San Antonio Magazine March/April 2024

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28 Fiesta San Antonio

Get ready for the city’s biggest party of the year with “Mr. Fiesta,” including 11 days of events, parades and food.

Total Solar Eclipse

Here’s how to prepare for the rare celestial event.

Person of Interest

Live from the Southside’s April Monterrosa talks about connecting with her community

Maker

Meet the Battle of Flowers family making crepe flowers.

Culture

San Antonio Philharmonic names new music director.

EAT + DRINK

Libations

Diez Flores’ cocktail menu is a passport for the palate.

Eat Here Now

Nineteen Hyaku elevates San Antonio’s dining scene.

Polly’s Picks

S.A. native shares Fiesta faves at S.A. restaurants

Wellness

How to make healthier food choices at Fiesta events.

Outdoor Art

City to unveil 7 major public art pieces this year.

Free Roam Brewery

Major League Baseball pitcher becomes brewery owner.

Spring’s Best Bets

Check out the calendar of upcoming events.

Centro de Artes Gallery

Mexican artist Efedefroy blends images from classic Mexican films with American pop culture.

On the Cover

Michael Quintanilla, Fiesta Flambeau grand marshal, is shown at the Centro de Artes Gallery in a photo by Jason Barnes.

Can you feel it? The anticipation for Fiesta is building. This issue is packed with tips and traditions from Fiesta pros, as well as events and foods you won’t want to miss.

On the cover, Mr. Fiesta himself has landed his biggest role yet. Michael Quintanilla was planning to write the cover story — until he became the cover story. While he has previously led the parade at the opening event, Fiesta Fiesta, he will have his own float this year as grand marshal of Fiesta Flambeau, the largest illuminated parade in the United States.

Quintanilla is magic, and his presence elicits pure joy everywhere he goes, unless he’s trying to enter one of the three hotels where he’s been banned. They ask him, “Are you packing confetti?”

He has been planning this moment for most of his life. This year, he turned 70, and this is his platinum jubilee. “This is my year!” he told me before the big reveal.

Quintanilla was the fashion writer for years at the San Antonio Express-News, and each year he would unveil his newest Fiesta hat masterpiece to much fanfare along the runway path through the newsroom.

“I’m never done until it’s overdone,” he said.

Make no mistake, everything about his Flambeau presence will be overdone.

The photos were taken at the two exhibits at Centro de Artes at Historic Market Square. Make the worthwhile trip by navigating the construction zone to check out “Millennial Lotería” and “Permanencia Voluntaria,” exhibiting through June and featured in this issue’s Work of Art.

The only event that could eclipse Fiesta this spring is, well, the actual total solar eclipse — April 8. Whether you’re preparing for the worst or have reserved your spot well in advance to experience the path of totality, we’ve got last-minute tips for you.

Our spring coverage rounds out with new public art works that will be unveiled and some great drives to see wildflowers in bloom.

¡Viva!

Jennifer McInnis Editor jennifer.mcinnis@sanantoniomag.com

@sanantoniomag

MARCH/APRIL 2024

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 VOL. 19 NO. 1

VOL. 20, NO. 2

EDITORIAL

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IN THE LOOP

BY JENNIFER MCINNIS

South Side Rising Star

April Monterrosa spotlights, serves her community

EOPLE TAKE APRIL MONTERrosa seriously now. But that hasn’t always been the case.

Monterrosa founded Live From the Southside, a monthly digital and print magazine, in 2020 when she was not working during the pandemic.

When she started reaching out to potential clients and collaborators, she was surprised by some of the responses from people who thought she would simply be writing about South Side clichés.

“A lot of people didn’t take it seriously,” she said. “I got a lot of positive feedback and I got a lot of negative feedback, and from my community because they thought it was a joke.”

Monterrosa grew up on the South Side and bought the home she grew up in. She attended grade school at St. James the Apostle Catholic School and went to South San High School, where she received a cosmetology license.

Early in her career, she worked at luxury spas for corporate companies and hotels. A mentor convinced her she could run her own company, so

she started taking on clients, mostly friends, until it grew big enough for her to open a studio and quit her corporate job. Unfortunately, that was followed by a devastating divorce.

“I literally had 11 cents to my name,” Monterrosa said.

She was broke, going through a divorce and trying to get back on her feet. So, she wrote and self-published a book — “Shine Beautifully: A Collection of Innermost Thoughts, Quotes, & Poetry” — in 2016.

“I didn’t want to tell my parents because of pride,” she said. “I wrote a book, literally, with no electricity in my house. That was a big turnover for me because so many friends and family bought it.”

Another mentor taught her how to market herself, and she began writing beauty tips for her friend’s magazine. She also had taken up travel writing and was on a press trip in San Saba, “And I thought, man, no one does this about my community,” she said.

So she purchased the southsidesanantonio.com URL for less than $1 and in 2019 launched a travel blog.

The blog and her spa clients were generating income and both were growing when COVID shut down everything. Again, her mentor urged her to do what she’d always wanted — start her own print publication.

That’s when she created Live from the Southside and used it to promote small businesses, whose operations were rapidly changing during the pandemic.

“A lot of mom and pops from this area, they’re not even tech savvy,” she said.

She didn’t think anything of it when she started sharing news about the businesses she knew.

“Before I know it, my inboxes are blown up. ‘Hey, can you share my aunt, my tio, my prima, my … ?’ ” she recounted. Sharing news about the businesses in her community made her feel better, she added.

“I had no plan. Is this weekly? Is this monthly? I had no plan,” she said. “If anything, I thought this is keeping my sanity because I felt like, man, what am I going to do?”

And then media outlets started calling.

When she was interviewed, she was asked, “How does it feel to be the first Latina to launch a publication in South Side San Antonio?”

“I was, like, what?” she said. Then, KSAT reached out, and a

partnership was born with South Texas Business Partnership, in a segment that features Live From the Southside stories.

“It’s been a joy to see mom- and popowned businesses or people that would never get that kind of media attention just shine on TV,” Monterrosa said.

After launching Live From the Southside, she started the Southside Book Fair. The third annual event will be March 24, when she will release her first children’s book, “Razoo in the Wetlands.”

She also is co-chair and will emcee Taste of the Southside on April 13-14. Both events benefit Por Vida Academy.

“My publication has led me to a lot of connections and collaborations with people who are providing financial literacy to my kids and their families,” she said. “I use it as a connector for my community to have better opportunities.”

She hosts the “April Monterrosa Show” on KLMO 98.9 FM, volunteers

as chairwoman for the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, and sits on the boards of Brooks Gives Back, Fin Addict Angler Foundation and Pink Berets, the latter from which she received a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.

Monterrosa also was honored by the 87th Texas Legislature for her achievements, civic leadership and community advocacy as a Latina business owner and mentor. And in February, she was recognized as the Community Rising Star at the 2024 National Association of Women Business Owners Awards in San Antonio.

No one thinks she’s joking now.

“Now, I’m not calling anybody. They’re calling me,” she said. “Now, I get, ‘How much do you charge?’ ”

She says Live from the Southside has grown because of her community.

“I think a lot has to do with the fact that I show up,” she said.

Fiesta Flowers are All in the Family

Supplies are the first thing Ashley Casas must tackle when prepping the iconic crepe blooms for the annual Battle of the Flowers parade.

“I order materials months in advance — there's simply no time to wait on one crucial supply for a flower while we’re making them in the weeks prior to the parade,” Casas says.

Staying true to her cousin Rose

Garcia’s Fiesta flower-making legacy was easy when Casas took over the company, which she renamed Our Mother’s Flowers, in 2023. Garcia ran a tight flower-making ship for more than 50 years before deciding to retire as head of the Fiesta flower-making “den” in 2022.

Now, Casas is dedicated to ensuring the family tradition lives on in each handcrafted flower, meticulously shaped by herself and seven other women,

“just family,” Casas notes, who are just as dedicated to detail and Fiesta tradition.

“Once I get the schematics for what each float looks like, that’s when the flower designs kick into high gear,” she says.

Design and color prep starts in January; popular colors are typically yellow, orange and royal blue, among others.

Casas estimates the flowers for the 2024 Battle of the Flowers parade will take about nine weeks to complete. Her team began

the prep work in early February.

The multistep process for each flower is particularly time-consuming when foil is used as the base material.

“These designs have been passed down among the generations,” Casas proudly says, describing the intricate steps for each flower, such as creating the centerpiece, wrapping it with wire, and trimming sheets of material to exact measurements to ensure a uniform look

for the flowers.

Although the process to create the “thousands upon thousands” of flowers takes time and effort, Casas loves every minute of it and hopes the family tradition will live on.

“I would love this tradition to continue; as long as we’re here, I want to keep this family-centered, with relatives who are just as passionate at keeping this Fiesta history alive for years to come,” she says.

A New Direction

Music director aiming high for San Antonio Philharmonic

The first time that conductor and pianist Jeffrey Kahane heard Roomful of Teeth play live, he was so taken with the Grammy-winning vocal ensemble that he did something a bit indiscreet.

After the performance, Kahane pulled aside the group’s co-artistic director and shared that he had been named the very first music director for the San Antonio Philharmonic — news that had not yet been made public. He asked if the group would be willing to collaborate with the orchestra.

That is when he learned that the guy he was talking to, co-artistic director Cameron Beauchamp, is from San Antonio. And he was on board with the idea.

And so Roomful of Teeth will be the first artistic partner for “Bach: Reflections and Reverberations,” a new initiative the philharmonic will launch next season. It is designed as a deep dive into Bach’s extensive choral works, including pieces that aren’t often performed.

The new music director shared the story at the news conference announcing his gig with the philharmonic.

Kahane, a Los Angeles native who has had a long and distinguished career playing and conducting around the world, is a big get for the orchestra. It is midway through its second season, though its roots run deep. The philharmonic sprang from the ashes of the San Antonio Symphony, which folded in 2022.

Kahane started coming here to work with the San Antonio Symphony in the early 1990s. He often played with and conducted the symphony, and he stayed in touch with the musicians after it shut down. He conducted the opening concert of the philharmonic’s current season;

that’s when discussions started about the possibility of him joining the orchestra.

“We knew from the symphony days that Kahane was a great artist,” said Brian Petkovich, president of the board and acting principal bassoon. “We were excited to know that he was willing to come and conduct. And then conversations just grew from there. Basically, the opportunity was there, and it was just exciting to see that we were able to make that happen.

“He’s an incredible artist, incredible musician, incredible human being, and it’s just exciting news for the entire community.”

Kahane, Petkovich and Executive Director Roberto Trevino were able to hash out the details of the new post relatively swiftly.

“We were very much of like mind,” said Kahane. “They asked if I would like to be the music director, and I didn’t have to think very long about it, because I felt such a strong bond with the musicians and such a deep belief in what they have done, which I think is really quite heroic and remarkable in terms of resurrecting the orchestra out of a very difficult situation.”

The philharmonic will be the fourth orchestra Kahane has served as music director, following hitches with the

Colorado Symphony in Denver, and the Santa Rosa Symphony and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra in California.

He has a three-year commitment with the philharmonic beginning with the 2024-25 season. He intends to program works drawn from the traditional classical repertoire, as well as new works by a diverse range of composers. Next season will include pieces by such contemporary composers as Gabriela Ortiz, Jeff Scott, Peter Shin and Sarah Kirkland Snider.

First Baptist Church of San Antonio will remain the philharmonic’s home base, but it also will be performing some larger works a few blocks away at the Majestic Theatre. That includes a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the San Antonio Mastersingers.

The full lineup for next season will be announced this spring.

“I think that we will eventually be able to bring the orchestra to a very, very high level, not just artistically but also in terms of its profile nationally and even internationally,” Kahane said. “My goal is nothing less than to see the San Antonio Philharmonic become a major force in American music.”

EAT + DRINK

Passport for the Palate

Explore world of cocktails at Diez Flores

orget spending 80 days circling the globe on trains and ships. In San Antonio, you can sip your way around the cocktail world without leaving your bar stool.

To experience Latin America, visit the new So Flo-neighborhood establishment Diez Flores, which boasts a cocktail menu stretching 10 drinks long, each designed to represent the flavors of an individual country in the region.

If you’re in the mood for Mexico, The Dahlia — named for Mexico’s national flower — delivers a potent punch of tequila, lime juice and orange liqueur. The Cantuta celebrates Peru’s favorite bloom in a pisco-based elixir mixed with blueberry simple syrup and ginger beer.

Co-owner Jerry Gonzales said the restaurant and bar’s concept largely shaped itself thanks to its location at 1010 S. Flores St., Suite 110. With all those 10s and flowers already built into the address, running with the name Diez Flores (10 flowers) and 10-drink specialty cocktail menu was just too hard to resist.

Gonzales is particularly proud of a drink dubbed El Sol de Argentina. The striking libation is tinted blue with lavender syrup, and bolstered with a mix of gin and St-Germain elderflower liqueur. A thin cap of egg white-based foam sits on top of that. And in the center of the glass, a bright yellow marigold bloom floats. The effect re-creates the flag of Argentina in liquid form.

Diez Flores has a striking visual impact. The room is bathed in soft blue light. The bar top is studded with flowers encased under a coating of epoxy. The space is tastefully accented with vintage furniture and artwork from the likes of San Antonio’s Robert Tatum and Diez Flores co-owner Joey Favela. It’s a high-style experience, but not one that will break the bank. Gonzales said the signature cocktails are priced at $12. The food menu tops out at $15. And we’re not talking about pub-grub chicken wings and mozzarella sticks.

The “gastro cantina,” as the team of Diez Flores

1010 S. Flores St., Suite 110 Open noon to midnight Wednesday-Saturday 210-592-1012, diezfloresbar.com @diezfloresbar

co-owners describe it, teamed up with noted San Antonio chef Joel “Tatu” Herrera to lead the culinary charge. These days he’s probably best known as a co-owner of Folklores Coffee House along with his wife, Emilie Herrera, but Tatu has been a force in area kitchens for years.

Herrera’s menu also travels abroad through Latin America. Familiar favorites such as a noteworthy Cubano sandwich and fish ceviche make an appearance. Less-common finds include a jibarito sandwich featuring marinated beef piled between two planks of plantain pressed thin and fried crisp to mimic bread. The Choripan de Argentina celebrates that country’s favorite sandwich with sausage, mozzarella cheese and chimichurri sauce stuffed into a baguette.

Gonzales said Diez Flores aims to celebrate Latin America in ways that extend beyond food and drink. He said plans are in place to revel in art, culture and music as well. A recent event transported guests to Brazil with a Carnival-themed weekend featuring a multicourse menu and live music. Future events include a Cuban cigar festival (Diez Flores also sells cigars), and July will bring a passport to Spain, with events built around San Fermín’s famous Running of the Bulls.

Beautiful Contradictions

hen Houston and Emily Carpenter envisioned the space that would become their newest restaurant, they embraced a wealth of contradictions.

“What we wanted to do, no matter what, was the ambience needed to match the food and beverage,” Houston Carpenter said. “Be grand yet approachable. Be industrial and posh. We have concrete floors that tie into hardwood and we have raw steel throughout the restaurant. It's very wabi-sabi.”

They entrusted their vision to designer Alegra Volpe, who sought to balance asymmetry and contrasting textures within the context of the Japanese philosophy of finding perfection in imperfection.

“I’ll hardly ever let someone just run with something, because I’m a bit of a micromanager,” Houston Carpenter said. “But we truly let her have the keys, and she worked up a mock-up. It blew us away.”

By embracing its contradictions in ambience, service and dishes, Nineteen Hyaku takes its place as both an excellent restaurant and an important one. After succeeding with more intimate spaces, the Carpenters are thrilling diners in a more ambitious restaurant, while elevating their restaurant group and the broader dining scene of San Antonio.

Start your meal by diving into raw oysters dressed with a bright truffle-infused ponzu, a touch of minty herbaceous shiso oil, accents of pickled ginger and a pop from smoked trout roe.

There’s a lot going on in these oysters, yet the flavors and textures stay balanced and controlled to create a complex, satisfying bite.

Delight in the controlled energy of the Little Em’s roll, which somehow manages to include fried

Nineteen Hyaku Elevates San Antonio’s Dining Scene

oyster, spicy mayo and fresh asparagus without the sense of too many ingredients competing for attention. Enjoy the balance of richness and a touch of heat in the Guajillo Akami roll. The lean tuna, a bit of fruity chile puree and a slice of gooseberry combine for an outstanding parade of flavors, all solidly under control.

Or settle in and order the omakase to allow the chef to take your tastebuds on a show-stopping adventure.

Chef de cuisine Devin Galarneau, who credits much of his own development from working with Michael Sohocki at Restaurant Gwendolyn and Kimura, explained how his staff works to balance heat and flavors when they incorporate chiles into dishes.

“We still want you to taste the product, but we still want you to have that mouthfeel with the acids, the salts, the sweetness, the spice, everything coming around to be rounded together,” he said.

Throughout the menu, the dishes satisfy with precision and creativity. Galarneau succeeds Ruben Pantaleon, who returned to his native Arizona after a family emergency.

Service aims to equal the setting and quality of the dishes, and this staff is reaching that level. During a recent visit, our server was attentive yet relaxed. It’s a difficult balance to pull off, and it’s a part of what makes a visit to the Carpenters’ restaurant worth leaving home.

“I think the easy part is cooking and pouring drinks. The hard part is the hospitality, making sure that your guests feel special and heard,” Houston Carpenter said. “That's what we preach daily.”

Fiesta-worthy Foods at Puro San Antonio Spots

Restaurants get into the spirit with festive offerings

pring in San Antonio means Fiesta time, a season when the whole city gets into party mode in true Alamo City fashion. Celebrations go hand in hand with food, whether it’s chicken on a stick or roasted corn covered in butter and chili powder.

Stixs & Stone

As you partake in the upcoming festivities, consider trying out some puro San Anto restaurants serving up Fiesta-worthy fare. S 1 1 2

Not only does Stix & Stone offer its own Asian-inspired version of chicken on a stick, the fusion-forward restaurant also features a Big Red-infused barbacoa taco flight on its menu. Here, you can also try Mexican-style street corn and tres leches. 5718 B Wurzbach Road, stixs-stone. business.site

Ray’s Drive Inn

2

What’s more San Antonio than puffy tacos? And hardly any spot in town can touch the legacy of Ray’s when it comes to the local delicacy. These tacos come loaded with lettuce, tomato, cheese and your choice of protein. Don’t forget the jalapeño. 822 SW 19th St., raysdriveinn.net

3

4

The Smokehouse

3

If you’re looking for a giant turkey outside of the NIOSA ground, check out The Smokehouse. The eatery has been smoking meats, like brisket, turkey legs and ribs, on the city’s Southeast side for around 20 years. 3306 Roland Road, thesmokehousebbqsa.com

Rudy’s Seafood

If the roar of Oyster Bake has you worried, you can find tasty fried oysters elsewhere, like at Rudy’s Seafood. A Southside staple since 1964, Rudy’s is the spot to get fried fish, shrimp and a big ol’ plate of fries. 4122 S. Flores St., rudysseafoodsa.com

uesadillas on every corner, tacos at every turn and margaritas flowing like the San Antonio River can only mean one thing: Fiesta time in San Antonio!

With booth after booth of delicious, often deep-fried treats, it's enough to make even the most disciplined diner fall facefirst into a funnel cake.

“Fiesta is comparable to the holidays,” explains Jenny Hagendorf, registered dietitian nutritionist at My Nutrition Studio. “The town shuts down, and it's very easy to get out of a routine, which is where the majority of healthy habits stem from.”

But just because you are out of your routine doesn’t mean you have to go on a booth binge at every event. It is possible to strike a healthy balance between indulging in your favorite Fiesta foods and

Finding Healthy Fare at Fiesta Fairs

4 healthy ways to eat, drink and be merry

maintaining a healthy diet.

“Eating with intention is still possible during Fiesta,” assures Hagendorf. “It’s key to honor your health, yet also promote a healthy relationship with food and enjoy those nostalgic favorites.”

The secret lies in planning. Here are a few of Hagendorf’s tips for navigating NIOSA and other Fiesta celebrations in a healthy way.

1. Pregame your party: If you know Fiesta is in your future, fuel your body with nutrient-dense foods throughout the day to help you feel sated. “Adequate balanced food intake during the day will help set you up for success to avoid overconsuming in the evening,” says Hagendorf, adding this is a good rule of thumb not just for Fiesta but anytime.

2. Make smart choices: Whether

you're shucking your cares at Oyster Bake or strolling through King William Fair, there are always healthy options to be found when hunger strikes. You just have to know where to look. “One of the best approaches is to manage your hunger with high fiber and protein-rich options while staying hydrated,” advises Hagendorf. Try aguacates, fresh avocado halves filled with a blend of salsa and sour cream. These contain good fat that will keep you full, and you can ask for the filling on the side for portion control. Any grilled meat or seafood like shrimp parrilla or anticuchos will provide plenty of protein. On the lighter side, fruit cups are a refreshing option, especially on a hot spring day.

3. Be mindful with margaritas: Yes, a frozen margarita on a hot day may feel thirst-quenching at the moment, but it can leave you dehydrated. And the more you imbibe, the less likely you are to make good choices in the food department. Hydrate with bottled water, aguas frescas or one of Hagendorf’s favorite combos, a Topo Chico dressed with lime and tajin. “If you are consuming alcohol, consider drinking water or electrolytes for every alcoholic beverage,” she suggests. “And remember to mindfully sip.”

4. Give yourself permission to enjoy: Have you ever noticed that the more you deny yourself something, the more you want it? Avoid thinking of food as “good or bad.” Instead, allow yourself to enjoy that treat you’ve looked forward to and savor every bite. “If you tell yourself that you can’t or shouldn’t have a particular food, it can lead to intense feelings of deprivation

that build into uncontrollable cravings and, often, binging,” cautions Hagendorf.

Even the best-laid plans can go astray. If, despite your best efforts, you went a little too hard on the tacos and tequila, don't beat yourself up. Get back on track and

keep moving forward. “Every meal and snack is another opportunity to do better,” says Hagendorf. “Opt for more veggies, hydrate, and embrace some joyful movement at the parades!”

¡Viva Fiesta!

BY ELAINE AYALA

Ask Michael Quintanilla what he most likes to wear, and he’s going to say a suit.

That’s because San Antonio’s “Mr. Fiesta” and this year’s Fiesta Flambeau Parade grand marshal says it’s the easiest look to pull together.

“It’s already decided for you,” he says.

Ultimate Runway

DESIGNER DREAM Quintanilla Fashioned for Fiesta’s

In his case, the answer may be found in the multiple closets, clothing racks and shelving units lined with suits in every color, design and texture.

Then there are the accessories, neatly folded and categorized in headto-toe haute couture consisting of hats, scarves, ties, lapel adornments and dress shirts that call on color and mixed patterns, from the bold and eye-catching to the subtle and refined.

And the shoes — think the sneaker collab between Cole Haan and Adidas in a classic brogue; the Zara silver metallic boot that zips up above the ankle; and Salvatore Ferragamo’s black slip-on.

His favorite designers include Yohji Yamamoto, Jil Sander, Roberto Cavalli and Custo Barcelona.

But Quintanilla is just as likely to wear a find from an outdoor European market or San Antonio thrift store.

San Antonio clothier Phil Zavala elevates Quintanilla’s posh quotient with one-of-a-kind garments. A few years ago, they designed a line of Fiesta shirts that bear Quintanilla’s name.

DESIGNER DREAM

Younger colleagues call him their “gaytriarch.” But truth be told, he’s every Fiesta goer’s dream date.

Quintanilla’s fashion life began on Elmo Street, where he and his late mother, Elida, operated their own “Project Runway” with a dog-eared Spiegel catalog and old Singer sewing machine.

Her son, a Burbank High and Trinity University graduate, became the first Mexican American journalist to write about New York, Paris and Milan runways for the Los Angeles Times, where he also covered Hollywood celebrities, parties and red carpets.

He challenged his peers — older newspaperwomen — by out-reporting them. When the pack assumed a designer’s use of sable or mink, he already knew the pelt was made of squirrel fur.

He experienced some humbling moments, one when meeting André Leon Talley, the late famed editor-at-large of Vogue magazine and a towering figure, literally.

They were in Paris. It was Quintanilla’s first trip there, thrust into the fashion world, and it didn’t go the way he imagined.

First, he didn’t know Talley’s name and got dressed down by the editor, who was wearing a mink colcha, or comforter, he’d pulled off his bed in New York.

It engulfed his giant frame, and people swarmed around him after a Yamamoto show.

Quintanilla waited, introduced himself, then politely asked, “Who are you? Because I’d love to write about why you are wearing what you are wearing.”

“Child!” Talley began, “Do you mean to ask me that you don’t know who I am. Who am I? Child, who are YOU!!!?”

“Michael Quintanilla,” he said, “with the Los Angeles Times.”

What came next sounds like it’s from a movie scene: Talley drags Quintanilla to the designer, a crowd making way for them like the biblical parting of the Red Sea.

“Yohji, I want you to meet my good friend with the Los Angeles Times,” Talley said. “Meet Michael,” then paused, “Kunta Kinte,” calling on the Alex Haley character in “Roots.”

It’s a memorable encounter in a career that had so many.

In April, Quintanilla faces a grueling Fiesta schedule, bookended by the on-foot People’s Parade at the opening Fiesta Fiesta event and closed out by the city’s most beloved parade, the Flambeau, the longest illuminated parade in the country.

Quintanilla will be aboard his own “Lotsa Lotería” float in a white suit made from fabric that’s lit from within and controlled by a remote.

He’ll be laughing and smiling, and everybody knows those are Fiesta season’s most essential accessories.

SAN ANTONIANS SHARE FIESTA TIPS

BY JILL ROBBINS

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, not the Christmas holiday season, which is indeed wonderful. But this is San Antonio, and if you don’t know that the most wonderful time of the year is Fiesta season, stick around. Someone will fill you in. Better yet, experience it for yourself. This year’s mega celebration runs from Thursday, April 18, through Sunday, April 28; on those days, you can find a Fiesta event happening from sunup to sundown.

What started as a single parade in 1891 to honor the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto has evolved into a whirlwind of over 100 official Fiesta events, as well as countless unofficial events throughout the city, eagerly awaited by San Antonians in a “Don’t talk to me in April unless it’s about Fiesta” kind of way.

Fiesta might seem overwhelming if you’re new in town or just visiting. It is a little, but that’s part of the charm. If you’ve been around a while, you probably have a Fiesta routine that includes don’t-miss events and traditions. Whether

you’re trying to decide how to dive into the fun or looking for a way to mix things up this Fiesta season, here’s what 10 prominent San Antonians have to say about Fiesta traditions.

Brighter Is Better

Fiesta decorations and apparel are all about being bold and cheerful. You’ll see lots of bright pinks and oranges, sunny yellows and vibrant shades of blues and greens.

First Lady Erika Prosper, wife of Mayor Ron Nirenberg, is a fan of Fiesta and the opportunity it brings to enjoy music and bright colors and support local businesses. One of her favorite Fiesta traditions is visiting Maddie Mac Boutique, 2607 Vance Jackson Road, in early April to check out the coronas and collectible Fiesta medals. Prosper’s don’t-miss event is the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas Lotería Fiesta Brunch. Lotería is a traditional Mexican board game of chance, similar to Bingo.

“And, of course, it would not be Fiesta without showing my shoes,” Prosper said. “Three years ago, I asked artist Katelynn Orosco to

paint some Vans for Ron and me to wear to Fiesta parades. His feature the city skyline, and mine are a cool mix of Monarchs and Otomi designs. I wait all year just to put those beauties on.”

The tradition of shouting, “Show us your shoes,” began when the Fiesta royalty riding the parade floats in heavily bejeweled gowns and other finery, started choosing comfort over fashion with their footwear. Over time, the crowd got wind of the sensible shoes hiding beneath lavish dresses and began demanding to peep the shoes as the floats passed.

The women would oblige, lifting their hems to display a collection of sneakers and cowboy boots. Today’s Fiesta court members make the shoes just as much a part of their style as their royal finery, and unique, colorful, or even silly, shoes are tradition.

Local travel and lifestyle expert Adeina Anderson also names colorful door decorations and clothing as her favorite things about Fiesta. “I’ve lived in San Antonio for over 35 years and try not to miss Fiesta.” Anderson, a regular on KSAT 12’s SA Live, loves displaying her Fiesta wreath on her front door and lists her favorite Fiesta memory as working a booth with her husband at A Night In Old San Antonio.

“Fiesta will always be the party I never want to miss,” says Anderson, who puts a margarita at the top of her Fiesta list, along with the tradition of the “stacking of the cups.”

Fiesta Core Memories

The trio that runs Brasserie Mon Chou Chou at Pearl — Jerome Serot, Philippe Placé and Chef Laurent Réa — make San Antonio diners happy with approachable French comfort food, but when Fiesta comes around, they’re all in with sampling the delights at the NIOSA food booths.

“If there is a promise of a frozen margarita with tajin, I am the happiest Frenchman in the world,” said Placé, who has been a fixture in San Antonio’s food scene for more than 20 years, and worked with Serot and Réa for most of that time.

“Fiesta is such a part of the history and culture of our community,” Serot adds. “I worked at La Mansión on the Riverwalk when I first came to San

Antonio, so I was exposed to Fiesta culture from Day One.”

Réa calls NIOSA his favorite event because it reminds him of festivals in Europe. He calls NIOSA the “soul of Fiesta” and La Villita the heart of the city.

And, although the French may be renowned for fashion, Placé uses Fiesta as the opportunity to show off fashion of a different sort — his collection of Guayabera shirts. “I have eight or nine, and I wear them every day during Fiesta.”

Tim Morrow, President and CEO of the San Antonio Zoo, remembers going to Fiesta parades as far back as age 7, calling it “love at first cascarón.” Morrow’s list of Fiesta events he enjoys is lengthy, but NIOSA holds a special place in his heart. He mentions the live music

and incredible food but says love is the reason the La Villita event stands out in his memories.

“The path to marrying my wife, Jennifer, was ignited at NIOSA,” Morrow said. “After over a decade of being friends and living in separate cities, we reunited for a night at NIOSA with friends. I got my first NIOSA kiss, and as they say, the rest is history.”

I’m With the Band

From rock to country to Tejano and everything in between, Fiesta wouldn’t be Fiesta without live music.

“I’ve lived in San Antonio my whole life and grew up going to Fiesta,” said Joe Perez, founder of the band Culture Jam. Unsurprisingly, the music is what Perez enjoys most about Fiesta. He credits San Antonio’s collaborative

community of musicians for making the Fiesta music scene special. He explains that bands must apply to play at official Fiesta events and that not everyone who applies gets chosen. “If a musician didn’t get chosen to play, we say, ‘Hey, come play with us’,” so they can have the experience.

Perez, whose band plays everything from Latin pop to ’80s rock to country, has fond memories of listening to Little Joe Y La Familia play at Fiesta and says one of his favorite events is Taste of New Orleans at the Sunken Garden Theater, praising the food and music. His favorite Fiesta treat is a fajita taco, but he’ll stand in line for a funnel cake because that is what his wife, Graciela, loves.

Be Prepared and Be Extra

From sashes full of shiny medals to

outrageous sky-high hats, being a little extra is part of the fun.

In addition to enjoying the party and sharing her delightful Fiesta style, influencer Gabby Gonzales is all about making sure everyone else is Fiesta-ready. Gonzales, @siempre_sanantonio on Instagram and TikTok, is an expert on fun in San Antonio and has published several videos on how to prepare for Fiesta season. Her list of must-haves includes toilet paper and hand sanitizer because porta potties are a fact of life at Fiesta, and even though no one loves using them, they’re much more bearable when you bring the essentials. Gonzales also recommends carrying cash for vendors who don’t accept credit cards.

During Fiesta season, you might spot Gonzales in her towering food-themed Fiesta hat, adorned with a Big Red,

Whataburger, Bill Miller’s, and tacos — all the classic San Antonio foods. Gonzales adds to her hat every year and says, “I like to be as extra as possible.”

Gonzales’ never-miss-it Fiesta food is the classic chicken on a stick at NIOSA. This iconic snack is exactly what it sounds like — fried chicken breast on a skewer topped with a jalapeño, perfect for deliciousness on the go.

A Message From The King(s)

The current King Antonio, Scott Allen Christy, is an all-around Fiesta enthusiast, calling it one of the three pillars of San Antonio, with the other two being the Spurs and good Mexican food. That logic is hard to disagree with.

King Antonio’s court has been a Fiesta tradition since 1927, selected from the ranks of the Texas Cavaliers, a

philanthropic organization run by business and civic leaders. The Texas Cavaliers sponsor the River Parade, a Fiesta tradition since 1941. Christy, who is King Antonio CI, lists the River Parade as his favorite Fiesta Event. While that might sound like the required answer, Christy’s regard for the organization he represents is heartfelt.

“Growing up, my dad was a Texas Cavalier. I watched him work hard on the parade to do something that would give back to the community, so that was my motivation to be involved,” he said. Christy also enjoys NIOSA and the Battle of Flowers Parade and lists collecting Fiesta medals as a favorite family tradition. “My wife and two daughters keep our medals from year to year. We put all our medals in bowls on the dining room table and compare them to different Fiesta

memories. These tangible things bring us joy and nostalgia.”

Christy is also prepared to show his shoes with a pair of custom boots that pay homage to his alma mater, the University of Texas. “King Antonio is known for wearing very dapper cowboy boots, so I challenge anyone looking closely at my boots to find the hidden Longhorn,” he said.

The second officially recognized Fiesta King is El Rey Feo, which translates to “The Ugly King.” El Rey Feo stems from a medieval tradition where peasants elected one of their own to be king for a day. El Rey Feo has been an official part of Fiesta since 1980, although the first El Rey Feo was crowned in 1947.

El Rey Feo earns his crown by raising money for scholarships. To become El

Rey Feo, a candidate must raise at least $250,000 and run against an opponent in a friendly competition for the title and honor of being a Fiesta ambassador. El Rey Feo 75 is John McFadden Sr. He is the first El Rey Feo to have retired as an active duty Armed Forces member.

McFadden began raising money in May 2022 and says he’s still “pinching himself a little bit.” His favorite Fiesta food is chicken on a stick, and his bestloved Fiesta event is the King William Parade. “You’re on foot. You’re not on floats but out interacting with the crowd,” he said. McFadden’s favorite thing about being El Rey Feo is going on school visits and spreading messages of hope and resilience to the youth of San Antonio and the message of “Let your light shine bright.”

Party With a Purpose

The Fiesta Commission operates as a nonprofit, self-supporting, all-volunteer organization. Proceeds go to various charitable organizations that support the community throughout the year.

Fiesta celebrates San Antonio’s history and diverse culture and has an economic impact of more than $340 million, according to a 2017 study. Every beer, gordita and snack on a stick is going back into San Antonio’s economy, so eat and drink up. You’re helping your neighbors.

¡Viva Fiesta!

V F , E A A V S I T ! I ¡

Graphic artist captures riot of color and motion in official poster

BY RICHARD A. MARINI

David Durbin, the artist behind this year’s official Fiesta San Antonio poster, says he’s had the winning design in his head for a long time. The inspiration, he explains, struck years ago as he was leaving the Battle of Flowers Parade and spied all the confetti scattered on the ground.

“I thought to myself, ‘How can I work that into a really cool design?’” said Durbin, 60, a native of San Antonio.

The image that came to him was of a dancer spinning, with her dress breaking up into confetti and sprinkling over the entire city.

A graphic artist for Monarch Trophy Studio, Durbin is one of San Antonio’s top Fiesta medal designers, with his works often winning awards. His depiction of a Día de los Muertos calaca, or skeleton, won first place in the 2023 Express-News Fiesta Medal Contest.

The winning poster is voted on by the Fiesta membership.

Over the years, people often asked Durbin why he never created a poster.

“I’d say, ‘Maybe someday.’ I finally decided that this was the year,” he said.

The winning poster is a riot of color and motion, depicting more than just a spinning dancer.

A big, pink “¡VIVA!” is splashed across the top, echoing the shouts of “Viva, Fiesta!” often heard during the citywide party’s events. Other San Antonio symbols include the Alamo’s campanulate, or bell-shaped facade, with a heart at its center, a sextet of mariachi trumpeters and the Tower of the Americas.

“There’s also a hummingbird, which has special meaning for me,” Durbin said. “Hummingbirds bring joy and light, and that’s why the bird has the sun on his chest. He’s

bringing the light into the party.”

The poster is available in two sizes — 24 inches by 36 inches for $35 (signed and numbered) and $20 (unsigned), and 12 inches by

18 inches for $10 — and is sold at Monarch Trophy Studio, 16227 San Pedro Ave.; Fiesta at North Star, 102 W. Rector Drive; and under the Shop tab at fiestasanantonio.org.

Fiesta Parades

BY EMILY DITOMASSO

San Antonio loves a good parade, and Fiesta hosts a variety of processions. Visit fiestasanantonio.org for routes, tickets and additional information.

The Texas Cavaliers River Parade 7-11 p.m. April 22, downtown San Antonio

Community leaders and the military will be floating down the San Antonio River in support of San Antonio children’s charities.

The Battle of Flowers

10:30 a.m. April 26, downtown San Antonio

The historic women-run event initiated the start of Fiesta in 1891. Now it’s celebrating its 133rd anniversary with the theme Viva Amor 2024.

Fiesta Pooch Parade

8 a.m. to noon April 27, Alamo Heights Swimming Pool

Each year, more than 1,000 pups come together in their most festive attire to support local therapy animal teams. Food trucks and drinks will be available throughout the event, and pooches will participate in a doggie costume contest.

King William Fair and Parade

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 27, King William Historic District

A quirky themed parade and fair with over 60 food options, five stages of live entertainment, and a wide variety of arts and crafts vendors.

The Fiesta Flambeau Parade

7:45-10 p.m. April 27, downtown San Antonio

The event that illuminates the streets of downtown San Antonio is back with marching units, festive floats, dance groups, and local and out-of-town bands. This year’s theme is Lotsa Lotería.

A Healthier Spin on Fiesta

Do’s and Don’ts to Power Pedal L’Etape San Antonio

BY BONNY OSTERHAGE

Everything is bigger in Texas, including our parties. For 11 days in April, San Antonio will be home to one of the biggest celebrations in the country. Fiesta San Antonio kicks off Thursday, April 18, and will be filled with plenty of parades, parties, festivals and fairs.

With so many opportunities to eat, drink and be festive, your fitness routine can fall by the wayside. Thanks to San Antonio Sports, you can have your Fiesta and fitness, too.

Now in its third year, Fiesta Fit Fest, presented by San Antonio Sports and H-E-B, will take place April 12-14 at the UTSA East Campus. Everyone is invited to enjoy free fitness classes from the city’s premier fitness professionals, a

5K/10K run, and an Athlete’s Village and Expo sponsored by University Health and showcasing the top health and wellness vendors in San Antonio. The weekend’s highlight is the third annual L’Etape San Antonio by Tour de France. This world-class amateur cycling event is open to everyone, from rookies to racers. Like the Humana Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon, this endurance event is a feather in San Antonio’s fitness cap, further proving that we are a city on the move.

It wasn’t that long ago — 2014 to be exact — that San Antonio was named the city with the second-highest obesity rate in the country by Gallup. Fast forward nearly a decade, and we’ve moved to the 25th spot in a 2023 WalletHub poll. This is something that San Antonio Sports, an organization committed

to offering free health and fitness to our communities, is happy to see.

“Part of our mission is to transform the community through the power of sports,” says Carolyn Wheat, San Antonio Sports public relations manager. “We want to see a healthier, fitter San Antonio, and we feel like this event is part of that. It keeps families active and moving.”

Although San Antonio Sports was actively involved in bringing L’Etape to San Antonio two years ago, this is the first year the organization has owned and operated it.

“We knew we had to keep it here,” says Wheat, adding they have partnered with professional triathlete and Paragon Training owner Mark Saroni, who serves as the community outreach liaison.

Saroni says the ride “meets the needs of all levels of cyclists” with a 10-mile family ride and 25-, 60- and 100-mile options that take riders on a climb through the picturesque Texas Hill Country.

If you’ve only ridden your bike around the block, don’t worry. Saroni offers free training plans for all levels on the Paragon website, paragontraining.org, and shares the following dos and don'ts to help a first-time endurance rider get the most joy from the ride.

Do Get Properly Bike Fitted

We aren’t talking about your outfit (but we will). We are talking about your bike fit. When it comes to endurance rides, you must ensure that your bike fits your body.

“Even the best bike on the market is no good if it doesn’t fit,” cautions Saroni. He recommends going to a fitter first, then choosing a bike based on your measurements.

“A lot of people do it backward,” he says. “But if you get fitted first, the fitter can recommend different brands to accommodate your torso and leg length.”

If you already own a bike, but it’s been gathering dust in the garage, take it to your local bike shop and have someone check the tires and chains to make sure they are good to go.

Get the Right Gear

What you wear on a long-distance ride matters more than you might think. The right cycle gear can make or break your ride when spending hours in the saddle.

The first and most important thing you will need is a helmet. No, they aren’t “pretty,” but they are nonnegotiable. Try on several and find one that fits your head snugly and securely.

The other “must,” according to Saroni, is a pair of padded bike shorts, for obvious reasons. “You’ll be uncomfortable from the effort of the ride itself, so you want to be as comfortable as possible in other ways,” he says.

Other items that can make the ride easier include a cycling jersey with pockets for snacks, sunscreen and other on-the-road necessities. You should also consider cycle gloves to help with your grip, especially on a longer ride.

When it comes to cycle shoes, to clip or not to clip is the question. Clipping in does take some practice, and you can expect a couple of tumbles, but Saroni says it is safer in the long run.

Bring Fuel

No, not gasoline. We’re talking about carbs, water and electrolytes. Most experts agree you should consume 60-90 grams of carbs per hour regardless of body weight. You can do that through powders, gels, goos or bars stashed in your jersey pockets.

Water is a must, and Saroni suggests adding a sodium tablet, especially in hot weather. “Different athletes sweat different levels of sodium,” he says. Unless you are racing for time, make a point to stop at the aid stations along the route to refuel and rehydrate.

Don’t

Ride

Erratically

Hold your line, i.e., stay in your lane while riding, control your speed, and don’t cut and swerve on the turns. Look ahead for upcoming obstacles, and relax your arms and shoulders. The more relaxed you are while you ride, the less stiff and sore you will be when you’re done.

Ride Your Brakes

Use both front and rear brakes, and learn how to “feather“ them to help control your speed rather than slamming or “riding” them.

Wear Headphones

You cannot hear approaching cars or signals from other riders when music is blasting in your ears.

Wing It

Even a shorter ride requires a certain level of training. San Antonio has several outdoor cycle clubs that welcome all levels, or you can train with one of Paragon’s training plans.

Through San Antonio Sports, staying fit through Fiesta is as easy as riding a bike. Whether it’s your first time or the first time in a long time, with a little practice and patience, you’ll be taking down the miles like a champ.

ANTICUCHOS

Ingredients

• 3 lbs. sirloin, cut in 1-inch cubes

Marinade:

• 3 cups water

• 1 cup red wine vinegar

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon oregano

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon pepper

• 2-3 serrano chiles, ground in blender

• 2/3 cup bacon grease or lard (optional)

Directions: Combine water, red wine vinegar, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper and chiles, and blend well. Add meat and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 18 hours, and up to three days. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Skewer meat (about 4 or 5 pieces per skewer) so they don’t touch one another.

Cook meat over hot charcoal fire. The meat should be turned every 30 seconds, paying close attention, for a total cook time of about 4 to 5 minutes. Baste with marinade. If desired, baste the meat with a mop of hot bacon grease or lard during the cooking process. (This is the authentic NIOSA method.)

Source: NIOSA

Fan Favorites

Bring party home with NIOSA recipes for Shypoke Eggs and anticuchos

BY JENNIFER MCINNIS

The ultimate food event of Fiesta is A Night in Old San Antonio, where the variety of flavors is unmatched. It’s the one spot where you can get your annual fix for chicken on a stick, Maria’s tortillas, escargot, Blarney bacon and much more.

Two long-running fan favorite recipes can easily be replicated at home for yearround enjoyment — Shypoke Eggs and anticuchos.

Shypoke Eggs first appeared in the

1970s in the Frontier Town area of NIOSA when the recipe was donated to the original booth chairs by the owner of the Hipps Bubble Room — where the dish originated.

Anticuchos — a marinated steak kebab with origins from Peru — can be found in the Mexican market, the original area for NIOSA. First introduced in 1955, hundreds of volunteers prepare more than 10,000-plus servings of these each year.

EGGS

Ingredients

• Kraft American white and yellow cheese slices

• Crisp mini chalupa tortilla

• Jalapeños, with seeds left in, sliced in rounds

Instructions: Use crushed pineapple cans to cut the white cheese for the “egg whites” and metal OJ cans to cut the yellow cheese for the “egg yolks.” White cheese should be as big as a tortilla shell.

Place a white cheese round on each tortilla shell, center jalapeño slice on top and cover with yellow cheese. Melt under broiler.

Source: NIOSA

5 THINGS I LEARNED DURING MY FIRST FIESTA

BY JAN WADDY

I've had a lot of firsts since relocating to San Antonio, but none has quite captured the spirit of the city like Fiesta.

Before I attended my first Fiesta in April 2023, I had heard the stories and asked the questions: It’s 11 days? Schools and government offices really shut down for Battle of Flowers? You buy tickets to watch the parades?

But Fiesta was something I had to experience to fully understand and embrace, and soon I also realized it was impossible for me to attend all the Fiesta events.

This year, I feel more prepared, even more excited.

Here are five things I learned during my first Fiesta:

1 TRADING FIESTA MEDALS IS A

BIG DEAL. I knew Fiesta medals were big business, from the organizations and individuals who design them to the Express-News Fiesta Medal Contest entries, but until I showed up at the NIOSA Garden Party wearing a sash pinned with Fiesta medals, I didn't know trading was a thing. Maybe I would have planned better by pinning on medals I didn't like as trade options. Instead, one of my personal favorites caught the eye of another guest, who surprised me when she asked if I wanted to trade. When I admitted I was a first-timer, she

immediately helped me upgrade, and I walked away with the “Fiesta Queen 2020” medal featuring a sparkling purple jumpsuit meant to memorialize the 1995 performance at the Houston Astrodome by Selena, who hailed from my hometown of Lake Jackson. Just be sure to have extra safety pins on your sash to help secure new medals, as I later realized the San Antonio Zoo medal didn't make it home with me.

2

YOU’LL WANT YOUR OWN FLOWER CROWN OR GUAYABERA — OR BOTH. A family friend and longtime San Antonio resident had told me I needed to get a flower crown to wear for Fiesta; someone else told me it wasn’t a requirement. But once a co-worker let me borrow hers, with big synthetic blooms in blue, white, orange, yellow, pink and red, I was hooked. The same multicolored paper flower crowns that are sold on the street during the Fiesta Flambeau night parade for $5 are available for about $1 less year-round at Fiesta at North Star, 102 W. Rector St.,

with more color options, plus headbands and hair clips. My husband also quickly took to wearing guayaberas, from the traditional white purchased at a department store to a navy one embroidered with colorful flowers from Mexico. (If you know someone who can get you one from Mexico, they’re a lot cheaper, even for elaborate designs.) Colorful guayaberas are better choices; see lesson No. 3.

3 CASCARONES CONFETTI

STAINS WHEN WET. I had heard to watch out for aggressive cascarones offenders, who used force to crack the confetti eggs, and to expect to find the confetti long after the egg is cracked. But nobody told me to watch out for the confetti dye. I first discovered this when washing my husband’s white guayabera, which had turquoise and pink confetti in the pockets. Luckily, I was able to remove the little colored paper dots and successfully treat the shirt with stain remover, but if they had gone into the wash, I might not have been as fortunate. But the confetti knows no

boundaries. You, too, can expect to find it on your bathroom floors, surrounded by tiny colored puddles. The best defense is to stop the confetti in its tracks when dry, vacuuming it up and shaking it out of bedding. If the heat comes roaring back by April’s end, watch out for confetti that sticks to your face, because I can only imagine that means colored sweat.

4 ALWAYS CARRY CASH AND CARD

WHEN HEADING TO FIESTA. Even if you have an idea where you might park, thousands of other people probably have the same idea. Be ready to park at a moment’s notice. If I had $40 cash, I could have parked under the overpass, while $30 cash could have gotten me into various other parking lots. The closest ATM wasn’t working, and after an hour in traffic, I eventually made my way to a church lot, where I was able to click on a text link and charge $40 to my card. (The nearest food vendor, where I was introduced to watermelon and lemon

aguas frescas, took both cash and card.)

5 GO WAY TOO EARLY TO HAVE MORE FUN. Because of the parking issue mentioned in No. 4, head to the event ridiculously early — at least three hours. Chances are, you’ll lessen your stress by avoiding traffic and find another event to attend. There’s plenty of crowd-watching and even dancing. Before the Fiesta Flambeau night parade, spectators tailgating and sitting in the bleachers entertained themselves by taking to the streets for the Electric Slide before going back to eating everything from chicken on a stick and tacos to cotton candy and popcorn amid a sea of bubble blowing wands, glow-in-the-dark necklaces and light-up flower crowns. This tactic also applies to out-of-town guests arriving in San Antonio during Fiesta, as I watched three people push suitcases down the side of the street and into the night parade crowd as they headed toward the Emily Morgan Hotel. Others had the right idea, watching from the hotel’s stairwell and rooms.

City to Unveil 7 Major Public Art Works this Year

Colorful additions to the urban landscape funded through San Antonio bond program

BY TRAVIS E. POLING

Eva Marengo Sanchez applies bright colors to a pier supporting an elevated highway in downtown San Antonio where Interstates 10 and 35 become one. The rumble and woosh of hundreds of trucks and cars passing overhead is drowned out by a mix of the “Viva Latino” playlist on Spotify and Dominican Bachata dance music through the artist’s earbuds.

Sanchez is working on one of a series of 32 murals on eight piers in the new urban park, dubbed The Pass, next to Market Square. The works, in collaboration with Michael Arguello, make up “Echoes of Market Square,” celebrating the long history, cultural celebrations, food and family experiences at the popular destination for tourists and locals.

It will be one of the first pieces of seven major public art works unveiled in 2024 as part of a groundbreaking city of San Antonio bond election that, just two years in, is already making a colorful splash on the landscape of the city.

For every dollar spent on San Antonio capital improvement projects, such as new buildings, street repairs and parks, 1.5% goes to public art. About $15.7 million is allocated for public art as part of the $1.2 billion 2022-2027 bond package approved by voters. That’s nearly double the previous five-year allocation from 2017 of $8.3 million.

From a practical standpoint, as defined by the parameters of the bond, public art needs to be where the public can see it at no cost, last at least 25 to 30 years, go through rigorous design review and involve public input, especially from residents in the area where the work will be displayed.

“It’s kind of like a piece of infrastructure,” said Krystal Jones, executive director of the city’s Department of Arts

Cultures and long meetings hearing stories of treasured memories and getting input from tenants of the market.

The Public Arts Committee of the San Antonio Arts Commission then did several reviews of the works, from concept to final approval, before a daub of paint hit the “canvas” of eight bridge piers approved by the Texas Department of Transportation. Even the San Antonio City Council, and sometimes the city’s Historic Design Review Commission, has a say.

All that input made for a good outcome, Arguello said, but many great ideas had to be left behind for the minimalist realism style of art to have an impact. “It’s kind of a large mural (with 32 surfaces to paint), but when you have 100 ideas from the public …,” he said with a shrug of the shoulders.

& Culture.

While the longevity of this type of public art is attractive to artists, there is also a rewarding philosophical aspect.

“It is creating beauty and there is no reselling of it. It has no monetary value. It is for everyone,” Sanchez said.

Arguello, whose mural contributions at The Pass reflect Market Square’s past while Sanchez focuses on the present life of the market, said the process of doing public art was so much different from his usual work for businesses. While many of his works are seen publicly at restaurants or other establishments, his benefactors have a general idea and then give him free reign.

In the last year, since receiving the commission from the city, Arguello said he and Sanchez spent many days on research that included digging into the photo archives of the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Institute of Texan

“More cities are really latching on to the idea of public art,” Arguello said. He hopes San Antonio can do what places such as San Francisco and Chicago have done and make art part of the fabric of the city. “It’s so surreal to know that people will have their pictures taken with our art.”

Even as the artists work toward a spring opening of the mural installation, tourists and locals are snapping pictures of the lively, but incomplete, works.

“There is a lot of color, a lot of contrast,” said Ivan Hernandez, who happened upon the artwork on a visit to Market Square. “There’s a lot of culture around San Antonio. It’s everywhere. I just moved to San Antonio and I think the murals particularly accentuate that cultural connection.”

There are now more than 800 pieces of public art in the city’s collection, including some surviving pieces from the 1930s and ’40s. With a plethora of public spaces downtown and stretching

to Breckenridge Park, there is a heavy concentration of artworks easy for visitors to reach, but over time, efforts were renewed to bring art to new spaces across the city, where public parks and library branches provide the public space.

Under the current bond, there are 36 public art works destined for neighborhoods, Jones said.

One of those is scheduled to open this fall at the ZerNona Black Multi-Generational Cultural Community Center under construction on the East Side. The city project is in honor of the late ZerNona Black, who was a major force in East Side social causes alongside husband Rev. Claude Black.

Two murals from San Antonio native Ronney Stevens will speak to the East Side community. One mural depicts the life of Black from her university graduation through her founding role in Meals on Wheels in San Antonio. The second installation contains scenes of the East Side, from past to present, featuring St.

Philip’s College and clubs such as The Keyhole and Tucker’s.

Stevens called the research “a huge process” and that he was only able to capture a slice of East Side life. “I would need so much more wall space for the whole story of the East Side.”

There are seven major public art projects slated for installation and dedication ceremonies this year.

In addition to the murals at Market Square and the ZerNona Black community center on the East Side, the lineup for the year includes another East Side project, two on the West Side, another downtown project and one on the South Side. Those include:

* Rooted in Love and Grandma’s Garden inside the Greater Love Multi-Generational Cultural Community Center on the East Side at 1534 Peck Ave. The works by artist Kat Cadena will be unveiled this winter when the center opens.

*El Trompo and El Papalote, sculptures by Joe R. Villarreal, representing a spinning top and kite, are scheduled

for a spring opening to commemorate childhood play and the multicultural heritage of the West Side.

*Orgullo Tejano, or Tejano Pride, is awaiting the upper body to be attached to the legs to create an 11-foot-tall ode to South Texas music and culture. A base adds another 3 feet to the mosaic creation of Luis Lopez that will tower later this spring over the West Side neighborhood at the Old Highway 90 and 37th Street.

*At City Tower, the former Frost Bank building that now holds city offices and indoor works of public art, there will be two large sculpture pieces by the artist team R&R&R made up of Ryan Takaba, Robert Diaz de Leon and Ronny Eckels. Inspired by street lamps, the multitiered structures use Art Nouveau metalwork to conjure traditional crafts and the native plants along the riverbanks of the city’s rivers.

*The San Antonio Antonio World Heritage trail that links the San Antonio missions will soon have a painted

steel sculpture of two hands joined by rippling water. The gesture of shared friendship is the creation of artist Ashley Perez.

Gabriella Scott, adjunct professor of art history at University of the Incarnate Word, said San Antonio “is doing a good job representing the Latin-American culture of the city and giving it a lot of

priority right now.”

However, she said, there are too few works now that represent the diversity of the city. “‘Interwoven’ is a good example of good public art because of its broader representation of the community,” Scott said of a 2018 mural by Jennifer Khoshbin that depicts migrant women seamstresses from Afghanistan,

Turkey, Honduras, Democratic Republic of Congo and Haiti who now reside in San Antonio.

Stevens said he still sees too few signs of the East Side community and African American artists depicted in public art but is happy that the city is taking more steps toward inclusiveness.

“I was barefoot and homeless with my mother on the East Side, so I wanted to see artists from here get a shot at telling the story,” Stevens said. “There should be more representation because we were here, but there’s not much. At least it’s on the table, and I’m grateful for that.”

Jones said “there is always a lot to do on that front. We are still pushing on that front” and working to incorporate more inclusiveness into representation in public art and in the artists doing the work.

The Arts & Culture Department is diversifying its public artist list to draw from with the addition of more African American and indigenous American artists, which is a major focus for public art and museums nationally, Jones said.

The searchable artist registry at the city’s getcreativesanantonio.com has grown to more than 1,000 creators of all types from across the city to give them a chance of being found by businesses, individuals and nonprofits looking to commission work.

For those who question spending on public art, something hotly debated by city leaders over the decades, Jones said the expenditures ripple through the economy in many ways.

There were about 35 million visitors to San Antonio last year and a growing segment of those are seeking out public art. “Visitors are starting to travel to neighborhoods to see art. They are looking for those hidden gems,” Jones said. Those include social media influencer travelers with a large following. “There are some great tour companies that are expanding their tours (to include public art) because of those requests.”

With an improved percentage of capital improvements, San Antonio is positioned well with peer cities such as Dallas and Chicago in funding public art as an investment in the future, she said.

“Public Art is business and brings people to the city,” Jones said of tourists and new residents. “Arts and culture are what makes us unique and it’s a great place to live because it’s beautiful.”

Building Community

MLB pitcher turned brewery owner begins again in Boerne FREE ROAM BREWING

BY JEREMY BANAS

Beer and baseball go together like peanut butter and jelly. One is not often seen without the other, and both make the other that much more enjoyable.

What if you visited a brewery that was owned by a former Major League Baseball pitcher? Sounds great, right? Walk into Free Roam Brewing in Boerne and you’ll experience just that. Founded in 2022 by former San Francisco Giants pitcher and three-time World Series champion Jeremy Affeldt, Free Roam combines a baseball aesthetic with great beer and a desire to help others. Born in Phoenix, Affeldt grew up all over the world. His father, David Affeldt, was a member of the U.S. Air Force, and Jeremy and his family moved overseas

325 S. Main St., Boerne freeroambrewing.com 830-336-5257

and around the United States.

While attending high school in Washington, Jeremy was approached by Major League Baseball scouts and drafted out of high school. He went straight to the big leagues in 2002, playing for the Kansas City Royals first, then the Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies, and finally landing in San Francisco and finishing out his career with the Giants.

Oddly enough, Affeldt didn’t have his first beer until he was 26, because “I just didn’t drink.”

“I fell in love with it (breweries) while in San Francisco,” he said. “I love

community; it’s a big deal for me. I thought it was really cool that I found something like breweries. They’re part of the community.”

Fast forward to 2015. After four World Series appearances, Affeldt retired from baseball. He spent the next few years as a baseball analyst for several Bay Area radio and television stations, providing commentary on Giants games, and as a community ambassador for the Giants.

Much like that sinker he was known for, Affeldt ended up going in an unexpected direction — he moved to Boerne and opened a brewery. Affeldt divorced not long before moving to Texas in 2020 and wanted to take a different direction in life.

“I had time to start over, and I wanted to do something where my boys could see their dad doing something. It wasn’t being a retired single dad,” Affeldt said. “I wanted them to see me being productive in life. I decided, you know what, I'm going to do life over again, and I’m going to do it with a brewery.”

While in San Francisco, Affeldt met Brandon Phillips and Jaron Shepherd when they were working at 21st Amendment Brewing, and the three hit it off. Phillips and Shepherd followed Affeldt to Texas and helped start Free Roam Brewing. Planning began in 2020, and Affeldt opened Free Roam in March 2022 in the heart of Boerne.

Affeldt knew it would be tough to get the brewery going. Taking a page from sports teams like the Yankees, he brought his starters — Phillips manages the brewery and Shepherd handles brewing duties. With several other breweries in town, Affeldt knew that Boerne was

the perfect place to cultivate a sense of community.

Year-round beers at Free Roam include Boerne’s Best, a full-flavored blonde ale; Hop Skud, a light-bodied IPA; and Hef’d Up, a classic Hefeweizen, as well as small-batch offerings throughout the year.

While in San Francisco, Affeldt had been speaking publicly about his strong Christian faith and his desire to help those less fortunate and marginalized. This life philosophy followed him to Boerne and is integral to how Free Roam is operated.

Affeldt and his wife, Candace, try to hire from the Boerne area and instill a unique culture in the staff.

“I’m learning how to be a businessman,” Affeldt said. “I want them to know they are working with me, not for me.”

Affeldt added that he wants everyone to take pride and ownership in the brewery, including in areas that might not be their responsibility.

Affeldt operates Free Roam on five core values:

1. Strive to achieve excellence in everything you do.

2. Have fun.

3. Work to achieve a herd mentality, talking things over together.

4. Be innovative and not complacent.

5. Be respectful. Respect everyone at the brewery.

Affeldt also broadcasts a weekly podcast, “Built for the Storm,” out of the brewery that focuses on ways everyone can improve. Weekly brewery events include ones that seek to empower men and women; guest speakers; Bible study; and cigar meetups.

‘Acres of Blooms’

Wildflowers paint Texas with spring’s spectacular shades

BY TERRY SCOTT BERTLING

In search of swaths of sky blue, magenta, bright yellow and orange, we’re going on a road trip to appreciate the handiwork of Mother Nature.

Spectacular shades of spring dot the landscape across Texas, but you won’t find any finer than those along the highways and country roads around San Antonio and the Hill Country, where you can spot bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, pink evening primrose, coreopsis, standing cypress, black-eyed Susans, Indian blankets, poppies, wild phlox and more.

East of Fredericksburg on U.S. 290, Wildseed Farms, the nation’s largest working wildflower farm, showcases “acres and acres of blooms,” according to founder and owner John Thomas.

“We’re expecting an exceptional wildflower season this year,” he said in a recent interview, crediting the warm temperatures and rain. “This year will be better than last year when we were in a drought.”

His place, which offers wheelchair-accessible walking trails lined with flowers, has a market center with gifts, home

decor and more than 100 species of seeds. Its wine tasting room, biergarten, plant nursery and snacks make this a place you could spend hours.

Peak season at his farm’s 200 acres of wildflower fields is spring break (midMarch) through May. Texas bluebonnets, the state flower, will be among the first to bloom in eight fields devoted to the blue spikes with white tips. They’re also the most commonly found wildflower on roadsides and in pastures.

While you’re near Fredericksburg, you can explore wildflowers on the

back roads to the south, east and north that make up the picturesque Gillespie County Country Schools Trail. Route B on that trail goes north up Texas 16 and east on Ranch to Market Road 1323, where you can catch Willow City Loop, which is one of the most gorgeous drives in the Hill Country and is dotted with scenic pastures of wildflowers.

If you’re in a hurry, try a different route as this road is lined with private property and the traffic can get congested, especially on weekends. Route

D takes you through Stonewall to the historic Lyndon Baines Johnson State Park and Historic Site and LBJ Ranch on U.S. 290. Route C takes you through Luckenbach.

If you’re eager to explore more of the area, swing through the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau office a block off Main Street and pick up brochures to plan a return trip.

The best reason for a trip north to Austin might be the University of Texas at Austin’s Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, southwest of the city.

Founded by the first lady and the actress Helen Hayes as the Wildflower Research Center in 1982, it is a living testament to a rich environmental legacy.

Johnson City, north of San Antonio on U.S. 281, is a good jumping-off point for a drive through Marble Falls, Burnet, Lampasas, San Saba, Llano and Mason for some pretty reliable wildflower viewing, although rain amounts can make sites unpredictable.

In the Texas Hill Country River Region (Medina, Sabinal and Frio rivers), you can start a loop out of

Bandera and hit Utopia, Leakey, Vanderpool and Medina for a colorful drive.

If you’ve ever taken a spring drive to the Gulf Coast from San Antonio this time of year, you know the roadways along U.S. 37 can offer showy, multicolor spreads of wildflowers.

Perhaps because the Texas Department of Transportation has a roadside mowing plan and does its own seeding along state roads, many state parks also attract visitors on wildflower drives.

TxDOT’s wildflower guide will point out pleasant drives that show off more than 5,000 species of wildflowers and help you identify the blooms.

Southeast of San Antonio, a loop through Cuero and DeWitt County, the Wildflower Capital of Texas, often reveals fields of Indian blankets, Mexican hats, lazy daisies, winecups and coreopsis.

But you don’t need a full tank of gas (or a full charge) to enjoy wildflowers. The San Antonio Botanical Garden

features native wildflowers in blooming meadows, lawns and gardens.

Area parks such as McAllister, Crownridge Canyon Natural Area, Medina River Natural Area and Phil Hardberger Park have their own colorful stars along the trails.

No matter where scenic drives take you, remember wildflower etiquette and safety guidelines. Respect private property, don’t trample or pick the wildflowers, and avoid areas close to traffic.

Spring Events

BY EMILY DITOMASSO

The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming and the days are getting warmer, which means spring is here. It is time to get out of the winter slump, so we have curated a list of events to help create brighter days.

Events

Easter Egg-Stravaganza Celebration: Search for Easter eggs at the popular 750-foot tall San Antonio landmark. Kids will have the opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny and Tori the Tower, along with face painting, a petting zoo, coloring station, food, live music and more. March 31, Tower of the Americas, toweroftheamericas.com

Make it Your Mission Gala!: Mission Heritage Partners will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a gala to raise money for the continued efforts to preserve, protect and promote San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. April 10, Mission San José, missionheritagepartners.org/gala

San Antonio Book Festival: A day where bookworms can connect and immerse themselves in the world of books with book signings, literary discussions, readings and the chance to meet new authors. April 13, Central Library and UTSA Southwest Campus, sabookfestival.org/festival-info

Fiesta: The most anticipated party of the year is back, bringing a wide range of cultural festivals, large parades, a coronation, live music and more food than you can imagine, scattered all throughout San Antonio. April 18-28, multiple locations, fiestasanantonio.org

Earth Day: Celebrate the gift of Mother Nature with music, dancing, fitness activities, resource booths and even a chance to win a tree. April 20, Woodlawn Lake Park, sanantonio.gov

Stage

“Kinky Boots”: A musical about family, unlikely friendships and being true to one’s self. The story follows a man struggling to keep his family’s

shoe business open who finds inspiration from a drag performer in need of new heels. March 8-30, Wonder Theatre, wondertheatre.org

“Come From Away”: A musical that will pull on the heartstrings as it tells the true story of 7,000 airline passengers who become stranded in a small town in Newfoundland after the 9/11 attacks and are welcomed by locals with open arms. March 15-16, Majestic Theatre, majesticempire.com

“The Book of Mormon”: The nine-time Tony Award-winning musical, written by the creators of “South Park,” tells the comedic story of two missionaries who undergo a series of challenges as they are sent to Uganda to help spread the word of their faith. April 5-7, Majestic Theater, majesticempire.com

“Midsummer Sueño”: An adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” with a Texan twist. April 9-14, The Public Theater of San Antonio, thepublicsa.org

“Hairspray”: A heartwarming musical that centers around Tracy Turnblad, a plus-size teen who finds her way onto her favorite afternoon dance show and uses her newfound popularity to fight for integration in 1960s Baltimore. April 30-May 1, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, tobincenter.org

Concerts

La Semana Alegre at Hemisfair: The legendary festival that started in the mid-’70s relaunches as a new, two-day, music experience featuring multiple stages, food, beverage and craft vendors. April 25-26 at Hemisfair, lasemanaalegre.com

Emo Orchestra: A unique event for emo lovers to hear their favorite songs in a whole new way. The orchestra will play alongside the Las Vegas band, Escape the Fate, who will perform their own hits, along with songs from Panic! At the Disco, My Chemical Romance, New Found Glory and more. May 9, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, tobincenter.org

Willie Nelson & Friends: This Texas icon does not let age stop him from going on the road again. Catch Willie live alongside Robert Earl Keen. May 10-11, Whitewater Amphitheater, whitewaterrocks.com

Luke Combs: The North Carolina native released his “Gettin’ Old” album last year

and will be performing at the Alamodome for two nights for his “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old” tour. May 10-11, Alamodome, alamodome.com

Luis Miguel: If you missed Luis Miguel’s show in November, the “La Incondicional” singer will be making his way back to San Antonio for the second time. May 11, Frost Bank Center, frostbankcenter.com

Tejano Conjunto Festival Concert: The first and longest-running Conjunto festival in the country celebrates its 42nd year with rising stars and living legends. May 17-19, Rosedale Park, guadalupeculturalarts.org

Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire: Speaking of living legends, sing along all night long with this power lineup. June 4, Frost Bank Center, frostbankcenter.com

Comedy

Hasan Minhaj: Best known for his Netflix comedy special “Homecoming King,” Minhaj will be hitting the stage with his comedic insight on culture, politics and family life. April 4, Majestic Theatre, majesticempire.com

Gabriel Iglesias: The famous comedian will be returning to what he called his “home away from home” for his “Don’t Worry Be Fluffy” tour. April 13, Frost Bank Center, frostbankcenter.com

Nate Bargatze: Known for his clean and family friendly comedy acts, the Grammy-nominated comedian is making his way to San Antonio for his “Be Funny” tour. Find Bargatze’s latest special, “Hello, World," on Amazon Prime. April 19-20, Majestic Theatre, natebargatze.com

Exhibits

“The Age of Armor: Treasures from the Higgins Armory Collection at the Worcester Art Museum”: The suit of armor dates back to medieval Europe and has evolved throughout time. Discover the story of the historical suit of armor during its golden age. Feb. 16-May 12, San Antonio Museum of Art, samuseum.org

“Surviving Space: Astronauts and Asteroids”: Ever wondered what it takes to become an astronaut? The Witte Museum is giving space enthusiasts the opportunity to touch real NASA artifacts and learn how scientists defend earth from unknown space objects making their way toward the earth. March 2-Sept. 2, Witte Museum, wittemuseum.org

Mexican-style Bread Pudding (Capirotada)

BY PAUL STEPHEN

THE RECIPE

Capirotada uses up all those leftover loaves from Easter. Traditionally made with bolillos, this version uses leftover hot cross buns.

• 2 cups brown sugar

• 2 cups water

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

• 6 cups of stale hot cross buns, cubed

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1 cup shredded Mexican-style cheese blend

• 1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped

• 1/2 cup raisins

• 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped

Instructions: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Add brown sugar, water, cinnamon and cloves to a pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes to reduce slightly. Watch the pan, as it can boil over easily. Grease an 8-inch cast-iron pan or 8-inch square baking dish. Add cubed hot cross buns to a large mixing bowl. Pour butter over the bread and toss to combine. Add syrup to the bread, and gently toss, making sure the bread gets fully coated. Add about half of the bread to your baking dish, sprinkle on about half of the cheese, pecans, raisins and apricots. Add the remaining bread on top and sprinkle on the remaining ingredients.

Bake, covered with aluminum foil, for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes to brown.

Makes 12 servings

Per serving: 244 calories, 8 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 13 mg cholesterol, 184 mg sodium, 41 g carbohydrates, 3 g dietary fiber, 29 g sugar, 5 g protein

Easter Brunch

Focus on celebration, not the cooking, with special Easter Sunday menus

BY PAUL STEPHEN

The hoppingest time of year is near, y’all. Easter, in all of its pastel glory, is just weeks away, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by breaking bread with your family.

And that’s easy to do in San Antonio. No need to spend hours in the kitchen roasting a ham or leg of lamb and stuffing deviled eggs. Many area restaurants

will be open for business as usual on March 31, with more than a few of those offering up special Easter brunch menus.

more is available. Some of these events are sure to book up quickly, so make your reservations today.

If you and your family are considering heading out on the town for a meal this Easter, here are seven restaurants to consider. Whether you’re craving an Easter egg hunt, a visit with the Easter bunny or an Easter Sunday riverboat cruise along with your meal, all that and

Dorrego’s: A glazed ham is the centerpiece of this Easter brunch that will include waffle, omelet and prime rib carving stations and a wide selection of other entrees and side dishes. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 150 E. Houston St. in the Hotel Valencia Riverwalk, $75 per adult, $29 per child, dorregos.com

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: The stars of this brunch service will be a 6-ounce tenderloin served with a French onion frittata, Shellfish Louie or a 14-ounce pork chop stuffed with sundried tomatoes and spinach along with side dishes and dessert. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 255 E. Basse Road, Building E, Suite 200, a la carte pricing $46-$66, flemingssteakhouse.com

Fogo de Chão: This popular Brazilian steakhouse will serve a special Easter brunch buffet in addition to its meat-centric churrasco experience delivering a non-stop flow of steak to your table. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m, 849 E. Commerce St., $46.50 per adult, children 6 and under eat free, chil-

dren 7-12 are half-price, fogodechao.com

The Rock at La Cantera: A brunch buffet will be served along with a complimentary cocktail (for ages 21 and up) while live jazz music serenades the crowd. Ticket price includes an Easter egg hunt and visit from the Easter bunny. Noon to 2:30 p.m., 1 Spurs Way, $25 per child, $55 per adult, therockatlacantera.com

Seasons 52: An apricot-glazed, spiral-cut ham with green beans and mashed sweet potatoes is just one of many Easter offerings at this restaurant in the Alamo Quarry Market. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 255 E. Basse Road, Suite 1400, a la carte pricing $7-$29, seasons52.com

Tributary: Enjoy a sprawling buffet loaded with breakfast favorites including pastries and frittata, a carving station featuring lamb and New York strip steak and an omelet station. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 101 Bowie St. in the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the River Walk, $30 per child, $65 per adult, tributarysa.com

Zocca Cuisine D’Italia: A family-style feast of Easter favorites will be served aboard a river barge sailing through downtown San Antonio. The Easter bunny will see guests off on their cruise. Boardings at 11:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. (must be on time), 420 West Market St. below the Westin Riverwalk hotel, $85 per person, zoccariverwalk.com

CHASING SHADOWS

Hill Country Braces for Spectacular Solar Eclipse

BY RICHARD A. MARINI

For most of us, the total solar eclipse that will cut a swath across Texas on Monday, April 8, will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Officials in the Texas Hill Country, which will be smack dab in the center of the eclipse path, expect as many as 1.8 million visitors to come view the celestial spectacle, according to Rachel Lumpee, coordinator for the 2024 Blanco County Eclipse Planning Task Force.

If you’re one of those planning to travel to Fredericksburg, Kerrville, Comfort or any other Hill Country town, here’s what you need to know before you go:

What are the basics?

The eclipse will be visible over hundreds of square miles across the sparsely populated Hill Country, straining the area’s infrastructure and resources. If you decide to go, don’t be surprised if you run into shortages of things like food, fuel and mobile telephone or internet service.

Don’t expect to be able to pop into a convenience store or supermarket to

HILL COUNTRY ECLIPSE SITES

Comfort: visitcomfort.us/ eclipse-over-comfort

Fredericksburg: EclipseinFBGTX.com

Kerrville: kerrvilletx.gov/2042/ Kerrville-Eclipse-Festival

Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife:

tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/ park-information/links/eclipse-faqs tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/ park-information/links/images/ total_2024.jpg

Texas Hill Country Wineries: texashillcountrywineries.org/pages/ all-events

buy something you need or stop at the next filling station to fill your tank. Such everyday necessities may be sold out. So buy whatever you need before leaving home. Officials recommend buying enough so you can be self-sufficient for at least two days, should things go sideways.

That includes enough food, snacks and water for everyone you’ll be with, extra cash (ATMs may run out and stores may be unable to process credit cards), prescription drugs, even paper maps in case you can’t connect to Google Maps.

If you’re traveling with others, decide on a rendezvous spot in case you get separated and cannot text or call one another in the event cellular systems become overwhelmed.

And don’t forget your eclipse glasses. They’re likely to sell out, and it would be a shame to miss the big show because you naively assumed you’d be able to pick up a pair, or four, at the last minute.

No matter how prepared are, the unexpected can happen. So sign up for the Gillespie County/Fredericksburg emergency alert system by texting the words “Gillespie” or “FBGTX” to 38276.

South Texas at eclipse crossroads

SOUTH TEXAS AT ECLIPSE CROSSROADS

San Antonio is in the ideal viewing path for the total solar eclipse in April 2024.

San Antonio is in the ideal viewing path for two future solar eclipses –an annular eclipse in fall 2023, and a total solar eclipse in April 2024.

greatamericaneclipse.com

Source: greatamericaneclipse.com

Important public service announcements will also be broadcast on KNAF-AM 910 and KFAN-FM 107.9.

Finally, be a good neighbor and pick up after yourself. Free trash bags will be available at various locations, including gas stations, grocery stores and retail stores.

“We are hopeful that visitors will be respectful of our properties because, after all, we’re all here to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience of a total solar eclipse,” said Lumpee of the Blanco County planning task force.

How bad will traffic be?

Pretty bad. One official said it will be like a tsunami, starting on the Thursday before the event and building day by day until the big day arrives.

With the eclipse occurring on a Monday, officials also expect to see a mass exodus afterward as observers rush to get home for school and work on Tuesday.

“We’ll do all we can to avoid it, but traffic jams are inevitable,” said Justin Calhoun, emergency management

Bach / Staff artist

coordinator for Fredericksburg and Gillespie County.

These traffic problems will be exacerbated by the nature of Hill Country roadways. The area’s two main arteries, U.S. 290 and U.S. 87 are both, at most, only two lanes wide each way. Making matters worse, portions of U.S. 290 are under construction and work will not be completed until after April 8.

Don’t expect Interstate 10 to be much better either. During the 2017 total eclipse, the last to cross the United States, backups on even rural interstates reportedly lasted up to 13 hours, according to the September-October 2018 issue of TR News, a publication of the Transportation Research Board.

The best strategy for avoiding traffic, officials say, is to arrive at your destination as early as possible and then leave as late as possible.

Where’s the best place to view the eclipse?

If you don’t already have reservations somewhere, your choices may be limited. With traveling difficult, you probably

won’t be able to zip from one place to another chasing clear skies. Best to pick a spot and hope for the best.

Check city and county websites for viewing options, but here are several free possibilities:

Fredericksburg. Officials here are not actively promoting the quaint German town as an eclipse destination. Still, they know that crowds will come. So they’ve

designated two official viewing areas: Marktplatz, 126 W. Main St., downtown and Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park on Lady Bird Drive southwest of town. For more details: visitfredericksburgtx. com/eclipse

No official programs are planned for either location, but there will be extra security, food trucks, portable toilets and, at LBJ Park, space for parking,

although that’ll likely fill up fast. Kerrville. The city’s parks and recreation department is holding an Eclipse Festival at Louise Hays Park, 202 Thompson Drive. The event will include science presentations, live music and children's programming. Kerrville is also one of only three cities in the U.S. where NASA will livestream the eclipse. Comfort. The public library at

Seventh and High streets will host a family-oriented educational and scientific eclipse event, including telescopes set up by visiting NASA officials. For more details: visitcomfort.us/eclipse-over-comfort

Where can I park?

Parking spaces will be one of the area’s most valuable commodities.

Hotels, restaurants and other businesses will likely reserve their on-site parking for paying customers while others may rent space the way homeowners and businesses do during sporting events.

Officials say they expect many travelers will simply park on the side of a road to watch the celestial show. If that’s your plan, park only on public rights of way and out of the way of traffic. Heed the no trespassing signs, traffic cones and yellow do-not-cross tape homeowners and landowners have been advised to place on their property.

To accommodate the crowds, local officials are encouraging businesses with restrooms to allow public access. They’ll also be placing what they’re calling “a limited number” of portable toilets along roadways.

Most Hill Country towns have small police departments or else they rely on county law enforcement, so they’ll likely be able to respond only to emergencies. Local officials, then, are relying on everyone to remain chill and enjoy the event.

Is it too late to get a room reservation?

As of mid-February only about 65% of rooms in the Fredericksburg area had been booked, according to McKenzie Moellering of the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau. Occupancy rates were at about 75% in the 50 Hill Country properties managed by bachbrosproperties.com.

By the time this magazine publishes, however, those rates should be approaching 100%.

Still, it can’t hurt to call around; you may get lucky. For the most up-to-date information, visit EclipseinFBGTX. com, or search online for terms like “Fredericksburg (or Kerrville, Comfort, etc.) guest houses.”

If you do find a place, expect to pay. A lot. According to one management company, rooms are going for 10 times or more the typical rates. In other words, a property that typically rents for $100 per night might command as much $1,000. And many properties are requiring two- three- or longer-night minimum stays.

What about the state parks?

It seems logical that state parks will

be the perfect place to view the eclipse. They have plenty of open space and there are things to do there — hiking, camping, stargazing — before and after the big event. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is expecting record crowds, so day passes will be needed to get in. (Note: A State Park Pass doesn’t guarantee entry.)

Trouble is, day passes went on sale March 8 (March 11 for Enchanted Rock), so they’re likely sold out. But it can’t hurt to try. Unfortunately, there’s no central website that lists availability for every park; you’ll have to check the individual websites. Or you can call the Customer Service Center at 512389-8900.

You can find a map of parks located in full totality on the TPWD website. Be aware that every vehicle entering the park must have a reservation, so TPWD is encouraging carpooling, as parking will be limited.

What about the wineries?

Many Hill Country-area wineries will be hosting eclipse viewing events, complete with food, live music, wine and, perhaps most importantly, space to park a car. But reservations are going quickly.

Most area wineries are clustered along or near U.S. 290, which is likely to be the site of one of the world’s longest traffic jams before and, especially, after the eclipse. So, if you do land a reservation, plan to arrive as early as possible and to stay late, according to Kate LaFleur, communications coordinator with Texas Hill Country Wineries. For a full calendar of winery events, visit texashillcountrywineries. org/pages/all-events.

Will restaurants be open?

Yes, but one shouldn’t expect to simply walk and score a table. Crowds will be thick, so make reservations as early as possible. Choices may be limited, however, as restaurants may run out of food and drink, even though most, like Rick Martin of the Pecan Grove Store, located about 5 miles north of Fredericksburg, have been loading up on provisions for months.

Because there may be shortages, be sure to bring enough food to sustain you and whomever else you’re traveling with for at least two days.

Total Solar Eclipse FAQs

The No. 1 rule when observing an eclipse is don’t look at it directly without proper eye protection because you could go blind. Here’s what you need to know to safely view it.

When will the eclipse occur?

April 8. Depending on where you are in Texas, totality will begin some time between 1:27 p.m. and 1:46 p.m.

Why is looking at an eclipse so bad?

Not only is the sun literally about half a million times brighter than the full moon, it also emits ultraviolet and infrared rays. If you look at the sun directly, those rays can destroy cells in the retina, the part of the

eye that transmits images to your brain.

Damage to these cells can lead to what’s known as “eclipse blindness,” or retinopathy. It doesn’t cause any pain and can take hours or days to develop, but retinopathy can result in temporary or — worst-case scenario — permanent blindness.

The only exception to the “don’t look” rule is the period during a total eclipse when the sun is totally blocked by the moon. During this period of totality, which can last several minutes, it is safe to look directly at the sun with unshielded eyes.

Can I wear sunglasses to look at the eclipse?

Nope. Not even very dark, polarized sunglasses are safe.

How can I watch the upcoming eclipse?

By wearing special-purpose solar eclipse

glasses capable of filtering out those harmful rays.

What are the special solar eclipse glasses?

Purchase glasses that meet the safety requirements of the ISO 12312-2 international standard. To help consumers avoid potentially dangerous counterfeits, the American Astronomical Society maintains an online list of manufacturers that sell glasses proven to both reduce the sun’s brightness to a safe and comfortable level, and to filter out those harmful rays. It’s highly recommended that you buy only from this list of vendors.

What is pinhole projection and how can I do it?

It’s a method of viewing the solar eclipse indirectly. Remember those cardboard box eclipse viewers that were all the rage

before eclipse glasses? That used pinhole projection.

But for those who aren’t into DIY, there are even simpler ways to use this technique.

Basically, with the sun behind you, you want to have the sunlight pass through a small hole and project an image of the sun onto a surface, such as the ground, a wall or a piece of white paper. You can track the progress of the eclipse and see the ring image on that surface. You also can photograph it — but make sure to turn off your flash first.

You can use a pasta colander, straw hat or perforated spoon — anything with small holes in it — as a pinhole projector. You even can use your fingers — stretch out your fingers on both hands and then cross them, creating a grid on the ground below.

The American Astronomical Society says it can be easier to do this with your palms up.

Spellbound Sipping

The Observer eclipses all other commemorative wines

BY JENNIFER MCINNIS

The Texas Hill Country is home to close to 100 wineries, and most of them will be prime spots to watch the total solar eclipse on April 8. That’s if you plan ahead and make a reservation.

The viewing opportunity is rare, as this will be the last total solar eclipse visible from the United States until 2044.

While preparation has been top of mind for wineries for a couple of years and many have designed commemorative wine labels, one wine stands out for its next-level forethought and divine timing.

Farmhouse Vineyards’ The Observer

is a wine seven years in the making. The grapes — 51% Mourvèdre, 39% Grenache and 10% Syrah — were hand-harvested in 2017 in the Texas High Plains during the last total solar eclipse. That year was also one of the best vintages in Texas because of its ideal growing season.

The back label tells the story best:

“As farmers, a lunar cycle is an age-old

tool in our practices. We observe the moon’s cycle to help determine our movement within our stewardship.

On August, 21, 2017, while harvesting at Crookshouse Block, the total solar eclipse temporarily bathed our vineyard observers in darkness, and we captured this harvest by the light of that phenomenon. Only 20 cases were made & 16 were made available. A very limited amount of this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon will be uncorked on the solar eclipse of April 8, 2024, in Johnson City.”

Farmhouse Vineyards is co-owned by a Texas farming family who owns their vineyards, makes wine and operate three tasting rooms — Farmhouse Vineyards

Marketplace & Tipsy in Johnson City, and Whitehouse Parker and The Armory in Brownfield, where the families live and farm.

In addition to grapes, owners Nicholas and Katy Jane Seaton, with his sister, Traci and her husband, Anthony Furgeson, farm cotton, peanuts, blackeyed peas, hemp, melons, pumpkins and grains.

The etched label for The Observer is from an image of the exact sun flare from the vineyard floor during the 2017 eclipse captured by Tracy Furgeson.

“It’s the most happy accident there ever was,” Katy Jane Seaton said. “We’ve worked so hard to do really authentic things with this wine.”

It is recommended to decant The Observer. Its aromas offer black pepper, black cherry and a savory herbal note of sage. It follows on the palate with dark cocoa, black cherry cola and sauteed mushrooms, making it a pairing

companion for iron-rich proteins like a skillet-seared steak au poivre, pepper-crusted smoked pork loin or quail served with a compote of dark berries or cranberries.

Farmhouse Vineyards also bottled an eclipse-themed white wine, Come and See It ($35), which has aromas of lemon peel and white peach. It is dry with floral notes, along with lemon juice, a twang of zest, yellow grapefruit and yellow Starburst candy. It pairs with a creamy cheese, like triple-cream brie or chevre, as well as oysters on the half shell, ceviche and grilled fish with salty capers.

The grape variety was intentionally left off the Come and See It label because people have preconceived notions about it typically making a sweet wine.

“If we tell you what it is, your mind is made up,” Seaton said. It was kept a secret and the wine was included in their wine club. After the reactions were positive, she revealed, “It is 100%

bone-dry Orange Muscat.”

The $500 purchase of a bottle of The Observer includes a VIP package of two tickets for April 8, eclipse-viewing glasses, guaranteed prime seating and other amenities, such as food, access to library wines and keepsake wine glasses, at the tasting room in Johnson City, which is in the path of totality.

For $105, a three-bottle bundle of Come And See It includes two tickets for the standard lawn viewing area, available first come, and eclipse-viewing glasses. There will be live music and a food truck on-site.

Purchases of either package by the end of March will be entered into a drawing to win an eclipse-weekend lodging package.

The Observer and Come and See It wines also have their own Farmhouse Vineyards moon- and eclipse-themed playlists on Spotify. So, you can immerse yourself in the experience, whether you are present or not.

Anni v ersary

On a Mission for Modern Dance

BY DEBORAH MARTIN

Tanesha Payne first got into dance on a dare.

They were about 13 years old and enrolled at the Middle School for the Arts in Jacksonville, Fla.

“We did mini-trials of different art forms,” they said. “My main one was theater, but I had tried dance, I had tried visual arts, all the others. And then, when it came time to go to ninth grade, my theater friends dared me to audition for the dance department, and I was like, OK! Let’s go! I went to the audition — I didn’t have much experience prior to that — and I’m a natural mover, so I was able to do it, and I’ve been hooked ever since.”

Payne, 38, is driven by a desire to share their passion for dance. And so, when they moved to San Antonio with their husband and two children in 2016 and discovered how scant the modern dance offerings are, they decided to work to change that.

“I found myself commuting to Houston and Austin regularly just to get my dance fix,” said Payne. “And so, I’m like, OK. We need to do something about this.”

As part of that mission, they founded sumRset Movement in 2023 after finishing their master’s degree in choreography.

“The goal for getting my MFA was to be a college professor for some sort of job security within the art form,” they said. “But something kind of switched while I was in school, and my husband and I discussed it, and I was like, give me five years to chase this dream. Just networking and talking to people, we probably did about 15 performances last year. So it’s been quite a really fast roller coaster.”

The name of the company is a play on their maiden name, Sumerset, as well as a nod to the company’s repertoire.

“Some of the dances that we do are set and some are not,” they said. “We lean heavily into the practice of improvisation. So, in rehearsals, we spend a good portion learning how to read each other’s bodies and how to breathe together and just sense one another. It's like a jazz musician — once you have the rules, you can break the rules. And once you know who you’re playing with, it just flows.”

The ability to improv also makes it easier for the company to accept performance invitations without a lot of lead

time. That helps increase visibility for both the company and the art form.

“I think the more access people have to it — the more that, every time they turn around, there’s dance — it’ll become familiar,” they said. “Because there is that, ‘I went to a show, I’m not really sure what I saw, I’m not comfortable, I don’t want to come back.’ So we want to create those spaces where we can make San Antonio familiar and comfortable with it.”

In addition to choreographing for and dancing with sumRset, Payne maintains a busy schedule as a teaching artist. They also work with high school dance teams, choreographing for them and helping them prepare for competitions.

They regularly choreograph for musical theater productions around town, something they first did to fantastic effect for The Public Theater of San Antonio’s 2022 staging of “Once on This Island.”

And they are a striking presence in “The Quilt: A Living History of African American Music,” the award-winning 2023 educational film produced by Musical Bridges Around the World.

As a result of all that work, they have become a sought-after collaborator for arts groups all over town.

Daniel Anastasio, artistic director and pianist for the Agarita chamber ensemble, worked closely with them to shape a performance by the musicians and

sumRset for a rapt house in January.

Anastasio is “a thousand percent” open to collaborating with Payne again.

“Tanesha already reached out to me about the possibility of either doing a repeat of this concert sometime or creating something new together,” he said. “If something is working and it’s generating art and you’re getting good feedback, it’s a shame not to pursue that to the nth degree.”

Theater artist Morgan Clyde first worked with Payne in “We Sail On in Darkness,” a thought-provoking 2023 physical theater piece exploring the stories of various mystics. Clyde designed the costumes and Payne choreographed,

a collaborative process that worked beautifully.

“At this point, they are one of those people I will seek out opportunities to work with,” said Clyde.

Because of that, she gave Payne their first onstage musical theater role as one of the drag queen angels in Wonder Theatre’s production of “Kinky Boots.” Clyde directed the show and said that in addition to casting for talent, the production team looked for people who are great to work with.

“It’s so nice to be working on a process where everybody is just joyful coming in, and Tanesha’s at the top of the list,” she said. “They’ve got this bright, beaming

smile on their face every single day.

“There is joy in what’s being performed, there’s joy in the collaborative process itself, there’s joy in the social aspect of everything, and you can see joy for their life, too, when they talk about their husband.”

As much as Payne loves creating work for folks to watch, they also want San Antonians who might not think of themselves as dancers to give it a try. To help with that, they lead an adult contemporary class open to pretty much anybody.

“I have created the space where people can show up at any level and just be and it’s not intimidating,” they said.

The classes run in four-week cycles, during which the students work through the same movements, slowly mastering them.

“It’s really interesting to watch people who come in as non-dancers and then to see them so confident in that fourth week,” they said. “It’s so magical.”

They hope that all of the work that they’re putting in pays off with a larger dance presence in the city.

“I just want to make a little dent and get some progress going,” they said. “I heard San Antonio is a tough city to crack for dance and movement. So I’m still trying to figure that out.

“It helps that I love it.”

Juicy Details

Weissman dishes on burger joint success

BY RICHARD WEBNER

Andrew Weissman’s career path as a chef, which began with training jobs at some of the finest restaurants in the Auvergne and Burgundy regions of France, has now led him to a former Whataburger on the North Side.

He recently revealed plans to open a second location of Mr. Juicy, his popular and critically praised burger joint, in a repainted Whataburger on Northwest Military Highway; the first Mr. Juicy is in a former Jack-in-the-Box at the intersection of San Pedro and West Hildebrand avenues. He is searching for a spot for a third location, he said, with a long-term goal of opening eight to 10 locations.

He sees his work at Mr. Juicy as a natural progression from his background in high-end French cuisine. He points out that he uses many of the principles he learned in France in cooking the burgers, chicken strips and fries, as well as making the milkshakes and chocolate cookies that feature Belgian chocolate.

“What I wanted, to be a disrupter in this segment, is to try to cook á la minute, which is essential in French cuisine,” he said. “The moment you order it is when we cook it. We’ve never had an extra burger sitting to the side that we reheat. It’s all stuff that just is philosophically based in French cuisine — making product in-house. Our sauces are real sauces. They are not made with any kinds of bases.”

A San Antonio native, he briefly pursued a career in journalism, working as a reporter in Mexico City, before deciding to be a cook. The pivotal moment came when he cooked dinner for a visiting NBC News crew, he said; the now-retired anchor George Lewis told

him afterward that it was one of the best meals he’d had during his world travels. He went on to study at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. During his roughly 25 years cooking in San Antonio — he opened his first restaurant, La Reve, in 1998 — he and his wife and business partner Maureen have launched numerous concepts offering a wide variety of cuisines, ranging from the Mediterranean street food joint Moshe’s Golden Falafel to the Italian restaurant Il Sogno Osteria at Pearl. He recently discussed what he learned from his training in France, how he has tended to get bored with his prior restaurant concepts and whether he thinks that will happen with Mr. Juicy. The following has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Q: You did training in France, right?

A: I worked quite a bit as what’s called a stagiaire. I traveled around France. Basically, learned the dynamics of a well-organized kitchen. It was just eye-opening. I learned about total utilization of product in kitchens and cleanliness aspects. Just how to present food.

Q: You’ve done so many restaurants, offering all kinds of cuisine. But do you consider French cuisine as your home base?

A: Yeah. I love that art of the table and serving people. French cuisine allows you to express a lot of different food categories, but in a very stripped-down presentation. It’s kind of the less-ismore school of thought. And I just love it. It’s all about technique, and that’s really where I think I excel. I don’t excel in creating new dishes. I just like the organization of French cuisine. You don’t hide stuff under sauces. If it’s fried, it’s got to be perfectly fried. If it’s seared, it’s got to be perfectly seared. Nothing’s hidden from the guest; it’s all out there. I find that really fascinating.

Q: Apart from this Mr. Juicy and the second location, what else do you have going on?

A: My name is licensed at the airport (for Sip Brew Bar & Eatery). But I shed everything, closed the remaining restaurants, so that I could focus on growing Mr. Juicy.

Q: You’re 100% Mr. Juicy right now, then.

A: I am so devoted to this concept. I’ve never just had one place. It’s like this little spark that I’m really trying to protect and grow.

Q: Looking back at all the other concepts you’ve done, I would assume some didn’t work out for economic reasons?

A: I don’t think so — all of them were successful. I just got bored. You know, Il Sogno and Sandbar at the Pearl — Il Sogno was a 10-year-old restaurant; Sandbar was a second location of it, so combined it was almost 20 years old. Sip, my coffee shop, was 22 years old. The only one that was short-lived was Moshe’s Golden Falafel, and that had a fervent following, but I have three children, and I always told myself that if I didn’t make a certain amount of money, it wasn’t worth my time away from my family.

Q: Do you think you’ll get bored with Mr. Juicy?

A: I don’t. I wasn’t pigeon-holed, but to a certain extent I was a little bit in all my

other concepts, because whether it was French or Italian, those are the kinds of foods I had to do. Here, I started chicken fried steak. If I wake up one morning and say, “Hey man, I want to do a T-bone steak out the window of a fast-food joint,” I do it. I can do whatever I want. So it’s exciting. Other fastfood places can’t do that.

Q: Where did the inspiration come from for the concept?

A: We were in Colombia, my wife and my children. We were walking around the downtown area, and I saw this place; there was a line wrapped around the building. And I’m like, “What is that place?” We went over and looked, and it was just this little burger place. They only had a hamburger, cheeseburger, double cheeseburger, fries and milkshakes. It just kind of hit me. At the time we were struggling with Moshe’s because of course I didn’t want to keep it simple. We were doing 25 different salads every day that you could stuff in a made-to-order pita with falafel or shawarma. And it was just overwhelming. We were selling it for 10 bucks a shot, and I was just like,

“Man, this is ridiculous.”

Q: Is it hard to let your concepts go?

A: Yeah. Some no; some I’m like, “Oh my god, I’m so happy.” I’ve had two or three offers to buy just this one unit, and they’ve been pretty lucrative, so I’ve thought about it, but then I was like, I’d be selling myself short. I think to get multiples of this would be more lucrative.

Q: It’s been financially successful, then?

A: We have been truly blessed. I think it’s partly due to the fact that we’re willing to go above and beyond. Right now, when there’s a lot of restaurants struggling, I hate to say it out loud, but we’ve been really busy. I just attribute that to the fact that we’re diligent in what we do. My wife and I really want to please the guests. We slip up on a daily basis, but we always try to correct it. I always tell people, “Hey, complete 100% money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.”

Q: So you actually do cooking here? Flipping burgers?

A: Every single day, yeah.

BY DEBORAH MARTIN

The Gallery:

Centro de Artes Gallery 101 S. Santa Rosa Ave. Historic Market Square

The Work:

“The Wizard of Oz”

On display until June 30

MEXICAN ARTIST EFEDEFROY SPECIALIZES IN PLAYFUL MASHUPS BLENDING IMAGES FROM CLASsic Mexican films with American pop culture, an idea inspired by the time he spent as a child watching shows and movies from around the world on television.

One of the many striking works in “Permanencia Voluntaria,” a must-see exhibit of his work on display through June 30 at Centro de Artes in Market Square, puts a different spin on one of the roles that made Judy Garland an icon.

He took an image of her as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” and replaced her blue-and-white pinafore with a distinctly Mexican ensemble, including a shopping bag bearing the image of the Virgen de Guadalupe. (Toto and the ruby slippers seem to have been left untouched.)

“She’s not in Kansas anymore but is in Oaxaca,” the artist said.

Other pieces in the show — which is his first exhibition in the United States — place Mexican artists and actors into scenes from such diverse films as “Back to the Future,” “Star Wars,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “Pulp Fiction.”