‘Tis the Season for Shows

Boy, do we have a great line up for you at Gruene Hall these next few weeks! If you’re in town around Christmas, Gruene Hall has a special performance for you. Each name speaks for itself, yet here is a little telltale of each show!

And for all of those that get the Christmas break off of work or school, we have daytime shows at the Hall and walking distance from the Hall on the grounds of The Grapevine December 26^th– January 6^th.

 

The weekend before Christmas is a family affair at the Hall with two brothers from Bandera. Starting with truly the“Life of the Party”, CharlieRobison on Friday Dec. 21^st. We have had the fortune of hosting Robison in countless unforgettable performances. Charlie is a hard touring mainstay that has added much more to the music scene than he has taken. His music? In trying to describe to a new fan, you can’t quite put your finger on it. A little country, a little rock-n-roll, with some blues mixed in could be one way. We just suggest going to a show and if you don’t like it, well... you’ll like it. His shows are littered with sing-a-longs such as “Barlight”,“Life of the Party”, and or course “My Hometown”. But it is the rockers and confessionals such as “Loving County” and “Desperate Times” that really depict Charlie at home. Tearing away at his guitar, letting his band blaze through solos, and being the best host of a two hour house party is where he seems at ease. He never lets it get out of hand and knows exactly how to channel energy from The Hall and band into a stellar performance. Check him out live with The Statesboro Revue opening!

 

Saturday Dec. 22^nd, Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis are holding their annual Christmas Show at the Hall, including holiday numbers –some original, some covers – and other material drawn from the couple’s extensive catalog. Robison and Willis have been performing their Christmas show for many years now, and it’s become a hot ticket. They’re both top entertainers on their own, but it’s a special treat when Robison and Willis blend their styles and perform together. This is a limited seating concert with chairs set up on the dance floor, so get your tickets now!

 

After the presents are opened, and Santa has returned to the North Pole… You’re invited back to the Hall on Thursday, Dec. 27^th to Cody Canada and The Departed’s official coming out party with their new album Adventus!  This new album may have a few hints of Ragweed, but this is not Cross Canadian the sequel! At the start, the band billed themselves as Cody Canada and The Departed, but the Adventus cover just says The Departed. Canada is still the leader behind the group in many ways, but he’s not the only one. Close to half the tracks on Adventus have Seth James as lead singer. You still see reference to this, but there seems to be a subtle shift. This is something new, something better. The music rocks, shimmers, simmers; amplified by the heat of the Texas sun Adventūs signals the arrival of The Departed.

 

  Reckless Kelly is one of those bands who has been around the block and knows what they want. The band, which takes its name from notorious Australian bank robber Ned Kelly, was founded by brothers Cody and Willy Braun. The Braun brothers may be from Idaho but over the past decade their music has been woven into the fabric of Texas Music. And they’re reputation of never shying away from speaking their mind is evident with their latest, “Pennsylvania Avenue.” Throughout the years their old school approach to recording has always adhered to one main objective: make each record better that the last. With ten new songs that capture the essence of a road worn and battle scarred band of brothers that aren’t afraid to take risks and tell it like it is. That’s country rock. That’s old school. That’s Reckless Kelly. LIVE at Gruene Hall on Friday,December 28^th.

 

Roger Creager thinks of “Texas Country as a flower bed.” He is, of course, a “really nice flower,” in the big ol ‘bed. We must agree! Roger is a Hall favorite and staple in the Texas Country Circuit for the past 14 years. He may have taken the road less traveled but, he knows how to grab life by the horns. Creager is not one to watch the world pass him by. He’s an adventurist; whether it’s jumping off his boat to snorkel with dolphins, snow skiing in Colorado or surfing in Coats Rica, he has a desire to get what this life has to offer. All of this finds its way to Roger’s music and shows. His passion for life captures everyone around him especially his fan base. Those who get hooked by the charisma and energy are back show after show, year after year and song after song. Gruene Hall is hooked, which is why we have to have him come for a little visit every time we can! Creager and his posse will be hittin’ The Hall stage Saturday, Dec. 29^th!

 

Casey Donahew and his band are back in Gruene, Texas Sunday, Dec. 30th for some rollicking Texas Country. If history serves us right, this is sure to be a sold out show. Donahew is fast becoming an upper-tier talent on the Texas music scene, with good reason. His albums are good, (his latest, ‘Double-Wide Dream’, hit the top 10 on the US country charts), with songs that everybody can sing along to. With the band’s achievements and ability to pack a house, their everyman persona and remarkable ability to connect with fans are what really make the band a bona fide rock star on the Texas music scene.

 

 

To end it we are short on words with these….

New Year’s Eve. Stoney LaRue. Gruene Hall. Enough Said.

 

If you won’t be able to make it to any of these shows or if you are just in town for the day, don’t worry. There is still plenty of live music to be heard! Check out GrueneTexas to see the complete schedule of FREE afternoon shows at the Hall and The Grapevine!

Get your tickets here!

  

 

 

‘Tis the week before Thanksgiving, folks! Are y’all prepared?!  Whether your answer is no, or OH NO!,  get out of the house and join us in Gruene! Boy, do we have a lot going on that will satisfy you and any one of your unexpected visitors.

Before you head to town you will want to check out these two events going on right now! Gruene is calling All Young Artists 12 and Under! We want to see what the “Holidays in Gruene” mean to you in our first ever Holiday Art Contest! Find all rules HERE. Hurry, you must get your entry in on or before December 19, 2012 to be considered. Good Luck!  And last, print ya off some Kringle Cash which will get you discounts to Gruene Shops.

First, we will kick it off November 17^th and 18^th with Old Gruene MarketDays and Photos with Cowboy Kringle. Yes, we know you’re thinking… What?! Christmas already? But hey, come on down and you can get some shopping and pictures with Cowboy Kringle taken care of early! And between shopping and picture taking, stop by The Grapevine, where you can sit out by the fire and enjoy live music from one of Gruene Hall’s favorites, Bret Graham. Then, walk to the middle of town into Texas’ Oldest Dancehall for two nights of true red dirt music with Jason Boland & the Stragglers and Dirty River Boys.

Now that you have shopping and pictures out of the way, you can enjoy the line up at the Hall the week of Thanksgiving! Trust me; you will want to get your tickets right now! On Thanksgiving Eve, Emily Bell opens for the award-winning songwriter and a man with enough humor to win over any crowd, Hayes Carll. Thanksgiving Day get your running shoes on and join us for the 4^th Annual Gruene Turkey Trot! This 5k run/walk & ¼ mile Kids’ Turkey Chase begins and ends in front of Gruene Hall and is fun for the whole family! The funky, fun rocker, Bob Schneider, will rock the Hall Friday night to help you shake off those pumpkin pie calories!

Head back to the Hall Saturday night to hear the heartfelt songs of Wade Bowen. You never know who might show up and jump on the stage with Wade! Willie Nelson returns to the Hall on Sunday, November 25. Hopefully you already have your tickets in hand for this SOLD OUT show!

 

Whew, what a week this will be in Gruene! Grab your boots & loved ones & come have a kickin’ good time! Now this might sound like a lots going on and YOU’RE RIGHT! But this is just the start of Holidays in Gruene. We’ll be celebrating all the way till the kids head back to school January 7^th. Check HolidaysInGruene.com for a full listing of events and plan your trip today.

Holidays in Gruene

Ever wonder what it’s like to celebrate Christmas “Texas-Style”? Well, come to Gruene and let us show y’all what the holidays are like around here with festive events, music every day, shopping and dining to please both the young and young at heart!

 

Oh, do we have some traditions you will not want to miss! First, find the perfect gift at our 30+ unique shops or at Old Gruene Market Days, create a holiday memory with Gruene’s very own brand of Santa, Cowboy Kringle, and run off those holiday pounds at the Gruene Turkey Trot.

 

Then, if that doesn’t get you in the spirit of the holidays, make sure to check out “Bah Humbug”, the wonderful performance put on by one man.  It's Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol with an amazing twist — one actor plays all the roles in this powerful tale of hope & compassion! Award-winning stage actor Damian Gillen transforms before your eyes into all those beloved characters...from Scrooge to Tiny Tim, in this magical and imaginative re-telling of the holiday classic. Great fun for the whole family!

 

December 1^st, start off the morning as Pony Express riders from the Heritage Trail Ride Association carry a special “Christmas Greeting” from the Governor of Texas. A temporary post office will be set up to cancel stamps with a commemorative Gruene stamp! Then, feel like a kid again as Cowboy Kringle rides into town that evening on horseback, passing out candy canes to the kiddos and lighting up Gruene for the Holidays. We'll be celebrating with live musical performances and festival food and wine available for purchase. Afterwards, get some holiday shopping done at Gruene's 30+ stores, cozy up to a fireplace for dinner at the Gristmill, head over to Mozie's for a cold one, or stop by the Hall for the show that evening featuring Carolyn Wonderland & GuyForsyth Holiday Roast.

 

Now to those that need some cold weather to run, we have a Jingle Bell Run just for you! This 5K Run/Walk and Kid's Ks event held December 10^th benefits a local charity. Don’t forget your warm clothing!  Sponsored by the New Braunfels Running Club.

 

Our entire Gruene traditions kickoff Saturday, November 17^th with the Market Days benefiting Communities in Schools. And lasts through the New Year.

 

 

 

 

 

Come hang your hat in Gruene!

Recent Gruene Deeds

If Gruene Music & Wine Fest raising a record breaking amount this year didn’t get your attention, then listen up. Businesses in Gruene have rallied together to support many important causes. Here are a few of our most recent Gruene Deeds!

 

Do you like home team football rivalries?? The 3^rd Annual Chow Down Showdown was held at Cantina del Rio Sept 28^th thru Oct 12^th with 10% of each football fan’s bill going to the team of their choice – the New Braunfels Unicorns or the Canyon Cougars.  Cantina del Rio donated an additional $500 to the Unicorns for the most gross receipts and total contributions reached near $1500 for our local football programs. GO RED!! GO BLUE!!

 

On Sunday, October 21^st, Gruene Hall & KNBT92.1FM teamed up to host benefit concert Texas Music Heals, a benefit for BrentLowak, local survivor of the Aurora movie theater shooting. Held at Gruene Hall, the benefit featured artists Houston Marchman, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Wade Bowen  and Bleu Edmondson.   The time people donated and spent with Brent was truly amazing! An autographed Robert Earl Keen guitar raised $2,200 in the silent auction! The finally amount donated to Brent will be released on Monday, October 29, so stay tuned! And look for Gruene Hall and KNBT to team up again next May for the Annual Americana Music Jam benefit!

 

Don’t miss… the 29^th Annual Tour de Gruene coming up November 3 & 4. The event features recreational and team time trials and benefits the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Come ride with us!

 

Then, also coming up next month, Photos with Cowboy Kringle in collaboration with Old Gruene Market Days on November 17^th & 18^th will donate a portion of their proceeds to Communities in Schools of South Central Texas, presenting a check during Gruene’s annual Town Lighting on Saturday, December 1st. Get a start on your holiday shopping in Gruene's relaxed atmosphere -- you're bound to find something special for everyone on your list. Nearly 100 vendors offer Christmas gifts, uniquely crafted items and packaged Texas foods. Admission is free, so come on out!

 

And now for Gruene’s most impressive charitable gift of 2012… drum roll please…  The 26th Annual Gruene Music & WineFest presented the United Way of Comal County with a check for $125,199.23 on Tuesday, October 23^rd! The annual event is presented by Gruene Hall and KNBT. Many sponsors and staff helped to make it possible, sooo not to toot our own horn, but… Toot! Toot! Gruene is so proud of all the hard work put into this event and to all the people who came out to the 26^th Annual Gruene Music & Wine Fest this year! It truly took so many people to put this event on and Gruene appreciates every one of you.

 

All of these wonderful deeds couldn’t have been accomplished without the support of the wonderful town of New Braunfels, visitors from near and far, and of course, our honky-tonk fans of Gruene. We thank you!

Texas Music HEALS

                    Gruene Hall and KNBT 92.1FM are presenting a very special evening in support of Aurora shooting survivor and Bulverde resident, BrentLowak.

Texas Music HEALS will take place Sunday, Oct. 21 at 6pm at Gruene Hall, featuring acoustic sets by Bleu Edmondson, Wade Bowen and Ray Wylie Hubbard and more. Please join us as we raise money to assist Brent with his medical expenses. 

                  Brent was attending the midnight release of the movie, “The Dark Knight Rises” while visiting his long-time friend, Jessica Ghawi, in Aurora, Colorado. He sustained gunshot wounds from which he has undergone three surgeries so far and is now back home in Texas as he continues healing and recovering from his serious injuries.  His friend Jessica did not survive.  Brent attended Smithson Valley High School and was studying to be an EMT.

                God bless Brent on his road to recovery.

                   An account has been set up for contributions to help cover Brent Lowak's medical expenses. You can go to your neighborhood Wells Fargo and let them know you'd like to make a contribution to the Brent Lowak Survivor Expense Fund. You can also mail your contribution to Brent Lowak Survivor Expense Fund, P.O. Box 310176 New Braunfels, TX 78131. If you would like to use a debit/credit card or do a direct transfer, payments can be made to brentlowaksurvivorexpensefund@yahoo.com on PAYPAL. If you have any questions, please feel free to email. A silent auction is available online as well.

 

Cards and Letters can be sent to Brent Lowak at:

Brent Lowak c/o Concordia Lutheran Church

16801 Huebner Road

San Antonio, TX 78258 USA

T-shirts are for presale online now till October 15^th.

26th Annual Gruene Music and Wine Festival Adds Haute Wheels to the Food Line-Up

Trucks are Rollin’

Mark your calendars and start your engines! 4 of the most skilled chefs in San Antonio and the surrounding areas will be rolling in to the 26^th Annual Gruene Music and Wine Festival grounds on October 6^th and 7^th, 2012 for “LeCordon Gruene – THE foodie event of New Braunfels.” This is not your typical food truck event; this event will offer cutting-edge flavors from chefs who want to take your palette on a trip you won’t forget. Combine gourmet food with fine wines, Ice-cold beer, a craft market packed with artisans, and live music over the course of the weekend, and you’ve got one unbelievable festival of haute cuisine you won’t want to miss!

Meet Our Haute Wheels

 

Guilty Pleasure’s

With a mission to satisfy your passion for perfection, without feeling guilty. Guilty Pleasures fine dining quality food experience will have you coming back again. Their food reflects their commitment to exceptional quality. All menu items are prepared under the direction of Chef Emery who comes to San Antonio by way of Washington State. Serving traditional, elegant fare, with a contemporary flair!

Some of their Flair

 

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich Topped with Homemade Slaw with a side of fries

 

Gourmet Mac– N- Cheese

 

 

 

 

 

 

You won’t want to kiss this Haute Wheel goodbye!

 

DUK Truck

Chef Jason Dady workin’ The Truck!

With a running start San Antonio’s finest chef Jason Dady launched DUK (Dady’s underground kitchen) exotic menu. It’s anything but the ordinary taco truck.  An extension of Chef Jason Dady's Restaurants, known for his DUK tacos.

 

 

 

 

 

Rackers!!!!  Asian short rib w/ steamed bun!

 

There are even “Duks” on it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Smoke Shack                

The Smoke Shack, where underneath all the smoke you will find mind-blowing BBQ. You’ll be sure to leave with a southern- vintage belly.

 

 

Pulled Pork Plate with cole slaw and corn. Yum!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brisket corn and baked beans… What more could you ask for?

 

One cannot forget the Smoke Shack twist on the classic Frito Pie! The simply cut open a bag of Fritos and top it with chopped brisket, beans and barbecue sauce! Slightly different but excellent!

 

 

                                The creative owner’s, Chris and Kate Conger!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lagniappe Today

Lagniappe Today Food Truck offers traditional Louisiana Cooking, like gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice and po’ boys. They will also introduce chef inspired original authentic foods that tantalize your palate, utilizing the spices, herbs and other ingredients that convey this famous Louisiana cuisine.

shrimp Po-Boy, Anyone? Yes, Please!

 

 

Nice Wheels!

 

 

Quite the pair! Owner’s Joseph & Suzanne Jackson
Their recipes are a blend of Louisiana cultures, traditions and current food trends. When you taste the blending of the African, Caribbean, French, Spanish and Middle Eastern herbs & spices, you will be experiencing great food interlaced with their family's history in each recipe.

 

 

 

 If our Haute Wheels aren’t enough… And why wouldn’t it be? The 26^th Annual Gruene Music and Wine Festival will benefit the United Way of Comal County. Tickets for Gruene Music and Wine Festival are limited. "Get trucking'" and purchase your tickets today because you don't want this festival to roll on without you!

 

 

2012 Texas Wine Month – Kicks Off With Gruene Music and Wine Festival

On the heels of the busiest time of year for Texas wineries comes the celebration…Texas Wine Month!  This month, we rejoice in the growth of the industry and the great wines produced in Texas vineyards and wineries.

Dates have been set for the 2012 Gruene Music & Wine Fest, and we can’t think of a better way to kick-off Texas Wine Month than visiting Historic Gruene and enjoying live Texas and Americana music, wine and beer tastings, haute food trucks and more!

 
 
 
 
The 26^th annual festival will take place Thursday, October 4 through Sunday, October 7 in Gruene Historic District. Every year, this festival brings local and guest wineries and musicians to town, featuring talented artists like Clint Black, Pat Green, Asleep at the Wheel and Stoney LaRue, just to name a few.

Attending this festival also helps support a good cause. The benefiting organization of this event since its inception in 1987 has been the United Way of Comal County.  Last year’s festival brought in over $100,000 for the United Way of Comal County and we hope you will join us in our efforts to top that amount this year.

Keep up with our blog for more updates about the 26^th Annual Gruene Music & Wine Festival and other “Fall into Gruene” happenings, but go ahead and call us at 830-629-5077 or visit www.gruenehall.com to secure your ticket! We are excited to have you out!