Perfect harmony
The Tejano Conjunto Festival is back and bigger than ever in San Antonio this weekend
There's still plenty of time to check out the 41st annual Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio, which runs all weekend concurrently at Rosedale Park and the Guadalupe Theater. Known as the first ever conjunto festival in the country, the Tejano Conjunto Festival also has the distinction of being the longest-running conjunto festival nationwide.
The Tejano Conjunto Festival is a showcase of the best of the best when it comes to the different musical styles of conjunto music. Featured performers include Javier Solis y los Unikos, Ruben de la Cruz and Ruben Garza on Friday, Conjunto Cats, Isaac De Los Santos y La Sangre Chicana, Jesse Gomez y Los Chachos on Saturday, and Cindy Ramos y su Conjunto, Grupo Azido, the Tejano Boys, Los Badd Boyz Del Valle on Sunday, the closing day of the festival.
Keep in mind that's just a small taste of what to expect from a full musical lineup every day of the festival.
Student conjuntos will also have a chance to shine in the spotlight on Saturday and Sunday when they perform for the crowds as well.
Music lovers can purchase tickets online at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center website, or in person at the Guadalupe Latino Bookstore. There are also 3-day passes available if you want to attend the entire weekend.
In addition to a full roster of live musical performance, the festival will also feature a special photo exhibition dedicated to the craftmanship of the Acosta family, who owned a luthier shop on the West side of San Antonio. Titled, "The Instruments and Artistry of the Acosta Family of San Antonio,” the photographic exhibition will be available to view at the Progreso Community Gallery, located next to the Guadalupe Latino Bookstore.
"The Tejano Conjunto Festival has become an important tradition in the cultural and artistic life of the city of San Antonio," says Juan Tejeda, the first Xicano Music Program Director of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center and founder of the Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio. "[And] much like conjunto music itself, [the festival] continues to serve as a powerful symbol and popular expression of Tejano/Chicano culture, identity, and empowerment."