Musician and music archivist Hector Saldaña recalls attending many La Semana Alegre music festivals in the 1980s and ’90s, including playing several with his band The Krayolas.
On Wednesday, Hemisfair announced the return of what it calls “downtown’s original music festival,” to take place April 25-26 on Hemisfair grounds during Fiesta. Fiesta San Antonio runs April 18-28.
“They were always jam-packed to overflowing when they were downtown,” Saldaña said, noting that later editions of the festival moved to the Freeman Coliseum grounds.
In an effort to attract such crowds and appeal to nostalgia, Hemisfair CEO Andres Andujar announced 1995 pricing for a limited number of tickets. Those tickets — available during a flash sale that began earlier today — will cost $10, while the remainder of tickets will run from $15 for advance general admission one-day tickets to $100 VIP daily tickets.
The festival begins at 5 p.m. on the second Thursday of Fiesta, then starts at noon on Friday, April 26, following the downtown Battle of Flowers parade, and runs until 11 p.m.
In an announcement to media, Andujar said, “This festival holds a special place in the hearts of many San Antonians who fondly remember its festive atmosphere. … Our goal is to recapture that magic in a new way and create an unforgettable experience for the next generation.”
Hemisfair has partnered with Galaxy Productions, the production team behind Maverick Music Festival and Día de los Muertos at Hemisfair, for the new festival.
The lineup of performers is yet to be announced, but festival organizers should know that both The Krayolas and Blue Öyster Cult, which Saldaña’s band opened for in the late ’80s at the original La Semana Alegre, are still active.
