I was curious if they are going to do anything special on Cherokee St or any other heavily Mexican district in the area for Cinco de Mayo? Or even a particularly cool thing in just a restaurant?
Well Cinco de Mayo is quickly becoming another St. Patrick's Day... in other words I'm sure every resturant and tavern will have drink and food specials heavy on the "party" and light on "authenticity".
But that's just a commentary... sorry I can't really help. Maybe check out Gilberto Pinela's MySpace page -- he's a good friend, and he hosts Enterate, the local Latin events/culture show.
http://www.myspace.com/enterateonmy46tv
But that's just a commentary... sorry I can't really help. Maybe check out Gilberto Pinela's MySpace page -- he's a good friend, and he hosts Enterate, the local Latin events/culture show.
http://www.myspace.com/enterateonmy46tv
Why go to just another bar when you can go to the real Cinco de Mayo festival on Cherokee Street:
http://cincodemayostl.com/
http://cincodemayostl.com/
Cinco De Mayo is more popular in the US. It's a lot like St. Patrick Day, in that sense. I'm glad people celebrate, however.
It depends on the area of Mexico... I know that Guanajuato (close to Mexico City) celebrates it, but Cancun doesn't. I planned a trip to Cancun around Cinco de Mayo once. I thought it would be so cool to be there for the "real" Cinco de Mayo - but they didn't celebrate at all! All they told us is to come back in September for their real independence day. Cinco de Mayo is just a celebration of a battle they won against France, not their Independence day.
The sun came out and so did the crowds yesterday on Cherokee.
Crowd shots:
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Artists were on site all day painting doors and then near the end of the day the doors were auctioned off.
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Crowd shots:
Artists were on site all day painting doors and then near the end of the day the doors were auctioned off.
That's pretty cool. I had no idea there was anything like that going on yesterday...
I went to that as well and it was awesome. This street could really turn into something nice if that loser alderman would allow bars. I know of two people who are interested in opening on this street, but he won't allow it...
Not everyone seems to know that the first few blocks from Jefferson heading west on Cherokee are in the 9th ward. That's Ken Ortmann's ward and not Craig Schmid's. I know of 2 businesses opening in the next year on Cherokee that plan on selling alcohol. There are some infrastructure improvements planned for Cherokee Station that should be announced this summer too. Things are turning around and this area has the people, architecture, walkability, plans in place to become really special.Bastiat wrote:I went to that as well and it was awesome. This street could really turn into something nice if that loser alderman would allow bars. I know of two people who are interested in opening on this street, but he won't allow it...
I've read about a trend now that has to do with authentic tourism in one's own city. This particular area has that in spades. The mexican restaraunts and bakeries, the art galleries and event spaces and distinct lack of chain retail could prove really helpful to this business district. As the mayor has said...This is one to watch.
stellar wrote:Not everyone seems to know that the first few blocks from Jefferson heading west on Cherokee are in the 9th ward. That's Ken Ortmann's ward and not Craig Schmid's. I know of 2 businesses opening in the next year on Cherokee that plan on selling alcohol. There are some infrastructure improvements planned for Cherokee Station that should be announced this summer too. Things are turning around and this area has the people, architecture, walkability, plans in place to become really special.Bastiat wrote:I went to that as well and it was awesome. This street could really turn into something nice if that loser alderman would allow bars. I know of two people who are interested in opening on this street, but he won't allow it...
I've read about a trend now that has to do with authentic tourism in one's own city. This particular area has that in spades. The mexican restaraunts and bakeries, the art galleries and event spaces and distinct lack of chain retail could prove really helpful to this business district. As the mayor has said...This is one to watch.
Several years ago the strip seemed to be on an upswing, especially while Taqueria Azteca was drawing folks from all over the area. Especially at lunch. Unfortunately, as the place got popular with visitors, it also drew the attention of the parking nazis, who found it irresistable to ticket people at lunch for a few extra bucks of revenue. That's not all that killed Azteca, but it reflects a mindset that really doesn't get it about building up destination neighborhoods.
bonwich wrote:stellar wrote:Not everyone seems to know that the first few blocks from Jefferson heading west on Cherokee are in the 9th ward. That's Ken Ortmann's ward and not Craig Schmid's. I know of 2 businesses opening in the next year on Cherokee that plan on selling alcohol. There are some infrastructure improvements planned for Cherokee Station that should be announced this summer too. Things are turning around and this area has the people, architecture, walkability, plans in place to become really special.Bastiat wrote:I went to that as well and it was awesome. This street could really turn into something nice if that loser alderman would allow bars. I know of two people who are interested in opening on this street, but he won't allow it...
I've read about a trend now that has to do with authentic tourism in one's own city. This particular area has that in spades. The mexican restaraunts and bakeries, the art galleries and event spaces and distinct lack of chain retail could prove really helpful to this business district. As the mayor has said...This is one to watch.
Several years ago the strip seemed to be on an upswing, especially while Taqueria Azteca was drawing folks from all over the area. Especially at lunch. Unfortunately, as the place got popular with visitors, it also drew the attention of the parking nazis, who found it irresistable to ticket people at lunch for a few extra bucks of revenue. That's not all that killed Azteca, but it reflects a mindset that really doesn't get it about building up destination neighborhoods.
Yeah, thanks city hall
. How about those meters up by Crown Candy while we're at it. Let's just kill all the geese laying golden eggs! "Gee Ms. Metermaid, this meter no longer even has a building in front of it, but make sure to write this car a ticket!"That is why parking meters should be controlled by neighborhood business associations, with the money collected going exclusively to street and infrastructure upkeep and maybe street festivals like this one. Not much business in the neighborhood? Lower the meters to $0.00, etc
I just wish we could get rid of parking meters, and go to the parking ticket system they experimented with on South Grand. One ticket stand in the middle of the block, and let people park where they can, instead of designating spots.
But I don't want to turn this into a parking thread.
I drove through the Cherokee area recently and loved it. So much character. I encourage anyone who hasn't checked it out to drive through in the near future.
But I don't want to turn this into a parking thread.
I drove through the Cherokee area recently and loved it. So much character. I encourage anyone who hasn't checked it out to drive through in the near future.
Just thought I would resurrect this thread to let everyone know that Cinco de Mayo will be celebrated on Cherokee Saturday May 3rd from 11am to 9pm.
http://www.cincodemayostl.com/
http://www.cincodemayostl.com/
Parking should be free in community improvement districts, or find some other classification to make it free in areas which need pedestrian traffic.
The meters in Old North are a joke.
Cherokee is a great walk too. Go check out Fort Gondo.
The meters in Old North are a joke.
Cherokee is a great walk too. Go check out Fort Gondo.
I wanted to let everyone know that at the Cherokee Cinco de Mayo street festival tomorrow there are going to be 2 stages. The Apop Records stage located at Oregon and Cherokee will have:
Bunnygrunt 1:30 - 2:30
Bargain Basement 2:30-3:30
Vickroids 3:30-4:30
Monads 4:30 - 530
Jerusalem and the Starbaskets 5:30-6:30
the 75's 6:30-7:30
Airport Elementary School 7:30
The California & Cherokee stage will have:
11:30 - 12:30 "Banda Aires del Sur" - 18 piece Mexican Band
1:00 - 2:00 St. Louis Symphony Brass/Jazz Group
2:00 - 3:00 Mariachi Los Compadres
3:00 - 5:00 Boogie Chyld
5:30 - 7:00 Javier Mendoza
7:30 - 9:00 Tamborazo Mixteco
The festival runs from 11am to 9pm and is a block longer this year than last. Several of the beer booths are run by neighborhood associations so pick a neighborhood that you want to support and start drinking.
Bunnygrunt 1:30 - 2:30
Bargain Basement 2:30-3:30
Vickroids 3:30-4:30
Monads 4:30 - 530
Jerusalem and the Starbaskets 5:30-6:30
the 75's 6:30-7:30
Airport Elementary School 7:30
The California & Cherokee stage will have:
11:30 - 12:30 "Banda Aires del Sur" - 18 piece Mexican Band
1:00 - 2:00 St. Louis Symphony Brass/Jazz Group
2:00 - 3:00 Mariachi Los Compadres
3:00 - 5:00 Boogie Chyld
5:30 - 7:00 Javier Mendoza
7:30 - 9:00 Tamborazo Mixteco
The festival runs from 11am to 9pm and is a block longer this year than last. Several of the beer booths are run by neighborhood associations so pick a neighborhood that you want to support and start drinking.
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Sounds good. I think we will show up. Anyone know of any other activities or anything?
I was there. very cool event. I want more hispanics to move to this area!
I was there as well. I really love cherokee street. It has so many cool shops and the food is always delicious. I just hope the area doesn't become victim of gentrification and lose its unique culture.
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went on Saturday afternoon. Other than having the temperature 15 degrees warmer I wouldn't have changed a thing! Much more authentic than the West county meat market that is Hacienda on Cinco.
We had a real good time on Saturday. Went down after the Cardinal game and was amazed at the wide makeup of the crowd. Great people watching as all different types and colors hung out and had fun.
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You are all foolish. You should be at La Salsa's in Creve Coeur today. That's the only authentic celebration around.
I just hope the area doesn't become victim of gentrification and lose its unique culture
I disagree. This area gentrified means North Grand or South Broadway one day might be the next Barrio. We have PLENTY of streets to revive in the city.
The event was 1 block larger this year and while it seemed like it wasn't as crowded I think it gave more space and allowed people to move around easier. Especially as it got later and some people had too much Tequiza in them. I think I saw 1 fight last year and none this year.
A few images from Cherokee on Saturday.
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Javier Mendoza
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The 75's on the Apop records stage
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The headliners Tamborazo Mixteco
A few images from Cherokee on Saturday.
Javier Mendoza
The 75's on the Apop records stage
The headliners Tamborazo Mixteco
Here is an article from the paper.
http://tinyurl.com/cinco-cherokee
I have some pics that I will post in a bit.
http://tinyurl.com/cinco-cherokee
I have some pics that I will post in a bit.