A Guide to Living in San Antonio (Mar. 6th - Mar. 12th)
Hey y’all,
Cory here.
San Antonio is shifting—spring is teasing its arrival with blooming Mexican Plums, warmer afternoons, and a city that’s starting to feel more alive again. It’s that time of year when patios fill up, festivals start popping up on the calendar, and the idea of spending more time outside just feels right.
This week, we’re looking at ways to embrace the season—whether that’s getting your hands dirty with a native plant sale, taking in some after-hours jazz at the Japanese Tea Garden, or reflecting on the legacy of an exceptional Texas-based artist at the McNay.
Plus, I’m sharing a song that’s been stuck in my head (in the best way) and highlighting a one-day chance to help restore the San Antonio River.
Let’s dive in.
💧 Feature of the Week: What’s the Value of a Clean San Antonio River?
The San Antonio River is more than a waterway—it’s the reason this city exists. Its headwaters begin right here in Bexar County, flowing more than 240 miles to the Guadalupe River, sustaining life for centuries, from indigenous communities to Spanish settlers.
But today, do we treat it with the same reverence?
Too often, our river is something to avoid—polluted, neglected, an afterthought. But it wasn’t always this way, and it doesn’t have to stay this way.
Thankfully, there are people working to change that (and you can be one of them, too 😊).
For 30 years, Basura Bash has been the largest single-day river cleanup in San Antonio, bringing together thousands of volunteers to remove trash from our waterways. This year’s event takes place this Saturday, March 8 (!!!)—and it’s more than just a cleanup. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when our community puts our value for the river, into action.
💧 Read the full piece on why our river deserves more → Read Here
🗑️ Join Basura Bash this weekend → Event Info
If we want a future where the San Antonio River isn’t just there—but thriving— we have to push for it. Because we can!
📆 This Week's Picks:
🎨 Reflections of Nature: Mural Art at the San Antonio Botanical Garden
📍 Where: San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Pl
⏰ When: Opens March 8 (Garden Hours are 9 AM - 5 PM, 7 Days / Week)
🎟 Cost: Included with Garden admission
The San Antonio Botanical Garden’s Reflections of Nature exhibition features 12 stunning murals inspired by nature, plants, animals, and the rich cultural diversity of our region. As we officially step into spring, it’s the perfect time to visit—this exhibition is set against the backdrop of the Garden’s blooming plants, creating a one-of-a-kind experience that brings art and nature together in vibrant harmony.
🌿 Spring Bloom: Water-Wise Gardening & Pollinators
📍 Where: SAWS, 2800 US 281 North
⏰ When: Saturday, March 8 | 9 AM – 12 PM
🎟 Cost: Free!
Spring Bloom, hosted by SAWS, is all about water-wise landscaping and creating a pollinator-friendly yard. Browse plant sales featuring native and drought-tolerant plants, get expert tips on helping pollinators thrive year-round, and hear from a panel on how Texas landscapes can survive drought. Plus, the first 1,000 adult guests will receive a free WaterSaver plant to take home!
🧘 International Women’s Day Wind-Down at Plaza San Antonio
📍Where: The Spa at Plaza San Antonio, 555 South Alamo St.
⏰ When: Saturday, March 8 | 12 PM – 1 PM
🎟 Cost: $81.88
Celebrate International Women’s Day with a 60-minute guided meditation at The Spa at Plaza San Antonio, hosted in collaboration with lululemon. Your ticket includes access to the Zen Lounge, a pool day pass, complimentary valet parking, a mimosa, and a choice of a mini spa service (a pedicure, facial, or massage).
For the price, it’s a great way to unwind, recharge, and treat yourself, whether solo or with friends. If you’re thinking of going, book soon—it’s a limited-capacity event, and spa appointments need to be scheduled separately.
🖼️ Michael Tracy: The Elegy of Distance
📍Where: McNay Art Museum, 6000 N New Braunfels Ave.
⏰ When: On view through July 27, 2025
🎟 Cost: Included with museum admission
The late artist and activist Michael Tracy left behind a body of work that is deeply tied to themes of faith, ritual, immigration, and the environment—and this exhibition at the McNay Art Museum is the last he was directly involved in before his passing. Featuring large-scale paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media works, many of which have never been exhibited before, this show is a significant moment in honoring his legacy.
I’m especially looking forward to seeing this one—Tracy was a close family friend to my in-laws in Corpus Christi, and his work has long been admired for its emotional depth. If you appreciate art that challenges conventions and carries a profound sense of place and purpose, this is an exhibition worth making time for
🎶 One Listen: “Texas Sun” by Leon Bridges & Khruangbin
I usually recommend a podcast or something to read, but this week, I’m mixing it up. For some reason, “Texas Sun” has really been sticking with me lately. Maybe it’s the transition between winter and the warmer, sunnier days ahead, but something about the laid-back groove and Leon Bridges’ smooth vocals just feels restorative right now.
If you haven’t heard it, this track is a love letter to Texas roads, open skies, and golden light, blending soul with the hazy, psychedelic sounds of Khruangbin. Put it on for a drive, a walk, or just a moment to breathe in the season ahead.
🎶 (Re)Discover the Japanese Tea Garden at Jazz in the Garden
📍 Where: Japanese Tea Garden, 3853 N. St. Mary’s St.
⏰ When: Friday, March 8 | 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
🎟 Cost: Free! (Suggested $5 donation)
If you haven’t yet visited the Japanese Tea Garden after hours, this is your chance. Jazz in the Garden, hosted by the San Antonio Parks Foundation and KRTU, is a free, outdoor concert series where live jazz meets one of the most beautiful and historic spots in the city.
My wife and I attended our first one last fall, and there’s something special about hearing jazz float through the garden’s stone archways and koi-filled ponds as the sun sets. The event draws a crowd—many regulars come prepared with camping chairs and claim their favorite spots early—so plan accordingly.
With a toddler and an 8-month-old in tow, we enjoyed a bit of the music, but as the daylight lingered, we found ourselves wandering the paths, letting the sounds of jazz follow us through the garden. Whether you stay for the whole set or simply soak in the atmosphere, this is an experience worth adding to your San Antonio must-do list.
🌱 Texas Nature Journal: Mexican Plum
If there’s one tree that signals the shift from winter to spring in Texas, it’s the Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana). Its delicate white blooms arrive before the leaves, standing out against bare branches—one of the first clear signs that warmer days are ahead. These early blossoms draw in pollinators, while the small purple plums that follow provide food for wildlife (and, if you beat the birds, a tart treat for yourself).
This tree is a Texas native, thriving as an understory species, making it an excellent addition beneath live oaks or in smaller yards. It’s drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and stunning in every season—from its spring blooms to the yellowing leaves of fall.
A Tree with a Story
This particular tree has a fun backstory in our home. Last fall, my wife Annie correctly identified a Mexican Plum from 30-40 feet away at a Cake concert at the Espee, earning one from their famous tree giveaway. Now, it’s planted in our yard—a part of the “Cake Forest,” a collection of trees planted from their shows across the world. (You can watch the full video of us planting it here).
If you’re considering adding one to your landscape, this is the season to plant. These trees are available at native plant nurseries now, and getting one established before summer heat sets in will give it the best start.
🎶 P.S. Speaking of Cake at the Espee, there’s a music festival, Sunset, happening at that same venue this weekend! If you’re in the mood for a show, or a few, check it out.
If you make it to any of these events or check out a recommendation, I’d love to hear about it! What stood out? What’s worth featuring again? Reply to this email and let me know.
And if you’re enjoying the newsletter, share it with a friend who loves exploring San Antonio. A simple forward helps more people connect with the city and its best-kept secrets.
Lastly, if you or your business want to support local storytelling and reach engaged San Antonians, let’s connect.
Reply to this email or reach out at sponsor@ensembletexas.com to start the conversation.
Until next time,
Cory
