It’s been months since the email touting Texas Monthly Live at the Witte Museum in San Antonio floated onto my inbox.  Even though I’m not a subscriber, I purchase Texas Monthly on a regular basis from my local HEB. I like it. I like the Witte Museum. And I love San Antonio. I wasn’t even quite sure what I was signing up for, but my thinking went along the lines of no matter what the event turns out to be, it can’t be bad.

Now standing here, in an ultra-long line that spills out onto the walkway leading into the museum I am totally curious as to what is on the agenda. A docent tells us the VIP line—much, much shorter—forms to the right. I look at my tickets and see Michael and I qualify. 

Witte Museum

After checking in, our wrists encircled with a bright red paper bracelet identifying us as VIP participants, we make our way to the cash bar. Purchasing cocktails, we begin our tour of the first-floor exhibits in San Antonio’s Witte Museum.

As we walk among the current flora and fauna vignettes, showcasing the vast expanse that is Texas we also bump into behemoths that roamed the Texas hills and valleys and plains of eons past. I am in awe of not only the variety of animal life in my home state but also the artistry and detail that went into the exhibits.

Michael points out the various birds among the branches that surround us. I tell him to look beyond what is in front of him to the artist’s detailed rendering of the immense backdrops for each exhibit. A child would be in awe of all that is here; so would any adult.

Texas Monthly Live

Finally, following the crowd, we are seated in the VIP section of the theater. A plethora of reading material is clutched tightly in my hands. I still am not sure of what is to come.  But I see couches on the stage, two podiums, a projection screen and stands set up for musicians; a bare hint.

I briefly glance at the program and then am distracted by the Texas Monthly Special Edition of FOOD – Cooking Like a Texan. A short fifteen minutes is spent visually and mentally devouring popular Texas dishes. From Mexican to Texican, it all tempts and looks delicious.  The puffy tacos on the cover intrigue and challenge. I am determined to try these at home.

A Magazine Brought to Life

The lights dim. The audience stills. The beautiful voice of Carrie Rodriguez fills the theater with the haunting music of Frio en el Alma (Cold in the soul since you left…). When the applause dies down, David Courtney, the MC steps to the podium and finally I know what the evening is all about.

A bevy of talented writers, all editors of Texas Monthly, step to the front of the stage, taking the microphone, one by one and begin to speak.  Words from their hearts that have their soul in and of Texas. There are eight stories in all and they span the width and breadth of this state. They are stories of immigrants and schools and institutions and food and twinkling stars colliding and memories and — dreams. They are stories of families and pets and friends. The stories are accompanied by music and photographs and animation. The stories are beyond wonderful. 

There is a story of Old Austin, and when it changed, told by a writer musician–Michael Hall. And he sings. And the audience cheers. And it is glorious.

And then. Too soon. It is over.

This is Texas Monthly reimagined. Brought to life. With heart. Each Texas Monthly editor brings their special brand of expertise to the podium. They entertain. Pull at heartstrings. Make us smile. Make us laugh. They make us all proud to call this vast and diverse land our home.

Food Trucks

After the stories end, the tears are dried, and the standing ovation dies down we make our way outside to the food trucks specializing in Texas fare—Tex-Mex and Barbeque.  What could be better? Since we know it will all be good, we stand in the shortest line. Michael urges me to find a table while he waits for our food.  I take the opportunity to go online and sign up for a three-year subscription to Texas Monthly; less expensive by far than dropping one into my grocery cart each month. And now I know I won’t miss any of their wonderful articles.

When Michael arrives at the table carrying plates and baskets piled high with the flavors of our state’s Tex-Mex heritage, I tell him I need to let everyone know about Texas Monthly Live so they can be a part of it next year. 

“Wait till we are able to buy our tickets first,” he tells me.

Texas Monthly Live 2019

This is the second year (and the first time I became aware of it) of the Texas-based magazine, Texas Monthly, to present Texas Monthly Live. The first show of their second season was on May 22 in the city of Austin.  The last one of 2019 was December 4, in San Antonio, Texas.  In between the presented this special live edition of their magazine in Dallas, Houston, and Brownsville.  I can only hope that they come back for a third year.  I will be the first in line to buy tickets at whatever venue they choose. It was a remarkable evening.

If you are interested in getting on their email list, click on the following link and sign up.

https://www.texasmonthly.com/newsletters/

Witte Museum

There isn’t enough I can say about this wonderful museum.  It was part of my childhood, albeit a much smaller version, and was a part of my grandchildren’s childhood during their summer visits.  If you haven’t been to the new and improved and expanded Witte Museum, make it a point to visit soon.