April 2011 - Cover

Downtown Update

By DMD Staff

Chaparral St Parking lot.

The parking lot on the Schatzell / Chaparral corner lot on the 500 block of Chaparral now has spaces available for lease to anyone who cares to apply.

Rates are currently $50pm for Downtown residents.

Application forms may be obtained at the DMD offices at 223N Chaparral St, Ste A or you may telephone 361-882-2363 for additional information.

Hotel Corpus Christi Bayfront.

Renovations and improvements continue at the Hotel Corpus Christi Bayfront at 601 N Water Street with the recent opening of “Downtown Coffee”.
This new coffee shop is located within the hotel looking out on to Water Street and serves a variety of coffees, pastries, and other refreshments. 

FMI (361)882-8100

Another new addition to the services available within the hotel is the Studio V Hair salon offering a full range of hairdressing services to hotel guests and members of the public.

FMI (361)834-7388

Upcoming Events:

April 2nd:
The annual Adopt Downtown pre Boat Show cleanup takes place Saturday all over the Downtown area.

April 30th:
What’s Good 2 – Micro Street Festival on 400 block Peoples Street

May 7th:
Cinco de Mayo festival on 400 block Peoples Street

May 20th:
Downtown block party

Details of these events will be posted on www.dtowncc.com  Events Page as it becomes available.

April 2011 - Texas International Boatshow

Experience the difference of an Outdoor Boat Show!
By Marion Daly

Photo by TIBS

The Texas International Boat Show, presented by American Bank, returns to the Corpus Christi Marina for the fifth year, from April 7th-10th, slightly earlier than it’s usual dates.

With a decided effort in making the event even more appealing to families, the organizers have

extended the Texas Extreme Watersports section of the show, with powerboat racing, which this year features the North American Tri-Hull Powerboat Championship, the Corpus Christi Pro Wakeboard Tournament and the “Battle of the Badges”.

Even with a smaller in-water presence, the show offers a great display of boats including bay boats, lake boats, offshore and power alongside a variety of products and services ranging from jewelry to fishing rods!

There has never been a better time to buy a boat for those considering doing so, and with competitive pricing, and incentives like never before, it is now easier than ever to upgrade or get into boating.

For this purpose the show will feature a selection of exhibits showing how affordable some of these boats have become - with everything featured costing under $250 per month and some considerably less!  Finance and insurance companies will also be available to assist with information on purchase and coverage.

Another featured area this year will be for the local Services to exhibit and promote their particular

expertise, including the US Coast Guard, CC Police Department, CC Fire Department, Naval Air Station and Homeland Security, some of whom will also have individuals on hand to discuss employment opportunities in these various services.

Texas Extreme Watersports:

Photo by TIBS

Powerboating takes center stage, thrilling spectators with the North American Tri-Hull Powerboat Championship, hosted by the Southern Professional Outboard Racing Tour and this

event will be the first stop on the 2011 S.P.O.R.T. Racing Series. 

A major event win for Corpus Christi over two other competing Cities to host this premier event in Tri-Hull racing, this year’s event will feature drivers from all over the USA, including the 2010 Tri-Hull Series Champion, Michael Schubert. Schubert is a 3 time series champion with more victories than any other driver in Tri-Hull history.  One of the toughest drivers on the circuit is 2 time series champion Dustin Terry from Houma, Louisiana.  Terry, along with his younger sister Whitney, and older brother Blake, make up the extremely competitive Team Terry.  Other competitors such as the 2010 Corpus Christi champ Cory Walker, and the always thrilling 63 year old “Scary” Jerry Rinker, will make this year’s event as crazy as any.

A great new fun event for this year will be the “Battle of the Badges”, featuring an inter-services on the water competition - this is the Corpus Christi Police Dept., Fire Dept., Homeland Security

and US Coast Guard as you’ve never seen them before!

Corpus Christi’s finest will face off for inner-tube racing, stand up paddle boarding and an in-water tug-of-war, all of which will keep adrenalin pumping until the last contestant crosses the finish line.

Spectators are encouraged to come and cheer their team to victory and see which of the services

will prevail, and who will take home this year’s bragging rights as Champions of Battle of the Badges!

Photo by TIBS

The Corpus Christi Pro Wakeboard Tournament returns to the Boat Show for the third year,

one of the most unique wakeboard tournaments of the season created by Texas Ski Ranch,

out of Austin, and the Texas International Boat Show.

Because of the location of this tournament, inside the marina, riders are pulled by a personal watercraft, supplied by Gulf Coast Marine, instead of a full size wakeboard boat. Ramps are brought in to give the riders the ability to launch themselves high into the air performing up to 900 degree spins and flips.  While the riders and driver must deal with the tight show course, the crowd is treated to action that is so close to the crowd you can feel a slight mist as the riders go by.  This setting makes this tournament one of the most exciting events of the year! Tom Fooshee, the current WWA World Champion, returns to defend his title against a line up of world class riders. This is one event not to be missed.

The Organizers of the Texas International Boat Show are committed to staging events like this in Corpus Christi and to assist in promoting the health and fitness initiative that Mayor Joe Adame has put in place for the City - events where youngsters can be inspired into a more active lifestyle.

Photo by TIBS

The Corpus Christi Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and the Water Street Restaurant Group

are among the sponsors of these exciting watersport events.

L&F Distributors, the REDC (Regional Economic Development Corp), National Oilwell Varco, Stewart & Stevenson and the Corpus Christi Downtown Management District again return as sponsors of the Boat Show.  All of the boat show sponsors offer incredible support for the show and the promotion of Corpus Christi across Texas, and the USA, as a destination and recreational boating venue.

This year live bands will perform on stage across the four days of the show, courtesy of the

Texas Jazz Festival, the line up is confirmed as:

Thursday, 7th       4.00pm - 6.00pm     Bobby Hesch
Friday, 8th           2.30pm - 5.00pm     Michael Guerra
Saturday, 9th       11.30am - 2.30pm    Lyrical Bynge
                             3.30pm - 6.30pm    Latin Talk
Sunday, 10th         2.00pm - 5.00pm    Eddie Olivares Jr.

Other live performers across the four days of the boat show will include Dean Adamson, a Texas singer/songwriter, guitarist, playing a variety of his own originals with old and new country and rock, as well as Miami based Doug Walker bringing the sounds of the Caribbean with his steel drums.

Also featured at the show will be 4 Wheel Specialties Racing - winners of the 2010 SCORE Tecate Baja 500, one of the biggest off road races in the world, a 500 mile loop that starts and ends in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, heading into the mountains of Baja, Mexico, and continuing through some of the roughest most arid desert in North America ending along the shores of the Pacific Ocean.

On display will be the race truck (owned by Pete "Pistol" Sohren) that won the Baja 500 as well as the race truck (owned by Wes Bevly III) that was built at 4 Wheel Specialties and has already won one race this year and finished 3rd in another.

They will also be raffling an all expenses paid trip to the upcoming race in Primm, Nevada, which will include round trip airfare, hotel accommodations and a ride in the race truck during the race.  Tickets will be $5 either at the shop or from their exhibit at the boat show and all proceeds will be donated to Driscoll Children’s Hospital.

For the first time on Thursday and Friday the show will have special ticket prices at the gate – $5 for Adults and accompanied Kids Free! 

Saturday and Sunday ticket prices at the gate:
Adults: $10.00
Seniors/Military: $8.00
Children 6-14: $3.00
5 and under: Free
Tickets can also be purchased online for Saturday and Sunday – where a $2 adult admission discount is available.

Show Hours:
Thursday, 7th April:     11.30am – 6.00pm   
Opening Ceremony:    11.30am
Friday, 8th April:        12.00am – 7.00pm   
Saturday, 9th April:    10.00am – 7.00pm
Sunday: 10th April:    12.00pm – 7.00pm

Additionally, when you visit your local Academy Sport+Outdoor store you can pick up a $2 off adult admission coupon for Saturday and Sunday with your purchase.

Please visit the website www.texasinternationalboatshow.com for schedules on events taking place at the Boat Show – we look forward to seeing you there!

April 2011 - Melges 24 World Championship

2011 Melges 24 World Championship
By Teri Ficken

Photo by Fiona Brown

In 1992, Buddy Melges won the America’s Cup with America3 in San Diego, California.  Success for Melges was at an all time high.  The America’s Cup Challenge donned a high-tech look and a high performance attitude.  In a boat designed by Reichel Pugh, Buddy Melges captured the America’s Cup title alongside Bill Koch.  Their campaign symbolized the last successful defense of the Cup by an American team. That same December, the Melges 24, also designed by Reichel Pugh, was tested in the snow on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

In 1993, the Melges 24 was officially introduced to the sailboat market.  With its development and introduction, it set the standard in the high performance, sportboat category.  In just four years, the Melges 24 championed the keelboat market by holding its very first World Championship in Torquay, England and five years later in La Rochelle, France expanded to the largest World Championship with an overwhelming attendance of 127.

And now this spectacular event is coming to Corpus Christi as the Corpus Christi Yacht Club hosts the 2011 Melges 24 Worlds.  While we would love to say we are expecting 100 boats, realistically, in this economy, we are planning on around 50 boats, which still means as many as 250 sailors from all over the world will converge on Corpus Christi Bay to take part in this event. (This does not include Regatta Officials, Support Personnel, and National & International press.)  While the Yacht Club has resources to dedicate, one entity cannot do it all.  So, we’ve reached out to the Community for help and the response has been terrific. 
An Economic Impact Study was done by Texas A&M Corpus Christi which showed that the 2002 Opti Worlds and the 2002 J/22 Worlds brought over 4.2 million dollars into Corpus Christi.  It is estimated that the 2006 J/80 Worlds brought in about the same amount for just the one event.  We feel that the 2011 Melges 24 Worlds will bring in far more, and we want the focus to be downtown. 

We are not new to running Championship events.  In 2002, we hosted the Opti Worlds and the J/22 Worlds, and in 2006 we hosted the J/80 Worlds for which we won the prestigious St. Petersburg Yacht Club Trophy awarded by US Sailing for excellence in Race Management.  The majority of folks that ran that event are back to run this one as well.
The OMNI Marina is the “official” hotel of the Regatta, so we are working to partner with downtown businesses to provide incentives to keep these folks from wandering south.  We’ve been telling the participants that anything they need or want can be had with in walking distance downtown. 
We are really happy to be working with the Downtown Management District and its members to help make this an exciting and successful event.  Some members such as the Yachting Center at Harrison’s Landing and Water Street Seafood Restaurants are already on board, as well as some other non-member Downtown businesses.  The racers will know who’s involved in providing discounts or freebies of some sort by a flyer to be displayed at the entrance to the business.  These folks are coming from all over the US, as well as Europe and some from as far away as Australia.  You can see a list of entrants by going to the regatta web site, www.melgesworlds.com . When they get here, they’ll be ready to race hard and party harder.
There is a Facebook page created by the US Melges 24 Class Association called “the Road to Corpus”.  It’s promoting 4 events, Key West Race Week which was in January, Miami Mid-Winter’s which was in February, the Bacardi Cup in Miami in March and Charleston Race Week in April all leading up to the Worlds here in May.  So, you can see there is a lot of effort being made to bring as many boats as possible to this event. Boats may start arriving as early as April after the conclusion of Charleston Race Week.  Storage on the L-Head is available as is offsite storage being offered by Vince Denais, Rugged Cycles. 
The majority of boats and participants will begin to arrive the weekend of May 8th.  Corpus Christi Marina, a partner in this venture, is closing the Boat Ramp on the L-head from May 9 – 15 so we can have a staging and launching area.  The Nueces County Boat Ramp off the Nueces Bay Causeway will be open for public use as always.  The Regatta officially begins on Wednesday, May 11th, when we start registering and weighing boats.  The weekend of May 14th is a Pre-Worlds Regatta, which is more of a practice venue for all concerned, racers and race committee alike.  Then the fun really begins on Monday, May 16th when the Worlds racing begins. The first signal is at 11am daily and there are two races per day.  Racing concludes on Saturday, May 21st with an Awards Ceremony being held at the OMNI Marina.  So as you can see, there will be plenty of opportunities for the participants to make use of the bars, restaurants, and shops downtown, as well as for downtown folk to view some awesome racing. 
While you can’t really see the start from Shoreline, you will be able to see the spinnakers on the down wind leg of the course, and what a sight that is to behold.  If you’re really lucky and have access to one of the office buildings downtown or on the bluff, you’ll certainly get an eyeful.  Let’s all pray for sunshine and wind for this event.

Should you want to go out on the water to view the start of a race, contact Monte at the Yachting Center at Harrison’s Landing.  They will be providing a spectator boat for on the water viewing at a reduced rate, but you’ll probably need to reserve a spot so be sure to call first.
While sailing events may not be as visual as say power boat races, kiteboarding or windsurfing, the benefits can be greater.  Regattas usually last anywhere from 5 – 10 days while these other 3 – 4 days and all the participants need to eat, sleep and be entertained for the entire period.  All events that bring revenue into our City are important.  A lot of time is spent marketing our beaches, fishing, etc., now is our opportunity to show the world once again what a world class sailing venue this is and how hospitable and welcoming our business community can be.  Working together with all of our sponsors, we can make the 2011 Melges 24 Worlds an event to be remembered and talked about for a long time.

April 2011 - First Friday ArtWalk

First Friday ArtWalk
By Alan S Albin

April 1st
5:30 to 9:00 pm
It’s April 1st but it’s no joke in Downtown Corpus Christi because on the First Friday of every month more than 60 businesses open their doors and welcome ArtWalkers in for an evening of fun, food, and fantastic art.
Always remembering that the definition of “art” on ArtWalk encompasses everything from sculpture, pottery, photography, performance, painting, music, jewelry, food, film, dance, and pretty much anything else you could imagine which guarantees that there will always be something for every taste at each event.

ArtWalk is a self guided tour of galleries, studios, businesses, and gallery for an evening venues in the  Downtown area which now encompasses venues from S.E.A. Town to The Center at 505 S Water Street and all points in between. ArtWalk has expanded so much recently that it is no longer possible to tour every venue on foot in one evening.
However, thanks to the Downtown Management District who own “Trammie” the DTown Tram which operates in the Central Downtown area and The CCRTA who provide the ArtWalk Express using their Community Bus to service the outlying areas to the North and South of Downtown,  dedicated “ArtWalkers” could actually visit every venue if they put their minds to it! Both these transports are provided free to ArtWalkers.

Photo by Alan S Albin

As always the official ArtWalk band, HOBO, play on board the DTown Tram entertaining tram riders and, thanks to the installation of a power inverter on the tram, most everyone else within a four block radius with their particular brand of “Honkadelica”. Sometimes serious, sometimes funny, but always with a careful mind to our mixed audience the guys moderate their less subtle lyrics to suit this family oriented event!

Photo by Alan S Albin

In La Retama Park visitors will find artist vendors, food vendors, live music, which in April will be provided by Get Off The Lawn! Bluegrass band, and a festive atmosphere permeates this delightful small Downtown park throughout the evening. It is the ideal place to start your ArtWalk as both the Tram and the RTA Express service connect here on the Peoples Street side of the park. The DMD has a booth in the Park where you can pick up a copy of the ArtWalk map and information about events specific to the April ArtWalk. Also T-Shirts decorated with the ArtWalk walking man logo can be purchased here for only $10 or you might even win one in the prize draw which takes place at 8:45pm. Details of all prizes can be found on the ArtWalk website.

K Space Contemporary art gallery will feature in the Main Gallery: Fear & Loathing: Works by Sonia Berg, Rosemary Cantu, Jorge Lopez, and Justin Varner.
In the gift shop: Art Star: Photography by Jennifer Arnold and in the Hot Spot Gallery on the third floor, Indelible: works by the artists of Electra Art – Axis Tattoo

Moving on to the WaterStreet Market and the musician of the month is Dennis Ramos, famous for his song about “Corpus Gus”, which he may sing for you if you ask.
The WaterStreet Group of restaurants are all offering their own ArtWalk specials and to entertain you in Executive Surf Club during Friday night happy hour – Cruise Control. The Treehouse Art Collective will have a featured artist of the month on site to discuss their work and many of the Associate Artists will be in the market place selling their art.
Surf Club Records and the Texas Surf Museum will be hosting a beer tasting.
Up on Shoreline The Corpus Christi Center for the Arts will be featuring two performances by dance group Celtic Flair at 6pm and 8:30pm. To entertain you at other times there will be performances by Lili and Steffen Banta who are singer and magician respectively. Art on display during April includes: “Going Green” – Festival of the Arts exhibition. Ed Boyd, Recent work from 2010 Dimension Exhibition Best of Show award winner and Object Art, Group exhibition curated by Dianna Bluntzer and Miller H.S, Student artwork
Further afield, at The Center 505 S Water Street, the Tango Tea Room will be featuring the art of Lisa Olsen whilst Studio 111 will be hosting the South Texas Underground Film Group. Abba Bellydance will have live music, dancers, and goodies to eat. Many other businesses within this complex will be open on ArtWalk night so pay them a visit and show support for their efforts. The RTA ArtWalk Express operates a 30 minute schedule to this location.

Photo by Alan S Albin

New for April, The Art Museum of  South Texas will be open to ArtWalkers who may wish to attend a free screening of David Lowery’s film – St. Nick. The film will start at 7pm and lasts 86 minutes after which there will be a Q & A period with the director.  The RTA ArtWalk Express will include this venue in its’ schedule between 6:30 and 9:00 pm.

Many other venues will be open in the Central Downtown area and information on these, and maps of the ArtWalk, can be obtained from First Friday Ambassadors who wear orange polo shirts and circulate Downtown on Segways, or from First Friday Volunteers wearing orange T-Shirts. They will be on the DTown Tram, The RTA ArtWalk Express, in the park, and at various other Artwalk venues. If you see an orange shirt – Just ask them! Parking Control staff will again be circulating Downtown throughout the evening  and they also will have a supply of maps.

Photo by Alan S Albin

ArtWalk is organized by the Corpus Christi Downtown Management District.  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of or a participant in the ArtWalk, or have any art related business, suggestions or ideas in regard to the Art Walk, contact Alan Albin, Downtown Management District (alanalbin@dtowncc.com, 882-2363). To become a vendor in La Retama Park contact Michelle Smythe of K Space Contemporary, info@kspacecontemporary.org.


FMI: www.artwalkcc.com or www.facebook.com/artwalkcc

April 2011 - Featured Artist: Aurora Perez

Artist Profile - Aurora Perez
By Megan Brieger:

Aurora at the ArtWalk Workshop
Photo by Alan S Albin

Born into one of those genetically artistic families, Aurora Perez has been drawing for as long as she can remember. Though art has never been far from her mind, Aurora has dedicated the past five years of her life to creating her family; focusing all of her attention on being mother and wife. It was only very recently that the artist inside caught hold of the inspiration it needed to resurface, and has been working continuously for the past three months to make up for lost time.
   
As a self-taught portrait artist, Aurora incorporates pencil, glitter, rhinestones and jewelry to create her pieces. She’s named her style “under the light” art, and says anyone with a piece of her art would need to put it under a lamp or in an area with lots of lighting to be able to really see and fully understand it. Her passion is working with people and her goal is to create meaning for others through her portraits. “I always visualize a person going home and turning on a light, and my portrait of someone who is truly special to them starts to just kind of shine in their eyes and it  gives them a feeling of comfort.”

Now that art has re-established its place in her heart, Aurora is eager and excited to introduce herself as an artist to Corpus Christi. “I’m very, very, super new to all of this! I’ve never exposed or talked to anybody about my art so this really means a lot to me and I’m very happy to have this opportunity to introduce myself as an artist. I just know this is my passion and that it’s what I want to do.”
She is currently in the process of negotiating with an ArtWalk venue for an opportunity to show her work at ArtWalk in a month or two. She plans to continue finding ways to put herself out there and make her work known. With an extremely supportive and motivational group of family and friends behind her, Aurora is more than ready to finally share her “glamorous” work with the rest of the public.