Art Crawl Experience

Fun art walk. I love that there’s a theme every time, and there’s some good vendors (food/​art). I just wish there a few more dedicated galleries like Rothick.

What was special about this Anaheim Art Crawl, is that it fell on Valentine’s Day (in the evening). After spending the day flitting with my husband in the Inland Empire, we wanted to end our celebration of love, in the city we call home.
It was a unique and joyful experience to walk around the Anaheim Farmer’s Market at night, walk by all the arts & crafts booths, watch the Anaheim Ballet dancers perform to Lionel Richie songs, stroll in Muzeo, see couples slow dance in the middle of Center Street and to look at local shops actually gaining some visible business.
One thing I wish there was more of, was arts and crafts vendors and more artists in general. The painters randomly placed in various corners were too hidden to be seen, the chalk artists made their mark and there could have been more food/​dessert trucks in attendance. There was however, a female duet singing an acoustic version of Taylor Swift’s «Blank Space» outside of the Ink & Bean Coffee Saloon, which I thought was ultra cool!
After an hour, the hubbs and I walked over to the Packing District (which is notoriously effing packed, so I’m always over it FAST) then ended up just chilling in Farmer’s Park for another hour, sharing chuckles and stories about our jobs and lives.
Back to the Art Crawl, we bought our usual kettle popcorn bags and I purchased some photo prints from a local photographer. I’d come back next month, but only if the scene offered more. Overall, a great time.

Story:
It was a November night out with the staff, I came across this event from the OC Artwalk page and lo and behold I have yet to come across this art walk. Since this is bi-​monthly event I anticipated a lot.
Ambiance:
Very spacious. The strip is blocked off for vendors and chalk drawings for people to roam around. Parking was easy to find and get, just look for the parking structures and you’re good to go. Generally a lot of friendly people supporting the community. Be sure to bring a jacket and some money just in case you buy food or some art!
Food:
There are a lot of food places around the area. To the chain fast foods, food trucks, or upscale tastes you’ll have a fair amount of choices.
Vendors
There was probably about 15 – 20 vendors in the area. Less than I actually expected but these vendors and performers kept us entertained for a few good hours.
Overall:
I give this place 3.5 stars but do expect an updated review. I do believe that the participation of vendors and turnout varies by the season. This place had its charm, the location, the art, the music but the night I went was fairly cold and during a slow weekend. I look forward in going to the next Art Crawl Experience!
Advice:
* Tour all the art exhibits for free samples to munch on before you get food.
* Park at the structure, it should be free but make sure you don’t reverse park

This is the first ACE I’ve ever attended, so I can’t speak for the other ones that have been put on. First off, I must say that I’m not a huge art person. Put me in front of a painting and I instantly search for my phone to check e-​mails. I do, however, appreciate photography, food, and shopping… all of which ACE delivered on.
Attendance is really the key to creating energy for the event, and it might have been the cold weather, but it was not crowded at all. The only had 3 food trucks there and 1 of them was out of service. If they really wanted it to be big, they could just make this one big foodie fest with food trucks, Anaheim street food, and cooking demonstrations. After all… Anaheim is really known for the amazing food and Disneyland. I really don’t think «art» when I think of Anaheim. Market it more as a mega foodfest rather than an art crawl.
I think I will try to attend the next one, but I hope the focus is more on food and less on just looking at art.

Another ACE in the hole.
I really needed to walk off some of that Bludsoe’s BBQ so I took Luna for a walk. We took the usual path that lead us to the downtown promenade where the ACE was in full swing. We first got a cool treat watching Flamenco dance artist, Claudia de la Cruz, and world renowned guitarist, Grabriel Osuna. A very sexy dance that flamenco.
So we strolled around some more and saw lots of artists.
This one reminded me of lunch.
Far Out Man
I found some free cheese and sweets
Then I saw these HOT fire dancers. Rhythm-​n-​Flow, sultry fire eaters and daring fire dancers. Even ran into Ryan C while watching them.
Cool Trailer selling vintage clothing
More art stuff
Neat painted records
I bought a cool new T shirt
and a candle holder made from an old wine barrell.
Then I got an 1888
from Anaheim Brewery at the beer garden and saw a band ProgKnowsis
that played pink floyd and other cool covers before I called it quits.
ACE was a great way to end my day.
I’ll be back in Feb.