Oct 19, 2023
The main thing that Christopher Rodriguez wants current and potential patrons of Wonder Theatre to know about its big move to Wonderland of the Americas is that it is happening.
“Everyone’s always like, ‘What’s going on? Are you really moving?’ I promise you, yes, it is absolutely happening,” said Rodriguez, the theater’s executive and artistic director.
Wonder had planned to leave its longtime home at the Woodlawn Theatre this past summer. But transforming the former site of the Santikos Bijou movie theater into a live-performance space has taken longer than anticipated, so the latest plan calls for them to move in January.
“Someone recently was like, ‘Reminder: Rome wasn’t built in a day,’” said Rodriguez, who has been with the theater for almost 12 years. “A theater is no different, a new facility is no different. And we are really just making sure that everything is perfect for our audiences the first time that they enter through our doors.
“There’s a lot of stuff to consider in the new space, but we’re really excited.”
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Aug 27, 2023
The longtime Ramones drummer appeared in the movie Rock-N-Roll High School and on classic punk songs including ‘I Wanna Be Sedated.’
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and longtime Ramones drummer Marky Ramone is returning to San Antonio this weekend for a Blitzkrieg Bop of events and appearances.
The punk pioneer’s first stop will be Friday at the Corn Pound and Flagship Records, 6336 Montgomery Drive. He’ll be present for a photo exhibit of previously unseen pictures of the Ramones and The Runaways snapped by late San Antonio photographer Lindell Tate. That event starts at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, Ramone will appear at Pica Pica Plaza, 910 SE Military Drive, for the Rock-n-Roll Horror Pop-up Market hosted by Dallas-based Social Revolt. The pop-up market will feature more than 30 artists, record shops and vendors from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ramone will wrap up his Alamo City visit with a Sunday in-store appearance from noon to 4 p.m. at Monsters and Mayhem, a newly opened music and horror collectibles shop inside Wonderland of Americas Mall, 4522 Fredericksburg Road.
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Aug 10, 2023
If it seems as if fall and winter staples like pumpkin spice lattes and holiday music arrive earlier and earlier every year, it’s not your imagination.
Take the Halloween season as an example. You can already snatch up your costume this early in August. Spirit Halloween, the chain of pop-up costume and Halloween goods shops, opened three stores in the San Antonio area on Tuesday, with more to be opened later this month.
This year, there will be at least 10 locations in the Alamo City and one in San Marcos.
This is the 40th anniversary of Spirit Halloween, which first opened stores in 1983. According to Spirit’s website, it is the largest Halloween retailer in North America, with more than 1,450 pop-up locations in malls across the continent. The chain offers everything from costumes to decorations to accessories.
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Jul 17, 2023
While “Grease” takes the stage at the Wonder Theatre, the original cast was just in San Antonio.
For the movie’s 45th anniversary, actors from the 1978 film took part in the Summer Lovin’ Celebration at the Wonderland of the Americas over the weekend. Cast members included Didi Conn (Frenchy), Jamie Donnelly (Jan), Barry Pearl (Doody) and the director, Randal Kleiser.
A TikTok video covering the celebration went viral over the weekend, posted by the account “dukesofsanantonio.” The video has garnered more than 3.4 million views and nearly 300,000 likes since being posted on Saturday night.
@dukesofsanantonio Grease Reunion in San Antonio,Tx. #fyp#greaselightning#grease#frenchy ♬ You’re The One That I Want – From “Grease” – John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
The video shows the cast members interact with fans, set to the song “You’re the One That I Want” from the movie.
“The way I would simply die because I love them so much,” one TikTok user commented on the video.
“Okay fine, I’ll watch Grease for the 100th time,” another wrote.
The celebration lasted from 11 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday. Wonderland of the Americas and the Social Revolt Store hosted the event, which the mall called a “one-time only” celebration.
The film was released in 1978, starring John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John and Stockard Channing. With songs like “Summer Nights,” “Grease Lightning” and others, the movie became a cultural phenomenon. Earlier this year, the show “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies” launched on streaming service Paramount Plus, taking place four years before the film.
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Jul 5, 2023
This summer “Grease is the word.” On July 15 and 16, the cast of Grease is cruising into San Antonio as the beloved movie musical revs up its engines to celebrate the film’s 45th anniversary.
It’s all part of the Wonderland of Americas’ Summer Lovin’ event, which features artists, nearly 100 vendors, apparel, celebrity guests, and more. Among those scheduled to attend are Barry Pearl, who played Doody, Kelly Ward, who played “Putz” Roger, Michael Tucci, who played Sonny, Didi Conn, who played Frenchy, Jamie Donnelly, who played Jan, and Lorenzo Lamas, who played Tom Chisum. The shopping mall and convention center will welcome the film’s director, Randall Kleisser, and more guests announcements are coming soon, according to the event flyer.
While general admission and parking are free to attend the event, passes to access the celebrity area are priced at $10 each. Wonderland of the Americas also has several VIP packages available for purchase at various price points such as the Pink Ladies bundle, which features two celebrity autographs and selfies, along with a replica jacket, for $175, and a similar celebrity experience with members of the T-Birds for $200.
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Jun 9, 2023
Wonderland of the Americas Mall and Kings of Horror are celebrating World Doll Day, which takes place annually on the second Saturday of June, with the Dolls of Horror Market.
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