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It's rodeo season in San Antonio, which means it's time to bust out your cowboy boots and, apparently, your wallet.
A new report from Trinity University reveals the astounding economic impact of San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo on the city. The 18-day affair brings in $253 million a year, which is more than the projected sales tax revenue for all of San Antonio, says the report.
The four-year study defines economic impact as the expenditure "generated by participants in activities outside the rodeo but within the San Antonio area."
In 2015, the rodeo brought in $252,816,879 from attendees and participants. The impact of volunteers alone is valued at $14 million, unsurprising given that the rodeo wrangles more than 6,000 volunteers each year.
While the annual event is beloved by locals, Ticketmaster reveals that 45 percent of ticket purchases come from residents outside Bexar County. And we should welcome those visitors, as they spend more than twice that of local attendees.
The rodeo runs through February 28. You can buy tickets here.
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High-flying Acrobatics
Cirque du Soleil, in partnership with Universal Music Group Nashville, will unveil a new country-themed show called Songblazers, which is coming to Majestic Theatre in San Antonio from August 21-25.
The show, which will make its debut in Nashville in July, is initially scheduled to go to seven different cities, including Sugar Land from August 1-11, Austin from August 14-18, and Dallas from September 25-October 20.
The company will stage 8 performances during its San Antonio run. It is Cirque du Soleil's 11th visit to San Antonio.
The production, which pays tribute to the legendary and modern trailblazers of country music, charts the journey of two main characters as they forge their own path to country recognition. Per usual with Cirque du Soleil shows, audiences will witness acrobatics, aerial acts, and displays of strength.
Sam Williams, grandson of country pioneer Hank Williams and the son of outlaw legend Hank Williams Jr., has created a new song, "Carnival Heart," specifically for the show. The song reflects the show's themes of self-discovery, friendship, and hope.
“The title idea came to me pretty easily after becoming acquainted with Cirque du Soleil,” Williams said in a statement. “Where I come from, most people don’t get to go to the circus. We go to county fairs and carnivals, and the carnival in a small town is filled with joy, excitement, mystery, euphoria, you name it. That feeling is one you always remember, and I think the roller coaster of emotions lines up with what you want to feel seeing such an incredibly beautiful production such as Cirque’s.”
Tickets sales began at 10 am on March 25 for Club Cirque members. The general on-sale starts on March 28 at cirquedusoleil.com/songblazers.