THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE • January/February 2018 61 TheCoastalBend.com 60 THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE • January/February 2018 TheCoastalBend.com Art & Entertainment The Creative Culture of Jeremy Flores The Corpus Christi artist best known for his murals is now ready to make his next big move. Talent Jeremy Flores is a Corpus Christi kid through and through. The self-motivated, largely self- taught artist has made his name painting the city’s most celebrated murals, and in 2018 his mission is to extend opportunities to the next generation of aspiring artists. “Everyone has a talent in them. I want to use this space as a place where kids get the chance to develop that talent,”said Flores, referring to the future home of Creative Culture at 423 William St., downtown. Flores overcame the challenges of growing up in a less-than-privileged sect of the city’s society, and today is regarded as one of the country’s ascending young artists, having recently exhibited at an international show. “I’ve been given chances to grow as an artist, and now I have a chance to pass that on,”Flores continued, as we toured his new professional home, which will include a large, working/teaching gallery space, project areas, a professional artists’supply store, and especially, a meeting place for young artists. Flores says that his first class of art students will be recruited from the north and west sides, and will attend at no cost. Look for the launch of Creative Culture at 423 William St. shortly into the new year. American Bank Center Pro Fighters to Pee Wee Magicians Live this Winter at ABC Regional multi-purpose venue hosts up to 10,000 in the Arena, smaller performances in the Selena Auditorium, and an array of events in the Convention Center. Sat Jan 13: NAACP Freedom Fund Ban- quet with guest speaker Perrye K. Turner, FBI Special Agent in Charge, Houston. Mon Jan 15: WWE Live featuring Cham- pion AJ Styles,“The Viper”Randy Orton, and others, on live national broadcast. Wed Jan 17: Dr. Hector P. Garcia Birthday Celebration Luncheon with speaker Dr. Kelly Quintanilla, TAMUCC president. Mon Jan 22: Wild Kratts Live—Stage per- formance based on PBS animated series. Sat Jan 27: Rodney Carrington Live— Multi-talented comedian, singer and actor is among top five grossing touring comics. Sat Feb 3: ESPN Top Rank Boxing—WBO Super Middleweight World Champion Gil- berto Ramirez (Mexico) defends his title vs Habib Ahmed (Ghana), both undefeated. Sat Feb 10: The Wizard of Oz—Live stage rendition of the classic fantasy film. Sun Feb 18: Kadan Bart Rockett & Brook- lyn—Finalist on America’s Got Talent, Kadan is the world’s youngest illusionist. Thurs Feb 22: Mercy Me & Tenth Avenue North Live—Popular contemporary Chris- tian band from Greenville, Texas. Sat Feb 24: Jo Koy Live—Since his hit 2005 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Koy has entertained millions. Live Theater Fund raiser to benefit community theaters damaged by hurricane Harbor Playhouse will host event January 12th at 7pm Gilberto “Zundo” Ramirez Kadan Bart Rockett and Brooklyn The Wizard of Oz on Stage Mercy Me Jo Koy The Coastal Bend is home to dedicated local theater communities, but times have never been tougher. On Tuesday, January 12th, the Harbor Playhouse will host,“Raise the Curtain on Coastal Bend Theatres,”with perform- ers from the Port Aransas Community Theater, the Rialto Theater in Aransas Pass, the Rockport Little Theater, and the Aurora Arts Theater in Corpus Christi, for a night of fun, reflection and fund raising for the effort to rebuild and reopen. WWE Live Wild Kratts Live Rodney Carrington