First Fridays.

On the assignment I know I was supposed to pick something that’s here in SanAntonio; knowing that most people would pick a place I decided to go out side the box. Instead of picking a place or a location I chose to pick an event. The event I decide to do my final on was First Friday. Wikipedia says “That First Friday is monthly events originated in 1987 as an outlet for African American professionals to mix, mingle and network. During the 1980s it was common for an individual to be the only black professional working in their company. First Fridays happy hours become a way for these professionals to meet in a social atmosphere while exchanging useful information”.Here in San Antonio the event is a gathering of the arts with food and drinks. The event is held every First Friday of the month, with live music art and the aroma of food in the air. The area of down town that host the spot is called Southtown including up and down South Alamo Street, between Durango and Probant. What makes the street important is the distance, all the art is walking distance, and pretty much the whole festival is a walking fun time. The art galleries are usually open from 6pm to 10:00pm with the exception that some might stay open a little later that others in the pursuit of money or simply showing off art. The most popular of the art galleries are located right at the intersection of Probant and South Alamo; including Building B. Studios, San Angel Folk Art and The Blue Star Art Space. Building B.







Studios has a special meaning to me, for the most part the only art teacher I ever enjoyed having owns a space there “Alba DeLeon”. Alba is the drawing one teacher here at Palo Alto, if anybody needs an art credit, trust me through experience; the only way to get the best out of here is truthfully express your artistic self without fear. Back to First Friday, what I believe to be the heart of the event is The Blue Star, which has to parts The Blue Star brewery and The Blue Star Art Space. The buildings are both the same, but have different meanings the middle part is where art is displayed, and the back is the Brewery where a bar is located. I think food is served there also. People who enjoy art are in luck, most of the galleries are also one after the other for the most part so the art never ends. Another thing that you can find at first Friday is Vendors of clothing and jewelry; in my opinion I think they are the people who make the most money due to girls being able to shop up a storm. Anybody visiting can agree the best part of the whole thing is that it doesn’t cost a penny to do anything but bye, for the mist part First Friday is free. The first person I interviewed was Alba DeLeon; I thought having her ideas about First Friday would be important because of her status owing a space where art is sold on First Fridays. Alba told me that she thought the festival was a great idea, that it helps business for everybody not just the artist. Alba also told me that her herself has hardly any time to go, but wishes she could, the few times she has been the event was remarkable and she had a time of her life. I have plans to display some of my art in her art space for a First Friday event sometime this year; I still need to work out the details but plan on doing so soon. The second person I decided to interview is Daniel Torres, Daniel is local, who says he never miss a First Friday, and does not plan on doing so either. Daniel has been going for a long time; he stated that he has been going with his friends and family since he was in the 7th grade. Ever since then Daniel told me how he was hooked to not just the gathering but the outrageous people as he put it. Daniel was kind enough to tell him his history of how the Event has changed over time. To his knowledge First Fridays has had the same basics as far as he can remember, but the one thing that has changed are the people. Back in the day Daniel told me that people started going just to hang out, to him it seemed people lost the who aspect of what the event was for; for him thing are gradually changing back to normal. The next person I interviewed is a non native to San Antonio but has moved here recently. He goes by the Name Aj Sepi. Aj is an art vendor who has medium is Photography, he has really good work. Aj has been “what he calls art walking” for two years no at First Fridays. He uses this method to sell his art, he simple walks with pictures in his hands showing them to people and if they like what they see, Aj can cut a reasonable deal with the consumer. Aj not being from here tells me he is still trying to adjust to the event, on thing in our conversation that caught my attention was how where he is from, the city has no city events such as our First Friday. To Aj our little event is pretty much the sickest thing he has ever been a part of, is how he put it.
Looking back I’m glade I decided to something different and outside of the box for the assignment. This past Friday was our cities event First Friday, I attended I had a great time. The event is great and I was able to meet great people to are normal’s to the Event. If I can suggest, tourist who come to San Antonio should base their trip to try and catch our First Friday as one of their attractions to see wale there are here.

The Landing is a Restaurant and jazz club on the river walk down town here in San Antonio, Texas. Finding it is very easy being located directly across a local famous San Antonio land mark “The Alamo”. What makes the restaurant interesting is the music, ‘Live Jazz”; with there being a couple jazz groups such as Small World and Star Quarlet by David Jellema. I believe the main attraction is The Jim Cullum Jazz Band. The band was originally a seven piece ensemble, but sometimes the whole band does not play. The band usually plays Tuesday to Saturday starting at 8:00 pm. The landing has strong history in San Antonio. The area it resides was being constructed in the 1920’s. The Restaurant didn’t open till around 1963 in April When Hugman met the Cullums.

The restaurant was on instant success due to it being one of the only attractions on the river walk, and what it had to offer. The Landing due to its popularity became a regular hang out for popular Jazz musicians, which all played at the landing. The Landing rose to fame quickly which it’s traditional Jazz style and music. Modern day the Landing is one of the oldest Jazz clubs period. The only one being still in business and older is the preservation Hall in New Orleans. The band brags over four-hundred arrangements and about the same Jam tunes. The band plays in a traditional manner dated during the 1440’s. The base of the band is of Jelly Roll Morton, The New Orleans Rhyme Kings, Louis Armstrong, etc. The band is very into commute, with out reach program that help kids play Jazz associated to the YMCA.

Personally I love jazz going to visit The Landing was a great experience; I had no idea it even existed. Furthermore I strongly believe I will vist The Landing again, possibly taking a date; I strongly recommend that male readers do the same due to the fact that men should ask out women and The Landing making a perfect date spot.

Juan Tejeda

Music in general is a very important part of my life, I love it. One type of music I’ve come to enjoy is Conjunto. Conjunto is a type of music also classified as Corrido and Orquesta tejana. This music is usually common with a working class people; with for the most part have a Mexican background. Conjunto is a mix between German and Mexican style music. One artist who is known in the conjunto world is Juan tejeda, a scholar along side with his music background who has his own band. In class Juan explained the history of conjunto music and how it has evolved over the years. He also explained how he is Mexican American be prefers to be called Chicano or a Xicano, which when translated is the Indians who lived the Americans before anybody; the first included tribes such as the Nahuati and the Aztecs. The way he explained the differences of the Mexican races was also a key point in his presentation.

San Atnonio Art Scene

San Antonio is very rich when it comes to the art scene. I am strongly interested in art I believe due the fact that I try to do my part so I can be called an artist. One great event San Antonio host is first Friday, this happens every first Friday of the month. At this event artist of all types are able to showcase there talents and maybe make some money by catching a viewers eye. In this paper I will concentrate on artist who art is done on surfaces ranging from aluminum to canvas.

One artist I know to have had a series at first Friday is Ruben Garza; Ruben attended East Central High School where his artistic talent was really shown. Ruben has won state back to back competitions with his amazing works of art. I met Ruben in drawing one class here at Palo Alto I’ve known him form about a year and a half. Ruben’s media of art is Prism color pencils, but is also very talented with lead pencils and acrylic oil based paints; his textures in his art ranges from rough to smooth, due to his choice of using paper, cardboard paper canvas and cement.

Ben Mata Artist statement, “Since 2000, I have focused on using aluminum as my canvas. The illuminate surface allows me to create a mood of light and depth. My approach is Spontaneous and intuitive. Discoveries guide me in the execution of the work”. Another artist from San Antonio is Ben Mata; I actually had the pleasure of meeting him at his art space on Broadway Street here in San Antonio. I believe Ben also attended school where I attend Palo Alto College. When visiting Ben for a field trip in drawing class I discovered what his median was as well as what textures usually reside in his works. First of all Ben has recently been using aluminum for his pieces of work. Surprisingly the textures of the works done in aluminum are soft and not rough as expected. Ben also uses canvas for his surfaces and his median is oil pants usually.

The last artist from my city that I will pay tribute to in this paper is a friend of mine Jesus a good friend of mine. Jesus is a talented artiest who I believe that if actually tried could make something out of himself one day. Jesus has a comic kind of art which could be found in many comic books, he can take something a make a very close duplicate from it. He has been drawing ever since I could remember his media of art is manly plain marker, he is very good using a pencil and ink as well. His texture on his art works are always soft, because he refuses to work on anything but plain white paper.

San Antonio is very rich with art, as a city it does a great job trying to show cases it resident talents by having many chances form people to show off there work in different events. In this paper I barely starch the surface of the art talent in my city if interested I suggest discover other artist who reside here and be amazed.

Street Art

Upon receiving instructions on what to do I all ready knew I wanted to do something different. For this field blog I decided to go out side the box and due a different kind of art. The piece of art I choose goes by the name graffiti. Usually doing this kind of art requires imagination so by writing a word or a name making the viewer think, he or she is looking at abstract work. The location of this art is on the corner of San Pedro once you exit highway 35.

The artist who did the art left no name but the name of there crew, EZLY; since I don’t know the artist personally I don’t know what that means. When looking at the art I am able to see that the texture is rough because the artist drew on brick; the artist also incorporating great value using the wonderful variations of hue in this A Symmetrical piece of art. The artist median in this wok is spry can, I think being able to capture the value in the work and combining liquid colors to make another color takes talent.

Just because a piece of art in not on a canvas does not mean it’s not a piece of art. Artist in these genre of art are usually frowned upon due to the narrow minded critics of society. I believe art is art and should not be scrutinized because of where it’s done (public buildings). Credit should be giving to artist for there skill and not there form of art.

The Edwards Aquifer Essay

The Edwards Aquifer is the most efficient way people of San Antonio and close areas have found to get water. The Aquifer stretches 160 miles long and as much as 40 feet In with. The aquifer runs from aquifer is one of the largest aquifer in North America and maybe the largest in the world. Kinney all the way to the Comal Counties. San Antonio is located just above the Artesian Zone which water travels all the way from Delrio. The Artesian is where the best water of the aquifer comes from. One part of the aquifer that was created was The Seco Creek Recharge Project; the creek is where a collection of rain collects in the creek finding it was to a sinkhole that leads to the aquifer. The Edwards Aquifer is the most efficient way people of San Antonio and close areas have found to get water. What interreges me the most is how water enters sinkholes and end up in the aquifer. The nearest locations that would be worth examining would be The Devils Sinkhole located in Rocksprings Texas. The Devils Sinkhole was discovered by Ammon Billing, who settled in Edwards County May1, 1876. Some important background information states that in the 1980s and the 1990s serious droughts brought the required attention to the water system so plans to make the use of water more efficient came into play. In t he year 2000 statistics were announced declaring that that year The Edwards Aquifer supplied 1.7 million people with water which was a eight time increases since 1940, it was said that in the year 2030, the aquifer would need to supply 2.6 million people with water. Putting aside the boring part of The Edwards Aquifer is what I think is the second most interesting part, the animal and plant life that inhabit the aquifer. After going to the Museum on Broadway Street here in San Antonio, I learned that animals actually lived in the water we drink. The most commonly found species are different salamander species that usual. I read in the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance website that the salamanders found in the aquifer where subject to parallel evolution, which when salamanders from different springs are distinct species, but resemble not just each other but also salamanders found in karst limestone aquifers in other parts of the world. I also read that fish species easiest in the aquifer and no where else such as the Texas Blind Catfish, which only live within the San Antonio section of the aquifer; the Fountain Darter and San Marcos gambusia from the San Marcos River.

The Aquifer Field Blog

The Edwards aquifer is one of the largest and most know aquifer ion the world. The aquifer is estimated to be 160 miles and in different sections being 5 to 40 feet wide. The Edwards aquifer runs through the Kinney, Uvalde, Medina, Bexar and Comal Counties. The Aquifer has many different sections that make it up such as drainage area, recharging zone, artisan springs and the artisan which travels under San Antonio. Some of the main flowage of the river is contributed by different sections of the Edwards Aquifer. The Cibolo Creek is located between Bexar and Comal Counties aids in giving water to the recharge zone. The Helotes Creek, dive off The Edwards Plateau then reaches the recharge zone up down from down town Helotes. The Seco Creek Recharge Project is where a collection of rain collects in the creek finding it was to a sinkhole that leads to the aquifer. The transition zone is located south east of San Antonio where the land has many caves and sinkholes that allows’ water from different sources to collect; the zones original development was created to regulate petroleum storage tanks. The Artesian zone is located between San Antonio and Delrio where a natural source of good water can be found. The Artesian is where located in San Antonio is where the majority of San Antonians come to relay for a water source.

My Neighborhood

I find my neighborhood very interesting even though it may not be the richest part of town I still love it. To me what makes’s my neighborhood so great are the good neighbors and the close distance to everything than means anything to me. My neighborhood is great in many ways.

Fist of all I live in the south side San Antonio, coming from down town San Antonio on highway 35, you exit Military Drive take a left and go down till you hit logwood; you take a right on logwood and go down about seven blocks till you Formosa. Once you get to there you drive down till you hit Oxana then follow down to you hit Dodic, my house is the will be the fourth on the right. My neighborhood my consist of a middle class/ working area, the houses in my neighborhood are a standard three bedroom one house floor plan. The people try to keep the lawns up compared to other areas in town where you see all kinds of junk in the front lawn. I guess you can say my neighborhood cares about it’s appearance. The ethnic groups that live in my areas of town are Hispanics, especially in my neighborhood. Hispanics in my estimate consist of atleast 80 percent of the southside population if not more. The age group in my neighborhood consist of an older crowd. There are more older families then younger ones on the factoid side. I will say there is roughly thirteen people around my age that live on my block.

When it comes to distance I would say every place I need to go to and every place I want to go to is near by. I don’t hang out with a lot of friends, but the ones I do all live in walking distance of me, and at every other end of the blocks you can find a corner store. If I wanted to visit one of my best friends Robert which has class with me all I would have to do is walk to the right end of my block, take a left, go two streets and take another left and about 10 houses down and his house is on the left. Another place you can find me at is my best friends Dt house, all I have to do is walk to the right end of the block take a right, go down Oxana take a right on Formosa, and his house is the third house on the left. Another cool place around me is the Bellaire park, the park is located four entry blocks away, so it’s an easy six minute walk. What makes the park so great is how it accommodates everybody, if somebody wants to play basketball the park has a baskeball court. If you’re a skater looking for fun at the park it has two mini half pipes and grinding post. The park pretty much has something for everybody, my neighborhood is pretty good to live in and I have nothing to complain about another very nice attraction about my neighborhood is the movie theater “The Mayan Palace” which is right down the street from the mall “Southpark Mall” so basically everything in my neighborhood is very close to my house.

Summing it up I cant’ complain about my neighborhood I have everything I need for a healthy life and with the fast food restaurants close by a not so healthy life lol. For the most part I would say my neighborhood is perfect.

The Alamo

The Alamo, located down town San Antonio is considered to some the heart of the town . The Alamo was also know as The Shine of Texas liberty, is the remains of it origins Mission San Antonio deValero. Originally the Alamo was build as a mission but latter was turned to a strong hold for the Texan revolutionaries. The Alamo gave birth too many Texan heroes such as Commander William B Travis, Jim Bowie and David Crockett. What make the Alamo such a famed event in the Texas revolution was the events that too place. The siege at the Alamo started February 23, 1836 and ended March 6, 1836. The Mexican government didn’t want to allow Texas to succeed from them so they sent General Santa Anna. General Santa Anna had marched more that 6,000 troops to The Alamo which only had had a little more that 200 defenders. Although the defenders were not successful in defending the Alamo; the 13 day resistance lead by Travis weakened the Mexican army enough to allow Sam Houston to defeat them. In defeat, I believe the dedicated heroes from the Alamo set an amazing example of bravery for other Texan troops.

One Old Dam

Now day’s people hear dam, and nothing comes to mind. The subject of dams wouldn’t clearly spark up any form of interest with a person not education on the subject. One dam that means a lot to me would be the San Francisco de la Espada Mission dam. The dam was believed to be constructed around 1745; the Espada dam was one of seven used to revert water from the San Antonio River and the San Pedro creek to the acequas of the missions that tried in the south San Antonio region. Without the dam it would not be possible for any of the irrigation system to work. The irrigation system was Vidal to the people of the missions, so the construction of t he system was necessary to provide compatible living conditions. The aqueduct is part of the system that uses the dam to carry the water away was also part of the construction, is still the oldest working aqueduct system in America. Today most of the irrigation system lays destroyed to be lost by sight to newer generations, but the main part of the aqueduct by the missions still stands along with the Espada dam. I’m not sure if the dam serves any purpose today but I’m sure if it was not there the surrounding communities should be subject to flood. For the most part the city of San Antonio has done a great job of maintaining and preserving the dam and remaining parts of the aqueduct. The dam is a get site for tourists to visit, now days the city has made it a family park with great accommodations for picnicking. The dam also thrives with history and wildlife, the eco system around includes many species of birds and a decent fishing experience. Running and bike trials are carved into the landscape for people to enjoy the sights. Visiting the dam would be a great experience for families.

Mission Espada

There are missions all over the United States and for the most part they all served the same purpose, but Texas would be one of the most mission enriched parts of land. San Antonio, Texas, my city, homes some of the most important missions in the whole state of Texas, including The Alamo, San Jose, San Juan, Concepcion and Mission Espada. All the missions here in my city stand out, but the one that most caught my eye would be Mission Espada, which was founded in Wechos, Texas 1600 and there was named San Francisco de la Tejas. In 1731 the mission was moved to San Antonio by the San Antonio River; once moved there the mission was named Mission Espada. At Espada the missionaries aimed to make the missions look similar to a common Spanish town. The goals of the missionaries included helping the Native American more civilized. Missionaries taught native’s skills for living such as farming, by means of horses and oxen, blacksmith traits were also taught.

One thing that made Espada special was its unique irrigation system which is still up today for visitors to see. The idea of the aqueducts came from roman influence. If the missionaries had not used the acequas, I believe the existence of the missions would not have lasted as long as they did. These keys points are the reasons I think Mission Espada stands out from the rest.