This week, we're going to have a round-up of some of the most anticipated Tejano, conjunto, and cultural events of the month of October, and two updates regarding previous stories.
--South Texas conjunto legend Pepe Maldonado has lined up the month of October with another quality list of top conjunto acts from the Valley and beyond. Thanks to Joe Maldonado for reaching out and always letting me know the upcoming schedule. These are the following acts scheduled for this month of October: Roberto Pulido y Los Clasicos (October 1), Los Nuevo Chachos de Jesse Gomez and Chuy Flores (October 8), Bernardo y sus Compadres (October 15), Los Texmaniacs (October 22), Ruben Garza y La Nueva Era and Orlando Rodriguez (October 29). Entry fee is $10.00, and the music starts at 6 PM every Sunday night. For more information on these upcoming events, you can visit https://www.facebook.com/lalomitapark?fref=ts or call La Lomita Park owner and promoter Pepe Maldonado at 956-867-8783.
--Elida Reyna y Avante will be playing at the Outta Town Dance Hall on October 14, Saturday night, in Mission. This year marks 14 years that Elida Reyna has been singing and leading the way with the group Elida y Avante. Tickets are $15.00 presale and $20.00 at the door. For more information call 956-584-1812.
--The legendary La Villita in San Benito has re-opened again this past Summer, and is the longest lasting conjunto venue here in the Rio Grande Valley. It has opened and closed during the past couple of decades, after first establishing itself during the 1940's and going through a conjunto golden era in the 1950's and 1960's. The following ats are confirmed for the next five weeks: Jesse Flores y la Ralea Tejana (September 30), Los Badd Boyz del Valle (October 7), Javier y Los Latinos (October 14), Ruben de la Cruz y su conjunto (October 21), and Ramon Lucio y Conjunto Dominante (October 28). Doors open at 7 PM, with dances going from 8 PM to midnight. $10.00 per person.
--Legendary accordionist Eva Ybarra, who we've written about here previously in a cover story for the Festiva and who is a regular at the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, was a recipent of the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts. She received her award on September 14 in Washington, D.C. For those of you interested in seeing the video that they did in showcasing Ybarra's unique conjunto career, go to YouTube and look up: 2017 NEA Heritage Award Fellow Eva Ybarra.
--On October 12, 2017, the Roma ISD Choir, Orchestra, Conjunto, Folklorico, and Mariachi students will be having a grand showcase of performances during a benefit show called "To The Gulf Coast With Love". Tickets are $10.00 and will take place at the Roma ISD Performing Arts Center.
Although Rodriguez has left the band, Los Fantasmas Del Valle are back onstage with a new accordionist. They performed just last week at Pan Am Plaza in San Antonio, Texas. The backbone of the band, Hector Barron keeps the band strong with his signature voice. This cannot be said about Rodney Rodriguez, who lacks singing talent. The Fantasmas Del Valle will continue to be among the favorite conjunto bands as they have been for many years.
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