Hey y’all, Cory here.
Hope you’ve had a moment to catch your breath after Fiesta—and maybe even enjoyed the rare gift of rain this past week. San Antonio needed it.
We also got some bittersweet news: while not unexpected, it was still tough to hear that Coach Pop is stepping away from the bench. Few figures have shaped this city like he has—not just through basketball, but through leadership, integrity, and grit. 😢
This week, we’ve pulled together some fresh ways to reconnect with the city—from Mother’s Day celebrations to native plant wisdom and a deep dive on why early childhood education is one of San Antonio’s smartest bets. Let’s get into it.
🌸 Feature of the Week: Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day in San Antonio
Whether you’re honoring mamá on Saturday (Mexican Mother’s Day) or celebrating on Sunday—or both!—we’ve rounded up a few fun & meaningful ways to treat the moms, abuelas, and mother figures in your life. From elegant garden fêtes to laid-back park picnics, there’s something for every style of celebration.
🥂 Garden Fête at the Botanical Garden
📍San Antonio Botanical Garden | Saturday, May 10, 11 AM–3 PM
Oysters, wine, and brunch bites—all Texas-grown. This elegant tasting event features live music, local chefs, and 100% Texas wine. VIP and add-on options available.
🎨 Mother’s Day Art in the Park
📍Landa Gardens, 233 Bushnell Ave. | Saturday, May 10, 10 AM–1 PM
Spend a creative morning outdoors with free all-ages art activities hosted by Spare Parts and Artworks Studio. A relaxing, come-and-go option perfect for families.
🎟 Free! Reserve a spot
🧺 Sunday Brunch Market at Hemisfair
📍434 S. Alamo St. | Sunday, May 11, 10 AM–4 PM
Perfect for strolling moms: shop local vendors, grab brunch from Box Street All Day, and enjoy live music in the park.
🎟 Free! Details here
🌵 Mother’s Day Desert Sunrise Buffet at Mezquite
📍221 Newell Ave. | Saturday & Sunday, 11 AM–4 PM Treat her to a buffet with Southwest flair in a stylish indoor-outdoor setting. Brunch includes something for everyone.
🎟 $45 adults / $25 kids. Reserve here
🍵 Mother’s Day Tea Parties at Tea Blossom Estate
📍Private location near SE Military Dr. | Sunday, May 11
Two thoughtful gatherings hosted by Erica Powers offer a chance to slow down and connect.
12–2 PM: Mother’s Day Tea Party for Adults
Sip tea, share stories, and enjoy a beautifully decorated setting with appetizers, activities, and a bit of tea-time trivia.
🎟 $30–$120. Reserve a spot
2:30–4 PM: Mommy & Me Tea Party
A sweet, family-friendly experience with games, keepsakes, and lots of quality time for moms and their little ones.
🎟 $15–$60. Reserve a spot
Note: The Tea Blossom Estate is a private venue near Southeast Military Drive. The exact address will be sent to registered guests prior to the event.
🚤 Mother’s Day Brunch River Cruises with Zocca
📍Zocca Cuisine D’Italia (River Walk at The Westin) | Sunday, May 11, 10:45 AM–1:30 PM
A one-of-a-kind brunch on the San Antonio River, complete with shareable boards, an entrée, a glass of Prosecco, and a flower for mom. Cruises launch at 11 AM and 12 PM—don’t be late!
🎟 $85. Reserve here
📆 This Week's Picks:
🎶 Second Thursday at The McNay: Chavela | Tonight! Thursday, May 8, 4–9 PM📍McNay Art Museum, 6000 N New Braunfels Ave. Free admission with registration! Live music, lawn lounging, and family-friendly art activities at the McNay—plus a soulful set by Chavela at 6:30 PM.
🌳 Rooted in Community: The Grand Reveal | Saturday, May 10, 9 AM–12:30 PM📍Arboretum San Antonio, 4226 SE Military Dr. Free with registration! Be among the first to see the master plan for San Antonio’s first-ever arboretum. Enjoy the presentation at 10:30 AM, site tours, large-scale renderings, lawn games, and refreshments.
🍍 Fog Fest at Künstler Brewing | Saturday, May 10, 10 AM–10 PM 📍Künstler Brewing, 302 E Lachapelle. Free entry! Food, drinks, and auction items available for purchase. Taste tropical Fog IPAs, snack on schnitzel and ceviche, enjoy live music, and join contests and a local art auction—all in one epic day.
🎭 Anything Goes | Friday–Sunday, May 9–11 📍San Pedro Playhouse, 800 W Ashby Pl. 🎟 Tickets start at $18. Mistaken identities, tap numbers, and Cole Porter classics set sail in Anything Goes, opening this weekend at San Pedro Playhouse.
🛍 Second Saturday Night Market | Saturday, May 10, 6–10 PM📍Main Plaza, 115 N Main Ave (in front of San Fernando Cathedral). Free! Shop handmade goods and crafts from local pop-ups in a festive, open-air evening market downtown.
🧘♀️ Soulful Sunday Yoga | Sunday, May 12, 10 AM📍Confluence Park, 310 W Mitchell St. Free! Flow beneath the stunning concrete petals of the BHP Pavilion in this all-levels, family-friendly yoga class. Pups and kiddos welcome.
🎧 One Watch/Listen: Why San Antonio’s Future Starts with Early Childhood Education
This last week on bigcitysmalltown, host Bob Rivard explores San Antonio’s 14-year effort to build a more equitable early childhood system—from the launch of Pre-K 4 SA to the policy push led by Early Matters San Antonio, a coalition of civic and business leaders focused on expanding access.
Guests Peter J. Holt, Mark Larson, and Dr. Sarah Baray discuss where the city is leading, where it’s still lagging, and why early education is key to breaking cycles of poverty.
🍳 Discover Something New: Beau's Tiny Diner
If you’ve strolled Southtown lately, you may have spotted a retro little corner spot humming with energy. That’s Beau’s Tiny Diner—now officially open at Beauregard & South Alamo. They’re flippin’, fryin’, and servin’ breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily from 8 AM to 9 PM, no reservations needed.
Expect diner classics, a casual vibe, and plenty of charm. It’s the kind of place that feels like it’s been there forever, and might just become a new go-to.
🌿 Texas Nature Journal: A Visit to The Nectar Bar
If you’re looking for native plants that can survive our San Antonio summers and support local wildlife, The Nectar Bar is one nursery you need to know.
Tucked away in Northwest San Antonio, The Nectar Bar specializes in Texas native plants that are both ecologically functional and low maintenance. Owner Drake White is a fountain of knowledge, guiding visitors through what to plant, where, and why it matters for local pollinators, birds, and butterflies.
Here are just a few highlights from our recent visit (watch the full tour on YouTube):
- 🌸 Lizard Tail Gaura – A delicate native that’s a host plant for the white-lined sphinx moth and supports a variety of birds.
- 🦋 Frostweed – A fall-blooming shade plant and monarch magnet, offering nectar just when they need it most.
- ☀️ Four Nerve Daisy – Ever-blooming, evergreen, and perfect for pots or harsh sun exposure.
- 💜 Gregg’s Mistflower – Called “butterfly crack” for good reason—watch it come alive with queen butterflies in summer.
- 🌳 Hop Tree – A native tree that plays host to three different swallowtail species.
- 🔥 Flame Acanthus – Hummingbirds will fight over this showstopper. It thrives on neglect and gives back double as both nectar source and host plant.
Whether you’re building a balcony habitat or rewilding your whole yard, The Nectar Bar team is ready to help match the right plants to your space and your goals. Just bring a little curiosity—and maybe a few questions about your yard’s sunlight.
🛒 Visit The Nectar Bar in person or follow The Nectar Bar on Instagram.
✨ Bonus: Mention Ensemble Texas & the YouTube video tour at checkout and receive 10% off your purchase!
If you make it out to any of this week’s picks—or stumble on something else worth sharing—I’d love to hear about it. Just hit reply and let me know what you got into.
Want to support or collaborate with Ensemble Texas?
Whether you’re a local business, community group, or just have an idea to kick around—I’m always open to good conversations.
📬 sponsor@ensembletexas.com or simply reply to this email.
Until next time—enjoy that rain, cherish the rest, and raise a glass to Coach Pop.
He gave this city more than just banners.
Take care,
Cory