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FIRST WORDS

Protesters Set to Clash at Travis Park Saturday Over Confederate Monument You people need a history lesson, my ancestors fought and died proudly against Northern aggression. None of them owned any slaves. That war was not over slavery it was about states rights. — Aj Rose Tucker’s Kozy Korner Has New Operator There was nothing wrong with it in first place! Don’t Austin my San Antonio!!! — Joey Gomez Fake Cards Appear in San Antonio, Offering $100 to Anyone Who Reports Undocumented Immigrants to ICE Some of y’all need to be deported from San Antonio. How can you be friendly with your neighbors and then turn around and act racist on the internet? — Jess Tanner

Issue 17_33 /// August 16-22, 2017

NEWS

One Down Federal judge dismisses a lawsuit involving Texas’ “Show Me Your Papers” law

Ladyparts Laws Texas House advances bill to create separate ‘Abortion Insurance’

• Send your thoughts, comments, kudos or tips to letters@sacurrent.com

Unrest in Peace Family, friends of murdered trans woman hold River Walk vigil

ARTS + CULTURE

Eclectic by Design The unusual interiors of Gregorio Mannino

COVER The city’s Eastside is changing daily. From drive-worthy Thai in Denver Heights to a new owner for Tucker’s, we share reasons you should head east. Art direction by Sarah Flood-Baumann 6

CURRENT • August 16-22, 2017 • sacurrent.com

FEATURE

Heading East Eastside favorite Tucker's Kozy Korner continues to evolve

CALENDAR

Our top picks for the week

Walling Off Wildlife Border wall construction’s first stop: Texas nature preserves

A Week Until Special Session Ends, and No Bills Have Been Signed “If at first you don’t succeed, keep changing the rules.” — Daniel Miller

ON THE

SCREENS

On a Mission Al Gore delivers another ‘Inconvenient’ warning on climate change Hillbilly Heist Steven Soderbergh returns to the big screen with the Southern-fried crime comedy Logan Lucky

NIGHTLIFE

Booze News Summertime spritzes, and a happy hour at Hanzo

MUSIC

RIP El Nicky Snick: Conjunto legend Nick Villarreal passes away at 66 Putting in work Elena Lopez’s journey to Elnuh Music Calendar What to see and hear this week

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Delectable Reads Great books to dive into this summer Food Court More Yellowfish, Shake Shack opens this month and Game of Thrones shakes

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NEWS

SHUTTERSTOCK

ONE DOWN Federal Judge Dismisses a Lawsuit Involving Texas’ “Show Me Your Papers” Law ALEX ZIELINSKI | @ALEX_ZEE

> A federal judge has dismissed one of the two federal cases involving the constitutionality of Texas’ so-called “sanctuary city” bill. Shortly after Senate Bill 4 was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in May, state Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Travis County officials who openly opposed the bill. For Paxton, it was a preemptive request to get a federal judge to affirm that SB4 was constitutional. Which U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks isn’t going to do, according to the Wednesday, Aug. 9, dismissal. This leaves the federal courts with just one SB4-related case on their plate. The pending law, which has also been called the “show me your papers” bill, would allow local law enforcement to ask legally detained people about their immigration status and punish law enforcement officials if they don’t cooperate with federal requests to hold undocumented immigrants they detain — whether or not they actually committed a crime. If a federal judge doesn’t approve a pending preliminary injunction request, the bill will become law on Sept. 1. The injunction comes from the other SB4 case, where dozens of plaintiffs (including the City of San Antonio) accuse the state of passing a law that violates freedom of speech, citizen rights, state sovereignty, and warrantless search and seizure. Plaintiffs are hoping U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia grants an injunction (which would keep the bill from going into effect) in the next few weeks.

CURRENT • August 16-22, 2017 • sacurrent.com

Border Wall Construction’s First Stop: Texas Nature Preserves

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President Donald Trump’s long-proposed wall along the Mexico-U.S. border has hit more than a few bumps along the road to its construction. Resistance from Congress to expedite the billions in federal dollars needed to start construction. Strong opposition from bipartisan lawmakers representing border communities. A leaked conservation between Trump and Mexico President Enrique Peña Nieto, where the newly-elected U.S. president begs Peña Nieto to stop telling the press Mexico wouldn’t pay for the wall (arguably Trump’s top campaign promise). But there’s one roadblock that the White House seems indifferent to tackling: Texas wildlife preserves. It began in mid-July, when a federal official told the Texas Observer of U.S. Custom and Border Patrol’s plan to install a 18-foot border wall through nearly three miles of the federallyowned Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. The 2,088-acre Hildago Country refuge falls on the intersection of major east-west and north-south migratory routes for hundreds of bird species — paths that disregard humanmade border lines. The ecosystem’s also home to nearly half of all butterfly species found in the United States (that’s over 300). Wildlife specialists say plunking a towering wall in the middle of this biological melting-pot could cause irreversible damage.

ALEX ZIELINSKI | @ALEX_ZEE

“This is the crown jewel of the Rio Grande Valley wildlife refuge system, with one of the highest rates of biodiversity in the U.S.,” Scott Nicol, co-chairman of the Borderlands Team for the Sierra Club told the Los Angeles Times in July. “If it’s walled off, with no public access, it will be left to rot.” Texas members of Congress agree. In a Friday, August 5 letter, six Democrat congressmen urged Elaine Duke, the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, to consider federal environmental protection laws when drafting plans for the Santa Ana wall. “A wall cutting through the refuge could do serious environmental and economic damage, and the American public deserves transparency for what could be billions of taxpayers’ dollars spent on a wall,” write congressmen Joaquin Castro, Henry Cuellar, Lloyd Doggett, Vicente Gonzalez, Beto O’Rourke, and Filemon Vela. Some advocates fear Duke will simply waive the Environmental Protection Act regulations to install the president’s prized barricade. Further up the Rio Grande River, another wildlife sanctuary has stumbled upon similar news — quite literally. In late July, Marianna Treviño-Wright, the director of Mission, Texas’ National Butterfly Center ran into a work crew clearing trees, brush, and native plants in the middle of the center’s private property. Treviño-Wright told the Texas

Observer that when she called CBP agents to complain, they seemed to have no idea what was going on. A border patrol official later told her that the feds could control any land within 25 miles of the border, including her private land, home to more than 200 species of butterflies. He reminded her that they all carried guns. The unexpected, secret nature of these projects have other wilderness preserves on edge — especially those on federal land, where it’s much easier for Trump to call the shots. Hikers and park rangers have yet to come across bulldozers and cement mixers in the peaks and valleys of Big Bend National Park, one of Texas’ two lone national parks, but environmental advocates, local leaders and visitors are ready for the fight. Other rare migratory creatures that rely on open borders, like the Mexican black bear, call the park home. The bear would likely go extinct in the U.S. with a border wall in place. Building a wall on federal soil, however, would keep the White House out of court — and give Trump something concrete to use to prove his follow-through on campaign promises. But at what cost? In the words of Rick LoBello, a former Big Bend park ranger interviewed by the LA Times : “It would completely ruin the experience of one of the most beautiful natural places left in this country.”

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sacurrent.com • August 16-22, 2017 • CURRENT 9

NEWS

ALEX ZIELINSKI | @ALEX_ZEE SHUTTERSTOCK

LADYPARTS LAWS

Family, Friends of Murdered Trans Woman Hold River Walk Vigil

Texas House Advances Bill to Create Separate ‘Abortion Insurance ALEX ZIELINSKI | @ALEX_ZEE

≥

The Texas Legislature has voted to require private insurance companies to exclude abortion coverage — and, instead, force women to buy an additional, separate health care plan in the chance they need an abortion in the future. Senate Bill 8, authored by Rep. John Smithee of Amarillo, would forbid private insurance plans in Texas to cover abortion, even if it’s the result of a rape. If a woman wants abortion coverage, she’d have to pay into a completely separate “supplemental” plan, which could add hundreds onto a monthly insurance bill. No one ever plans on having an abortion. Maybe a woman has been using contraceptives reliably for years, or mistakenly thought she wasn’t ovulating. Maybe she was raped by a man who didn’t use a condom. In any case, it’s often impossible to predict when a woman may need an abortion — or if she ever will. Choosing to pitch in hundreds more a month in the off chance you need a procedure you really doubt you’ll ever need is a hard sell. But go without insurance in Texas, and you could owe up to $10,000 in out-of-pocket expenses.

That’s why SB 214 sparked an often-ignored discussion on the House floor last week: the deep economic inequities baked into abortion access. In her opposition to the bill, San Antonio Rep. Ina Minjarez said that the option of having an abortion is an economic decision because Texas specifically doesn’t support the costs of raising a family. If a woman knows she can’t afford a child, Minjarez argued, an abortion is often the smartest option to avoid crippling debt or poverty. “We have to face the economic realities here,” she said, with a dozen female lawmakers standing behind her in support. “This bill takes us backwards. Women face economic hardships men don’t have to face.” More than a dozen lawmakers pinned white roses to their lapels Tuesday, Aug. 8, in opposition to the bill, representing a woman who died in the 1970s after opting into an illegal abortion to save money to support her children. It’s a practice that has continued in Texas to present day. In 2015, a University of Texas survey found that at least 100,000 women in Texas have tried to end their pregnancy by themselves, with pills, herbs, dangerous tools, or self-harm.

CURRENT • August 16-22, 2017 • sacurrent.com

UNREST IN PEACE

Researchers found that distance to an abortion clinic and cost were both major factors in these women’s decisions. “This bill is not about the safety of women,” Minjarez said. “This bill is about denying Texas women their right to a safe abortion.” Rep. Smithee argued that his bill was also based on economic freedoms, just not those of lowincome women. In a discussion on the House floor, he told lawmakers it was his “personal preference” to not have to pay for insurance that covers abortion, since it means his dollars will essentially subsidize a procedure he won't ever need. “Have you ever had a hysterectomy?” Houston Rep. Gene Wu asked Smithee in response, hinting at the fact that Smithee's insurance already covers female-only procedures. “Medically, I don’t know,” Smithee said. There seems to be a number of questions left to answer. But after a nearly 4-hour debate, the House voted along party lines to create a female-only “abortion insurance.” The bill was quickly approved by the Senate, and now heads to the governor's desk.

River boat operator Tom Vanzandt was guiding his boat under the Houston St. bridge April 9 when he was flagged down by a River Walk employee. “There was something in the water,” Vanzandt said Tuesday, solemnly thinking back to the spring morning. “A mass of brown hair. I thought someone’s pet had drowned. Not a human.” The person he found floating face-down in the murky water was Kenne McFadden, the 12th transgender woman in the country to be murdered this year. San Antonio Police Department ruled her death a homicide by drowning, and are still working to pin a charge on a suspect. The department is investigating whether or not she was targeted for her gender identity. On the evening of August 8, on what would have been Kenne’s 27th birthday, Vanzandt steered his boat to that exact spot with Kenne’s family, friends and local LGBT advocates. In a barge decorated with white balloons, the group held candles representing the 15 other trans women who’ve been murdered in 2017 alone. “One of these candles is for me, and the other is for my baby,” said Joanna McFadden, Kenne’s mother, who sang one of her daughter’s favorite songs at the spot where she died. Many guests left the evening vigil in tears. “We want awareness today, we want to have eyes on what took place here,” said Charlie Jones, Kenne’s uncle. “No matter who you are, no matter what you are, you are entitled to a life. We don’t judge.” When Kenne was found in April, SAPD identified the body as a 26-year-old black man named Kenneth. It took the local LGBT community — and the general public — two months to realize that Kenneth was actually Kenne, a trans woman. This delayed correction drew local LGBT and civil rights advocates together to create a more structured, collaborative support system for the often-invisible trans community in San Antonio. “Trans violence and trans phobia is at an all-time high right now...it’s a full-on assault,” said Gilbert Martinez, head of PolitiQueers, a politically-minded local group of LGBT activists. “As a gay man, I realize how much privilege I have in comparison. Their very existence is under attack. We have to stand up.”

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FEATURE SARAH FLOOD-BAUMANN

JESSICA ELIZARRARAS | @JESSELIZARRARAS

HEADING EAST T

SARAH FLOOD-BAUMANN

Eastside , Favorite Tucker s Kozy Korner Continues to Evolve

CURRENT • August 16-22, 2017 • sacurrent.com

ucker’s Kozy Korner is about to get much-needed improvements as barman Jeret Peña and The Boulevardier Group (The Brooklynite, The Last Word, Rumble) now hold the keys to the storied Eastside bar. The news comes after the popular bar/brunch spot announced it would close until further notice Tuesday afternoon via social media. “The fi rst time I went there was in 2008 or 2009, and I was just blown away,” Peña said via press release. “It was love at fi rst sight, and it was the type of bar I always wanted to own.” Tucker’s will remain closed as it undergoes cosmetic changes such as flooring and a new paint job, to start — all necessary upkeep to a 69-year-old bar that holds a special place in the hearts of its community. First opened as a burger and hot dog joint in 1948 by the late John Tucker, Tucker’s Lounge has seen its fair share of lives and iterations with everything from barbecue to cocktails gracing the joint. Chris Cullum’s transition stirred up less chatter than his successor. The 39-yearold started serving Attaboy burgers and fries there in 2011 and his name was already familiar with those at Tucker’s.

Cullum’s father, cornetist Jim Cullum (of The Landing on the Riverwalk and the Jim Cullum Jazz Band) has been a staple at Tucker’s for as long as he's been active in San Antonio. Chris went on to take ownership of Tucker’s in 2014, but as he nears 40, he wants to focus on his fi rst love: food. “I got disinterested in dong the dance stuff at night, I just wanted to sell food,” Cullum said. “I wanted to have [Tucker's] be more of a restaurant, but it’s really a bar that happens to have food.” More specifi cally, he wanted a change of pace. “I don’t want to be up ’til 5 a.m., I’m not a bar guy,” Cullum said. Cullum will focus on his two food concepts Attaboy and Attagirl in the coming days, with Attagirl at the corner of Mistletoe and King’s Court just off the St. Mary’s Strip getting a “big girl” kitchen. The expanded kitchen means Attagirl will be capable of serving salads, fries, seasonal items and, of course, a brunch comparable to Tucker’s. Until then, Attagirl will serve an abridged brunch menu of chicken and waffl es and Pop Rocks mimosas for the next month or two. Peña’s construction crew has already

FEATURE

It was love at FIRst sight, and it was the type of bar I always wanted to own. Jeret Pena COURTESY OF CHRIS CULLUM SARAH FLOOD-BAUMANN

food, it’ll be good,” Dillard said. On the food front, Peña consulted Dignowity resident Jeff White for help. The menu will include a “killer burger, pickle-infused fried chicken and a badass grilled cheese” when Tucker’s reopens. And yes, a mock brunch menu has already been drawn up. Neighboring businesses owners see the change as a positive. "It will bring new energy and an elevated cocktail and culinary ambiance to the near Eastside," Brian LaBarbera told the Current. For bar-goers who pack the place on weekends, the soul of Tucker’s lies inherently in its music. JJ Lopez has turned Saturdays at Tucker’s into The Soul Spot for the past seven years. “We came on board, and we were the new spot off the beaten path,” Lopez said. “There was Limelight, The Mix, but the Strip did not have Hi-Tones, Squeezebox, the new Limelight, no Phantom, we were the new bar in town and it caught on.” Though the Strip’s resurgence caused a dip in attendance, Cullum and co. helped the establishment fine-tune its sound to meet audience needs. Cullum hinted at the impending change of ownership at least a month ago, Lopez said. But Lopez is optimistic about the change, which includes music programming by musician Jordan Peña. “There have been no conversations, but we have set some meetings. We’re eternal optimists. I welcome the new team. We’ve seen what works and what doesn’t and the imaging [behind Tucker’s] is really strong. I think they see that too,” Lopez said. Tucker’s will be the second bar menu for Peña on the Eastside as he’s also teamed up with David Malley to open The Cherrity Bar on Montana Street. If there’s anyone that can attest to change in the area, it’s longtime resident Kenneth Dominique. The 88-year-old, who’s father, Don Albert Dominique, opened up the city’s first integrated club, The Keyhole Club, has seen several of Tucker’s owners come and go. “It’s one of the bars anyone could go to … they wanted to have a good time, have a beer, and listen to music, the most important factor — everyone loved the music,” Dominique said over the phone. “I don’t go over there much nowadays, the music’s too loud,” he said.

SARAH FLOOD-BAUMANN

been toiling at Tucker’s since the announcement was first shared this past Friday. A lone Swisher Sweet was tossed out along with the carpet, and new banquettes will be installed in the 1,200-square-foot space. The wrought iron fence will be replaced with concrete Mansonry unit (or CMU) fencing, and the bathrooms will get facelifts along with the rest of the space, using a gold, black, white and red color scheme. Aesthetic modifications, mostly, but still change for an area that’s seen a lot of it in a relatively short amount of time. Reader comments showed both sides of the spectrum: Bar-goers ready for the new iteration of the beloved bar (like Joseph Rodriguez, who said, “If anyone can revive that place it’s Jeret. It’s a shame what happened to what was such a vibrant bar just a few years ago. He’ll right that ship”) voiced glee, but not everyone’s on board. “There was nothing wrong with it in first place! Don’t Austin my San Antonio!!!,” said commenter Joey Gomez. Chris Gleason noted Peña’s proclivity for craft cocktail bars — something Tucker’s hasn’t been in many moons. “Cool another “upscale” place with overpriced drinks, first time in Tucker's, 1990,” Gleason commented. Still, Tucker’s has had cocktails. Their brunch offerings were boozy and as craft-forward as you can get. And while Peña’s iteration will come equipped with bartenders capable of making a solid Old Fashioned, they’ll also focus on beer and shot combos with pricing comparable to the current menu. The conversation of gentrification is nothing new for Brian Dillard, president of the Dignowity Hill Neighborhood Association, who says it comes up “whenever we get something nice,” and has himself seen the bar change. Dillard’s grandparents would drive up from Corpus Christi in the ’50s and ’60s to visit Tucker’s. And he and his wife kicked it at Tucker's from 2010-2012 until the vibe went away and it “didn’t feel like family anymore.” “There’s always a concern, especially from older folks who have spent decades in the neighborhood, but Jeret is a puro San Antonio guy, and I don’t expect it to turn into some weird thing,” Dillard says. He did caution one thing. “The vibe is changing and it is what it is … as long as they leave the wall and black history up there, and make good

1338 E. Houston St. sacurrent.com • August 16-22, 2017 • CURRENT 13

FEATURE

COURTESY OF BEXAR PUB

RON BECHTOL + JESSICA ELIZARRARAS

More to Explore:

4 joints to check out A

nybody who hasn’t driven though the Eastside lately is in for a surprise. Stately mansions in Dignowity Hill are being resurrected, smaller cottages are being spiffed up in Denver Heights, there’s new, infill construction throughout, and many streets that once seemed neglected — at least to the non-resident, are showing signs of pride. Some restaurants, of course, were there and thriving before the tide began to turn. Dignowity Meats, Amaya’s Cocina, Pancho’s and Gringo’s, Tucker’s Kozy Korner, Mark’s Outing … These and more were reason enough to explore. But a quick look at Cherry Street behind the Alamodome, where a brace of houses from 1910 has

been remodeled into a stillto-be fully occupied complex called The Alley at the Dome, suggests that, if not exactly yet a tsunami, a new wave is about to hit. The Alley is expected to be anchored by Sweet Yams Organic (in a lateral move from their current location), FaSlizzle Organic Pizza, Cherry Street Curry House, and a philanthropic enterprise called Cherrity Bar that will be run by local booze guru Jeret Peña with profits donated to charities on a rotating basis. The variety alone should attract business. But, to continue with the wave thing, several epicurean entrepreneurs have recently established beachheads on their own. Here are four.

CURRENT • August 16-22, 2017 • sacurrent.com

BEXAR PUB 114 Brooklyn Ave. • (210)236-7826

> At I-37 and Brooklyn, Luis Colon, formerly of Folc, has taken over the Toro Taco Bar location vacated by Josh Cross, rebranding it Bexar Pub in the process. It took a while for the kitchen to get up and running, and early service was problematic at best. It still pays to know some specific beers you like in order to navigate the unlisted selection, though a server actually offered a couple of tastes on my last visit. For its part, food service can also be slow, even with few people there, so beware of weekends when there can be a crowd — strollers, dogs and all. But by and large, the food is worth the wait — with the exception of the truly sucky whitefish ceviche. It seemed fresh enough but totally lacked flavor. Even the flies, of which there is no lack, didn’t like it. Maybe try the tuna poké instead. Or the fish tacos. One of Colon’s biggest hits at Folc was the eponymous burger, so it seemed reasonable to investigate a variation on that theme. Hence, the lamb

burger. Its ricotta crumble and thyme and coriander mayo got lost in the mix, but there was a truly great red onion jam, thick-cut cucumber, a runny egg … and a patty that had a good crust and, more importantly, robust flavor. My only complaint was that the bottom bun turned to mush almost immediately. The accompanying thick-cut and peppery fries weren’t sensational, but they got the job done. The same fries come with the “hot” (and regular) fried chicken. There may have been a tad too much grease floating about in the two-piece option, but that’s what the biscuit was for: It can be pulled apart in layers and used as a sponge for all the jerkflavored oil that the crusty chicken didn’t absorb. Crusty, yummy and generously portioned chicken, I should add. The breast/thigh duo was also happy being paired with a lusty, tequila-based Vampiro from a cocktail menu that won’t win any awards but, like the fries, gets the job done on a hot patio in July. — RB

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San Antonio Missions World Heritage Site

#letsVIVA

Visit VIAinfo.net/VIVA for complete schedule information and locations served by VIVA. sacurrent.com • August 16-22, 2017 • CURRENT

BOERNE / NEW BRAUNFELS / SAN ANTONIO, TX

AUGUST

2017 For all the details: CulinariaSA.org

Facebook: /CulinariaSanAntonio Insta/Twitter: /CulinariaSA NewBraunfelsRestaurantWeek.com BoerneRestaurantWeek.com

Restaurant Week

is a two-week food

extravaganza highlighting the food scene in San

Antonio and surrounding communities – so grab

your reservations now for the biggest celebration of dining. More than

100 restaurants serving up prix-fixe three-course breakfasts, lunches and dinners for guests to savor. Eat Out Give Back: Your meal is charitable with $1 from each breakfast and lunch and $2 from each dinner supporting the programs of Culinaria.

CURRENT • August 16-22, 2017 • sacurrent.com

FEATURE

•

The Devil Is a Lie, Chas Market & Kitchen and Thai Lucky

THE DEVIL IS A LIE

THAI LUCKY

1332 E. Cesar Chavez Blvd. • (210) 601-1326 • dilbbq.com

> Deeper into the ‘hood, a former ice house has been converted into The Devil is a Lie, a barbecue and catering operation with its small smoker right upfront. Unlike Bexar Pub, where you can escape into a little AC, it’s outdoors or die at Lie. But the owner is friendly, you’ll likely be offered an icy peach tea, and service is decently quick — especially when the choices have been reduced to a precious few. If luck favors you, there may be brisket: not especially barky, but good and smoky and leaning toward lean. The sausage is the kind I happen to like: coarse and snappy. And the sides, especially the creative baked beans, have been better than average — when available. (There are tacos requiring slaw, but slaw was absent on two tries, ergo no taco.) Be flexible. I rarely order pulled pork, usually finding it bland, but it was one of the two available options one lazy afternoon, and it emerged sturdy and unusually robust in flavor. The rib snack, a wrapped packet of three small pieces, was likewise serendipitous. The Devil apparently doesn’t have much truck with fancy rubs or lacquered glazes, as this snack was unprofaned by any such temptations. Simple salt and pepper maybe, but otherwise just the smoke, Jack. Also uniquely, the ribs came with a container of Asianinspired sauce, the pork with a honey mustard — a bit of devilish deviation from the norm, perhaps. Note that Devil is closed on weekends for catering. — RB

CHAS MARKET KITCHEN 1431 N. Pine St. • (210) 227-1521 • facebook.com/chasgrill

> Though I lived off Pine Street for just under a year, I often wondered what was inside the Chas Market & Kitchen, and sadly never ventured in. The market, at the corner of I-35 and Pine, needs a paint job and the parking lot can be a bit of a nightmare (an 18-wheeler was idling out front during our visit). But the interiors hold a very different story. Owned by J.T. Kim and Hwa Youn Kim since the mid1980s, Chas Market & Kitchen feels like an NYC bodega

RON BECHTOL

JESSICA ELIZARRARAS

RON BECHTOL

were in a meat-induced euphoria. Paired with the sticky short grain rice that held a perfect clumpy chew, it was hard to find faults in this lunch. There are a few lulls, so don’t partake if you’re in any sort of rush. Don’t give away your leftovers to coworkers like I did, because you’ll be thinking about this meal for days on end. Make this Korean feast part of your San Anto bucket list. — JE

711 S. Pine St. • ( 210) 774-9550

meets Rhea’s Deli Market in San Francisco’s Mission District. But instead of Rhea’s massive Korean barbecue hoagies made behind a deli counter, Chas Market brings the ‘cue to your table. The addition is fairly new but the breakfast tacos and lunch plates have been part of the store for much longer. The rest of the shop is a colorful mishmash of produce, beer, sodas, all the cheesy daytime TV you can handle and giant posters explaining the menu. Lunch and dinner entrees vary from $9.99 to $17.99, but the main event is the All-You-Can-Eat Gogi. At $19.99, this makes for a pricy lunch, but there’s no way you’re leaving without a few leftovers. Pro-tip: Call ahead for a reservation. The restaurant might seem dead, but there was a steady stream of to-go orders and sit-down lunchers while we ate. The dining area is split in two sections of square four-tops and picnic-style benches outfitted with indoor smokeless grills. Because we weren’t savvy to the call-ahead suggestion, we strolled in and the cashier let our cooks know we were there for the Korean barbecue. It was go-gi time. After relocating to a taller table at our cook’s request, she lined white banchan-filled saucers and sturdy serving plates in front of us: from pickled daikon, to kimchi, to all manners of cucumbers and seaweed topped with gochujang (red chili paste) to thinly sliced fried fish cakes with cured fish similar to that found in ramen. (Bottled waters were presented as well.) We happily picked at these while our cook bounced back and forth between dropping off a container of rice and the kitchen. THEN CAME THE MEATS. It’s hard to maintain any level of chill at this. Our cook cut through crisp pork belly, which gave way to tender and flavorful bulgogi, and by the time she arrived with spicy pork and beef short ribs in tow, we

> No luck required in the final selection — except in the name. I admit to being surprised to find Thai Lucky on South Pine next to a convenience store and across the street from a vacant lot that seems to serve as a de-facto hang-out space. The resto hasn’t lavished its attention on décor, and the kitchen vent fan provides all of the background sound — to the extent that when it cuts off, a curious hush descends on the space. But if the open kitchen provides ambient noise, it also generates good smells. Curries, for example. There are three to choose from. I wasn’t especially impressed by the thin Panang curry, but it may also serve as a kind of metaphor for the inevitable heat-level negotiations: mild, medium, hot … I’d ask for medium plus next time. That same level seems to work especially well with the green papaya salad with noodles, tomatoes, Thai chilies and more — all doused in a funky fish sauce with dried bits that may (or may not) be crab. The papaya’s crunchy, the sauce grows on you, and the accompanying chicharrones are genius. Not everyone needs to be a total masochist regarding spice level, of course; some dishes at Thai Lucky are perfectly good on the mild side. A case in point is the tom kha soup with coconut milk. The evocative flavors of lime leaf, cilantro, basil and scallion support the mushroom and chicken beautifully, and as many soups such as this are often better at the bottom of the bowl, this one leaves you with an herbal coconut farewell. Heat is also not much of a factor in the various rolls, but they can be passed over, along with the Shrimp Mermaid wrapped in chicken. But the bland-sounding Nam’ is worth a try if only for the textural allure of crispy rice topped with chicken (or tofu), peanuts and the inevitable lime and cilantro. It works, and there’s just enough going on in this dish to suggest returning for the Thai beef jerky or the snapper with stir-fry veg. I might leave the sushi for a more specialized place, however. Thai Lucky also delivers. — RB sacurrent.com • August 16-22, 2017 • CURRENT 17

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Curated by Diana Molina, organized by Juntos Art Association and previously exhibited by Austin’s Mexic-Arte Museum and the University of Texas at El Paso, the group show “Icons & Symbols of the Borderland” comprises more than 100 works of art that address “socio-political issues, immigration topics, collective memory, philosophical ideals, religious iconography, the environmental landscape, and food culture.” Uniting 25 artists — including local mainstays such as Cesar Martínez, Ricky Armendáriz and Victoria Suescum — the exhibition runs through December and comes into focus this week through an artist panel sure to shed light on the complexities of the U.S.-Mexico border. Free, 6:30-8:30pm, Centro de Artes, 101 S. Santa Rosa Ave., (210) 207-5798, getcreativesanantonio.com. — Bryan Rindfuss TALKS PLUS

‘Icons & Symbols of the Borderland’ Artist Talk

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER

CALENDAR THU

North by Northwest

FILM The thing about the best Alfred Hitchcock films that makes them so enduringly great is their timeless universality. Hitchcock was a pioneer in using our collective fears, doubts and alienation to create powerful cinematic experiences that thrive in the unknown. Any list of the great-grandfather of macabre and suspenseful cinema’s best work is likely to include the 1959 thriller North by Northwest. This Kafkaesque gem of a film, which is ideal for an outdoor, after-dark screening, was described by its writer Ernest Lehman

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WED

as “the Hitchcock picture to end all Hitchcock pictures.” And, aside from being a pretty righteous humble brag, that’s definitely not an exaggeration. Starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint, the movie is a rollercoaster ride of intrigue that follows its protagonist, a victim of mistaken identity, on a harrowing and exasperating cross-country chase, with every hazy detail serving to magnify the existential dread that lies at the film’s core. Free, 8:20pm, Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave., (210) 207-8612, slabcinema.com. — James Courtney

NOVEMBER 14 • ON SALE FRIDAY! 18

CURRENT • August 16-22, 2017 • sacurrent.com

THU

Gente de Zona

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COURTESY OF DIXIE’S TUPPERWARE PARTY

THU-SAT

17-19 Dixie’s Tupperware THEATER Since her early days entertaining “straight Republican white women” in Orange County living rooms, wayward Southern belle Dixie Longate — an over-the-top drag character Party

In the music video for Cuban reggaeton duo Gente de Zona’s 2015 dance anthem “La Gozadera,” a traffic jam leads motorists to abandon their cars for an impromptu dance party on the streets of Havana. In a display of pure joy and cultural pride, Latinos in every shade of brown are depicted dancing atop cars and waving flags representing their country of origin. It was fitting that on the evening of June 11, 2016, Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub shared the video on Facebook to promote its weekly “Latino night” hours before one of the biggest mass shootings in the U.S. occurred on its premises. To date, the video for “La Gozadera” has received over 930 million views on YouTube MUSIC

as the group’s appeal among young listeners continues to rise. Founded in 2000 by Alexander Delgado, Gente de Zona rose to international fame after being featured on the 2014 flamencotinged Enrique Iglesias single “Bailando.” Most recently, Gente de Zona collaborated with Jennifer Lopez on her latest single “Ni Tú, Ni Yo” and are among the latest wave of Spanish-speaking artists making a dent in the U.S. market. While the group claims their music is not meant to be political, it’s hard not to consider its impact within the context of the current political climate. $29.50–$155, 8pm, Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre. com. — Marco Aquino

SHUTTERSTOCK

created by writer/actor Kris Andersson — has earned comparisons to Dame Edna and emerged as an unlikely ambassador for Orlando-based Tupperware Brands Corp. Putting an unapologetically trashy spin on the Tupperware-party format, Andersson’s signature show (touring since 2008 and returning to San Antonio as part of the Tobin Edge Series) combines comedic storytelling, a storyline about homegrown entrepreneur Brownie Wise, and actual sales of plastic food storage containers. In addition to raunchy laughs and a handy Tupperware catalog, guests can expect to be called “hooker” — which Dixie naturally considers a term of endearment. $39.50, 7:30 Thu, 8pm Fri, 2pm & 8pm Sat, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter.org. — BR

THU-SUN

17-20

THEATER

Don’t Dress for Dinner

All’s a farce in love and war — or at least, it is in this household! When Robert tries to ship his wife off for the weekend so he can have a romantic evening with his mistress, things begin to go awry when his best friend, roped in as an alibi, accidentally clues her in to the fact that all is not what it seems. Between dueling affairs, a switcheroo between the cook and the mistress, and an ongoing string of clumsy lies, Robert’s plans for a lovely meal devolve into serious shenanigans. Penned by French playwright Marc Camoletti, Don’t Dress for Dinner opens at The Vex under the direction of Dr. Richard Sodders, and is a great match for anyone looking for an evening of lighthearted entertainment — just stay out of the splash zone of club soda! $15-$23, 7:30pm Thu, 8pm Sat, 2:30pm Sun, Sheldon Vexler Theater, 12500 NW Military Hwy., (210) 3026835, vexler.org. — Kelly Merka Nelson

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sacurrent.com • August 16-22, 2017 • CURRENT 19

FRI

For scene supporters wise and resourceful enough to venture beyond the predictable confines of mall-based comedy COMEDY clubs, there’s the Blind Tiger — a delightfully odd, underground lair that bills itself as a “haven for trying out new ideas in a environment not dependent on two drink minimums and delicate sensibilities.” Situated in the basement of the kitschy, costumed Magic Time Machine, the club occasionally hosts touring headliners but more frequently showcases established and emerging comics of the homegrown variety. Combining “true stories of childhood, valor, honor, horror, sex, drugs and everything in between” in a format likened to “Martin Scorsese meets Bill & Ted,” the Blind Tiger’s “Onslaught” brings together the talents of longtime local favorite and Comedia A Go-Go co-founder Larry Garza (crowned the Funniest Person in South Texas in 2016); Best of San Antonio winner Gabriela Tijerina (who honed her craft at New York City institutions such as the Comedy Cellar and the Upright Citizens Brigade); George Anthony (a gifted storyteller who’s “very humble [but] would like everybody to know he’s the greatest”); Raul Sanchez (a rising stand-up making waves on the festival circuit); Holli Cuomo (known for her snarky attitude and absurdist point of view); Bob Khosravi (an Austin-based avocado enthusiast who’s been described as “bright and engaging with a subtle sense of darkness”); and Edward Hernandez (an Austinite who’s toured with the likes of D.L. Hughley, Rob Schneider and Carlos Mencia). $5, 8pm, Blind Tiger Comedy Club, 902 NE Loop 410, (210) 828-1470, blindtigercomedy.com. — BR

SIGGI RAGNAR

Lorca With his 1932 play Blood Wedding, and collection of poems Poet in New York, published FRI-SUN in 1940, Federico García Lorca became one of Spain’s most revered poets and dramatists. But his influence far exceeds the world of literature. Lorca was part of a group of artists known as La Generacion del ’27, which included filmmaker Luis Buñuel and artist Salvador Dalí. In the 1930s, Lorca explored the Gypsy caves of southern Spain to gather and later transcribe to piano the folk music of that region. On August 18, the Classic Theatre will present Lorca, a one-man-show starring José Rubén De León. Set against a backdrop of the Spanish Civil War, the play covers the major accomplishments of Lorca’s life up until his assassination in 1936 by right-wing military authorities. De León, who is fluent in both Spanish and English, says there was a time when his accent was actually a hindrance and recalls being laughed off the stage by a director. “I felt very humiliated and walked out of the theater,’’ he explained. “I thought, ‘You know what? I’m going to create a one-man show for myself and never audition again.’” In 2003, De León premiered Lorca and has since gone on to produce other one-man dramas including 2005’s Simplemente Lara, based on the life of Mexican composer Agustín Lara, and 2015’s Unforgettable, a tribute to Nat King Cole. While De León has also become known for his collaborations with jazz musicians Aaron Prado and George Prado on recent productions, he says he will carry Lorca entirely on his own. “It’s all me,” De León said. “I had a lot of dreams about Lorca because of all the reading and researching I was doing.” His hope is that the play will “prompt more people to investigate Lorca’s life and read his material.” $20, 8pm Fri-Sat, 3pm Sun, The Classic Theatre of San Antonio, 1924 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 589-8450, classictheatre.org. — MA THEATER

18-20

CURRENT • August 16-22, 2017 • sacurrent.com

MON

Solar Eclipse Viewing Party

Unless you live along the “path of totality” (a 70-mile-wide ribbon crossing the U.S.) or are perhaps among the estimated 7.4 million people expected to invade Nashville, Kansas City and hundreds of unassuming (and quite possibly unprepared) “solar eclipse boom towns,” you won’t be experiencing a total eclipse of the sun on Monday. That being said, everyone in North America and parts of South America, Africa and Europe can at least see a partial solar eclipse — and that money shot along the path of totality will only last about two minutes. The first total solar eclipse visible in the contiguous U.S. since 1979 (and the first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse since 1918), the rare celestial event makes for a great excuse to visit a state park (Guadalupe River State Park, Bastrop State Park and South Llano River State Park are all

COURTESY OF ED SHEERAN

BLIND TIGER COMEDY CLUB

CALENDAR

SPECIAL EVENT

hosting viewing parties), a wide open space or a local treasure like the Scobee Education Center. Situated on the campus of San Antonio College, Scobee will be prepared for the occasion with solar telescopes, safety viewing glasses and pinhole viewers as well as family-friendly activities, barbecue and tacos from Most Wanted Smokers and shaved ice from Flamingo Rey’s. Regardless of where you watch it, it’s essential to protect your eyes and sunglasses won’t do the trick — pick up free safety glasses from Central Library or Pan American Library (while supplies last), or order NASA-approved “Eclipse Glasses” or handheld viewers from one of the vendors listed at eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety. Free, 11:30am2:30pm (peak viewing at 1:09pm), Scobee Education Center, 1300 San Pedro Ave., (210) 486-0100, alamo.edu/sac/scobee. — BR

of emotions. Currently touring alongside fellow Brit James Blunt, the beloved and award-winning performer plays San Antonio in support of his third studio album ÷ (pronounced Divide). Before TUE securing two Grammys in 2016 with the single “Thinking Out Loud” (Song Of The Year and Best Pop Solo Performance), Sheeran gained popularity through a guest appearance on Taylor Swift’s album Red and by joining her on tour as an opening act the following year. When asked in a recent MTV interview who he’d switch lives with if he had the opportunity, Sheeran responded MUSIC Having recently made headlines thanks to with “maybe my cat, ‘cause all my cat does is get a cameo on Game of Thrones, English singercuddled and get fed.” #catlife. $69.50, 7pm, songwriter and occasional actor Ed Sheeran is AT&T Center, One AT&T Center Pkwy., (210) coming to San Antonio to sing us into a puddle 444-5000, attcenter.com. — Chris Conde

Ed Sheeran

1 city. 1 night. 75 local bands & djs.

showcase

Saturday, Sept. 30

Amp Room • Atta Girl • Bexar Pub • La Botanica Bottom Bracket Social Club • Burleson Yard Hi-Tones • Jandro’s • Limelight • The Mix • Paper Tiger La Roca • Rumble • Sancho’s • Santa Maria Social Club Squeezebox • Ventura • Web House

LINEUP COMING SOON Get your All access passes at sanantoniomusicshowcase.com

sacurrent.com • August 16-22, 2017 • CURRENT 21

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 25 • 8 PM • WITTE MUSEUM

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1423 E.Commerce St. 210.827.5555

URBAN SPACES TOUR: HOUSTON STREET AFTER DARK

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29 • 6PM • HISTORIC HOUSTON STREET

FAKE NEWS BY THE ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE — GRIDIRON2017

SATURDAY, SEPT. 30 • 7:30PM • TEXAS A&M AUDITORIUM

SAN ANTONIO MUSIC SHOWCASE SATURDAY, SEPT. 30 • 8 PM • ST. MARY’S STRIP

SAN ANTONIO BEER FESTIVAL 2017 SATURDAY, OCT. 21 VIP DOORS: NOON • GA DOORS: 1:30 DIGNOWITY AND LOCKWOOD PARKS

SAN ANTONIO ZOMBIE WALK 2017 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22 • 3PM • MAVERICK PLAZA AT LA VILLITA

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THURSDAY NOV. 9 - SATURDAY NOV. 11 • HEMISFAIR DISTRICT

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CURRENT • August 16-22, 2017 • sacurrent.com

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ART Art Out: “Punishments and Judgments in Hell” Taking cues from the exhibition

“Heaven and Hell: Salvation and Retribution in Pure Land Buddhism,” SAMA invites you to “explore the different punishments and judgments of the 10 Kings of Hell, hear the story of the Hell Courtesan, and stare into the karmic mirror to see your past deeds and receive your own judgment.” $8-$15, 7:30-8:30pm Friday; San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones Ave., (210) 978-8100.

Artists Looking at Art: Megan Solis

Multimedia artist and UTSA alum Megan Solis sheds light on her work, which often incorporates repurposed items in installations and performances exploring themes such as nostalgia, mental health and destructive behavior. Free, 6:30pm Thursday; McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., (210) 824-5368.

Que Retro Arts 1st Anniversary Art Walk and Market Que Retro Arts celebrates its first anniversary with an art walk featuring a variety of merchandise created by local artists, makers and hobbyists. Free, 10am-6pm Saturday; Wonderland of the Americas, 4522 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 273-5023.

FILM Pee-wee’s Big Adventure Slab Cinema

and Representative Diana Arévalo co-host a screening of Tim Burton’s 1985 cult classic starring following goofy man-child Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens) on an epic quest to retrieve his stolen bicycle from the “basement of the Alamo.” Free, 8pm Saturday; Woodlawn Lake Park, 1103 Cincinnnati Ave., (210) 207-7275.

SAY Sí MAS Student Film Showcase Local

four evenings featuring eight, eight-minute performances presented inside an eightfoot cube. $8, 8pm Friday-Saturday; JumpStart Performance Co., 710 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 227-5867.

Sinderella and the Glass Zipper: A Burlesque Fairy Tale Jade Esteban

Estrada directs international burlesque star Coco Lectric in this original new production following a “boobalicious” maiden determined to escape the grips of her wicked stepmother and stepsisters to attend the royal burlesque ball at Pink Taco Palace. $20-$25, 8pm & 10:30pm Friday, 8pm Saturday; The Overtime Theater, 5409 Bandera Road, (210) 557-7562.

SPECIAL EVENTS Eclipse Market Calaveras Custom Tattoo

observes the solar eclipse with an all-day market featuring artisan vendors (offering artwork, jewelry, ceramics, leather goods, accessories and apparel), music, yoga and card readings. Free, 11am-8pm Monday; Calaveras Custom Tattoo, 628 S. St. Mary’s St., (210) 885-5606.

Injoy Silent Disco “Southtown’s first silent

disco party” features a live performance by Pink Leche and DJ sets by Chacho, Adam Madrigal, Christ Estrada and Phillip Knowles (spanning from ’70s classics to present-day tunes) accompanied by themed visuals. $35-$45, 8pm-2am Saturday; Brick, 108 Blue Star, (210) 262-8653.

Punk Rock Flea Market Brokenboard

and The Korova team up for a Punk Rock Flea Market featuring an array of artists and vendors, including Evil Dave and Erika, Remember the Punks and Taco City Slammers Distro. Free, noon-6pm Sunday; The Korova, 107 E. Martin St., (210) 226-5070.

San Antonio Restaurant Week Local nonprofit SAY Sí showcases its Media Arts nonprofit Culinaria highlights some of the Studio students with a program combining best local chefs in town by partnering with short narratives, silent shorts and short restaurants offering fixed-price lunches documentaries. $5 suggested donation, ($10-$15) and dinners ($25-$35). $10-$35, 7pm Wednesday; Santikos Northwest 14, Wednesday-Tuesday (continues through 7600 I-10 W., (210) 212-8666. Aug. 26); visit culinariasa.org for details. The Professional Video Dungeon Theatre revisits Luc Besson’s 1994 thriller starring Jean Reno as a hitman who forms an unlikely relationship with a 12-year-old girl (Natalie Portman) after her family is murdered by a corrupt Drug Enforcement Administration agent (Gary Oldman). Free, 9pm Thursday; Oak Hills Tavern, 7920 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 614-8855. THEATER 8X8: Cabaret du Jump Encompassing

dance, spoken word, multimedia, live music – absolutely anything goes — this annual Jump-Start tradition comprises

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CURRENT • August 16-22, 2017 • sacurrent.com

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ECLECTIC DESIGN BY

The unusual interiors of Gregorio Mannino WORDS + PHOTOS BY PAGE GRAHAM

> When it comes to ambience, what is your favorite local restaurant or bar? Consider the over-the-top Asian market theme of Hot Joy, or perhaps the Victorian family groove of Barbaro. Then there’s the eclectic and cave-like basement at the Esquire, where myriad mounted fish greet guests after they traverse a darkened hallway paved with Rose Window-like tiles. On the more minimalist side are the rectilinear lines of Chisme, which replaced the kitschy arches of Teka Molino. Across the street, M.C. Escher-esque tiles add geometric complexity to the patterned walls and floors of Rumble. And let’s not forget the Granary or Bakery Lorraine. Take your pick, they’re all a treat to the eye. Regardless of your choice, they all sprang from the brilliant mind of one person: Gregorio Mannino. As he says, he likes “telling stories with objects, juxtaposed with one another.” Gregorio, or Greg, as he refers to himself, is a self-described “shitty-four” years old. (We’ll leave his age at that.) Yet he exudes a youthful creative fervor. As he says, “I feel like I’m 16 years inside.” He can be seen traversing downtown on his well-traveled scooter, usually without a helmet, because he has a bad habit of forgetting it somewhere. This is a common symptom of a mind focused on other things, like the time he managed to lose his sketchbook in Morocco. A few days later, he was surprised to see one of the postcards from his sketchbook in a woman’s apartment … many miles away in the next city. As for the rest of the sketchbook? The images are probably spread all over Fez to this day. C’est la vie. As a Navy brat, Mannino moved around a lot as a child, until his parents ultimately settled down in San Antonio. His creativity stems in part from his mother Gwynn Griffith, who also boasts an extensive list of credits within the greater world of design. “From the time I was weaned, I was asked to move furniture,” he says, perhaps with a hint of hyperbole. After coming out at the age of 14, he soon found himself part of the local club scene. His favorite haunt was the legendary San Antonio Country — predecessor to the Bonham Exchange — where owner Hap Veltman kept a wary eye on him to make sure he didn’t get into too much trouble. Sadly, the San Antonio Country, which was housed in a Victorian mansion on the banks of the San Antonio River near El sacurrent.com • August 16-22, 2017 • CURRENT 25

ARTS + CULTURE

creates the glass shades for his light fixtures. “It’s a real family,” Mannino states, “Everyone takes care of one another.” He often partners with others on his projects, like at Barbaro, where he worked alongside Stacey Hill. He is always quick to give credit to collaborators. However, he did find it challenging to find help when he was designing Hot Joy. Although the murals, painted by Kelly Edwards, and the bathrooms are the work of others, Mannino designed all the booths, along with the dizzying assemblage in the front lobby. Local restaurateur Chad Carey is effusive in his praise of Mannino: “His real talent is a lot of details. He can drill down quickly for arrangement of things. The details are what are most important about his work.” In reference

• Rumble

• Chisme

Tropicano, was torn down years ago to make way for the AT&T (now CPS) office towers. Apparently, Hap’s protective nature worked out well. Mannino stayed out of trouble sufficiently enough to be accepted into the Art Institute of Chicago, where he got his education amongst many now-famous people, including members of the Smashing Pumpkins. Although he is a self-described recluse, it seems that Mannino is well-known within an array or local communities. Staying involved in projects “is my safe place,” he says. However, this not only includes restaurant and bar projects, but also folks in the film and entertainment industries. And then there are the fashion chops, including designing costumes for Cornyation. These gigs are not limited solely to the Alamo City. He is also renowned in New York, Chicago, L.A. and beyond. A freelancer since 1984, Mannino went to New York in 1989 with $10 in his pocket. Over the next decade, he built his reputation there thanks to his passion for eclectic design. Projects in that city have included the Joffrey Ballet and the restaurants Josephina, Memphis and Coastal. Mannino works out of town whenever he can. He is often found toiling away on film projects in L.A., where he has a reputation for playing the most quirky roles when required. If the director needs someone to eat a hot dog off the ground, they put in a call to the prop room and get Greg on the set. “I just do it,” he says, “It all just seems to be different. I like to tell stories, especially in film.” When it comes to the local art scene, which we all know has its detractors, Mannino is incredibly supportive. He is clear in his declaration that we have a vibrant art community. “It’s committed to history, but it’s also so forward looking, almost futuristic,” he says, “That’s one of the reasons I keep coming back.” He is quick to point out the comparative inward-looking pretentiousness that can occur in places like New York, where he used the example of an art exhibit that was about, ummm, well, shit. In all its glorious forms. “I try to pull in local artists whenever I can.” One example is Jake Zollie Harper, glassblower extraordinaire, who

CURRENT • August 16-22, 2017 • sacurrent.com

• Barbaro

to his restaurants, he continues, “These places have personality. They feel alive as a result.” One of Mannino’s recurring design themes is the use of geometric patterns, especially when it comes to wallpaper and tile. It’s particularly notable at Chisme and Rumble. At both locations, tiles cover floors, counters and walls in repeating patters, whether curvilinear or geometric. Mannino likens this design scheme to a visual representation of rhythm. Mannino’s next project will be a Hot Joy pop-up in Dallas, which is intended to stay open for two to three years. In any case, he stays pretty reclusive. When he isn’t off to another city, you will often find him at home with the company of his two frenetic dogs and The Cat, who, like most smart cats, is disdainful of the dogs. His home is a treasure trove of found objects, from estate sale paintings to a collection of vintage radios … and just about everything else in between. An eclectic home for an eclectic mind, indeed.

• Downstairs at The Esquire Tavern

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SCREENS

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MISSION Al Gore delivers another ‘Inconvenient’ warning on climate change TT STERN-ENZI

≥

Former Vice President Al Gore has been on a burning crusade to wake this country and the world to An Inconvenient Truth, to use the title of his 2006 Academy Award-winning documentary. We are facing climate change/global warming and it is a serious threat to our existence. You might have thought that film’s impact would have done the trick. In that documentary, directed by Davis Guggenheim, we saw Gore deliver a PowerPoint slide presentation intended to raise awareness about global warming and explain the immediate steps that could curb this escalating danger to the environment. It was a lecture sounding an alarm. But the climate change deniers have proved surprisingly strong. So, 11 years later, we now have An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, from directors Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk. In it, Gore continues to constantly update the message with new data: up-to-the-minute tracking of glacial melting, annual temperature fluctuations, rising tides and ocean swells during storms. The waters are reaching farther inland, clawing away more of the shoreline and

coast, resulting in shrinking acreage for our cities, states and, ultimately, our nations. Gore again inspires. This is so much more than mere “talking points” or one side of a debate — the kind you might have over drinks at a party or shout across a crowded bar with music drowning out the facts. This is truth speaking. You can’t help but hear what Gore is saying now. You’re forced to acknowledge that what his An Inconvenient Truth told us more than 10 years ago really is happening. It wasn’t a scare tactic, a mad prophecy of gloom and doom of the kind that once was delivered by a bearded guy with a sandwich board on the street corner. Yet, his Inconvenient Sequel isn’t some final bell signaling the arrival of the end of times. It isn’t an “I told you so.” Not yet. He delivers some good news: We can still do something. He’s out there trying to spark action. He’s speaking truth to power. An Inconvenient Sequel is science fact. But to use a science fiction reference to show just how powerful Gore is here, he brings to mind the pyrokinetic character in the Stephen King novel Firestarter. Gore (figuratively) can start a fire with his mind, such is his ability to make global warming a

timely issue again for everyone, as it once was. He is that convincing. It’s fortunate that someone had the sense to bring him back for a sequel. How did that happen? After being approached by Participant Media, which produced An Inconvenient Truth, directors Cohen and Shenk met Gore in Nashville. There, they got an all-day briefing on the climate crisis and the potential solutions to the crisis. From that, they planned their film. “We basically came up with this idea that it would be an amazing opportunity to follow Al around, kind of a fly-on-the-wall approach, to see him go about the work that he does,” Shenk says. That decision led to an 18-month commitment. “We were probably both surprised and wide-eyed about Gore’s relentless energy to this subject,” Cohen says. “He is truly someone who gets up every day and thinks to himself, ‘What can I do to push the needle forward on the climate crisis?’ “We, like many Americans, were probably thinking, ‘I wonder what Al Gore’s been up to over the last 10 years?’ What we discovered was

that this is what he’s been doing, every day of his life, for all these years.” An Inconvenient Sequel, it should be noted, isn’t the only fi lm now in theaters out to start a discussion on an issue of contemporary concern. Many see Detroit as a conversation starter about race and community policing. But with An Inconvenient Sequel, it’s apparent Gore is tirelessly trying to build a sustainable movement. He’s pushing beyond the initial steps of dialogue and engagement. The fi lm shows him training people globally to be informed and dedicated activists in their communities. Toward the end of the film, there’s a statement from Gore that Cohen sees as an acknowledgement that the former vice president doesn’t see climate change/ global warming as a political issue. “It is much more an emotional issue,” Cohen says. “And the environmental movement, with Gore as one of its leaders — and there are many — is in line with the other social movements of our time. We are at a point where these very conversations can tip us over the edge into solving this crisis. That’s why we made the film.”

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Steven Soderbergh returns to the big screen with the Southern-fried crime comedy Logan Lucky > Steven Soderbergh has directed many types of films with great success (he won an Oscar for Traffic in 2000), but it’s clear he has an affinity for heist movies (he made Oceans 11 and its two lesser sequels). Yet it’s still odd to see him on the big screen with Logan Lucky, about a robbery during a Nascar race, for a number of reasons. For one, you may recall Soderbergh announced his retirement from feature film directing in 2013. This didn’t last — few thought it would — but it is true that this is his first feature since then (he’s been quite busy directing The Knick on Cinemax). When he “retired,” Soderbergh said he was burned out and disliked the ways directors were being robbed of their creativity in feature films. Everything became about money rather than making the best movie possible. It’s ironic, then, that he’d return to features with a movie that has clear mainstream appeal; this is certainly not one of his indie film passion projects (Bubble, The Girlfriend Experiment) that he knows will not play to the masses. Logan Lucky follows Jimmy (Channing Tatum), Mellie (Riley Keough) and Clyde (Adam Driver), the three Logan siblings, as they plan to rob the Charlotte Motor Speedway during the busiest race of the year. They need help, so they enlist demolitions expert Joe Bang (Daniel Craig, delighting with a Southern twang). Bang then brings in his dim-witted brothers Sam (Brian Gleeson) and Fish (Jack Quaid), who has “Dangerus” tattooed on his right shoulder.

In the Oceans movies, the intelligence of career criminals Danny (George Clooney), Rusty (Brad Pitt), et al. was never in doubt. We could believe they’re clever enough to think through robberies on an incredibly complex scale, and part of the fun was in the revelation of what they saw coming that the audience couldn’t possibly foresee. This is relevant in terms of Logan Lucky because none of the characters — especially mastermind Jimmy — shows anything close to the intelligence needed to execute a heist this complicated. Maybe on his absolute best day Joe Bang could pull it off, but even that feels like a stretch, especially given that he’s incarcerated when we fi rst meet him. That said, it’s nonetheless fun to watch the plan unfold, ample cameos (Hilary Swank, Seth MacFarlane, Dwight Yoakam and more) keep things fun, and darn if the aftermath doesn’t make you smile. You’ll likely sense some biting social commentary in the last act, which is Soderbergh’s indirect way of criticizing the establishment without being preachy. As often, well done sir. In its totality, Logan Lucky delivers as advertised — it’s compelling, features likable albeit flawed characters, and offers some good twists along the way. It has a few too many characters, but its humor (especially an argument between prison inmates and the warden that will delight Game of Thrones fans) and creativity outweigh the flaws. We’re glad you’re back, Mr. Soderbergh.

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FOOD

JESSICA BRYCE YOUNG

DELECTABLE READS Great reads to dive into this summer

> “You are what you eat.” When Brillat-Savarin coined the first version of this much-used maxim in 1825, he was referring rather strictly to the relationship between diet and health. But what people eat is much more than that – it’s a synecdoche of how they live their lives. Food is a keen lens through which to view not just history but psychology, economics, foreign trade, civil rights, journalism, advertising and politics. These five books show what a mistake it is to underestimate food writing. Most pop-culture images of Appalachia are either cruelly comic (Li’l Abner, Jed Clampett) or cruelly misleading (the film Deliverance) or simply cruel (the Hatfield-McCoy feud). In her most recent book, awardwinning food writer Ronni Lundy tenderly demolishes that mythography with a portrait of a people and place mostly misunderstood. Victuals: An Appalachian Journey, With Recipes (Clarkson Potter, August 2016) portrays a modern generation of Appalachians carving small businesses out of their fierce love of the region: a young couple mining salt, a touring musician turned heirloom-grains baker. In the crevices of her interviews with these committed individuals, the history of the mountains comes into focus. It’s a deeply researched book suffused with love. Just as devoted to the preservation of historical foodways but more scholarly than Lundy’s affectionate paean is John T. Edge’s Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South (Penguin Press, May 2017). Edge, director of the Southern Foodways Alliance, charts the turbulent history of a vastly varied territory, but – in a surprising yet inspired move – doesn’t attempt to treat slavery days and the antebellum period as merely one section of a book. Instead Edge picks up during the Freedom Struggles of the 1950s-1970s, documenting the cooks and restaurants that provided clandestine meeting places for the civil rights activists, as well as those in which the Ku Klux Klan plotted violent resistance. Subsequent sections of the book cover the influx of hippies “from out” during the 1970s back-to-the-land movement and the go-go ’80s, in which ersatz Southern dishes (“Cajun” pasta, etc.)

became trendy through the ministrations of practitioners like Paul Prudhomme and the editors of Birminghambased Southern Living – which, by the 1980s, was the most profitable magazine in America. The Potlikker Papers also discusses more current icons of Southern cooking, including the now-disgraced Paula Deen to the ascendant food historian Michael W. Twitty, founder of the website AfroCulinaria. Twitty has been called a “cheftivist,” as he not only researches history but takes an opinionated stance on who “owns” Southern food, exuberantly wading into the waters of the African diaspora and the heritage of the slavery system. So while Victuals and Potlikker read more like lessons, The Cooking Gene (Amistad, August 2017) is something more of a one-man show starring Twitty himself. The dazzle of his personality can lead readers

to overlook the lack of bibliographical support for some statements (“chickens got served to preachers because chickens had always flounced in the hands of African priests, and nobody remembered why”), but make no mistake – most of Twitty’s provocations are underpinned with primary-source research. He simply chooses to make the story personal, and why not? Baking powder is an integral ingredient of that Southern staple, the biscuit – or at least it has been since its widespread commercial availability starting in the 19th century. Linda Civitello’s Baking Powder Wars: The Cutthroat Food Fight That Revolutionized Cooking (University of Illinois Press, May 2017) widens out the geographical lens to include all of America, Europe and the rest of the world. This meticulously researched history is heavy on fact, limning the ferocious trade wars fought by the various commercial producers of baking powder. But it also brings in issues of women’s rights, the traditions of apprenticeship and trade guilds, the rise of consumer protections and labeling laws, and the involvement of politics (and more to the point, lobbyists) in what we eat. What She Ate: Six Remarkable Women and the Food That Tells Their Stories (Laura Shapiro, Viking Press, July 25) examines the role of eating and cooking in the lives of six very different women, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Eva Braun and Helen Gurley Brown. What She Ate is more biography than food book, but what they ate and how they felt about cooking and eating provides a spyhole into their remarkably disparate lives and times. One of Shapiro’s women is British novelist Barbara Pym. After her death in 1980, Pym’s sister Hilary published The Barbara Pym Cookbook – an appropriate tribute to Pym, who wrote, “The small things of life were often so much bigger than the great things … the trivial pleasure like cooking.” Despite her mastery of British understatement, we can read and agree with Pym’s meaning, which reflects the intentions of all the authors here: Food is most certainly no trivial part of life, but life itself.

sacurrent.com • August 16-22, 2017 • CURRENT 33

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CURRENT • August 16-22, 2017 • sacurrent.com

FOOD

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JESSICA ELIZARRARAS | @JESSELIZARRARAS

FOOD COURT More Yellowfish, Shake Shack opens this month and Game of Thrones shakes

•

Shake Shack will open this month.

Más Yellowfish

>Yellowfish Sushi, which began as a single location off Wurzbach in early 2013 inside a former car inspection shop. Fast-forward to 2017, and sushi fans in San Antonio have helped owners Brenda and Alex Sarmiento establish two more locations. The third opened this Monday at The Rim with an almost identical menu to its sister locations. Yellowfish 3.0 is sleek like its predecessors, and features cute sushi graphics along the walls and two flat screens for sports, but don’t get too distracted, you’re here for the food. The “Japarritos” or sushirritos are there, along with a slew of rolls, poké bowls and starters. And they don’t mind substitutions. The fried Urbano Roll was recommended by our server as one of their top-selling rolls and it’s easy to see why as tempura shrimp, avocado join crab salad and Yellowfish’s Juma and Anguila Sauces — we nixed the cream cheese and still left perfectly happy. A Tocino Roll is exclusive to the Rim, and it’s worth ordering. The presentation is as extra as the roll itself that combines avocado, krab salad and tempura bacon (yes, bacon) on the inside, with salmon and tuna and thinly sliced lemons draped over the roll. It’s playful, zesty and bright. Yellowfish at The Rim is open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 12:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 12:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday. 7711 I-10 W., Suite 104, (210) 476-5186.

Shake Shack sets sights for August >For those of you champing at the bit to try a bite of Shake Shack, the wait is almost over.

Though a concrete opening date wasn’t shared, the NYC burger chain announced it will open by the end of August, per Giant Noise press release. The new location, which was first reported by the Express-News in January, will open at 7427 San Pedro Ave. The Danny Meyer-founded shop, is known for its fastcasual burgers, hot dogs, crinkle-cut fries and shakes. The SA location will utilize local products in two of its offerings: The Peanut Butter Park custard concrete with vanilla custard, peanut butter sauce will include a Bird Bakery peanut butter-chocolate chip monster cookie, and the Pie Oh My concrete will feature a slice of The Granary ‘Cue & Brew buttermilk chess pie. Barbecue fans will also be able to order the Lockhart Link Burger, “a cheeseburger topped with griddled Kreuz Market jalapeno cheese sausage link with ShackSauce and pickles.” Local beers from Ranger Creek and Alamo will also be featured. Launched in 2004 in Madison Square Park, the brand currently operates 100 stores as of 2016 with locations in North America, Japan, the Middle East, Russia, Turkey, the U.K. and South Korea. 7427 San Pedro Ave.

In S’mores news

>Cookie season is still months away, but the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas are using National S’mores Day to announce the return of a 2017 favorite. The Girl Scouts S’mores cookie — one of the most popular of 100 years of Girl Scouts selling cookies — will be back for the 2018 cookie season. The S’mores featured crunchy graham sandwich

cookies with creamy chocolate and marshmallowy filling. It was introduced to celebrate 100 years of Cookie Bosses selling cookies. The cookie was made as a nod to the first ever S’more recipe featured in a 1925 Girl Scout Handbook. Cue the More You Know Star. Cookie season starts January 1, so make sure to find your nearest Girl Scout Cookie Boss to place your order.

Milkshakes Are Coming

>The Hinojosa sisters of Honeysuckle Tea Time are at it again, and this time they are reaching for a theme that’s as cold as the Ice King, but not dark or full of terrors. On Sunday, August 20, the Hinojosas are diving deep into Game of Thrones with a Fire for the Throne event and two new shakes they describe as “most “extra” milkshakes you’ve seen from us yet.” Expect a nod to Drogon and Daenerys with the Queen of Fire shake that combines chai red velvet milkshake topped with a dragon cookie, a cupcake crown and fiery chocolate bark. If you’re more House Stark, you’ll want to order the Snow Shake with lavender earl grey milkshake topped with a Direwolf cookie, an ice crystal cupcake and wintery chocolate bark. Milkshakes, $12 each, can be reserved through Eventbrite.com, and can be picked up from noon to 2 p.m. on August 20 inside Brick at Blue Star (108 Blue Star).

Send food and nightlife news to flavor@sacurrent.com.

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BOOZE NEWS Summertime spritzes, and a happy hour at Hanzo • Get familiar with the Battalion Spritz

RON BECHTOL + ERIN WINCH

Move over rosé // It’s over 100 degrees out there, we don’t need to tell you. From morning to midnight, folks of a wine bent are guzzling rosé in all of its forms, from lightly chilled to seriously slushy. But as much as I and others have long touted the wine as a perfect, year ’round vino for SA, enough already. There are other options — even if pink is still a priority. In cities from Venice to Verona, the Italians have their own rose-tinted obsession: the Aperol Spritz. It’s the perfect late-afternoon, sit in the piazza and watch the world roll by drink — just a little herby bite, some sparkle, a lot of satisfaction. And while we may be short on Renaissance piazzas hereabouts, we do have Battalion, the former fire station-come-Italian restaurant on S. Alamo. It has its own kind of class. And it has an aperitivo section called the Battalion Spritz. There are five, each employing a unique amaro or liqueur, and at $7, you might as well try ‘em all. Aperol has the advantage of being one of the softer of the class of aperitifs called amaro, or bitter; they’re compounded of roots, herbs, citrus and spices, and the variations can seem almost infinite. Not only is the Aperol Spritz the granddaddy of all such refreshers, but it’s also low-alcohol, clocking in at only 11 percent — which means that, considering its cohorts of prosecco and Topo Chico, you can slug it at will. A feeling of Continental classiness is guaranteed to follow.

But if you’re willing to step the game up a tad, consider subbing Campari for the Aperol. It’s admittedly more bitter, and, at 27 percent, also more alcoholic. But it retains its bite longer over ice — and comes with an impressive orange swath to complement the even more vibrant color. Other options at Battalion include Luxardo maraschino liqueur, Cocchi Americano, an aromatized wine, and Cappelletti Rosso, another amaro that hits an alcoholic midpoint at 17 percent. Yes, you can also do this at home. You’ll have to lay in a couple of the amari, but Campari, for example, is essential for cocktails such as the Negroni, another Italian classic. Find your own balance, but one good recipe for the Aperol Spritz calls for 4 ½ ounces brut prosecco, 2 ½ ounces Aperol, one lime wheel and one ounce of club soda or Topo. Pour the prosecco into a tall Collins glass (or wine goblet) filled with ice, then add the amaro and lime (or orange), topping with Topo. — RB Happy Hour at Hanzo // If you didn’t have a reason before to visit Hanzo, the newly opened Alamo Heights bar, now you do. The latest bar concept from Steve Mahoney, is now hosting two happy hours. While ou side of happy hour you can order both classic and creatively named craft cocktails that will start at about $9 and steadily go up in price (one is over $20!), the happy hour menu offers a more affordable price on beer, wine,

cocktails, and last but not least, sake. The menu includes three cocktails priced at $7, and while it isn’t the cheapest happy hour out there, it does offer a nice break from the high prices associated with the Heights. The drinks included are a spicy pineapple daiquiri, a refreshing Yuzu Mule and a boozy Asian Old Fashioned. In addition to these cocktails, they have select wine for $5.50, Sake Bombs and house shots for $4 and a dollar off all Japanese beers. It’s the perfect place for a group of friends to come and drink, a place where nearly everyone could find a discount for something they like on the menu. The only downside is that the bar doesn’t have any food specials. Though they do have a reverse happy hour and a late night menu, which features a staff favorite the Seafood Okonomoyaki. At $12, it is priced a little higher than other items, but it’s a delicious combination between sweet and savory and is big enough to split between two people. Hanzo is a great spot for groups of people where you order your own drinks and split a dish, going alone though can set you back at least $20. There are cheaper happy hours out there, but Hanzo gets an honorable mention for being a craft cocktail bar inside the loop that offers a late night happy hour. The happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and late night Sunday through Thursday 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. 7701 Broadway, Suite 124, (210) 826-1488. — EW

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RIP EL NICKY SNICK:

Conjunto legend Nick Villarreal passes away at 66 CHRIS CONDE

> I’ll admit, when I was younger, I didn’t really like or appreciate Conjunto and Tejano music. I was like “why do we have to listen to this old people music?” My cousins and I (like most kids our age) were getting into artists like Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony and TLC. But summers spent in San Benito growing up yielded plenty of opportunities for the accordionforward genre to score any number of occasions. From every get-together after mass at our grandparent’s house, or even just picking up pan dulce from the local panaderia, conjunto and tejano music just sort of comes with the territory if you grew up in South Texas. It wasn’t ‘til I was maybe in my twenties and moved back to Texas did I start to “get” the music that reminded me of the Valley and helped me rediscover my roots. Today I appreciate the musicianship, and the narratives from folks that share our

common Tex-Mex heritage. On Sunday, July 30 tejano and conjunto legend Nick “El Nicky Snick” Villarreal passed away after being hospitalized the day before for cardiac arrest. The 66-year-old had been diagnosed with diabetes and was undergoing dialysis in the past couple years. This singer and accordion player was known for his “unmistakable, easy-going goofy cumbias,” and wrote songs about everything from Saddam Hussein (“El Saddam Huessein”) to Kool-Aid (“Koolaid Con Hielo”) and even to former pro-golfer Tiger Woods (“El Tiger Woods”). Villarreal learned how to play the accordion at 5-years-old through his grandfather James Zimmerle and eventually started his own conjunto with brothers Roger, David and cousin, David Zimmerle. As news of the conjunto and tejano

legend’s death began to spread, famed artists like Flaco Jimenez and Michael Salgado offered their condolences online: “Our Deepest condolences to Nick Villarreal’s Family... A Wonderful Friend and Fellow Musician.. I Had the great pleasure to record my last CD featuring Nick Villarreal. His music will forever live on and his memory will never die.. Our thoughts and prayers are with Him and his family..” - Flaco Jiminez “RIP Nick Villarreal. Condolences to the family” - Michael Salgado A candle vigil was held Tuesday night, August 1 at KEDA studios where Villarreal’s tracks were kept in regular rotation with a public viewing and funeral service Thursday August, 3 and Friday August, 4. The conjunto and tejano world has truly lost a legend, and we will miss the humor and liveliness that Villarreal contributed to the genre.

≥

Without even realizing it, I think audiences forget the time and effort a lot of our local SA musicians invest into the honing of their craft – as if the songs coming out of the speakers at any show on the St. Mary’s Strip didn’t require work, beer money, structure arrangements, rearrangements, key changes, and thoughtful time spent scribing lyrics. But take a glimpse into the background of a good number of these artists and you’ll find a work ethic and focus overlooked by many and appreciated by few. Case in point: Elena Lopez. At just 20 years old, the San Antonio musician already has an enviable resume and is carving out a space for herself in the Texas indie rock community — and her efforts aren’t going unnoticed. From an early age, Lopez loved to sing and her inclinations towards music inspired her parents to enroll her in classical piano lessons at only 4 years old. “I know that [my parents] wanted to put my brother and I through [at least] one music lesson,” Lopez told the Current, “and I just really, really liked it – so I kept taking lessons.” Lopez liked them so much that she continued to take lessons for a total of nine years. At 12-years-old, the pianist (who also sings, and plays several other instruments) began tickling the ivories at Bandera Road City Church, a place

she credits with much of her growth as a musician and the communication skills she learned through working with other artists. Eventually, she left the church band to focus on her own musical endeavors, and Lopez’s band Octahedron (who have been on hiatus since last summer) saw regional success, along with her side project Baby Bangs – a fuzzier, grunge/ punk turn from the straight-forward indie rock sound of Octahedron. Today, Lopez’s focus PUTTING is Elnuh, a surfy, dreamIN WORK garage outfit whose tracks sometimes have Elena Lopez’s melancholy vibes despite journey to the poppy vocal melodies that Elnuh punctuate her songs. “Like, in the middle of night, what kind of music am I writing when I can’t fall asleep? That’s Elnuh,” said Lopez.

Which sort of makes sense as Lopez’s lush vocals seem to effortlessly fl oat over her fuzzy guitar progressions: a recipe for the perfect afternoon nap in a park or THC-fueled bike ride along the Riverwalk. For instance, on “May 2 June” off of The Split, a split EP with fellow SA indie rockers Booty Feet, Lopez whispers, “my friends all woke up late / and I’m all alone / recently it’s hard / to feel anything at all” as echoing guitars ring over a bouncing drum beat giving listeners this feeling that they might actually be asleep and Lopez is leading them through a dream. With a debut LP, she hopes to release in October followed by a three-week tour through the northeastern U.S., Lopez is proving that every project she invests herself into turns to aural gold. Something that comes naturally after 16 years of hard work, focus and a drive to create her art. elnhuh.bandcamp.com

REY LOPEZ

CHRIS CONDE

sacurrent.com • August 16-22, 2017 • CURRENT 39

AUGUST 18 • SUNNY SWEENEY

AUG 16 7 pm

ALESANA

AUGUST 19 • WHISKEY MYERS PLUS KOE WETZEL

WITH SPECIAL GUEST

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 AT&T CE N T E R

AUGUST 25 • FLATLAND CAVALRY AUG 17 MARTY FRIEDMAN 8 pm Wall of Sound Tour 2017

AUGUST 26 • SAM RIGGS

Old School AUG 18 8 pm 80'S DANCE PARTY

1223 E Houston St. SA, TX 78205 www.therockboxsa.com 40

CURRENT • August 16-22, 2017 • sacurrent.com

LA ARROLLADORA

REVOLUCIÓN MARKETING

MUSIC PICKS

OF CO

LLE CTIV E DRE A

ROSHII + COLLECTIVE DREAMS

Punctuated by three-part vocal harmonies and banjo riffs that could hold their own next to the most technical of trash-metal guitar riffs, Austin’s Wood & Wire are arguably one of our region’s best bluegrass acts today. Formed in 2011, the four-piece are known for getting audiences riled up with their songs that often turn into full on jams that can last an upward of 9 minutes. If you resonate with the sounds that instruments like banjo, mandolin and upright bass make, this show’s for you. $5-$45, 8pm, Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., samsburgerjoint.com. – Chris Conde

NIKKI GELL

CARLTON ZEUS

WOOD & WIRE

FRI

As far as 1960s nostalgia acts go, Tommy James and the Shondells are among the best still playing live. Something about the particular sonic qualities of James’ hits — maybe it’s all that heady tremolo and old-time rock and roll style — seems to call to mind the 1960s, whether you lived through them or not, as vividly as any of James’ more fawned-over contemporaries. Though James has produced nearly no new music since the 1980s, and The Shondells haven’t dropped anything since 1970, it’s hard to argue against classics like “Crimson and Clover,” “Mony Mony,” “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Hanky Panky,” and “Crystal Blue Persuasion” as bright spots in the great American songbook. It’s also hard to pass up a chance to see these gems performed live. $44.50$125, 7:30pm, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter.org. – JC FRI

With both acts, it’s all about the music. Roshii, for its part, makes an unlikely (but potent) cross between funk, punk, math rock, and alternative rock (dig roshii.bandcamp. com to hear how that works). Collective Dreams, which you can hear at soundcloud.com/ collectivedreams, make dreamy, experimental rock music that’s jangly and sometimes even danceable. $2, 10:30pm, Bottom Bracket Social Club, 1603 N. Colorado St., (210) 267-9160. – JC

TOMMY JAMES AND THE SHONDELLS

Any show at Bottom Bracket Social Club is worth checking out. There’s a mystique to the little DIY space that makes it truly feel like you are a part of some underground movement. And then, of course, when the place serves up hefty helpings of live music by talented locals, there’s basically no excuse not to roll through. Case in point: this weekend’s show featuring Roshii and Collective Dreams, two bands that deserve a bit of your attention even though they don’t often get much of the local music spotlight. FRI

It’s not every day I can say something like “hey, you know, Miller Lite has great taste in music.” However, the beer giant certainly seems to know what it’s doing with the ongoing Conciertos Originales live series, which is now in its fourth year and spans seven cities. For the latest San Antonio installment, the series will feature massively beloved, Latin Grammy-winning outfit La Arrolladora Banda El Limón (or La Arrolladora for short). In its more than 40-year run of producing the finest in Sinaloa-style Banda music, La Arrolladora, founded and led by Banda pioneer René Camacho, has amassed a welldeserved following. The group, which is usually more than 12 strong, didn’t even bother releasing music commercially until 1997, after more than 35 years playing regionally in various incarnations. If you aren’t already a fan, now’s as good a time as any to see, hear, and feel the magic that Camacho and company have been brewing up all these years. Free, 7pm, The Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre.com. – James Courtney FRI

FRED KUHLMAN

MUSIC

sacurrent.com • August 16-22, 2017 • CURRENT 41

t n e l i S

presents

s ’ n w o t h t Sou

O C S I D t s F

y t  P

SAT.8-12

BRICK@ BLUESTAR

tickets at nowinjoy.com/silentdisco sponsored by

CURRENT • August 16-22, 2017 • sacurrent.com

TONI ROMITI

The 2000s saw an emerging folk revival with artists like Sufjan Stevens, Devendra Banhart and Joanna Newsom. On the more bluegrass-y, Americana end of the spectrum were bands like Old Crow Medicine Show and The Avett Brothers, which formed when brothers Scott and Seth Avett’s respective bands converged in the late 1990s. From a little town called Mount Pleasant in North Carolina (population 1,652), The Avett Brothers, (who were scheduled to play this past April but had to cancel because Scott caught the flu) strung together a sound that’s equal parts contemporary folk and vintage Appalachian bluegrass. It’s jangly as hell, and, at times, pretty punk rock as rapid-fire banjo strumming blends with three-part harmonies, fiddle, cello, acoustic guitar and drums. All to create music that’s as exciting as any punk rock show. With Langhorne Slim, 7pm, $45.27$1,019.86, Whitewater Amphitheater, 11860 FM 306, New Braunfels, whitewaterrocks.com – CC

COURTESY OF AVETT BROTHERS

SAT

If there were any appropriate time to use the “air siren” sound DJs use almost ironically through their sets, it would be now. GZA of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan is slated for an appearance at Paper Tiger and we’re more than just a little excited about it. Back in 2015, a survey was done analyzing who had the most extensive vocabulary in hip-hop. Though, he didn’t come in first, Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA, aka “The Genius,” snagged an honorable second place to the weirdo indie rapper Aesop Rock, a pretty notable feat considering Aesop SAT

DA L E T IDY

THE ART OF WAR PRESENTS GZA

¡MAYDAY! Emerging out of the awkward era of early-aughts rap bands alongside groups like Flobots and Gym Class Heroes, ¡Mayday! would be easy to write off as a gimmick if it wasn’t for their actual talent. The sort-of Hot Topic group out of Miami possess legitimate rhyme skills and noteworthy production, which probably helped get them signed to Strange Music, the independent label owned and operated by rapper Tech N9ne. Their newest track “Airplane Mode,” off their upcoming new album Search Party, leans a little bit more in a pop direction which is sort of the opposite of most of the music that comes from Strange Music despite the label’s dedication to diversity. $15-$20, 8pm, Jack’s Patio Bar, 3030 Thousand Oaks, jacksbarsa.com. – CC SAT

THE AVETT BROTHERS probably gets off on reading dictionaries. Let’s circle back to GZA. What sets this particular Clan member apart from most rappers, especially those from the “gangsta rap” era, are the truly unique references in his lyrics, like on the 1995 track “Duel Of The Iron Mic”: “Picture bloodbaths and elevator shafts/ like these murderous rhymes tight from genuine craft/ check the print, it’s where veterans spark the letterings/ slow moving mc’s is waitin’ for the editin’/ the liquid soluble that made up the chemistry/ a gaseous element that burned down your ministry.” The Wu-Tang member is appearing as part of the Art of War 2017, which also includes 2 on 2 Bboy/Bgirl battle for $1,000 cash prize, Track Battles (emcees) for $500, Beat Alert (producers battle) for $500 and live aerosal art by guest graffiti artists. With Lotus Tribe, $20, 4pm, Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. – CC

Fusing the emotive ’90s vibes from artists like Aaliyah and Monica with the rolling hi-hats of today’s trap music, Toni Romiti’s tracks are literal fire especially since she’s sort of a Soundcloud rapper. And maybe that’s why her music is hot. Getting noticed in a sub-genre of hip-hop that’s saturated with un-talented male rappers that get more attention than they should, Toni Romiti is a breath of fresh air (or hot fire). On “Options” Romiti floats between alto vocal whole notes to almost rapid-fire sung-raps that fold over a staccato bass line and hi-hat driven trap beat. In our opinion, it’ll be surprising if Romiti isn’t the next hip-hop artist to make it big. $13, 7pm, Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. – CC SUN

COURTESY OF ROMITI MUSIC

MITI

MUSIC

TONI ROMITI

sacurrent.com • August 16-22, 2017 • CURRENT 43

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CURRENT • August 16-22, 2017 • sacurrent.com

MUSIC

MUSIC CALENDAR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16 Bru’s Tunes Live acoustic music by Bru’s Tunes. Free. La Hacienda De Los Barrios, 6-9pm The Georges Rockabilly act The Georges perform at Gruene Hall. Free. Gruene Hall, 7-11pm Kap G. Rapper from College Park, Georgia, is joined by J.R. Donato and Paper Paulk. $15$65. Alamo City Music Hall & Club, 8:30pm Primetime Jazz Orchestra John Magaldi’s primetime jazz orchestra. Free. The Cove, 8-10pm Storytime with Jamie Lin Wilson & Jack Ingram Americana act Jamie Lin Wilson is joined by country act Jack Ingram. $12-$45. Sam’s Burger Joint, 8:30pm The Texases Classic country covers. Free. Paper Tiger, 8pm Wednesday Evening Picker Circle w/ Claude Butch Morgan. Free. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 5-9pm THURSDAY, AUGUST 17 210 Blues Band R&B music by 210 Blues Band every Thursday. Free. SoHo Wine & Martini Bar, 10pm Bandaholics Honchos at Sanchos Claude “Butch” Morgan, Trevor Doak Morgan, and Robert “Robar” Adams. Free. Sancho’s Cantina, 7-9pm Garrett LeBeau Blues/R&B act. Free. Gruene Hall, 7-11pm Joe Walsh Multi-GRAMMY Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Joe Walsh performs at the Majestic. $65-$115. The Majestic Theatre, 8pm K Phillips Country rock artist K Phillips performs in support of his sophomore LP Dirty Wonder. $10-$45. Sam’s Burger Joint, 8pm Kirk Covington Quintet Jazz act at Luna. $5. Luna, 9:30pm Marty Friedman Lead guitarist for Megadeth, on his Wall of Sound tour. $17.50. The Rock Box, 7pm The Blasters Rockabilly act from California, joined by Garrett T. Capps and more. $15$20. Jack’s Bar, 7-11:45pm Thursday Night Picker Circle w/ Jake McLain. Free. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 5-9pm

Whiskey Wolf Joined by Exclusiv3, View Boy LAF and more. $14.20. The Korova, 6:30pm FRIDAY, AUGUST 18 Across the Atlantic Pop punk/hardcore act joined by Dreamlight, Crossways and more. Free. The Korova, 5:30pm Dan West Open, unplugged acoustic circle. Free. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 4pm Devan Jones & Uptown Stomp Blues act from Austin. $10. Luna, 9:30pm Eastciders Ramble Local rock act Lonely Horse is joined by Garrett T. Capps, The Bolos and The Rich Hands. Free. Paper Tiger, 9pm Friday Afternoon Picker Circle w/ Hayden Whittington. Free. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 1-4pm Jason Boland & The Stragglers Country act from Oklahoma is joined by The Powell brothers. $20. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 8pm Jeff Jacobs Band Country/Americana act Jeff Jacobs Band performs at The Cove. Free. The Cove, 9-11pm Latin American Fridays with Henry Brun & the International Trio. Free. Marriott San Antonio Rivercenter, 7:30-10:30pm The Lavens Americana covers and originals. Free. The Cove, 6:30-8:30pm Micky & The Motorcars Austin Americana act, joined by Nathan Bonnes. $12. Gruene Hall, 8pm Peter Noone and Tommy James Joined by Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone. $44.50-$125. Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30pm Sakura Shock, Phantom Chatter Post-noise rock act from Japan, joined by Phantom Chatter and more. $5. Imagine Books and Records, 8-11:45pm Sex Magik Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band. The Amp Room, 10pm

Bru’s Tunes Live acoustic music with drink specials. Free. Evil Olive Elixir Lounge, 9:30pm Chris Watson Band Soul and Americana act. $10. Luna, 9:30pm Clayton Gardner Country act from College Station at Luckenbach. Free. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 1-5pm DEAdpOOL CD Release Local metal act joined by Wall of Soul, Under No One and Black Molly. $5-$8. Fitzgerald’s Bar & Live Music, 8pm Dirty River Boys Country rock act from El Paso at Luckenbach. $15. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 8pm Dojo Rock act joined by Pulse Rate Zero and more. $5. Zombies, 9:30pm ▶ Gary P. Nunn with The Powell Brothers Country/swing act joined by The Powell Brothers. $15. Gruene Hall, 9pm Goodbye Gloria Pop punk act joined by Charis, From Sky to Center, The Brightest Star and Moronic Behavior. $10. The Korova, 8:30pm

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 210 Blues Band R&B music by 210 Blues Band every Sunday. Free. SoHo Wine & Martini Bar, 10pm The Australian Pink Floyd Show Pink Floyd tribute band from Australia. $29.50-$79.50. Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 7pm Beat Root Revival Acoustic roots-rock act at Gruene. Free. Gruene Hall, 12:30-4:30pm Brian Volante Band Covers of well known artists like Hendrix, ZZ Top and others. Free. The Cove, 7-9pm Marks Brothers Range of music from country to blues and rock. Free. The Cove, 4-6pm Miss Neesie and the Earfood Orchestra Gospel music at The Cove. Free. The Cove, 1-3pm Tom Gillam and the Kosmic Messengers Americana/rock act at Gruene. Free. Gruene Hall, 5-9pm Toni Romiti Independent R&B act from Chicago. $13. Paper Tiger, 7pm

Indigo Blue Performances by Firsttimerz, Lee Munnie and Cedric Walker, Likeminded, Backflip Amo and more $5. Smitty’s Club House, 7pm

Monday Evening Picker Circle w/ Stephen K. Morris. Free. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 5-9pm

Jason Jane Local rock act joined by Eye Before Ego and more. $5. Imagine Books and Records, 8-11:45pm KISS Tribute KISS cover band joined by The Klocks. $20-$45. The Roundup Outdoor Music Venue, 8-11pm

The Southsiders Rock act from Austin. Free. The Phoenix Saloon, 9pm Sunny Sweeney Country artist joined by Drew Kennedy. $12-$15. John T Floore’s Country Store, 9pm

Noche Azul: Tangos Azul performs famous tangos. $7. Esperanza Peace & Justice Center, 8-10:30pm

The Black Moriah Metal act joined by Oath of Cruelty, U.S.O and Toluca. $8-$10. Bond’s 007 Rock Bar, 8:30pm

Onel Saxophonist with a background in blues, rock, R&B and Latin music. Free. The Cove, 6:30-8:30pm

West Kings Highway Friday night residency at Sancho’s Cantina. Free. Sancho’s Cantina, 7-9pm

Ruben V Guitarist and songwriter at The Cove. Free. The Cove, 9-11pm

Big Gus and Swampadelic Cajun-rock act at Gruene. Free. Gruene Hall, 1-5pm

Whiskey Myers Southern rock/country group joined by Koe Wetzel and Reed Brothers. $17.50-$300. John T Floore’s Country Store, 8:30pm

Greg Howe Guitarist and composer from Las Vegas, performs on his “Wheelhouse” tour. Joined by Jimmy Spacek. $20-$50. Sam’s Burger Joint, 9pm

Laura Slade Wiggins Acoustic set, joined by Mikey Vibe and Carly Garza. $6-$8. Ventura, 9pm

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19

from Houston. Free. The Phoenix Saloon, 9pm

Seether On their Poison The Parish world tour. Joined by Letters From The Fire and Big Story. $29.50. Aztec Theatre, 7:30pm The New Offenders Southern roots/rock act

MONDAY, AUGUST 21

OUTCRY Summer Tour Featuring Lauren Daigle, Bethel Music and more. $19.95$64.95. Freeman Coliseum, 7pm Swing Nite with Two Tons of Steel Americana/rockabilly act at Swing Night at Sam’s. $7-$10. Sam’s Burger Joint, 8:30pm TUESDAY, AUGUST 22 Ed Sheeran Multiple GRAMMY® Awardwinning singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran tours in support of his latest album, ÷. Joined by James Blunt. $89.50. AT&T Center, 7pm Jazz on the Rocks Live jazz and happy hour. Free. St. Anthony Hotel, 5-7pm Marduk Swedish black metal band joined by Incantation and Abysmal Dawn. $22-$25. The Korova, 7pm Traditional Music of the Middle East Music with Aaron Michael featuring bouzouki, vocals, oud and clarinet. Free. Naara Cafe and Hookah, 9-11pm Tuesday Evening Picker Circle w/ Him & Her Trio. Free. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 5-9pm sacurrent.com • August 16-22, 2017 • CURRENT 45

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QUICKIES > I’ve been wondering: Since there are lesbians out there who occasionally crave cock, does the reverse also happen? Are there gay men who occasionally crave pussy? This Possible? There are gay men who watch football — hell, I have it on good authority that some gay men play football, TP. So anything is possible. (Also, there are lots of lesbian-identified bisexual women out there, a smaller number of gay-identified bisexual men, and a tiny handful of bisexual-identified football fans.) > I’m a 26-year-old woman. I started dating a fantastic guy a month ago, blah blah blah, we’ve already talked about marriage. The problem is that his dick isn’t up to par sizewise or staying-hard-wise. He was aware of this before I came along, and it made him an enthusiastic and skilled oral performer to make up for it. So for now everything’s great, plenty of orgasms, and we’re lovey-dovey. But eventually I’ll need that filled-up feeling and I’ll have to ask for some dildo/extender/strapon action. The question is when to ask. He’s a secure guy, and we’ve both been honest about our flaws. If I wait too long to ask, it might make him think I’ve been faking the whole time. And if I ask too soon, I could scare him off or make his performance anxiety worse! How do I know when the right time is? Half Full If you were talking about marriage after a month, HF, odds are good this relationship is doomed anyway. So go ahead and ask for dildo/extender/strapon action now. Don’t say, “Circling back to your subpar dick, darling, I’m gonna need some compensatory dildo action soon.” Instead say, “I’m into penetration toys, and I’m looking forward to getting into them with you — getting them into me, getting them into you. Anything you want to put on the menu, darling?” > Two friends can hook up with a girl or two girls from a bar and have

CURRENT • August 16-22, 2017 • sacurrent.com

SAVAGE LOVE by Dan Savage

a threesome or a foursome. But can two brothers — with opposite sexual preferences — hook up with a girl and a guy from a bar? Would this be considered wrong? No touching between siblings would occur. Basic Bros It would be considered wrong by some — but those people aren’t you, your brother, or the girl and guy you hope to pick up together. Personally, BB, I can barely get an erection if one of my siblings is in the same zip code; I can’t imagine getting one with a sibling in the same room. But if you’re comfortable doing opposite-sexual-preferencey things in close proximity to your brother, go for it. > I am a bisexual man and recently divorced my wife of 30 years. I am currently seeing a very beautiful lady. I satisfy my bisexual desires by going to sex clubs and I always practice safe. I don’t have an issue, I just wanted to tell you I remember one time when you had a column about two guys performing fellatio on another man at the same time. I found it to be such a turn-on and even fantasized I was doing it to you. Hope that doesn’t offend you. Loving Life Um, thanks for sharing? > What’s the best dating site for a slightly cynical, tattooed, fortysomething woman looking for a guy? Tattooed Lady It depends on the kind of guy you want. Closet case? ChristianMingle. Fuck boy? Tinder. Trump voter? Farmers Only. Compulsive masturbator? Craigslist. Unfuckable loser who is now and will always be a socially maladapted virgin? Return of Kings. On the Lovecast, Dr. Samantha Joel on the psychology of ending relationships: savagelovecast.com. mail@savagelove.net @fakedansavage on Twitter ITMFA.org

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“Schooled”— no, I’m not ready for back to school. ACROSS

1 Indian drum 6 Toward the back of an airplane 9 Poison dart frog in “Rio 2” played by Kristin Chenoweth 13 “Please continue” 14 OMG or LOL 15 ___ rock (genre for Emerson, Lake & Palmer) 16 “Ditto!” 17 Activist org. that can’t decide? 19 Soccer team whose players are scarecrows? 21 Smartphone bill info 22 Basketball announcer’s phrase 23 D&D or FFXV, e.g. 25 ___ Plaines, Illinois 26 Chemistry suffi x 28 Pokèmon protagonist Ketchum 30 “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius” author Dave 32 Fail to ever mention God in France? 36 Green with the clean version “Forget You” 37 Outdoor sporting gear chain 38 Orangey-brown, like some port 42 Food list with amortized appetizers and beveraged buyouts? 45 Classic 1981 Galaxian follow-up with tractor beams 48 Devoured

49 President pro ___ 50 Summer in the citè? 51 Tool before down or cakes 53 Highlight reel segment 56 Dragging feeling 58 Spaghetti sauce brand you can only get in one place? 62 Megastore for all your ballet accessory needs? 64 Skin softener (“or else it gets the hose again”) 65 Compound with a hydroxyl group 66 Too close ___ comfort 67 Moves around in a Newton’s cradle 68 Contradict 69 Clip-___ (some pinchy earrings) 70 ___ a customer

DOWN

1 Perfectly 2 Make upset 3 Fake Kazakh 4 Luxury hotel chain 5 Weak conditions 6 Letters on an envelope addressed to a company 7 Bakery sackful 8 ___ and feather 9 Report cards’ stats 10 “Everything Now” group ___ Fire 11 “The Wizard of Oz” scarecrow portrayer 12 “Uh...possibly...” 13 Rag on 18 Team Carmelo Anthony

was drafted into in 2003 20 Aziz of “Parks and Recreation” 24 Louvre Pyramid architect 26 “Monsters, ___” 27 Ruby of “Do the Right Thing” 29 Shenzi in “The Lion King,” e.g. 31 Island “where America’s day begins” 33 Actor Idris of 2017’s “The Dark Tower” 34 Camp out in the elements 35 Low-cal CadburySchweppes drink 39 “Don’t touch this wall!” sign 40 First compass point clockwise from N (on a 16-point compass) 41 Taco Bell’s parent company ___! Brands, Inc. 43 ___ Paulo (Brazil’s most populous state) 44 Dictionary cross-reference phrase 45 Doted on Doctor Who or Dothraki, maybe, with “out” 46 When some kids’ bedtimes are set 47 “Imagine” songwriter 52 He sang about Bennie and Daniel 54 Pennywise, for one 55 Bandleader Shaw 57 Reprehensible 59 It’s never mine alone 60 L.A. rock club Whisky a ___ 61 Young ___ (kids) 63 Eerie sighting

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ETC.

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY by Rob Brezsny ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): “To disobey in order to take action is the byword of all creative spirits,” said philosopher Gaston Bachelard. This mischievous advice is perfect for your use right now, Aries. I believe you’ll thrive through the practice of ingenious rebellion — never in service to your pride, but always to feed your soul’s lust for deeper, wilder life. Here’s more from Bachelard: “Autonomy comes through many small disobediences, at once clever, well thoughtout, and patiently pursued, so subtle at times as to avoid punishment entirely.” TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Congratulations! I expect that during the next three weeks, you will be immune to what psychoanalyst Joan Chodorow calls “the void of sadness, the abyss of fear, the chaos of anger, and the alienation of contempt and shame.” I realize that what I just said might sound like an exaggeration. Aren’t all of us subject to regular encounters with those states? How could you possibly go so long without brushing up against them? I stand by my prediction, and push even further. For at least the next three weeks, I suspect you will also be available for an inordinate amount of what Chodorow calls “the light of focused insight” and “the playful, blissful, allembracing experience of joy.” GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): The coming days would an excellent time to celebrate (even brag about) the amusing idiosyncrasies and endearing quirks that make you lovable. To get you inspired, read this testimony from my triple Gemini friend Alyssa: “I have beauty marks that form the constellation Pegasus on my belly. I own my own ant farm. I’m a champion laugher. I teach sign language to squirrels. Late at night when I’m horny and overtired I may channel the spirit of a lion goddess named Sekhmet. I can whistle the national anthems of eight different countries. I collect spoons from the future. I can play the piano with my nose and my toes. I have forever banished the green-eyed monster to my closet.” CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): Your education may take unusual forms during the coming weeks. For example, you could receive crunchy lessons from velvety sources, or tender instructions from exacting challenges. Your curiosity might expand to enormous proportions in the face of a noble and elegant tease. And chances are good that you’ll find a new teacher in an unlikely setting, or be prodded and tricked into asking crucial questions you’ve been neglecting to ask. Even if you haven’t been particularly street smart up until now, Cancerian, I bet your ability to learn from uncategorizable experiences will blossom. 50

CURRENT • August 16-22, 2017 • sacurrent.com

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): “If you love someone, set them free,” said New Age author Richard Bach. “If they come back, they’re yours; if they don’t, they never were.” By using my well-educated intellect to transmute this hippy-dippy thought into practical advice, I came up with a wise strategy for you to consider as you re-evaluate your relationships with allies. Try this: Temporarily suspend any compulsion you might have to change or fix these people; do your best to like them and even love them exactly as they are. Ironically, granting them this freedom to be themselves may motivate them to modify, or at least tone down, the very behavior in themselves that you’re semi-allergic to.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): You know about the Ten Commandments, a code of ethics and behavior that’s central to Christianity and Judaism. You may not be familiar with my Ten Suggestions, which begin with “Thou Shall Not Bore God” and “Thou Shall Not Bore Thyself.” Then there are the Ten Indian Commandments proposed by the Bird Clan of East Central Alabama. They include “Give assistance and kindness whenever needed” and “Look after the well-being of your mind and body.” I bring these to your attention, Sagittarius, because now is an excellent time to formally formulate and declare your own covenant with life. What are the essential principles that guide you to the highest good?

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): In 1892, workers began building the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. But as of August 2017, it is still under construction. Renovation has been and continues to be extensive. At one point in its history, designers even changed its architectural style from Neo-Byzantine and Neo-Romanesque to Gothic Revival. I hope this serves as a pep talk in the coming weeks, which will be an excellent time to evaluate your own progress, Virgo. As you keep toiling away in behalf of your dreams, there’s no rush. In fact, my sense is that you’re proceeding at precisely the right rate.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Here’s a definition of “fantasizing” as articulated by writer Jon Carroll. It’s “a sort of ‘in-brain’ television, where individuals create their own ‘shows’ — imaginary narratives that may or may not include real people.” As you Capricorns enter the High Fantasy Season, you might enjoy this amusing way of describing the activity that you should cultivate and intensify. Would you consider cutting back on your consumption of movies and TV shows? That might inspire you to devote more time and energy to watching the stories you can generate in your mind’s eye.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): In accordance with the astrological omens, I hereby declare the next two weeks to be your own personal Amnesty Holiday. To celebrate, ask for and dole out forgiveness. Purge and flush away any nonessential guilt and remorse that are festering inside you. If there truly are hurtful sins that you still haven’t atoned for, make a grand effort to atone for them — with gifts and heart-felt messages if necessary. At the same time, I urge you to identify accusations that others have wrongly projected onto you and that you have carried around as a burden even though they are not accurate or fair. Expunge them. SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): How many countries has the United States bombed since the end of World War II? Twenty-five, to be exact. But if America’s intention has been to prod these nations into forming more free and egalitarian governments, the efforts have been mostly fruitless. Few of the attacked nations have become substantially more democratic. I suggest you regard this as a valuable lesson to apply to your own life in the coming weeks, Scorpio. Metaphorical bombing campaigns wouldn’t accomplish even 10 percent of your goals, and would also be expensive in more ways than one. So I recommend using the “killing with kindness” approach. Be wily and generous. Cloak your coaxing in compassion.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): In 43 cartoon stories, the coyote named Wile E. Coyote has tried to kill and devour the swift-running flightless bird known as the Road Runner. Every single time, Wile E. has failed to achieve his goal. It’s apparent to astute observers that his lack of success is partly due to the fact that he doesn’t rely on his natural predatory instincts. Instead, he concocts elaborate, overly-complicated schemes. In one episode, he camouflages himself as a cactus, buys artificial lightning bolts, and tries to shoot himself from a bow as if he were an arrow. All these plans end badly. The moral of the story, as far as you’re concerned: To reach your next goal, trust your instincts. PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): You temporarily have cosmic permission to loiter and goof off and shirk your duties. To be a lazy bum and meander aimlessly and avoid tough decisions. To sing off-key and draw stick figures and write bad poems. To run slowly and flirt awkwardly and dress like a slob. Take advantage of this opportunity, because it’s only available for a limited time. It’s equivalent to pushing the reset button. It’s meant to re-establish your default settings. But don’t worry about that now. Simply enjoy the break in the action.

THIS MODERN WORLD by Tom Tomorrow