Art In The Park 2016

Every year I look for ballerina prints, and every year someone else picks it up (and never lets it go) a few minutes before I do. I really should move faster, but it's hard to make a decision when you're visiting more than forty participating galleries.One of the great things about Salcedo Village are events like this. A one-day art fair of sorts, Art In The Park brings together galleries, collectives, and independent artists in Jaime Velasquez Park. Most people know this place best as the venue for Salcedo Market every Saturday morning. Best part is, it's about a few minutes away from where we live on Leviste.Buying from Art In The Park is quick and easy: you pick out a piece and the gallery writes you an invoice. You then take that to the Cashier's tent, pay, get a receipt, and then go back to the gallery to pick up your art.There's no rush or pressure to buy. Admission is free, but the food and the booze are not. I had to forego a mojito this year for a bottle of water while walking around, but that's okay. At least it didn't rain. Last year it did, and what a nightmare that was.I treasure events in the neighborhood like this. In Christmastime, there's one Sunday night where the village association has the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra come and play. Via Mare is the caterer, and you get to share a table (most likely with neighbors you've never met before) and sit in the park and listen to music. It's a lot like Cape Cod's Pops by the Sea, but without the fundraising for a foundation---just great music, nice food, and pretty lights.