San Antonio Public Library Foundation’s Annual Catrina Ball

By Leanne Raesener Photography by Chris Cantoya and Kelly Jo Johnson

THE SETTING: San Antonio’s Central Library, located in the heart of downtown, was transformed into a vibrant night market, complete with gourmet street food cuisine and musical entertainment to raise funds for the San Antonio Public Library Foundation (SAPLF) and the Texana/Genealogy Department. This annual black-tie affair celebrates Dias de los Muertos and raises essential operating funds to sustain the SAPLF and the San Antonio Public Library system.

THE STYLE: Guests were welcomed into the fête by Neiman Marcus models, sculptures from artist Pompa Art, the musical stylings of Mojo Rimba, a student-led marimba group playing popular songs, and dance performances by the Adelitas. Guests were treated to a feast for the eyes and their palates as they encountered delicious cuisine, musical vignettes, stilt walkers, entertainers, and tequila sipping bars that were placed throughout the library for guests to discover as they explored the beautiful space.

The afterparty, held on the second floor of the Central Library, was a fabulous end to an evening of fun and frivolity as guests danced the night away around an incredible two-story Chihuly Fiesta Tower to the music of Henry Brun and the Latin Playerz Orchestra. The event’s top donors were treated to a Neiman Marcus and Veuve Clicquot lounge.

THE PURPOSE: Ruth Agather, Magdalena Gaona, and Mari Tamez chaired the event. This event honored Andi Rodriguez as La Catrina and Guillermo Nicolás as El Catrin. This year, proceeds were also raised to provide a generous gift of additional funding to support the Central Library’s Texana/Genealogy Department and transform the entire sixth floor of the Library into a world-class Texana Resource Center. The San Antonio Public Library Foundation’s mission is to strengthen the library in service to our community.