Monthly Archives: October 2014
Beyond The Canvas
Beyond The Canvas
We from River City Attractions wish to Congratulations the winners!!
First Place went to Olesya Korsakoff & Kyle Otto as Mr Freeze.
Second Place went to Jason Lozano & Neal Henderson as The Red Lantern Atrocitus
Third Place went to Jsn Art & Belinda Lopes as Female Robocop!!!
All the competing artists and models in our opinion need to be congratulated as well. Like going to an ice-cream parlor that has over 57Flavors what to choose… What to choose….Hummm. It’s the same thing here at “BTC” 7th annual event. Everybody had their favorite. Seeing the models on the cat walk was wonderful and I enjoyed it immensely. One thing that caught me off guard was the time and effort the models and artists put in to get ready to compete. It’s in the detail. Look at some of the pictures we put on line and you will see. From head to toe, it looks like a lot of work to me. Shading is something I place close attention to. It gives depth where there is none. The overall effect was magical.
Before the competition began. It was all business. The paint was flowing. Still, everybody was polite. I ask a few questions on hair and wigs“How do you keep the paint from smearing (use hair spray to set it)
It was a friends and family’s having a good time all around. Food trucks and venders selling their wares. A great San Antonio Night.
Anthony the poet” was at the mic introducing the models and the Artists. I got a kick how the models transform when all eye’s and lights are on them. At that point, the villains or super heroes came out. After the last model walked the stage. It was time for them to relax together in all there painted glory.
Just a reminder on Sunday the 26th it’s the ZOMBI WALK down town. BTC will be there with a booth. http://www.sanantoniozombiewalk.com/
I’ve been told it’s going to be BIG BIG BIG. Guinness book of world records is sending people to confirm if it is going to be the largest gathering of zombies.
Filming of the upcoming new movie called “ZOMBI REIGN” is schedule to be there as well. (A story and information on the Zombie Reign will be posted on this web site shortly)
Thank you having a great event here in San Antonio.
Story and Pictures by Joseph Martinez
River City Attractions ,
We want to send out a very special Thank you to Ariel Valdez,
Who look great as KAMEN RIDER GAIM and for giving us the heads up on the event.
Find out more information on BTC At
https://www.facebook.com/beyondthecanvassa
Night bird and The Damn Torpedoes
Night bird and The Damn Torpedoes
Next month Nov 8th at “Sam’s Burger Joint” Be there. It’s going to be a double header. Two of my favorite Texas bands together.
A couple of months ago I have an opportunity to check out Night bird. And,, O-Boy What a great time I had listening to them.
Night bird – A Tribute to Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac
Speaking to my editor Eddie, What is the best way to let San Antonio know about Night Bird, He said Give them a shout out when they come back to San Antonio. What Better timing than when my other favorite Texas band comes on in to town
The Damn Torpedoes ( A Tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
Brooke Alyson – Stevie Nicks Vocalist Brooke says, “Like Stevie, I try to take you away to a little fantasy world for a while, and simply keep the dream alive that she began. If I can do that, I’ve done my job.” Brook has the moves, she haves the voice, and importantly. She has the heart to be a performer. What I loved about Brook is how warm she is to her adoring fans. Her fellow band members are on par on talent as well.
Adam Walton – Guitar/Vocals Nice clear and clean What more can I say . He is very good. Just one of the many reasons I am going to Sams Burger joint on the 8th
Wolff DeLong – Bass/Vocals/Percussion. Wolff has a deep history playing music and worth going to their web site to read the details. His playing is spot on. See more at: http://www.nightbirdtribute.com/about.html#sthash.edCt2ejg.dpuf
Kelli Thompson – Keys/Vocals/Acoustic Guitar/Percussion Playing from a young age; Kelli Carries herself well on stage. From marching bands to metal band and receiving a full music scholarship at Illinois Weslayan University. You can see that music is flowing in here veins. See more at: http://www.nightbirdtribute.com/about.html#sthash.edCt2ejg.dpuf
Jason Phillips – Drums Jason Also started playing at a very young age. When I look at a tribute band I look on how well the duplicate the original music. all I can say is job well done. A very fine drummer. See more at: http://www.nightbirdtribute.com/about.html#sthash.edCt2ejg.dpuf
The Damn Torpedoes A super tribute band that’s what they are. Check the out cool story and pictures on the Damm Torpedoes’ here at http://www.rivercityattractions.com/the-damn-torpedoes-a-tribute-to-tom-petty/
I can hardly wait to Brooke Alyson and Ty Hurless Sing at Sam’s burger Joint.
Don’t make a mistake; mark your calendar – Nov 8th.
Story and Pictures by Joseph Martinez
Want to see more on night bird?
http://www.nightbirdtribute.com/welcome.html
https://www.facebook.com/stevienickstributeband
https://twitter.com/nightbirdlive
The Blue Note Ringos
The Blue Note Ringos
Story and pictures by Joseph Martinez
“We don’t do costumes.” Frankly they don’t need it. Their talents flow freely on stage. It’s a joy to find a hidden gem here in San Antonio. If you Love “The Beatles” you will truly enjoy the
The BLUE NOTE RINGOS .
The Ringos are a cover band that stays true to the original songs played by The Beatles.
I get the impression of reverence when I was listening to them. I can truly see that they Love the Beatles music.
What I very much appreciate was any song in the vast Beatles library, they could play.
And not just so,so but, just like I remember when I played them on vinyl long ago.
The music was flawless. Not a miss- note at all.
I especially like the obscure title they covered.
Bulldog, Dear Prudence, Lovely Rita, Strawberry fields, Magical mystery tour; just to name a few.
Band members
Key Board vocal: D. G. Lara
Guitar: – Joe Killough
Bass guitar Daryl Chadick
Lead guitar vocal: Val Cronk
Drums: Karl Yelderman
Check out the blue note ringos web site for more information on them
http://www.thebluenoteringos.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Blue-Note-Ringos/144322402365421
http://www.reverbnation.com/thebluenoteringos
Get in touch with then at dan@thebluenoteringos.com
Really… words can’t take the place of hearing them.
You can find them at the “COVE”; the first Thursday of the month.
Sit back and enjoy the music, grab a cold beer.
Now you are set for a great night
Thanks guy’s
Joseph Martinez
River City Attractions
Alamo City Comic Con Experience 2014
Story by: David A. De La Rosa
Photographs by: Joseph Martinez
Alamo City Comic Con Experience 2014
I went to last year’s inaugural Alamo City Comic Con, and left that experience very impressed. I walked into this second annual convention wondering if the organizers of this event could top off the previous convention. My expectations were high, I’m happy to report that I was not disappointed with this 2014 convention. This event had everything you would want from a comic con family fun, costumes, art work, toys, comic books, and special celebrity guests.
First let me state the differences between this year’s con from the previous one. Last year I had interviewed a few vendors they told me that they had not anticipated the huge turnout, and something had to be done for next year’s con in regards to the convention space. I knew what the vendors were talking about the space was kind of limited, and people walked the isles like cattle with no room to breathe much less peruse the merchandise. Only one exposition hall had been used last year.
Social media stated that this year the entire convention center would be utilized. I walked into the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center the first day of the con, and saw that all of the exposition halls had been used. This space was easily three to four times the amount from last year. The expanded square footage in convention space translated into an increased number of artists selling their prints, I didn’t remember there being this many artists last year. The increase in convention space also helped with the autograph sections in which lines for these can get long and seem not to move at all. This year was great for those seeking autographs because it seemed to go without a hitch.
People in these lines waited for autographs from the likes of Stan Lee (creator of Spiderman, Fantastic Four, and the Hulk, to name a few comic book heroes) there was also crew members from the starship Enterprise, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, and Walter Koenig. I wanted to see Freddy Krueger himself Robert Englund and he was there signing (for a complete list of special guests www.alamocitycomiccon.com/guests ).
There was also a ball room set up for photo op’s with these celebrities. The extra space was a major improvement from last year. The vendors got their convention space increased; also the isles were widened so more free flowing foot traffic helped convention goers shop from vendor booth to booth. I have to tell you I really appreciated that because last year people kept on bumping into me when I was looking through stacks of comics.
The increase in space also helped another aspect of the convention experience which is attending the Q&A panels. There were three or four panels going on at the same time every hour. That to me was great also the people running the event also tried very hard to have these panels on schedule. Last year the schedule for some of these panels were out of control. This year’s event was better organized the lines to get into the convention center that wrapped outside around the block were done away with. There were lines inside the convention center that directed attendees to attain their passes and exclusive con premiums. This was great because this year there was a little bit of rain, and I would have hated to see a bunch of people in wet costumes.
My personal experience attending the convention was great I didn’t spend all of my time analyzing and critiquing everything I had fun too. I like attending the panels I went to five of them the Nightmare on Elm St. panel, the horror panel, and the Stan Lee panel. I was thoroughly entertained by them all they were very informative and it was great to see people like Robert Englund, Linda Blair, and the national treasure himself Stan Lee. One of the main draws to this convention was The Walking Dead actors in attendance. Their panel was great, and the actor’s insight with regards to the characters they portray on the show very informative. Everyone in the audience could tell that the panelist wanted to be there. Each actor was very friendly, and open to answering the audiences questions. There was mutual admiration between the panel and the audience.
Another panel I attended and enjoyed was the Weird Science panel. I was a preteen when I first saw this movie, and I laughed my head off at the theater. Both of the stars of this film were there Anthony Michael Hall, and Ilan Mitchell-Smith. They both spoke about their careers and the film. It felt great to see them at the con, but it also made me think the movie came out almost 30 years ago. I’m getting old.
I like the fact that I could walk around in an event such as this, and ask convention goers in costume to pose for photographs. There is always great homemade costumes that make you say wow. Where else can someone go see their favorite heroes or villains in the flesh other than a comic con? Some families came all dressed up, seeing mom and dad get into the act is fun.
I also attended a costume contest on Saturday, and I was very moved when time was taken to celebrate the life of Aquaman San Antonio, Jonathan Vela. For those of you who do not know he was a gentleman who dressed up as Aquaman who would go to hospitals to entertain sick children and brought awareness to various children’s causes. The Vela family was on hand for this tribute, and received a humanitarian award called the Trident posthumously for Jonathan. Its events like this small tribute that makes this comic con a community festival, one more thing to be proud of our beautiful city. It makes me think that this whole event is not solely motivated by money. There is a sense of community and family woven in the fabric of this comic con.
I went to the Stan Lee panel; a gentleman stated he and his family came all the way down from North Carolina to meet Mr. Lee. I was surprised by how far people were willing to come to our city for this event. This comic con has grown a lot for its two years in existence, and believe it will continue to grow maybe one day become this biggest in the country.
You know things are always bigger in Texas.
See Ya Next year!! River City Attractions