUSS
Owner Carmen Morin fills Lasting Impressions Antiques with all eras of furniture and décor.
63. Go Antiquing on Hildebrand Lucky for the pickers among us, San Antonio is brimming with antique shops — not to mention flea markets, thrift stores and resale boutiques. While there are also hot spots for antiques along Broadway (between Pershing and Mulberry) and Blanco (between Fulton and Elsmere), if you’re looking for antique or vintage furniture or décor, the stretch of Hildebrand between San Pedro and Beacon is a good place to start browsing and bargaining. Antiques on Hildebrand “Hildebrand” and “antiques” haven’t always gone hand in hand. But in 1991, when the avenue had a much bleaker vibe, Robert Barrett set up shop at 521 W. Hildebrand and later expanded his business by taking over a neighboring building. Both named Antiques on Hildebrand, the sibling shops have subtle differences. While 501 W. Hildebrand is a maze-like mecca stacked with chairs from nearly every imaginable decade, vintage luggage, sofas and chandeliers, 521 is filled (some might say crammed) with all eras of antiques but doubles as Barrett’s plaster-casting studio. Trained by artist Harold Kempfer of Harold’s Art & Plaster Craft (2743 Roosevelt), Barrett creates classically inspired busts, reliefs and architectural accents whenever “the bug” bites him. But more often than not, he’s out shopping for new inventory at yard sales, thrift stores and auctions throughout Texas. Barrett’s excursions result in about five truckloads of new merchandise per week. When we
asked him to pinpoint his specialty, Barrett didn’t bother mincing words: “junk.” Lasting Impressions Antiques Not long after Barrett established Hildebrand as a destination for antiques, Carmen Morin opened a similarly cavernous outfit across the avenue at 600 W. Hildebrand. In addition to Morin’s own Lasting Impressions Antiques — which buys, sells and trades an assortment of treasures — the railroad-style shop hosts a handful of other vendors offering everything from vintage cameras to Persian rugs. Here, the multi-vendor setup is reminiscent of an antique mall — with furniture being the obvious common denominator — yet it all flows together in a fairly organic fashion. If the weather’s nice, step out back to browse through arrangements of patio furniture, yard art and industrial salvage. Honorable Mentions Beyond the big fish on the block, Hildebrand is home to a smattering of small shops such as Casablanca Antiques (518 W. Hildebrand), which specializes in piano restoration but also stocks well-preserved pop collectibles (such as oldschool Snoopy and Mickey Mouse telephones). And though it’s outside the realm of antiques, family-owned El Fandango Trading (607 W. Hildebrand) makes gifting easy with its smartly priced spread of ceramics, folk art and home décor imported from all corners of Mexico. sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 85
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ESSENTIALS
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64. Dive Into The DIY With A Mondo Nation Show For promoters and musicians, the two crucial ingredients to cook up a memorable show are the bands on the bill and the spot it’s taking place. Independent media outlet Mondo Nation works with a heavy emphasis on the second ingredient, throwing shows in unexpected places — warehouses, rooftops, art galleries. Founded by SA resident Ryan Brummet in 2012, the project started as a blog, though Brummet brought it from URL to DIY the next year by booking gigs outside the bar circuit. But unlike a good deal of DIY culture, hiding among the city’s unlabeled buildings like art-loving guerrillas, Mondo Nation makes the scene accessible with a strong online presence and welcoming attitude. From punk and indie rock to thrash metal and electronic pop, the music does veer toward the heavy side, so don’t say we didn’t warn you. mondonation.net
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65. Waste Fuel Driving The Entirety Of Loop 1604 How wasteful the excursion is depends on the current geopolitical conditions in the oil market. It’s not exactly an aimless excursion, considering you’ll end up right back where you started after driving the entire 95.6 miles of Charles Anderson Loop. But circumnavigating San Antonio via its outermost loop is one way to familiarize yourself with the Alamo City’s size and economic disparity, especially if you’re an inner-looper who thinks 1604 might as well be in Timbuktu. Drive through the cookie-cutter opulence of Stone Oak, the westward suburban expansion of Alamo Ranch, and the sparse farm and ranch land of the loop’s southern edges. Pass by the military communities near Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, coast by the Dominguez State Jail, skirt by Calaveras Lake and sweep through tiny towns like Somerset and St. Hedwig. It’s a decidedly different way to see San Antonio.
618 NW Loop 410, Near Airport 210.541.8805 LOLSanAntonio.com
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849 E. Commerce @ Rivercenter Mall 210.229.1420 RiverCenterComedyClub.com
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San Antonio Botanical Garden’s Lucile Halsell Conservatory
66. Unwind In The Botanical Garden
67. Indulge In A Mariscada De La Reina
Unwinding in the San Antonio Botanical Garden is a pleasure that offers an endless supply of flora for your enjoyment. But the 38-acre facility also entwines nature with fine arts. Each spring, the Botanical Garden partners with the Magik Theatre to host Shakespeare in the Park, which has presented the Bard’s masterworks in the great outdoors since 2005. While spring is momentary, Art in the Garden mixes contemporary sculpture with Mother Nature all year long. The 2015 installment of the collaboration with Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum brings Pittsburg-based interdisciplinary artist Kim Beck to the green space off Funston Place. But if fine arts don’t captivate you, the peaceful pond, tree-lined Texas Native Trail and exhibit rooms of the Lucile Halsell Conservatory surely will. 555 Funston Pl., (210) 207-3250, www.sabot.org
More than two years have passed since Mariscos El Bucanero ditched its humble beginnings and moved on up to Blanco Road just a mile inside Loop 1604. Since then, the Familia Cervantes has launched a second equally popular eatery inside the Embassy shopping center. Both eateries are decked out with seascapes along the walls, both are lively and loud on weekends and both deliver the fish-filled goods to the masses. Any visit requires an order of the citrusy and fresh-as-heck ceviche, but if you’re bringing the family or introducing friends to the wonder of madeto-order seafood, then let us recommend a Mariscada de la Reina, a heaping platter of mussels, scallops, a cheese-filled chile relleno, rice, bacon-wrapped shrimp and several iterations of fried fish. Buen provecho. 16505 Blanco Rd., (210) 408-9297; 13802 Embassy Row, (210) 333-0909, elbucanerosa.com
68. Ride Your Bike Across The Hays Street Bridge
69. Play Name That Latino At Pico De Gallo
By most technical definitions of a bridge, it’s completely impractical. But that’s missing the point of the Hays Street Bridge, a newly revitalized Eastside landmark built in 1881 over the Nueces River in Uvalde. In 1910, the bridge was relocated to its current spot to accommodate traffic, before falling into decay and somehow surviving multiple demolition threats. Since reopening in 2010, it has become a must-ride destination for bikers and a hot spot for all manner of impromptu gatherings and events (yoga sessions, impromptu concerts, viral rap videos, etc.). Plus, its generous elevation — about 50 feet above the train tracks below — offers a prime vantage point for any fireworks display or similarly explosive downtown event. 803 N. Cherry St.
Splashed across the back wall of the Cortez Family’s Pico de Gallo, the more local-friendly sister restaurant of Mi Tierra Café and Bakery and La Margarita Restaurant and Oyster Bar, is an elaborate mural featuring dozens of notable Latinos. Try to identify them all — over tangy margaritas and a sizzling charbroiled chicken, fajita and sausage parrillada — to test your knowledge of Mexican-American history and San Antonio’s Latino cultural heritage. See if you can name the civil rights activists, religious and military leaders, and celebrities without pulling out your smartphone. History lessons are always better when paired with a little Tex-Mex. 111 S. Leona St., (210) 2256060, picodegallo.com
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70. Have Lunch At Schilo’s The beauty of Schilo’s is that it’s squished between several lessthan-awesome eateries, and it’s easy to overlook. Casa Rio has its moments, sure, and Whataburger can hit the right spot after a few drinks, but they’re not packing in local lunchtime crowds like the quaint German delicatessen, a part of the San Antonio River Walk landscape since the early 1900s. Service is as close as you’ll get to diner-friendly in downtown and beyond, and the menu is filled with legit items we’re hard-pressed to find elsewhere such as the corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and grilled rye that makes up their Reuben on a toasted bun with a deviled egg and a cup of their legendary split pea soup. 424 E. Commerce St., (210) 223-6692, schilos.com.
71. Wake Up For Barbacoa And Big Red At Mimi’s
At the River Walk and craving good German food? No sweat.
Mon.: $1.50 Pastor Tacos And Happy Hour All Day. Tue.: Buy One Order Of Wings, Get One Free Wed.: $10.99 Ribeye With Fries Thu.:: Third Down Thursday 8Pm - 2Am $3 Wells, Domestic Pints, Small Margarita.$4 Import Pints And $3 Off Large Tubes, $1 Off Med Tubes.
Levántense, muchachos! We’re getting barbacoa from the family-owned shop that adds a little puro to the North Central area of town. Tucked away next to a Vietnamese place and Shipley’s Donuts, Mimi’s Barbacoa Tacos Tamales y Más is the go-to spot for folks hoping to nail their Sunday morning with breakfast tacos, tasty tamales, fresh tortillas, house-made salsas and barbacoa by the pound, regular (with all sorts of good stuff) or all meat, available to go or eat-in. Step inside the teensy shop and be ready with your order, the system mildly resembles Seinfeld’s Soup Nazi — there’s no dilly-dallying here. The spot comes alive when filled with regulars and newcomers. 10918 Wurzbach Rd., (210) 558-6008
100 + HD TVs Lunch Specials: Mon-Sat,11am -3pm Happy Hour: Mon- Fri, 2pm - 7pm
6420 NW LOOP 410 SUITE 110, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78238 | 210-521-4400 sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 89
72. Go Caving!
Natural Bridge Caverns.
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In San Antonio, you get used to the drone of traffic, the roar of trains and the buzz of a million cellphones. Let’s face it: Large cities are noisy. Sometimes you just have to get underground and away from all the hustle and bustle of Alamo City life. And when we say underground, we mean it. There are several wonderful caves within a day’s drive of San Antonio, like Natural Bridge Caverns (26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd.). Nestled halfway between San Antonio and New Braunfels, Natural Bridge Caverns is the largest commercial cave in Texas, and exploration of the cave still continues. This place is cool, literally. The Natural Bridge Caverns are 70 degrees year round, but be warned, the cave’s relative humidity is 99 percent. Four students from St. Mary’s University discovered the cave in 1960, and its famous name comes from a huge slab of limestone that stretches across the amphitheater-like entrance to the caves. In 1962, when excavators were exploring the opening of Natural Bridge Caverns, they found arrowheads and spearheads from 5,000 B.C. and jawbones from a grizzly bear that went extinct 8,000 years ago, according to the Texas State Historical Association’s Handbook of Texas. To testify to the longevity of Natural Bridge Caverns, the cave is active and still growing. “Because of constant drips and flowing water, the formations retain a luster that can be seen in a few caverns. Under these growth conditions the formations appear to be made of wax, yet are as hard as limestone,” the Handbook of Texas states. “The types of formation change from room to room.” The cave’s largest room, the Hall of the Mountain Kings, contains a rare formation called “fried eggs.” The attraction offers a variety of tours and the adjacent Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is home to zebras, bison, gibbons and giraffes. The caverns are also next to another famous cave, the Bracken Bat Cave, which is off-limits to the public because some 20 million Mexican free-tail bats live there — the largest colony in the world. You can, however, through a program at Natural Bridge Caverns, watch the bats take flight during summer months. Another option for potential spelunkers is Cascade Caverns in Boerne (226 Cascade Caverns Rd.), which offers hour-long tours highlighting unique rock formations, as well as nature trails and a campground.
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A young crowd converges on the dance floor at Brass Monkey.
73. Booze Your Way Down The North Saint Mary’s Strip Stretched over a half-mile of midtown, the North St. Mary’s strip brings out the devil in San Anto barflies. Our quest involves heading north to south along the street, drinking from each watering hole along the way — bring a friend and trade off at bars to avoid memory loss, crippling hangovers, etc. Begin at Candlelight Coffee House (3011 N. Saint Mary’s St.) for a caffeine boost and a glass of beer or wine on the café’s couches and lounge chairs. Pro tip: Far and away, these are the best bathrooms on the strip. Up next is Faust Tavern (517 E Woodlawn Ave.), a cozy little hellhole with a solid beer selection and stupid-cheap well drinks. It’s a favorite spot of heavily-inked locals drinking on a dime, with love-to-hate flicks on the TV and a soundtrack of Slayer or old school San Anto soul. Try Tycoon Flats (2926 N. Saint Mary’s St.) for a vast icehouse patio and a pairing of burgers and beers. Or, if you’re feeling more confined, visit TBA (2801 N. Saint Mary’s) and drink on their outside enclosure, caged in by a thin wire frame (great for the recently paroled!). For the ladies, stop by Hardbodies (2726 N. Saint Mary’s) to watch a high-testosterone tease show. Boys will have to wait outside at the taco truck (Hardbodies policy), or 92 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
skip ahead to Limelight (2718 N. Saint Mary’s St.) to catch some tunes in the long, cheap music hall. Now we’re in venue territory, with rock ‘n’ roll leaking into the street. Brass Monkey (2702 N. Saint Mary’s St.) traffics mostly in DJ sets and nostalgic tunes, with four-on-the-floor rhythms and new wave hits leading the charge. On Sundays, the line wraps across the street to the Greek Orthodox Church, hosting the service industry on their weekend. The Mix (2423 N. Saint Mary’s St.) stays true to its name, hosting soul, rock ‘n’ roll, jazz and punk. It’s one of the oldest institutions on the strip, with a built-in audience of denim-vested barroom heroes and a strong lineup of beer on tap. If you’re suffering from noise pollution at this point, stop into Joey’s (2417 N. Saint Mary’s St.) for a clean and well-lit place and one of the city’s largest pool halls. If not, continue on to Hi-Tones (621 E. Dewey Pl.), a favorite spot of San Anto musicians. The big blue building hosts tejano, touring acts, the monthly Electronic Exhibition and Alamo City bands of all genres. If you’ve got a few brain cells making a valiant last stand after this boozy tour, kill them off with a signature pickle or chango shot.
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74. Get Cultured At The McNay
VISIT OUR STUDIO & TAKE A CLASS! 108 Blue Star | Aerial-Horizon.com | 210.908.7816
Cure your workweek blues by getting cultured at the McNay Art Museum with fun at Second Thursday. As winter rolls into spring, the museum features a local musical act, food truck treats and beer each month. At 6 and 8 p.m. during Second Thursday events, a docent will lead a tour of the collection, which will light up finer sensations and carry you through the rest of the week – actually, just one more day, since then you’re into Friday! And if that doesn’t help you decompress, the fun certainly will. (210) 824-5368, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., mcnayart.org
75. Stuff Your Face With A Whataburger Whatafarm Take advantage of the Whataburger’s “just the way you like it” motto and order a Whatafarm. A What-a-What? This secret menu item is an absolute beast of a burger, the result of playing it fast and loose with the local chain’s customizable options. Sandwiched between two buns are a hamburger patty, a Whatachick’n patty, bacon, a fried egg and cheese, plus lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and diced onions. The Whatafarm has made the rounds online for years. A quick Google search turns up a handy diagram that you can present to a sure-to-be confused Whataburger cashier. Variations of this frankenburger exist, including ones with a breakfast sausage patty or fried fish filet, because why not? It’s both mouth-watering and stomach-turning. Make sure your next visit to the Whataburger drive-thru turns out to be both the greatest achievement and biggest regret of your life. whataburger.com sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 93
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Only 60 spots available Earn up to $200 every other week for training in GED and Construction Including stipends and incentives Through SA Youth’s YouthBuild program Now Offering NEW Career Paths and Certificates QUALIFICATIONS: • Must be 16-24 years of age • Must be a high school dropout or must be wanting to earn the GED • Must live in San Antonio or Bexar County WORKFORCE SKILLS DESCRIPTION: • Commit M-F 8am-5pm • Prepare to earn the GED or HS Diploma • Earn NCCER Construction Certification • OSHA, First Aid and CPR Certifications • Learn and develop leadership and life skills including job readiness
Don’t skip downtown’s horniest attraction.
For more information call SA Youth at 210-223-3131 ext. 219 Submit applications to: josh@sanantonioyouth.org SA Youth is a drug free equal opportunity employer, funded by the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration
76. Visit The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum Ah, the good old days, when you could buy a pinch of whiskey with an antler. The Buckhorn Saloon’s proprietor Albert Friedrich understood that not everyone could pay for booze, so he accepted horns as payment; soon these curios covered every wall and ceiling, and the Hall of Horns was born. After a 30-year stint at the Lone Star Brewery, Friedrich’s ancestors moved the collection back downtown where he intended it to be displayed. Today, the impressive collection houses exotic taxidermy, oddities, wildlife displays and a “Ranger Town” exhibit complete with a jail cell, saloon and Bonnie and Clyde’s famed getaway car. For nostalgia’s sake, pull up a seat at the original cherry-wood bar and order a root beer on tap. Horns not accepted. 318 E. Houston St., (210) 247-4000, buckhornmuseum.com
Must complete necessary requirements to earn payment awards SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY
77. Submerge Yourself In Latin Cinema At CineFestival Its focus has shifted a bit in the last couple of years since new festival director Jim Mendiola has taken the reins (more U.S. Latino filmmakers, fewer Latin American), but it seems the longest-running Latino film festival in North America knows what it has to do to stay relevant in the circuit. That includes working with the Sundance Institute to support Latino writers/ filmmakers through the Latino Screenwriting Project. In the past, CineFestival has screened some impressive work, including films that played at Sundance (Cesar’s Last Fast) and Cannes (The Golden Dream). The festival has also welcomed a host of Latino talent to the Alamo City like 2015 Golden Globe winner Gina Rodriguez, Esai Morales, and Benjamin Bratt. Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe St., (210) 271-3151, guadalupeculturalarts.org sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 95
Ghost stories and cocktails make for a memorable mix at the Menger Hotel.
78. Drink With Ghosts At The Menger Hotel
79. Ride The Brackenridge Eagle
Tucked away in downtown and billed as one of Texas’ most haunted hotels, is the bar where Teddy Roosevelt reportedly recruited his famous rough riders to fight during the SpanishAmerican War. The Menger Hotel’s bar is next to the Alamo and if war memorabilia and Roosevelt aren’t your pint of lager, 32 different ghosts or spiritual entities supposedly live in or visit the hotel, which should give you plenty to chat about with bar staff. Who knows, maybe Teddy’s ghost will pull up a stool in the dark barroom and have a drink with you. 204 Alamo Plaza, (210) 223-4361, mengerhotel.com
Whether you’ve got a thing for miniature trains or just need to spend the day babysitting, the Brackenridge Eagle offers a few miles of tiny tracks to mosey around. Built in 1956, the three trains that tour the Brackenridge Park and zoo area (it’s owned and operated by the zoo) are replicas of the 1863 C.P. Huntington No. 3 locomotive. After the ride, keep the kid-friendly escapades going with a trip to the Witte Museum (3801 Broadway) for science and history (if you’re looking to save money, the Witte is free on Tuesday afternoons). 3910 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 734-7184, sazoo-aq.org
80. Take A Class At The Southwest School Of Art
81. Indulge Your Inner Slytherin At The Snake Farm
Following its foundation as a nonprofit in 1965 and relocation to the historic Ursuline Convent and Academy in 1971, the Southwest Craft Center (known as the Southwest School of Art since 2010) expanded its campus by taking over a Sears Automotive Center in 1998 and rolled out an “intimate, intensive college degree program” in 2014. Now designated as the Lone Star State’s first and only independent art college, the deceivingly quaint-looking SSA boasts a stellar staff, state-ofthe-art facilities and a wide range of community classes for adults and kids alike. Beyond offering everything from weaving and glassblowing to digital imaging and jewelry making, the SSA hosts workshops and lectures with experts in such specialized fields as itajime shibori (clamp-resist dyeing) and experimental drawing. 300 Augusta, (210) 224-1848, swschool.org
“Snake Farm, just sounds nasty / Snake Farm, pretty much is!” In 2006, cowpunk crooner Ray Wylie Hubbard provided the basics on the Animal World & Snake Farm in his song inspired by the New Braunfels institution. But if snakes top your phobia list, this Dirty Jobs-featured spot includes lemurs, wolves, big cats and what their website bills as “miscellaneous exotic animals.” Though the farm faced some ethical heat from PETA, when owner and animal rescuer Eric Trager took over in 2007, he turned the place around, looking to move away from Hubbard’s connotation and toward that of a more traditional zoo. But the Snake Farm still maintains a funky and carnivorous vibe, as confirmed by their most popular attraction: feeding time for the snakes and crocodiles. 5640 I-35 S., New Braunfels, (830) 608-9270, exocticanimalworld.com
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sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 97
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82. Eat A Macho Burger At Chris Madrid’s If you’re going to eat a burger, eat a burger. Gorge on a macho from local institution Chris Madrid’s. It’s not often you can say a burger has gobs of cheese, but this half-pound hamburger is absolutely dripping with cheddar. Opened in 1977, the gas station-turned burger joint offers six burger varieties, but when you indulge, you might as well opt for their specialty: the tostada bean burger. This oversized monster includes refried beans, chips, onions and the aforementioned gobs of cheese piled high on top of a beef patty. Pair it with Chris Madrid’s hand-cut fries and a bottled longneck from their cantina. And when you’re done, be sure to get an “I Ate a Macho at Chris Madrid’s” bumper sticker to let the world know of your gluttonous achievement. 1900 Blanco Rd., (210) 735-3552, chrismadrids.com
83. Learn About Mexican Free-Tails At Bat Loco Approximately 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats — the largest colony in the world — live just north of San Antonio in the Bracken Bat Cave. But like Alamo City residents, some bats prefer an urban setting to the suburbs. You can get to know these inner city bats a little better with Bat Loco, a partnership between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Bat Conservation International, the Paseo del Rio Association and the San Antonio River Authority that offers educational tours to raise awareness about the Mexican free-tailed bat’s importance to Texas’ ecosystem. The tours are limited to summer months when the bats roost under San Antonio highways and bridges. Without those bats, Bexar County would be taken over by insects. Museum Reach of the San Antonio River Walk (at the Camden St. bridge), sara-tx.org. 98 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
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Home to 10 resident companies, the Tobin Center offers a wealth of performance options.
84. Take In A Performance At The Tobin
85. Have A Nooner At A Skeezy Motel
With grand aspirations of becoming “the pride of the River and a shining beacon of creativity,” the Tobin houses three incomparable spaces: the multipurpose 1,759-seat HEB Performance Hall, the intimate Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater and the River Walk Plaza (complete with 30-foot video wall for exterior projections). In addition to touring acts, the Tobin boasts 10 wildly creative companies in residence, including Soli Chamber Ensemble, the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, Ballet San Antonio and AtticRep. The latter’s gritty contemporary performances are just about as close as you’ll get to Off Broadway in our sweet Texas sunshine. 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter.org
A lunch hour run to Bill Miller’s is boring. Satisfy your midday meat craving another way. Those cars in the parking lots of, say, the Ranch Motel off Broadway, or the Fox Motel next to Pearl — the drivers aren’t there for the five-star amenities. It’s reasonable to assume that, behind many of those locked doors and drawn black-out curtains, couples are having dirty, dirty day sex. Scratch another notch on your San Anto bed post. Grab a friend with benefits — maybe two? — and rent a room for some nasty nooner naked time. And, no, we’re not talking about tender, intimate lovemaking. We’re talking noisy animal sex. Ranch Motel, 3101 Broadway, (210) 826-2304; Fox Motel, 302 Newell, (210) 225-2418
86. Get Your Swing On At Sam’s
87. Stock Up On Fireworks
A sock-hop cure to the Monday blues, Sam’s Burger Joint offers a Swing Nite at the beginning of the week for seasoned lindy-hoppers and Charleston beginners alike. Presented by the San Antonio Swing Dance Society, the evening begins at 7 p.m. with lessons from dance aficionado and DJ Ben Luhrman. At 8 p.m., the music hall opens up for the full swinging affair, varying in style depending on the band. From trad jazz to Western swing to rockabilly, Sam’s Swing Nite is a new experience every week, with the common thread of keeping this dance culture alive and active in SA. Tuesday through Sunday, Sam’s plays host to some of the strongest Americana and rock ‘n’ roll coming through the city, with a bitchin’ set of speakers to pipe the tunes through. 330 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-2830, samsburgerjoint.com
Damn that drought. Because of consistently tinder-dry conditions, it’s not often San Antonians can pop one off – speaking of fireworks. So during the years the burn bans are lifted, head over to the nearest fireworks stand. Since this is San Antonio, it’s fitting that you procure the “Battle of the Alamo,” which unleashes a 32-shot firework display. Remember to pop them outside city limits. For those dry years, or a random Tuesday in the summer, park on the 1604 access road near the Valero headquarters. There you’ll find a primo spot to watch the nightly Fiesta Texas fireworks show. You don’t have to drop cash for the price of admission, and during the Fourth of July, it’s less crowded than downtown. Alamo Fireworks, alamofireworks.com; Mr. W Fireworks, mrwfireworks.com sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 101
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88. Play Pretend Tourist And Ride A River Walk Barge
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For our pick most likely to be made into a forgettable romcom, strap on the tourist sandals and get yourself on a River Walk barge tour. Invent a backstory and make some friends on the 35-minute Rio San Antonio cruise, including that cute visitor with whom you’ll fall in love and eventually have to break the shtick for (rom-com working title: Sleepless in San Anto?). Great for practicing sociopaths or embarrassed locals who’ve never done the tourist essentials, the fauxtourist River Walk trip begins a day of stereotypical San Antonio, including the Alamo (300 Alamo Plaza), La Villita (418 Villita St.) and the drive out to SeaWorld (10500 Sea World Dr.). Rio San Antonio Cruises, 205 N. Presa St., (210) 244-5700, riosanantonio.com
89. Take In A Show At Laugh Out Loud Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club’s 2015 schedule is a meaty one for fans of stand-up, so start marking your calendar for a front-row seat to see nationally-recognized names like Gilbert Gottfried (April 10-12), Cristela Alonzo (July 23-26)and Damon Wayans (Oct 8-11). If you prefer your laughs generated from jokes by comedians closer to home, LOL also has plenty to offer, including the annual Funniest Person in South Texas contest, New Faces Showcases, Launchpad Showcases and Open Mic Night every Tuesday at 8 p.m. Tucked into Park North Plaza, LOL is owned by Bruce and Colleen Barshop, who also call the shots at the Rivercenter Comedy Club. 618 NW Loop 410, (210) 541-8805, lolsanantonio.com
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On weekend nights, the Bonham’s dance floor is one big boozy melting pot.
90. Party At The Bonham Exchange
91. Scour The Southside’s Flea Markets
Ask any old-school scene queen about their finest memories of the Bonham Exchange and you’re likely to get an earful of overthe-top nuggets from the club’s 1980s-era heyday, when it hosted touring acts (from Tina Turner to The Ramones) and felt a lot more ‘gay’ than it does today. While it’s true the LGBT landmark visionary developer Arthur “Hap” Veltman opened back in 1981 has seen gayer days, the important things — budget cocktails, party music on multiple dance floors and a cavernous layout filled with nooks and crannies — haven’t changed all that much. As for those who’d rather wax nostalgic than wait in long lines and fight for dancing territory, ditch the mixed crowds of Friday and Saturday nights in favor of the dragalicious antics of Talented Thursdays with Alayna Marquez or the Sassy Sunday Show with Natash Von York. 411 Bonham St., (210) 224-9219, bonhamexchange.com
You know that unwanted household item you sold for a quarter at your last garage sale? Go get it back. Spend a weekend browsing the stalls of San Antonio’s Southside markets. There you’ll find the city’s garage sale bounty; the occasional vintage or antique treasure; random finds like tires and rims; wares handcrafted by Latino artisans; and a good amount of unlicensed knock-offs. Thousands of vendors open up shop each weekend at markets like Trader’s Village, Mission Flea Market and Flea Mart. Each can be found on the southern edge of Loop 410. Trader’s Village, 9333 SW Loop 410, (210) 6238383, tradersvillage.com/san-antonio; Mission Flea Market, 707 Moursund Blvd., (210) 923-8131, missionopenairmarket.com; Flea Mart, 12280 Poteet Jourdanton Fwy., (210) 624-2666, fleamarketsanantonio.com
92. Try On Stetsons At Paris Hatters
93. Browse Bookstore Row
Abe Cortez is a man of many hats. The third generation owner of downtown’s Paris Hatters has paired customers with their perfect hats for decades. The process is simple: The client selects the color, quality and style, then the hat is hand-sculpted according to height, shoulder width, weight and stature. And with restoration on old hats, including cleaning, shaping, band and liner replacements, customers can keep their Stetson’s pert for decades to come. Chances are, you’ll find Abe the Hatter himself on a visit to the shop. He operates his old hand-cranked cash register seven days a week (ready in case someone famous stumbles in). Previous clients include Johnny Cash, dog whisperer Cesar Millan, French shoe designer Christian Louboutin, Matthew McConaughey and Pope John Paul II. 119 Broadway, (210) 223-3453, parishatters.com
Tucked between Midtown Broadway and Brackenridge Park are a string of bookstores, selling new and used tomes with enough variety to beat any Amazon distributor. With their varying catalogs and contents, the stores serve up a broad selection and understanding of what a good book should be. With all the old pages, dated covers and pulpy smells milling about the Antiquarian Book Mart & Annex (3127 Broadway St.), it’s a place that celebrates the book as a medium in all shapes, sizes and languages. At Cheever Books (3613 Broadway St.), the thrill is in the hunt, with books arranged at divergent angles and in improbable spots. For the largest and broadest assortment, visit Half Price Books (3207 Broadway St.). This instance of the Texas chain might be the best in the city, with two floors of books, DVDs and records to browse with coupon in hand. sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 105
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR RESEARCH STUDY ON INSULIN RESISTANCE
Conducted by the University of Texas Health Science Center at the STVHCS Audie Murphy Hospital • Between ages 18-60, male or female • With or without diabetes • Veterans and non-veterans You may qualify for this study that will evaluate how an investigational drug affects sugar metabolism If you participate, you will receive: • Blood work • A physical exam • Compensation for time For more information please contact: 210.617-5243 • 210.861.7224
Friendly and qualified research staff will explain everything in detail and stay in close communication with research participants.
Funded by research grant from: US National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH-NI DDK), PROJECT TITLE: ROLE OF TLR4 on insulin resistance in human subjects (R01DK080157 With support from CTSA Award–IIMS, Frederic-Bartter Institutional Resource to Support Translation (FIRST) Program
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“We “Wehave haveadvanced advancedaagreat deal our understanding greatindeal in our of what it takes to understanding of prevent what it diabetes. I believe that in takes to prevent diabetes. I the near future there will believe that in the near be new strategies available future there will be new to prevent this disease. strategies available to My research focuses on prevent this disease. My understanding the molecuresearch focuses on lar causes of diabetes and understanding the in finding ways to reverse molecular causes of the molecular abnormalities diabetes and in finding found in these patients.” ways to reverse the -Nicolas Musi, MD,
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Principal Investigator
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To see if you qualify, call: (Site Name and Number) LIVE Contact OAK ALLERGY & ASTHMA @ 210.646.6978 EXT #28
94. Overdose On Openings During Contemporary Art Month Launched in response to a canceled exhibition back in 1986, Contemporary Art Month continues to bring San Antonio’s creative community together with tireless fanfare. Formerly held amid the punishing heat of July, CAM wisely relocated to the milder month of March in 2010 and became a nonprofit in 2012. Traditionally kicked off the first Thursday of March with a festive round of openings at Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum (CAM’s official birthplace), the month-long celebration boasts a packed calendar highlighted by such fan faves as the “CAM Perennial” exhibition at Museo Guadalupe, the erotic pop-up “Seven Minutes in Heaven” at the seedy Fox Motel and the CAMMIE Awards & Closing Party at the Linda Pace Foundation’s serene CHRISpark. contemporaryartmonth.com
95. Play Bingo At Randy’s Ballroom January 8, 1978. The Sex Pistols arrive in San Antonio and embark on a night that would live in infamy. The band’s sold-out show ended with an atomic brawl between irreverent punks and God-fearing cowboys. Since then, Randy’s Ballroom, formerly Randy’s Rodeo, has hosted a wide range of musical talent from rock ‘n’ roll to tejano (even Selena played a gig there), but today Randy’s specializes in a totally different pastime: bingo. The historic hall serves up two sessions daily, the first at 7 p.m. and the second at 8:30 p.m., with doors opening at 4 p.m. And with a $2,500 guaranteed payout per session, let’s hope you leave the ballroom in better shape than Sid Vicious. 1534 Bandera Rd., (210) 433-8848, randysbingo.com
Asthma Research Study Do you, or does your child, have asthma? AUSTRI
You or your child may qualify if they: • Are 12 years of age or older Asthma Research Study • Have had asthma for at least one year • Are receiving asthma treatment • Have had asthma bad enough to see a doctor in the last 12 months There are other study requirements that will determine whether individuals may participate in this clinical research study. • There is no placebo (inactive substance, sometimes referred to as a sugar pill) in this clinical research study. • There will be no blood draws (no needles) during this clinical research study. • Qualified study participants will receive asthma medication and study related medical care for their asthma. • Reimbursement for time and travel may be provided.
To see if you qualify, call: Live Oak Allergy Asthma @ 210 646-6978 ext#28 LIVE OAK ALLERGY && ASTHMA @ 210.646.6978 EXT #28
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In the mood to display your creative side? Here’s your chance.
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Children may qualify if they: • Are 4 to11 years of age • Have had asthma for at least six months • Have had asthma bad enough to see a doctor in the last 12 months There are other study requirements that will determine whether your child may participate in this clinical research study. • There is no placebo (sugar pill) in this clinical research study. • There will be no blood draws (no needles) during this clinical research study. • Qualified study participants will receive asthma medication at no charge. • Health insurance is not needed to participate. • Reimbursement for time and travel may be provided.
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MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 108 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
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One of Texas’ favorite ways to beat the heat.
96. Go Tubing! In the dead heat of the Texas summer, there’s nothing better than sipping an ice-cold beer with friends while floating along one of Central Texas’ lazy rivers. A short 45-minute drive from the heart of San Antonio, the Guadalupe, Comal, San Marcos and Frio rivers offer the perfect blend of refreshing relaxation on an otherwise oppressively hot summer day. For a short float trip, hit the Comal River in New Braunfels, where you’ll find a handful of tubing companies that offer floating trips, such as Comal Tubes, Landa Falls and Texas Tubes. The Comal, a wide, spring-fed river that clocks in at about 70-degrees, flows for about 2.5 miles before connecting with the Guadalupe River. The Guadalupe, the most popular of all the nearby rivers, features both slow, easy floating as well as a few quicker rapids. If you have a day off from work during the week, or if you’re on summer break between college semesters, head out in the early
or middle part of the week to avoid the crowds. If you’re looking for a long afternoon of fun, float the entire river from the Horseshoe Loop to the Chute, which should take four to six hours. The San Marcos and Frio rivers are also nearby, albeit a bit shorter than the Guadalupe. Enjoy these wide, cool rivers of clean water for a more secluded and less crowded experience. Visit tubetexas.com for the most up-to-date list of outfitters in the New Braunfels area and nearby that rent out tubes, give you easy access to the water and shuttle you back to your car when you’re done. Most charge between $15 and $20 per tube, and don’t forget to rent a tube for your cooler of water and beer, as you’ll need something to secure it to when you pick up speed on those slightly rougher rapids. Pack plenty of sunscreen and a hat, and a word to the wise: Don’t wear a pair of sunglasses that you’re emotionally attached to in case you flip your tube and those puppies go flying. sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 109
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Want unique? Share tacos with 50,000 neighbors at 4 a.m.
97. Wake Up Insanely Early For The Cowboy Breakfast Sure, you say you love breakfast tacos, but those declarations are meaningless until you demonstrate the lengths you’re willing to go for some free chorizo con huevos. Drag your butt out of bed at 4 a.m. next winter to wait in line at the annual Cowboy Breakfast. Every year, more than 30,000 breakfast tacos (along with 5,000 sausage wraps, 8,000 biscuits 5,000 pastries and 15,000 cups of coffee) are served in the early morning hours to kick off the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Yes, breakfast tacos are both inexpensive and ubiquitous in San Antonio. But when you brave the cold in the Cowboys Dance Hall parking lot with as many as 50,000 fellow early birds, you’re showing your breakfast taco that you don’t take its deliciousness for granted. 3030 NE Loop 410, cowboybreakfast.com
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98. Treat Yourself To A Staycation If you’re looking for a getaway that doesn’t involve a plane ticket, make the most of the Alamo City’s wide range of hotel options. Nestled into the Museum Reach of the River Walk is the cozy and charming Hotel Havana (1015 Navarro St.). Redesigned in 2010 by star hotelier Liz Lambert, the Havana and its pan-Latin restaurant/lounge Ocho are walking distance from the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts — perfect for culture-seeking staycationers. Those in need of pampering need look no further than the luxurious JW Marriott Hill Country Resort and Spa (23808 Resort Pkwy.), a massive complex offering guests everything from an upscale steakhouse and high-tech sports bar to a 2,800-acre golf course and a swimming pool surrounded by a lazy river. Or for a hip weekend smack in the middle of downtown, try trendy Hotel Valencia (150 E Houston St.), which features fine dining at onsite Citrus and cocktails in the stylish Vbar lounge.
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Taught by Michael Morales, this 8-week class meets weekly at Studio M (www. studioMus.com) and covers producing, recording, engineering and music business.
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ESSENTIALS
Sparky’s Pub is on “The Strip,” on Main Avenue, San Antonio’s original gay bar hub.
99. Do A Gay Bar Crawl On The Main Strip If you’re headed for a night out and not sure where to go, why not check out San Antonio’s gay bar scene? Calm down. This isn’t Party Monster. It’s not all glow sticks, house music and Molly. You can actually find some pretty sweet drink specials most nights of the week, and the atmosphere is a lot more relaxed than you might expect. In a mile-long span of North Main Avenue called “the Strip,” tucked behind San Antonio College, sits a string of gay bars and nightclubs: Essence, the Saint, Pegasus, Sparky’s and Heat. The area used to be cluttered with older model homes and medical office buildings, but has recently been rededicated as Tobin Hill; and with the erection of the Tobin Lofts and expansion of SAC, North Main has become quite the contemporary urban hot spot. It’s not uncommon to walk in and see strippers hanging from the ceiling or spinning around the pole at Essence (1010 N. Main Ave.). Next to the dancing platform, there’s even a shower they perform in. Think you’ve got what it takes? Win some extra money and enter the weekly amateur strip contest. The Saint (800 Lexington Ave.) caters to the younger crowd with its amateur drag night and DJs who play a combination of EDM and dance remixes till 3 a.m. It and the Heat are the only 112 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
two bars that allow minors. Once a neighborhood dive, Pegasus (1402 N. Main Ave.) has evolved into a hip multiroom nightclub. The new courtyard bar hosts regular drag shows, and there’s karaoke on the patio. Inside, there’s a dedicated country bar and a leather bar — and we’re not talking about the upholstery. The newest of the gay bars is Sparky’s (1416 N. Main Ave.), “an old English style pub,” according to its website. You can sit at the bar top, chill on the patio, or duck into one of several booths and order a pint-sized well drink or draft beer and listen to the DJ. If you’re not in the mood for neon lights and loud music, Sparky’s also has a low-key wine bar and cafe. Enjoy a glass of red, white or the bubbly, grab some tapas and relax inside (separated from the main bar) or outside on the patio. Heat (1500 N. Main Ave.) is probably the most posh of the bunch. The nightclub offers a dance floor-adjacent VIP area and bottle service for about $150. Like the Saint, Heat is 18 and up, hosts regular drag shows and the DJ plays until 3 a.m. And if you’re hungry, Luther’s (1422 N. Main Ave.) is next door and has been slinging burgers in the neighborhood for over 60 years.
out
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100. Dive Into San Antonio’s Cocktail Renaissance
The Juan Collins, TBA’s spicy twist on a classic.
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You’re about to do a lot of drinking. Though San Anto still has its fair share of sports bars and dives, the cocktail lounge has made its presence known in the past five years, starting with a small group of downtown establishments that’s ballooned to more than a dozen bars, each offering something different to the imbibing set. Visit Bohanan’s Bar (219 E. Houston St.) for a sip of the good life inside their downstairs bar where well-suited ’tenders whip up classic cocktails in the heart of downtown. Or shimmy on over to SoHo Wine & Martini Bar (214 W. Crockett St.), where you’ll find fun takes on sweet and spicy ’tinis and bold boozy favorites. The Last Word (229 E. Houston St.), the most recent addition to Houston Street via Jeret Peña and his Boulevardier Group, adds a bookish vibe to tap cocktails for a winning combination. The Last Word also joins the growing list of bars owned by Peña, including cocktail mecca The Brooklynite (516 Brooklyn Ave.) and laidback libation producer Stay Golden Social House (401 Pearl Pkwy.). The cocktails continue with Hemingway Daiquiris at Ocho inside Hotel Havana (1015 Navarro St.) and heavyweight The Esquire Tavern (155 E. Commerce St.), which boasts a bitchin’ mezcal list and the longest bar in Texas. Over in Southtown, Bar 1919 (1420 S. Alamo St.) is helmed by Don Marsh, who will expound on the virtues of great Scotch. Islander flavors can be found at Concrete Jungle (1628 S. Presa St.), where the name of the game is tiki — so make sure to don your comfiest flip flops. The area’s cocktail game rounds out with party-sized offerings at Feast (1024 S. Alamo St.), Asian-inspired ’tails at Hot Joy (1014 S. Alamo St.) and The Monterey (1127 S. St. Mary’s St.), which launched its menu last fall. The booze jaunt also features stops at the Pearl, where you’ll find cocktails via the boys at Blue Box (312 Pearl Pkwy.), along with Cured (306 Pearl Pkwy.), and Arcade Midtown Kitchen (303 Pearl Pkwy.), eateries that combine great eats and drinks. The St. Mary’s strip has found a small cocktail niche of its own with the brandy-based wares found at Faust Tavern (517 E. Woodlawn Ave.) and industryfavorite TBA (2801 N. St. Mary’s St.). Elisabeth Forsythe holds court at Barbaro (2720 McCullough Ave.) with bitter Italian amaros and smoky libations, while Park Social (224 E. Olmos Dr.) is wowing drinkers with their inventive portholes. The North Side has a few cocktail bars of its own to tout including two Stephen Mahoneycreated joints, Green Lantern (20626 Stone Oak Pkwy.) and George’s Keep (17101 La Cantera Pkwy.), which crank out creative takes on faves to a rowdy Loopland crowd. With stirrings of others on the horizon (Paramour, Mezcalería Mixtli and Junipter Tar, to name a few), it seems San Antonio’s thirst for cocktail bars is just getting started.
WHAT TO DO IN AN ARREST SITUATION - WAIVE YOUR RIGHTS - CONSENT TO A SEARCH - ACT FOOLISH ON CAMERA - TAKE ANY POLICE TESTS - CONFESS TO ANY CRIME - RESIST ARREST OR SEARCH - FIGHT WITH THE COPS - INVOKE THE 5TH AMENDMENT - KNOW YOUR RIGHTS - BE POLITE AND CALM - VIDEO TAPE IF POSSIBLE - HAVE FRIENDS ON CALL - HAVE BAIL MONEY - THINK BEFORE YOU REACT - CALL THE DUDE! The Law Office of Jamie Balagia, P.C Honoring the Constitution since 1977. SATX: (210)394-3833 ATX: (512)278-0935
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OPENING FALL 2014
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