It's a banner summer for San Antonio's historic theaters as the Aztec Theatre celebrates its 100th anniversary while the Majestic and Magik theaters prepare for celebrations of their own.

Why it matters: It's a reminder that some of San Antonio's most treasured cultural landmarks are still drawing crowds.

The latest: The Aztec is kicking off its centennial celebration with a concert series featuring 10 performances beginning July 29, including Coheed and Cambria, Gary Clark Jr., Juanes, Spoon, The Midnight and The Story So Far.

• The venue is also expanding its partnership with San Antonio-born filmmaker Robert Rodriguez with a 30th anniversary screening of "From Dusk Till Dawn" today and a "Spy Kids" anniversary screening next month.

Flashback: Opened in 1926, the Aztec has evolved from showing silent films to "talkies" to becoming a concert venue.

• "It's been able to adapt to the needs of San Antonio while still showcasing the beautiful design elements of it," general manager Kevin Clutz tells Axios.
• Designed by Meyer & Holler — the architectural firm behind Hollywood's famed Chinese Theatre and Egyptian Theatre — the Aztec remains one of the country's few surviving examples of Mesoamerican-inspired theater design.
• "There's no other venue that represents the Mesoamerican culture and style quite like the Aztec," Clutz says.

The Majestic Theatre will host a free birthday open house Sunday featuring backstage tours, live performances and behind-the-scenes access to the 1929 venue. Registration is encouraged.

Zoom out: The Magik Theatre will unveil a $2.2 million renovation of its 130-year-old Beethoven Hall tomorrow, including expanded accessibility, increased seating and modernized infrastructure.

• The reopening celebration includes a free Hemisfair Park party (12:30pm-1:30pm) and a performance of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" (2pm; ticket prices vary).

The bottom line: Clutz hopes the Aztec's next century looks much like its first — preserving the historic charm that leaves first-time visitors in awe while continuing to evolve.

It's a nervy day for fans of the U.S. men's soccer team.

Why it matters: The national team features starters on prestigious European clubs, and on paper it should have its best chance ever to make a deep run in the World Cup.

• But fans worry the team hasn't lived up to its potential and could flame out.

State of play: The U.S. team opens World Cup play against Paraguay at 8pm tonight after having lost three of its last four tune-up games.

Yes, but: During the last two games, a 3-2 win over Senegal and a 2-1 loss to Germany, the USMNT controlled play for long stretches and talisman Christian Pulisic broke his scoring drought.

• "We feel good about what we're doing and where we're going," midfielder Tyler Adams said after the Germany game.

The intrigue: Fans are pinning their hopes on the return of center-back Chris Richards, who suffered an ankle injury last month, and only this week was cleared to resume full training.

• The U.S. defense struggled at times against Senegal and Germany in his absence.

What we're watching: Strikers Folarin Balogun (13 goals) and Ricardo Pepi (16 goals), new to the World Cup roster, are coming off big club seasons and could bring firepower the team lacked four years ago.

While the World Cup isn't coming to San Antonio, there are plenty of places to watch matches with friends.

Zoom in: The Rock at La Cantera and Pearl are home to major watch parties.

• Catch tonight's U.S. match at The Rock and both Otto's Ice House and Boiler House at Pearl.
• Find watch party schedules for Pearl's Sternewirth, Stable Hall, Otto's Ice House and Boiler House online.
• RSVP online for parties at The Rock.

State of play: Pick a neighborhood bar that's been showing Spurs playoffs games and it's likely to show World Cup matches, too.

• That includes spots like The Cottage Irish Pub, The Friendly Spot, The Growler Exchange and Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux.

Pro tip: You can watch the action from home on Fox San Antonio (KABB).

• Telemundo will air Spanish-language broadcasts in the U.S. and will air games on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app.
• Tubi will stream the U.S. game tonight.

What's next: The tournament runs through July 19. Find the full schedule online.

👎 Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, surrounded by booing Knicks fans, was nearly hit by an egg while returning to his hotel in New York on Wednesday. (CBS)

📺 James Talarico, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, launched his first television ad of the general election — a Spanish-language spot during the World Cup. (Texas Tribune)

🇲🇽 Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in the World Cup opener yesterday. (KSAT)

📚 Employees of Trinity University Press, which is closing at the end of the year, will move to the upcoming Texas Monthly Press. (Express-News 🔑)

👋 Megan here. Like a lot of you, I saw "Backrooms" recently, and I can't stop thinking about the imagery driving this unique horror film.

Zoom in: The movie (set in the 1990s) is based on a YouTube series from the 20-year-old director.

• It explores the concept of liminal spaces — areas often empty, abandoned or unnerving for reasons you can't quite explain.

💭 My thought bubble: The first liminal space I think of locally is the Wonderland of the Americas. While it's more recently filled up with some local businesses, the old mall was long stuck in a transitional period after major store closings.

📬 Tell us: Where are these weird, creepy liminal spaces in San Antonio? Do you have childhood memories of places once filled with people that have now emptied out?

• Hit reply to let me know. Your responses could be featured in a future newsletter.