SATXBlog Events (Events)
Find all you need to know on what to do in San Antonio. Whether you are visiting for a convention or meeting, on vacation or visiting friends and family; we know you will enjoy your time in San Antonio. Various information througout South Texas on tourism, events, activities, attractions and happenings.
New Years Eve in San Antonio 2009
New Year’s Eve in
San Antonio, Texas 2009
The end of another year brings one of San Antonio’s biggest and most exciting events, the annual Celebrate San Antonio New Year’s party. The celebration has something for all members of the family, featuring four stages of live music, fireworks, special children’s areas, food, and vendors of all kinds.
The festival has gained in size and renown over the years, and as San Antonio has become truly an internationally recognized city, so has it found its way onto many lists of the world’s best places to ring in the new year. According to the events website, saparksfoundation.org, priceline.com lists San Antonio as #34 on its list of places to spend New Year’s Eve--just between Sydney, Australia and Los Angeles, CA!
Celebrate San Antonio is a free event, open to all who wish to attend, and begins downtown on South Alamo, between Market and Durango at 6 PM. The party lasts until the fireworks close things down around 12:30 AM in front of the Tower of the Americas.
This year, among some of the acts that will be performing are:
21 Black
Pochimex
Artie V and Grupo Suave
Aiming for Glory
4 Ft. J
The Stan Wayne Review
Red Sauce Rules
46
Judi Deleon and the Latin Connection
On the HEB Family Stage at the Arneson River, The Mira Sol Band and Inner City with Style will be entertaining the crowd.
This year, event planners are expecting in excess of 250,000 people to attend, meaning that the streets of San Antonio should be packed, and good times should abound! Celebrate San Antonio is billed as the largest free New Year’s Eve celebration in the state of Texas, and will certainly be a night to remember.
For something a bit more intimate, but also well known to San Antonio is the New Year’s Eve concert at Jim Cullen’s Landing at the Hyatt Regency. The doors open at 8:30 and the world famous Jim Cullen Jazz Band will be ringing in the new year.
Finally, if you are planning a get-together at your house, there are three places that can supply your every need.
Alamo Fiesta, located at 2025 Main Av., has southwest style decorations, furniture, paper flowers, music instruments, and more.
Amol’s Specialty at 710 Flores is the stop to pick up noisemakers, hats, beads, balloons, and even pre-packaged party kits for 100 guests.
Party Mart located at 2863 Thousand Oaks Dr, has great prices on every party decoration and supply that can be imagined.
Remember, wherever you choose to ring in the New Year, please do it responsibly and carefully. We all know that this is one of the times of the year where there are lots of avoidable accidents and needless harm done. Please drink responsibly, and don’t drink and drive. Taking a taxi is a great way to be safe, have a great time, and not worry about having problems. San Antonio’s most advanced, recommended, and well-known cab service is Yellow Cab, and can be reached at 210-222-2222.
Happy 2009 New Year, from Roman Alfaro, Jr and Randy Watson of Mission Realty... San Antonio!
Rock and Roll Marathon
San Antonio Texas Rock and Roll Marathon
November 16, 2008 brings the inaugural Rock and Roll Marathon to San Antonio Texas. The event is being managed by Elite Racing, and is just one in a series of similar events being put on across America. This unique event will feature live bands playing all along the 26 mile, or 13 mile half-marathon course. The headlining show features The Cult playing at the Alamodome, with doors opening at 6:30 PM. Participants entry is included with their registration, and general admission costs $26 in advance, or $30 at the door.
The marathon begins on Broadway, just north of Post Street, and culminates at the finish line on Cherry Street at Wyoming. The half-marathon starts and ends at the same points, but obviously takes a different course. As both races wind through the city, participants will pass by some of San Antonio’s most well-known and important landmarks. Both the full and half races will pass by or through: The Alamo, San Pedro Park, King William District, and the Southtown Arts District. Those participating in the full race will pass Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission Espada, and the Tower of the Americas.
Throughout the races, runners will be supported by service of water, sports drinks, and energy foods, in addition to medical care, aid stations, and a wave start, insuring that runners will be comfortable during the start of the races. Both races begin at 7:30 AM.
As far as the name of the race is concerned, it will definitely be a rocking time, with over 70 live bands and DJs performing throughout the race. Among some of the names that can be seen are: Dog Men Poets, Omega, Lynette Brehm, Texas Renegade, Crimson Envy, Alter Ego, The Worx, Bad Neighbor, JointMethod, Scratch, Sons of Sancho, Last Week was Better, Slick Dickens, The Black Doves, Resounding Victory, Halfway Legal, Rick Cavender, Hellbound Glory, Ashlee Rose, Dertybird, The Krayolas and many more!
At the finish line, runners will find recovery areas sponsored by New Balance, complete with personal trainers, stretching mats, and seats, where weary racers can rest and recuperate after finishing. Family members will find a waiting and greeting area where they can relax in anticipation of their loved ones. The Verizon Wireless Family Reunion Area features free beer and refreshments, as well as more music!
Military members and veterans are invited to join in the USAA Military Racers Division, where the top male and female finishers in the marathon and ½ marathon will receive a special award. Also, military members will also receive a discount on their entry fees.
In addition to the San Antonio race, Elite Racing is hosting races across America throughout the year. Runners can participate in Rock and Roll Marathons and ½ marathons in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe, Arizona; in San Diego and San Jose, California; in Chicago, Seattle, and Virginia Beach. In Nashville, Tennessee, Elite is sponsoring the Country Music ½ Marathon, featuring jazz, country, and rock and roll acts from the area.
San Antonio remains a city with a variety of interesting and exciting cultural events, and even if you aren’t a runner, you can still come out and enjoy the great weather, and exciting acts that will be performing at the inaugural Rock and Roll Marathon!
Day of the Dead
San Antonio’s Day of the Dead
San Antonio is a unique city for many reasons, but at the beginning of November, the city displays one of it’s truly authentic cultural occasions--the Day of the Dead. The Dia de los Muertos is a Spanish event which celebrates the ancestry of families by communing with those who have passed on. In San Antonio, there are many concerts, art shows, and carnivals around the city which offer a way to experience an event that doesn’t exist in most parts of the country.{mosimage}
On the surface, communing with the deceased may seem like a creepy or macabre event marked by skeletons, skulls, and other ghoulish symbols, but the holiday is actually a cheerful celebration of the lives of the deceased and is meant to praise, rather than to gloomily ponder our existences. Indeed, the event is an artistic celebration as much as anything, marked by singing, parades, costumes, the eating of candy and sweets, and the building of alters. The Day of the Dead can be thought of as Halloween with a purpose. While Halloween is little more than a time for the kids to dress up like the latest cartoon character and ask for candy, the Day of the Dead offers to opportunity to dress up and eat candy too, but at the heart of the event is a bringing together of the family--both alive and dead--in a celebration of this life and the next.
San Antonio supports a strong and varied artistic community, and the Day of the Dead is one of the spectacular and influential times of the year. Galleries, cultural centers, and even restaurants and bars all across town (and throughout Texas) will have displays, showings, poetry readings, and other Dia de los Muertos-inspired events during the celebration. Cemeteries are popular locations to visit, as many people spend the holiday having a picnic at a loved one’s graveside, decorating headstones with flowers, and eating ‘dead bread’, sugar skulls, and other delicacies.
Some of the other celebrations around town include:
Market Square, November 2--Come by to see more than 30 altars created by tenets, schools, and merchants, and with musical performances.
El Sol Studios, November 2, with the exhibits on display throughout the month. Features altars by some of San Antonio’s well-known artists, and also a procession.
Say Si, November 1, exhibits on display throughout the month. Stop by to see folk art, arts and crafts workshops for the entire family, food, live music, dance performances, altars, silent auctions, loterias, and much, much more.
Most events around the city are free, but some do charge admission and require tickets, so be sure to plan ahead and make sure that tickets aren’t required. The Day of the Dead is one of San Antonio’s most interesting and unique celebrations--a bit of Mardi Gras mixed with Halloween. So, get your ‘dead bread’ in the oven, your sugar skulls ready, and your face paint kit out, and get ready for the festivities, San Antonio!
Multifamily Construction Surges
TEXAS (globest.com, Real Estate Center) – Despite nationwide
economic woes, construction of multifamily housing is surging
throughout Texas.
There are 55,516 units under construction in the four major metros.
Currently, 20,585 units are being built in North Texas; 16,282 in
Houston; 13,018 in Austin; and 5,631 in San Antonio. Dallas–Fort Worth
is seeing its highest building level since 1999.
This adds to the existing inventory of 562,465 units in Dallas–Fort
Worth; 162,280 in Austin; 497,010 in Houston; and 136,455 in San
Antonio.
Occupancy climbed slightly. Dallas–Fort Worth units held just over
93 percent occupancy; Austin, 94 percent; Houston, nearly 92 percent;
and San Antonio, just under 93 percent.
Average monthly rent statewide jumped up $23 to $771. Averages also
increased within the four major metros. Dallas–Fort Worth recorded an
average of $776; Austin, $838; Houston, $764; and San Antonio, $712.
"The Texas multifamily market has always been highly cyclical,"
said Dr. Jim Gaines, research economist with the Real Estate Center at
Texas A&M University. "Now we're seeing an uptick because of the
slowdown in the single-family housing market. Most of these projects
reflect financing put in place before the financial crisis began to
escalate. It will be interesting to see if any new projects begin in
the new year."
San Antonio Shows off its Artistic Side
San Antonio Shows off its Artistic Side{mosimage}
San Antonio is always a place that prides itself on its unique heritage and culture, and is quickly becoming known throughout the world for hosting art events and openings that are on par with, not only the bigger cities in Texas, but across the nation itself. September brings a dazzling array of expositions, shows, and festivals to the city, with something for almost all tastes.
FOTOSEPTIEMBRE is an annual international photography festival, which takes place throughout the entire month of September at a variety of location in San Antonio and the Hill Country. The show is heavy on local talent, with some of San Antonio’s finest photographers displaying their works, but the international artists are well-represented as well, with many artists from all over Latin America, Great Britain, Canada, France, Russia, Japan, Belgium, Spain, Singapore, Switzerland, and more. Each photographer’s show is contained in one location, museum, gallery, or cultural center, and in addition to the exhibit itself, features talks given by curators, the photographers themselves, and public discussions on some of the themes. The website fotoseptiembreusa.com has event information and schedules for all the exhibits.
In addition to still pictures, San Antonio also welcomes the moving pictures to town, in the form of the European Film Festival. This year marks the fifth year San Antonio will host this event. From Sept. 8-11, the Palladium will screen a variety of films from France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland, and also host discussion panels with a number of film professors, writers, filmmakers, and industry specialists. The festival is produced by Santikos Theaters, UTSA, the city of San Antonio, and a variety of European consulates. Admission is free, and all movies will be shown with English subtitles four times daily.
Finally, music lovers will not want to miss Jazz’SAlive on Sept 20-21 at Travis Park. While some of the acts are still to be determined, one major headliner is Dave Brubeck. Jazz fans around the globe Brubeck as a musical genius, and in addition to playing with such legends as Louis Armstrong, Jimmy Rushing, and Carmen McRae, Brubeck has been inducted to numerous music Halls of Fame, and showered with accolades and awards. Jazz’SAlive is sponsored by the San Antonio Parks Foundation and the city, and admission is free. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the event, and one that music lovers won’t want to miss.
September is a month jam-packed with activities and cultural outings with something that should satisfy most all tastes. San Antonio is quickly becoming known as a vibrant arts town, so come on out and support the artists and the city. See you there!
Final Four Set for Tip-Off in San Antonio
Final Four Set for Tip-Off in San Antonio
{mosimage}San Antonio is the place to be for the next few weeks. The Spurs are getting ready to enter the playoffs to defend their championship, Fiesta is just a couple weeks away, and the NCAA Final Four has its teams set to tip off later this week. For the first time ever, all four number one seeds have advanced through to the last week, and the schools that have made it read like a who’s who of college basketball tradition.
Kansas, North Carolina, UCLA, and Memphis have all been the most dominant teams throughout the preseason, conference seasons, and now through the tournament. In this tournament, each team has dominated some opponents, but each has also found itself in some difficult, hard-fought battles. Each team is stocked with future NBA talent, great coaching, and enough basketball tradition to make the last three games of the season play out like a hall of fame tournament.
UCLA has been a fixture in the Final Four since Ben Howland took over the program just a few years ago. They have made it to the last weekend of the tournament for the last three years, but haven’t been able to win the championship yet. The Bruins are led by freshman sensation, Kevin Love, who has elevated his game more and more as the season has gone on. Memphis has a super freshman of their own in Derrick Rose, who is thought to be a lottery pick in the NBA draft when he decides to announce. Memphis has only lost once all year. The Tigers’ coach, John Calipari has been to the Final Four before, as he led the University of Massachusetts there in 1996. North Carolina is the ACC champion and is led by All-American, Tyler Hansboro and speedy guard, Ty Lawson. Kansas has reached the final 8 often since coach Bill Self took over the program, but has fallen short of the Final Four in years past.
The games should be stellar games pitting UCLA’s stingy defense and efficient offense against Memphis athleticism and power, while Kansas goes up against former coach Roy Williams, who led the Jayhawks to the Final Four several times as Kansas’ coach, but never could win the championship there. What made the move all the worse for Kansas fans was that Williams led Carolina to the national championship in his second year at UNC. He was elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame last year.
San Antonio is ready for the action, and tickets still remain. In addition to the games themselves, there are tons of other events that will be going on throughout the city in conjunction with the culmination of the tournament. The best part? Some of the better events feature A-list stars and free entrance! Friday, the AT&T Block Party kicks off the weekend as Fall Out Boy, The Roots, and Ludo provide the musical entertainment for the evening, which ends with a huge fireworks display.
Saturday evening brings the Pontiac Garage at the Final Four, which features a full day of pep rallies, a military fly over, and the musical performances of Kid Rock, Puddle of Mud, and Meridianwest, who will all perform leading up until tip off. People without tickets can still enjoy the games which will be broadcast on giant screens. Sunday brings My Coke Fest, which will be hosted by Ryan Seacrest, and will feature Taylor Swift, 3 Doors Down, and All American Rejects.
Before the Championship Game on Monday night, Robert Earl Keen, Bob Schneider, and Mingo Flagship will all perform leading up to the tip-off which is set for 8:15.
San Antonio Fiesta First Day
Fiesta is San Antonio’s moment to shine, and is certainly known for its pageantry and parades which demonstrate the city’s tradition and heritage in a series of bright and colorful parades and balls. While these are the biggest and most well-known events, and are broadcast on TV to hundreds of thousands—if not millions—each day is also full of smaller, more intimate gatherings and events that may not receive the publicity of the big ones, but are still lots of fun and shouldn’t be missed!
Let’s have a look at what is on the schedule for the first day of Fiesta!
April 18, 9 AM
The opening ceremony takes place at the Alamo Plaza, and the party officially gets underway as the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Alamo Heroes Committee declare, “Viva Fiesta!” The event ushers in the newest installment of Fiesta with dancing, singing, and all the pageantry that participants expect.
10 AM
Across the city, the morning sees a variety of choices depending on individual tastes.
· At the Witte Museum dancing aficionados will want to come and enjoy an elaborate display which traces the art of dance through the years of Fiesta. Throughout the years, the samba, polka, ballet, and more have been parts of the celebration, and this exhibit shows off some of the gowns and dresses that have made Fiesta such a colorful experience.
· The Alamo Plaza is also home to the Randolph Art League Exhibit which allows local artists to show and sell their pieces. The exhibit is ongoing throughout the day.
· At the River City Christian School, the special needs community celebrates with a family-friendly event featuring carnival rides, music, dancing and more.
· All day long, Market Square is open for music lovers to attend the free concerts taking place on five stages. People with all musical tastes should find something to fit the bill, as country-western, Latin Jazz, Tejano, and more will be represented. Food lovers will also enjoy finding something delicious at one of the many food booths.
11 AM
· UTSA has its own mini-Fiesta, featuring food, music, games, and other forms of entertainment, the proceeds of which go to supporting school groups and associations.
· Fiesta is quite different from Mardi Gras, but nevertheless gives a nod to the New Orleans celebration, as the San Antonio Zulu Association offers food, music, kid’s areas, and every kind of music imaginable. Brackenridge Park is home to lots of kids’ events, such as face painting, moonwalks, slides, and more.
5 PM
· St. Mary’s University Alumni Association gets the night off on the right foot with their 92nd Annual Fiesta Oyster Bake. They will cook over 100,000 oysters, and also will have fajitas, hamburgers, sausages, and much more. Music includes Latin, country, and rock and roll. This is a three day event, and Friday’s festivities conclude with a fireworks display. All proceeds go towards scholarships and student programs, so enjoy the bake and support education at the same time!
· Fans of Tejano music will not want to miss Friday night’s Tejano Explosion at Cattleman’s Square. This is a family event, featuring food and music as well as carnival rides for the kids.
6:30 PM
· Join the mariachis and the throngs of people gathered for the coronation of 2008’s El Rey Feo. The crowning takes place at the Main Plaza, and the reception afterwards will be held in the AT&T Community Center.
7:00 PM
· The WEBB party is San Antonio’s largest alternative event, which raises money for the San Antonio AIDS Foundation. Come down and enjoy the open bar, DJs, food, and silent auction and help support a good cause also.
8:00 PM
· Omega Psi Phi Fraternity hosts its annual Fiesta Jamboree. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their best party duds for the chance to win $100 for the best costume. The party lasts until midnight at the Doubletree Hotel.
· At La Villita, Incognito: Fiesta’s Masked Ball, invites guests to dress up in their best South American flavored outfit, and join in the Carnival-inspired party.
The Parades of Fiesta 2008
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April is almost upon us, and that means one thing for San Antonio-Fiesta! While other cites have huge celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day, or Mardi Gras, Fiesta is San Antonio's own unique celebration, and the multiple parades that spice up the city with their floats, colors, costumes, music, and host of cast of characters that participate, make these one of the best-loved parts of the whole affair.
The 2008 version of Fiesta presents three parades, each produced and sponsored by a different group of patrons.
San Antonio Folk Dance Festival
San Antonio Folk Dance Festival
When: March 14, 2008 - March 16, 2008
Where: San Antonio, Texas
Times vary based on the difference events that will be held. Visit their
website, http://safdf.org/, for more
information.
Have you always wanted to learn how to folk dance? The San Antonio Folk Dance
Festival has several workshops available at their event in March. Regardless of
how much experience you have or your skill level, you will be able to learn
something at this festival. You may consider yourself one of the best even, and
if that is the case, then you can go to a Review workshop where several teachers
will be reviewing your skills. You will perhaps find some of your weaknesses and
learn what your strengths are. The teachers come from a wide variety of
backgrounds. You will find teachers from Romania, to Czech, and of course your
English Country Dancing instructors in attendance.
Do not worry if you are not a dancer. This festival does not leave you out.
If you would just like to take a seat and enjoy some good live entertainment
then that is available as well. You will find several very good folk dancers
that will be performing throughout the event. Miroslav Bata Marcetic's Serbian
Dance Theater Troupe is a large group with seventy performers. They will be just
one of the many talented dancers you will be able to watch there.
You do not have to be a professional or an absolute beginner either. There
will be several chances for you to get out on the dance floor and enjoy folk
dancing with others. In fact, the last day of the festival there will be plenty
of food and individual entertainment in celebration of this form of dance. All
ages are welcome to attend the San
Antonio Folk Dance Festival!
Randy Watson a San Antonio Real Estate Agent with Mission Realty writes regularly about all
things good in San Antonio including sports, arts, events and tourism. Visit my
weblog at: SATX
Blog. Or visit online to search for San Antonio Homes.
Highland Games
San Antonio Highland Games
Do you love Scottish food? Do you want to learn more about
the Scottish way of life? The San Antonio Highland Games is coming up this year
in April. It will feature a variety of things from Scotland’s history and
current social traditions. The event will be featuring a Celtic band, Needfire.{mosimage}
When: April 5th and 6th, 2008
Time: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Where: San Antonio, Texas
It is recommended you stay at the Motel 6 on Brandera Road.
It is considered the official hotel for the Highland Games.
One of the unique things that will be at the Highland Games
will be featuring the world’s largest living warhorse named Thor. You should
definitely go if for no other reason than to see Thor. He is absolutely huge
and seeing someone with a joust atop of him can make you realize just how
entertaining jousting probably was during the medieval period.
What would be the reason to call it Highland Games without
games? The San Antonio Highland Games features a Scottish competition each
year. It is typically separated by weight class and it is required that you
wear a kilt, highland hose, and the highland games t-shirt at all times
throughout the competition. You are required to visit their website at http://www.sahga.org/athletics.html
and turn in an release waiver.
There will be several vendors at the event. The Scottish
have a vast history and with that comes lots of arts and crafts. You will be
able to find handmade jewelry, antique Scottish memorabilia, and even stained
glass artwork.
As mentioned above, there will be plenty of celebration
through dancing and music. Several bands will be in attendance other than
Needfire. Carl Peterson, Beyond the Pale, and Sally’s Garden’s are just a few
that will be playing while you are able to swing your kilt around on the dance
floor.
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