I'd give it a C

Well I have to say that I never thought I would actually say the words "not worth it," but I am. Surprisingly, I am going to say it. I went once, but as for me going again I'd have to think long and hard about that.

Daytime 

What could possess me to say such a thing? I expected more and got way less. Unfortunately, that's the way it goes sometimes. You think that when you attend an event, it will be amazing, phenomenal. When it doesn't wind up being that way, you're disappointed, maybe a little frustrated.  But it was at least interesting and enjoyable. Thank goodness for that.  
Usually city-wide events hype up your expectations. There's a buzz about the event before it happens and lots of excitement and plans to attend. I saw billboards, read articles in the newspaper, and heard about it on the local morning talk shows. Only to get myself all geared up for a letdown.

Tie a yellow ribbon

So what made this particular event so uneventful that I would say to you all "NOT worth it." Well first of all the location was disappointing, some of the participants were a little too outlandish in some respects for me and finally there just wasn't enough there to keep me occupied and wanting more.
I'm talking about Luminaria, the city sponsored outdoor evening public arts festival. It was held in the Hemisphere Plaza and though it was free to the public it wasn't worth the price of admission as far as this writer was concerned. The festival is in its fifth year and boasted that this year for the first time "well known curators from prestigious art institutions were involved to select the artists who would be participating." (quoted from the city website touting Luminaria)  **Yawn**
I should've known when someone tries to focus your attention on the "experts or as it was noted "well known curators" people like me should stay home. But just saying that, you probably think I'm a bit too provincial to really know art. So the best way that I can get my point across is to give you concrete examples from my wanderings through the arts festival.

Now that looked like fun

Let's start with the location: Hemisphere Plaza. Hemisphere is a 90 acre tract in the middle of downtown. Great! No, not really. A lot of what was Hemisphere has become boarded up buildings that are run down, unkempt and in need of renovation. Take for example the "Women's Pavilion" which housed several artists. The building itself had plywood over what used to be large plate glass which has been broken out and never replaced. There is no overhead lighting in the building, and for the cherry on top no ventilation in the building. In May in San Antonio, that means the building is sweltering! I came out of it sweating and feeling lightheaded from stifling air and soaring temps even at night. I call that Pathetic, with a capital P. 
The city has managed to keep the landscaping looking decent in some respects and places in others again my impression was one of a complete letdown. Some venues for the artists were well kept and had a/c. So honestly it was a hodgepodge. Not exactly how I would want to showcase S.A. If we're going to use Hemisphere Plaza, then let's work on making it presentable in total. Spruce the ole gal up a bit, and figure out some way to use it more often.
The media buzz about Luminaria was that this year the focus would be on larger scale art projects, as well as lots of video work. I can attest to both of those being the case. The entire plaza was utilized in some way with the artists showcasing their work in ways that were specific to their location in the Plaza. Here's an example of how that worked out in reality versus in theory. I saw video work on the side of a city building. Four large projectors throwing their light on the side of the building. Folks from the crowd, especially kids were thoroughly enjoying themselves making shadow puppets, like bunnies. I saw another video projected against what was obviously an old Spanish colonial structure. It was a video of a woman in a catsuit like outfit playing with a light up hula-hoop, while the same woman in a similar catsuit like outfit played with the light up hula-hoop in front of the video. Her playtime was mildly interesting, but nothing to write home about. Wait, I am writing home about it! Egad!!!!
Over by the fountains there were more videos shown against the backdrop of the limestone walls and half walls in the area. One of a woman dancing. Most of the crowd glanced over, then kept walking. Virtually ignoring the video. The men looked a little longer than the women or children. Other than that it was simply, let's move on folks this isn't great.
I actually saw someone take a picture of a blue Dell screen saver thinking that was the art. It wasn't. The "art" didn't begin until dark and the artist used media player to project a silent movie of two children playing. Same lady walks back by and says "oh I thought that blue screen was the art. That's why I took the picture of it." (rolling my eyes here) No sweetie, as bad as some of these exhibits are they aren't that bad yet. 
There was another projection that left me flat as well. It as a projection of shadows playing with a jump rope projected from one floor of the Women's Pavilion to another. I watched for about 30 seconds and then having seen it all (it was on a loop) it was time to move on and not look back.
Now there were several stages set up around the Plaza and they were getting lots of attention from the crowds. There were many different types of music going, all you had to do as wander till you found something you wanted to listen to. An enjoyable part of the evening to be sure. There were clowns performing in another area, they too drew big crowds. There were also other performing arts going on all of which were good to great. Especially the acrobats. And the Hare Krishnas chanted most of the night away to reasonable numbers as well. 
Food and drink were plentiful and standard festival fare. And there was one unique part of Hemisphere which added to the evening. It was Hemislounge. A new addition to the Plaza. Acrylic boxes of various sizes that could be used as couches, chairs, tables and stools. All lit from inside with various colors showing through the acrylic. So there were blue coffee tables, red stools, green boxes positioned together for chairs. And even some actual soft furniture like real sofas and chairs.
I'm glad I got to see it once. Great for people watching as the crowds were not huge, some of the artists were really good to great. The acrobats, the mariachis, and I liked the Pacman exhibit. But others left me just shaking my head. All in all the artists I spoke to were nice, friendly and engaging to talk with. The food left me wanting something with taste and the drinks were typically expensive. $2 for a can of coke is in my humble opinion expensive. As for the event in general, thanks but no thanks for next year.

Member of the Youth Orchestra

Part of the Pacman display

Lighting for a stage

Whoop De Do

Whoop De Do

Gemini Ink and their free books

Hemislounge

The end of the Pacman display

Playing with a hula hoop

crowds at the Luminaria

The Tower was lit beautifully

At the beginning of the Pacman exhibit

Where the clowns were, this was a cool display with the
lights attached to a semi-circle and the clowns were
performing inside of it.