Touring the new Tobin Center for the Performing Arts

Exploring San Antonio is one of my favorite things so I jumped at the chance to tour our new Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.  In my Veteran's Day post I wrote about the history of the original Spanish Colonial Revival style Municipal Auditorium built as a WWI memorial.  For this post we'll tour more of the outside and also head indoors.

The day after Halloween

It's time to put away the costumes and Halloween decorations, but not in San Antonio where the celebrations continue with Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead observances.

Looking at these photos you might think we have taken a trip to Mexico but this fountain-turned-altar is set up at Maverick Plaza in La Villita or the little village along the San Antonio River Walk.

Jury Duty San Antonio Style

On Wednesday I had to be downtown for jury duty at the county courthouse.  I had downloaded several gardening e-books ahead of time so I was set for the day.   This happens every few years and it's not so bad to spend some time downtown.  By now it's not a surprise to readers that San Antonio has a style all its own.  Many of you probably haven't seen jury duty like this so let me take you along on my two hour lunch break with a few phone photos.

I enjoyed my lunch under a shady ramada across the street on Main Plaza with a view of San Fernando Cathedral.

Real Life as a Movie

Where have I seen something like this before?

Walking the Walk: The New Old Lights

The San Antonio River Walk is ready for the holidays and what's old is new again.

Walking the Walk: The Pearl and River of Lights

I love holiday lights, the more the merrier and San Antonio has a lot of lights like these at The Pearl just north of downtown.

The Pearl Brewery buildings have been an iconic presence along the San Antonio river for more than a century.  Now known simply as "The Pearl" the brewery closed in 2001 and the buildings have been redeveloped into spaces for restaurants, shops, and special events.  It's one of my favorite places in town because it also provides easy  access the north end of the River Walk.  Last night we went down to take a look at The Pearl and the nearby "River of Lights" display.

The former brewing building is outlined in lights.  The smokestack is one of several in town which have been preserved.

Walking the Walk: The River Walk from the Museum to Locks

The San Antonio River Walk is one of my favorite places in San Antonio.  Not the famous part with all the bars and restaurants, but this River Walk  which extends north and south into our neighborhoods.  Most tourists see a very small part of the River Walk, but it has been more than doubled in recent years and runs about 15 miles long now.  These far reaches of the river are enjoyed mainly by San Antonio residents.  Office workers enjoying a break or headed to a meeting.  Dog walkers and bicyclists from nearby residences.  I walk here to check out the landscaping ideas and to enjoy my city without battling the crowds for parking.  Last fall I shared photos of the Museum Reach of the San Antonio River Walk.  At that time I ended at the Newell Avenue bridge near the San Antonio Museum of Art.

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: ¡Viva San Antonio!

Blue, Blue Christmas and Happy "Blue" Year?

This year San Antonio "modernized" the famous River Walk holiday lights.  Yes, we are talking about the lights that put San Antonio on so many "must see" holiday destination lists.  This year they were changed to energy saving LEDs, and it's not without controversy.  Earlier this evening, we took a stroll on the River Walk so I could see the new lights for myself.  It's quite a change.  Gone are the garlands of twinkling lights cascading over the trees and reflecting their soft glow on the water creating a magical walk along the river.

 Photo from station WOAI
 
They've been replaced with the blue glow of LED lighting.  Out with the old bulbs and in with the new.  So going green has turned the famous River Walk blue.

It's not as bad as some of the comments I've read online, but somehow it lacks the San Antonio charm.  It appears that the combined multi-colored lights blend together into a harsh, modern glare.  The lights would work in Houston or Dallas, it just doesn't look like San Antonio.

It's more than the River Walk going blue over this, I checked several sites where locals discuss issues and couldn't find a positive comment anywhere.  I even found a reference to this as a "New Coke moment" for San Antonio.  There are petitions out there to bring back the old lights.  To be fair, they look OK; but if you have seen the old lights, they just don't have the same warm feel about them.

"Bring a flashlight" was one helpful hint I saw online.  It does feel rather dark.
By contrast, Houston Street stayed the same with the white cascading lights.

I enjoy showcasing my city in the best light possible, but sometimes I have to vote "thumbs down".  This all went off track when the lighting designer decided that draping the lights over the trees didn't work and planned a new, updated approach with lights wrapping the tree trunks.  It was approved with very little public input -- and even in spite of public objections.  If we must keep the current lights, I think the draping effect would at least make them more acceptable.
 
Along the way, someone forgot that the River Walk is all about the magic.  Sometimes the modern and green approach ignores what makes a place special.

La Gloria and Josephine St.

Last week I posted about taking a walk along The Museum Reach of the River Walk.   Here are a few more sights to see before heading back to the car.

La Gloria restaurant, colorful and inviting

enjoy the patio overlooking the river turning basin

La Gloria's mural along Josephine St.

with this great fence detail

and a pause to enjoy this streetside bed.  This Gulf Muhly is so inspiring I'm not giving up on mine yet.

There are also some unique shops to explore.  Just small view of all there is to see here in San Antonio.