We had a lovely time at Ruby City for Mother's Day. Parking was easily accessible with available…read morestreet parking and a limited free lot down the street. Entrance to the museum was free and although the collection was small, it was colorful, interesting, and full of personality. We browsed the gallery and took pics, note: no flash photography. Directly across the street was the beautiful, well manicured Chris Park. Carefully placed concrete art benches with meaningful engraved messages were scattered throughout the park. There's also a sweet covered picnic area to relax or have a small party. Peaceful and a nice retreat. A small art building resides in the park containing a gallery of a particular artist. We thoroughly enjoyed the colorful exhibit. Forgot to mention there's an outdoor sculpture garden next to Ruby City. Super cool! Must check out. Highly recommend this place for art lovers ! Spent a few hours and had a grand time .

I had no idea that this museum existed! Plus- it's free! We made a reservation online, but didn't…read moreneed to as there were only 2 other people here on a Sunday. The staff was very friendly and directed us and provided us with guide material. This museum is quite small- you can easily get through the indoor portion within an hour. There is a large variety of modern art, and there was even a Picasso piece. I like the mix of artists which includes local art as well. There's a few sculptures outside to view as well, and it's a very peaceful green area. We had no trouble with free street parking, but I can see how this would pose a problem if you visit on a busy day. Amazing thing to check out in the city for free though!

We came by on a Wednesday and there was a sign on the front door saying they were open Thursdays…read moreand Fridays from 10 am to 5 pm. We came back on Thursday after 10 am and they were not open and no sign explaining why. The outside of the building had lots of op art Frida statues staged around the structure so I did get to photograph them. I've enjoyed visiting in the past but the last two trips to S A this place has been closed.

What a hidden little gem! I am so glad I stumbled upon this while on my walk and checking out yelp!…read moreI was so impressed with this FREE museum! Mexican Culture is so prevalent in San Antonio and I think it is so important to really explore and appreciate it. There is so much rich history and this institute does a beautiful job showcasing it. I went and there was a school group and I stayed a little close to hear the explanations of the different rooms. If you plan to go to the Towers of Americas anyway, definitely make a stop here before or after you go!

Mission Statement The Mission of the American Indians in…read moreTexas at the Spanish Colonial Missions is to work for the preservation and protection of the culture and traditions of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation and other indigenous people of the Spanish colonial missions in south Texas and northern Mexico through: education, research, community outreach, economic development projects and legislative initiatives at the federal, state and local levels. San Antonio has the 10th largest population of urban Native Americans in the United States per capita. AITSCM strives to strengthen and enhance the ties Native Americans have to the practices that are universal to indigenous people, building on them to educate and inform others of their presence and history. AITSCM is a non-profit organization in the San Antonio area that provides: * Economical Development with Mission tours, native plants, native food café * Cultural Programs with dance, music, art, food * Languages for all ages with storytelling and instruction * Advocacy with both a youth and elder council for the missions, sacred sites, and Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation. Family Health & Wellness: San Antonio Fatherhood Campaign Rites of Passage Healing the Wounded Spirit Indigenous Arts: AIT Dance Theater Yanaguana Singers Economical Development through Cultural Arts Civic Engagement: Native Voices Network Native Youth for Equal Voices REAL Dads (Resident Engaged Advocate Leaders) AITSCM hosts two Mission Heritage fundraising dinners each year... May is based on the Cactus Blossom and Dec is based on the Pecan. Dec 2017 Pecan Harvest dinner was held at Casa Hernan (a Chef Johnny Rodriquez Catering event venue) with plenty of food, drink, entertainment, and presentations... one in particular one honoring the Sisters of Incarnate Word for their help in preserving the Blue Hole Sanctuary... all of this for only $23... we got a steal of a deal that night! ... Plus lots of door prizes! One of the comments I caught that night is that the younger generations are not interested in keeping up the traditions (for various reasons)... if this keeps happening, the traditions of language, dance, art will be lost forever. This org is here to support the local Native American community and it really is up to us to support them as well. Yanaguana Mission Heritage Tours are also hosted by AITSCM. What better way to see the missions as to be guided by local decedents of the Missions. Private groups tour are available at $50 per person... or you can watch their site in case they may host a public tour which is happening Sat 17 Mar 18 $20 per person. This will be a #SA300 event. Oh and check my review here: https://www.yelp.com/biz/yanaguana-mission-heritage-tours-san-antonio The United San Antonio Pow Wow in Feb at Mission County Park was the perfect place to hold this event. Check the link for my review... https://www.yelp.com/biz/united-san-antonio-pow-wow-san-antonio . You will find AITSCM at all the local Pow Wows around town as well as other events, so be sure to stop by, say hi, and donate as much as you possibly can to this much needed organization for our community.

I have been to the San Antonio missions on many occasions, but today I went on a guided tour by the…read moreAmerican Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions (AITSCM) and it really was awesome. They didn't focus too much on the architecture, etc., instead they focused on what life was really like for the American Indians and the cultural issues that still exist today. A lot of history was covered, and they spoke about their current mission to bring cultural awareness to the public and the descendants of the American Indians who lived and worked at the missions. We met at Mission San Jose and after touring that one, we boarded a bus for the other three missions. Ramon was our guide and it is obvious he has a passion (and a wealth of knowledge) about his ascendants and passing the culture on to future generations. We learned SO much that we never knew about. At the end of the tour, his mother had some cultural dishes prepared for us to sample and they were REALLY good. Ramon and his sons also sang a couple of traditional ceremonial songs and performed a ceremonial dance to one of them. Keep in mind, the American Indians of South Texas were not like the stereotypical American Indians you see in the movies and on television. Don't expect to see what you have seen in pop media. Ramon, his mother, and his sons are all AWESOME. To sum it up, I have to say I came away with a lot of new knowledge and was very enlightened. In addition to the mission tours, this organization hosts several other events throughout the year. Check out their website for more information.

Nothing gives me more satisfaction as a Yelp reviewer than when I can write about a place, that I…read morehave the utmost respect and an admiration for. The San Anto Cultural Arts Center perfectly fits that description. It is a non-profit organization located in the Westside that serves the community with a grassroots effort. Through its various programs which include mural projects, writing, photography, art and music programs it is able to uplift and empower any neighborhood. Initially I came here for a fundraiser plate sale, put on by the excellent Mama Tierra; a vegetarian food truck. Seeing them put together plates made me think about the manner in which this center pulls resources together also. For example they put out a bi- monthly newspaper called "El Placazo", which seems to be a labor of love. What I like about it is that the contributors are all from the community who serve as principle writers, layout designers, poets, artists and photographers, giving it a narrative of struggle but also of perseverance. But by far one of its awe inspiring contributions to our city are in their commissioned murals. Typically they are done with a lead muralist who takes a sketch agreed by a community meeting. Then a team of artists, who work in a mentorship transform surrounding buildings into works of art. Some of their themes center around ideas of family, cultural identity, folklore, education etc. My favorite mural is the one they created entitled, "La Musica de San Anto" on West Commerce Street dedicated to influential musicians who have passed away. In addition they offer workshops, masterclasses with artists in residency or with the city's finest. As I was eating my plate in their main room a musician from Mexico was preparing to give a workshop on Son Jarocho, traditional folk music from Veracruz. A group, along with him performed an amazing impromptu set. Since most of their workshops are free they rely heavily on donations and fundraisers, like this plate sale to support their programs. Before I left I looked at all the silk screened prints all along their walls and thought about how important art is to our city, this center to this community. In a time when funding for the arts is shortcoming or no where to be found SACA finds a way to make it all happen. Through a grassroots effort they are able to engage the community with the various workshops and mural projects that they offer. And the corazon in their logo is there for a reason. You need HEART in order to have ART. .

Great staff and mural tours. They really believe in their community and neighborhood.read more

It's been three years since I've reviewed Tex-Pop... After…read moreseeing yet another exhibit that has such a deep history in SA... I just had to spread the word some more... Standing at the Crossroad: Robert Johnson in San Antonio 1936 This exhibit was researched and put together by Margaret Moser. Margaret is originally from SA but made her mark (and is kinda famous) in the Austin music scene. SA is blessed to have her back in town. She is one of the founders of Tex-Pop (and also South-Pop aka South Austin Culture Center in Austin). Margaret takes you on a time line with Robert Johnson's SA history along with many myths of this legendary musician... Let's call him the Godfather of the Blues! Did he sell his soul to the devil? ... or is the myth confused with Tommy Johnson who also said that he sold his soul to the devil?... Things that make you go hummm... The only known recordings of Robert Johnson were cut in San Antonio in 1936 at Gunter Hotel and Dallas in 1937. This is a list of his SA recordings: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1936  Kind Hearted Woman Blues (I Believe I'll) Dust my Broom Sweet Home Chicago Ramblin' on my Mind When you got t a Good Friend Come on in my Kitchen Terraplane Blues Phonograph Blues THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1936  32-20 Blues FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1936 They're Red Hot Dead Shrimp Blues Cross Road Blues Walkin' Blues Last Fair Deal Gone Down Preachin' Blues (Up Jumped The Devil) If I had Possession over Judgement Day I absolutely loved this exhibit as well as the exhibit opening with live music. (See Pics) I was so excited about the exhibit that I made an event page and talk thread for it. Everyone at Tex-Pop is so friendly, knowledgeable, and just plain fun to be around. This is a place to see and be seen... the people watching is extraordinary! If you have any interest in music or local legends... South Texas Popular Culture Center aka Tex - Pop is the place to go for their (at least once a month) events!!!

From the owner: We collect, conserve, and exhibit vintage posters and live music ephemera from the 1950s through…read moretoday, to educate future generations on the rich and unique music and art culture of San Antonio.

The Rinconcito de Esperanza is part of the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center. This location is used…read morefor special events and they are currently building a new building out of mud bricks to house the women's cooperative. I believe they are hosting events to help make them! How cool is that? I've attended a few events here and there is a really nice sense of community. They have workshops on genealogy or paper flower making among others. The house that is on-site is like a museum as it is staged the way the people who lived there would have their furniture probably back in the 40s/50s. The few times I've attended they've served homemade food and aguas frescas on a donation basis. There's no fancy, expensive food truck here. It's made by the elders and volunteers. The Rinconcito is located a couple of blocks from the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center and there is plenty of street/grass parking. Sign up for the Esperanza's newsletter and keep an eye out for their events here including Paseo por el Westside which is a tour of the neighborhood and the Day of the Dead event. It's a nice Sunday well spent.

This and all the organizations here on the West Side are a JOKE. An event now to protect…read morefamilies,history and culture. Yet all these buildings that are vacant and falling apart. If the West Side took pride in just their neighborhood maybe some of these building would not be homeless encampments. They are having a walking tour on May 7. Go east on Guadalupe turn left on S. Smith St. and look to your right. That is families,history and culture that you are caring about lol. Not even a block away from the Guadalupe Center at the start of the West Side. Code compliance does not even come to this side of town lol. Start there. Take some pride in your Barrio lol.

We went here to see a local show and I have to admit that this place has its ups and downs. The…read morelocation is great, but come early for parking. I didn't see a ramp to go in the center, though I may have missed it so I am not sure how handicap accessible it is. They have a strict no food or drinks allowed in the theater and this is where they lost me. As a diabetic who takes insulin I have my emergency carbs a juice box and water. I normally don't have a problem with this at any other establishment, I even went to a different venue to see an Opera and didn't have any issues when I explained that it was my emergency carbs due to being diabetic. Nope, not here. I couldn't bring my emergency carbs or water. Though this place is nice I will NOT be returning. Having to hide a snack to bring in for emergency carbs felt so wrong! I shouldn't have to do that. Maybe some training for staff members. We diabetics have it in case we need it, that doesn't mean we will be munching and snacking. Believe me we would love to not have to take insulin 4 times a day, and we would love to be able to go out and enjoy a show without feeling like we need to choose health, not being able to participate in mundane things, or feel like a rule breaker because we had to sneak in emergency carbs which we need if our sugar levels crash. In summary, it's a nice place but no thank you!

Great theater! This small theater holds 650 and gets impressive acts considering the size. I've sat…read morein 2nd row and up in the balcony and there's not a bad seat in the house. If you're in balcony it's stadium seating so you don't have to worry about seeing over the person in front of you. I recommend row D or higher in the balcony, otherwise your view may be slightly obstructed by a bar at the top of the glass barrier. Parking is also a breeze with free lots and street parking all around.

Across from City Hall is this very serene and open gallery space run by the city's culture…read moredepartment. Their offices are on the 2nd floor. This first floor galley is unmanned and free to the public. The exhibits rotate frequently. I've attended city meetings and trainings in this space which is a nice change from regular conference rooms to say the least. The building is quiet with not much foot traffic. It's a perfect getaway if you're in downtown and want a moment to yourself. The restaurant O'live is next door.

A gorgeous space in the heart of our city that features wonderful arts & cultural programming.read more

This is one of those events I've been saying for years that I'll attend. I finally made it. I'm…read moreglad. The overcast day makes it pleasant to walk around. Albeit a bit humid. Come on cold front. Many vendors selling mostly handmade stuff. Soaps, hand lotions, jewelry, clothing, artwork. A woman is selling spiral notebooks with decorative fabric covers. Just pretty. My sister is getting this for Christmas. I purchased some earrings made of different seeds and olive pits. Creative as hell. Also found a couple of skull earrings for me. I'm tempted to go for some of the lotions. Maybe I can go back 20 years. Ha, ha. Food, drinks and live music. Conjunto. Yeah, baby. Open today and tomorrow.

I like coming here for the market events. Always lots of things to see and everyone here is so…read morefriendly.