BY EDUARDO MARTINEZ
This will be an action-packed weekend, with local conjunto shows, lucha libre, and young accordionists going to Austin to compete for the state title.
>> The annual “Big Squeeze” accordion contest is coming up Saturday, April 21, and we have several Rio Grande Valley representatives in the statewide youth accordion competition this year. There are four categories and two of those are dedicated to conjunto music. For the conjunto category the following are the finalists: Ricardo Cabrera, age 10, from Austin; Melenie Lissette Gonzalez, age 17, from Rio Grande City; Johnny Joe Gutierrez, age 15, from Mission; and Perla A. Hernandez, age 15, from Roma. For the special Anthony Ortiz Jr. Award, for accordionists 18 to 21, the finalists are: Eloy Renteria Jr., age 20, from Midland; Christina Valdez, age 19, from San Benito; and Jesus F. Venegas, age 21, from Brownsville. The contest will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin.
>> Salinas Promotions returns at 7:45 p.m. Friday, April 20, to Los Portales Flea Market in Alton. Black Taurus returns to the Rio Grande Valley, after several great performances here in South Texas in 2017. Also on the card will be Kaoma Jr., Corazon de Barrio, Sairus, Karateka Jr., Black Cat, Zarzy Tiger, Halcon Negro, Aslum, Star Kid, Ari Boy, El Borricua, Wolverine, Blue Kid, Jesse James. Tickets are $15 for adults, and kids under 10 are free! You can buy tickets at Tortilleria Suehay in Mission, Novedades Martinez in Pharr, Xquinkles Snack Land in Mission. For more information, call (956) 457-9828.
>> Ernesto Cadena y su conjunto and Jesse ‘Chuy’ Flores will be performing at La Lomita Park in McAllen on Sunday, April 22. Entry fee is $10, and the music starts at 6 p.m. 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.
>> The Tejano Boys will be performing at historic La Villita Dance Hall from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, April 21. Entry will be $10.
