Galveston Monthly - Exploring Your Island Paradise

This Month

Cemetery Strolls

Wandering through a cemetery: It might sound morbid or just downright creepy to some, but others have discovered these overlooked settings can offer a respite of solitude, peaceful contemplation, beauty, and even an intriguing discovery or two. Many people rediscovered the lure of cemeteries as a place to spend time during the recent pandemic, enjoying the outdoors in a setting much less busy than parks.

Story Behind Fish with Attitude

Most successful artists know from a young age that they have an innate talent - or, at the least, an inexplicable need - to create images. It’s a fire that burns deep within their core, and nothing will tamp it out. In the case of Galveston artist Mike Quinn, his creative wick was lit while growing up in the bohemian, artsy enclave known as Topanga Canyon, which is tucked inside the Santa Monica Mountains west of Los Angeles.

Texas Vintage Report 2022

The Texas wine grape harvest for 2022 has proven to be a very promising year, according to grape growers and winery owners across the state. Some unusual weather patterns that this vintage endured included a late cold spell, which delayed the expected time of bud break on the vines; high winds in the spring, which caused a loss of flowers; and followed by an excessively hot and dry summer, which quickly sped up the ripening process.

Bees & Cicadas

Two sounds of nature are readily identified by those who spend consistent amounts of time in the garden: the buzz of the bee and the croon of the cicada. Along with the chirps and melodies of the birds, these resonances create the music of the landscape.

Crystal Blue Murder

Good news for fans of author Saralyn Richard’s award-winning Detective Parrott Mystery Series: Her latest mystery, Crystal Blue Murder is ready for readers to dive right in and paddle into deep waters of suspense and intrigue.

ARToberFEST October 15-16

Annual event celebrates 25 years of dynamic arts in Galveston

Artoberfest 2022 ARToberFEST Galveston, produced by The Grand 1894 Opera House, will transform much of this island city’s historic downtown cultural arts district into a bustling open-air gallery bursting with color and culture.

The two-day outdoor festival will take place on Postoffice Street between 21st and 23rd streets, from 10am-6pm on Saturday; 11am-5pm on Sunday. The festival honors founder Kathy Modzelewski, while celebrating the fabulous variety of arts it represents.

Over the past 25 years, ARToberFEST has grown to be recognized as one of the “best juried events on the Gulf Coast.” Festival patrons will have the opportunity to meet 115 artists from throughout the United States, view original works from 14 diverse forms of artistic media including world-class paintings, prints, jewelry, sculptures, and more.

The festival will feature live music, Tap Truck Amarillo to quench your thirst, additional food trucks, two entertainment stages, an emerging student-artist tent, and an exciting children’s creative zone where young artists can create their own masterpiece.

ARToberFEST admission is $5 for adults; children under 12 free. For additional information contact Festival Director Sarah Piel at 409.770.5066 or visit www.artoberfest.com.

It's Time to OPA!

38th Annual Galveston Greek Festival October 15 and 16

A celebration of the Hellenic culture, this lively event features Greek food, wines, beer, pastries, live entertainment, and commemorative items. All food and pastries are prepared by parishioners, including some well-known chefs. Only the freshest ingredients are used in the centuries old recipes that have been passed down through generations.

The Greek plate consists of pastitsio, meatballs, dolmades, olives, salad, feta cheese, tiropita, spanakopita, and pita bread for $24. Ala carte include souvlaki and gyros are $12 and a vegetarian plate is $20.

Pastry selections include baklava, kourambiedes, paximadia, koulourakia, and other pastries. All foods and pastries are available to go.

Enjoy an ice-cold Greek beer as well as American favorites, or choose from an assortment of Greek wines, available by the glass or bottle, all paired to compliment the event cuisine. Imported merchandise and food products from Greece will be available for purchase in the Greek market.

Returning by popular demand is live Bouzouki by Dimitri Karageorgo, who will perform throughout both days, along with traditional Greek dancers. Church tours will be led by Father Stelios Sitaras.

There is no admission to attend the festival, however, a donation is greatly appreciated as all event proceeds benefit the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church. Food and drink tickets are sold in $2 increments.

Greek Festival hours are Saturday, 11am-7pm and Sunday, 12-5pm. An inside and outside event, the festival is rain or shine.

The Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church is located at 1824 Ball Street. For more information visit www.galvestongreekfestival.com.

23rd Annual Lone Star Rally

Experience the largest 4-day Motorcycle Rally in North America, November 3-6

Bikers and enthusiasts alike converge on Galveston every November for the famous Lone Star Rally, which offers four days of fun in the sun by the Gulf of Mexico's sparkling waters. The event brings together some 400,000 people and an estimated 150,000 motorcycles each year, making it North America's largest four-day bike rally.

With juried bike shows, truck, jeep and classic car shows, and free concerts on two stages, this year’s 23rd Annual Lone Star Rally will be jam-packed with entertainment for all ages, day and night, all weekend long.

This year’s rally will once again present more than 40 free musical performances in genres from classic rock and adult contemporary to rockin’ country on two sound stages - The Miller Lite Stage at Saengerfest Park downtown, and the Beach Central Progressive Stage at Beach Central Park in front of the Grand Galvez.

The live entertainment begins at noon on Thursday, November 3. The American rock band Everclear, this year’s headliner, is scheduled to begin performing that same day at 9:30pm.

Other featured artists this year include Kevin Fowler, the ZZ Top tribute band ZZ3, an all-female AC/DC tribute called Hell’s Belles, 80’s crowd pleasers Hairball, outlaw country artist Whey Jennings, local southern rocker Zach Tate, and many more.

Big rig displays of motorcycle parts and accessories will dot the island’s three-event zones: Downtown/The Strand, Harborside at Pier 21 and Beach Central Park at Seawall.

The official Lone Star Rally areas are free to enter and open to vehicular traffic except for areas dedicated to the 100’s of street vendors that will fill every nook and corner of the Strand and along Seawall Blvd. from 19th to 25th streets. These vendors will be selling everything from leatherwear to jewelry and sunglasses to crab cake sandwiches and brisket to every kind of motorcycle accessory imaginable.

Special events, shows and competitions this year include the very popular Cycle Source Magazine Ride in Custom Bike Show, the 9th Annual Drive in Car Show featuring pre-1972 hot rods and muscle cars, the legendary Miss Lone Star Rally contest, Bad Azz Bikes audio Sound Off competition, rodeo games, and a newly introduced Tattoo contest.

For more information on Lone Star Rally events visit www.LoneStarRally.com.

Arts & Culture

Beaches aren't all Galveston has to offer. Local theater productions, contemporary art exhibits and other family events that always inspires.