By Victoria Canales
“There’s nothing to do in Laredo.”
It’s a sentiment most of us have heard and said countless times, and it’s a statement most of us believe to be true. Sure, Laredo doesn’t have nearly the amount of people, events, and businesses that nearby cities like San Antonio or Austin do, but is it really accurate to say that there’s nothing to do in Laredo? As in, nothing at all?
I’m going to go ahead and argue that there’s plenty to do here. In the past few weeks, there have been live music events at Cultura Beer Garden and Frontera Beer Garden, and the Farmer’s Market has presented yummy and healthy foods for us to try. Our friends at Wonderlounge just opened the place up, and Phoenix Bookstore had a visiting author. Gloria’s Coffee Bar had its soft opening at Golondrina, Los Olvidados has continued its “Coffee and Tarot” Thursday night series, and Laredo Center for the Arts does its “Art & Yoga” event every Saturday in June.
You know what’s missing at these events, though? People. Because of either a lack of promotion or city-wide apathy, there are always fewer people at these events than we’d like. People in Laredo are begging for something to do, but they aren’t coming out and supporting local vendors, musicians, venues, artists, writers, bookstores, coffee shops, libraries… the list goes on.
And believe me, I know what it’s like to live in a bigger city. I’m a student at UT Austin and spend most of my year going to concerts and hanging out downtown with my friends, rarely going to the same place twice. I know Laredo has the same potential for great nights out and calm mornings in, but we need to support the people and places that are trying to make things happen.
Next time you catch yourself lamenting that “there’s nothing to do in Laredo,” check your Instagram, Facebook, or local music blog for a fun way to spend your Friday night!
