Look at the bright lights and that mural over there! Do you hear that music playing? Where is it coming from?
It’s Luminaria! And don’t worry, you haven’t missed out yet. This year, for the first time, Luminaria will take place in the fall on Nov. 7-8 as opposed to its usual springtime celebration.
Luminaria 2014 will be held in the River North area, expanding up to Augusta Street and down to the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts with St. Mary’s Street running right through the center. This two-night event will feature visual and performing art from San Antonio artists as well as artists from Latin America.
Since the first Luminaria celebration in 2008, more than 3,000 artists have been exhibited and more than 1 million people have attended. Over 1,200 visual art pieces and 900 performances have been featured.
This year, the range of talent from painters to sculptors and from musicians to dancers looks promising. Featured Luminaria artists include Albert Reyes (painter), Hector Zamora (sculptor) and Hugo Navarro (sound artist) along with many more.
From 6 p.m. to midnight on both nights, the festival grounds will be buzzing with music and art.
More than 40 artists will be set up around the designated Luminaria area. Some artists will be situated along the river level of the River Walk, while others will be on the street level of the River Walk for enjoyment at your leisure.
There will be eight stages on the outskirts of the festival grounds. The three River Duets stages will be staggered along the River Walk. The Main, Southwest School DJ and Library stages will be located on the north side of the festival grounds near the Southwest School of Art. Last but not least, the El Tropicano Stage and the Havana Stage will be set up on the street level of the River Walk.
In addition to the music and art showcases, a new daytime event called Luminaria Convergence will be held on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Panelists will host different discussions throughout the day.
The first discussion will be Generosity or Philanthropy: A Conversation on Hispanic Giving, followed by Luminaria Artists Connection: Linking San Antonio Performing Artists to the Country. Both will take place at Cafe Commerce at the San Antonio Central Library. The itinerary for the second half of the day includes Comida de la Calle: Culinary Crossroads, taking place at Pearl Studio, and finally, back at Cafe Commerce, a debate – Creative Placemaking: Building Community or Displacing It?
Food trucks and beer stands will be scattered around the area, so bring your appetite. Enjoy the food and the live music while viewing the visual and performing arts. All of your senses will thank you.
To purchase tickets, view the artist lineup and more, visit luminariasa.org.
