27 DE FEBRERO 2011 - La Prensa De San Antonio

febrero 27, 2011
By Cristina Blackwell
cblackwell@laprensasa.com
Starting next month, Wonderland
of the Americas Mall,
formerly Crossroads Mall, is
proud to present their very first
annual Fats Tuesday – Martes
Gigante International Festival,
a four-day event filled with live
music, international food, fun
activities and lots of dancing.
“The diversity of the Hispanic
community goes further than the
Mexican-American,” said Michael
Arellano, partner in OLA
Marketing and co-producer for
the festival. “Ultimately, our
history was created by early
ethnic and generational shifts
from the southern countries and
it’s important to share that with
our current community.”
Starting March 4, the carnival-style
festival is expected to
attract more than 5,000 attendees
and will be showcasing free
concerts from local and regional
potatoes and fried bananas with
cinnamon.
After sampling every meat they
had to offer (twice, some three times)
I wasn’t sure if I was going to be
able to get up from the table. In my
attempt to rest and let my food settle
a tray of about 10 different desserts
caught my eye.
At this point, I couldn’t resist. I
went with the triple layer chocolate
mousse cake and my friend ordered
the classic pecan pie. After trying
each of the desserts I was ready to
ask the manager for a job so I could
bands and dance groups, including
Bombasta, Jai Roots, Salsa
Del Rio, Salsa Brava, Ronny
Tee, Grupo Pasion, and many
more.
Guests will also enjoy dance
performances by Zumba from
Studio Vida Dance Fusion, Lee
Rios and Semeneya Dance Studio,
KaZamba Drum and Dance
group, a Brazilian Capoeira
Batizado along with Tango
performance by Daniela Arcuri
and more!
“It’s about exposure,” added
Arellano. “In an effort to do
that, we’re combining multiple
countries showcasing and highlighting
their rich and cultural
ethnic history.”
Free and open to the public,
the family event will take place
at America’s Amphitheater
outside and the Palm Pavilion
inside, along with activities in
the Marketplace and main stage
in the mall.
Audiences of all ages can
participate in contests, karaoke,
Texas de Brazil... (continued from page 6-E)
eat there every day. Fortunately, my
guest provided a voice of reason and
instructed me otherwise.
Since my visit I’ve been back twice
and each time the thought of picking
up an application crosses my mind.
Not only because of the great food
served at Texas de Brazil but the
customer service and ambience of
the entire place.
In all, Texas de Brazil is priced
competitively with the other two
Brazilian steakhouses in town, but the
others can’t compare to the entire experience
you’ll get at Texas de Brazil.
dancing, face and body painting,
bead and mask-making during
the event. Children’s entertainment
includes Payaso Rolito y
Dulce Candy Super Show and
a special performance by “Fox
Tails.”
Additionally, Peruvian Chef
Waldo Castro from Divine Taste
Catering will showcase comida
Latina while local/regional
bands and talent will perform.
Participants can also have a taste
of the America’s International
Food Court, which represents 12
countries of the Americas.
“We want to give others an
opportunity to be exposed to
the richness of our culture and
we’re doing it on one place at
one time,” concluded Arellano.
Festival time and days are as
follow:
Friday, March 4: 5-9 p.m.
Saturday, March 5: 12-10 p.m.
Sunday, March 6: 12-10 p.m.
Tuesday, March 8: 6-10 p.m.
For more information please v
isit OLA-ME.com.
By Dennis M. Ayotte Jr.
dayotte@laprensasa.com
The original American Basketball
Association (ABA) was
founded in 1967 in an attempt
to compete with the heralded
NBA, until the ABA-NBA
merger in 1976. The freewheeling
style of the ABA eventually
caught on with fans, but the lack
of a national television exposure
and financial losses would
eventually lead to the demise
of the ABA as an independent
league.
The ABA distinguished itself
from the NBA with a more fastpaced,
flashy style of offensive
play, as well as differences
in rules like a 30-second shot
clock versus the NBA’s 24-second
clock. However, the ABA
switched to the 24-second shot
clock for the 1975-76 season,
added the three-point line and
pioneered the now popular slam
dunk at their all-star game in
Denver. Moreover, the ABA
used a colorful red, white and
blue ball as opposed to instead
the NBA’s traditional orange
ball.
Despite their efforts to provide
a unique product to fans
they couldn’t compete with
the NBA. Today, the ABA
has resurrected itself in small
markets such as San Antonio.
11-E
International festival to highlight S.A.’s ethnic diversity
Texas de Brazil has been in business nearly two months in the Alamo
City after they spent $2.7 million to renovate the historic Kress building
on Houston Street downtown. (Photo courtesy of Texas de Brazil)
The multi-day festival showcases music, foods, dance and free concerts
from local and regional bands and dance groups. (Courtesy photo)
The ABA in S.A.
The Fuel currently boast the
best record in the ABA’s Southwestern
division (15-4) and have
yet to lose a game their division.
(Courtesy photo)
The Alamo City is home to the
Texas Fuel and will play the
West Texas Whirlwinds at 6:30
p.m. at the St. George Maronite
Catholic Church Gymnasium.
Fans across San Antonio are
invited to come out early and
watch the team warm-up and
meet-and-greet the Fuel’s recently
selected ABA all-stars
Lamar Wright and Kenny Wilson.
The Fuel currently boasts
the best record in the ABA’s
Southwestern division (15-4)
and have yet to lose a game
their division.
Sunday’s game is the last
regular season game before the
Fuel play in the Western Division
semi-finals next weekend.
Currently the Fuel are one of
the most electrifying and highscoring
team in the ABA.
All fans are encouraged to
wear green and admission for
the game is $2 for adults and
free for children 16 and under.
For more information, email
info@abatexasfuel.com.