San Antonio Current - August 2, 2017

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FIRST WORDS

1

20

Smuggling Survivors Are Being Held in a Federal Immigration Detention Center Is it illegal to illegally cross into this country? Yes so they did commit a crime. Now it will be up to feds to see what happens next. — Mark Kelley Rick Perry talks Pig Poop with Prank Callers Honestly surprised he didn’t either give them Trump’s direct dial number or solicit campaign contributions. — Ron Mackell

Issue 17_31 /// August 2-8, 2017

09

NEWS

SeaWorld’s Last Orca Calf Dies in San Antonio Get over it. If you don’t like it that’s your opinion but just remember that we wouldn’t know half as much about these creatures as we do now had it not been for Sea World’s research.

— Jennifer Lopez

End of an Era SeaWorld’s last Orca calf dies in San Antonio

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

Pulled Over Driver of cargo truck packed with immigrants faces death penalty, life in prison

36

Disarmed Trump’s military ban rattles trans troops, veterans in Military City, USA

27

27 ARTS + CULTURE

Upping the Ante Freight Gallery & Studios reimagines a Southtown staple

ON THE

COVER In its 23rd year, the San Antonio Film Festival continues to develop its own distinct flavor and prides itself as an inviting presence on the festival circuit. In anticipation of this year’s program (which runs through August 6), we reviewed 10 features from the lineup.

Art direction by Sarah Flood-Baumann

NIGHTLIFE

CURRENT • August 2-August 8, 2017 • sacurrent.com

Savoring Cinema In its 23rd year, SAFILM continues to develop its own distinct flavor on the festival circuit

28

SCREENS

The War at Home Detroit recreates one harrowing battle in an ongoing conflict

36

MUSIC

Full Circle How a San Antonio-born dancer landed a feature in a Nike ad

Booze News Happy hours and dirty ‘tinis

41 6

FEATURE

Bombshell Charlize Theron delivers an explosive performance in the action-packed spy thriller Atomic Blonde

27

35

14

Music Calendar What to see and hear this week

18

CALENDAR

Our top picks for the week

31

FOOD

Texas Tapas Finding tapas far from España

31

48

ETC.

Savage Love Jonesin’ Crossword Freewill Astrology

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LUNCH & LEARN: Department of Arts & Culture will host a box lunch panel discussion.

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8 CURRENT • August 2-August 8, 2017 • sacurrent.com

NEWS

SIERRA JUAREZ

END

OF AN

ERA

SeaWorld’s last orcalf dies in San Antonio

FACEBOOK SCREENSHOT // NEVER LEAVE AN AIRMAN BEHIND GROUP

move and interact with other ocean organisms.

Kyara was the last whale born in captivity at any SeaWorld parks. During her mother’s pregnancy, SeaWorld officials announced they would no longer breed killer whales in captivity. The announcement came after the 2013 release of “Blackfish,” a CNN

LAW & ERROR Air Force trainer convicted of rape may walk free due to judge error ALEX ZIELINSKI | @ALEX_ZEE

SCREENSHOT SEAWORLDCARES.COM

> SeaWorld’s last killer whale bred in captivity died Monday, July 24 from serious health complications.

The 3-month-old whale contracted a disease, which officials say is likely pneumonia, over the weekend.

SeaWorld said pneumonia is common in whales both in captivity and in the wild, adding its “one of the most common causes of illness or morbidity in whales and dolphins.” SeaWorld provided 24-hour care for the whale, named Kyara, at its animal hospital.

“Despite best efforts, her health continued to decline and passed away earlier today,” SeaWorld posted on its blog on Monday.

But animal advocacy organization PETA said that the death of the whale is part of a pattern of animal deaths in captivity. According to an Express–News report, 150 sea lions, beluga whales, orcas and other dolphins have died due to infections at SeaWorld parks over the past 30 years. Kyara was the 40th whale to die at the facilities.

“SeaWorld executives have dollar signs where their eyes should be,” PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien said in a statement.

PETA has called for the remaining whales at SeaWorld to be moved to seaside sanctuaries, or giant sea pens that allow whales to have more room to

> A judge’s error has overturned the 20-year sentence of a former San Antonio Air Force sergeant found guilty of three rapes.

According to a July 29 ruling by the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals, Michael Silva’s 2015 trial was flawed because the military judge told jurors they could use the testimony of all witnesses to decide whether Silva had “a propensity to commit sexual assault.” In short, Judge Natalie D. Richardson said it was OK to consider testimony from non-victims (like other women Silva had consensual, but violent, sex with in the past) as evidence to prove his guilt.

This means that unless the Air Force decides to try him again, Silva may soon walk free. A retrial would require Silva’s rape victims to agree to testify against him all over again — a rollercoaster they may not want to repeat.

Silva was one of the dozen boot camp instructors charged in the 2012 federal investigation into sexual assault allegations streaming out of Lackland Air Force Base’s basic training program. More than 30 women came forward to report sexual misconduct,

documentary that prompted increased scrutiny of SeaWorld’s treatment of killer whales.

SeaWorld says the park will now focus on the health of the rest of the orca pod, especially Kyara’s mother. PETA held a funeral and protest the day after Kyara's death.

assault, and rape at the hands of their male instructors — marking it the worst case of military sexual abuse in nearly 20 years.

Silva was specifically charged with raping a 17-year-old Air Force trainee twice on base in San Antonio in 1995, and raping his ex-wife once in Wyoming in 2007. Both claimed Silva had choked them while assaulting them. Three other women who testified at the trial said that when they’d had consensual sex with Silva, he also had tried to choke them (and it was unwelcome).

It’s the testimony of those three women that Judge Richardson was talking about when she told jurors to consider the history of Silva’s “propensity” to commit sexual assault in their ruling. The appeals court said her reccomendation could have influenced the verdict.

“The military judge’s erroneous instruction... permitt[ed] the members, essentially, to find by a preponderance of evidence from the charged and uncharged offenses that [Silva] had a predisposition to commit sexual assault,” they write. The Air Force has one month to decide whether it will retry Silva’s case — or let him off.

sacurrent.com • August 2-August 8, 2017 • CURRENT 9

SHUTTERSTOCK

NEWS

DISARMED Trump’s military ban rattles trans troops, veterans in Military City, USA ALEX ZIELINSKI | @ALEX_ZEE

≥

On the morning of Wednesday, July 26, San Antonio army veteran Danny Ingram got a worried call from a friend in the Air Force. “She had seen the news and was scared, suddenly it felt like her job was on the line,” said Ingram.

The call came a few hours after President Donald Trump issued a jarring series of tweets (which we’ve now come to accept as official White House statements): “Please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military,” he posted. “Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendtous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.”

Ingram’s friend is an openly trans pilot who’s been in the military 15 years — five years away from retirement and the crucial benefits that come with it. Did Trump’s tweet change this plan? Was she still allowed to work?

At the time, neither Trump nor the Department of Defense had clarified his sweeping statement, one that affects the thousands of trans people currently serving in the military, those in training, those hoping to join, and proud trans veterans. Pentagon leaders have since told military chiefs that their policy on accepting trans soldiers won’t change unless they get official command from the White House. But with Trump in charge, there’s no saying when that may happen.

It even appeared the House Republicans

10 CURRENT • August 2-August 8, 2017 • sacurrent.com

who had been pestering Trump to drop gender reassignment surgery coverage for members of the military didn’t want him to go this far.

“This is like someone told the White House to light a candle on the table and the WH set the whole table on fire,” an unnamed House Republican aide told Politico later that day. No one seemed quite certain how to move forward.

Ingram, who is the former president and current treasurer of American Veterans for Equal Rights (the country’s oldest organization of LGBT veterans), didn’t have any answers to offer his concerned friend. But he’s familiar with the kind of discrimination Trump was suggesting.

“No one in the military should feel discriminated against. I went through that, and I don’t wish it on anyone,” Ingram said. “To be blunt, it’s unpatriotic.”

Ingram was discharged from the Army in 1994, when President Bill Clinton passed “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” a now-defunct policy barring openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual people from the military. Since he had already come out as a gay serviceman, he was automatically discharged. Trump’s threatening tweet felt eerily reminiscent to Ingram.

“I’m very concerned for active servicemembers.

They’re already doing work that’s incredibly stressful, and now they don’t know if they’ll be fired tomorrow,” Ingram said. “It’s a disservice to men and women who just want to do their job.”

But like many Americans, Ingram said he can’t fully take Trump’s tweeting seriously, who knows if he’ll take it all back in a week or two.

But the initial message it sends to trans troops — that their boss doesn’t support their general existence — is hard to erase.

“It’s difficult to be trans to begin with in this society. But I have never known anyone as courageous as an openly trans person in the military,” he said.

Wednesday afternoon, Ingram heard a military plane buzz by overhead — a familiar sound in San Antonio, “Military City, USA”. This time, however, he said he paused to consider whether the pilot was trans. If they were worried.

Staff Sergeant Jamie Hash, a trans woman and Air Force analyst at San Antonio’s Randolph Air Force Base, told the Current that the possibility of losing her job was more saddening than stressful.

“Although the military transgender process has been very difficult to navigate because of its infancy, this past year of serving openly and authentically as a transgender woman has been the best year of my life,” said Hash, who’s served for 6 years.

Coming out as a trans woman to her fellow airmen actually brought her unit closer together, Hash said. Instead of distancing themselves from her, her unit became a crucial support system. She has yet to hear anything about how Trump’s alert will truly affect her job in the long-term.

Until then, Hash said, “I will continue to fulfill my mission and put integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all that I do because I am an American Airman.”

CULTURE

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L O C A L C U LT U R E T I C K E T S . C O M

AUGUST 25, 2017

WHISKEY BUSINESS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25 • 8 PM • WITTE MUSEUM

FRIDAY NIGHTS AT THE MUSEUM showcase

SAN ANTONIO MUSIC SHOWCASE

SATURDAY SEPT. 30 • 8 PM • ST. MARY’S STRIP

No special exhibition surcharge 6:00–9:00 p.m. | Cash bar + Events

August 11: Art Party

Gallery tours | Cash bar by Hanzo

SAN ANTONIO MUSEUM of ART RT 200 West Jones Avenue | San Antonio, TX | 210.978.8100 | samuseum.org m.org

FAKE NEWS BY THE ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE - GRIDIRON2017

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

This exhibition is generously funded by the Theodore and Doris Lee Family Foundation, the Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Foundation of 1992, Dr. Robert Clemons, the Marcia & Otto Koehler Foundation, Thomas Edson, the Pilkington Anglo-Japanese Cultural Foundation, Allen Bennett, and Rosario Laird. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Bowing Buddha, Japan, Edo period, 17th-18th century, gilt wood, 28 x 14 x 9 in. Vanessa and Henry Cornell Collection, Photography by Ylva Erevall Photography.

17 20

SAN ANTONIO BEER FESTIVAL

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Check out fresh daily content at sacurrent.com sacurrent.com • August 2-August 8, 2017 • CURRENT 11

NEWS SHUTTERSTOCK

PULLED OVER

Driver of cargo truck packed with immigrants faces death penalty, life in prison ALEX ZIELINSKI | @ALEX_ZEE

≥

Truck driver James Matthew Bradley Jr. has been charged for transporting undocumented immigrants in an unventilated, windowless cargo trailer — a two-hour trip that resulted in the death of 10 men and sent dozens to the hospital. If convicted, the 60-year-old man could face the death penalty or life in prison.

Bradley was arrested at a southeast side Walmart parking lot in the early hours of Sunday, July 23, after one of the men trapped in his cargo trailer escaped and told a Walmart employee about the 37 other people suffering from severe heat-related injuries inside. The employee called 911.

When the San Antonio Police Department arrived, they found that eight of the passengers had already died from the intense, triple-digit heat, and around 20 needed immediate medical care. Two more passengers have since died. Fire Chief Charles Hood said “a lot” of the passengers were likely to have irreversible brain damage from the heat exposure.

According to the criminal complaint filed against him by Homeland Security agent James Lara, Bradley told law enforcement he had no idea what kind of cargo he had been carrying. He’d been given orders from his boss to drive the tractor-trailer from Iowa to Brownsville, TX, where he was supposed to drop off the trailer to someone his boss had sold the vehicle to. Bradley said he made a stop in Laredo for truck detailing before driving to San Antonio (which is far offcourse on a Laredo-to-Brownsville drive).

Bradley said he only noticed something was unusual when he pulled over at a San Antonio Walmart to go to the bathroom — and heard banging from inside the trailer. When he opened the back door, the complaint reads “he was run over by ‘Spanish’ people and knocked to the ground.” He could tell at least one of the passengers were dead, and

12 CURRENT • August 2-August 9, 2017 • sacurrent.com

many of them were lying in the truck bed “like meat.” Instead of calling 911, he called his wife, but she didn’t pick up.

Passengers painted a different picture of their journey to Lara. One man, who was transported to a hospital early Sunday morning, told agents that he had initially been smuggled across the Rio Grande River into Laredo, Texas. After waiting in another hot cargo trailer for around 12 hours, the man was loaded into what sounds like Bradley’s trailer. After the first hour on the road, he said, people began passing out from the heat — someone even made a small hole in the trailer wall where people “took turns breathing” from. When the driver finally stopped and opened up the rear door, there were six SUVs waiting in the parking lot. They were filled instantly by swarming passengers, and drove off.

Walmart surveillance videos back up his testimony.

Two other immigrants interviewed in the hospital Sunday said they, too, crossed into the U.S. through Laredo. One was headed to Minnesota, and said he believed there were up to 200 people in the cramped, hot trailer when he boarded. The other was instructed to pay a smuggler $5,500 once he got to San Antonio.

At a Sunday candlelight vigil for the deceased immigrants hosted by RAICES, local immigrant advocates said they were disappointed in SAPD for immediately calling U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after discovering the semi.

“RAICES condemns actions of SAPD who called ICE to respond instead of offering a humanitarian response,” said Barbie Hurtado, RAICES’ statewide organizer, at the event. “We resist all attacks to dehumanize the survivors of this tragedy. These immigrants lost their lives trying to seek refuge from violence, war and poverty. No human has to die in their search for a better life.”

Hurtado said the tragedy is a direct result of the criminalization of immigrants by the Trump Administration.

Texas’ top officials, however, have blamed the incident on Texas cities for embracing the so-called “sanctuary city” movement. In a Facebook post Sunday, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said that welcoming undocumented immigrants into Texas “enables smugglers and cartels.”

“Sanctuary cities entice people to believe they can come to America and Texas and live outside the law,” he wrote.

“Today, these people paid a terrible price and demonstrate why we need a secure border and legal immigration reform so we can control who enters our country.”

This incident comes after months of SAPD Chief William McManus decrying the state’s new law mandating law enforcement work more closely with ICE. Senate Bill 4, signed into law in May, ban cities from ignoring ICE requests to detain an undocumented immigrant until the feds can pick them up, regardless of the crime they committed. It’s also been called Texas’ “Show Me Your Papers Bill,” for eroding local laws banning cops from asking anyone about their immigration status.

Thirteen of the non-hospitalized survivors have been sent to an ICE detention center in downtown San Antonio. While they haven’t been charged with any crimes, the government says they have to hold the immigrants to make sure they stick around — federal prosecutors are relying on their testimony in the trial against Bradley.

Immigration attorney Gerardo Menchaca told KSAT that if the feds let them walk free, “they’ll just go back to their home country and they’ll never be able to cooperate with the authorities in the United States.”

The detainees are expected to testify at Bradley’s Aug. 23 deposition hearing.

ENJOY

Free

MOVIES AT THE MARQUEE

S U M M E R & FA L L

AUGUST

2017

SEPTEMBER

05

02

STAR TREK: BEYOND

STAND AND DELIVER

THE FRONTIER PUSHES BACK

A TRUE STORY ABOUT A MODERN MIRACLE

PG-13 | 2h | 2016

PG | 1h 45min | 1988

17 NORTH BY NORTHWEST

14 LA BAMBA TRUE STORY OF RITCHIE VALENS

SPONSORED BY SLAB CINEMA

PG-13 | 1h 48min | 1987

Southtown to Broadway, Centro Plaza

NR | 2h 16min | 1959

to Sunset Station, and throughout the

San Antonio Missions World Heritage Site 19

16

ZOOTOPIA

CANTINFLAS

WELCOME TO THE URBAN JUNGLE

HISPANIC HERITAGE EVENT

PG | 1h 48min | 2016

Bring the entire family for free movies under the San Antonio night sky.

Load up your blankets & snacks, or check out our onsite food trucks.

PG | 1h 36min | 2014

Venue opens at 7:00p.m.

Movies will begin 15 minutes past dusk.

#letsVIVA

Pets Welcome.

3100 Roosevelt Ave, San Antonio Texas, 78214 For more information, call (210) 207-8612 or visit getcreativesanantonio.com_missionmarqueeplaza #missionmarqueeplaza

Visit VIAinfo.net/VIVA for complete schedule information and locations served by VIVA. sacurrent.com • August 2-August 8, 2017 • CURRENT 13

FEATURE

SAN ANTONIO FILM FESTIVAL

SAVORING CINEMA

Through August 6 $39-$139 Tobin Center for the Performing Arts 100 Auditorium Circle (210) 223-8624 safilm.com

In its 23rd year, SAFILM continues to develop its own distinct flavor on the festival circuit For the last 23 years, the San Antonio Film Festival has always done its own thing.

“We’re not the Toronto Film Festival or anywhere close to South by Southwest, and we’re not trying to be,” said Adam Rocha, director and founder of SAFILM, which runs through August 6 at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. “But we are trying to have fun. We are what we are, which is San Antonio.

We’re pure San Antonio.”

Representing the city on an international scale, Rocha said, has included fostering relationships with filmmakers, which has kept SAFILM in the minds of people in the movie industry as an event he considers “inviting” compared to other fests.

“It’s all about fellowship,” said Rocha. “I think that’s what we do as a film festival. At other film festivals, you don’t have much

14 CURRENT • August 2-August 8, 2017 • sacurrent.com

access and it seems like you’re left out in the cold. We’re trying to do the opposite. We make friends and we keep friends.” Along with six days of screenings, SAFILM will also hold four workshops for filmmakers: “SAG-indie Filmmaking” with Darrien Michele Gipson (9:15am Fri, Aug. 4); “Making a Career in Show Business” with producer Marcia Nasatir (9:30am Sat, Aug. 5); “The Editor’s Cut: Feature Films vs. Docs” with Anne Goursaud (11am Sat, Aug. 5); and “Seal the Deal” with Hollywood agent Harry Ufland (11:30am Sat, Aug. 5).

The Current chose 10 features to review this year prior to SAFILM. Like most film festivals, there’s good, bad and everything in between, so choose your screenings wisely.

For a full schedule of features and shorts screening this year, including films that are part of the coinciding San Antonio Children’s Film Festival, visit safilm.com.

FEATURE

COURTESY OF YAZOO REVISTED

YAZOO REVISITED

(DIR. DAVID RAE MORRIS)

Filmmaker Rae Morris returns to Yazoo City, Mississippi, the hometown of his late father, to reexamine the history of the community in the 1970s when it became one of the first in the state to integrate its public schools. Seen by many at the time as a seamless example of how integration could work in a divided country, Morris isn’t afraid to get to the root of the truth not only through candid interviews with former students and administrators who were there during the groundbreaking period, but also with current teachers and residents to understand how the local district has re-segregated over the last half century. Through powerful words and images, Morris has created a documentary that is both timely and sincere. 7pm Wed, Aug. 2 YAZOO REVISITED

IS AND ISN'T LLC.

ENGRAMS (

DIR. ARMANDO LUIS ALVAREZ)

It’s obvious Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was a heavy influence on director/ writer Luis Alvarez, but unlike filmmaker Michel Gondry’s 2004 masterpiece, Alvarez’s indie sci-fi lacks any fully formed ideas and is pieced together in an amateurish way.

It feels like an aimless experimental project where flashbacks, awkward editing and nonlinear timelines actual become a burden on the already messy love story. Genuine emotion is absent as we watch a scientist, who finds a cure for depression by activating happy memories, globe-trot to find his missing girlfriend. Is there a method to Alvarez’s madness? Maybe, but after 100 long minutes, it’s hard to care one way or the other.

1:30pm Thu, Aug. 3

THE WEIGHT OF HONOR

ENGRAMS

(DIR. STEPHANIE SELDIN HOWARD)

The stories of the 1.1 million family caregivers of post-9/11 military veterans are given the respect and admiration they deserve in filmmaker Stephanie Seldin Howard’s touching documentary, which also reveals the harsh realities that come with their responsibilities. Wives and mothers open their hearts to Howard as she reminisces with them about how their lives changed when a loved one was critically injured in war and the impact it has taken on their relationships and their own identity. Howard is also courageous enough to point out some of the flaws in the VA system without becoming overtly political. Noon Fri, Aug. 4

THE OTHER KIDS

(DIR. CHRIS BROWN)

CORE ISSUE PRODUCTIONS

Described by some as a “ficumentary” drama, there is an authenticity and refreshing candor that director Chris Brown allows to envelope his narrative, a difficult thing to capture, especially with non-actors who know when a camera is pointing at them. In this hybrid project, Brown films real-life high school students in small-town California portraying cinematic versions of themselves as they discuss politics, religion and plans for their future.

It’s a compelling inside look into the minds of six seniors as they contemplate adulthood and recognize how their lives are about the change. 7pm Fri, Aug. 4

THE WEIGHT OF HONOR

SILVERFISH

(DIR. MATT THORNTON)

CB FILMS

It’s enough of a chore to get through the muddled, six-minute-long opening scene of this frustrating drama, but hold on tight. Writer/director/actor Matt Thornton has a whole lot more pointless dialogue and narrative to deliver post title card. The film follows a divorced, sexually inadequate aerospace engineer who agrees to be filmed for a documentary during sessions with his sex therapist/surrogate, who is trying to make him a better lover. The story splinters off to focus on the relationship the promiscuous doc filmmaker begins with the surrogate’s indifferent brother. Listening to people psychobabble about their sex lives when they’re as uninteresting as this group of characters is a tedious task to undertake. 9pm Fri, Aug. 4

THE OTHER KIDS

sacurrent.com • August 2-August 8, 2017 • CURRENT 15

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CURRENT • August 2-August 8, 2017 • sacurrent.com

SHAKTI PICTURES

FEATURE

DAUGHTERS OF THE CURVED MOON (DIRS. MIRANDA MORTON YAP + SOPHIE DIA PEGRUM)

ODYSSEY CREATIVE ENTERTAINMENT

DAUGHTERS OF THE CURVED MOON

Frozen in time, the older generation of women of the small rural town of Jumla in Western Nepal spend their days doing what they have always done — cooking, cleaning, raising children, backbreaking labor. Their daughters, however, want more out of life and find a way to break from the traditional beliefs of their elders when they begin to attend a training program that will prepare them for an actual career. Documentarians Miranda Morton Yap and Sophie Dia Pegrum take audiences to the scenic Himalayas and embed themselves with these women and their families to gain personal and fascinating insight into the evolving nature of a woman’s place in society in this region. Look out Gal Gadot: documentary subject Nisha Budha is the new Wonder Woman. 3:30pm Sat, Aug. 5

SCENE QUEEN

(DIR. JANET HARVEY)

There have been a handful of films in recent years that have tried to tackle the dangers of social media and the internet when minors are involved, but none have really found a way to bring the elements together in an absorbing enough script — with the exception of 2011’s Trust. Unfortunately, Scene Queen — a comedy-less version of Mean Girls for the postmillennial generation — doesn’t offer audiences anything of significance in a story about a catty clique of high school girls who post videos online to demean each other. Director Janet Harvey might’ve had something profound to say about teenage disconnection, but without any emotional pull, it’s like everyone involved is stuck in an after-school special by way of realityshow gimmickry. 7pm Sat, Aug. 5 WAITING FOR THE STORM

WAITING FOR THE STORM

(DIR. ROGELIO SALINAS III)

CREATIVE VISION

There are a couple of instances in this thriller where it might have been possible for filmmaker Rogelio Salinas to flip the genre on its head and go in a completely different direction from other home invasion movies of the past — almost darkly satirical, perhaps. It won’t take long, however, to realize Salinas isn’t shooting for anything special. Instead, the script hits all the typical beats before revealing some ineffective twists and a ridiculous third act that includes scenes where one criminal tries to rape a teenage girl and another makes a joke about a ham sandwich. Take cover. Storm is a Category 5 tonal disaster. 9pm Sat, Aug. 5

SLIPAWAY

(DIRS. JULIA BUTLER + DANIEL MENTZ)

Directors/writers Julia Butler and Daniel Mentz might have something meaningful to say about the contentious topic of death with dignity, but their familiar and, at times, clichéd script prevents the narrative from diving deeper into the most thought-provoking aspect of the story. The dynamic between Fall, a lonely octogenarian, and Adam, a young, homeless musician, hits a few heartwarming moments, but the motivation behind their unlikely friendship isn’t fleshed out enough to get us completely on board. A secondary storyline about Adam’s shady past is an afterthought, and composer Tao Liu’s overdramatic score is, at best, ambitious. 2pm Sun, Aug. 6 ZIPPER BROS FILMS

SLIPAWAY

BODYSLAM: REVENGE OF THE BANANA!

(DIRS. RYAN HARVIE + JOHN PAUL HORSTMANN)

As far as amusing, stranger-than-fiction documentaries go, it might not be at the same level as 2007’s The King of Kong or 2015’s Finders Keepers, but Bodyslam: Revenge of the Banana! is ripe with humor and, like the aforementioned docs, features a real-life antagonistic jerk that audiences will love to hate. In fact, the film should have focused even more on Paul Richards, a semi-pro wrestler from Seattle who attempts to sabotage his wrestling organization when he is asked to stop performing as his alter ego The Banana. Directors Ryan Harvie and John Paul Horstmann do a noteworthy job capturing the lives of these outcast wrestlers, we just wish they peeled back the layers of the title character a bit more. 4pm Sun, Aug. 6

BODYSLAM: REVENGE OF THE BANANA!

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CHAD CALEK

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While it’s inevitable that any mention of the word “paranormal” will be met with debunking, it’s also hard to THU-FRI ignore the hype surrounding ghost hunts and investigations into unexplainable phenomena. As his story goes, former Texas resident Chad Calek got drawn into the realm of paranormal investigation as a 12-year-old dealing with an alleged haunting and his mother’s “possession” issues — experiences that eventually took shape in the documentary American Ghost Hunter (2010). Better known for the A&E reality series Paranormal State, Calek met Australian ghost hunter Craig Powell while in Sydney to promote his 2015 film A Blood Red Sky. Eventually joining forces for a collaboration sanctioned by the Australian government, the duo trained their lenses on Cockatoo Island — a purportedly haunted park on the site of a former prison. The result of their research there — the film Sir Noface — compiles footage Calek claims “definitely proves the existence of ghosts” (the money shot promises a “full-body apparition”). In addition to the film, Calek’s recently kicked-off tour includes a Q&A and a “best of evidence presentation” spanning 25 years. $25-$50, 8pm Thu-Fri, Tobin THU-FRI Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter.org. — Bryan Rindfuss SPECIAL EVENT

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GLEN ANDREWS ART GLASS

Sir Noface Lives Tour

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‘Lux Vetro’

OUR TOP PICKS FOR THE WEEK

ANTHONY RUNDBLADE

CALENDAR

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ART From a “desire to create a meditative experience” with glass, a group of artists have been hard at work on the new exhibition “Lux Vetro.” As the Latin name meaning “light glass” suggests, these works combine intricate, colorful glasswork with various types/ sources of light. For the philosophy junkies out there, it’s interesting to note that part of the inspiration for the show also derives from Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave.” Just as that ancient Greek genius wondered how to eschew the dominance of the five senses and grasp at essential truth, these works call us to contemplate if the beauty they possess is a trick of the strategic lighting or a fundamental quality of the altered rock. Free, 6-10pm, Black Moon Gallery, 1420 S. Alamo St., Suite 106B, (512) 294-4268, facebook.com/ blackmoonprint. — James Courtney

AUGUST 26 • ON SALE NOW! 18

‘Cloak Dagger Parallel Meridians’

CURRENT • August 2-August 8, 2017 • sacurrent.com

A UTSA grad currently working ART as a studio technician at Artpace, rising local artist Anthony Rundblade works within the parameters of printmaking but pushes the boundaries of the medium to unexpected destinations with stacked arrangements and compositions incorporating elements of collage.

With exhibition credits that include solo shows at Agora Art, Haus Collective and the Southwest School of Art, Rundblade’s latest opened at Hello Studio in July and comes back into focus with receptions Thursday and Friday.

Built around images plucked from old books, his “Cloak Dagger Parallel Meridians” plays with two seemingly unrelated themes (“coded communications and parallel realities”) and recalls both the poppy repetition of Andy Warhol and the circular hallmarks of John Baldessari. Beyond technical know-how, what shines in this show is Rundblade’s fusionist approach, which plays with scale and depth while putting a sculptural spin on the practice of printmaking. Free, 6-9pm Thu-Fri, Hello Studio, 1420 S. Alamo St., Building B #203, (210) 2918640, hellostudiosa.com. — BR

DRAG

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Chad Michaels & Derrick Barry

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Within the realm of RuPaul’s Drag Race alums, performers Chad Michaels and Derrick Barry stand out for several of the same reasons: they both use (at least part of) their birth names, they both found substantial success before appearing on the reality series, and they’ve both perfected the art of celebrity impersonation. Crowned “Queen of all Queens” as the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars, Michaels has spent the last two decades impersonating Cher (complete with Bob Mackie-inspired costumes) in nightclubs, at special events and on TV spots ranging from Mad TV to the Comedy Central Roast of Gene Simmons. First entering the public eye on America’s Got Talent, season eight contestant Barry is arguably the world’s best known Britney Spears impersonator and famously caught the attention of the pop princess herself from the audience on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Fresh off another epic birthday bash that united nine RPDR queens, nightlife impresario Rey Lopez brings the duo to the Aztec for a double header hosted by local favorite Tencha la Jefa. $15-$28, meet and greet at 8pm, show at 9pm, Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355, reylopezentertainment.com. — BR

MARISELA BARRERA

REY LOPEZ ENTERTAINMENT

CALENDAR

Ruby Reds, Big Birds y Burras THEATER For one weekend only, theater-goers can find themselves face to face with two of San Antonio’s most feared urban legends: Lechuza and the Donkey Lady. Only this time, they’ll be portrayed with a modern twist in Marisela Barrera’s second installment of the Tejana Trilogy. First performed as a onewoman show at Jump-Start Performance Company, Ruby Reds, Big Birds y Burras will get the full-ensemble treatment at this weekend’s performances. Written and

directed by Barrera, the play takes place along the Texas borderlands, sharing the stories of characters born from local legends. Local audiences can expect to recognize iconic spots (like Saluté and Bill Miller BBQ) and be familiar with the play’s South Texas slang and Tex-Mex flair as the trilogy’s characters find their way home. $10-$15, 8pm Fri-Sat, 3pm Sun, Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe St., (210) 271-3151, guadalupeculturalarts. org. — Alejandra Lopez Gonzalez

Sign up for ExcluSivE prESalES & announcEmEntS! tExt MAJESTICEMPIRE to 22828

AUGUST 6

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Maria Bamford SUN

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COMEDY After extensively developing the material in theaters and clubs across the country, Maria Bamford recorded her 2012 standup special The Special Special Special! in her own living room for an audience of two: her mom and dad.

In her latest release, Old Baby, which The New York Times called “inspired gibberish,” Bamford — who also appears alongside Patton Oswalt, Zach Galifianakis and Brian Posehn in 2005’s The Comedians of Comedy and in Louis CK’s self-titled FX series and might still be best known for a series of Target holiday ads about which she has been openly morally conflicted (she joked she used the money from the commercials to redo her house in “shades of gray”)

— performs in a larger variety of locations, à la Chris Rock’s Kill the Messenger, only instead of cutting between massive sold-out shows around the world, Bamford performs her endearingly goofy and incredibly vulnerable material at a bookstore, a bowling alley — and for herself in the mirror.

Her delightfully Dada Netflix sitcom Lady Dynamite has her hopping timelines to relate her present-day issues with her past traumas. But wherever you catch Bamford, she’s thoughtful, hilarious and singularly herself, which is probably why Stephen Colbert called her “my favorite comedian on planet Earth.” $32, 8pm, Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre.com. — Jeremy Martin

COURTESY OF BRING IT LIVE!

COURTESY OF CRISTIAN CASTRO

COURTESY OF MARIA BAMFORD

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Bring It! Live

SUN

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Cristian Castro

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FILM Want noodles with that? Tampopo is the movie that put Japanese filmmaker Juzo Itami on the international map in the 1980s and remains by far his most famous film. Advertised as a “ramen Western” (as opposed to spaghetti Western), the movie’s not a Western but its style injects many send-ups of film genres as it spins a rambling anecdote of how various experts teach a woman to make the perfect ramen for her little restaurant.

The main story, already tongue-in-cheek, keeps digressing into unrelated vignettes about food in the lives of various wacky characters, especially a gangster and his moll who play with food erotically.

The result is a free-wheeling comedy, low in calories but throwing in plenty of spice, all for the purpose of satisfying an audience’s delectation.

You should probably eat first. $10-$15, 7:30pm, Santikos Bijou, 4522 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 614-8977, tpr.org. — Michael Barrett

TOHO :: NEW YORKER FILMS

That Mexican pop star Cristian Castro comes from a showbiz family should be fairly obvious to anyone who experiences his live performance. The crooner, one of the best-selling Latin artists around, performs with an easy poise that still somehow allows room for passionate storms of emotion. His versatile and rich voice, his ability to give himself fully to the songs he sings, and his electric charisma all give Castro away as a consummate showman, groomed from the start. Active in music since the age of 18, the now 42-year-old Castro has released 14 studio albums and a ton of compilation albums and music videos (please spend some time on YouTube with this man). The chance to see him live at The Majestic is a can’t-miss for fans of Latin pop or polished yet powerful vocal performances in general. $54.25-$144.25, 7pm, The Majestic Theater, 224 E. Houston St., (210) 226-3333, majesticempire.com. — JC MUSIC

Miss D and the Dancing Dolls — stars of the hit reality show Bring It! — have embarked on a DANCE second tour showcasing their award-winning hip-hop majorette routines. The Dolls will storm the Tobin stage, stomping out never-before-seen high-octane routines in this encore of 2016’s sold-out live tour.

Audiences will experience the full scope of these original dances and the electric energy the Dancing Dolls bring to the stage. Familiarity with the TV show isn’t required — even the most reality-averse among us won’t be able to resist the infectious beat of these flashy routines. $32.75-89.75, 7pm, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter.org. — Kelly Merka Nelson

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digNowity + lockwood parks ST I VA L # S A B EERFE

BE NE F I T I NG

sanantoniobeerfestival.com sacurrent.com • August 2-August 8, 2017• CURRENT 21

JOHN MULANEY

PLANET CINEMA

B-MOVIES AND CULT CLASSICS Next Screening, AUGUST 5th:

VALLEY OF GWANGI

FRANK SOUTHTOWN * 1150 S. ALAMO ST. * 9PM

August 4th - 31st, 2017 For info: instagram.com/blackmoonprint | instagram.com/glen_Andrews | facebook.com/Glenandrewsartglass Contact: blackmoongalleries@gmail.com | ruth@calientehotglass.com

CALENDAR

ART “Art opening: “A People’s Point of View” Centro Cultural Aztlan’s new group

exhibition offers creative responses to local, national and global issues through the eyes of artists Antonio Garcia, Noe Garza, Albert Garcia and Angelica GomezMayorga. Free, 6-10pm Friday; Centro Cultural Aztlan, 1800 Fredericksburg Road, Suite 103, (210) 432-1896.

Art opening: Albert Alvarez & Ed Saavedra Presa House Gallery pairs

World Heritage Office hosts a free, petfriendly screening of Justin Lin’s 2016 sci-fi adventure following Captain James

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San Antonio Children’s Film Festival A

collaboration between the San Antonio Film Festival, the Pearl and the TIFF Kids International Film Festival, this four-day fest comprises dozens of shorts from the U.S., Canada, Netherlands, Russia, Norway, Mexico, Germany and Japan.

Each screening block is limited to 100 guests, visit safilm.com/childrens-filmfestival for advance tickets. $10, 10-11am Wednesday, 9:45-11am ThursdaySaturday; Pearl Studio, 200 E. Grayson St., Suite 115, (210) 885-5888.

new exhibitions by San Antonio artists Albert Alvarez and Ed Saavedra. Heavily influenced by the principles of ancient Chinese painting and calligraphy, as well as the iconic woodblock prints of the Northern Renaissance, Alvarez’s “A-Train Presents: Don’t Be My Judas” reflects on the human ego, relationships, birth and death. Never hesitatant to tackle unpopular subject matter or spotlight Surfs Up Slab Cinema presents a free the overlooked, Saavedra’s “The Price of outdoor screening of the 2007 computerFree Dumb” stuns visually while playfully animated mockumentary following a inviting sociopolitical reexamination. Free, 17-year-old northern rockhopper penguin 7-11pm Friday; Presa House Gallery, 725 S. (voiced by Shia LaBeouf) who leaves Presa St., (210)913-5842. his home in Antarctica with dreams of Art opening: “Pulltight, Texas” Artist winning the Big Z Memorial Surf Off in Pen Glenn Downing’s solo show “Pulltight, Gu Island. Free, 8pm Tuesday; Travis Park, Texas” explores characters like Bud 301 E. Travis St., (210) 212-9373.

Powers, a contrarian who “was dying of cancer so he could only smoke one THEATER cigarette a day” and also “kept a pellet Hairspray Based on John Waters’ 1988 film, gun by his chair to keep the squirrels Hairspray follows spunky, curvaceous away from his bird feeder.” Free, 6-9pm teen Tracy Turnblad aspiring to become a Thursday-Friday; Terminal 136, 136 Blue famous performer in 1960s-era Baltimore.

Star, (210) 758-6246.

After winning an opportunity to dance on Art opening: her favorite TV program, Tracy is swept up ”ShadowsWhispersTransfersPulls” into a celebrity cyclone of social pressures Houston-based artist Matt Kubo’s and prejudices as she advocates for racial “ShadowsWhispersTransfersPulls” integration. $10-$40, 8pm Friday-Saturday, comprises a selection of rubbings and 3pm Sunday; The Playhouse, 800 W. Ashby frottages created at historical locations in Pl., (210) 733-7258.

Galveston, Houston and San Antonio. Part COMEDY of an ongoing collection, these works offer snapshots of histories selectively made John Morgan A NOLA native who once permanent by hands from both the past worked as director of marketing for a and the present. Free, 6-11pm Friday; Sala group of psychiatric hospitals, stand-up Diaz, 517 Stieren St., (972) 900-0047. comic and motivational speaker John Morgan is known for an honest, original August First Friday Blue Star approach to comedy that “may push Contemporary hosts First Friday some limits” but is “never derogatory receptions for the summer exhibitions to any race, sex or creed." $16, 8pm “Insurrection,” “Echo and Narcissus” and Wednesday-Thursday, 8pm & 10:15pm “Augmented Reality.” Free, 6-9pm Friday; Friday-Saturday, 7pm Sunday; Laugh Out Blue Star Contemporary, 116 Blue Star, Loud Comedy Club, 618 NW Loop 410, (210) 227-6960.

(210) 541-8805.

FILM Star Trek Beyond The City of San Antonio

1420 S. ALAMO ST.

T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Commander Spock (Zachary Quinto) and the rest of the USS Enterprise crew as they explore the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a ruthless enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test. Free, 8:30pm Saturday; Mission Marquee Plaza, 3100 Roosevelt Ave., (210) 207-8612.

Kellen Erskine Sharp, clean California-

based comic Kellen Erskine has competed on the comedy festival circuit and entertained at hundreds of functions but is easily known best for his stint

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on America’s Got Talent. $17, 8:30pm Wednesday-Thursday, 8pm & 10:15pm Friday-Saturday, 8pm Sunday; Improv San Antonio, 849 E. Commerce St., (210) 229-1420.

Grown Folks Comedy with Mal Mallucci New Orleans native Mal Mallucci brings his raw energy and unexpurgated life experiences to Midtown for a night of comedy hosted by Shana Bryant with support from Bobby Smith IV and music

by DJ Shaun. $15 ($10 with a canned donation to the San Antonio Food Bank), 7:30-9:30pm Sunday; Midtown Cocktails, 2014 E. Houston St., (210) 758-4989.

SPECIAL EVENTS Bat Loco Bash An official part of Kidcation

Week (August 5-13), this fifth annual event hosted by the San Antonio River Authority, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Bat Conservation International near the Camden Street bridge on the Museum Reach includes a bat parade, educational booths, food trucks, live music and appearances by “bat friends.” Free, 6-9pm Tuesday; San Antonio River Walk–Museum Reach; (210) 227-1373.

Battle of the Sexes Women are from

Venus, men are from Mars: no matter the stereotype, Sexology invites guests to break them down at this BYOB game night with prizes and 20 percent off purchases. Free, 7-10pm Friday; Sexology Institute and Boutique, 707 S. St. Mary’s St., (210) 487-0371.

School’s Out Hackathon Geared

exclusively for high school students, this fourth annual SoHacks event takes shape in a 24-hour coding marathon where attendees can make an app, website or machine a reality with the help of experienced mentors, structured classes and like-minded peers. Free, 11am Friday4:30pm Saturday; Trinity University, CSI Building, One Trinity Pl., visit sohacks.com for registration and details.

Texas Wine Showcase Santa Maria Social

“Reducing Bias: Museums and the Future of Work” Described as a

“museum futurist,” Nicole Ivy of the American Alliance of Museums speaks about diversity, inclusivity, and the starring role museums can play in the community. Free, 6:30pm Thursday; McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., (210) 824-5368.

“Endangered Languages and Historical Linguistics” Bringing together experts

on the Native American languages of Texas and the U.S., as well as specialists in other endangered languages of the world, this free talk focuses on the role that contemporary initiatives in language documentation are playing in enriching our understanding of language change and language relationships. Free, 9:30am-4pm Thursday; Hotel Contessa, 306 W. Market St., visit ichl23.utsa.edu for details.

“MetaDada” Lunch and Learn The City

of San Antonio’s Department of Arts & Culture hosts a box lunch panel discussion exploring the exhibit “MetaDada: High Art for the Populace.” Moderator and featured artists will discuss their artistic practice and how they see their work fitting into contemporary pop culture. Free, noon1pm Friday; Culture Commons, 115 Plaza de Armas, (210) 207-1435.

DANCE Dance in the Park! San Antonio Dance

Umbrella (SADU) and Yanaguana Gardens’ First Friday collaboration continues with an evening of dance classes and performances following a 1990s hip-hop theme. Free, 6:30-9pm Friday; Hemisfair Park, 434 S. Alamo St., (210) 212-6600.

Salsa Nights Pearl Stable plays host to

a hot summer night of live salsa music from Jose Amador and NATIAO Latin Jazz with salsa lessons provided throughout evening. $10 (cash bar), 7-11pm Saturday; Pearl Stable, 312 Pearl Pkwy., (210) 212-7260.

Club hosts a Texas wine social complete with charcuterie, door prizes, a raffle and live acoustic music. $15-$20, 7-11pm Saturday; Santa Maria Social Club, 3020 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 833-3666.

TALKS PLUS A Conversation with San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg San Antonio Mayor Ron

Nirenberg joins moderator Bob Rivard for a conversation facilitated by the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. $50 for nonmembers, register at sahcc.org, 11:30am-1pm Tuesday; Pearl Stable, 312 Pearl Pkwy., (210) 225-0462.

AUGUST 3RD

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FREE SCREENING PASSES

Location: Santikos Silverado San Antonio Date: August 5th 2017 | Time: 11am (Early Arrival is suggested as seats are first come, first serve)

Link for passes - www.gofobo.com/sCwGq24875

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CURRENT • August 2-August 8, 2017 • sacurrent.com

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ARTS + CULTURE

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FREIGHT STUDIOS

Freight Gallery & Studios 1913 S. Flores St. (210) 331-4382 freightsatx.com

UPPING THE ANTE

Freight Gallery & Studios reimagines a Southtown staple MARCO AQUINO

> If you’ve driven down South Flores Street recently, you may have noticed the freshly painted signage on the front entrance to Freight Gallery & Studios. The sprawling arts complex, one of the latest additions to the Southtown arts district, has recently undergone extensive renovations. Formerly known as Gallista Gallery, the space was previously owned by revered Chicano artist Joe Lopez for nearly 20 years and was the subject of a 2009 documentary.

Sergio Martinez, who bought the compound a little over two years ago, is hoping the new facelift will bring the space to a larger audience. Freight will now be open throughout the week, marking a stark departure from the surrounding galleries — most of which are only open by appointment and during Second Saturdays, the neighborhood’s monthly art walk.

“What we want to do is give people a place to go during the week, you know, to give people a chance

to come check out the studio … check out the art,” Martinez recently told the Current. “Hopefully that will bleed over into the other spaces across the street and around to maybe encourage them to open during the week as well. Hopefully, we can be that catalyst to help change the neighborhood a little bit.”

There are also plans to open a coffee shop, cafe and retail shop later this summer that will add allure to the space. During a recent Second Saturday opening, the newly renovated space felt decidedly more sophisticated compared to its former self (a colorful hodgepodge of DIY art studios). Shiny black floors and freshly painted white walls welcomed the crowd of art lovers. “The biggest thing was to clean up the space because it was a little bit like a labyrinth before as far as the studio spaces and main gallery space,” Martinez explained. “It didn’t really have a clear flow to it. We worked with Alamo Architects to develop the

original concept design. My main goal was to keep it really clean, give it an urban feel and open it up as much as we could. We wanted to create a space that was a blank canvas for artists to work with.”

Martinez is already renting out space to a number of well-known local artists, including printmaker Harvey Mireles, who has created a sort of “satellite space” for his Westside nonprofit La Printería. Ceramicist Mark Crutsinger is also renting a space here, and the latest gallery to open at Freight, Revenant Gallery, curated

by Liz Paris and Roland Fuentes, recently held its inaugural exhibition. “My goal is to bring in artists that are going to produce work consistently and produce work of a high quality,” Martinez said. “We feel that having those types of artists working and showing here will really showcase what the SA scene is all about and will attract people from areas of town that maybe don’t come down here often.” sacurrent.com • August 2-August 8, 2017 • CURRENT 27

SCREENS

SCOTT RENSHAW

AT THE TOBIN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

© 2017 SAFILM-San Antonio Film Festival is a nonprofit 501(c)3 supported by Clear Channel Outdoor, CO LAB, Edible San Antonio, Guerrero CPA, Kono 101.1FM, Law Offices of Mario Davila, Pixel Power Graphics, Sam Ash, San Antonio Department of Arts & Culture, San Antonio Film Commission, Sheraton Gunter Hotel San Antonio, Shweiki Media, Tatum Originals, Texas Commission on the Arts, Texas Film Commission, Total Media Solutions and VIA Metropolitan Transit.

“bEsT tHeAtER iN aMeRiCA” - eNtErTaInMeNT wEeKlY

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ANNAPURNA PICTURES

AL NUA ANN RD A L 23R U N D 23

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It probably doesn’t need to be said, but Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit isn’t really about Detroit.

At least, it’s not just about Detroit, though its narrative explores a horrifying real-life incident during the July 1967 Detroit race riots that left three young African American men dead. When you’re telling a story in 2017 about young, unarmed African American men left dead after encounters with police, there’s no way for that story not to resonate into an agonizing history of unaccountable authority and unanswered questions.

Bigelow’s approach in Detroit, however, is perhaps even more daring than that. The Oscarwinning director has shown her talent for exploring the brutality and psychology of warfare in The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty, and it’s no accident that she had her screenwriter for those movies, Mark Boal, also adapt this story. As much as Detroit recounts the brutal specifics from a dark American moment, this isn’t simply historical drama. This, as much as the current hit Dunkirk, is a harrowingly immersive war movie.

Boal’s screenplay shows its

unconventionality from the outset, introducing the event that ignited the Detroit riots — a police raid on an unlicensed after-hours nightclub in a predominantly black neighborhood — without focusing on any of the characters who will become the primary players in the movie’s story.

Yet that set-up becomes a pivotal context for the outrage, as the raided club is hosting a welcome-home party for black soldiers returned from Vietnam. Muhammad Ali’s infamous quote — “No Vietcong ever called me nigger” — can briefly be seen framed on the club’s wall, and Detroit establishes a time of men who were serving their country to protect a freedom they didn’t experience.

Eventually, Detroit introduces the three primary narrative threads.

A racist Detroit cop with an itchy trigger finger, Krauss (Will Poulter), shoots a fleeing looter in the back, but is returned to duty during the state of emergency. Machinist Melvin Dismukes (John Boyega), moonlighting as a security guard protecting a grocery store, tries to save black youth from the threats to their lives by local cops, state police and the National Guard. Aspiring singer Larry (Algee Smith) and his

SCREENS

Detroit recreates one harrowing battle in an ongoing conflict friend Fred (Jacob Latimore) get stranded in the conflict zone after their bus is attacked by rioters. Their lives tragically intersect at the Algiers Motel, when police, fearing sniper fire, storm the building and spend hours physically and emotionally assaulting everyone they find trying to determine who the gunman was — even as it’s not clear there ever was one.

That centerpiece sequence takes up the bulk of Detroit’s running time, and it’s one of the year’s most devastating pieces of filmmaking. Barry Ackroyd’s handheld cinematography captures the chaos and sheer terror of the confrontation; every gunshot and shotgun butt to the ribs carries into the audience. Bigelow pulls fantastic performances out of her cast members, accentuating their roles in the madness: Poulter, with his wildly arched eyebrows, radiating calculating sadism; Algee and Latimore, their initial defiance crumpling into despair; Boyega, playing a man trying to use his role to keep people alive while fearing that he’s not doing enough. Anthony Mackie also plays a key part — a Vietnam veteran incurring the cops’ particular ire because

they believe he’s pimping two white teenagers (Hannah Murray and Kaitlyn Dever) — as Krauss repeatedly refuses to believe he could be a “real” soldier. This isn’t a portrait of a country where black Americans can be on “our” side; it’s a country where they’re the enemy.

Detroit takes another structural risk by ending not with the resolution of the actual siege at the Algiers, but with proceedings that follow two years later as Krauss and two fellow cops — fictionalized versions of the real-life accused — stand trial for murder. Yet the system that denies a chance at justice — full of familiar references to any history of wrongdoing to smear African American victims, and assumptions that police claims of self-defense must be true — is just as crucial to the full story. While the courtroom scenes can’t match the gut-punch power of the scenes of literal police brutality, there’s another kind of violence on display. The combination of the two is what turns Bigelow’s Detroit into such a particularly damning kind of war story — one that reminds us how often war is about ensuring that those in power hang on to it.

Charlize Theron delivers an explosive performance in the action-packed spy thriller Atomic Blonde

FOCUS FEATURES

THE WAR AT HOME

BOMBSHELL

DAN HUDAK

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In an action scene in Atomic Blonde, Charlize Theron, clad in black thigh-high boots, a mini skirt and lace stockings, kicks and punches bad guys with unrelenting ferocity. To escape the altercation, she takes a rope, wraps one end around a thug (for leverage), and wraps the other end around herself as she jumps over the fi fth-floor railing of a building before slamming her way to the ground.

The brutality of the scene, coupled with Theron’s fighting skills and beauty, form the core of Atomic Blonde, and as such make it richly entertaining. Theron is Lorraine, a British secret agent who’s sent to Berlin in November 1989 in the days before the Wall came down. Her mission is to rendezvous with an agent named David (James McAvoy) and recover a stolen list of undercover secret agents. If the Russians get it, that’s bad news for the good guys.

Most of the action is punctuated with ’80s pop tunes, and let me tell you, you’ve haven’t lived until you’ve watched Theron busting heads to the German version of “Major Tom.” And boy do heads get busted. And shot. Blood splatters on the camera. Household items like hot plates become weapons.

The “R” rating is well-earned.

The action is brutal and fierce throughout, but the real highlight — and the reason people will speak fondly of Atomic Blonde for years to come — is the sequence inside an apartment complex about two-thirds of the way through the film. Lorraine fights thugs on the stairwell, inside apartments, and later through the streets of Berlin. It was shot to look like one long take (i.e. no edits), but

it’s really some clever camera trickery that makes it seem like it was all shot at once.

The long-take essence, however, allows the viewer to be immersed in the moment, which means you can almost feel all the kicks and punches.

Speaking of which, in the summer of the awesome Wonder Woman, Lorraine might just be the human Wonder Woman. For as superb as director David Leitch’s (John Wick) action is, the best thing about it is that it includes the exhaustion, blood and bruises that come with real fights. This means there are consequences to the fisticuffs, something many action movies lose sight of.

Kudos to Theron for learning the fight choreography and, more importantly, shepherding the project into existence.

She bought the rights to the graphic novel on which the film is based, The Coldest City, upon its release in 2012, and worked diligently since then to make the movie a reality. Her Lorraine is a sexually confident, extremely intelligent and butt-kicking secret agent the likes of which we have rarely seen. It’s especially great because Lorraine isn’t objectified; she uses her sexuality as an asset, which makes it empowering. Between this and Wonder Woman, let’s hope the trend of strong lead female characters in action movies continues.

The only downside to Atomic Blonde is that it has too many characters, and the plot is more complex than it needs to be. It comes together with clarity in the end, but the journey to get there could and should be smoother. But that’s a minor gripe. Ultimately, Atomic Blonde offers an experience you don’t want to miss.

sacurrent.com • August 2-August 8, 2017 • CURRENT 29

Fruteria | Taqueria | Mariscos | Cerveza

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COURTESY OF LAURA DAVILLA PHOTOGRAPHY

FOOD

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• Patatas Bravas from Toro Kitchen + Bar

TEXAS TAPAS Finding tapas far from España

RON BECHTOL

It happens all the time. A dish (or a word, for that matter) starts out being defined in one way and gradually takes on new forms and emphasis over the years. You only have to think fajitas, which began as a simple, but specific, cut of cast-off beef tossed on the coals and morphed into the theatrical, castiron presentation of anything that sizzles.

The same is pretty much true of tapas which originated in Spain as a simple saucer set atop a glass of, say, sherry to keep flies out, a saucer (tapa) that was then used to hold simple snacks to accompany the libation.

Manchego cheese, shaved serrano, olives, tiny clams in brine … that sort of thing. Today, pretty much anything served on a small plate is in danger of being called a tapa.

But having just returned from Spain, where I sampled an elegant sufficiency (interpret this as you will) of tapas in Barcelona and pintxos (the tapa equivalent) in San Sebastian, I can report that there, too, the tradition has long gone beyond the serving of a simple slice of tortilla Española atop your cidra (cider) or manzanilla.

And yet, there’s still a sort of small-c catholicity about the tradition, with one bar specializing in seafood, another in chorizo and jamon Iberico, for example. All of which adds excitement and anticipation to the tapas crawls, often along one or two streets, that are entirely too easy to get caught up in.

We can’t easily lurch between tapas bars in San Antonio, but with a little planning, we can get a taste of the almost-real thing. Here are a few places to keep your whistle whetted. Some even serve the “gintonics” that are now wildly popular en España.

I didn’t make it to Restaurant Gwendolyn during June when chef Michael Sohocki was serving tapas on his rotating lunch menu, but the classics

were there: tortilla Española (think frittata with egg, potato and onion), gambas al ajillo y mas. They were doubtless executed with the chef’s usual focus and attention to detail. But I have darkened the door of The Bin on several occasions. Chef Jason Dady calls this cottage on Grayson, the former Bakery Lorraine, a tapas bar plain and simple — and he actually has managed to (mostly) suppress cheffy instincts to turn out some very rewarding, uncomplicated bites.

The tortilla Española is kind of a bellwether for me; in Spain, the ones I liked best retained a kind of creaminess in the interior that was at least partly the result of letting egg and potato meld awhile before cooking. The Bin’s tortilla doesn’t have that baboso (literally slobbery) quality, but neither is it dry — and it’s appropriately priced at $3. The pan tomate, classically just toasted bread rubbed with the cut side of a tomato, is maybe a little too elaborated, but at $3, it, too, is a great little bite, as is the piquillo pepper with a flavorful, paella-like stuffing.

But the real bargain, especially at happy hour when a single half is just .50 cents, is the perfect devilled egg with a guindilla pepper and smoky paprika. The revelation here is that the egg’s yolk isn’t totally hard, making for a more sensual experience — if one can say that about a hard-boiled egg.

There are lots of other good options, including the sensational (though sweet) grilled goat cheese sandwiches with tomato jam and the serranowrapped blue cheese dates. The chiste here is that the menu is largely composed of small bites that really are great accompaniments to any of the house vinos, all Spanish (I’d like to see some ciders and sherries, too, please), and, of course, the G&Ts. Only the José Andrés is served in the Spanish fashion with added aromatics (thyme, juniper berries and citrus) in a wide-mouthed

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FOOD

• A spread of croquetas and tapas from Toro

glass the better to appreciate the aromas, but even in its straight-jacket Colllins glass, the Botanist with rhubarb and cucumber is a fine combination. And as there are around 30 gins and six tonic waters, nothing says you can’t invent your own combination. In fact, 180 of them.

Toro Kitchen + Bar in Stone Oak is owned and operated by a Mexican family with roots in Spain, setting one up for an authentic experience. But as there is a really good selection of Spanish cheeses (manchego viejo, Valdeón, tronchón … ) and cured meats (lomito Ibérico de bellota, jamón Ibérico carved from a leg, etc.) served tablado (board) style, the best tapas bets would seem to be these, not ones involving the kitchen.

Toro’s tortilla Española is well-flavored but a tad dry for my taste; the huevos rotos, a tavern classic, placed a properly fried egg atop some listless fries and bathed it all in a paprika-inflected sauce with strident garlic overtones. At $10 for three in the evenings and on weekends, the piquillo peppers stuffed with cheese,

pecans and finely ground serrano ham are nevertheless very appealing, as are the similarly priced, crusty croquetas filled with serrano ham and manchego.

Lunch tariffs are lower, but here you run another risk: the mid-day bartender may not be altogether up to speed in the G&T department. (There are plenty of good wines, however.) But when all wheels are turning properly, Toro’s G&T’s are the only ones in town served properly — at least by current Spanish standards. I’d hope for some Spanish gins in the future; for now, the Mallorca with Botanist, star anise and lemon peel is well worth your attention.

Northside, Midtown … and now Southside: Luna Rosa on E. Military is not necessarily the place you might think of as a tapas joint — especially when you note that the menu ranges all over the Caribbean as well, and even touches on New Mexico. But a little sleuthing will undercover three, resolutely Spanish-style offerings: a tortilla Española, papas bravas, and croquetas of ham or

cod. Let’s start with the cod as it’s ubiquitous in Spain but otherwise mostly MIA in San Antonio.

The croquetas are 3-inch cylinders, crumb coated and deep fried, and the cod does taste of what it is—but that’s not a bad thing at all. The coating is crunchy, the filling is creamy, and if you want to ask for a little of the Sriracha mayo that adorns the papas, ándale. Some might find the ham version milder, but just order both and compare; you get four for $3.80. Papas bravas are also everywhere in Spain, and Luna Rosa’s rendition, involving fried quarters of small potatoes with the above-mentioned sauce, can claim at least a kissin’ kinship.

But the real surprise is the tortilla. Priced at $6, it’s a tart of about 8-inch diameter full of onion, quartered potatoes and, of course, egg. The rendition is a little coarser than most I had in Spain, but the spirit is more than willing. Beer is probably the safest drink option here; there are several good, bottled ones. Beer would not be out of place in Spain either. sacurrent.com • August 2-August 8, 2017 • CURRENT 33

34 CURRENT • August 2-August 9, 2017 • sacurrent.com

NIGHTLIFE

ERIN WINCH

BOOZE NEWS Happy hours and dirty ‘tinis RON BECHTOL + ERIN WINCH

Dirty Martinis with a Twist at Juniper Tar // The dirty martini is a drink bartenders love to hate.

In its worst iteration, cheap vodka shaken with warm olive brine from the well, it is indeed worthy of scorn, derision, even active loathing. But more than a few barmen and women have taken it upon themselves to detox the much-maligned cocktail.

The Martini Sucio, a dirty martini of sorts, is now the only version of that Madmen staple on Juniper Tar’s written menu.

And it’s a doozy — nothing like any most of us have ever had. The drink is based on Gin Mare, a Spanish product that is itself distilled with olives, thyme, rosemary and basil. (I have a bottle of this, and the olive and aromatics do come through markedly.) Dry white vermouth, house olive brine and an olive oil and thyme tincture, which is spread around the inside of the coupe with an eye dropper, make up the mix. It’s then stirred (not shaken) and served with a sprig of thyme impaling a ring of dried olive.

This is a hardcore drink — punchy, briney (though not necessarily reeking of olive), and bracing. And it needs to be experienced at JT; most of us (and that includes me) will never go to the effort required to attempt a replica at home.

But for those who are now at least a little curious (and that also includes me), there are some easierto-pull-off variations on the semi-sucia ‘tini to try.

Taking little extra effort, but some thinking ahead, is a version that asks you to chop up a half cup of green, Cerignola olives and macerate them in a half a bottle of decent dry vermouth, say Noilly Pratt, for three days with occasional shaking and a final straining. You then stir with ice a 1:1 mix of

the infused vermouth with navy-strength gin (say 1 ½ ounces each), strain into a chilled glass, and dispose a few drips of olive oil (preferably from a dropper) onto the top of the drink. Not too much — you don’t want an oil slick. Serve a plate of olives on the side.

244 W. Houston St., (210) 229-1833. — RB Happy Hour at Jazz, TX // Jazz, TX, located in the basement of the bottling department at the Pearl, makes you feel as though you’ve stepped into another decade. The club is dark and romantic. The only lighting coming from the glowing neon sign and the faint radiance of the bar, one can’t help but be reminded of the club from La La Land when entering the beautiful bar.

The upscale basement club isn’t just serving a beautiful atmosphere, they have a food and drink menu that rivals that of the surrounding restaurants and bars. While going for an evening set can break the bank for one on a budget, Jazz, TX has started offering happy hour special for those wanting the experience without high costs.

Venturing down the stairs to the bar anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday saves you from the cover charge, which usually ranges anywhere from $10 to $25. In addition to a complimentary cover, you can grab a ‘Bout That Time cocktail (a concoction made with tequila, strawberry black peppercorn shrub, lime, and topped with Topo) for $5. The cocktail is perfect for the summertime, the shrubs give a slight sweetness and bring beautiful color to the drink. If you’re hungry, you can grab the chips and queso for $5, as well. Full of chunks of chorizo, the queso

has the perfect bit of spice and heat to combat the sugar in the cocktail.

The crowd at the club varies from couples that are reminiscing of a time when jazz clubs were in abundance, to those that are new to the speakeasy scene. When you go, be sure to reserve a table. It comes at no extra cost, and you can ensure that you get a great view of the band. Be prepared for couples to get up and dance to the music once the band starts playing. Though the happy hour is only from 5 to 7, you can stay past the cut off time, just be wary that you will be charged a cover come 8:30 with the evening set.

312 Pearl Pkwy., Building 6, Suite 6001, (210) 332-9386.

Erin Winch writes about boozin’ in the Alamo City on her blog Drinking In SA. Follow her on Instagram at @drinking.in.sa for more.

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CHRIS CONDE

MUSIC

CHRIS CONDE

FULL CIRCLE How a San AntonioBorn Dancer Landed a Feature in a Nike Ad

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Over the last year or so I’ve had the pleasure of sitting down and interviewing numerous artists and bands who either have been making a buzz in the local and regional music community, or are artists coming to San Antonio to play a show.

From well-known rappers like Aesop Rock to the many bands in our burgeoning SA music scene like Elnuh and Mutant, getting a fi rst-hand look at what drives these artists and the amount of work it took to get where they are, can make this job fun and often times inspiring.

I recently had the opportunity to grab coffee with an artist who grew up in San Antonio but left a couple years ago to pursue his dreams elsewhere — something a lot of people often throw shade at. However, for Charles Wilborn, better known as Karma Stylz, or simply Karma, that decision to duck-walk out of his comfort zone has proven to be the right move.

But success hasn’t come from sitting around waiting for something to happen. Karma’s story is one of persistence, sacrifice and risk-taking.

Growing up in church, Karma started playing drums at just 6 years old. Eventually, after begging his mother to take him to dance workshops that were being held at the Carver Community Cultural Center, the artist began pursuing dance in middle school. The then-inexperienced dancer was taken under the wing of workshop program director Andrea Wilson, who Karma calls a mentor to this day. “[Andrea] saw me and was like ‘who’s this kid that can’t dance,’” Karma joked, “and I was like ‘I want to dance! I want to dance!’ and since she ran everything, she just brought me in and really got me started with

[learning the basics of dance].”

He learned much more than the basics.

In 2008, after graduating from Communication Arts High School at Taft, the dancer landed a gig with the Harlem Globetrotters, which took him dancing across the U.S. for four years. Shortly after returning to San Antonio, Karma met House of Kenzo member Tone Padron while teaching at the now-defunct Street Beatz Dance Co. Karma and Padron instantaneously clicked and began collaborating on videos and entering dance competitions as a team.

Padron introduced Karma to Roxy Eguia and after dancing informally at raves between San Antonio and Austin, the crew decided to form what would be the first iteration of the vogue/dance troupe/art collective House of Kenzo.

“A lot of people don’t realize that House of Kenzo is a family of friends – like we started out as just friends going out and that’s what made us hot,” said Karma. “We were a real group of friends and we still are.”

In July of 2015, Karma decided to move to New York City to attend the Yoga school at Yoga Works. “When I was on tour with the Harlem Globetrotters, I hurt my knee,” said Karma “ [Afterwards] I started doing all this yoga and got really heavily into meditation,” Karma said and explained that he eventually wanted to become certifi ed to teach the ancient practice.

The dancer felt the timing was right for a New York move, but wasn’t admitted due to financial woes and registrar rules keeping him from attending. “So I was like, I still dance and I’m in New York, so I’m just gonna make it work,” said Karma.

And for the last two years it looks like it has.

Since then Karma has served as a dancer for rapper Lil

Mama, been featured in several commercials including a Nike ad with vogueing icon Leiomy Maldnado, an Adidas Originals by Alexander Wang commercial (which he filmed two weeks ago), as well as a vogueing gigs at the illustrious NYC hot spot, House of Yes. He also is an official member of the House of Ninja, which was started by the late godfather of vogueing, Willie Ninja, best known for his appearance in 1990’s Paris is Burning, which documented mid-to-late 1980s ball culture in New York City.

The dancer was back in town for a week to hang out with friends and family and while he was here, taught a few workshops including one at Jewel of Art Dance Studio on Saturday, July 29 for National Dance Day. After two straight years away from San Antonio, Karma likens his week-long homecoming to coming-down off a hallucinogenic trip: surreal but refreshing.

“Have you ever tripped before? (lol, if only y’all knew) It’s like when you go on a trip and you’re in the other world – and then you [come] down off the trip and you’re like ‘wait, what just happened’ ... That’s how I feel,” Karma said.

From growing up in a household that wasn’t exactly keen on him becoming a dancer, to navigating harsh living arrangements in New York (with stints in homeless shelters), Karma proves that the believing in yourself actually can pay off in the end.

When asked what kind of advice he would give to the young artists growing up in San Antonio Karma responded, “Never stop just doing you. Be you, be true and live life fearless … We’re on this earth for one reason and that’s to spread our love and I think people forget that. Like, why else are we here?” // Keep up with Karma at karmastylz.com

sacurrent.com • August 2-August 8, 2017 • CURRENT 37

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MUSIC

MP

JOHN MAYER Listening to Taylor Phelan’s newer work you’d wonder if Sam’s Burger Joint was moving away from their usual Americana/country/folk programming (which has been awesome for a long time). While The Voice contestant’s early material was punctuated with more guitar-forward songs, Phelan’s new single “Settle Down” has a bit more of an electronic, Foster The Peopletype feel. And while his sound may be a hint more poppy, Phelan still manages to retain the same singersongwriter texture to his music, making his take on electronic pop music, dynamic and smart. $10$40, 7:30pm, 18+, Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-2830, samsburgerjoint.com.

– Chris Conde WED

2

3

JENNI J

LOS LONELY BOYS HIKES ALBUM RELEASE SHOW Chicano soft-rock just seems like a thing that couldn’t possibly exist, for a variety of reasons. Los Lonely Boys, the celebrated band of Texan brothers, however, really are a soft-rock/adult-contemporary act that dabbles in Latin rhythms, slick riffs, blues, and the Tex-Mex sound. On recorded output though, in all fairness, is probably not the best way to judges Los Lonely Boys. The band’s tunes are often over-produced in such a way that airbrushes the roots right out of them. In the live setting, Los Lonely Boys can hold its own with most any other act, having drawn comparisons to the likes of Carlos Santana, as well as other stellar live acts. And, luckily, it seems that San Anto, on a hot summer night, just might be the best damn place to catch Los Lonely Boys, whether you’re a fan or a doubter. $25-$169, 7pm, The Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre.com. – James Courtney THU

3

If you think that John Mayer is some douchebag pop dude with an acoustic guitar, Mayer himself might (jokingly) admit you’re correct. However, if you haven’t listened to John Mayer Trio or the tracks off his new EP The Search For Everything Wave Two, you might be selling yourself short on some very good music you will probably enjoy. Sure, he burst into pop culture consciousness with “Your Body Is A Wonderland,” which won him a Grammy back in 2003 for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, and he continues to write music that most people will judge him for, but haters gonna hate. And Mayer’s gonna do him. And um, BTW, that new record The Search for Everything might be the perfect pop-leaning album so maybe save that millionth spin of Radiohead and peep Mayer’s new shit. 7pm, $45+, AT&T Center, 1 AT&T Center Pkwy., (210) 444-5000, attcenter.com. – CC THU

CASSIE LOREE

TAYLOR PHELAN

COURTESY OF JOHN MAYER

MUSIC PICKS

Everytime we get word of an Austin-based band playing a show here I can honestly say I’m not super-eager to check them out and often times think to myself “coooooool, some bullshit indie group attempting to sound like Broken Social Scene ... again.” However, a stroll down their first couple “most played” Spotify tunes later, I have been made a believer of their weird twinkly guitar progressions, spastic drum fills and emotive vocal runs. On “Onset” the second track off their new album Lilt, ascending guitar arpeggios land on ringing harmonics, while a rolling snare-forward beat keeps everything in 5/8 time. The track builds into a tumultuous roar of tone and texture reminiscent of post-rock breakdowns, while still landing in the indie rock arena. It’s great stuff, and if you’re a fan of bands like Hella, and dig vocals slightly similar to Circa Survive’s Anthony Green, this band is for you. With Sakura Shock, Booty Feet, Verisimilitude, $5-$8, 9pm, Limelight, 2718 N. St. Mary’s St., thelimelightsa.com. – CC THU

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HONEYHONEY Definitely the most Southernsounding group that appeared on the heavy indie-pop line at this past April’s Maverick Music Festival, HoneyHoney incorporate banjos, violins, electric guitars and pop vocals for a blend of indie folk rock that’s not at all boring. Combining beautiful vocal harmonies over jangly indie rock the LA two-piece prove that alt-country and indie folk music definitely sound great together. Pro-tip: check out frontwoman Suzanne Santo’s spooky new solo tracks “Blood on Your Knees” and “Ghost in My Bed” which most likely will be heard during the set. $10-$75, 8pm, River Road Icehouse, 1791 Hueco Springs Loop Road, New Braunfels, (830) 626-1335, riverroadicehouse.com. – CC

TONE CITY JAM FEST

SAT

5

San Antonio hip-hop. To those who haven’t been paying attention, the juxtaposition of that particular genre and the Alamo City might seem odd ... at first. But it hasn’t stopped local rhyme-sayers and beat-makers from pursuing a particular style of music that resonates with them regardless of how often their shows get promoted by local media (help us help y’all change that).

One of these shows is Tone City Jam Fest, which features a few of the best local rappers who are steadily creepin’ on a come up, including, King Tonyo, Blake, and Robbie Raps to name a few. For a taste of the quality talent SA’s been cookin’ up on the hip-hop end of our indie rock-heavy music scene, this is a show you’re gonna want to be at. With Dj Hella Yella, Lil Rarri, King Kyle Lee, IVY, $20-$40, 8pm, Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. – CC SAT

D. PORTER

5

WORD OF MOUTH Word of Mouth is a kind of sporadically occurring, grassroots showcase/celebration of music, art, dance, and poetry. It’s the type of event that offers a little bit for everyone and then some, all the while fostering goodwill and communication between far-flung elements of the local scene(s). At this weekend’s incarnation of Word of Mouth, an eclectic live music lineup will offer up the talents Dolphin Dilemma (local, trippy and danceable: a dude with a looper and mini-synth), Elnuh (local, effervescent grunge pop with melodic sense to spare), and Ion (local, hypnagogic dream-pop with just enough rock edge), and Dome Dwellers (Denton-based band that melds psychedelic math rock with danceable indie pop). We are also looking forward to catching dancing from Loz Zombiez, a poetry reading from slam poet Rayner Shine, and art from Jagwired Art, Erik Ybarra, and many more. $7, 9pm, Ventura, 1011 Avenue B, (210) 8026940. – JC SAT

5

MARJORIE BECKER-SHAH

NIGHT OF THE LIVING SYNTH

5

COURTESY OF DOLPHIN DILEMMA

Here’s a show that, while it might be in a bit of a surprising (read: straight-up odd) venue, is practically tailor made for fans of darkwave, goth-pop, chiptune, and trap music. The unbeatably named “Night of the Living Synth” showcase will feature local apocalyptic synth-punk outfit Lovers (definitely a dark horse), local chiptune/ trap slanger Starfighter Dreams, and Houston-based electronic act Provision, which makes arresting industrial/EDM/future-pop music. This evening of snarling proclamations of disillusionment and vaguely Blade Runner vibes will be supplemented by DJs between sets and, no doubt, by the cheap drinks which shall flow in abundance. Free, 9pm, The Thirsty Camel Bar and Lounge, 5307 McCullough Av.e, (210) 780-0669. – JC SAT

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MUSIC

MUSIC CALENDAR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2 Bru’s Tunes Acoustic music by Bru’s Tunes.

Free. La Hacienda De Los Barrios, 6-9pm The Georges Rockabilly act at Gruene Hall.

Free. Gruene Hall, 7-11pm

Fire and Ice Tribute to Pat Benatar. The Leaky Barrel, 7-11:30pm Friday Afternoon Picker Circle w/ Hayden Whittington. Free. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 1-4pm The Lavens Americana covers and originals.

Free. The Cove, 6:30-8:30pm Mark Farina DJ Mark Farina mixes jazz, downtempo and house music. Joined by Gabe Garza. $15. Paper Tiger, 8pm

Primetime Jazz Orchestra John Magaldi’s primetime jazz orchestra performs at The Cove. Free. The Cove, 8-10pm

Miranda Lambert (Sold Out) Country artist Miranda Lambert is joined by Wade Bowen for her Highway Vagabond tour. $87.76-$1,903. Whitewater Amphitheater, 7:30pm

Taylor Phelan Indie rock singer/songwriter from Dallas. $10-$40. Sam’s Burger Joint, 8:30pm

Optic Arrest Local indie band joined by The Milk Theory and Hunters of the Moon. $5.

Imagine Books and Records, 8-11:45pm

Wednesday Evening Picker Circle w/ Claude Butch Morgan. Free. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 5-9pm

Over the Horizon Local pop/punk acts Goodbye Gloria, Good City Modern, Americas Pastime, and more. $10. The Korova, 6pm

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3 210 Blues Band R&B music by 210 Blues Band every Thursday night. Free. SoHo Wine & Martini Bar, 10pm

Mixtape Valentine Live 80s New Wave classics to 90s and 2000s pop-rock jams. $5 after 10pm. The Well, 9pm

Bandaholics Honchos Claude “Butch” Morgan, Trevor Doak Morgan, and Robert “Robar” Adams perform. Free. Sancho’s Cantina, 7-9pm

Sean McConnell Lyric-driven roots rock with soul.” Joined by Drew Kennedy. $12.

Gruene Hall, 8pm

Blue Note Ringos Beatles tribute band. Free.

The Cove, 7:30-10:30pm Heritage Band Show San Antonio based acoustic style cover band. Free. Big Texas Ice House & Dance Hall, 9-11pm Hikes Album Release Experimental mathrock act from Austin. Joined by Booty Feet, Verisimilitude, and Sakura Shock (Japan.) $5-$8. Limelight, 9pm

Smokehouse Guitar Army Boogie blues band. "Free. The Cove, 9-11pm The Suss Rock act from New Braunfels, joined by Bad Heart, Twenty Dollar Temple and Shields. $5-$7. Fitzgerald’s Bar & Live Music, 8pm

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4 Arrowhead Classic/arena rock trio covers AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Rush, KISS, Led Zeppelin and more. Free. Picks Bar, 6-8pm

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SAN ANTONIO MUSIC SHOWCASE

SATURDAY SEPT. 30 • 8 PM • ST. MARY’S STRIP

AUGUST 11 • SHOOTER JENNINGS

The Statesboro Revue Country rock act joined by Drugstore Gypsies. $10-$12. John T Floore’s Country Store, 9pm

Third Eye Tribute to TOOL and A Perfect Circle, with a tribute set for Chris Cornell.

John Mayer Famed guitarist and singer/ $10. Sam’s Burger Joint, 8pm songwriter on his “The Search for Everything Tour.” $45-$122. AT&T Center, 7pm Wayne Holtz CD Realease Joined by Mariguana, Raynna Rivera, Tera Ferna and Los Lonely Boys “Chicano rock” trio from San Voodoo Boogaloo. $5. Limelight, 9pm Angelo. $12.50-$169. Aztec Theatre, 8pm Thursday Night Picker Circle w/ Jake McLain. Free. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 5-9pm

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Wednesday Ball & The Show Dance band at Tony G‘s. Free. Tony G’s Soul Food, 7-10pm West Kings Highway First Friday with West Kings Highway. Free. Southtown 101, 8-11pm

17 20

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5

Dan West Open, unplugged acoustic circle.

Free. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 4pm

Aaron McDonnell Country act Aaron McDonnell. Free. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 8-11pm

Drink Fight Thugs Local punk act joined

by Voice of Addiction, Filthy and the Muffdivers and Dead Weight. $3. The Amp Room, 9pm

Allsides Equal Local rock act joined by Secret Silent, Till I Turn Blue, All Stories End and Houston’s Scuba Diver. $5-$8.

Bond’s 007 Rock Bar, 8pm

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MUSIC

Arrowhead Classic/arena rock trio covers AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Rush, KISS, Led Zeppelin and more. Free. Booze Hounds, 9:30pm Crossfire Local act Crossfire plays at The Cove. Free. The Cove, 6:30pm Crunk Witch Bass-heavy bit-pop duo.”

Limelight, 7-10pm Flyin’ Hot Saucers Acoustic duo from Denver, CO that blends blues, psychedelic and alternative rock. Free. The Cove, 9-11pm Fundraiser for Èlla Swim Wear Performances by rock act Jason Kane & The Jive, Covina and Celestial Descent. $5.

Fitzgerald’s Bar & Live Music, 8pm Heritage Band Acoustic cover band performing at Picks. Free. Picks Bar, 6-8pm

Wednesday Ball & The Show Dance band performs live at Raffles. $5. Raffles Restaurant & Bar, 9pm Zero the Hero, Rewired Local classic metal band joined by rock acts Rewired, Alpha Syndrome and Seance. $8-$10. Jack’s Bar, 8pm SUNDAY, AUGUST 6 210 Blues Band R&B by 210 Blues Band every Sunday. Free. SoHo Wine & Martini Bar, 10pm 311 Rock band from Nebraska, joined by New Politics and Full Service $36.49.

Whitewater Amphitheater, 6:30pm Brunch Bossa Nova Rotating Bossa Nova Samba vibe featuring Brazilian musicians. $10. Carmens de la Calle Café, 11:30 a.m.2:30pm

Jason James Country act Jason James. Free. Christian Castro Mexican pop singer at The Gruene Hall, 1-5pm Majestic. $54.25-$144.25. The Majestic Theatre, 8pm Kevin Fowler Country artist joined by Zane Williams and Josh Ward. $17.50-$300. John T Floore’s Country Store, 8:30pm

Elise Davis Country musician from Arkansas.

Free. 502 Bar, 7:30pm

The Klocks Four piece top 40 dance, variety and rock band. $10-$50. Big Texas Ice House & Dance Hall, 8-11:45pm

Houston Marchman Texas country act Houston Marchman. Free. Gruene Hall, 5-9pm

Lacination Rock act joined by Sicksicksick (Louisiana), Sift Through the Ashes (Houston) and Mind Xero. $5. Zombies, 9:30pm

Moot Davis & The Good Americans Americana/Roots act performs at Gruene.

Free. Gruene Hall, 12:30-4:30pm

Marcia Ball Blues singer and pianist, described as “Texas stomp-rock meets Louisiana blues-swamp.”$17-70. Sam’s Burger Joint, 9pm

Songwriter Sundays w/ Walt Wilkins & Friends. Free. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 1-5pm Sunday Evening Picker Circle w/ Bill Lewis.

Free. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 5-9pm

Miranda Lambert (Sold Out) Country artist Miranda Lambert is joined by Wade Bowen MONDAY, AUGUST 7 for her Highway Vagabond tour. $87.76Grouchy Like Riley Folk/rock act Grouchy $1,903. Whitewater Amphitheater, 7:30pm Like Riley at Gruene Hall. Free. Gruene Hall, 7-11pm Natalie Rose Band Country act Natalie Rose performs with her band at Phoenix Monday Evening Picker Circle w/ Stephen Saloon. Free. The Phoenix Saloon, 9pm K. Morris. Free. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 5-9pm Night of the Living Synth Featuring Lovers (dark wave, synth punk), Provision (dark Swing Nite Luau Party With country act pop, synthpop) and Star Fighter Dreams Moot Davis & the Good Americans. $7-$10. (electronic, chiptune). Free. Thirsty Camel, Sam’s Burger Joint, 8:30pm 9pm TUESDAY, AUGUST 8 Sean McConnell Lyric driven roots rock with soul.” Joined by Yarn. $15. Gruene Hall, 9pm Jazz on the Rocks Live jazz and happy hour specials. Free. St. Anthony Hotel, 5-7pm Tone City Jam Fest Texas indie hip hop acts, Tuesday Evening Picker Circle w/ Him & Her including Blake, King Tonyo and more.

Trio. Free. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 5-9pm $20-$40. Paper Tiger, 8pm-midnight Treble Soul Country duo Treble Soul performs at Luckenbach. Free. Luckenbach Dance Hall, 1-5pm 44

CURRENT • August 2-August 8, 2017 • sacurrent.com

Two Tons of Steel Local rockabilly act perform at their weekly Two Ton Tuesdays show. $5. Gruene Hall, 8:30pm

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CROSSED DRESSERS SAVAGE LOVE

by Dan Savage

> My wife has been seriously ill for three years, and I have been her sole caregiver. The doctors here weren’t getting the job done, so we made the difficult decision for her to move 2,000 miles away to start over and be near her family. Our sex life has been nonexistent since she became ill. She offered me a “hall pass” with two rules: (1) It couldn’t be anyone I worked with and (2) she didn’t want to know about it. She offered multiple times, but I was taking care of her 24/7 and never used it. I started to consider using it after she moved. But I didn’t want to just find some random person on Tinder. You see, I am a crossdresser. My wife knows. She’s never seen me dressed and isn’t interested in knowing more about it.

So instead of paying for a traditional escort, I found someone who would dress me, do my makeup, go out to dinner with me, but no sex. We met three times. However, one time I did hire a trans woman who dressed me and we did have sex.

Obviously, I had to lie at times about where I was when I was using my hall pass, but I considered it a white lie to meet Rule #2. But my wife flew home unannounced to get her things (with her ex-husband along to help) and found my clothes out and quickly got out of me what I had done. She was beyond pissed. She says I had a hall pass for sex but not cross-dressing. She belittled me for the cross-dressing and said the sex was supposed to be a one-and-done thing. She knew I was a crossdresser, and I derived more pleasure from this cross-dressing experience

than having anonymous sex with an escort. My questions: Did I violate the hall pass? Was I wrong to crossdress?

Dude Relishing Erotic Sexcapades Suddenly Entertaining Divorce P.S. I am quite convincing when dressed and blend well in public.

Your wife went home to get well and “start over.” And it sounds like she got well — at least well enough to fly — and started over with her ex-husband.

I don’t think you were wrong to crossdress, DRESSED, and if you violated that hall pass, it was only because your soon-to-be-ex-wife didn’t share all the rules with you until after you used it.

It looks like a setup to me. Your soonto-be-ex-wife gave you permission to fuck someone else — permission that came with rules that were disclosed and secret bylaws and codicils that were not — because, consciously or subconsciously, she wanted to catch you doing it wrong (in your case, DRESSED, doing it more than once, cross-dressing when you did it, etc.).

Because now she can divorce you with a clear conscience, since she’s not to blame for the split — you and your dick and your dresses are to blame.

You might want to brace yourself for some hardcore blaming and kinkshaming, DRESSED, and for the very real possibility she’ll out you as a cheat and a cross-dresser to family and friends. But however the divorce plays out — and here’s hoping it doesn’t get ugly — at least you’ll soon be free to find a partner you don’t have to hide your cross-dressing from. @fakedansavage on Twitter ITMFA.org

ETC.

JONESIN’ CROSSWORD by Matt Jones

Answer on page 25

CULTURE

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WHISKEY BUSINESS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25 • 8 PM • WITTE MUSEUM

“Going Against”— it’s the big con.

ACROSS

1 “Just Putting It Out There” comedian Nancherla 7 Org. associated with the John Tesh song “Roundball Rock” 10 Diamond headgear 13 Mandrill relative 14 Cartman’s first name 16 Record collector’s platters 17 The economies of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan, to economists 19 Ecol. watchdog (we can hope) 20 Bering or Messina, for short 21 Greedy person’s mantra 23 “Glengarry Glen Ross” dramatist 25 “Hold ___ your hat!”

26 City in Utah County, Utah 27 Escapes artfully 29 Bottomless pit 30 “Tic ___ Dough” (TV game show) 31 Reason to write your name on your food, maybe 36 Uptempo song by The Cure 40 Spray can contents 41 Opp. of SSE 43 Bathroom unit 46 And others, in citations 48 Silly fool 49 Beijing skyline feature

53 1991 Wimbledon winner Michael 54 The days of Caesar, colloquially 57 “Eggs ___ style” 58 Toning targets 59 Menace in many a classic B movie 62 “Sister, Sister” sister 63 “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down ___” 64 “The Chew” regular Mario 65 D.A., for one 66 APO mail recipients 67 Malmo’s home

DOWN

1 D.A.’s group 2 Do some House work?

3 Over the top 4 Had a big laugh 5 Parisian negative 6 Against (which appears amidst the fi ve long Across answers) 7 “The Walking Dead” villain 8 Spiner who played Data 9 ___-surface missile 10 Author Beverly who created Ramona and Beezus 11 Food you’re asked how you like?

12 Source of the line “The meek shall inherit the earth” 15 CBS procedural that ran for

AUGUST 25, 2017

15 seasons 18 “Letters from ___ Jima” (2006 film) 22 Maguire who played Spidey 23 Held a session 24 Old Toyota compact model 28 Ride an updraft 29 Alamogordo experiments, for short 32 “Bed-in for Peace” activist 33 Geog. high points 34 “Ay, dios ___!”

35 Empowered 37 1945 meeting place for Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt 38 Article accompanier, often 39 It only requires one to ride 42 “Do ___ Diddy Diddy” (1964 #1 hit) 43 Cloud layers 44 Cheesy 45 Points toward 47 One small sip 49 “Ten Summoner’s Tales” singer 50 Dolphins’ habitat?

51 Exeunt ___ (Shakespearean stage direction) 52 Figure out 55 Many a charitable gp.

56 Some members of the fam 60 “Aw, hell ___!”

61 Altoids container

FAKE NEWS BY THE ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE — GRIDIRON2017

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SAN ANTONIO MUSIC SHOWCASE

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ETC.

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY by Rob Brezsny ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): In my astrological opinion, your life in the coming days should draw inspiration from the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia, a six-day bout of revelry that encouraged everyone to indulge in pleasure, speak freely, and give gifts. Your imminent future could (and I believe should) also have resemblances to the yearly Doo Dah Parade in Pasadena, which features a farcical cavalcade of lunatics, like the Shopping Cart Drill Team, The Radioactive Chicken Heads, the Army of Toy Soldiers, and the Men of Leisure Synchronized Nap Team. In other words, Aries, it’s an excellent time to set aside your dignity and put an emphasis on having uninhibited fun; to amuse yourself to the max as you experiment on the frontiers of self-expression; to be the person you would be if you had nothing to lose.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): It’s time to Reinvent the Wheel and Rediscover Fire, Taurus. In my astrological opinion, you’ll be wasting your time unless you return to the root of all your Big Questions. Every important task will mandate you to consult your heart’s primal intelligence. So don’t mess around with trivial pleasures or transitory frustrations that won’t mean anything to you a year from now.

Be a mature wild child in service to the core of your creative powers.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Writing in The Futurist magazine, Christopher Wolf says that the tradition of eating three hearty meals per day is fading and will eventually disappear.

“Grazing” will be the operative term for how we get our fill, similar to the method used by cavemen and cavewomen. The first snack after we awaken, Wolf suggests, might be called “daystart.” The ensuing four could be dubbed “pulsebreak,” “humpmunch,” “holdmeal” and “evesnack.” In light of your current astrological omens, Gemini, I endorse a comparable approach to everything you do: not a few big doses, but rather frequent smaller doses; not intense cramming but casual browsing; not sprawling heroic epics but a series of amusing short stories.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): The RIKEN Institute in Japan experiments with using ion beams to enhance plant growth. In one notable case, they created a new breed of cherry tree that blossoms four times a year and produces triple the amount of flowers.

The blooms last longer, too, and the trees thrive under a wider span of temperatures.

In the next eleven months, Cancerian, you won’t need to be flooded with ion beams to experience a similar phenomenon. I expect that your power to bloom and flourish will be far stronger than usual.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Leo actor Robert DeNiro once observed that most people devote more energy to concealing their emotions and longings than to revealing them. Is that true about you? If so, the coming weeks will be a favorable time to hide less of yourself and express more. There’ll be relatively little hell to pay as a result, and you’ll get a boost of vitality.

Don’t go overboard, though. I’m not suggesting that you unveil every last one of your feelings and yearnings to everyone — just to those you trust. Most importantly, I hope you will unveil all your feelings and yearnings to yourself.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): It has almost become a tradition: Each year at about this time, you seem to enjoy scaring the hell out of yourself, and often the heaven, too. These selfinflicted shocks have often had a beneficial side effect. They have served as rousing prompts for you to re-imagine the future. They have motivated and mobilized you. So yes, there has been an apparent method in your madness — an upside to the uproar. What should we expect this time, my dear? A field trip to a crack house or a meth lab? Some fun and games in a pit of snakes? An excursion to the land of bad memories? I suggest something less melodramatic. How about, for example, a frolic with unruly allies in a future paradise that’s still a bit unorganized?

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): Before grapes become wine, they have to be cleaned. Then crushed. Then macerated and pressed. The next phase is fermentation, followed by filtering. The aging process, which brings the grapes’ transformation to completion, requires more time then the other steps. At the end, there’s one more stage: putting the wine in bottles. I’d like to compare the grapes’ evolution to the story of your life since your last birthday. You are nearing the end of the aging phase. When that’s finished, I hope you put great care into the bottling. It’s as important as the other steps.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Are you gearing up to promote yourself and your services? In my astrological opinion, you should be. If so, you could put the following testimonial from me in your résumé or advertisement: “[place your name here] is a poised overseer of nervewracking transitions and a canny scout who is skilled at tracking down scarce resources. He/ she can help you acquire the information and enhancements you don’t quite have the power to get by yourself. When conditions are murky or perplexing, this plucky soul is enterprising and inventive.”

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): Your eyes are more powerful than you realize. If you were

50 CURRENT • August 2-August 8, 2017 • sacurrent.com

standing on a mountaintop under a cloudless night sky with no moon, you could see a fire burning 50 miles away. Your imagination is also capable of feats that might surprise you. It can, for example, provide you with an expansive and objective view of your entire life history. I advise you to seek that boost now.

Ask your imagination to give you a prolonged look at the big picture of where you have been and where you are going. I think it’s essential to your discovery of the key to the next chapter of your life story.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Love is your gritty but sacred duty. It’s your prickly prod and your expansive riddle, your curious joy and your demanding teacher. I’m talking about the whole gamut, Capricorn — from messy personal romantic love to lucid unconditional spiritual love; from asking smartly for what you desire to gratefully giving more than you thought you had. Can you handle this much sweet, dark mystery? Can you grow your intimacy skills fast enough to keep up with the interesting challenges? I think you can.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): There’s an eclipse of the moon coming up in the sign of Aquarius. Will it bring bad luck or good luck? Ha! That’s a trick question. I threw it in to see if you have been learning anything from my efforts to

redeem astrology’s reputation. Although some misinformed people regard my chosen field as a superstitious pseudo-science, I say it’s an imaginative art form that helps us identify and transform our subconscious patterns. So the wise answer to my earlier question is that the imminent lunar eclipse is neither bad luck nor good luck. Rather, it tells you that have more power than usual to: 1. tame and manage the disruptive and destructive aspects of your instinctual nature; 2. make progress in dissolving your old conditioning; 3. become more skilled at mothering yourself.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): August is Good Hard Labor Month for you Pisceans. It’s one of those rare times when a smart version of workaholic behavior might actually make sense. Why? First of all, it could ultimately lead to a pay raise or new perks. Secondly, it may bring to light certain truths about your job that you’ve been unconscious of. Third, it could awaken you to the fact that you haven’t been trying as hard as you could to fulfill one of your long-term dreams; it might expand your capacity to devote yourself passionately to the epic tasks that matter most. For your homework, please meditate on this thought: Summoning your peak effort in the little things will mobilize your peak effort for the Big Thing.

THIS MODERN WORLD by Tom Tomorrow

7 1 20

digNowity + lockwood parks

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