by Russell Boniface
Associate Editor

Summary: More than 2,000 AIA convention-goers celebrated Friday evening, May 4, at the AIA San Antonio Host Chapter Party at the La Villita Historic Arts Village on the River Walk. Architects and guests enjoyed Texas-style food, music, and dancing at the lively event, capped by a breathtaking fireworks display in honor of the AIA150 anniversary.

The San Antonio Host Chapter party brought convention-goers and guests together in the quaint setting of San Antonio’s oldest neighborhood, La Villita, to celebrate the ongoing success of this year’s convention while also recognizing the AIA150 anniversary. Convention-goers entered La Villita through a stone and steel gate entrance marked by the AIA signature and eagle logo. The adobe-structured La Villita was divided into three plazas and beamed with a Mardi Gras-like atmosphere. “This is the AIA’s night to celebrate,” says Torrey Carleton, Hon. AIA, AIA San Antonio executive director, who was also celebrating her birthday. “La Villita is a place of San Antonio significance, being the city’s original settlement. And this is the place where San Antonio celebrates during Fiesta.”

Texas heritage meets a 21st century green party
The Host Chapter Party transported architects and guests back to Texas’ past, the Wild West, and Old Mexico. Underscoring the event was a theme of Texas diversity, sustainability, recycling, and organic fare. The cuisine on the wide Texas- and Mexican-style menu was locally raised and organic, while a local manufactured bottled water called “Cloud Juice” by Hanson Brick came from filtered Texas rainwater. “Caterers were selected with an eye to deliver organic produce and willing to participate in recycling,” explains Carleton. “We weaved into the party all things native combined with pure food and water and old-style San Antonio fun, topped with fireworks.”

Celebrating Convention, AIA 150, and Texas diversity
A Texas Longhorn steer greeted guests as they arrived at the Host Chapter Party. Once inside, mariachi, salsa, and Brazilian bands set the musical tone, while the Urban 15 Afro-Caribbean dancers performed and conga-lined throughout the plazas. Cactus margaritas, “Alamo Ale,” and “walk-o-mole”—a local treat of guacamole, shrimp, and tuna—provided local Texas flavor, and tables even had faux-cowhide table clothes. Actor and cowboy Tommy Worrell, who appeared in the film Alamo, entertained the crowd with a Western show featuring trick roping.

“It’s all pretty cool,” said Ben Burkhalter, AIA, AIA Los Angeles. “We have Olivera Street, the original pueblo, in LA, but here it’s better. I think the San Antonio chapter has done a great job with this party and with convention.” Candace Carroll, AIA, AIA New York, was also impressed. “It’s very Texas Fiesta,” she enthused. “The party is well spaced and allows the crowd to move freely. The lighting and the muted colors of the streamers illuminate the faces, creating a great social environment.” James Hamill, AIA, AIA Dallas, agreed. “Sometimes these interior spaces are not good, but here it’s an ideal space to move around comfortably. It’s a good location, with a variety of music, food, and space.”

Gwen Dakis, AIA, AIA Pittsburgh and convention program chair, thought this was the best chapter party in years. “In the last several years, there have been about three chapter parties that set the bar, but this is the best party in recent years. The reason why is San Antonio’s gracious chapter staff. They learned from the mistakes of previous chapter parties. No one is more gracious than Torrey Carleton to pull this off.”

A spectacular fireworks show in honor of the AIA150 anniversary highlighted the evening above San Antonio and the River Walk, brightening the city for miles.