A’ Hurlin’ in South Texas
On a Saturday afternoon at Raymond Rimkus Park in Leon Valley, Texas, the crack of wood against leather cuts through the air. A small yellow ball…
Keeping Texas Traditions
Across the U.S. during the first half of the 20th century, it was traditional for a young man to give his date a chrysanthemum corsage to wear to…
Dance Card Diaries
Dear Reader, should you wish to know the true state of one’s romantic fortunes, look not to whispered compliments or stolen glances—but to the dance…
Lightnin’ Strikes Texas
A well-worn guitar rests on a stand at the Institute of Texan Cultures. It may look quiet now, but it once helped tell the stories of Sam “Lightnin…
Mum’s the Word
Go big on Texas tradition. Join Amy J. Schultz, the artist behind "MUMENTOUS®: The Upsizing of a Texas Tradition," for a lively panel…
Doug Sahm: The Texas Tornado Who Redefined American Music
Doug Sahm’s musical journey is a true Texas legend. Born in San Antonio in 1941, Sahm was a child prodigy who mastered multiple instruments and…
Saturday Night in SE Texas
On any given Saturday night in Southeast Texas, you can still stumble upon a Cajun dance, and chances are a band will strike up “Jolie Blonde.” Often…
Curating a Framework for Connection
As we settle into our new home, one of the most noticeable changes—beyond the square footage—is the way our exhibitions are organized. Before you…
Jimmie Rodgers: On Texas Time
Jimmie Rodgers (1897-1933), the “Father of Country Music,” shaped generations of artists —from Ernest Tubb, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, and Bob…
Stories in the Objects We Keep
What will you discover when the Institute of Texan Cultures reopens in early 2026? Perhaps a steamer trunk that carried a family’s hopes across the…
A Sneak Peek
When the Institute of Texan Cultures reopens in early 2026 at Frost Tower, visitors will be welcomed by a treasured piece from the UTSA Art…
Martin Records and the Multi-Ethnic Roots of Texas Music
In the 1940s independent record labels began to pop up throughout Texas. One of these small labels was Martin Records, established in 1947. Martin…