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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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The Bend Magazine Volume 13 / Issue 8. The Bend Magazine is published by Bend Holdings Sub, LLC. Copyright © 2026 Bend Holdings Sub, LLC. No portion may be reproduced without express written consent. Editorial or advertising does not constitute advice, but is rather considered informative. The Bend is not responsible for the care of and/or return of unsolicited materials. The Bend reserves the right to refuse advertising deemed detrimental to the community's best interest or in questionable taste. Expressed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ownership.
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.
KYLIE COOPER, EDITOR IN CHIEF kylie@thebendmag.com
PASS THE MIC
Challenging the “starving
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
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
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.
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.
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
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5642
How Raps & Apps is creating economic opportunity for Corpus Christi artists
By Leila Ydrogo Photos provided by Raps & Apps
When 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.”
rapsandapps.org | @rapsandappscc
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.
GROW LOCAL SOUTH TEXAS’S 14TH ANNUAL FARM TO TABLE
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.
By Ava Coronado Photos provided by Sarah Norem
Coastal 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.”
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
Summer may technically be winding down, but it certainly doesn’t feel that way, especially with the unrelenting heat and humidity. These days, I’m craving routines that minimize effort and maximize results to keep everything feeling fresh. I’m sharing five highly used favorites this month, specifically chosen for the wow factor they've brought me through over-delivery. I’m quite, ahem, tickled to break down these five essentials that span beauty, wellness and local flavor.
MINERAL FUSION
NAIL POLISH
Natural Grocers, 3750 S. Staples St.
I walked past these countless times before finally giving them a try, and I was sold with the first sweep of the wide-angled brush and buttery-smooth formula.
By Natalie Werkhoven
@Castor_and_Glow
I love local businesses, and I’d love to hear from you. Contact me on Instagram with recommendations for your local health and beauty business or product. Sharing the Coastal Bend's beauty and wellness bests is my forte!
This vegan, 16-free mineral formula is free of the harsh chemicals found in traditional polish. It actively strengthens nails using a hardening technology to provide chip-resistant coverage that is long-lasting and perfect for late-summer beach trips. My favorite shades are “Quick & Flirty” (a creamy light pink), “Flirtini” (a millennial fave light mauve) and “Heart Throb” (a gorgeous deep red).
K18 AIRWASH
DRY SHAMPOO
Sephora, 5425 S. Padre Island Drive Ste. 126 BL-E
This non-aerosol formula is an absolute game-changer and a new holy grail product. I’ve nev-
er had another dry shampoo that freshens and volumizes my hair for literally days after a single application. It eliminates odor-causing molecules on contact using patented biotechnology, while translucent microbeads absorb excess oil and sweat without leaving a chalky white cast or gritty buildup. While it definitely extends the time between washes, the incredible volume enhancement that makes my hair look and feel thicker is why it will permanently stay in my beauty arsenal.
er looked back. The initial investment for this beautiful, all-metal zinc-and-steel razor is higher, but you completely bypass the cost of expensive plastic razor cartridge replacements. Instead, you easily snap standard, universal double-edge steel safety blades in half and load them onto the tilting magnetic head yourself. The included 10 blades are incredibly long-lasting, delivering a close, smooth shave that completely eliminates razor burn and the toxic chemical-filled strips of the plastic alternatives.
AIR FRESHENER azunafresh.com
LEAF SHAVE RAZOR leafshave.com
I officially broke up with plastic razors last summer and have nev-
I’m a self-proclaimed pickle connoisseur, and I find the best ones have both a zing and a crisp crunch that can be challenging to find outside a conventional grocery store. I was thrilled to find that these pickles deliver a delicious punch of both! The small-batch handcrafted jars of perfection have a variety of flavor-packed cukes such as classic Garlic Dill, fiery Habanero and spicy-
Even in my notoriously pet-friendly house with a bunny, four pups, a baby tortoise and four aquariums, I refuse to compromise on a fresh-smelling home. Instead of masking pet or car odors (with three active middle-schoolers, a fresh car is a necessity) with toxic synthetic sprays, these plant-based gels use pure Australian tea tree oil molecules to actively neutralize airborne bacteria, mildew and mold at the source. I look forward to the scent it leaves in my car every time I get in. From refillable jars we keep in every car and room of our house to the excellent cleaning wipes and sprays, I love this ability to freshen our air without harsh chemicals or compromising ingredients.
sweet Chamoy. Perfect for sandwiches, burgers or adding a pop to a charcuterie board, I recently included them as a star ingredient in a deliciously refreshing pickle pasta. Naturally rich in antioxidants and packed with electrolytes, these pickles are delectably hydrating and a winning snack.
One couple spent years watching Admirals Row from a distance; then they moved in
By Luis Arjona Photos by Jason Page
Taking 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,
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-
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.
By Justin Butts
Fresh 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.
GARDENER'S NOTES
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.
A stylish canine celebration overflowing with treats, charm and love
By Jo Anne Howell Photos Provided by Cora Johnson
Turning 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 wags, the celebration proved that every dog deserves a spectacular sweet 16.
written by EVELYN MARTINEZ
vintage concert posters and clippings provided by
HOW
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.
Richard Guerrero traces the year punk broke in Corpus Christi back to Angkor Wat’s legendary 1986 performance,
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
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.
“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
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
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?”
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.
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.
“P EOPLE ASK, ‘WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP THE SCENE?’” L AIN SAID. “MAN, GO SEE A SHOW.” TAKE A CHANCE ON LIVE MUSIC IN CORPUS. YOU MIGHT FIND YOURSELF IN THE NEXT GOLDEN ERA
On 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
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
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
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 OP EN DOOR FOR CREATIVE PEOPLE,” DUSTY SAID. “ANYBODY CAN COME IN AND ASK FOR HELP. WE HAVE ALL OUR VENUES HERE [OP EN] TO YOUNG DJS AND DIFFERENT TYP ES 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
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.
@animalmoodofficial
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.
@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.”
@moniqmusic
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.”
@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!
@brooke.graham.503
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.
@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).
@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.
@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.
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
alking the storied halls of Freddie Records feels, in many ways, like stepping into a museum of Tejano music and the heart of a culture that thrives today because of those who came before. Its walls pay homage to the artists—greats like Ramón Ayala, Lucky Joe and Jimmy Gonzalez, as well as groups like Siggno, La Fiebre and Selena y Los Dinos in their early years—who have called the label home at one point or another over the 56 years since it started operations in Freddie and Joann Martinez’s garage.
While the label itself may have begun operating in 1969, the dream that the Martinez family spearheads today began long before with their father, grandfather and founder of the label, Tejano legend Freddie Martinez Sr.
Before Tejano found its footing as the premier sound of Hispanic culture in Texas, La Onda Chicana gave rise to many Mexican American artists across the country. Taking root in the core of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and ’60s, La Onda Chicana gave rise to a bicultural perspective on music. It was formed by blending traditional beats and sounds from the merged worlds of Chicano artists: ranchera, tejano, cumbia arrangements married to the emerging sounds of American R&B and soul, rock and doowop. Freddie Martinez emerged on the scene during this time as a fresh-faced 15-year-old, though no stranger to the music business, whose career would grow alongside the genre itself.
found himself at a crossroads: 15 years into the business, out of new labels to record with in hopes of striking new heights, a husband and father to a young, growing family he needed to provide for. His wife, Joann, had run a hair salon out of the efficiency apartment behind their house on Brentwood Drive when the two decided that the space would double as a recording space.
With an initial $400 investment and the freedom to record what he wanted, Freddie Records was born.
“HE WAS TOURING ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO, APPEARING ON NATIONAL TELEVISION SHOWS AND PLAYING PRESTIGIOUS VENUES,” MARTINEZ JR. SAID OF HIS FATHER’S BREAKTHROUGH.
“HE PLAYED MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, THE HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM—NOT MANY LATIN OR TEJANO ARTISTS WERE PLAYING THOSE VENUES BACK THEN. IT WAS A VERY MAGICAL TIME.”
“When my dad was growing up, his uncles—Ralph, Eddie, Sammy, Bobby Galvan—were prominent musicians and orchestra leaders in the ’40s and ’50s,” Freddie Martinez Jr., Co-President of Freddie Records, said of his father’s early exposure to the business the whole family would later dedicate themselves to.
Martinez Sr. took influence from his uncles and his grandfather, Rafael Galvan, who opened the Galvan Ballroom in 1950 to promote his orchestra and bring big-name artists to perform in the Coastal Bend. Some of Martinez’s earliest performances were in the famed ballroom with his grandfather’s orchestra, before initially setting off on his own as the Freddie Martinez Orchestra.
Throughout his late teens and 20s, Martinez worked as a KCCT radio DJ part-time in addition to being a working musician—gigging his way across Texas and the U.S.— as a means of networking within the business. By 1969, Martinez
Martinez Jr. recalls one of his earliest and most vivid memories from the small garage where his parents would work. “My mom was a beautician and had set up her beauty shop [in the garage], and at night my dad would use that rehearsal room with his band,” he said. He recalled his dad picking him up and seating him atop one of the hydraulic salon chairs, watching in awe as the seven-piece band performed in the small garage—guitar, bass, drums, trumpets, saxophones, his dad at the helm on vocals and trumpet. “I was a little kid, and I didn’t know what they were saying. But it was loud, and it was powerful. I knew something special was going on, and it was uncharted territory.”
Martinez Sr. would find new heights to his success under his own label. His first single, “Necesito Tu Amor,” quickly garnered enough play to release more singles, and eventually led to his first album, Botoncito de Cariño, which made a considerable impact. It was in 1971 that Martinez Sr. struck gold with his fourth album, Te Traigo Estas Flores, and catapulted him into Tejano stardom.
“He was touring all over the United States and Mexico, appearing on national television shows and playing prestigious venues,” Martinez Jr. said of his father’s breakthrough. “He played Madison Square Garden, the Hollywood Palladium— not many Latin or Tejano artists were playing those venues back then. It was a very magical time.”
As Martinez’s star rose, so did the label’s reputation. Freddie Records built more steadily over the next decade, finding its stride in 1973 by signing Ramón Ayala, who would find incredible success as a solo artist at Freddie Records after parting ways with his duo, Cornelio Reyna and Los Relámpagos del Norte. Martinez Sr. and the label have garnered six Grammys and Latin Grammys along the way, and have boasted a roster that at times included Ayala, his band Los Terribles del Norte, Jimmy
Gonzalez y Grupo Mazz, Sunny and the Sunliners, Elida Reyna and dozens of other iconic acts.
Tejano evolved into its signature sound that we know today, and a new generation in the Martinez clan grew alongside it. Today, every generation has a part to play in the family business that serves a growing roster of artists and millions of listeners.
Freddie Martinez Jr. oversees Freddie Records as co-president, alongside his brothers John, who heads up digital media partnerships and daily operations, and Marc, who leads radio promotion and partnerships nationwide and in Mexico. For all their success, being an independent, family-owned business has motivated them to run the label in a way that reflects their values.
“IT’S IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN THE CORE VALUES OF WHAT MY GRANDPA HAS ENVISIONED FOR THE COMPANY...I’M EXCITED FOR IT TO GROW AND TO SEE HOW MANY OTHER DIFFERENT ARTISTS WE CAN BRING IN...”
“The music business can be the kind of business that chews people up and spits them out,” Melody Martinez— elder daughter of Freddie Jr. and digital media specialist for the label—said. “For our family, and my grandpa especially, it has always been really important to let artists have creative freedom.”
“It’s important to maintain the core values of what my grandpa has envisioned for the company,” Monique Martinez—the younger daughter of Freddie Jr., executive assistant and signed artist to the label—said of continuing the legacy of Freddie Records. “I’m excited for it to grow and to see how many other different artists we can bring in, something different and unique that maybe the label has never seen before.”
Martinez Sr. balances his role as CEO by delegating dayto-day operations to his sons so he can enjoy time with Joann
while the label continues to adapt to the current music landscape. Martinez Jr. spoke on the sense that a second life for Freddie unfolds as the next generations start to come forward to take part in the family business—not quite passing the torch, but keeping the flame.
“My dad has been the greatest teacher that I could have asked for, both him and my mother,” Martinez Jr. said, reflecting on his own role as a father and mentor to his daughters as they have come into their roles in the company.
“There’s nothing like having family be part of the business. They share in the responsibilities and in the heritage that is part of the company. They want to see it continue, and I know it means just as much to them as it does to me.”
At the Freddie Records headquarters, Tejano history mingles with the personal history of the Martinez family. Melody and Monique step into the role of consummate professionals and burgeoning faces of the label as they showcase exhibits of history in the halls of the label’s office with the ease of people who grew up here, pausing beside an accordion once played by Ramón Ayala, or the pants their grandfather wore in an old western, La Muerte de Pancho Villa, starring Mexican film superstar Antonio Aguilar. Farther back into the warehouse, among boxes of the label’s merchandise and physical media, the sisters exchange sidelong glances and smiles over family photos and artifacts of the evolution of Freddie, like the iconic neon trumpet logo that used to serve as a historic marker for many Corpus Christians. The artifacts tell the story of where Freddie Records has been, but the family moving among them points to where it’s going next.
Elote inspires a refreshing treat to savor this summer
By Kayla Butts MS, RDN, LD Photos by Rachel Benavides
Nothing 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
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.
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.
CUISINE
DINING SPOTLIGHT
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.
Market Street, Cinnamon Shore North tikijays.com @tikijays
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 $
LUNCH/DINNER
Ora’s Kitchen VENEZUELAN
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 $
local food truck favorite brings its popular menu
By Jacqueline Gonzalez Photos by Rachel Benavides
After 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
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.
Taste a sip of nostalgia with “Friends”-themed bar Marcel’s On Grove
By Ava Coronado Photos provided by Wildflowers Photography
Cuddled 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
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.
By Jacqueline Gonzalez Photos provided by Roel Rodriguez Jr.
Chicas 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.”
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
AUGUST 1-2 & 8-9
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
EVERY THURSDAY & FRIDAY THROUGH AUGUST 20
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.
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 7
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.
AUGUST 11
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.
AUGUST 27
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
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.
As a new generation embraces physical media, Coastal Bend record stores and the library are leading the revival
By Luis Arjona Photo by Tyler Schultz
The 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.”
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.
Hybrid Records, 417 Peoples St. Needles & Fins, 4034 Weber Road La Retama Central Library, 805 Comanche St.
By Jillian Becquet Photo provided by Corpus Christi Public Libraries, La Retama Special Collections & Archives
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
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.
