Catch a performance by the San Antonio Lion Dance Association this weekend at the UTSA Asian Festival | Photo via UTSA Asian Festival
The Lunar New Year is upon us. Around the world — especially in East and Southeast Asian cultures — communities will celebrate the Year of the Dragon (or, in some cultures, the Year of the Naga) starting Saturday, Feb. 10. The dragon, one of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac, symbolizes intelligence, honor, luck, and success.
In San Antonio, you can partake in the fun at several local festivals, events, and dinners — many of which are free.
Lunar New Year Celebration | Friday, Feb. 9 | 8-10 p.m. | Phuoc Hue Buddhist Temple of San Antonio, 6292 Lockhill Rd. | Free | Celebrate the Lunar New Year with an opening ceremony of the great drum + bell, food, a lion dance, and firecrackers.
San Antonio Asian New Year Festival | Saturday, Feb.10-Sunday, Feb.11 | 12-6 p.m. | Rolling Oaks Mall, 6909 N. Loop 1604 E. | Free | Bring the family out for an afternoon of KPOP dances, martial arts + cosplay contests, sumo wrestling, arts + crafts vendors, and other performances.
Chinese New Year Lion Dance | Sunday, Feb. 11 | 2 p.m. | Tim’s Oriental & Seafood Market, 7015 Bandera Rd. #8 | Free | Hang out at this local Asian grocer for it’s annual celebration including performances in the parking lot. Pro tip: Parking is limited and is standing room only.
Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.| The DoSeum, 2800 Broadway | $0-$18 | Enjoy traditional craft making, Chinese sweets, performances, and science experiments with the International School of San Antonio.
Enter the Dragon: Reunion of the Grandmasters | Monday, Feb. 26 | 5-9 p.m. | DASHI Chinese Kitchen + Bar, 2895 Thousand Oaks Dr. | $260-$350 | Dine + drink at this collaboration dinner featuring 15 San Antonio celebrity chefs. Don’t miss: Enjoy martial arts demonstrations, lion dances, and live music.
Coffee, Crosswords, and Chisme | Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | McCreless Library, 1023 Ada St., San Antonio | Free | Adults 60+ are encouraged to come talk about the latest news and celebrity gossip while solving puzzles.
Mercado por tu Corazon | Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Carver Branch Library, 3350 E. Commerce St., San Antonio | Free | Join River City Produce and the American Heart Association for a health seminar about food access and nutrition security in our community.
Lamplighter Songwriter Night | Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 7-11:55 p.m. | Screaming Goat Yard & Tap, 4 Sun Valley Dr., Spring Branch | Free | Listen to Grammy-nominated artist David Lee at this weekly songwriter performance night.
Thursday, Feb. 8
Frost Bank Chuck Wagon Breakfast | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 7:30-9:30 a.m. | Frost Bank W.W. White Financial Center, 1739 S. WW White Rd., San Antonio | Free | Wake up early for scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits, gravy, peach cobbler, and coffee.
Opening Reception | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 6-9 p.m. | Centro de Artes, 101 S. Santa Rosa, San Antonio | Free | Check out two new exhibits, Millennial Lotería: The LatinXperience + Permanencia Voluntaria, with light refreshments and drinks by Dorcol Spirits.
The Daedalus Series Cello Night | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 6:30 p.m. | Molly Shafer Gallery at King William Association, 122 Madison St., San Antonio | Free | See artist Glen Andrews II molten glass artwork inspired by Greek Mythology and catch a musical performance by Joshua Younke.
Local developer Weston Urban announced two eateries are coming to downtown San Antonio at the Savoy + Historic Rand buildings this summer. Extra Fine is opening its sophomore location in the Savoy Building (116 E. Houston St.), and an un-named pizzeria is coming to the Rand Building (110 E. Houston St.)
Development
A new 10-story, 171-room hotel is coming to downtown at the intersection of E. Commerce St. and N. Main Ave. The $58 million Residence Inn will include a 775-sqft meeting space and a coffee shop. Construction is set for later this year with a completion date in 2026. (Express News)
Read
The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center is hosting its first free Latino Texas Author series with author Dr. Carmen Tafolla. Join the center this Friday, at 6 p.m. at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Bookstore (1301 Guadalupe St.) for a meet + greet and book signing.
Plan Ahead
Mariachi Las Alteñas, a local all-female mariachi group, is celebrating Women’s History Month in March with a concert. Catch the musical performance at the Maestro Entrepreneur Center (1811 S. Laredo) on Saturday, March 2, at 7-8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25.
San Antonian
San Antonio Police Department’s (SAPD) K-9 Rocky is heading to the Super Bowl this weekend in Las Vegas. He will add an extra layer of security to the stadium while wearing his SAPD uniform. Check out the video. What a way to represent SATX.
Regional
Kerrville’s 1011 Bistro was featured on Open Table’s “Top 100 Romantic Restaurants in America for 2024.” This seafood eatery sits along the Guadalupe River, offering romantic scenery and breathtaking Hill Country sunset views. Ready to try? Be sure to get your reservation in.
Finance
Get trusted financial advice with Money Pickle, the service that connects you directly with experienced financial advisors to help with your investment + retirement planning needs (all through a complimentary video meeting). Take control of your financial future in 2024 by scheduling a free consultation.*
A Plecostomus species is found in the San Antonio River. | Photo by San Antonio River Authority
You may have heard about the San Antonio River’s annual draining last month and the interesting finds discovered at the bottom. But what happens to the fish? We decided to reach out to the experts and find out for you.
While the City of San Antonio is responsible for the draining, SARA uses this time to perform preventative maintenance + improve the river’s habitat function by planting aquatic plants, relocating native species, and removing non-native invasive species from the river.
What is the process for relocating the native species?
During the dewatering event, SARA’s scientific staff typically rescues those native fish stranded manually and moves them upstream or downstream — think: water + bucket. The stream of water is more than just what you see along with the River Walk and Mission Reach areas — it’s actually 240 miles long.
Earlier this week we asked what you would put in an SATXtoday time capsule, here’s what you said: 66% would add a Fiesta medal, 22% would include their favorite SATXtoday article (aw thank you), and 12% would submit a margarita recipe.
One thing you should know about me, is that I have a sweet tooth. Laika Cheesecakes & Espresso is running an in-store Valentine’s Day deal that includes two drinks + two slices of cheesecake for $20. Looks like I have dessert plans that day.
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