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.