Blue Star's Arts
& Eats
At the Tobin Estate on
Thrusday, October 26th
By KELLIS CHANDLER

Combine in reasonable quantities: the area’s best contemporary artists, the most creative and fun-loving restaurateurs, painted people, fire exhibitionists and extraordinary libations; gently fold together and place at the understated Tobin Estate, and you have Blue Star’s 12th annual Arts & Eats gala.

Oh, and schedule the event to coincide with our multiculturally celebrated Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of The Dead, for even more excitement.

Yes, sadly for some, summer is over, and we are in the midst of the most indulgent season in San Antonio -- Fall.  In pursuit of contemporary culture, Ron Bechtol decided in 1994 that this should be the time of year to have some FUN and raise HUGE amounts of $$$ for Blue Star’s continued growth.  What a cool idea!  Let’s put together a bunch of “zany” artists, invite the best chefs to feed us, and enjoy a multitude of great wines in the process. 

Looking back, trying to describe what Arts & Eats represents is an exercise in imagination.  Bruce Auden with Biga calls it “one of the events the chefs always look forward to, especially now that it’s back at the Tobin Estate.”  “The best culinary and fine wine event in San Antonio,” quips Leon Cikota with Republic Beverage Co.  “It changed my life,” says Lynn Boyd, co-chair for the event two years running.  “I personally think it’s the most stimulating, funky time you can have in San Antonio.”

All quotes aside, Blue Star’s Arts & Eats is a stimulating artistic and social “happening” that draws a unique cross-section of San Antonio together.  In fact, Arts & Eats is the genesis that created the San Antonio New World Wine and Food Festival.  This year is promising to be the best yet.  After six years at the Blue Star complex, the event is returning to the Tobin Estate, where it all began.  Chef Mark Bliss has agreed to coordinate the celebrity judges this year, and chefs Bruce Auden, Jeff Balfour, Damien Watel, Kevin Williamson and Massimo Palletelli have pre-registered.

Arts & Eats will take place on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 7 to 11 p.m.  A limited number of advance tickets ($75) will be available from participating restaurants or directly from Blue Star Contemporary Art Center.  All proceeds go directly to the dream of Bernard Lifshutz and Arthur “Hap” Veltman — the continuation of Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, the premier contemporary arts center for San Antonio.