Celebrating Fiesta At LGBT Events

Folkloric drag queens from a past edition of Fiesta Cornyation. (Photo: Facebook)

Now in its 127th year, Fiesta San Antonio is an annual festival featuring ten days of parties and parades which this year begin on April 19.

The celebration started in 1891 as a parade honoring the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. It has evolved into one of the premier festivals in the US.

While there is a whole roster of “Official Fiesta Events,” organizations in the LGBT community also stage their own celebrations. Here’s a list that includes official and unofficial events you might want to consider when making your Fiesta plans.

April 19 – Ladies on the Loose Fiesta Kickoff
Ladies on the Loose will be kicking off Fiesta at Tycoon Flats with drinks, food and music by DJ Traci. The group will be collecting travel-size toiletries and hygiene products to donate to local charities.
Ladies on the Loose Fiesta Kickoff, April 19 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at Tycoon Flats 2926 N. St. Mary’s.

April 20 – The Webb Party
The San Antonio AIDS Foundation’s Webb Party is celebrating its 25th anniversary at the Aztec Theatre with an evening of cuisine tasting, cocktails and dancing. Headlining the entertainment stage is Jinkx Monsoon the noted recording artist and cabaret performer who was the winner of the fifth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Other featured entertainment includes an Aztec God & Goddesses Hairstyle Showcase, presented by Rebel House Salon; the Rey Lopez Showgirls; “A Tribute to Josephine Baker,” by Black Orchid; performances by the newly crowned Miss Gay San Antonio and Mr. Gay San Antonio; and high-energy dance music presented by local celebrity DJs.

Participating restaurants for the cuisine tasting include Piatti, Jason Dady, Bakery Lorraine, Tim the Girl, Ranch 616, Luther’s Café, Amy’s Ice Cream, La Fogata and the SAAF Kitchen.

The Webb Party became an official Fiesta event in 2004. It is now the San Antonio AIDS Foundation’s most visible and important fundraising event of the year.

San Antonio AIDS Foundation Webb Party, Friday, April 20 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Aztec Theatre, 104 N Saint Marys St. Tickets are $75 pre-sale and $90 at the door and can be purchased online or in person at the Aztec Theatre box office, the Fiesta store, and at the San Antonio AIDS Foundation.

April 20 – Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Fiesta Youth’s biggest fundraiser of the year, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, will mark its fourth year on April 20 at the Veranda in Castle Hills.

Slated for the first weekend of Fiesta San Antonio, the masquerade party will feature an open bar of specialty cocktails, wine, and cold beer. There will also be a five-course buffet with a fiesta-themed menu prepared by Chef Michael Bomberg.

Guests will be entertained by the Don’t Forget the Music Band, singer-songwriter Laura Marie, the Grupo Folklorico De Bendiciones Dance Troupe, the Matt Tardy and Team Stunt Show, and DJ Rook who will spin tunes all night long.

An after party hosted by Armani D Andrews will be held at the SA Country Saloon featuring performances at 11 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. by Stephanie Fishe, Felisha Savage Andrews, Candis Kline McCall, Alayna Marquez, and Kandy Van Whales.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: A Masquerade Party Benefiting Fiesta Youth. Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. at The Veranda, 1746 Lockhill-Selma Rd. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at this link. Online ticket sales end at 11:55 p.m. on April 19. Contact: [email protected]. Admission to 21 years-old and over. Fiesta Youth is a 501c3 non-profit and tickets are tax deductible.

April 22 – The Chili Queens Cook-Off
The Chili Queens Cook-Off is an Official Fiesta San Antonio Event presented by the Happy Foundation to benefit local charities. Come on down, stir it up and taste the great chili prepared by professionals and amateurs alike. Doors open at 3 p.m. with no cover. Chili judging begins at 5 p.m. There will be drink specials and a Tackiest Queen Contest. This is an 18 and up event. ID required.
The Chili Queens Cook-Off on April 22 at 3 p.m. the Bonham Exchange, 411 Bonham St. For more information contact: [email protected]. Free event.

April 22 – Viva Fiesta at Deco
Fiesta San Antonio will be celebrated at San Antonio’s gay-owned Deco Pizzeria during the Deco District Arts and Music Festival which will be taking place adjacent to the restaurant. Brunch starts at 10:30 a.m. with live music beginning at noon. There will be food and drink specials all day.
Viva Fiesta at Deco, 1815 Frederickburg Rd on Sunday, April 22. Live music from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

April 24 – Pride Ride to NIOSA
Gay Night at Night in Old San Antonio returns on Tuesday, April 25 with the 11th Annual Pride Ride Shuttle from the Main Avenue Strip to the gates of NIOSA and back. Shuttle runs from 5:00 PM to 10:30 PM. Cost is $5 roundtrip. Proceeds benefit Pride San Antonio. Wristbands can be purchased at the Annex, Knockout Sports Bar, Heat Nightclub, the Queendom, Essence Bar, Luther’s Cafe and Sparky’s Pub. Proceeds benefit Pride San Antonio.

April 24 – 26 – Fiesta Cornyation
Fiesta Cornyation has been proclaimed by its organizers as the “raunchiest and cheapest” event of Fiesta. This year’s show, The Court Of Frenetic Frantic Kingdoms, will be reigned over by King Anchovy LII Charlie Biedenharn. The extravaganza is part drag show, part satirical revue, part beer hall bawdy-fest. Since becoming a non-profit organization, Cornyation has donated over $2 million to local charities.
Fiesta Cornyation, April 24, 25, 26 at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, 226 N. St. Marys Street. Tickets are available at the Empire/Majestic Box Office and on Ticketmaster.com.

April 27 – Battle of Flowers After Party
The Battle of Flowers Parade passes along Alamo Plaza in front of the Menger Hotel, an area where traditionally LGBTs gather to watch to the parade. After the parade, many revelers head over to the Bonham Exchange for an unofficial after party that continues until the early evening.
Fiesta Battle of Flowers After Party, April 27 at the Bonham Exchange, 411 Bonham St. Doors open at 10 a.m.

April 28 – Fiesta Finale Block Party
The final night of Fiesta will be celebrated on the Main Avenue Strip with a block party in front of Sparky’s Pub, Luther’s Cafe, Heat Nightclub and Knockout Sports Bar. There will be live music, vendors, food and fun. There is no cover for this event.

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