International Festival – a seasonal tradition in the Valley

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Published: Wednesday, 11 December 2019 10:00

Every Saturday since September, parishioners and friends of St. George Orthodox Church in Pharr have been cooking up vast quantities of handmade baklava and other international food delicacies, preparing for this year’s International Festival.

Held on the second Saturday of December each year, the International Festival is a much-anticipated holiday event for the local community, families with children and Winter Texans alike. This year’s Festival will be on Saturday, December 14, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at St. George Orthodox Church, 704 W. Sam Houston in Pharr. It features the sale of a variety of homestyle foods and beverages from around the world, including Greece and Eastern Europe, as well as vendors selling fine handcrafted gifts, handmade soap, local honey, preserves, pickles and more.

With free entry, parking, activities and a wide variety of music and dance performances, there’s always something for everyone to see and do. The festival is a fun, educational event for the entire family. Activities and information will be shared by the Museum of South Texas History, the McAllen Public Library, South Texas Border Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, Deep South Texas Master Gardeners, UTRGV CHAPS, Milkweed and Monarchs and more. While you shop, purchase some native host and nectar plants to attract butterflies to your yard.

Our favorite RGV Bluegrass music returns to this year’s festival. The day’s entertainment includes holiday favorites from the wonderful UTRGV Tuba and Euphonium Quartet as well as the much-beloved Edinburg Folklorica dancers and the Mariachi Nueva Tradicion. Returning to the festival stage will be the talented colibrí children’s choir. The last performance of the day will be the South Texas Indian Dancers, led by Robert Soto. The entire, exciting entertainment and activity schedule can be found at stgeorgetxfestival.com/entertainment.html

The Festival is a great place for holiday shopping. Pick up some unique items created by local artisans, handicraft and farmers market vendors. Everything from local honey and preserves, bags of specialty coffee from Mexico, to handmade soap, beeswax candles, Eastern European folkart and handcrafted wood items will be available.

Visitors can take a free guided tour of St. George Orthodox Church and learn about the lovely icons, an ancient liturgical artform. Children can decorate homemade gingerbread cookies, create holiday crafts, go “fishing” and also learn about local history and culture.

Whether you like fire-grilled skewers of Greek souvlaki, delectable pastitcio, savory spanakopita or stuffed grape leaves, or if you prefer Eastern European piroghies, blini or cabbage rolls, there is sure to be something you’ll love to eat. A limited supply of vegan and vegetarian options are available for many of these foods. A large tent-covered area with tables and chairs provide a comfortable area for dining. Frozen versions of many international specialties are also available – for you to take home and enjoy later. Bring a cooler along in the car.

Besides baklava, baked goods from around the world will make your mouth water. These make great holiday and party gifts. International soups – both vegan and with meat – are one of the festival favorites. Some people even take soups home to enjoy another day. Try soup with a warm German-style bierock on the side.

Want to just sit a while and watch the performances? Pick up some Russian tea, Greek coffee and some straddle, baklava or other special baked goods from the Russian Tea Shoppe and you’ll be ready to visit with friends, relax and enjoy. Freshly baked scones and muffins start out the morning, so come early – spend the day!

Another reason for the festival is a food and fundraiser for the very active St. George Food Pantry, which serves over 115 families. Bring monetary donations, canned goods, non-perishables, new or lightly used blankets, coats or children’s clothing and receive a homemade cookie as a “thank you” at this annual “Give a Can; Get a Cookie” campaign.

Not able to come on festival day, or just want to pre-purchase frozen items so you can just enjoy festival day without having to keep food frozen? Call (956) 358-8875 to make arrangements to come “shop” before the event at a time when people are working at the church.

To learn more about the festival, see their website at: stgeorgetxfestival.com/index.html or on Facebook at facebook.com/St.GeorgeInternationalFestival/

Ralph Kuster, not just a vocal talent

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Published: Wednesday, 11 December 2019 09:00

Ralph Kuster was born to perform. Not just to perform, but to also create relationships through his music with his audience.

Why else would he know more than 600 songs (631 to be exact at last count).

The former Branson, Missouri performer, and current Winter Texan entertainer (also known as Wintertainer), has returned to the Rio Grande Valley with a variety of shows - including Christmas, a Tribute to Broadway and the Movies, Gospel Show, Country Classics, Sinatra, Martin and Friends, Elvis, Neil and Friends, a Valentine’s Show and a St. Patrick’s Show. He also has a show called Timeless Treasures that incorporates a little piece of all the other shows.

Kuster is a walking library of music, a virtual human radio station. His variety of shows is as wide reaching as the range of his voice.

“I’m motivated to touch the hearts of the audience,” said Kuster, who opened his Valley season with a Welcome Back Winter Texans Performance at Paradise Resort in Pharr. “A lot of the songs I perform bring back fond memories and portray a positive outlook to the coming days and upcoming season.”

But Kuster does more than just perform. He interacts with his audience in every show. For example, at his Christmas shows, everyone uses cheery holiday bells. He also puts together a video for all of his songs, touching the audience’s senses and bringing back even more fond memories.

He said that he hopes the work he has put into his videos will touch people’s hearts. That, he adds, is what he truly enjoys the most about entertaining.

“I’ve had such great audience responses,” Kuster said. “The response at the Welcome Back show was outstanding. It was a marvelous way to start.”

Currently highlighting his Christmas shows, Kuster said that he wants to bring out both the spiritual side of the holiday as well as the fun side. This year’s all new Christmas Show is a combination of country and traditional Christmas including many songs by Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, John Denver and many more.

“The audience loves the videos for each song,” Kuster said. “It adds to the warmth and joy of Christmas.”

Kuster said he’s also available for a New Year’s Eve show, yet another set of songs in his ever-growing singing library.

Shows this coming week include Winter Green Estates, December 13 at 6:30 p.m.; Lakewood Resort, December 14 at 7 p.m.; Trophy Gardens Resort, December 15 at 7 p.m.; W and I Resort, December 16 at 7 p.m.; Paradise Resort Estates, December 18 at 7 p.m.; Ell Valle Del Sol Resort, December 19 at 7 p.m.; and Tropic Star Resort, December 20 at 7 p.m. His full schedule can be found online by visiting his profile in our Wintertainers section at www.wintertexantimes.com.

For more information on Ralph Kuster or to book a show, call (417) 230-8198 or email ralphkuster@sympatico.ca.

Quinta Mazatlan brings talent to Illumina Fest

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Published: Wednesday, 11 December 2019 08:00

Quinta Mazatlan is preparing for their First Annual Illumina Fest that will be held on December 13 and 14, from 7 to 10 p.m. Thousands of luminaries will line the forest path. The two-night event is an interactive global celebration of light, recognizing a world of holidays. Folks will enjoy performers, live music throughout the trails, seven continent art installations, as well as festive drinks and eats.

In addition to visits with Santa Claus, attendees will travel the trails and get a glimpse of how the world celebrates with light across the seven continents. From Africa’s Kwanzaa candelabra to Asia’s lanterns in the water.

The interactive festival will feature the amazing Media Artist Joel Laviolette of Austin, Flowbotic-LED & Fire Dancers of San Antonio, as well as many local community choirs and instrumentalists.

Flowbotics of San Antonio will light up the night at Quinta Mazatlan’s premier celebration - Illumina Fest.

“We are thrilled to light up the night with McAllen, Texas!” stated Flowbotics Founder Whitney Watts.

Flowbotics Hoop Troupe is a Flow Arts Performance group that specializes in Daytime, LED, and Fire hula hooping, as well as other flow props. Flowbotics is dedicated to promoting and advancing the performing, visual, and creative art of flow arts through ongoing series of local and special events, workshops, and other community outreach programs by inspiring health, wellness, and creativity. While the simple love and joy of a hula hoop originally drew the team together, today, the team consists of five talented flow artists including Founder Whitney Watts, Co-Founder Tori Villarreal, Cassandra Flores, Amber Guitron, and Michael Morejon.

Buddy V’s Ristorante will be shining a light full of flavor at Illumina Fest this year. As premier vendor, Buddy V’s Ristorante will be offering festive spirits and holiday treats. Buddy Valastro is one of the most successful and renowned cake artists in the United States. His talent and passion for the family business, Carlo’s Bakery, has earned the straight-talking cake expert the moniker, and TLC TV show, Cake Boss. Buddy brings his family’s classic Italian recipes to tables at his restaurant “Buddy V's Ristorante” in Las Vegas, Nevada, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and McAllen, Texas.

Illumina Fest is proud to offer guests other food and drink vendors as well; offering tacos, tamales, churros, kettle corn, hot cocoa, and other traditional sweet treats.

There are two ways for guests to share their light at Illumina Fest - dress illuminated for chances to win prizes and bring a decorated paper lunch bag (luminaria) to place on the luminaria trail. Compost will be provided to weigh down the paper luminaria bag, along with an LED tea-light. Children who bring a paper luminaria bag for the trail, will receive a glow band as a gift for sharing their light.

Advanced tickets sales will be available. Both presale and onsite ticket purchases will be available at $5 per person. For more information about the fest visit www.quintamazatlan.com.

IMAS is aglow with Christmas trees

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Published: Wednesday, 11 December 2019 06:00

The International Museum of Arts and Science (IMAS) is aglow until January 4, 2020 with Christmas Trees lining their welcome hall. Over two dozen trees that have been decorated by local school and community groups with blasts from the past.

As a nod to the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing and the popularity of the Space Age, this year’s theme for the Christmas trees is Nostalgic Christmas of the 60s and 70s. School and community groups were encouraged to incorporate science, technology, engineering, art and science along with a spirit of goodwill in their decorating of their tree.

The trees feature things that were big during the 60s and 70s that included themes like peace, music, toys, and space.

Each tree featured handmade ornaments. Trees with music themes displayed vinyls with The Beatles, and other popular music from the era. The toy trees had items like Rubix Cube and Etch-a-Sketch on them.

All the trees are quite playful with their theme and especially unique.

The museum is located at 1900 W. Nolana in McAllen. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Christmas Tree Extravaganza in Harlingen

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Published: Wednesday, 11 December 2019 00:00

Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum is all alit with Christmas. This year the museum has over 50 Christmas trees that are on display. The display officially opened with a reception on December 5. The exhibit will be open through December 29.

You are greeted by displays of Christmas trees and snow blankets as you enter the museum. A large, tall tree stands in the entry hall as you open the double doors into the main area of the museum.

There are two rooms, one on either side of the main hall, that are filled with lights and decorations. They are beautifully lit and tell a story of each organization that took part in the decorating.

Local organizations, business, girl scout troops, and others, put their hands in decorating the trees with a myriad of colors, glass ornaments, and homemade ornaments to symbolize what they stand for.

Several of the girl scout troops trees have their different merit badges they can earn. Businesses have items that signify what they do. Others were all decked out in one color or another showing their support for Alzheimer’s or breast cancer awareness.

Each tree had something different and unique to it.

There is one tree that has symbols on it representing different meanings – with a plaque behind it telling you what each symbol means. Some trees were hung on the wall – a different form of decorating, unique and individualized.

Nothing brings the Christmas cheer and brightness like a fully lit up tree on Christmas morning – and although it doesn’t have to be Christmas morning to enjoy these trees, they bring that same joy.

The exhibit will be on display until December 29, so make sure to take a drive on out there and visit the museum and their grounds. The outside buildings – Lott’s house, an old hospital, and others – are also decked out with Christmas decorations.

The museum is located at 2425 Boxwood St., in Harlingen. No admission or fees are necessary, but monetary donations are appreciated. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday.