festiva (may 27, 2011)

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TEJANO LEGENDPASSES AWAY

PHOTOGALLERIES

Yanni at McAllen Civic Center

STAFFBRANDON R. GARCIAEDITOR [email protected]

ZACK QUAINTANCEWRITER [email protected]

AMY NICHOL SMITHWRITER [email protected]

CRYSTAL OLVERAWRITER [email protected]

TRAVIS M. WHITEHEADWRITER [email protected]

COPY/PHOTO DESK TAMARA CUPPLESAMY CASEBIERBRUNO GARCIASANTOS GARCIANYDIA GARZA TELMA GUZMAN JUAN LUEVANODAVID VALLE

PHOTOGRAPHERS JAMES COLBURNGABE HERNANDEZNATHAN LAMBRECHTDELCIA LOPEZJOEL MARTINEZ

Festiva, a product of The Monitor and Valley Freedom Newspapers of South Texas, is the Rio Grande Valley’s oldest and most established weekly arts and entertainment publication. It is available in every Friday edition of The Monitor. Story sug-gestions, comments and criticisms may be e-mailed to [email protected]. For advertising inquires, contact Christina Castillo at (956) 683-4177 or Pily Toledo at (956) 683-4164.

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The Valley recently lost another tejano legend. Guitar virtuoso Ramiro “Snow-ball” De La Cruz died of a heart attack last Friday. The 68-year-old left behind his wife, Felicitas, along with six chil-dren.

De La Cruz was best known for his guitar skills and was a member of sev-eral popular South Texas tejano bands including Los Fabulosos 4, Los Unicos, Personalities and Snowball and Compa-ny with superstar vocalist Laura Canales. He also played alongside Los Dos Gilber-tos and Freddy Fender.

Born with albinism, De La Cruz was nicknamed “Snowball” and “El Guero Polvos” by his family and the local tejano community.

But it was his progressive guitar play-ing and distinct musical arrangements that had tejano fans listening.

“He was a pace-setter,” musician and friend Carlos Guzman told Action 4 News in a story.

“A guy who was setting a new trend in

what was known as the little musician trying to play t he guitar – without even trying – he was just gifted.”

Born April 14, 1943, De La Cruz grew up in El Barrio La Paloma in South McAllen.

De La Cruz received his fi rst guitar, which he named “Rusty,” at the age of 17.

He was a graduate of McAllen High School and a student at Pan American University.

Snowball continued his musical career in 2002, recording an album with the Christian group Los Mensajeros de Cris-to. In 2004, he and his band Los Fabu-losos 4 were inducted into the Tejano Roots Hall of Fame.

His family said he could always be heard strumming his guitar at family gatherings.

“Ever since I was little, I used to sing melodies without even knowing the song — it’s in my veins,” Crystal De La Cruz, Snowball’s youngest daughter told Ac-tion 4 News. “Whatever he was I am.”

NEXT WEEKFESTIVA.THEMONITOR.COM/CATEGORY/PHOTOS/

Deborah Case Dance Academy

THE FESTIVA2F THE MONITOR | FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011FESTIVA.THEMONITOR.COM

STORY BY CRYSTAL OLVERA

RAMIRO ‘SNOWBALL’ DE LA CRUZ

FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011 | THE MONITOR 3FFESTIVA.THEMONITOR.COM

� NEW CONCERTS � JUNE 3

MARK CHESNUTT

Country music star Mark Chestnutt will be performing at 7 p.m. Friday, June 3, at the new-ly remodeled Pharr Events Center, formerly the Pharr International Convention Center.

Chestnutt is headlining the event, which will also feature Ryan Turner and a local opening act.

Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at the Pharr Events Center box offi ce, local HEBs and at www.ticketmaster.com. [ANS]

MUVE MUSIC

The Muve Music summer concert series debuts this summer with three shows, and the fi rst starts at 5 p.m. Fri-day, June 10, at the McAllen Convention Center.

Three stages outside will feature local and national performers from DJs to acoustic acts.

Vendors will line the walkways of-fering jewelry, crafts, art and clothing. There will be concessions, games and

activities to go along with the hours of music.

Some of the artists playing include Cyfa, Brio, Ideophonic, Radar, Land-Locked Pirates, Fresco, Jonathan Lopez, Adam Wratten and Southern Train.

Admission is free but concert-goers will need to register for the concerts.

For more information on the upcom-ing events and how to register, visit www.mcallensummer.com. [ANS]

New concert series will have local, national acts

Is Weslaco teen thecutest vegetarian?

An 18-year-old woman from Weslaco could win peta2’s contest for cutest vegetarian.

Suzeii Sierra landed among 10 fi nalists after defeat-ing 1,200 entrants. You can learn more about the con-test, including how to vote, here http://features.peta2.com/cutest-veg-2011/Finalists.aspx.

Peta2, which is the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal’s branch for young adults, will announce the winner Monday, June 6. The prize is a professional photo shoot and star placement in a peta2 advertise-ment.

Suzeii turned vegan at age 12 after she visited Mexico and heard pigs crying out in a slaughterhouse. She says the lifestyle change has helped her feel better ethically and physically. She credits her mother for pre-paring vegan-friendly enchiladas and tostadas.

Suzeii also volunteers with Food Not Bombs, an or-ganization that provides vegan and vegetarian meals to the hungry. [ZQ]

� COMEDY

Memorial Day ExtravaganzaLocal comedians Mark “The Mexican’t” Ola-barrieta and Raymond Orta will headline this comedy show. The show is open to attend-ees 18 and older. Tickets cost $7 pre-sale, $9 at the door or $4 for veterans and active duty military.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday, May 29WHERE: Metropolis, 2021 Orchid Ave., McAllen COST: Tickets are $7 pre-sale or $9 at the door

� AUDITIONS

‘Like You Crazy’This movie is a love story set in an insane asylum, and, really, is there a better place for a fi lm about love? But fi rst things fi rst, the producers need actors. They are holding auditions Friday, May 27, and Saturday, May 28, at Hermes Music Foundation in McAllen. They need to fi ll the following roles: a doc-tor with OCD over the age of 40, two creepy nurses older than 30, an old lovable man older than 60, a mom older than 30, a de-crepit yet cute woman older than 60, a para-noid man older than 30, a military man older than 30 with paranoia, and a few more.

WHEN: 6 p.m. Friday, May 27, and 2 p.m. Saturday, May 28WHERE: Hermes Music Foundation, 409 S. Broadway Blvd., McAllen

� FILM

Adventure Week Camp Children in grades fi rst through sixth are in-vited to this free day camp at Calvary Bap-tist Church in McAllen. The participants can pick between sports, art and Bible activities. Parents are encouraged to call in advance to register or visit www.calvarymcallen.org. There will be free breakfast and lunch..

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday, June 6, through Thursday, June 9WHERE: Calvary Baptist Church, 1600 Harvey Drive, McAllenCOST: FreeCALL: (956) 686-4364GRADES: First through sixth

XXXXXXXXXX

fter graduating high school and college and starting a family, it seems unlikely any-one would take up old high

school extracurricular activities. For Steve Urbina, 34, and many of his

former Donna High School classmates, it was a natural step for the actors who left their old alma mater more than 15 years ago, and recently returned to the Rio Grande Valley.

In 1991, a handful of students joined forces with an English teacher to create a drama group, which went on to compete at UIL state meets and put Donna High School on the map for theater. Now more than half a dozen of those former classmates are coming together again to entertain, educate and have an outlet for creative expression. The International Theatre of Texas actors will be putting their improvisation, acting and musical talents to test at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at Savory Perks in Weslaco.

There is no set cost for the “V.I.P.

Night,” which features improv games, skits, monologues and music. Attend-ees are asked to pay whatever they want from $3 to $100. The money earned will be applied to the group’s cost of filing to officially become a nonprofit organiza-tion.

“We started the group when we want-ed to have something … for the kids at school,” Kara Urbina, 36, said.

So Steve, Kara and some of their friends, such as Jerry and Amanda Garza, brainstormed to come up with a name, acting programs for children and theater for the community. Soon the group had their first “Rising Stars” the-atre camp for elementary students and put on a children’s show last December.

In March, the group presented an inter-active murder-mystery play titled “Dead to the Last Drop.”

The first two shows sold out, and they added a third show which took place at the Eugene A. Braught Memorial The-ater in Weslaco. [ANS]

� COMEDY

AImprov Night

T O H A V E Y O U R E V E N T C O N S I D E R E D F O R I N C L U S I O N I N O U R C A L E N D A R F R E E O F C H A R G E , E - M A I L

festivT H E B E S T S T U F F

THE MONITOR | FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011FESTIVA.THEMONITOR.COM4F

� LIVE MUSIC

Josh Abbott BandThe Josh Abbott Band, with special guest Roy Torres and Buck n Crazy, will be play-ing a show Thursday, June 2, at Wild Bill’s Saloon and Honkytonk in Harlingen. At-tendees will have a chance to meet the group after the show. You can bring your own liquor to the venue, if you’re 21 or old-er, and they will also sell juice, sodas, tonic, wine, wine coolers and buckets of beer.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, June 2WHERE: Wild Bill’s Saloon and Honky-tonk, 3811 W. Business 83, HarlingenCOST: $15 pre-sale or $20ONLINE: http://www.wildwildbills.com/index.html

� ADULTS

SexpoHard to believe, but this is actually the Rio Grande Valley’s fi rst ever large-scale sex-themed exposition. So think of a lie to tell your wife, girlfriend or mother, and get your $20 ticket. This event features a pole-dance competition, oil wrestling, sex talks and many more exhibits.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday, June 2WHERE: Aragon Hall, 1100 West No-lana, PharrCOST: $20AGES: 18 and upCALL: (956) 655-9388

� DANCE

WHEN:

WHERE:

COST:

7 p.m. Satur-day, May 28Savory Perks, 1000 S. Texas Blvd., WeslacoPay what you want

� LIVE MUSIC

his three-day event pays homage to the exquisite art of getting stuff permanent-ly drawn on your skin.

Local and visiting tattoo artists will be available to attendees. There will also be tattoo contests, performance art and live hip hop.

It’s a three-day inkstravaganza, if you will. The festivities being at 11 a.m. Fri-day, May 27, and they run through the evening Sunday, May 29.

For more information call Perfect Ink Tattoos at (956) 668-8287. [ZQ]

T

A L L D E T A I L S A N D I M A G E S T O F E S T I V A M A G A Z I N E @ G M A I L . C O M A T L E A S T T W O W E E K S I N A D V A N C E .

vamosT O D O T H I S W E E K


� ART

High School ShowcaseThis exhibit, on display through Mon-day, June 6, features work by the Rio Grande Valley High School State Competition fi nalists for The Texas Art Education Association’s Visual Arts Scholastic Event. In other words, some of the Valley’s best young art-ists will have paintings, drawings, photos, sculptures and multi-media work on display. Student participates come from Brownsville, Edinburg, McAllen, Mercedes and Roma. This exhibit is free and open to the public.

WHEN: On display through Mon-day, June 6WHERE: STC Mid-Valley Library Art Gallery, 400 N. Border Blvd., Building E, Weslaco COST: Free CALL: Sofia K. Vestweber at (956) 872-3488

� CHARITY

Ride Against Hunger 2011Come use pedal power to battle hunger. Saturday night’s all right for dancing, get a little action in and raise money for the American Cancer Soci-ety. Enjoy live music by Loz Raytown Boyz, Evolucion, Lonestar Vaqueros and Marlissa Vela at 9 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at El Toro Dance Hall in Ly-ford..

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 28WHERE: Sharyland Plantation, 4200 S. Shary Road, Mission

� OUTDOORS

Kayak fishing TournamentThis kayak fi shing tournament will have several different categories for partici-pants, with prizes awarded to the fi rst-, second- and third-place fi nishers in each. The grand prize is an Ocean Kaya Trident 11.

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Satur-day, May 28WHERE: Dolphin Cove in Isla Blanca Park Center, South Padre Island COST: $35 per personCALL: (956) 761-1669ONLINE: texaskayakfisherman.com

� ALT-SPORTS

Roller Derby FinalsThe will battle the Fallout Brigade on Sunday, May 29, in a meeting of the Rio Grande Valley’s top fl at track roller derby teams. The Traumakazes are an undefeated team from Brownsville. They’ll meet the Mid-Valley’s. At half time, there will be live music by The Livends, and attendees can meet and take photos with the roller derby girls. An afterparty will be held at Paradise Bar and Grill in Weslaco..

WITH 6 p.m. Sunday, May 29WHERE: Sk8 Zone, International Boulevard and Business 83 in Weslaco COST: $10CALL: (956) 260-4758

Border Ink ExpoWHEN:

WHERE:

CALL:

Begins 11 a.m. Friday, May 27, and runs through 8 p.m. Sunday, May 29agz Event Center, 5419 N. Cage Blvd., Pharr Perfect Ink Tattoos at (956) 668-8287

6F THE MONITOR | FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011FESTIVA.THEMONITOR.COM

FESTIVA.THEMONITOR.COMFESTIVA.THEMONITOR.COM FESTIVA.THEMONITOR.COM FESTIVA.THEMONITOR.COM FESTIVA.THEMONITOR.COM FESTIVA.THEMONITOR.COM FESTIVA.THEMONITOR.COM

A Tradition Since 1946

LEARN TO FLY

McCREERY AVIATIONFlight Academy

686-1774

Learn in the World’s Most Popular Aircraft.

A Tradition Since 1946

Call to scheduleyour $60 Introductory Flight

Pilot Center

THE HANGOVER PART II R10:05 11:30 12:10 12:50 1:302:10 2:50 3:30 4:10 4:50 5:306:20 6:50 7:30 8:10 9:009:30 10:10 10:45KUNG FU PANDA 2 PGREALD 3D SHOWTIMES:12:00 2:25 4:50 7:10 9:40STANDARD SHOWTIMES:10:10 11:00 12:35 1:25 3:053:55 5:35 6:25 8:05 9:05 10:35PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES PG-13REALD 3D SHOWTIMES:12:30 3:40 7:00 10:15DIGITAL CINEMA SHOWTIMES:10:00 1:10 4:30 7:40 10:45STANDARD SHOWTIMES:10:40 11:25 2:00 2:50 5:20 6:10 8:40 9:30

BRIDESMAIDS R12:00 2:00 3:00 6:05 7:40 9:10PRIEST PG-13REALD 3D SHOWTIMES:2:15 4:40 7:15 9:50JUMPING THE BROOM PG-1311:10 4:50 10:30SOMETHING BORROWED PG-1310:30AMTHOR PG-13REALD 3D SHOWTIMES:10:20 1:15 4:15 7:15 10:15STANDARD SHOWTIMES:6:30 9:35FAST FIVE PG-1311:00 1:55 4:50 7:45 10:40RIO GREALD 3D SHOWTIMES:11:45AMSTANDARD SHOWTIMES:10:45 1:15 3:50

THE HANGOVER PART II R10:30 11:10 11:50 12:30 1:10 1:50 2:30 3:10 3:50 4:30 5:10 5:50 6:30 7:10 7:508:30 9:10 9:50 10:35KUNG FU PANDA 2 PGREALD 3D SHOWTIMES:10:00 12:25 3:00 5:30 8:00 10:30STANDARD SHOWTIMES:10:45 11:40 1:20 2:10 3:50 4:40 6:20 7:05 8:50 9:40PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES PG-13REALD 3D SHOWTIMES:10:00 1:20 4:40 8:00DIGITAL CINEMA SHOWTIMES:10:50 2:10 5:30 8:50STANDARD SHOWTIMES:11:40 12:30 3:00 3:50 6:20 7:10 9:40 10:30

BRIDESMAIDS R10:15 1:15 4:15 7:15 10:15PRIEST PG-13REALD 3D SHOWTIMES:

10:50 1:10 3:30 6:00 8:20 10:40 SOMETHING BORROWED PG-1310:45 1:30 4:20 7:15 10:00THOR PG-13REALD 3D SHOWTIMES:

10:30 1:25 4:15 7:05 10:00FAST FIVE PG-1310:20 1:25 4:25 7:25 10:25RIO G11:20 1:50 4:20 7:00INSIDIOUS PG-139:45PM

THE HANGOVER PART II R 11:45 1:00 2:20 3:40 5:05 6:20 7:40 9:00 10:15

KUNG FU PANDA 2 PGREALD 3D SHOWTIMES: 1:50 4:10 7:15 9:35STANDARD SHOWTIMES: 12:40 3:00 5:20 8:25 10:40PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES PG-13REALD 3D SHOWTIMES: 1:05 4:15 7:30 10:35STANDARD SHOWTIMES: 2:45 6:00 9:15

BRIDESMAIDS R 12:55 4:00 7:00 10:00

PRIEST PG-13 1:30 3:50 6:10 8:30

THOR PG-13REALD 3D SHOWTIMES: 1:45 4:40 7:25 10:20FAST FIVE PG-13 1:20 4:30 7:35 10:30

SCREAM 4 R 11:35 2:10 4:50 7:35 10:20HOP PG 11:30 4:25 9:30SOURCE CODE PG-13 11:25 2:00 4:30 7:00 9:35LIMITLESS PG-13 11:40 2:15 5:00 7:40 10:15MARS NEEDS MOMS PG REALD 3D SHOWTIMES:

11:20 1:40 4:15 6:55 9:25RANGO PG 11:15 1:55 4:35 7:15 9:55 GNOMEO & JULIET G 2:05 7:05

SCREAM 4 R 11:50 2:25 5:00 7:35 10:15NO ERES TÚ, SOY YO PG-13 11:45 4:35 10:05HOP PG 2:20 7:10SOURCE CODE PG-13 11:55 2:30 4:50 7:25 9:55DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICKRULES PG 12:15 2:35 4:55 7:15 9:35

LIMITLESS PG-13 2:15 4:45 7:30 10:10MARS NEEDS MOMS PGREALD 3D SHOWTIMES:12:40 3:00 5:20 7:40 10:00STANDARD SHOWTIMES: 11:30 1:50 4:10 6:30 8:50RANGO PG 11:40 2:10 4:40 7:20 9:50


NOW INTHEATERS

KUNG FU PANDARATED: PG GENRE: Children and familyPo, known to most as Kung Fu Pan-da, is living his dream as The Dragon Warrior. Everything is going great, until a new vicious enemy rises up with a secret weapon he plans to use to conquer China and destroy kung fu. Po and his friends journey across China to stop the bad guy. Voice ac-tors include Jack Black, Angelina Jo-lie, Lucy Liu and Seth Rogan. Finally, movie audiences will get closure on the dangling storylines from the fi rst Kung Fu Panda fi lm. [ZQ]

THE HANGOVER 2RATED: R GENRE: ComedyThat dude from the fi rst The Hang-over fi lm still hasn’t gotten married. The ceremony is about to go down on an exotic island in Thailand. Still reel-ing from what happened last time in Las Vegas, the groom opts for a safe, pre-wedding brunch. Some stuff goes down, and the group once again wakes up massively hungover and trying to fi gure out what happened the night before. The Hangover was a surprise comedy smash. This looks to be more of the same, featuring the fi rst fi lm’s stars Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifi anakis and Ken Jeong. The summer sequel season is upon us. [ZQ]

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Fridays Fish FryGreat Place for Your Next Party or Event!!!

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Mondays-All Night Happy HourTuesdays-Ladies Night

Wednesdays-Live Bands 10pmThursdays-DJ Mix-up w/ Sam Wise

Friday27th..STONEFREE

Saturday28th..SONIC SOUL


THE THINGS WE LOVE MOST ABOUT THE BEACH

Don’t just jump out of a plane. Pre-pare yourself fi rst.

Daredevils have a chance to do both of those things in the Rio Grande Valley at Skydive South Padre. If you have the guts, you can soar 13,000 feet above the Island’s sandy beaches and then careen downward.

Based on these pictures, it looks like quite the experience. Skydive South Padre’s Matt Kryzwonski recently shared his experts’ eye views on the death defying jumps.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW>> Skydive South Padre is located at Padre South Hotel, 1500 Gulf Blvd., South Padre Island>> Open 7 days a week from now until April 28>> Call (956) 744-5867

>> Visit them online at skydivespi.com>> Jumpers must be at least 18 years old>> Jumpers must weigh less than 250 pounds>> You are harnessed to a professional jump master>> You experience one minute of free fall from 13,500 feet>> For one person the jump costs $220>> For groups of four or more, it costs $190 per person>> You can have your jump videotaped, edited and photographed for $99>> You will fall through the air at speeds of 120 miles per hour>> Plane takes off from Brownsville Airport>> Make reservations in advance>> Prepare to spend your entire day there

BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION FOR FIRST TIME SKY DIVERS? It feels like an amusement park ride that throws your stomach into your throat. Instructor Matt Kryzwonski says it does not, but “you actually just feel like you’re fl oating, because you have so much forward momentum. There’s absolutely no dropping sensation.”

HOW LONG IS THE RIDE DOWN?“The free fall lasts about a minute, but it’s the most exciting 60 seconds of your life so it seems a lot longer,” says Frank Shisler, the company’s owner. “Once the canopy opens, it’s another fi ve to seven minutes depending on the type of ride you want. You decide. We can take you down nice and gentle, or we can really give you that rollercoaster

ride. You can even help steer the canopy.”

WHAT IS THE AGE LIMIT?“You have to be at least 18 but we’ve taken people as old as 98 because you don’t have to do anything,” Shisler says. “Just sit there and enjoy the ride and they’ve really made the sport as safe as they can.”

WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WITH A FEAR OF HEIGHTS?“We take people scared of heights all the time because you don’t get that fear when you’re skydiving, it’s just not the same, your reaction isn’t the same at that height,” Shisler says. “I’ve had many customers who were scared of heights tell me they didn’t get that reac-tion at all.”

BEST OF SPI

SKYDIVING


AVOIDING SPEED TRAPSThe speed limit between the ex-pressway and South Padre Island seems to fl uctuate manically, doing its best to harpoon over-zealous beachgoers as they speed toward the water. One of our favorite parts of going to the beach is when you’re free of these potential speed tickets. The moment you hit that causeway is glorious, provided you haven’t gotten a ticket. We like to breathe in, watch the sun set and appreci-ate the fact that our car insurance won’t be going up due to copious moving violations. WRITING YOUR NAME IN THE SAND

Obscenities and drawings of obscenities are also fun. Just saying.

THE JETTIESThere’s really nothing like the Island’s jetties. The large rocks are often occupied by fi shermen looking for their next big catch; however, they’re also a great place to fi nd a bevy of cool sea creatures, such as sea urchins and star fi sh. The thin strip of rocks is also the perfect location to lounge on and watch the boats sail by.

THE WANNA WANNAWanna Wanna, with its beach-side bar and seemingly ever present Jimmy Buffet-esque cover band or singer, ranks as our favorite place to sit down after a day of swimming. This hotel and bar has all the key components of a successful beach visit — parking, piña coladas, a bathroom, music and plenty of beach space. There are quieter beaches and there are busier beaches. But Wanna Wanna mixes the whole beach experience together in a convenient way. Plus they have a hose to get some of the sand off you before you get back in your car. But who are we kidding; you’re still going to have to vacuum it when you get back to McAllen.

5100 GULF BLVD.(956) 761-7677WWW.WANNAWANNA.COM

SCHLITTERBAHNWe would be remiss if we didn’t mention the family favorite desti-nation of South Padre Island: Schlitterbahn. Memorial Day week-end is the unoffi cial start of summer, so celebrate it with a visit to this popular water park. Whether you prefer to fl oat along the Rio Aventura, a winding river that twists through the entire park, or hit up all of the thrilling water coasters, you’ll stay cool and refreshed throughout the day. Once you’ve worked up an appetite playing in the water all day, fi nd a shady area to have a picnic or head upstairs to the Shrimp Haus for some Buffalo-style shrimp or chicken and drinks.

33261 STATE PARK ROAD 100(956) 772-7873WWW.SCHLITTERBAHN.COM


CORAL REEF LOUNGEThis semi-secret bar is my favorite on the Island, possibly in all of South Texas. It’s a little farther north, and it’s a pretty small joint. But what it lacks in size and location, it makes up for with an incredible, non-pretentious crowd. Coral Reef’s sign promises karaoke starting at 9 p.m. 365 days a year. You will occasionally encounter a few actual singers, but this place is fun because any-body and everybody gets on stage free of shame after a long day of Island drinking. I’ve seen an old man sing an Italian love song, followed by some genius in a cowboy hat belting all seven words from “Riders on the Storm,” fi nished up by a female friend of mine nailing every word to Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back.” Every word. Plus they have Miller High Life on tap. I shouldn’t have to tell you that’s the champagne of beers.

5301 PADRE BLVD. | (956) 761-1813WWW.CORALREEFLOUNGE.COM

KITEBOARDING

D’PIZZA JOINTSo what if the beach is only an hour’s drive? It’s still kind of like a mini vaca-tion. And one of the rules of eating on vacation includes trying the local fare. A visit to D’Pizza Joint on South Padre Island is kind of a requirement. The small dark restaurant serves up classic Italian foods like spaghetti and meat-balls and pizza. In one corner sits “The Human Jukebox,” a man who can play more than 3,500 songs on the piano. You can try to stump Mike “D’Piano Man” Schuler, but the songbook in his head contains music from standards to Top 40 pop hits to television and Disney show theme songs. If you do request a song he doesn’t know, just hum a few bars and he’ll likely be able to pick up the tune in a matter of seconds. Whether you go for the beer and pizza or “D’Piano Man,” D’Pizza Joint is one of those places you won’t fi nd anywhere else in the Valley.

2413 PADRE BLVD. | (956) 761-7995

GOING ON AN OFF-DAYThe beach is generally always awe-some, but traffi c, crowded sand and long waits at bars and restaurants can reduce this awesomeness. That’s why we like going on off days. Sunday through Thursday is pretty fun. So is going during the down times, like Oc-tober, for example.

TAKING PICTURES AT PIRATE’S LANDING

With a horn section and awesomely sug-gestive songs like “Taquache By Day, Snake By Night,” the Bongodogs get our tails wagging every time. Catch them Saturday, May 28, at the Wanna Wanna. For more info, visit bongodogs.com.

BONGODOGS


ISLA BLANCA PARKIsla Blanca Park is the perfect family destination on the Island. It’s got an RV area for Winter Texans, fl oat rentals and a picnic pavil-lion perfect for busting out ham sandwiches or the Whataburger you just bought before staking your place in the sand. Snap a pic-ture in front of the statue of El Cristo de los Pescadores, Christ of the Fisherman, or take advantage of the hike-and-bike trail and playgrounds that are speckled across the park.

SKATING & BIKINGAs a kid, going to the beach wasn’t just all about getting in the water. There were also other cool things I got to do that became ten times better at the beach. One of those things was taking advantage of the endless bike trails across the Island. Rollerblad-ing on the sidewalks of Isla Blanca Park was my favorite thing to do. And if you get tired, you can always snap off your skates and cool off by belly-fl opping into the warm waters nearby.

SPLASHIt’s exactly like Spring Break. Except it happens twice a year. And there aren’t quite as many straight men. Find out more at splashsouthpadre.com.

LAST STOP WALMARTStocking up at the Wal-Mart in Port Isabel to get the stuff you knew you couldn’t forget, but you did anyway, a.k.a. sunscreen, water, stuff for sandwiches, chips, snacks, sodas, water guns, beach mats, baby wipes, sun hats, sunglasses etc.waters nearby.

WATCHING PEOPLE FALL OFF THE BANANA BOAT

BEACH RESCUESure, they can be Debbie Downers when it comes to glass bottles, dog poo,etc. But when crap hits the fan (e.g. gang shootouts, pirate attacks), you know they’vegot your back.

SHELL COLLECTINGSaying you enjoy long walks on the beach maybe as cliché as it gets, but you have to admitthere is something soothing and romantic aboutthe combination of sun, water and sand witha signifi cant other. Snag a few pretty shells asyou stroll along the soft, white sand. Later whenyou’re home and cleaning out your pockets, you’ll fi nd a little reminder of that day at the beach..


SPRING BREAK‘Nuff said.

WADE FISHING

ODDS & ENDSNot every beach trip is a well-plannedSaturday excursion. Sometimes, you just fi nd yourself spontaneously hurling to-ward South Padre. On these instances,you may have need to buy a boogie board,sunglasses, towel, swimsuit and otherbeach vitals. Lucky for you, and often for us, there are at least half a dozen storesalong the strip that specialize in this sort of merchandise. You can easily identifythese places by their signs, which scream out “buy one get one free” or “$1 towels.”Also, sometimes you have to walk througha shark to get inside, which is withoutquestion a bonus.

DOLPHIN WATCHINGThe Island has several Dolphin Watch boat tours, but whichever one you chose to take guarantees at least a glimpse of the beautiful creatures leaping from the warm gulf waters. But even if you don’t get to see some dolphin action, the boat ride alone provides you with a view of the Island you probably haven’t seen before. Snacks and drinks are sold on the boat and most tours allow you to bring your own snacks.

33256 PARK ROAD 100 SUITE 104(956) 761-4243

JEREMIAH’S (EX-)LANDINGBefore the days of Schlitterbahn, elated Valley kids and underwhelmed tourists would disregard the “No Corre” sign and dash up the boardwalk to the top of this hill, where they could choose one of three thrilling slides to conquer. While even Schlitterbahn’s kiddie pool would kick Jeremiah’s butt, we still harbor fond memories of South Padre Island’s original waterpark — and plenty of moments we wish we could forget, like the time our swimming trunks didn’t make it down the slide with us.

DIRTY AL’SDirty Al’s – The sun pounded down upon the brave group as they fought through the waves, battling to toss a football to each other or perhaps paddle towards land with a boogie board. This meeting of man and marine con-tinued all of the afternoon, with only minor in-stances of sun-burnage. Afterward, the trio of beach goers trudged from the sand to their car, a black Hyundai. The vessel carried them south on the Island, to the only place that could pos-sibly help them regroup – Dirty Al’s. There were only three friends, bonded by the battle

at the beach, but, even so, they ordered a botana intended for four. And they feasted on the incredible fresh shrimp and fi sh, served with copious limes on a bed of French fries. They took it down, every bite. This legend

may or may not have happened to a Festiva staff writer and pho-tographer. The real origin is lost. But that doesn’t change the fact that Dirty Al’s is our favorite place to grab seafood on South Padre Island, which

makes it probably our favorite seafood place in all of South Texas.

198 PARK ROAD 100 | 956) 761-4901 | HTTP://DIRTYALS-DADDYS.COM


CUTE BABY SEAGULLS

CUTE BABY SEA TURTLES

WEIRD, BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS

BIRDING CENTERWhile SPI is mostly known for being the quintessential Spring Break destination, you shouldn’t forget it’s an educational one as well. The Birding Center is heaven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers with its beautiful views of some of South Texas’ most exotic species. You might even catch the resident gator which can sometimes be seen off the boardwalk. But by evening, the center transforms into one of the island’s most romantic destinations. Couples will want to spend an evening watching the gorgeous sunset from the birding center’s boardwalk.

6801 PADRE BOULEVARD(956) 243-8179

THE CAUSEWAYDay or night, driving, cycling, walking or running, this might be the most exhila-rating 2.37 miles on the face of the planet.

SUNSETS OVER THE BAY

HAVING A FRIEND OR RELATIVE WITH A CONDODoes this really need explana-tion? If you had a free place to stay, wouldn’t you be out there, like, every weekend? Duh.


END OF THE PAVEMENTThe road (North Texas Highway 100) may not go on forever, but the party never ends. Beyond the edge of the pavement are miles of pristine beach and more naked Winter Texans than you’d ever want to see (click here for more on that, viewer discretion advised). This fi nal frontier is endangered by rascally beachfront property developers … but Mother Nature and her army of stealthy sand drifts may have the fi nal say about who gets to enjoy rolling down sand dunes in their birthday suits out here.

HUNTING CRABS AT

NIGHT

CHAPEL BY THE SEAUhhhh, church? Usually our SPI itinerary is way too full of debauchery to fi t in prayer time, but it’s nice to know there’s a tranquil sanctuary where we can repent if things get REALLY naughty.

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Friday June 3rd

MARK CHESNUTTSpecial GuestRyan TurnerWhiskey DickG.A. $20 Reserved $40 + s/c

Saturday June 4thLa Clika Comedy Tour III

HAPPYSpecial GuestJacob James - Ramond OrtaM.C. Rock & Roll JamesG.A. $15 Reserved $20 & $25 + s/c

Ticketsavailable at:BOX OFFICE

800-745-3000

GRAND OPENING EVENTS

festiva (may 27, 2011)

Documents

la cruzfriday

guitar skills

south mcallen

los fabulosos

los unicos

tejano fans

crystal olveraramiro

nicknamed snowball