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MUSIC TOOUR EARS DISCOVER MUSICIANS, CULTURES, HISTORY &VENUES ACROSS THE COASTAL BEND thebendmag.com 1

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8. 26 VOLUME 13

•

ISSUE 8

CONTENTS THE MUSIC ISSUE

UP FRONT 14 Person of Interest

50 Farm to Table

In conversation with Corpus Christi native and musician, Quentin Arispe

A delightful elote-inspired pasta salad perfect for summer

16 Giving Back

53 Table Talk

Nonprofit creating economic opportunity for local musicians

Local food and drink highlights

18 Social Hour People and events in the Coastal Bend

56 Good Taste

Safe and Strong Swim Academy’s mission of raising confident swimmers

Sipping on nostalgia with a “Friends” -themed bar

23 Trend Report

HOME & GARDEN 26 Open House Inside a local family’s paradise-away-from-home

30 Gardening

MUSIC TO OUR E ARS

Discover the history, venues and people behind Corpus Christi's thriving music scene. From DIY punk roots to today's rising artists, we go behind the music to spotlight how the Coastal Bend continues shaping its sound.

6 The Bend

54 The Dish Inside Coco Cabana’s new brick-and-mortar

20 Be Well

Natalie Werkhoven shares her current beauty and wellness obsessions

34

CUISINE

How to grow Mexican mint marigold in your Coastal Bend garden

32 Entertaining Inspiration for a doggone birthday

AROUND THE BEND 60 Arts & Culture How Chicas Rock is shaping the next generation of rockstars

62 Datebook Mark your calendars for these local events

64 Discovery As physical media makes a comeback, record stores and the library are leading the charge

66 Looking Back A look back at the Texas Jazz Festival’s origin

44 FEATURE

ON THE COVER

ALL IN THE FA MILY

Photography by Shoocha Photography

From a garage studio to one of the country’s most influential independent Latin record labels, Freddie Records remains a family affair.

Volume 13 / Issue 8, The Bend (periodicals 25150) is published monthly, 12 times a year, by Bend Holdings Sub, LLC, 813 Buford St., Ste B, Corpus Christi, Texas 78404. Periodical postage paid at Corpus Christi, TX and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Bend Magazine, P.O. Box 3065, Williamsport, PA 17701.

R ICH LOCKHART • PHOTO PROVIDED BY RAP S & APPS

FEATURE

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AUGUST 2026

PUBLISHER

Chris Knapick

•

VOLUME 13

•

ISSUE 8

COPY EDITOR

PRESIDENT

Jordan Regas

Steve Gill

chris@thebendmag.com

jordan@hilltopmediagroup.com PHOTOGRAPHY

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Kylie Cooper

kylie@thebendmag.com ART DIRECTOR

Jarred Schuetze jarred@thebendmag.com

D I G I TA L D I R E C T O R

Alexa Rodriguez alexa@thebendmag.com D I G I TA L M E D I A C O O R D I N AT O R

Evelyn Martinez evelyn@thebendmag.com

AC C O U N T E X E C U T I V E

Kent Cooper

kent@thebendmag.com AC C O U N T E X E C U T I V E

Chris Aldrich

chris.aldrich@thebendmag.com

Rachel Benavides Levi Guzman Debbie Noble Matthew Meza Jason Page Wildflowers Photography Roel Rodriguez Jr. Tyler Schultz

Kaley Regas

kaley@hilltopmediagroup.com A C C O U N T S R E C E I VA B L E

Emily Thomas

accounting@thebendmag.com P RO D U C T IO N M A N AG E R

SENIOR WRITERS

Emily Thomas

Luis Arjona Jacqueline Gonzalez Vanessa Perez

production@thebendmag.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Jillian Becquet Justin Butts Kayla Butts Ava Coronado JoAnne Howell Evelyn Martinez Natalie Werkhoven Leila Ydrogo

CORRECTION: In the July 2026 issue, the business name for The Local's List winner in the Breakfast Taco and Mexican Cuisine categories was listed incorrectly. The correct business name is Acapulco Bar and Grill. Additionally, the Dermatologist category should have been listed as “Dermatology Care.” We apologize for the errors.

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10 The Bend

EDITOR’S LETTER

photography by S HOOCHA PHOTOG RAPHY

Soundtrack of a City A lot of my personal life revolves around music. When I’m not helping tell the stories of the Coastal Bend, I can often be found with my husband helping around our local record shop.

On the weekends, when we aren’t at the shop, we’re usually either playing records at an event or attending a show, typically where one or two of our friends are playing. Even at home there’s a soundtrack; we have a thing we like to call the “Sunday Record,” the latest installment of which has come in the form of an album called Promised Heights by the UK-based African rhythm and funk group, Cymande.

It’s safe to say the Coopers love music. So when our editorial team decided to dedicate an issue to the topic in our 2026 lineup for the first time since 2018, I was rather thrilled.

Before we dive too deeply into this month’s content, I’d like to take a moment to honor the late Richard Lockhart. Anyone who had the pleasure of working with or seeing him play described him as a cornerstone of the local music scene, a wildly gifted guitarist and a friend to all. He even built the stage musicians now play on at The Exchange, aptly named in his honor.

In some ways, a lot has changed about our local music scene since that last music issue eight years ago. The pandemic forced musicians and venues to rethink what was possible with live performances; and Corpus Christi earned the designation of a Music Friendly City from the Texas Music Office in 2023. In many other

ways, though, our corner of Texas continues to do what it has always done: quietly lay the foundation for future greatness.

For our cover story, Evelyn Martinez spoke with venue owners, longtime bookers, musicians and more to take readers on a journey through the local DIY punk scene that helped shape today’s music community and continues to influence stages across the city. From there, she peeks behind the curtain at a network of venues, promoters and music professionals cultivating the next generation of local artists before leaving readers with a few ideas on local musicians they should add to their next playlist and catch in concert when possible.

As House of Rock owner and longtime venue staple Casey Lain puts it on page 39, “People ask, ‘What can I do to help the scene?’ Man, go see a show.” Martinez adds, “Take a chance on live music in Corpus. You might find yourself in the next golden era.”

Marisol Ramirez, director of marketing for live music staples Concrete Street Amphitheater and Brewster Street, echoes that sentiment. While Corpus Christi might not be a stop for every national touring act, it has cultivated a unique ecosystem where venues, bookers and artists grow together, creating a pathway for local musicians to reach new stages of their careers. “You just have to be willing to listen to someone you don’t know. Your current favorite artist might not [play] here, but your next favorite artist is playing our stages right now.”

The same could be said for the legacy Freddie Records has built, which senior writer Vanessa Perez explores starting on page 44. Founded in 1969, one of the country’s most influential independent Latin record labels continues to prove that greatness can and does come out of Corpus Christi.

So whether it’s buying a ticket to a show, purchasing a record from a hometown artist or simply giving someone you’ve never heard of a chance, I hope this month’s issue finds you energized to support our local music scene. As Martinez said, we just might be in the next golden era.

KY LIE COOPER , EDITOR IN CHIEF

VOL. XIII 8.26 THRE E HIGHLIGHT S

PASS THE MIC Challenging the “starving artist” stereotype, local nonprofit Raps & Apps provides resources for musicians across the Coastal Bend. The first season of its Golden Mic project highlights 15 local acts, offering support that ranges from professional recording and production to promotional assets. Pg. 16

COCO CABANA'S FRESH DIGS Nothing is more exciting than seeing a local business that previously operated solely out of a mobile eatery expand into a brick and mortar. Coco Cabana’s Water Street Market location is officially opened, and the menu is as refreshing as the interior is chic. Pg. 54

EVERY GIRL DESERVES A STAGE Chicas Rock is helping to raise the next generation of rockstars.

Founded by musician Cecy Treviño de Oliveira, the organization is building talent and confidence in young girls across the city. Pg. 60

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8.26

UP FRONT POI 14

G I V I N G B AC K 1 6

SOCIAL HOUR 18

BE WELL 20

T R E N D R E P O RT 2 3

IN CONVERSATION WITH

QUENTIN ARISPE

pg 14

photography provided by LE VI GUZ MAN

Even on the rise to stardom, the musician's creative roots still run through Corpus Christi

thebendmag.com 13

UP FRONT PE RSON OF IN TE RE ST

KYLIE COOPER: You’ve described your new album, TOMGIRL, as a tribute to your twenties. What story are you trying to tell about who you were and who you’ve become on the other side of it?

ARISPE: I’ve had a lot of time to sit with this album now, which is really unusual for me. Normally, I’m moving from one project to the next, but I’ve lived with this record for about a year and a half. I’ve performed it, processed it and had enough distance to really understand what it is. When I think about it now, I realize it’s fundamentally a story about really intense grief. It wasn’t just relationships, it was losing [my] band, losing different versions of myself and watching entire chapters of my life disappear all at once.

But I’m telling that story now from a place that’s much more resolved. When I was making the album and creating all the visuals around it, I was still living inside those emotions. I wasn’t looking back at them; I was actively experiencing them.

Every time I perform these songs now, I look back and think, “I can’t believe you survived that. You not only survived it, but you made something from it.” Now I almost feel like the older sibling to that version of myself.

IN CONVERSATION WITH

Quentin Arispe Even on the rise to stardom, the musician’s creative roots still run through Corpus Christi

By Kylie Cooper

Photos by Levi Guzman, Noah Hall & Ducky

For many, home is where the heart is; for Quentin Arispe, it’s who they create with. Years after leaving their hometown, the musician continues to build nearly every major creative project with the same community of Corpus Christi collaborators— from producers to photographers and videographers—who helped shape them.

With the release of their latest album, TOMGIRL, we sat down with Arispe to discuss the record’s themes, which reflect on the love, loss and self-discovery that defined their twenties. However, the conversation became about something bigger: how staying connected to your roots, even as your career takes you elsewhere, can give flowers to those who shaped you, and inspire the next generation of young, local creatives to dream a little bigger.

14 The Bend

COOPER: For much of your career, you’ve explored identity through characters, personas and carefully built worlds.

TOMGIRL feels different. It feels like, for the first time, you’re inviting people to meet Quentin before anyone else. What changed?

ARISPE: I think trauma forces honesty.

I realized I couldn’t hide behind another character if I actually wanted to heal. Every project before this had its own identity, and those personas were never fake; they were all real parts of me. But this album needed something different.

I’ve actually never been onstage as Quentin before. That sounds strange because I’ve been performing since I was a kid, but I’ve always been performing as somebody. A version of somebody. A character. This is the first time I’ve stepped onstage as myself.

One thing that’s become really important to me is that I don’t want my identity to disappear, but I also don’t want it to become the headline. I’m a Black queer artist—that’s part of who I am, and it always will be—but I

want people to experience the work first. I want the music to meet people before any assumptions do. That’s why I stripped so much away with TOMGIRL. I wanted the person to come before the persona.

COOPER: Despite now building a career in Austin, so many of the people behind your biggest creative projects are still Corpus Christi creatives. Why has it been so important to keep your team filled with these same people?

ARISPE: Because they’re incredible. That’s honestly the first answer.

Sometimes people hear me talk about working with Ducky, Kinderr or El Dusty and think it’s because they’re my friends.

They are my friends, but that’s not why they’re there. It’s because they’re brilliant, and we’ve grown together.

There’s a level of trust that comes from making things with the same people for years. We know each other’s instincts. We know when somebody has a better idea.

Nobody’s trying to protect their ego. Our rule has always been “best idea wins.” It doesn’t matter whose idea it is.

And nobody’s above the work. Everyone is willing to pitch in. I think that’s something Corpus gave all of us. It’s a very DIY city; you don’t wait for permission. If you don’t have the resources, you figure it out, and that’s such a special way to create.

As my career has grown, I’ve never felt a reason to leave that behind. Why would I? Those are still the people I trust most creatively.

COOPER: The “best idea wins” mentality feels very akin to the Corpus Christi creative scene. There’s this willingness to pitch in, to experiment, to build something together.

ARISPE: That’s exactly what it is.

Everyone’s a “yes, and ...” person. Someone throws out an idea, and the next person builds on it rather than tearing it down.

That’s honestly how [my team] has always worked. I don’t ever want to ask someone to do something I wouldn’t do myself. If everybody else is carrying equipment, I’m carrying equipment.

If everybody else is painting a wall, I’m painting a wall. That’s how you build trust.

When we made the visuals for TOMGIRL, there were moments where we were just figuring it out together. Somebody would have an idea, somebody else would improve it, somebody else would solve a problem we hadn’t even considered yet. That’s the magic. It’s never felt hierarchical; it’s always felt collaborative. I think that’s why the work feels like us.

COOPER: There’s a narrative people sometimes tell themselves that success means leaving your hometown, and the more successful you become, the farther away you get from it. Listening to you, I don’t think you believe that at all.

ARISPE: I really don’t. I think about Selena all the time. Not because I’m comparing myself to Selena—obviously not—but because she proved something.

She showed that you don’t have to reject where you’re from in order to grow beyond it. You can carry your home with you, and that’s always been important to me.

COOPER: Sitting here now, talking about TOMGIRL, the people you’ve brought along with you and everything that’s ahead, what do you hope this version of Quentin remembers when he looks back on this chapter?

ARISPE: I hope he remembers that he trusted himself. That he told the truth and didn’t rush. That he let the work become what it needed to become instead of forcing it. I hope he remembers that he kept the people he loved close and that he kept making things with his friends. That he stayed curious.

Every chapter teaches you something new, and the goal isn’t to arrive somewhere.

The goal is to keep making things that are honest enough for somebody else to see themselves in. If I can keep doing that, then I think I’ll be okay.

Read the full interview online at thebendmag.com

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UP FRONT GIVING BAC K

Pass the Mic How Raps & Apps is creating economic opportunity for Corpus Christi artists

By Leila Ydrogo

W

Photos provided by Raps & Apps

hen the world shut down during the pandemic, local musicians were among the first to feel the fallout. Stages went dark, gigs disappeared and many artists lost their primary source of income overnight. For the founders of Raps & Apps, the moment exposed a deeper problem that had long existed within the music industry: Talented artists often lacked the resources, support and business knowledge needed to build sustainable careers. Today, the local nonprofit Raps & Apps is working to change that reality.

Created with a mission that extends past performance opportunities, the organization aims to dismantle the long-standing “starving artist” mentality by helping musicians develop careers, build audiences and access professional production resources that are often financially out of reach. Its hope is to build a future in which local musicians no longer have to choose between making a living and making music, ensuring that Corpus Christi’s talent is heard beyond the city limits.

“It is really all about shining a light on the musicians, because there are so many talented musicians in the area,” said founder Jeremy Wells, who is also a part of the team at local venue and restaurant, The Exchange. “As owners of a music venue, we get to meet them and hear their stories, but nobody else does.”

Enter Raps & Apps' storytelling device of the Golden Mic Project, a production-based accelerator that spotlights local talent and equips artists with professional tools to advance their careers. Participants receive studio and music video production, recorded artist interviews, live performance opportunities, photography and promotional assets they can use long after the program ends.

Those resources can be transformative for working musicians. “I know that trying to share your music with the world is difficult and expensive,” Wells said. “It’s not just about talent, it’s about awareness. That’s the hardest part—not only getting your local community to see what you do, but also beyond the community.”

Season 1 of Golden Mic is in loving memory of a dear friend and pillar of the local music community, Rich Lockhart, who passed away before production began.

The initiative recently received support from the Coastal Bend Community Foundation with a $20,000 grant and an additional $5,000 from the Texas Commission on the Arts, allowing organizers to expand the first season from an initial five artists to 15. Beyond improving production quality, the Golden Mic Project serves as a primary gateway to a more comprehensive approach to the growth and advancement of local artists.

The community is invited to celebrate the selected musicians at the inaugural Golden Mic Showcase, which will be held Sept. 5 at House of Rock. Those looking to support Raps & Apps’ mission can do so through donations, which are used directly to fund future music production and programming. Outside of this specific nonprofit, the most effective actions are attending live music performances, buying tickets to local shows and supporting venues that invest in local talent.

Wells sees his organization’s effort as part of a larger movement already taking place across the city. “Raps & Apps didn’t create this energy,” he said. “Raps & Apps is capturing and showcasing this energy that already existed.”

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UP FRONT SOC IAL HOUR

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ARTRAGEOUS 2026: BE KIND, REWIND

photography by MAT THEW MEZA

The Art Museum of South Texas’ annual summer fundraiser took a trip back to the '90s for an evening of video games, flannel shirts, slap bracelets and plenty of nostalgia. Co-chaired by Issac Lozano and Sarah “Tilt” Tilton, the event raised funds to directly support the museum’s exhibitions, educational programming and community outreach.

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Held on June 14, 2026, Grow Local South Texas’s annual Farm to Table fundraiser celebrated the farmers, fishermen, chefs and food artisans who make our local food system thrive. Guests enjoyed a meal prepared by top Coastal Bend chefs, and funds raised directly support Grow Local’s mission to grow a healthy community by improving access to, education about and advocacy for affordable nutrient-dense foods.

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UP FRONT B E WE LL

Float On Safe and Strong Swim Academy helps new swimmers feel confident in the water

By Ava Coronado

C

Photos provided by Sarah Norem

oastal Bend families spend afternoons dipping in pools and splashing in waves, and as a year-round water community, learning how to navigate it safely can be lifesaving. From backyard pools to the surf, Yvette Segovia, founder and lead instructor of Safe and Strong Swim Academy, is committed to teaching children essential life-saving water skills and confidence in swimming.

The Academy is a private survival swim program specializing in the survival swim method. Children gain aquatic emergency responses by learning age-appropriate self-rescue skills, breath control, floating and water confidence. Segovia’s teaching philosophy focuses on a safe space where children are nurtured and taught in an encouraging environment, allowing them to feel comfortable and develop a lifelong love for swimming.

“Living in the Coastal Bend means we are surrounded by water,” Segovia said. “Because of our climate and lifestyle, water safety is not just a summer conversation; it is a year-round necessity. Drowning can happen quickly and silently, and many incidents occur when children are not expected to be in the water. Water safety education should be viewed as an essential life skill, much like wearing a seatbelt or looking both ways before crossing the street.”

20 The Bend

Safe and Strong provides lessons to children ages 6 months and up in the Corpus Christi, Portland and Calallen areas.

Lessons can be booked online.

Thanks to a community committed to water safety, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, community advocates, healthcare professionals and families have supported Safe and Strong Swim Academy through partnerships, sponsorships, community outreach efforts and scholarship opportunities.

Families who might not otherwise have access to survival swim instruction are able to receive life-saving lessons.

“I believe every child deserves access to life-saving water safety skills, regardless of a family’s financial situation,” Segovia shared. “As I began serving families throughout our community, I met parents who understood the importance of swim lessons but faced financial barriers that made enrollment difficult. I never wanted cost to be the reason a child missed the opportunity to learn skills that could potentially save their life.”

The Float It Forward scholarship fund, in partnership with Hope Floats Foundation—a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping prevent childhood drownings—creates opportunities for children to receive lifesaving instruction.

“At the heart of everything we do is the belief that water safety should be accessible, approachable and woven into the fabric of our community,” Segovia added. “Whether through survival swim lessons, scholarship opportunities, community partnerships or water safety events, our goal is to help families feel empowered and prepared. If we can help one more child gain confidence, one more parent feel equipped or one more family avoid tragedy through education and prevention, then we are fulfilling our mission.”

CONTACT safeandstrongswim.com @safeandstrongswimacademy

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Summer Maxing Five essentials over-delivering in beauty, in wellness and in the pantry

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HOME & GARDEN O P E N H O U S E 2 6 GA R D E N I N G 3 0

E N T E RTA I N I N G 32

WORLDS APART FROM A 30-MINUTE DRIVE

pg 26

photography by JASON PAGE

One couple spent decades watching Admirals Row from a distance; then they stopped watching

thebendmag.com 25

HOME & GARDEN OPE N HOU SE

Worlds Apart from a 30-Minute Drive One couple spent years watching Admirals Row from a distance; then they moved in

By Luis Arjona

T

Photos by Jason Page

aking the ferry or the bridge, something happens on your drive to Port Aransas as Corpus Christi recedes in the rear-view mirror.

By the time you hit the island, you start to exhale.

Admirals Row has been here since the ‘80s. Sixteen houses on 13 acres. A development you might drive past and find yourself making a mental note of for later. These owners filed the thought away for years before finally making the call.

With double-height ceilings and plenty of fenestration to flood the living room with natural light, the walls and furniture activate the living room while the sunlight emphasizes the beautiful teak floors. The color palette reads almost Mediterranean; say Santorini, Greece, where white walls and cobalt blue accents mirror the sand and water just beyond the deck. The interiors were designed by the homeowner herself, a cohesive vision carried through every room.

From the living room, guests can see the grass-covered dunes leading to the beach, where a pool is nestled at the center of a community open to the beauty of the Gulf Coast. The same can be said for the floor plan, 26 The Bend

The home overlooks the pool, dunes and beach crossover, offering elevated views and easy access to the shoreline in minutes.

which the owners renovated to create a more open layout.

“Opening up the kitchen was a battle that I lost [to my wife],” shared the homeowner. “I did not think it was worth it and wanted to wait and do a more extensive remodel in the future. We went ahead and opened the wall and added a counter island—and it is probably the best thing we did to the home.”

The renovation was carried out by Innovo Residential, with flooring and tile work by CRT Flooring. Connecting the dining room to the kitchen is a wet bar with warm wooden cabinetry.

Throughout the two spaces, wood accents contrast the white walls. A multi-

thebendmag.com 27

28 The Bend

THE BATHROOM PAIRS CLEAN LINES WITH WARM BRASS FIXTURES, ADDING A TIMELESS TOUCH.

THE SECOND BEDROOM FEATURES DUSTED ROSE WALLPAPER AND MUTED TONES, OFFERING A SOFTER CONTRAST WHILE COMPLEMENTING THE HOME'S OVERALL DESIGN PALETTE.

globe pendant light hangs above the dining room table, and a photograph by James Evans, a Marfa-based artist with Corpus Christi roots, anchors the dining room wall.

The kitchen respects the home’s original design with tasteful upgrades that create a connection between the kitchen and dining room when guests are over. The island delineates the two spaces, providing room to host and lay out food or hors d’oeuvres.

To have their space available on a whim, the house is never rented out.

As a means of vacationing from Corpus Christi, the owners said the location of their getaway allows them to enjoy what the Coastal Bend has to offer.

“Living in Corpus for over a decade, we never really went out to Port Aransas. Since owning the home, we have experienced all facets of the island

and Port A life. It has become a great getaway just 30 minutes from home,” the couple said.

The private rooms follow the design motifs from the living room and kitchen, and the bedrooms carry notions of feminine and masculine design language. One bedroom continues the white and blue palette of the living room with a beautiful view of the coast. The second bedroom offers contrast, with dusted rose wallpaper and muted tones that complement the design language of the home, a confident choice that reflects the homeowner’s eye for detail.

The deck is the owners’ favorite space in the house. “Even on the hottest of days, you can sit down there with the breeze in a hammock and take a nap or just visit with friends and family.” That is what 30 minutes buys you if you know where to look. thebendmag.com 29

HOME & GARDEN GARDE NING

NOW GROWING

Mexican Mint Marigold How to cultivate ‘Texas Tarragon’ for vibrant August blooms in the Coastal Bend

By Justin Butts

F

resh herbs and edible flowers are difficult to find in the heat of an August garden in the Coastal Bend. However, one herb puts on its best show of flowers and develops its most intense flavor in the summer heat: Mexican mint marigold.

Commonly referred to as Texas tarragon or sweet mace, Mexican mint marigold is actually a member of the sunflower family rather than a true mint, tarragon or mace. Like sunflowers, it flourishes in the late-summer heat, producing golden blossoms from August until late autumn, which makes it a perfect choice for fall pollinators.

Native to northern Mexico, the plant grows well here locally. It has been cultivated by regional Native Americans for thousands of years as a culinary herb, a medicine and an element in religious festivals. Cortés discovered Mexican mint marigold in 1519 and sent seeds back to Spain, where it is still widely cultivated on the hot hills of Andalucia.

French tarragon is a staple of French cuisine, but it doesn’t stand a chance in a summertime Coastal Bend garden. Mexican mint marigold is called Texas tarragon because it has the same sweet, licorice flavor as tarragon but grows beautifully through the summer when little else is in bloom.

Mexican mint marigold functions beautifully as a potted plant. To thrive, ensure it receives a minimum of six to seven hours of daily sunlight. Regularly trimming the topmost leaves and blossoms as the transplant develops will promote a bushier habit. Be sure to water more often in hot weather, as container plants can dry out rapidly, especially when exposed to wind.

G R OW I N G U P

PROFILING

F U N FA C T S

Spacing, 18”. Height, 24”. Easy to grow. Plant from transplant in full sun. Prefers sandy soil; must be very well-drained. Add sand to clay-rich soil. When planting, add several inches of organic compost and one handful of pastured poultry manure per plant.

Do not fertilize after planting, which diminishes fragrance, potency and flowering. Water regularly until established, then only as needed. Plant near other drought-tolerant plants to avoid over-watering.

Mulch with native leaves. No pests.

Harvest flowers often to stimulate bushy growth; deadhead. Never harvest more than 1/3 of the plant at once. Dry leaves by tying bunches of stems together and hanging them upside down in a cool, dark place.

Strip leaves from stems, crush and store in a glass container. Dried leaves hold flavor for one year or more. Cut plants back in winter to stimulate spring growth. Pair in garden with basil, oregano, mistflower, mealy blue sage and Turk’s cap.

The Aztecs cultivated Mexican mint marigold extensively. Traditional marigolds (which are also edible) decorated the celebration that became our modern Día de los Muertos. Mexican mint marigold was also used in religious ceremonies, but was most prized by the Aztecs as a flavoring for hot chocolate.

Tea and chocolate drinks made with Mexican mint marigold were used to treat colds and digestive complaints.

30 The Bend

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urning 16 is a milestone worth celebrating, and Lacey marked the occasion in unforgettable style with a rooftop party that was sweet, playful and perfectly personalized.

A coordinating photo backdrop, complete with playful signage and paw-print motifs, encouraged guests to strike a pose alongside Lacey, who happily soaked up the attention in her floral party dress. Every detail celebrated the pup's personality, from bone-shaped accents to custom illustrations and whimsical decor. Filled with laughter, treats and countless tail A soft pink and cream color wags, the celebration proved that palette with paw-prints motifs every dog deserves a spectacular carried the party's signature branding sweet 16. throughout the birthday bash.

32 The Bend

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thebendmag.com 33

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

DISCOVER MUSICIANS, CULTURES, HISTORY &VENUES ACROSS THE COASTAL BEND

written by

EVELYN MARTINEZ vintage concert posters and clippings provided by

CORPUS CHRISTI RIFFS

34 34 The Bend

35 thebendmag.com 35

THE HARDCORE HISTORY OF CORPUS CHRISTI’S LIVE MUSIC VENUES HOW CORPUS CHRISTI’S DIY PUNK SCENE BUILT THE FOUNDATION FOR THE CITY’S MODERN LIVE MUSIC INDUSTRY, AND WHY ITS INFLUENCE STILL SHAPES EVERY STAGE DOWNTOWN

NIGHT AT THE

SURF CLUB Inside the Executive Surf Club, a storm brews over the lunch rush.

“You gotta think, the crowd is going from kids, families and tourists to this almost pre-storm energy,” said Richard Lomax, current CEO and secondgeneration steward of the Water Street family enterprise. During Surf Club’s nostalgic “golden age” back in the ’90s and early 2000s, Lomax came of age to the smell of fried shrimp and the sound of rock music.

At its peak, Surf Club became an unlikely tour stop in a corner of South Texas few national acts found reason to visit. Older locals still tell stories of the Texas country and Tejano legends who graced the coveted patio stage, the Robert Earl Keens and Flaco Jiménezes

of it all. No Texas bar survives without its nostalgia-driven regulars.

But for Corpus Christi, the arrival of a venue run by punk rockers brought an underground scene into public view.

The hardcore, “do-it-yourself” culture of collaboration laid the foundation for the success of legacy venues like Surf Club, Concrete Street Amphitheater and House of Rock. From bookers and sound guys to bartenders and cooks, with each staff member came the relationships, work ethic and community that continue to define Corpus Christi’s live music scene today.

THE OTHER

STATE OF MIND Richard Guerrero traces the year punk broke in Corpus Christi back to Angkor Wat’s legendary 1986 performance,

36 36 The Bend

when a generation tired of glam rock and hair metal clung onto something grittier, dirtier, angrier. Guerrero, a journalist, documentarian and member of renowned local punk band The Krayons, presents a retrospective on Corpus’s underground music scene from 1979 into the late ’90s in his documentary SubCCultured: The Rise of DIY Rock in Corpus Christi. Although Corpus’ older scene had already spent years throwing shows in VFW halls and makeshift venues, he noted how high school teenagers like Jesse Gomez led the arrival of the hardcore DIY scene that began to attract touring bands.

“I was in a band, The Wrong Crowd, and there was really nowhere to play at the time,” Gomez said. “I mean, there was, but we were 17 years old. I got the hall together, I got the band together, I got the sound, I got the lights, put out the fliers. We all pitched in and I rented it, the American Legion (Hall) on Kostoryz.”

Gomez’s story sticks to an almost universal truth of the scene at the time: High school punk rockers wanted somewhere to listen to and play hardcore music. Musicians like Gomez often worked double duties in response to demand, fully adopting the “do-ityourself” mentality. Band members would double as bookers, zine makers, photographers and sound techs. They organized among themselves; split the cost and labor; and did what they had to do to perform.

“Back then, we preached a lot of unity,” Gomez said. “We took the risk together.”

By the late 1990s, the risks began to pay off, and by the turn of the century, the scene exploded. Corpus stages, from Southside dive bars to thousand-cap venues, became a rite of passage for bands putting in their time on the small Texas tour circuit.

As Corpus gained an attractive reputation through zines and word of mouth, bookers like Gomez started fielding calls rather than making them.

Alongside childhood friend Arnulfo Gutierrez, vocalist for another famed Corpus band Drastic Actions, Gomez continued booking bigger and bigger touring bands and stuffing bills with

Advertisement for Angkor Wat (1980s). Provided by CC Rifs

local acts while Gutierrez served as host and show opener.

Between the crowd-drawing country and Tejano stars, artists like Agnostic Front, Yellowcard and Green Day all played our local stages before selling out arenas. The local DIY world, with its rituals and opening bands, made its way onto bigger stages. The underground had finally come up for breath.

FRIDAY

NIGHT LIGHTS “From my perspective, [the golden era] was during the mid- ’90s [up until] 2004 or 2005,” Lomax said. During the afternoon rush, as we sat and talked in June 2026, the room looked pretty much as it did when Blue October played a soldout show on the same patio 24 years ago.

Surf Club’s arrival had marked a

Matt Hole and The Hot Rod Gang at the Executive Surf Club (1995).

Provided by CC Riffs

turning point in live music for Corpus locals by the time future House of Rock owner Casey Lain arrived for his first Friday night bartending shift in 1995. By the 4 p.m. happy hour, the changing tide began as the crowd turned from families and businessmen to listeners sporting tattoos and blue mohawks.

“It was a melting pot,” Lain described.

“The police officers, the families, the surfers and the people that worked in the area all came through, but then a lot of young people would show up for the music, the dancing and the fun. It was the spot where you would meet up on Friday, have some food, watch the band—and then you’re either going home or you’re making plans to go to the next spot.”

Under Thurman Love, general manager when Lain arrived, Surf Club built its reputation on Texas country, Tejano and singer-songwriters before gradually making room for louder, rock-

driven acts. Love set the standard for booking live music at Surf Club, making it easy for Lain to take over and hit the ground running.

“I remember at one point I was giving him grief because we were the Executive Surf Club, and he kept booking these folky guys, sitting around, telling stories,” Lain said. “By the time I rolled in, we started sneaking a little bit of Blue October and Vallejo and a little bit more of the rock stuff. And then downtown changed.”

By the mid 2000s, Surf Club’s once lonesome nebula of live music had added a few venues to its cluster: Concrete Street in 2001, House of Rock in 2005 and Brewster Street in 2006. While some classic country and Tejano musicians made their rounds, the first few years of the city’s largest, most enduring venues screamed along to the sound of hardcore.

“We got to book Rise Against before Rise Against was Rise Against,” Gomez

37 thebendmag.com 37

38 38 The Bend

said of his and Arnulfo’s time booking shows at Concrete Street. Lifetime DIYers, Gomez and Arnulfo stayed shopping for the right venues for their ever-growing punk acts, and the arrival of Concrete Street meant a new demographic that pushed past the hundred-cap bars and clubs. “We got to book Yellowcard before Yellowcard was Yellowcard.”

House of Rock became another bridge between the underground and the mainstream. Gomez helped shape its early identity, bringing the same DIY instincts he’d honed for years booking hardcore shows. Lain would later build on that foundation, helping the venue become one of Corpus Christi’s longestrunning homes for live music.

Now, though expansion has slowed and the city itself remains off major tour routes, these pillars of our live music scene stand tall and proud––and have never stopped working to bring quality shows to the Coastal Bend. When looking back at its level of advancement, the sheer size of DIY showgoers and Surf Club punks, and the bands who just passed through, we tend to ask, “What happened to the music scene?”

ALMOST

FAMOUS On the surface, one can easily credit the boom to a single venue or booker.

But Water Street patriarch Brad Lomax himself credits his success in the live music world as one only possible thanks to the vibrant ecosystem he found himself in.

“I think the time was right and the place was right for Casey Lain and other people who worked for us to develop a live music program,” Brad said. “I’m not gonna tell you that I had this vision [from the start], but it happened, and we were very successful at it. When you do that, other people emulate your success.”

At the center of it all were the same people—bands, promoters, stagehands, zine makers and fans who had spent years building the DIY underground before finding themselves shaping the city’s biggest stages. Gomez kept booking shows throughout his life, earning a reputation that caught the attention of his then-manager, Stanton "Stan the Man" McGrath, who invited him to help shape the vision and approach of House

of Rock. Bill "Dusty" Durrill of Concrete and Brewster Street turned to local DIY booker and longtime friend Jerry La Touf to help bring Concrete Street to life after realizing its natural bowl shape made the spot ideal for a concert venue.

Everywhere you look in Corpus, hardcore stares right back.

ENCORE Executive Surf Club proved that a restaurant could afford to take chances on live music. Concrete Street showed national tours that Corpus Christi could fill larger rooms. House of Rock became the bridge between underground credibility and professional production.

Now, over 20 years in, the once-new kids on the block are the elders, and the founding members of the underground music scene have become the status quo.

Locals built the city’s golden age of live music with their bare hands. After the pandemic’s reset, a new generation finds itself on the same beaten path.

Kids of the 2010s punk scene are forming hardcore bands like Ghosthouse. Stage technician Noe Ybarra invested in the music scene through The Artisan, a new production lounge built for live music.

Casey Lain continues to mentor the next wave of promoters, bookers and venue operators.

“PEOPLE ASK, ‘WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP THE SCENE?’” LAIN SAID. “MAN, GO SEE A SHOW.” TAKE A CHANCE ON LIVE MUSIC IN CORPUS. YOU MIGHT FIND YOURSELF IN THE NEXT GOLDEN ERA. ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ Left to Right: 1. Penny of Technobrats at Coopers Alley.

2. Matt Hole and the Hot Rod Gang at Executive Surf Club. 3. Slayer at the Memorial Coliseum 4. Matt Hole and the Rod Gang at Executive Surf Club. 5. A performance at Cantina Santa Fe. 6. Problem of the Day at DIY venue. 7. Iron Maiden at the Memorial Coliseum. 8.

Reverend Horton Heat at Executive Surf Club. 9. Matt Hole and the Hot Rod Gang at Executive Surf Club.

39 thebendmag.com 39

STATE OF THE SCENE THE ECOSYSTEM OF GROWING ARTISTS IN CORPUS CHRISTI

Dj Collective, The Kickbac. Photo by Sean Macae Batt

O

n any given weekend, live music fills bars, breweries and clubs across Corpus Christi. While fans hoping to catch a Billboard 100 act may have to travel elsewhere, that was never the city’s role. Corpus has long been a place where artists learn their craft before moving on to bigger stages.

“YOU JUST HAVE TO BE WILLING TO LISTEN TO SOMEONE YOU DON’T KNOW,” SAID MARISOL RAMIREZ, ASSISTANT GM AND EVERYTHING-WOMAN FOR BREWSTER AND CONCRETE STREET, TWO OF THE OLDEST AND LARGEST VENUES IN THE CITY. “YOUR CURRENT FAVORITE ARTIST MIGHT NOT [PLAY] HERE, BUT YOUR NEXT FAVORITE ARTIST IS PLAYING OUR STAGES RIGHT NOW.” Venues of every size give local musicians and amateur stagehands

Parker McCollum at Concrete Street Amphitheater. Photo by Andrew Quinn

paths to grow, from open mics at Executive Surf Club and early gigs at The Artisan to headlining Brewster Street and, eventually, Concrete Street Amphitheater. Rather than competing with one another, many venue owners see themselves as part of the same ecosystem, helping artists reach the next stage of their careers.

One of Corpus’ proudest achievements, Concrete Street Amphitheater holds a special place in the world of live entertainment. Ramirez described how they lead with a “fan first” mentality as one of the country’s few remaining independently operated amphitheaters.

Without corporate booking pressures, the team has more freedom to take chances on developing artists.

“When it comes to artists, we nurture them at Brewster and grow them into Concrete [Street],” Ramirez said.

Independent venues’ more hands-on approach allows management to foster relationships with blossoming artists over several shows, watching them grow

40 40 The Bend

year after year. Parker McCollum, one of the venue’s biggest success stories, started playing Brewster Street’s inside stage and has since moved on to pack the house at the Hilliard Center.

“We are looking for new talent, we are spotting it and we are fostering it,” she continued. “Whether you’re an employee or you’re a musician, we’re firm believers that rising tides lift all ships if we all elevate together.”

From Texas country to hardcore, from legacy acts to newcomers in their scene, the ability to track growth as a musician by playing stages across the city has encouraged more and more people to experiment with live music. According to Noe Ybarra, owner and operator of the new downtown venue The Artisan by GST, young musicians just need a place to make their first mistakes. Venue owners should be willing to meet them where they are.

“The reason it’s called The Artisan is because I’m giving it to the artist,” Ybarra said. “Here’s a place for you, where you

A gallery wall of musicians who've played at Executive Surf Club through the years. Photo by Jason Page

can do your rehearsals and come jam.

At the same time, I get a free band. It’s benefiting both of us.”

After years of traveling across the world working as a stage technician, Ybarra fell in love with the lounges he worked on in his home base of Las Vegas.

Growing up working in the Corpus music scene made it the obvious place to bring his version of the lounge centered around community, artistic growth and unique experiences.

“It’s more of a learning platform for everyone involved, including the technicians, promoters, photographers and musicians,” he continued. “They’re learning the business, and I’m here to help.”

Ybarra’s philosophy of giving newcomers a place to grow extends to another side of the Corpus music bubble, experiencing a similar resurgence: digital and vinyl DJs. Although the hardcore bands of today have made quite a home out of The Artisan’s stage, so has the burgeoning DJ scene.

A major player in the city’s OG scene, DJ, producer and Latin Grammy-nominee El Dusty continues to influence the city’s music culture through performances and investments. His commitment to developing Peoples Street and the Produce brand as premier options for local DJs looking for experience has inspired many of today’s biggest spinners.

“PRODUCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN OPEN DOOR FOR CREATIVE PEOPLE,” DUSTY SAID. “ANYBODY CAN COME IN AND ASK FOR HELP. WE HAVE ALL OUR VENUES HERE [OPEN] TO YOUNG DJS AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF PARTIES. WE WANT TO BE THE HOME BASE FOR THAT.” A visit to Produce Bar Co. during a set by resident house DJ Denzy inspired Alex Puga to pick up a deck himself, and before long, he and Denzy began performing

41

Live music at House of Rock. Photo by Issac Gomez

together as DJ collective The Kickback.

“It just seems like there’s this vibrancy coming from the downtown scene,” Puga said. “Everyone’s feeding off of each other.

It’s compounding, and it’s still going.”

A weekend downtown proves Puga right. If you plan carefully, you can start with a DJ set at The Annex, make your way to the mosh pit at The Artisan, grab food and drinks with live music at Executive Surf Club and end the evening watching a touring act at Concrete Street Amphitheater. Few cities the size of ours offer that kind of variety within just a few blocks—it’s why the Texas Music Office declared Corpus Christi as a Music Friendly City in 2023.

Our greatest strength has never lived in the size of our venues or in landing a spot on every major tour stop, but instead in the generational passion for live music that connects the artists, venue owners and audiences under the same feeling: loving where we live. ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

thebendmag.com 41

LOCAL PLAYLIST

COASTAL BEND ARTISTS TO KNOW (AND ADD TO YOUR PLAYLISTS)

ANIMAL MOOD

MONIQ

@animalmoodofficial

@moniqmusic

@brooke.graham.503

A four-piece rock powerhouse born out of jam sessions among well-known scene dwellers. Raised on the sounds of South Texas and the punk music of their youth, Animal Mood leans toward indie sleaze nostalgia without ever overreaching.

Whether in the Latin groove Joshua Huberto adds in “SALSA PUNK” or within Gilliam Nikles’ bright keys adding a taste of pop to the yearning in “About the One I Like,” the songwriting always finds a sweet spot to land on within their list of influences. Regardless of the genre explored, vocal-guitar-lyricist triple threat Jose Del Toro lays himself bare, grounding the band’s genre-hopping in the consistent intensity of the emotions he expresses.

Bubblegum pop so sweet it’ll make your teeth hurt. As part of the Freddie Records lineage of music legacy, singersongwriter Moniq’s buttery R&B vocals and dreamy pop production come together to give us a peek into how she sees, feels and exists in the world.

Inspired by early-2000s pop stars, both in sound and in image, the balanced mix of vulnerability and glamour in her storytelling lets her stand out from the crowd with songs about love and womanhood.

“I’ve always viewed music as more than just sound,” Moniq explained. “It’s a world that people can step into. Whether I’m performing for a small crowd or a larger audience, my goal is to always create a space where people can be part of the story.”

The soundtrack to sandy toes and tan lines starts with Brooke Graham’s Texas TropRock. She grew up in Port Aransas, so Texas Gulf Coast culture colors everything she does, from her songwriting to her annual Beach Bash festival. Blending country, rock and a touch of Tejano with her beach-loving lyrics, Graham puts a South Texas spin on the island sound Jimmy Buffett made famous. Her country twang and tropical steel drums hit just right when you’re living in the Coastal Bend, so let her music bring you into a world of endless summer.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

INDIO @indio_band

Indio wants to take you on a journey.

Over the last few years performing as a two-piece psychedelic triphop group, Esaiah “Mattman” Martinez and Kat Mireles have led devoted followers to nirvana through drum loops, reverbed synths and haunting vocals. Incredibly stylized individual performers, the group came together from casual jam sessions, each one further building up their world––first acoustic sets, then adding in the loop pedal, then the synths and electric guitar and so on. With Martinez on the electro-instrumentals and his partner-in-gigs further entrancing the listener, Indio finds a way to pull you in. According to Mireles, “at times [it’s] deliciously intoxicating. We are doing our thing and taking you on a journey; it’s up to you if you want to jump on the ride.”

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

CLAUDIA MELTON @theclaudiamelton

For Claudia Melton, “jazz represents freedom. The freedom to create, to explore and to express myself without limitations.” During her decade-spanning career playing alongside such legends as Erykah Badu and Norah Jones, jazz has taught Melton how to live her life, how to be spontaneous and how to trust herself.

Now living back in her hometown with her family, the multi-instrumentalist can be found teaching jazz alongside her brother Carl and performing weekly at the Republic of Texas. World-class, award-winning vocals to the tune of piano jazz fusion sent straight to the gods, easily available in a city run by rock and country. Make use of it!

42 42 The Bend

BROOKE GRAHAM

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

GHOSTHOUSE @ghosthousetx

Any teenager in the scene will tell you: Texas hardcore has never been better. Ghosthouse’s brand of metalcore abrasion attacks the senses whether you’re catching it in its purest form, live and loud, or on the band’s debut record, Off With My Wings, which drummer Justin Rios describes as “drastically heavier” than Ghosthouse’s previous synthier releases. Rooted in the sounds and DIY ethos of the ’90s hardcore boom––bassist Jesse Jay’s father played in local thrash metal band Devastation–– the band keeps its sound fresh by pulling from every corner of the hardcore spectrum. Between the relentless guitar work of Miah Hernandez and Marcos Treviño, Brandon Arriola’s piercing vocals to unfalteringly poetic lyrics and adventurous production choices, Ghosthouse jolted the scene awake upon arrival and continues to pump it full of life. Proceed to these shows with caution (ear protection).

ARTISTS' TOP TRACKS

CHRIS56 @chrisfiftysix

Chris56, now settled in Corpus with a powerhouse creative team, has spent his decade as an artist fine-tuning his craft. Proudly boasting the label “Y’allternative,” a genre making it big across national stages today, his sound sits squarely where country, Tejano, hip hop and rock have always met: deep in South Texas.

“I’m the embodiment of Corpus,” Chris said. “Knucklehead who was forced to listen to Tejano and country while taking every influence from hip hop and street culture. I slept at the asada! Chris56 is Corpus to its core.” Characterized by an Americana sound, look and feel, Chris’ lyrics stay wide-eyed and hopeful over the melodic guitar. Whether he’s singing about heartbreak with a country twang or growing pains that come with getting older, across genres and subjects, Chris56 remains authentic.

"BROWN BUNNY"

"UNDER HER SPELL"

"FANTASY"

"RIGHT TIME"

Moniq

Claudia Melton

"EASY DOES IT"

"OFF WITH MY WINGS"

"AMERICAN SPIRIT"

"DIGITAL WITCHCRAFT"

Animal Mood

Indio

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

LEFT HANDED KNIVES @lefthandedknives

Local pop-punk royalty Left Handed Knives make music that satisfies the inner emo kid. Drawing on the sounds of late-90s angst anthems from legends like Blink-182, this four-piece troupe of longtime punks keeps the energy high across the band’s released singles and EPs. Lead Tyler Chrobocinski’s raw vocals balance out the drummer’s highenergy snare hits and the main melodies from the guitars, creating that classic headbanging sound sure to take you right back to the good ‘ol days. Singing songs about heartbreak and bad bosses, find them in their best form live at Black Monk Tavern.

Ghosthouse

Brooke Graham

Chris56

Left Handed Knives

43 thebendmag.com 43

ALL IN THE

FAMILY FROM A GARAGE STUDIO TO ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S MOST INFLUENTIAL INDEPENDENT LATIN RECORD LABELS, FREDDIE RECORDS REMAINS A FAMILY AFFAIR

BY VANESSA PEREZ PHOTOS BY JASON PAGE

4 4 44 The Bend

W

alking the storied halls of Freddie Records feels, in found himself at a crossroads: 15 years into the business, out many ways, like stepping into a museum of Tejano of new labels to record with in hopes of striking new heights, music and the heart of a culture that thrives today a husband and father to a young, growing family he needed because of those who came before. Its walls pay homage to to provide for. His wife, Joann, had run a hair salon out of the the artists—greats like Ramón Ayala, Lucky Joe and Jimmy efficiency apartment behind their house on Brentwood Drive Gonzalez, as well as groups like Siggno, La Fiebre and Selena when the two decided that the space would double as a y Los Dinos in their early years—who have called the label recording space. home at one point or another over the 56 years since it started With an initial $400 investment and the freedom to record operations in Freddie and Joann Martinez’s garage. what he wanted, Freddie Records was born.

While the label itself may have begun operating in 1969, Martinez Jr. recalls one of his earliest and most vivid the dream that the Martinez family spearheads today began memories from the small garage where his parents would work. long before with their father, “My mom was a beautician and grandfather and founder of the had set up her beauty shop [in label, Tejano legend Freddie the garage], and at night my dad “HE WAS TOURING Martinez Sr. would use that rehearsal room with ALL OVER THE UNITED Before Tejano found its footing his band,” he said. He recalled his as the premier sound of Hispanic dad picking him up and seating STATES AND MEXICO, culture in Texas, La Onda Chicana him atop one of the hydraulic APPEARING ON gave rise to many Mexican salon chairs, watching in awe as American artists across the country. the seven-piece band performed NATIONAL TELEVISION Taking root in the core of the civil in the small garage—guitar, bass, SHOWS AND PLAYING rights movement of the 1950s drums, trumpets, saxophones, his and ’60s, La Onda Chicana gave dad at the helm on vocals and PRESTIGIOUS VENUES,” rise to a bicultural perspective on trumpet. “I was a little kid, and MARTINEZ JR. SAID music. It was formed by blending I didn’t know what they were traditional beats and sounds from saying. But it was loud, and it OF HIS FATHER’S the merged worlds of Chicano was powerful. I knew something artists: ranchera, tejano, cumbia special was going on, and it was BREAKTHROUGH. arrangements married to the uncharted territory.”

“HE PLAYED MADISON emerging sounds of American Martinez Sr. would find new R&B and soul, rock and dooheights to his success under his own SQUARE GARDEN, wop. Freddie Martinez emerged label. His first single, “Necesito Tu THE HOLLYWOOD on the scene during this time as a Amor,” quickly garnered enough fresh-faced 15-year-old, though play to release more singles, and PALLADIUM—NOT no stranger to the music business, eventually led to his first album, MANY LATIN OR whose career would grow Botoncito de Cariño, which made alongside the genre itself. a considerable impact. It was in TEJANO ARTISTS WERE “When my dad was growing 1971 that Martinez Sr. struck gold PLAYING THOSE up, his uncles—Ralph, Eddie, with his fourth album, Te Traigo Sammy, Bobby Galvan—were Estas Flores, and catapulted him VENUES BACK THEN. prominent musicians and orchestra into Tejano stardom. leaders in the ’40s and ’50s,” “He was touring all over IT WAS A VERY Freddie Martinez Jr., Co-President the United States and Mexico, MAGICAL TIME.” of Freddie Records, said of his appearing on national television father’s early exposure to the shows and playing prestigious business the whole family would later dedicate themselves to. venues,” Martinez Jr. said of his father’s breakthrough. “He Martinez Sr. took influence from his uncles and his played Madison Square Garden, the Hollywood Palladium— grandfather, Rafael Galvan, who opened the Galvan Ballroom not many Latin or Tejano artists were playing those venues back in 1950 to promote his orchestra and bring big-name artists then. It was a very magical time.” to perform in the Coastal Bend. Some of Martinez’s earliest As Martinez’s star rose, so did the label’s reputation. Freddie performances were in the famed ballroom with his grandfather’s Records built more steadily over the next decade, finding its stride orchestra, before initially setting off on his own as the Freddie in 1973 by signing Ramón Ayala, who would find incredible Martinez Orchestra. success as a solo artist at Freddie Records after parting ways Throughout his late teens and 20s, Martinez worked as with his duo, Cornelio Reyna and Los Relámpagos del Norte. a KCCT radio DJ part-time in addition to being a working Martinez Sr. and the label have garnered six Grammys and musician—gigging his way across Texas and the U.S.— as a Latin Grammys along the way, and have boasted a roster that means of networking within the business. By 1969, Martinez at times included Ayala, his band Los Terribles del Norte, Jimmy

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Gonzalez y Grupo Mazz, Sunny while the label continues to adapt “IT’S IMPORTANT TO and the Sunliners, Elida Reyna and to the current music landscape. dozens of other iconic acts.

Martinez Jr. spoke on the sense MAINTAIN THE CORE Tejano evolved into its that a second life for Freddie VALUES OF WHAT signature sound that we know unfolds as the next generations today, and a new generation in start to come forward to take part MY GRANDPA HAS the Martinez clan grew alongside in the family business—not quite ENVISIONED FOR it. Today, every generation has a passing the torch, but keeping the part to play in the family business flame.

THE COMPANY...I’M that serves a growing roster of “My dad has been the greatest EXCITED FOR IT TO artists and millions of listeners. teacher that I could have asked Freddie Martinez Jr. oversees for, both him and my mother,” GROW AND TO SEE Freddie Records as co-president, Martinez Jr. said, reflecting on his HOW MANY OTHER alongside his brothers John, own role as a father and mentor to who heads up digital media his daughters as they have come DIFFERENT ARTISTS partnerships and daily operations, into their roles in the company. and Marc, who leads radio “There’s nothing like having family WE CAN BRING IN...” promotion and partnerships be part of the business. They nationwide and in Mexico. For all share in the responsibilities and in their success, being an independent, family-owned business the heritage that is part of the company. They want to see it has motivated them to run the label in a way that reflects their continue, and I know it means just as much to them as it does values. to me.”

“The music business can be the kind of business that At the Freddie Records headquarters, Tejano history mingles chews people up and spits them out,” Melody Martinez— with the personal history of the Martinez family. Melody and elder daughter of Freddie Jr. and digital media specialist for Monique step into the role of consummate professionals and the label—said. “For our family, and my grandpa especially, burgeoning faces of the label as they showcase exhibits of it has always been really important to let artists have creative history in the halls of the label’s office with the ease of people freedom.” who grew up here, pausing beside an accordion once played “It’s important to maintain the core values of what

by Ramón Ayala, or the pants their grandfather wore in an my grandpa has envisioned for the company,” Monique old western, La Muerte de Pancho Villa, starring Mexican film Martinez—the younger daughter of Freddie Jr., executive superstar Antonio Aguilar. Farther back into the warehouse, assistant and signed artist to the label—said of continuing the among boxes of the label’s merchandise and physical media, legacy of Freddie Records. “I’m excited for it to grow and to the sisters exchange sidelong glances and smiles over family see how many other different artists we can bring in, something photos and artifacts of the evolution of Freddie, like the iconic different and unique that maybe the label has never seen neon trumpet logo that used to serve as a historic marker for before.” many Corpus Christians. The artifacts tell the story of where Martinez Sr. balances his role as CEO by delegating dayFreddie Records has been, but the family moving among them to-day operations to his sons so he can enjoy time with Joann points to where it’s going next.

FLYERS PROVIDED BY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS & ARCHIVES DEPARTMENT OF TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY, CORPUS CHRISTI. COLLAGE BY THE BEND MAGAZINE

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T H E C O A S TA L B E N D ’ S L O C A L L I F E S T Y L E AU T H O R I T Y S U B S C R I B E T O D AY T O G E T T H E B E N D M A G A Z I N E ST R A I GH T TO YOU R M A I L B OX

thebendmag.com

The Leader in Senior Primary Care Tamara Lopez Conviva Representative

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THE DISH 54

G O O D TA ST E 5 6

COCO CABANA’S FRESH DIGS

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photography by R ACH EL BENAVIDES

A local food truck favorite brings its popular menu to Water Street Market

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CUISINE FARM TO TAB LE

From the Street to the Supper Table Elote inspires a refreshing treat to savor this summer

By Kayla Butts MS, RDN, LD

N

othing compares to the refreshing taste of a pasta salad that captures the season’s bold flavors. Inspired by the beloved elote, this simple-to-make recipe combines two stars of summer: corn and zucchini.

Vendors on the streets of Mexico transformed a 9,000-year-old staple into a culinary superstar by coating grilled corn with crema, cheese, chile and lime. Today, the flavor combination has become a staple throughout South

RECIPE

Street Corn Pasta Salad Serves 6 PREP TIME: 20 minutes COOK TIME: 10 minutes INGREDIENTS:

16 oz cavatappi pasta 16 oz frozen or fresh sweet corn 12 oz zucchini spirals 1 1/2 cup crema fresco 1/4 cup lime juice 1 tsp chili powder 1/2 tsp smoked paprika 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 cayenne pepper 3/4 cup cotija cheese 1/3 cup chopped cilantro Tajín, for garnish DIRECTIONS:

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and toss hot pasta with corn and zucchini.

In a medium bowl, whisk crema, lime juice, chili powder, paprika, salt and cayenne.

In a large bowl, toss pasta, vegetables, cotija, cilantro and dressing together. Garnish with Tajín and refrigerate until ready to serve.

50 The Bend

Photos by Rachel Benavides

Texas, appearing on menus across the Coastal Bend. Local favorites like Streat Corner Kitchen, El Camino Comida & Bar and Marty McPies often feature their own takes on Mexican street corn, whether served on the cob, in a cup or as a flavorful pizza. This pasta brings these vibrant flavors to the home kitchen, celebrating the rich culinary traditions that connect our community to summer’s freshest harvest.

thebendmag.com 51

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CUISINE TAB LE TALK

C UISINE

TABLE TALK

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK NOW

DINING SPOTLIGHT

Tiki Jay’s Opens at Cinnamon Shore P O K E , S M A L L P L AT E S & C O C K TA I L S

S N AC KS

Tiki Jay’s is the latest culinary addition to Cinnamon Shore. Owned by Jason Stout, this new dining concept features a menu of poke, coastal-inspired sliders and shareable small plates. The cocktail side of the menu is heavily influenced by classic tiki bar drinks, with highlights like the Dark & Stormy and My Tie at the Shore. The full menu is now available, with dinner served every evening and lunch served on weekends starting at 11 a.m. through Sept. 6.

M a r ke t S t re e t , C i n n a m o n S h o re N o r t h

t i k i j a y s .c o m

NEWS

@ t i k i j a ys

OK HI-FI SMALL BITES

To further elevate its lounge experience, local soundbar OK HI-FI has officially introduced small bites to the menu. Guests can now enjoy new extended hours from Wednesday through Saturday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Additionally, the OK HI-FI CAFE serves lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a menu featuring chicken gyoza dumplings, an all-beef hot dog on a brioche bun, chilled vermicelli noodles with blackened ahi tuna and more.

415 D Peoples St. $ LU N C H / D I N N E R

Ora’s Kitchen VENEZUELAN

Interior shots at Tiki Jay’s.

Photo provided by Coco Cabana

Ora’s Kitchen delivers exceptional flavors and top-tier hospitality as Corpus Christi’s sole brick-and-mortar Venezuelan restaurant.

It's menu features delicious items such as pastelitos, empanadas, tequeños and more. To stay updated on featured items and daily specials, check out its Facebook page.5433 Staples Q1 $

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CUISINE THE DISH

Coco Cabana’s Fresh Digs A local food truck favorite brings its popular menu to Water Street Market

By Jacqueline Gonzalez

A

Photos by Rachel Benavides

fter building a loyal following through its food truck, Coco Cabana has officially opened its first brick-and-mortar location at Water Street Market, giving customers a place to slow down and gather. The menu remains rooted in the same fresh, wellness-focused offerings that made Coco Cabana popular from the jump. However, owners Zack and Bela Jaradat said the new space offers customers a different way to experience the full brand.

“We were looking for something similar to what you would see in a coastal town, maybe in South America or Brazil,” Bela said of the overall feel and design of the space. “We wanted to bring a beachy atmosphere that feels different from anything you’ve seen before in Corpus Christi, while still fitting into the neighborhood.”

With the expertise of interrior design firm Studio Cecile, the tropical-inspired interior blends woven textures, lush greenery, surfinspired decor and a palapa-style ceiling. Upstairs, additional seating gives guests space to enjoy breakfast, meet with friends or unwind 54 The Bend

Stopping by on a dog walk?

Ask the staff for a special pup cup!

over good food instead of simply grabbing something to go. Water Street Market was a natural fit for the Jaradats’ expansion into a physical location.

“It’s right by the water, and [this] area is really growing,” Bela said. “It’s such a walkable area, and we thought what we offer fits perfectly [in the Water Street Market].”

Akin to the saying “new look, same great taste,” Coco Cabana continues its commitment to quality ingredients, using organic açaí alongside a variety of organic and non-GMO products throughout the whole menu.

Smoothie bowls, smoothies, toasts, waffles and specialty drinks make up

the main offerings, with the Choco Loco Bowl and the Bela Bowl remaining the shop’s most popular orders. The former combines organic açaí, granola, fresh strawberries, banana and Nutella, and the signature Bela Bowl includes organic açaí layered with strawberries, banana, mango, pineapple, coconut flakes, almond butter and agave.

For something a little more indulgent, the Biscoff Bowl combines organic açaí with a coconut sorbet swirl, granola, fresh strawberries, banana, Biscoff butter, Biscoff cookie dust and a whole Biscoff cookie.

Guests can also build their own bowl by choosing from organic açaí, pitaya, mango, coconut or matcha bases before adding fresh fruit, granola, chia seeds, hemp seeds, coconut flakes and their choice of drizzles.

Beyond the bowls, the menu offers smoothies like the Tropical Wave, blended with mango, banana, pineapple, coconut milk and orange juice; or the protein-packed Peanut Power, made with peanut butter, banana, vegan vanilla protein powder and milk of your choice.

The new location offers ample seating throughout its two-story space.

Guests looking for breakfast or a midday bite can choose from the Surfside Bites menu, with avocado toast, honey banana toast, cocoa berry toast and Belgian waffles topped with fresh fruit, Nutella or Biscoff.

Little ones can even order kid-friendly options like the Little Islander smoothie that blends strawberries, banana, milk and agave into a refreshing treat made just for them.

As the business expands, the original food truck remains in operation, even as this brick-and-mortar site begins a fresh chapter for Coco Cabana.

CONTACT 309 N. Water St. Suite D | @cococabanatx thebendmag.com 55

CUISINE GOOD TASTE

The One Behind the Secret Door Taste a sip of nostalgia with “Friends”-themed bar Marcel’s On Grove

By Ava Coronado

C

Photos provided by Wildflowers Photography

uddled up on the couch after tucking in their kids, bar owners Amos and Kristen McPherson regularly settled in for a quiet evening watching an episode of the beloved ’90s sitcom “Friends.”

Those late nights spent watching the characters gather over coffee at Central Perk would one day inspire Marcel’s On Grove, a downtown speakeasy hidden behind a secret door inside the bar Old Kress Live.

After experiencing a speakeasy inspired by the movie The Shining, the McPhersons and cofounder Casey Landry realized that their own secret hideaway could be anything and didn’t have to adhere to 1920s style.

From Monica and Rachel’s apartment door to the iconic coffee house couch, Marcel’s On Grove blends nostalgia and themed design elements, making it a perfect place for fans and non-fans alike to enjoy a few cocktails and hang out with their closest friends.

The cozy atmosphere—with coffee mugs, dishes and plates replicated from the show, using mostly passed-down furniture to recreate Central Perk—helped build a space that felt authentic.

“If you’ve never seen ‘Friends’ in your whole life, and walk in here, this is just a fun speakeasy,” Amos said. “The idea that it's a room completely walled off with no windows and no access holds true to that speakeasy vibe, where it’s truly a secret.”

The 35-seat bar features dim lighting, wooden furniture, neon quotes from the show and a soundtrack of ’90s and 2000s music.

“We really wanted that coffee shop experience, and when you get in here, it naturally happens on its own, because it is cozy, it is a little bit darker—everybody kind of just hangs out like it’s a coffee shop,” Amos shared.

Coffee cocktails were essential, with fresh espresso as the foundation for the menu. The Smelly Cat blends Courvoisier, Cherry Heering with simple syrup, a dash of fee foam and espresso. Other cocktails include the Gladys, with vanilla vodka and Licor 43, topped with coffee beans and 56 The Bend

In true speakeasy form, there is no signage for Marcel's.

Instead, the bar is hidden behind a secret door inside Old Kress Live.

espresso; and the Espresso Manhattan, mixing Still Austin liquor, kamina, evaporated milk, simple syrup and espresso.

The “Friends” theme continues with drinks such as the Gunter, which combines Still Austin, dark creme de cacao, simple syrup, a dash of orange bitters, espresso and a few coffee beans on top; and the Ugly Naked Guy, also with Still Austin liquor, simple honey, bitters and coffee beans, with a lemon twist.

“What brings it all together is the idea that from the show, Central Perk was a coffee shop, and the whole place probably smelled like coffee,” Amos recalled, explaining their vision.

“Every time [the characters] sat on the couch, they had coffee; everybody in the background had coffee.”

Those rewatches of late-night episodes on the McPhersons’ home couch are now a dream come true, where friends gather over coffee-based cocktails and conversations create connections behind that secret door.

CONTACT 619 N. Chaparral St. | 361.444.5444

thebendmag.com 57

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EVERY GIRL DESERVES A STAGE

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photograophy by ROEL RODRIGUEZ JR.

A musician’s dream became a sisterhood shaping the next generation of rockstars

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AROUND THE B END ART S & C ULT URE

Every Girl Deserves a Stage A musician’s dream became a sisterhood shaping the next generation of rockstars

By Jacqueline Gonzalez Photos provided by Roel Rodriguez Jr.

C

hicas Rock has spent 15 years providing technical instruction in vocals, keyboards, drums, bass and guitar to aspiring female rockers. Founder Cecy Treviño de Oliveira—who navigated the challenges of an industry that frequently dismissed female talent while playing in all-girl groups—envisioned a sanctuary for young women. Her goal was to establish an environment where girls feel empowered to support one another, embrace their authentic selves and develop the self-assurance necessary to chase their dreams.

“Music classes were mainly boys,” Treviño de Oliveira said of her younger self ’s experience. “They’d make you feel like you had something to prove. I wanted to create a place where girls could come together, learn music and support each other.”

After years of performing professionally, Treviño de Oliveira volunteered with Girls Rock Austin and returned to Corpus Christi determined to build something similar. With donated instruments, volunteer instructors and community support, Chicas Rock was born.

“It just kind of all landed in my hands,” she said. “When you’re doing something from the heart, things just come together.”

60 The Bend

Chicas Rock offers programs for aspiring musicians of all ages, with Chiquitas Rock for ages 5-7, beginner and intermediate classes for ages 8-12 and Teen Chicas for ages 13 and up.

Many participants arrive shy and unsure of themselves, but over time, they become performers, mentors and role models for the girls who come after them. For Sierra Reyes, Chicas Rock has helped her see her true potential. “It’s nice being surrounded by women who want you to be the best version of yourself,” she said. “Chicas Rock helped me realize I’m stronger than I thought I was.”

Alexandra “Cutie” Martinez credits the program with helping her build confidence.

“They really encourage you, they see your potential and they invest so much time in you,” she said. “That helped me gain confidence in music, in school and in speaking up for myself.”

Elisabeth Martinez said Chicas Rock helped her step outside her comfort zone. “I was very shy when I was younger,” she said. “Coming to Chicas Rock, I branched out, met people who love music as much as me—and I’m not as scared to do things that used to intimidate me.”

Treviño de Oliveira has watched that transformation happen in the Chicas for the last 15 years.

“My favorite reaction is when parents tell me they never imagined their daughter would get on stage,” she said. “Then they perform, and you see them light up. They change.”

Several girls never truly leave Chicas Rock. In a testament to the power of the sisterhood, it’s not uncommon for girls who have aged out of the program to return each summer as volunteers and mentors, many traveling back to Corpus Christi from wherever their lives have taken them, because Chicas Rock still feels like home. They speak about Treviño de Oliveira as a mentor and fierce supporter, describing her as someone who believed in them before they believed in themselves and who inspired them to help the next generation find that same confidence. They also believe in the program so much that

Connect with Chicas Rock online to catch an upcoming live performance.

they encourage their younger sisters to join, creating a new generation of Chicas Rock musicians.

Fifteen years after opening its doors, Chicas Rock has become the place Cecy Treviño de Oliveira always wished she’d had growing up. Today, it acts as that space for countless girls across the Coastal Bend, proving that when young women are given the opportunity to be heard, they often discover their strongest instrument is their own voice.

CONTACT @chicasrock | chicasrock.org

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AROUND THE B END DATE B OOK

CALENDAR

FREE ADMISSION

FUNDRAISER

REGISTRATION/ TICKET REQUIRED

FAMILY-FRIENDLY

AUGUST 27

ROCKPORT MURAL FEST

CRAFT NIGHTS PRESENTED BY H-E-B

AUGUST 7 FIRST FRIDAY ARTWALK

CATS: YOUNG ACTORS EDITION

Young performers take center stage in CATS: Young Actors Edition, a one-hour adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's beloved musical presented by the Young People's Theatre Summer Intensive. Set in a whimsical junkyard, audiences will meet unforgettable Jellicle Cats as they sing, dance and compete for the chance to be chosen by Old Deuteronomy on the magical night of the Jellicle Ball. With a 60-minute runtime and a G rating, it's a fun, familyfriendly introduction to one of musical theater's most iconic production 62 The Bend

EVERY THURSDAY & FRIDAY THROUGH AUGUST 20 BAY JAMMIN’ CONCERT AND CINEMA SERIES

Keep the summer vibes alive a little longer with the Bay Jammin’ Concert and Cinema Series, running through Aug. 20. Gather at the Cole Park Amphitheater every Thursday to enjoy live tunes from local artists as the sun sets, or head over on Fridays for a familyfriendly movie screening starting at sundown.

EVENTS

AUGUST 3-8

Rockport Mural Fest is ready to bring the community together through artistic expression.

Local and international artists come together to create murals throughout downtown Rockport. See the city transformed and meet the artists during the week-long event, and experience the passion and talent of muralists in the annual celebration of art.

AUGUST 1-2 & 8-9

OUTDOORS

Enjoy a variety of arts and culture across downtown Corpus Christi during the First Friday ArtWalk. Explore food, shopping, activities, live music and block party celebrations.

More information about what to look forward to is available on the Downtown Corpus Christi ArtWalk page.

Crafters and creative minds gather at K Space Contemporary on the fourth Thursday of each month for Craft Nights. Thanks to H-E-B, participation and tools are free from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Bring a project or grab a craft kit from the Fill-A-Bag art shelf, and let your imagination flow.

AUGUST 29 TOP GUN MOVIE NIGHT

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the classic action film Top Gun aboard the iconic U.S.S. Lexington. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. to an ’80s themed watch party, filled with music, costume contests, prizes, food and opportunities to take a picture with F-14 Tomcats seen in the film. Grab a ticket, bring a chair and enjoy an on-theme scenic view as you watch the movie.

AUGUST 11 THE FAVORITE BOOK EXCHANGE

Looking for your next read?

Look no further than The Favorite Book Exchange.

Each month, book lovers are invited to bring a favorite book, sign and date the copy and exchange it with another literature enthusiast. From 6 to 7 p.m., grab a cocktail and bring a copy to The Annex and turn the page to a new experience.

SCAN FOR A FULL LIST OF CALENDAR EVENTS

PHOTO BY DE BBIE NOB LE

AUG

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AROUND THE B END DISCOVE RY

Play It Again As a new generation embraces physical media, Coastal Bend record stores and the library are leading the revival

By Luis Arjona

T

Photo by Tyler Schultz

he iPod holds a thousand digital songs, and streaming holds practically every song ever recorded. So why are record stores getting so much love for physical media? At Hybrid Records, the shelves are telling a story. Carlos Cooper, who has owned the shop for 10 years, said roughly 80% of the recent boom in CD sales has come from teenagers and people in their early 20s. Vinyl remains king, but something has shifted. CDs and tapes are moving in a way Cooper hasn’t seen before, and the customers buying them aren’t who you might expect.

Cooper attributes price points as an initial hypothesis. “If you’re a kid that works part-time and likes music and you go into a music shop, you’re faced with the choice of, ‘Do I want to buy one [vinyl] record or like four CDs?’” A new indie record that would have cost $15 in 2015 now runs closer to $25. A major label release that was $30 is now $40 or $50. CDs, meanwhile, remain in the same price range.

Now, the proliferation of cloud services and third-party vendors is contributing to digital fatigue. You buy music on Amazon, and you may not own it for as long as you think. A server goes down, a company folds, a platform changes its terms … and what you paid for vanishes.

Rachael Chaney, owner of Needles & Fins, sees the same shift from a different angle. She recalls a girl, maybe 15, who comes in regularly with a Sony Walkman clipped to her belt. To Chaney, she represents something bigger than nostalgia: “There’s no wrong way to listen to music.”

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Shop vinyl, CDs, tapes and more at local shops such as Hybrid Records and Needles & Fins.

Needles & Fins is where indie and surf culture collide, and her customers are those willing to paddle out to explore and ensure they own a piece of history. Chaney runs the shop on a simple principle: “all killer, no filler.” And though that phrase unfortunately does not exist on a shirt, it is the credo of her shop and her customers.

When discussing how trends are shaping up, Chaney is clear that the concept of ownership has never left. What’s changed is the deliberateness. She is noticing younger customers being intentional with their purchases, coming in with a sense of purpose, knowing what they want and why they want it in their hands.

Which brings us to the library.

I visited my local library and spoke with employee Daniel Schwartz, who has watched streaming fatigue arrive in real time; from visitors asking to check out a collection of DVDs after canceling their streaming subscriptions to using the library as a proxy to test a series before purchasing it themselves when demand outpaced the shelves.

Schwartz shared a phrase from a former colleague: “Libraries are the living rooms of communities.” I saw the coziness of the living room unfold as our conversation was surrounded by the buzzing of families coming through the doors. By the time I had signed up for my library card and was leaving, children were leaving with stacks of books that would make LeVar Burton proud.

Nobody charges you to sit in the living room. Nobody pulls the rug out from under you when the licensing deal expires. You want to know if physical media is coming back? The library never got the memo that it left. It’s been here the whole time, same as always, waiting for everyone else to catch up.

CONTACT Hybrid Records, 417 Peoples St. Needles & Fins, 4034 Weber Road La Retama Central Library, 805 Comanche St.

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AROUND THE B END LOOKING BAC K

Jazz, Texas Style The cultural crossroads of South Texas helped shape a unique sound

By Jillian Becquet

Photo provided by Corpus Christi Public Libraries,

La Retama Special Collections & Archives

James Polk (piano), Junior Alvarez (drums), Bobby Galvan (alto sax), Eddie Galvan (tenor sax) and Sam Galvan (bass) performed at numerous venues in the 1960s.

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t’s no surprise that Texas, which has been a melting pot of cultures since the first people set foot here, would create its own take on the American jazz tradition.

Jazz has always been an art form in evolution—it grew from ragtime, blues and gospel. Today, jazz is as American as apple pie, and in the Coastal Bend, it carries a flavor all its own.

Tejano music added mariachi, corrido, conjunto and other Mexican influences to the rich culture of Texas music. As new sounds and traditions blended, Texas jazz reflects the diversity of cultures in the state.

To allow Corpus Christi to experience as many “flavors” as possible, musicians founded the Texas Jazz Festival. From its origins as a listening club at Del Mar College, it quickly grew into an organization that hosted jazz musicians for 66 The Bend

performances on campus. These concerts were instantly successful, growing into a 1,200-person crowd filling the Richardson auditorium during Buccaneer Days by the third concert.

The festival continued to grow, and has been celebrated at the Peoples Street T-Head, Memorial Coliseum, the Watergarden and finally Heritage Park. From the start of the festival with Joe Gallardo, Eddie Oliveres, Al “Beto” Garcia, Raul Cuesta and Sal Pedraza, the festival has been focused on exposure to jazz for as many people as possible via free admission, and for all those great Texas “flavors” of jazz to be celebrated.

It’s now the longest-running free jazz festival in the world, celebrating year #65 Oct. 16-18, and all are welcome.

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