DISCLAIMER: Some of the important events might be off, and have received a warning e-mail from the Downtown Street Festival organizers, stating that this page is inaccurate. The author/webmaster of this page might be in a similar scenario with former HPD chief Lee Brown, where HPD was not ready for an African American police chief. Some 'purists' of a Montrose tradition might not be ready for an outside journalist/activist (based in East Fort Bend County), who would share a cell with jailed writer Vanessa Leggett. THIS WEBSITE WILL NOT FOLD AND CEASE TO EXIST!!!
Some of the chronology from the 1970s might be inaccurate, since a majority of this website dates back to 1985 (material courtesy of the Houston Chronicle archives).
1970
Anderson Fair opens. The venue is well known for their block parties, known during this era as the Montrose Block Party.
1971
Jim Riby's art Gallery at the 100 block (Westheimer), Arsenic &
Old Lace Restaurant, 300 block, Body box Boutique Candle &
Art World 300 block, Tootsies and several others put the Arts Fair
together in 1971. It became the Westheimer Arts Fair (submitted by
Vann Kyles).
*the 300/400 block of Westheimer is the current location of Numbers Night Club, La Strada, Michelangelo's, Midtown Dentistry, and the Sacred Heart Studio.
August 27, 1972 (4:30 p.m.)*
The Emissary {or Blackula}(birth name: Don Seributra) is born in Sharpstown General Hospital (off Bellaire Blvd.) in Houston, Texas. He would be the one behind the authoring of a website aimed at WestFest, as well as a cyberclub.
*other celebs sharing the Virgo sign: Cameron Diaz and Chris Tucker
October 1972 (abstracted from the Houston Chronicle, April 1993)
Westheimer Colony Association is established as a 501(c) organization, and holds its first 'official' arts/crafts expo (1000 - 1100 Westheimer, in front of the Liberty Building, now Blockbuster/Eckerd Drug). (sources: Houston Chronicle and the Bayou City Art Festival)
1973
A parallel street festival is held in conjunction with the arts festival (source: Public News #776). Not much is known when the music venues moved from Anderson Fair to the Westheimer/Montrose intersection when the street fair evolved.
November 1973
Fred Hofheinz is elected mayor, defeating incumbent Louie Welch.
June 20, 1976
The first Pride Parade is held in Houston. At the time, the Pride Committee couldn't afford a permit (source: Houston Chronicle, 6/23/01). During the early years, not much is known, until the mid-1990s, where a yearly tradition surrounding the Stonewall riots would mark a day in history - June 24, 1969.
1977
Mary's opens (1100 Westheimer @ Yoakum/Waugh) as the first gay bar in Houston.
November 1977
Jim McConn is elected mayor, defeating incumbent Fred Hofheinz.
1979
The City of Houston expands its 8-member city council (3 at-large and 5 districts) to 14, which includes five at-large positions, and 9 districts, in compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Eleanor Tinsley is elected as the first female council member (At-Large #2).*
*from houstonhistory.com and the Houston Chronicle
1980
Numbers nightclub (300 Westheimer) opens
November 1981
Kathy Whitmire is elected as Houston's first female mayor, who holds office for five terms. She would run for a sixth term, and lose. No mayor has ever ran successfully for a sixth term.
1982
Lee P. Brown is appointed by Mayor Whitmire as Houston's first African American police chief. Some members of HPD were not ready for a transition.
The former Sinclair gas station site (across from the Tower Theater) is used as an SOB establishment, which would become Charlie's Diner (est. 1982) and Chances Bar.
early 1980s
The 100 - 1100 block of Westheimer becomes a haven for runaway/throwaway teens and prostitution, which is characteristic of urban decay. During this period, sexually oriented businesses (SOBs) were common throughout the Lower Westheimer. Montrose falls victim to urban decay, like Sharpstown (Southwest Houston), and Almeda.
Covenant House (a.k.a. 'Under 21') opens a Houston, TX facility for homeless/runaway/throwaway youths, in the northern part of the WAMM (Westheimer-Alabama-Montrose-Mulberry) subdivision. (source: Covenant House TX)
April 1984
Houston City Magazine has an expose' about Westheimer, and in the opening pages, a photo of 416 Westheimer is seen, along with a pic of a 1980 Trans Am in the foreground. In the article, the 100 - 1100 block of Westheimer was in a state of urban decay, especially with the references to sexually oriented businesses and prostitution. A reference to urban renewal, where townhomes would be constructed someday, would come true a decade later. (Houston City Magazine, 4/84)
June 1, 1987
The wrecking ball strikes the former Shamrock Hilton, which signals the end of a 38-year tradition of postwar Houston. As a result of this traumatic event, it will serve as a reminder of a major metropolitan region without zoning, where land usage is considered laissez-faire (e.g. construction of toney townhomes and urban redevelopment).
1988
The Houston Police Department establishes the Neartown Storefront (802 Westheimer); storefronts are a part of HPD Chief Lee P. Brown's (Houston's first African American police chief) agenda to establish ties between the community and law enforcement, as a part of community oriented policing. At the time, Montrose, as well as the Wards (3rd, 4th, and 5th) were crime-infested, as a result of suburbanization and the collapse of the oil boom. Brown would be elected mayor of the City of Houston in November 1997, along with Annise D. Parker.
1989
HPD Chief Brown accepts the position of commissioner in New York City; Elizabeth Watson is appointed as the first female police chief in Houston. Brown would return to Houston as a professor at Rice University, which would be a base for his mayoral campaign in November 1997, where term limits (referendum passed in 1991) would force Bob Lanier to serve 3 terms.
November 1991
Bob Lanier is elected as mayor, defeating incumbent Kathy Whitmire and candidate Sylvester Turner. Term limits were passed into law, where diversity is the by-product, and limited tenure by public officials, a virtual-less reality. Much like the 22nd Amendment, which limits the President of the United States to two 4-year terms, members of the Houston City Council and Mayor have a maximum of 6 years (3 terms and you're out).
March 1992
Sam Nuchia is appointed as police chief, and Bob Lanier's campaign promise on adding 655 police officers is effective in crime reduction throughout the 1990s in the Houston Metropolitan area. As a result, programs like Neighborhoods to Standard, and TIRZ (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones), would lead to revitalizing decaying inner city communities.
October 1992
The last Westheimer Colony Arts Festival is held at 900 Lovett, which is now the current location of Walgreens.
April 1993
The Westheimer Colony Arts Festival relocated to Downtown Houston, at the intersection of 1800 Main at Calhoun (now St. Joseph Parkway). As a result of the split, the street festival is known as the Westheimer Incredible Street Extravaganza (headed by Sondra DeLeon).
April 1994
The Westheimer Incredible Street Extravaganza is rechristened as the Westheimer Street Festival Corporation (headed by John Florez, 1994 - present).
Early reports (from the Houston Post) reveal the illegal trash dumping and numerous deviance (e.g. use of a front lawn as a restroom). What was once a large community gathering has transformed into a Mardi Gras-esque event held twice a year.
Summer 1994
Slick Willie's opens its doors; the facility is located at 1200 Westheimer, the former site of the Houston Sign Company. The old building was retained and remodeled.
June 12, 1994
The Goat Head's Soup nightclub (128 Westheimer) is destroyed by an arsonist.
mid - 1990s
Urban revitalization of inner-city Houston would change the outlook of inner city communities (Montrose, Heights, the Wards). Toney townhomes average around $250,000, and land in Montrose and the Heights sell at $35/square foot. The byproduct: re-gentrification and displacement.
A plan to widen the elevated portion of the Southwest Freeway meets with opposition from Montrose and Museum District representatives, since an elevated HOV lane was part of the initial plan. There were a few alternatives considered, and a final decision by TxDOT will place the elevated freeway (constructed around 1959) into a trench, originally designed in the mid-1950s.
1995
The Westheimer Colony Association is renamed the Art Colony Association, since the art festival is no longer a Montrose/Lower Westheimer event; it becomes a citywide tradition.
The Neartown Association establishes an ad hoc Westheimer Street Festival committee, which has came under scrutiny since the Westheimer Colony Arts Festival departed in late 1992. (source: Public News #776)
The former site of Dorsey's Convertible Tops and Upholstery Services and Tribal Hut (south location, off California Street) is bulldozed. Soundwaves wanted to build a new record store on the former Dorsey's property, and lost the bid. Today, a Burger King is located on the former Dorsey's site.
Crossroads Market leases retail space next to the Tower Theater (now Hollywood Video since 1997). The retail space once housed a Jack Roach Ford dealership during the 1930s - 1960s.
May 1, 1996
The Westheimer Street Festival is decried before the Houston City Council. Donna Roth (Mandell Place CA president) states to the Chronicle: "We want the festival gone." In an article published in the Houston Chronicle (5/1/96), this has been the first time that opposition to WestFest is officially documented.
August 1996
The Avondale Association intervened to deny the WSFC a street closure permit, but a poll (conducted by the Hyde Park Civic Association) shows strong support for WestFest. A permit was issued to the WSFC.
September 11, 1996
Montrose-area residents, previously described in the 5/11/96 article, requested to the Houston City Council a new ordinance aimed at festivals. The proposed ordinance will evolve into the current-day Street Festival Ordinance, co-chaired by future councilwoman Annise D. Parker and Rob Todd (District E), which passes unanimously on June 16, 1999.
early 1997
Sam Nuchia takes the oath of office as a circuit judge, and C.O. "Brad" Bradford (current HPD chief) is sworn in. He is the second African American police chief (back in 1982, he was appointed by Lee Brown as assistant chief).
The former Tower Theater is remodeled, which is the current location of Hollywood Video. The properties adjacent to the west end of the building is the location os copy.com and moMong Vietnamese restaurant. In late 1999, these businesses, along with Crossroads Market, voted to veto the WestFest from the Montrose (source: interview with a Slick Willie's waitress {name withheld}, 6/23/01).
April 5/6, 1997
The Westheimer Colony Arts Festival is renamed the Bayou City Arts Festival, and is relocated to Memorial Park for the spring event. METRO offers shuttle service from Delmar Stadium (home of the biannual Delmar Swap Meet, hosted by Early Irons of Texas). Downtown Houston is used as a fall venue.
April 1997
The Public News has an article detailing the WestFest in its current state. References to businesses, like Crossroads Market, has led to anti-sentiment toward a Houston Tradition. In this article, the Hyde Park Civic Association, which conducted a survey (8/96) in other Montrose-area subdivisions, found that the WestFest was acceptable as a community gathering.
At the same time, a tougher regulatory ordinance (conceived by Councilwoman Martha Wong {District C, 1993 - 1999}) is aimed at sexually oriented businesses (SOBs). QT's (608 Westheimer) falls victim to the new city ordinance concerning SOBs. This precedent will later result in the establishment of the Regulatory Affairs and Ordinance Committee, which now regulates SOBs and street festivals, parades, and street closures.
May 1997
The WestFest is held during the first weekend in May, instead of the second weekend (or second Saturday) in April because of other festivals like the Houston International Festival.
November 1997
Annise D. Parker (Neartown Civic Association president) is elected as Houston's first GLBT (gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender) public official. Also, Lee P. Brown makes history as the first African American mayor of the City of Houston.
1998
The Westheimer Street Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary.
June 16, 1999
The Street Festival Ordinance is passed into law. Councilwoman Parker (along with Councilman Rob Todd) used her past experience as Neartown Association president, and her concerns about the 'spillover effects' in regards to residential concerns, in passing a second regulatory committee. One already exists for SOBs.
As a result, events like Festa Italiana (formerly held at St. Anne's Catholic Church) and the Houston's Children's Festival, have all relocated in front of Houston City Hall, as part of a Downtown renaissance. Community change, as a result of revitalized inner city communities, could be partially influenced, as well as 'public safety' concerns (EMS services, adequate parking/sanitation).
July 1999
A public hearing is held before City Council for the upcoming (and final) WestFest in 10/99. It goes well, and the WSFC supports the changes in the city ordinance.
October 16/17, 1999
The 'final' (and REAL) Westheimer Street Festival is held. A street closure permit was issued as a result of a public hearing held in July 1999.
December 1999 - January 21, 2000
Three separate public hearings are held, which goes into deadlock. As a result of 14 expert witnesses (ranging from businessowners, along with anti-festival residents that vowed to veto WestFest from its home) who testified in front of City Council, along with a preponderance of the evidence (a 51% certainty), George Bravenec (DPW assistant director) rescinds the street closure permits to WSFC president John Florez.
early 2000
The HQ for the Westheimer Street Festival Corporation (419 Westheimer) is leveled, and a new location at 524-B Westheimer, near the Magic Cauldron, is established. The relocated facility is uncertain, since commercial developments are transforming vacant or abandoned lots along the 100 - 1000 blocks of Westheimer.
January 26, 2000
Houston's Other proclaims on the front cover: "NO MORE STREET FEST!"
February 15, 2000
A news article published in the Houston Chronicle relates to an appeal filed by the WSFC, citing unfairness in regards to three flawed public hearings. As a result of unprofessional conduct (the article makes a reference to Assistant City Attorney Paul Bibler), where he stated: "If you are pro-festival, you don't quality as an intervenor."
According to the Chronicle expose' about the city ordinance relating to public hearings, any individual being affected by a major event, like a parade, block party, or special event regarding the closing of a major thoroughfare, should be qualified as an intervenor. This means that non-residents of the Montrose District, which include fans, should have had their opinions and concerns archived on a transcript.
John Florez stated the following at the end of the article: "The festival is going to go on, and they may call it the Westheimer Street Festival in Exile." This quote is the first time that WestFest has been premeditatedly ousted from Montrose, in response to the denial of the permit applications.
February 16, 2000
The Houston City Council votes unanimously 12-3 to uphold the final decision from the three separate hearings, as well as the DPW's final decision on neighborhood integrity, to deny the WSFC a street closure permit. Councilmen Gordon Quan (At-Large #2), Mark Goldberg (District C), and Bert Keller (District G) are the dissenters that voted against the majority. All three sided with the fact that the public hearings were 'flawed'.
February 19 and 24, 2000
A proposal to move WestFest to Travis Street, between Holman and Alabama, and on the cross-streets of Berry and Winbern in Midtown was considered, but the Holy Rosary Church (Rev. Joseph Konkel) stated that their services will be disrupted. Mayor Brown et.al. suggested that Eleanor Tinsley Park will be the 'final' change of venue.
February 20, 2000
SAVE WEST FEST is established, along with a listserv on Yahoo! Groups. At the time of its founding, the listserv is vacant, until March 2001.
March 24, 2000
According to the Houston Chronicle, after a month of a stalemate to find another location for WestFest, viable locations include Midtown on Travis Street. The Department of Parks and Recreation caved in and issued a park permit to hold the WestFest at Eleanor Tinsley Park. Annise D. Parker becomes an arbitrator, where a park permit is the only alternative.
April 2000
The WSFC is rechristened the Westheimer Street Festival "In Exile", signaling the change of venue to Eleanor Tinsley Park, as well as the premeditated ousting of WestFest out of the Montrose against the will of the WSFC.
May 6/7, 2000
The 52nd Semi-Annual Westheimer Street Festival "In Exile" is held at Eleanor Tinsley Park, west of Downtown Houston, on Allen Parkway. Attendance substantially drops by 75%, due to the change of venue. The Downtown Street Festival is held near the Brown Conv. Center during the same weekend.
As a result, three former events held in the Montrose, which started as part of the Westheimer Arts Festival, are no longer held on Westheimer. The only 'changeling' event involving a street closure permit on Westheimer, to date, is the Pride Parade.
June 17, 2000
The online website, Death of an Icon - The Westheimer Street Festival, is published. This leads to the establishment of Vigilante Entertainment Publications, as an ode to shock journalism. A few days later, during the Pride Parade, Lee P. Brown becomes the first Houston mayor to ride in the parade.
August 13 - 31, 2000
West Fest: Portrait of a Street Festival, a exhibition of photographs from previous WestFest events, is held at Diedrich's Coffee (Winlow Westheimer District, 1901 Westheimer).
October 21/22, 2000
The fall rendition of WestFest is held again in the ET. Distribution of the Armageddon website (the trade name for Death of an Icon - The Westheimer Street Festival) is successful, and field interviews are conducted. 95% of respondents stated that the Montrose is the ideal location for WestFest, which has been detailed in a followup report. At the same time, the Green Hornet makes its debut at the WestFest.
October 31, 2000
As a result of the low turnout during the two 'relocated' WestFests, The WestFest Purists Organization is formed. Since its formation, the WFPO logo:
March 10, 2001
Distribution of the Armageddon website is successful at the Bob Marley Festival.
April 2001
Silent campaigning by posting the Armageddon websites at various college campuses is conducted. This was in response to an early exit from the Earth Day Festival.
Much like the 52nd semiannual WestFest in Exile, the venue has dwindled to a point where fewer vendors were present. The Wet-T-Shirt and Fine Ass Contest, as well as the Warriors of Wrestling and breakdance contest, did little to attract more fans. Contrary to popular belief, this is the LAST free WestFest.
May 2001 - present
The following candidates for Houston City Council are being endorsed by the WFPO:
Ada Edwards (District D)
Barbara
Ashley (At-Large #4)
James Partsch-Galvan (At-Large
#5)
June 23, 2001
The WFPO is represented during the Pride Parade and Rally. Website distribution is done in a similar fashion, much like the WestFest. Volunteering efforts by Progressive Voters in Action has been a milestone for the anti-discrimination ordinance, which was passed unanimously in July 2001 by the Houston City Council.
As a result of PVA volunteering, the WFPO president marches with the Harris County Green Party during the parade, holding a sign proclaiming the following (front and back of the banner is detailed below):
*courtesy of the Harris County Green Party (c/o Chris Jarzombek); these are pics re-edited from a spy camera attributed to the efforts of a James Bond (007)
July 4 - 31, 2001
The second annual West Fest: Portrait of a Street Festival, is held at the Southmore House (4401 La Branch @ Wheeler Avenue).
September 22, 2001
The historic DePelchin orphanage building is sold to HHN Homes, where a restoration is planned. As a part of the buyout, 15 new flats will be planned. Tenants of the building (as of 9/27/01) include the Hollyfield Foundation, Progressive Voters in Action, and the Art Colony Association.
The WFPO has an art car expo at the WestFest in Exile. For the first time in WestFest history, a $5.00 admission fee is charged, and it's a sacrilege to a 30+ year old Houston tradition. The Houston Music Alliance - Powerhouse Stage was set up across the art car expo, where the WFPO is a sleeping giant about to awake, as the genesis of WestFest liberation; the following pic is the 'temporary' art car:
The WFPO president marches in the anti-police brutality parade, and is photographed, speaking on the bullhorn.
A news article detailing the Westheimer Street Festival in Exile is published on houston.indymedia.org. This was the first attempt of getting the WestFest back into the media coverage forum.
November 6, 2001
The WFPO is represented at the Ada Edwards Victory Party, and has been spotted on TV. The following TV networks cited: KPRC-TV, KHOU-TV, and KTRK-TV. Earlier in the evening, KHWB-39 cameramen caught a glimpse of The Emissary meeting with mayoral candidate Chris Bell, along with incumbent Mark Goldberg (District C) and Councilwoman Annise D. Parker:
Spring 2002 (proposed)
The WFPO will have an 'official' art car during the Art Car Ball and Parade, as well as the WestFest in Exile. Plans for the 'official' art car will be unveiled during the Christmas 2001 holidays. As of Fall 2001, a fundraiser has been initiated for $2500, which will be the first phase for powertrain expenditures.
2002 (planned)
The elevated portion of the Southwest Freeway between Spur 527 and Graustark will be trenched. Plans include the demolition of the 40+ year old elevated ROW (constructed in 1959) and the construction of a bridge across Montrose Blvd. The freeway reconstruction project will redefine the southern border of Montrose, as well as a new exit to the Museum District via South Main. Currently, to get to the Museum District, one would have to take the Spur 527 split and exit on Richmond Avenue, and make a right to South Main.