Quantcast
Photo courtesy of Bandera CVB

If you're looking for a getaway that's not too far from home, take a look at the Cowboy Capital of the World: Bandera.

Located about four hours west of Houston, just northwest of San Antonio, Bandera is loaded with Texas’ signature charm and has something for everyone in the family.

This Hill Country town is also your live music destination for spring. Here's a look at what’s coming up over the next few months to help plan your future trip.

Music for all
The can’t-miss headlining acts at the 11th Street Cowboy Bar have Charlie Robison of "My Home Town" fame performing on April 14, and a full line-up every weekend thereafter:

  • April 21 – Wade Bowen
  • April 28 – Josh Ward
  • April 29 – Neal McCoy
  • May 12 – Diamond Rio
  • May 13 – Michael Martin Murphey
  • May 19 – Joshua Ray Walker
  • May 20 – Marty Haggard
  • June 9 – Lorrie Morgan
  • June 10 – Junior Brown
On Memorial Day weekend, help Arkey celebrate the 55th anniversary of his Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar Bar.

25th Annual Riverfest
Join in on the family fun April 29 for the 25th anniversary of Bandera Riverfest, happening from 10 am-6 pm.

The International Barbecue Cookers Association (IBCA) will be there hosting its top-tier barbecue cook-off, plus there will be a “land yacht” golf cart competition, plenty of live music, arts and crafts, kids' activities, and more.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Enjoy nature's wonders
If you’re looking for a way to tire out the kids, head to the nearby Hill Country State Natural Area for 5,400 acres of camping, horseback riding, backpacking, fishing, and more.

Gaze at dreamy, starlit skies and open spaces with miles upon miles of trails for cycling and hiking. The park is the perfect place to escape from the stress of modern living and relax into the arms of Mother Nature.

Local events
Other fun events around town include the weekly Cowboys on Main on Saturdays from 10 am-2 pm. Visitors and locals can hop aboard wagon rides and take photos with Redneck the longhorn, and also watch 1800 reenactment gun shows at 11 am and 1 pm.

Fiesta Market Days at the Pipe Creek Dancehall on April 15-16 feature live music, offerings from local vendors, food, and fun for the whole family.

And don't forget about the Bandera Pro Rodeo on Memorial Day weekend, May 26-28. Stake out a good spot for the parade, which begins at 11 am on March 27.

Cowboys on Main

Photo courtesy of Bandera CVB

Cowboys on Main happens on Saturdays.

Tickets for the Rodeo are $12 for adults, $6 for children ages 6-12, and free for children aged 5 and under.

To start planning your getaway, visit banderacowboycapital.com.

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo busts out more music for 2023 lineup

Not my first rodeo

One of Alamo City's biggest annual events just got bigger. After an initial announcement earlier this summer, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo just released the second group of world-renowned talent set to take the stage during the 2023 event.

Taking place at the AT&T Center/Freeman Coliseum fairgrounds from February 9-26, 2023, the action-packed rodeo performances will be followed by all-star talent from a mix of genres. Names, dates, and performance times are:

  • Ryan Bingham – Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 7 pm
  • Midland – Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 7:30 pm
  • Tracy Byrd – Monday, February 13, 2023 at 7:00 pm
  • Nelly – Friday, February 24, 2023 at 7:00 pm
  • Gary Allan – Saturday, February 25, 2023 (Rodeo Finals) at 7:30 pm

Previously announced artists include:

  • Jake Owen - Friday, February 10, 2023, at 7 pm
  • Carly Pearce - Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 12 pm
  • Lee Brice – Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 7 pm
  • Keith Urban (two performances) - Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 12 pm & 7:30 pm
  • Los Tigres Del Norte - Sunday, February 19, 2023, at 7:30 pm
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd – Thursday, February 23, 2023, at 7 pm

Attendees should also note that weekend times have changed for 2023 – Saturday and Sunday shows will now be matinee rodeo starting at 12 pm, while evening rodeo will start at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are on sale now at sarodeo.com or at ticketmaster.com.

Photo courtesy of Bandera CVB

Lasso up a great getaway to Bandera, the Cowboy Capital of the World

On the Road

It’s known as the “Cowboy Capital of the World,” and Bandera — in the beautiful Texas Hill Country — lives up to that title.

Once the staging area for the last great cattle drives of the late 1800s, the town also boasts many National Rodeo Champions.

When you’re here, you’ll quickly see how the respect and authenticity of “cowboy culture” permeates every square inch of the town. What you’ll also notice is how Indian, Mexican, Polish, and Western cultures give Bandera a unique ambiance not found anywhere else in Texas.

So grab your hat and boots, channel your inner cowboy, and get set to lasso up a great little getaway in Bandera.

Find your home on the range
With a number of dude ranches in Bandera, each nestled into scenic surrounds, it’s easy to fully immerse yourself in that cowboy culture.

Each of the working ranches is its own unique experience. For example, at Flying L Ranch Resort you can stay in a cedar cabin or historic villa and take wagon rides, feed deer and antelope, get in on a chuckwagon dinner (during the summer only), sidle up to the campfire for s'mores, and maybe even catch some champion trick ropers and storytellers.

Situated on 725 acres, Dixie Dude Ranch goes back five generations to 1901, showing true Texas hospitality every step along the way.

Horseback riding, catch-and-release fishing, hiking, hayrides, campfire sing-alongs, dancing, and lots of Western fun are all on the docket here.

You can also check out the century-old barn and Range War Cemetery or, for a little R&R, the ranch offers massages, too.

Willow Creek Ranch is a family-owned and operated 40-acre horse farm where they rehabilitate and retrain rescue horses, too. You'll stay in the three-bedroom house surrounded by nature, horses, oak trees, a creek, and a pond.

Hit the trail
Even if you don’t stay at a dude ranch, you can still get in on horseback riding that ventures through the rolling green hills, wide-open pastures, and picturesque creeks.

Juniper Hill Stables and Cross-G Ranch both have one-of-a-kind trail rides through these rugged-cool landscapes.

Head to the rodeo
You can see some of the best barrel racers and mutton busters in Texas vie for the top prize at one of the many rodeos in town, including the Bandera ProRodeo Association's Memorial Day PRCA rodeo.

Celebrate Bandera Round-Up, held over Labor day weekend, features a longhorn cattle drive on Saturday morning followed by a market day with entertainment around the courthouse lawn Saturday and Sunday.

Bandera ProRodeo then produces a working cowboy Ranch Rodeo (no bull riding) on Saturday evening and an All Women’s Ranch Rodeo and Mutton Bustin’ on Sunday evening.

Schedule in a shootout
A shootout that’s straight out of a classic spaghetti western is what you’ll get at Cowboys on Main, a weekly event with gripping gunfights by historical re-enactors from the Bandera Cattle Company, along with chuck wagons and period costumes. Check the weekly entertainment guide here for the most up-to-date times.

Get your nature fix
Sure, dude ranch’ing it up and horseback riding will put you in touch with nature. But there’s plenty more to explore with Bandera as your home base.

Two of the most breathtaking natural areas in Texas are within easy driving distance. Surround yourself with limestone bluffs and hills covered in blooming wildflowers at the Hill Country State Natural Area, which is home to more than 40 miles of trails.

Meanwhile, Lost Maples State Natural Area — named for the park’s abundance of bigtooth maple trees that provide vibrant fall colors — is 2,100 acres of statement-making scenery, including limestone canyons, grasslands and wooded hills, and clear-water streams.

It’s also known as one of the best birding destinations, with the spotting of species like the black-capped vireo, golden-cheeked warbler, and green kingfisher.

Check out the museums
Browse the Frontier Times Museum’s 40,000-item collection of Western art and memorabilia with historical artifacts, photographs, and art that tell the story of Bandera County’s earliest days.

There’s also a gallery of paintings displayed on a natural rock wall to reflect the rugged landscape of the surrounding Hill Country.

The Bandera Natural History Museum is a true gem, with an extensive wildlife exhibit and a collection of Spanish art from 1521-early 1800s.

And with motorcycles from all over the world, ranging from 1910 to today, the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum is a fascinating look at the bike.

Tune into some live music
In addition to its Old West vibes, Bandera has a thriving music scene with jams just about every day of the week. One of the most popular venues in town is the 11th Street Cowboy Bar, a go-to spot for live country music and good beer.

Grab an ice-cream float
The Bandera General Store is really a must; it has one of the last remaining old-fashioned soda fountains in Texas (there are only 11 of them!). There, you can also shop for cowboy boots, hats, and more.

See more of what Bandera has to offer here.

Flying L Ranch is one of the dude ranches where you can stay in Bandera.

flying l ranch outside area
Photo courtesy of Bandera CVB
Flying L Ranch is one of the dude ranches where you can stay in Bandera.
Photo courtesy of San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo reveals all-star music lineup for 2023 season

Out the Chute

One of San Antonio's favorite annual gatherings just revealed the headliners for its 2023 season — and let's just say the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo has lassoed some all-star talent for next year's event.

Held at the AT&T Center/Freeman Coliseum fairgrounds from February 9 through 26, 2023, the upcoming stock show and rodeo managed to wrangle world-class talent beyond the chute.

Announced on Thursday, August 4, these artists promise unforgettable performances after the already action-packed rodeo event on the following dates:

  • Jake Owen — Friday, February 10, 2023, at 7 pm
  • Carly Pearce — Saturday, February 11, 2023, at 12 pm
  • Lee Brice — Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 7 pm
  • Keith Urban (two performances) — Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 12 pm and 7:30 pm
  • Los Tigres Del Norte — Sunday, February 19, 2023, at 7:30 pm
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd — Thursday, February 23, 2023, at 7 pm

Fans are advised that weekend times have changed for the 2023 seasons, meaning Saturday and Sunday shows will now have matinees at 12 pm, while the evening rodeo will start at 7:30 pm.

The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo has grown to be one of the largest and most prestigious events in San Antonio. Over 1.3 million visitors enter the grounds each year, and the organization has donated over $243 million to Texas youth programs since it was established in 1949.

Tickets for the 2023 seasons are on sale at sarodeo.com.

Photo courtesy of Bandera CVB

Saddle up for a summer of rodeo fun in Bandera, the Cowboy Capital

It's Rodeo Season

Sick of the hustle and bustle of modern city life? Then the “Cowboy Capital of the World” is calling your name.

Put a weekend trip to Bandera, Texas, on your calendar. There’s plenty of authentic Texas fun to be found in this little town, located just an hour northeast of San Antonio.

Saddle up
Rodeo has been the heart of this little Texas town for nearly a century, and Bandera’s biggest rodeo of the year is just a few days away: the Memorial Day Weekend Stampede Pro Rodeo.

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, cowboys and cowgirls will be showing off their finest skills at the Mansfield Park Arena. All seven pro rodeo events — bareback riding, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, and bull riding — will be shown all three nights.

Gates to the arena open at 6 pm and the Grand Entry starts right at 8 pm, with tickets available at the gate or online.

Ready to two-step? Grab a partner, because 11th Street Cowboy Bar will be providing the dance on Friday and Saturday nights at Mansfield Park.

The weekend will be jam-packed with rodeo fun, so make sure to wander Main Street during the day.

For Memorial Day, horseback riders will parade down Main Street in honor of those lost in service on Saturday at 11 am.

Courthouse Square in downtown Bandera will be packed with vendors all weekend for the Memorial Day Arts and Crafts show. While you’re there, be sure to check out the bronze monument on the courthouse lawn that honors the many past National Rodeo Champions from Bandera.

The Bandera Cattle Company will be performing a special three-show edition of their weekly gunfights on Saturday at 11 am, 12 pm, and 1 pm

If you can’t swing the trip this weekend, Bandera’s rodeo season will be proudly roaring all summer long.

Rodeos at Mansfield Park will continue on Friday nights through August 5, and barrel racing and mini bull riding events will be held monthly on Saturdays through October.

Make it a weekend
Once the staging area for the Great Western Cattle Trail, Bandera’s authentic cowboy roots are still going strong.

For the true cowboy experience, stay at one of Bandera’s iconic dude ranches. Definitely plan for a long drive or bike ride along Highway 16 and take in the Texas Hill Country’s unique and unforgettable vistas.

Cool off by the Medina or Sabinal rivers or boat, fish, or picnic at Medina Lake. And at night, two-step or waltz the night away at a local honky-tonk with live music.

Check out all that Bandera has to offer, and start planning your getaway, here.

Memorial Day weekend marks the start of rodeo season.

Barrel racing rodeo
Photo courtesy of Bandera CVB
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of rodeo season.
Photo courtesy of San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo

What to know before the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo gallops into town

The buck stops here

Hey, San Antonio, don your best cowboy hat and spurs, lasso your sidekick, and get ready to have a bucking good time. The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo rides into town Thursday, February 10 for more than two weeks of steer-wrestling, barrel-racing, bull-riding glory and live-music entertainment at the AT&T Center and Freeman Coliseum.

The rip-roaring event kicks off in less than 10 days and will feature an impressive collection of tournament-style competitive rodeo events, as well as tons of live performances from music legends like Toby Keith, Little Texas, Tanya Tucker, Tim McGraw, and Brad Paisley, as well as some unexpected musical guests, among them Ludacris and Night Ranger, and a massive fairgrounds festival with carnival attractions and more live music.

If this ain’t your first rodeo, you probably know the ropes. But for those who may be riding out for the first time, here’s some helpful info to know before you go.

Hours of operation
The rodeo is open for cowboy business every day during its stint, but different elements of the multifaceted event offer varying hours of operation:

  • The festival, attractions, and shops will be open Sunday through Thursday 10 am-8 pm, and Friday and Saturday 10 am-9 pm.
  • The carnival will be open Monday through Friday 4-10 pm, Saturday 10 am-midnight, and Sunday 10 am-10 pm.
  • The live-music venues close at 11 pm Sunday through Thursday and at midnight Friday and Saturday.

Tickets
Rodeo tickets include access to the rodeo events, as well as to the carnival and entertainment performances following the PRCA Rodeo events, which start about two hours after the rodeo. Get your tickets by calling 877-63-RODEO or through ticketmaster.com or sarodeo.com. Children 2 and younger get in free; everyone else needs a ticket. You can learn more about accessing all the entertainment and managing your tickets here.

Prohibited items
While rodeo-goers are allowed to bring in bags, briefcases, and backpacks, those items are all subject to search and seizure, so pack wisely.

The following items are prohibited on the rodeo fairgrounds:

  • Selfie sticks
  • Drones
  • Hover boards
  • Pepper spray/mace
  • Firearms (concealed or open carry)
  • Knives with blades longer than 3 inches
  • Laser pointers
  • Outside food and beverages, coolers, bottles, and cans
  • Any other item deemed unacceptable by management

Additionally, the following items are strictly prohibited in the Freeman Coliseum & AT&T Center:

  • Professional camera/video equipment
  • Detachable lenses
  • Lenses longer than 3 inches
  • Filming with iPads/tablets
  • Go Pro-style cameras
  • Professional flashes
  • Strollers

Safety precautions
The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo says it has implemented significant measures to provide a safe environment for youth exhibitors, rodeo athletes, and rodeo fans. The entire event will continue to follow current state health and safety guidelines closely.

Masks are not required, but given the current COVID-19 threat levels and the fact that the rodeo routinely attracts about 1.5 million visitors to the grounds each year, it’s probably a good idea to mask up for safety.

Parking
The best way to secure parking and save yourself the time and hassle of tracking down a spot is to purchase a parking ticket. They are available for a variety of prices and types here. Parking tickets include date-specific access to Lot 1 Monday through Friday or access to the Rodeo Express Shuttle on Gembler Road any day of the week. Rodeo staff encourages attendees to add their digital parking ticket to their smartphone’s mobile wallet for a seamless parking experience.

Spending
There’s nothing worse than reveling in a super cool event and wanting to buy all the things, then realizing you don’t have the appropriate form of moolah.

Rodeo fans, take note: The AT&T Center is a cashless venue, so though attendees will be able to use cash at the festival and fairgrounds, AT&T Center will not accept cash payments. For those who come unprepared, there are reverse ATMs available outside the building along the concourse.

For more information about the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and to check out maps, visit the event online.

Ad Placement 300x100
Ad Placement 300x600

CultureMap Emails are Awesome

Breathtaking Hill Country hideaway is lone Texas star on Vrbo's top 10 vacation homes in the U.S.

RIVERFRONT OASIS

A magnificently hidden home located just an hour and a half away from San Antonio has been chosen as one of Vrbo's "Vacation Homes of the Year" for 2023. It was the only Texas home chosen out hundreds of thousands of private residences on the vacation rental site.

The Vacation Homes of the Year showcases several popular homes throughout the country (with the occasional international spot) that range from "idyllic lakeside escapes to cozy mountain retreats and desert paradises." In all, two homes are based in California, and one each in Arizona, North Carolina, Oregon, New York, Florida, South Carolina, Idaho, Colorado, and Mexico.

Texas' Hill Country Riverfront Hideaway is tucked away on five acres of land bordering the Pedernales River in Dripping Springs. The home spans 2,150 square feet with an open-concept living area, three spacious bedrooms, two lavish bathrooms, a modern chef's kitchen, fireplace, and a breathtaking wrap-around terrace.

Floor-to-ceiling windows complete the space, allowing guests to take in all of the tranquility the Hill Country has to offer. With the home's 430 feet of river access, visitors can enjoy escaping the city and relax into the views of the vast canyon below.

Dripping Springs Riverfront HideawayImagine a getaway to this Hill Country paradise. Photo courtesy of Vrbo

The property is within a half hour drive to many of the finest wineries, breweries, and must-see outdoor recreation spots in Dripping Springs. Fredericksburg is only an hour's drive west for those wanting to head deeper into the Hill Country, and downtown Austin is an hour's drive to the east.

The average nightly cost for the riverfront oasis is $475, making it an ideal destination for small groups, a family trip, or a couple's getaway.

Dripping Springs Riverfront Hideaway

Photo courtesy of Vrbo

The Hill Country Riverfront Hideaway was the only Texas home chosen on Vrbo's list.

Expedia Brands president Jon Gieselman shared in a press release that there were plenty of eye-catching homes to wade through for the report.

"This year’s Vacation Homes of the Year range from an urban oasis and a cozy ranch home under $400 a night to a beachfront estate that can sleep the whole family and more," said Gieselman. "Every single Vacation Home of the Year has a beautiful view, and combined boast seven private pools and fire pits, eight hot tubs and even five putting greens."

The full list of Vrbo's 2023 Vacation Homes of the Year are:

  • No. 1 – The Oasis Estate in Palm Springs, California
  • No. 2 – The Happy Roadrunner in Phoenix, Arizona
  • No. 3 – The Chasestone in Lake Norman, North Carolina
  • No. 4 – The Contemporary Gem in Manzanita, Oregon
  • No. 5 – Ocean View Oasis in Montauk, New York
  • No. 6 – The Riverfront Hideaway in Dripping Springs, Texas
  • No. 7 – 30A My Way in Rosemary Beach, Florida
  • No. 8 – Port of Call in Isle of Palms, South Carolina
  • No. 9 – Salmonfly Lodge in Victor, Idaho
  • No. 10 – Trestle House in Winter Park, Colorado
  • No. 11 – Villa Luna Nueva in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
More information about Vrbo's 2023 Vacation Homes of the Year can be found on their website.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus navigates marriage pitfalls in You Hurt My Feelings

Movie Review

Anybody who’s been married or in a long-term relationship knows that it’s almost impossible to be completely honest with his or her partner. There are always going to be moments – whether for the sake of expediency, in a show of support, or other reasons – when one person withholds their true opinion so as not to hurt the other person’s feelings.

That idea is the central tension point of You Hurt My Feelings, which follows Beth (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a writer/teacher, and her husband, Don (Tobias Menzies), a therapist. Beth is in the middle of trying to get her first fiction book published, a process that is causing her unceasing anxiety. Don sees a series of patients, including a constantly-bickering couple (played by real-life husband and wife David Cross and Amber Tamblyn), and a few lapses cause him to question his commitment to the profession.

When Beth and her sister, Sarah (Michaela Watkins), accidentally overhear Don telling his brother-in-law, Mark (Arian Moayed), that he doesn’t like Sarah’s new book and is exhausted having to tell her otherwise, it sends Beth into an emotional spiral. The aftermath winds up pulling in not just the two couples, but also Beth and Don’s son, Eliot (Owen Teague), dredging up feelings that all of them normally try to keep hidden.

Written and directed by Nicole Holofcener, the film is a funny and genuine look at how even the best couples can run into pitfalls. By most measures, Beth and Don get along fantastically well, supporting each other unwaveringly and showing their love in a variety of ways. When the story puts them at odds with each other, there’s never a question that they belong together, as even their arguments are tinged with exasperation instead of anger.

Holofcener complements the story of Beth and Don with a nice variety of side plots, including Eliot trying to start his own writing career while working at a weed store; Beth and Sarah’s mom, Georgia (Jeannie Berlin), offering up support and criticism in equal measures; and more. Don’s patients and Beth’s students offer an opportunity to expand the two characters’ personalities outside of their marriage while also adding a few other funny roles.

While perhaps not the most insightful film about marriage that’s ever been made, it is still highly enjoyable thanks to Holofcener’s writing and the strong performances. Filmed in New York City, the particular feel of that urban landscape and the way it affects the lives of the characters also plays a big part in the success of the film.

Louis-Dreyfus, as always, is a delight to watch. A kind of spiritual sequel to her previous collaboration with Holofcener, 2013’s Enough Said, the film gives her plenty of room to show off both her comedic and dramatic skills. Menzies makes for a steady presence, showing good chemistry with Louis-Dreyfus and a preternatural calm in therapy sessions. Watkins, Moayed, Teague, and Berlin all fit in seamlessly.

You Hurt My Feelings is not a world-changing kind of movie, but rather a solidly-told story about how relationships can be complicated. With actors who are easy to like and Holofcener’s reliably great filmmaking, it’s a movie for adults that’s nice counter-programming to the glut of summer blockbusters.

---

You Hurt My Feelings is now playing in theaters.

Tobias Menzies and Julia Louis-Dreyfus in You Hurt My Feelings

Photo courtesy of A24

Tobias Menzies and Julia Louis-Dreyfus in You Hurt My Feelings.

7 San Antonio icons star in new Texas Monthly book documenting most influential Texans of last 50 years

LONE STARS RISING

Texas Monthly's editors have released the next book for reading list queues. To commemorate the publication's 50th anniversary, they've collected and bound the stories and photographs of 50 iconic Texans that have shaped our great state and the country over the past 50 years. And seven San Antonio megastars have made it on the roster.

Lone Stars Risingis Texas Monthly's third book, created in collaboration with Harper Wave Books. Among the book's 256 pages are not just the rich histories and commentaries about our most recognizable Texas legends, but a few "lesser-known individuals who have been toiling on the sidelines, quietly and intentionally shaping" our perception of our vast and great state.

The seven Alamo City idols that made it into the book include business magnates, legendary musicians, inspirational activists and artists.

  • Selena Quintanilla, the Queen of Tejano who opened her second boutique in San Antonio
  • George Strait, the King of Country
  • Charles Butt, CEO, Chairman, and heir of H-E-B
  • Sandra Cisneros, nationally-recognized author and founder of San Antonio's Macondo Foundation and the Alfredo Cisneros del Moral Foundation
  • Willie Velásquez, social activist who founded the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project
  • Gloria Anzaldúa, author, poet, scholar, and feminist
  • Robert Rodriguez, the filmmaker behind the Spy Kids and Machete movies

Selena Quintanilla singer
Selena Facebook
Selena Quintanilla leads the list of San Antonio icons.
Lone Stars Rising will be available for purchase on June 6. More information about the book can be found on texasmonthly.com.