SAN BENITO — The familiar upbeat sounds of accordion, bajo sexto, bass guitar and drums will once again fill the historic La Villita Dance Hall tonight as Third Thursday Conjunto Nights returns for the first time in 2019.
Ruben Robles y Dinastia Robles, who define their music as a mix of regional, Norteño and Tejano, are set to perform at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m.
Admission is $5.
“It’s been working. People have responded well to the changes,” said Rogelio T. Núñez, event organizer and director of the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center. “The move to La Villita has been great. It fits there, anything to do with conjunto music.”
Núñez explained conjunto nights have been popular and well-attended since the event started five years ago. He also said the scheduling and location changes that have happened throughout the years have actually helped improve the idea behind conjunto nights.
“Conjunto music is unique to the Valley, especially San Benito. Narciso Martinez created conjunto music in La Paloma,” Núñez said. “We need to keep working to find venues, events to showcase conjunto music, keep the music alive.”
Conjunto music enthusiasts are concerned about the lack of venues to showcase and promote this original musical genre, according to Núñez. Most recently, the announcement of the sale of 88.9 FM public radio, a big promoter of local conjunto music, will be a big loss, Núñez explained.
“Conjunto music will live on forever,” he said. “There are less spaces to perform. Great music goes on.”
If You Go
Who: Ruben Robles y Dinastia Robles
What: Third Thursday Conjunto Nights
When: Tonight, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
Where: La Villita Dance Hall, 261 W. Robertson St. in San Benito
Admission: $5
