Murals in Essex Modern City in San Antonio

Closeup of a mural at Essex Modern City in San Antonio. - photo by Joe Alexander
Closeup of a mural at Essex Modern City in San Antonio.
Some of San Antonio’s top muralists gathered at Essex Modern City on Saturday, Jan. 6, for Paint Jam 4.

While new work was going up, there were plenty of existing paintings to attract local art fans on the walls of the former manufacturing building near downtown.

Rad Dance Band in San Antonio

Rad Dance Band on the outdoor stage at Chicken N Pickle in San Antonio on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. – photo by Joe Alexander
Rad Dance Band on the outdoor stage at Chicken N Pickle in San Antonio on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. – photo by Joe Alexander
Rad Dance Band played at Chicken N Pickle in San Antonio near UTSA.
The band plays 80s era dance music.

Dia De Los Muertos art at La Villita

I like dogs, so it should be no surprise that this was one of my favorites at the Day of the Dead San Antonio celebration during Dia De Los Muertos weekend at La Villita. – photo by Joe Alexander
I like dogs, so it should be no surprise that this was one of my favorites at the Day of the Dead San Antonio celebration during Dia De Los Muertos weekend at La Villita. – photo by Joe Alexander
There are so many incredibly talented artists in South Texas.

Some of their work is currently on display in the public 2023 Dia de los Muertos art for the Day of the Dead San Antonio celebration.

Dia De Los Muertos skulls at La Villita

Day of the Dead skull Texas style.- photo by Joe Alexander
Day of the Dead skull Texas style.- photo by Joe Alexander
Dia De Los Muertos and Halloween season always mean large, brightly colored skulls in downtown San Antonio.

Several of those are located close together in La Villita, where there were lively crowds Saturday and Sunday for Day of the Dead San Antonio celebration.

Day of the Dead San Antonio celebration during Dia De Los Muertos weekend at La Villita. - photo by Joe Alexander
Day of the Dead San Antonio celebration during Dia De Los Muertos weekend at La Villita.

Punk rockers Girl In A Coma announce reunion concert dates

Girl In A Coma playing in San Antonio, Texas, in July, 2016. - photos by Joe Alexander
Girl In A Coma playing in San Antonio, Texas, in July, 2016. – photos by Joe Alexander
San Antonio legendary punk rockers Girl In A Coma announced dates for three reunion concerts:
Dec. 7 at the Continental Club in Houston
Dec. 8 at Paper Tiger in San Antonio
Dec. 9 at The Mohawk in Austin

Their ticket info is on Facebook

Chris Cuevas Project at Commons Park at The Rim

The Chris Cuevas Project with some sunset blues. - photo by Joe Alexander
The Chris Cuevas Project with some sunset blues. – photo by Joe Alexander
The Chris Cuevas Project played as the setting sun lit up Commons Park at the Rim on San Antonio’s north side on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023.

Fort Worth Stockyards

One of the residents of the herd at the Fort Worth Stockyards. - photo by Joe Alexander
One of the residents of the herd at the Fort Worth Stockyards. – photo by Joe Alexander
The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District is packed with restaurants, shops, drinking establishments, world famous country music honky tonk Billy Bob’s Texas and, of course, the stockyards and their resident herd.

Official site: www.fortworthstockyards.org

Official site: billybobstexas.com

Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que in Fort Worth

Lunch is served at Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que in Fort Worth, Texas. - photo by Joe Alexander
Lunch is served at Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que in Fort Worth, Texas. – photo by Joe Alexander
You can’t have a first-class road trip if you don’t eat right.

My first stop was Fort Worth and legendary Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que.

Located next to Billy Bob’s Texas in the Fort Worth Stockyards area, Cooper’s has been serving Texas Style barbeque since 1962.

Port Isabel Lighthouse

Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site. - photo by Joe Alexander
Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site. – photo by Joe Alexander
The old Port Isabel Lighthouse on the lower gulf coast of Texas is 57 feet tall and was built in 1852.

Texas Highway 100 passes nearby as it becomes the Queen Isabella Causeway from Port Isabel to South Padre Island.

SandCastle Village at South Padre Island

SandCastle Village at South Padre Island. - photo by Joe Alexander
SandCastle Village at South Padre Island. – photo by Joe Alexander
SandCastle Village is just off Padre Boulevard on the Laguna Madre side of South Padre Island, Texas, on West Ling Street.

SandCastle Village at South Padre Island. - photo by Joe Alexander
SandCastle Village at South Padre Island.