1. Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum
116 Blue Star, (210) 227-6960, bluestarart.org
Despite the “museum” moniker, San Antonio’s longest-running contemporary art space has always felt more like a big gallery. Last year, amid a swirl of leadership changes, Blue Star managed to host the gargantuan centerpiece group show for the Texas Biennial. More recently, the institution wisely chose Mary Heathcott as the latest executive director, sure to help this star shine even brighter.
2. Cinnabar Art and Custom Jewelry Gallery
1420 S Alamo, Ste 147, (210) 557-6073, cinnabarart.com
3. Gravelmouth Gallery
1906 S Flores, (210) 367-2528, gravelmouthgallery.com
1. SoFlo Market
1344 S Flores, soflomarket.com
We admit this is not the answer we expected for this subcategory, but SoFlo is so darn cute it deserves the hype. The one-year-old, pop-up artisan market takes over a warehouse the second Saturday of every month with a small but well curated selection of vendors hawking handmade items from lotería-inspired T-shirts to all-natural skincare products and plenty of Spurs-related tchotchkes in between.
2. The Ten Eleven
1011 Avenue B, (210) 320-9080, theteneleven.com
3. TIE: The Renewable Republic
1903 S St. Mary’s, (210) 338-8810
10BitWorks
1020 Roosevelt, 10bitworks.com
1. Luminaria
luminariasa.org
We assume you based your choice on last year’s Luminaria, because this March came and went without the City-sponsored evening extravaganza of arts for all. Last year, news broke that the six-year-old fest was considering major changes like moving the one-night event to the fall and expanding it to 10 days, plus inviting non-local artists to participate. Since then, Luminaria reps have been mum on details.
2. Mizuumi-Con
Our Lady of the Lake University, 411 SW 24th St, mizuumicon.org
3. Maverick Music Festival
La Villita, maverickmusicfestival.com
San Antonio Botanical Gardens
555 Funston, (210) 207-3250, sabot.org
Feeling exhibitionist? Too randy to make it home? Digs not suited for bangin’? If you’re caught, sex in public is a Class A misdemeanor, meaning a fine of up to $4,000 and up to a year in the big house. But if Uncle Sam’s discipline adds to the act’s kinkiness, appease that public lust at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. Try the East Texas Pineywoods area for some backwoods lovin’, or the futuristic Palm and Cycad Pavilion for getting weird in a utopian, tropical setting. Whatever you’re looking for, SABOT offers several backdrops for bumpin’ uglies, from vaguely secluded to all-out on display. But please, check your plant allergies first and avoid the children’s vegetable garden.
