Una Noche De La Gloria

With the exception of Luminaras and First Friday there really are no major vehicles in order to celebrate art in our city. Una Noche De La Gloria is a yearly celebration in the Westside which highlights local and regional artists. It also gives immerging fashion designers, visual artists, poets and musical acts a forum to display their works.
It encompasses all of Guadalupe Street with various stages and vendors a block wide. In every nook and cranny there is some sort of art vying for your attention. For example an artist had cool glow in the dark paintings in a doorway. Another vendor sold epic sized canvas portraits meant for some loft or high ceiling downtown apartment.
In the center of Guadalupe Street a high end fashion show seemed to be the focal attraction. In the audience hipsters, professional types, photographers were all next to people within that community enjoying the celebration. It certainly was a feast for the eyes and the senses.
All throughout the program it seemed like something was going on. On one end a metal band was blaring loudly with a fog machine machine accompanying them. On an another end vendors with a pachuco flair were selling shirts with hip hop playing. Muscle cars and lowriders were lined along the block; nearby a trio were playing xylophones and flutes. It seemed to be a contrast of things and ideas. For example the fashion show had models dressed as dolls, a play on the innocence of the night. But then in the plaza more designers brought out items that were edgy and had a level of darkness to them.
And certainly not to be outdone I saw Adan Hernandez and Jesse Borrego, both local artists who were promoting the anniversary of the movie, «Blood in, Blood Out.» Almost every space in the plaza, street and block was touched by something visual or sonic. It was very overwhelming needless to say, reminiscent of First Friday in its heyday.
While I did enjoy it I did have a few criticisms:
1.) Parking was non-​existent.
2.) As the event grew darker, it was harder to see artist’s works.
3.) Entertainment was scattered. Rather than having five acts going on at the same time it would have been more beneficial to have three strong acts or stages as centerpieces.
4.) I think the diversity of artists and art could’ve been much stronger.
5,) I know this event coincides with the Diaz y Sies Celebration on Guadalupe. It would be cool to move it to mid October when the weather is much cooler. And then to have it earlier and then ending it much earlier.
While this issues are minor and can be adjusted if at all I like that it brings the arts, especially to an underappreciated side of town. Some of the works blew me away! In addition I appreciated the cross section of different personalities and socioeconomic classes that were there.
Una Noche De La Gloria is a festival that celebrates our city by celebrating art. It represents where our art scene is and ultimately can be. But for me I was left with the impression that San Antonio still has a ways to go. But then again how often do you get to see a fashion show that integrates elements of Chola/​Zombie/​Goth on one stage? Not many.