Fun Bar, the Squeezebox, to Host Inaugural “Smirnoff ICE Preparada Fiesta” the Most Iconic Drink
Fiesta is on our doorstep and Aaron Peña’s fun bar, The Squeezebox, on the St. Mary’s Strip, will host the inaugural “Smirnoff ICE Preparada Fiesta” Friday, April 21 thru Sunday, April 23. The three-day party will celebrate one of Fiesta’s most iconic drinks — the Smirnoff ICE Preparada — and showcase local drag performers, DJs, Tejano musicians, festive cocktails and collectible Fiesta medals.
The Preparada
“The Preparada is a Fiesta staple,” said Squeezebox owner, Aaron Peña. “And we’ve paired several different versions of that with a lineup of amazing local entertainers you can’t find anywhere else in the city,”
The Preparada is the quintessential Tex-Mex beverage. Made from a refreshing combo of Smirnoff ICE, fresh fruit, and Mexican candies, the drink was first popularized at drive-thru daiquiri shops in the Rio Grande Valley.
It skyrocketed in popularity at spring Fiesta events in San Antonio, eventually becoming known as the “NIOSA Preparada”, named after a three-day fest in April dubbed Night in Old San Antonio.
The Music
The fest will kick off the evening of Friday, April 21. Niyala Milan Matthews and three other drag queens will grace the stage at 8pm before DJs BBY Swiss and Duecepop take the floor to spin Latin Cumbia until 2am. On April 22, attendees can enjoy two live Tejano sets from Los San Quilmeros and Tarasco Tropical at 8pm and 9:30, respectively. On April 23, The Squeezebox will be serving tacos and Preparadas at the La Cruda Fajita Lounge from 3pm to 7pm to help festival goers wind down the weekend before one last DJ set from lil trucker hat at 5pm.
The event is free to attend and open to those ages 21 and up.
Schedule
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The three-part, three-day celebration will take place April 21-23 at 2806 N. St. Mary’s Street. and will feature drag performances, live Tejano music and DJ sets by local artists. Admission is free and open to ages 21 and up. Schedule is:
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Friday, April 21, 2023
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8 pm – 11 pm — Drag performances by Niyala Milan Mathews, Damiinika Iman, and The Queen Fantasia Wood
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- 11pm – 2am — Latin Cumbia DJ sets by Swiss and Duecepop
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Saturday, April 22, 2023
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8 pm – 9:15 pm — Live Tejano music by Los San Quilmeros
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9:30 pm – 11 pm — Live Tejano music by Tarasco Tropical
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Sunday, April 23, 2023
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4 pm – 7 pm — Fajita Lounge — a low-key, backyard asada with beef, chicken, and veggie fajitas grilled by The Squeezebox team. Beats by lil trucker hat.
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Bartenders will serve three unique riffs on the Smirnoff ICE Preparada. Each drink is served with a collectible Fiesta medal.
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Patrons are encouraged to come dressed in their most colorful Fiesta gear.
