Questions you might ask

Why are you doing this project?

I was born and raised in San Antonio, with much of my upbringing being in Tobin Hill.  My grandparents lived on Mistletoe, and until I was seven, I lived in Tobin Hill and River Road area.  I moved back to Tobin Hill in my early 20s and lived there until I moved away from San Antonio in 2008.  When I returned to San Antonio in 2020, there were noticeable differences to the neighborhood.  The strip was going through major construction and most of the clubs I would frequent were closed or under new ownership.  Most notably, I was priced out of the area.  Then Covid happened.  I have a background in oral history and archives and I wanted to somehow begin to pull together a larger understanding of the neighborhood and the entertainment district.

What is Oral History?

Oral History is a field of study and method for gathering, preserving and interpreting the past. understanding experiences of the past.  Through recorded interview, oral histories focus not solely on events, but the meaning and reflection of people who experienced them.

What is a History Harvest? 

History harvests are community-based events in which members bring their paper and/or digital material with the intent of sharing and contributing to a community history project.  Material is scanned or copied and the owner's keep the original material.  Sometimes owner want to contribute the original material.

What are you going to show on the website?

The website will consist of digital exhibits, and eventually, oral history content.

Where are the items I share going to live?

If you share items through digital copies, they will be stored with me for the purpose of sharing on this website and social media.  If you donate physical material related to the music scene, they will be archived with TexPop.  Oral histories conducted will be archived with narrator approval at Trinity University.

Is there a date for completion?

There is not a date for completion.  But, this is my passion project. I work full-time, have a family, and sing in a band.  We're all busy and "history" is a slow process. 

Where is Saluté in this project? 

Please follow Bonnie Ilza Cisneros and her memory work around Saluté International Bar. 

This seems centered on the music and nightlife, what about the neighborhood?

This project is also an iterative process.  I know I have to earn long-time residents' trust before I can be seen as someone who wants to understand their perspective.  Music and nightlife is a gateway in beginning to explore the complexities of this topic.  Both perspectives are important.