Tag Archives: cultura

Tacho’s Sabado Playlist

Posted on June 18, 2022 | Comments Off on Tacho’s Sabado Playlist

Wow, I’ve missed a few tunes that are quite welcome in the Tejano sphere of things. Here are a few that ended up on my radar.

Joe Lopez y Grupo Mazz – Ando Que Me Lleva – The King of Tejano is back with a full-length album, Love From The Heart. The 12-track album offers up a mix of rancheras, cumbias, and ballads, boosted by the legacy sound that put Mazz at the top of the charts and touring schedules during the 90s hey-day. Although he’s put out a couple of tunes as singles, the one that really captured the legacy sound is Ando Que Me Lleva, with its powerful drumming and smooth accordion accompaniment. Give it a listen and listen to the whole album on YouTube before buying it.

Grupo Alamo – Confianza – One group that’s always captured my attention is Grupo Alamo from SATX. Led by accordionist Ernie Gonzalez and backed up by some amazing session players and fronted by DLG Alum Mark Ledesma (of LaDezz), they never fail at putting out some really good music. For good measure, the players include Grammy-winner Juan Trevino and current Mavericks squeezebox player Percy Cardona on Keyboards, which one really notices on this particular tune.

Santiago Jimenez, Jr. – Brincando Cercas – El Chief is back with a new album, Still Kickin’, and kickin’ and squeezin’ he is. Santiago offers up some classics played in his own way and backed up by Max Baca on Bajo Sexto and Noel Hernandez on the tololoche (upright bass). Brincando Cercas is a tune about a guy literally caught with his pants down when “en la movida.” It’s a funny tune and sounds great done in the traditional “singin’ ’round the fire” style.

Behind the Mic with Little Joe – My Friend AC Cruz has a new podcast up featuring the legendary King of the Brown Sound Little Joe Hernandez. After 60 years of recording and touring, Little Joe is still on the road. This podcast takes us through his career, his civil rights and labor advocacy, and even singing with Willie Nelson! Click here for the podcast.

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Posted in 2022, Accion, Cultura, DC Promo, Media

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Did You Hear Rick Treviño’s Cinco de Mayo Song?

Posted on May 9, 2020 | Comments Off on Did You Hear Rick Treviño’s Cinco de Mayo Song?

When I saw that Rick Treviño had a new single called Cinco de Mayo, I immediately thought, “What the heck is he doing?”

I immediately went to memories of Little Joe’s Dieciseis de Septiembre which I first thought was hokey back in the 90s, but I accept more now because of issues regarding Chicano culture and identity that I like to research.

Trevino’s Cinco de Mayo starts off a little hokier speaking to the usual drinking and partying ID that the holiday has. But he manages to deliver a message if you listen closely, as well as a strong piano and horn samba sound.

“I keep serving up Jose Cuervo and calling the Gringo mi amigo. Everyone’s saying, “Que pasa” and singing La Bamba.”

Uh, did he just do some reverse stereotyping that I enjoy sarcastically doing? If so, Right On!

Anyway, he adds:

“Maybe just for today, leave the border alone. Today don’t send anyone home. It’s Cinco de Mayo.”

Did he just make a pro-migrant political pronouncement?

OK, Rick. I’m liking this tune more as I give it more listens. Whatever the intent, great message. Listen to it on YouTube.

No doubt, Trevino has been on swing of cultural pride in his music. Plus, there are collabs he’s done with greats, such as Los Super Seven, Ruben Ramos, as well as being produced by Raul Malo on some recent albums, among other projects.  So, his creativity is understandable and way different from his Nashville-produced early work.

Last year, with Los Texmaniacs, and then Trevino with Flaco Jimenez, released a single called I Am A Mexican. The tune is about a Mexican’s love for the adopted country that shows its dislike for him on a daily basis. It’s poignant, yet, quite sharp. And it gets quite the response when he performs it live.

Another tune is Cowboys Like Me, with which many can identify with it’s intro lyric, “My granddaddies daddy crossed the Rio Grande, trying to find a better life than what he had…” It’s one of my favorites as my yard had a chain-linked fence, and I loved using my unloaded BB rifle to play “cowboys” in the backyard with friends. (Listen to it to get it.)

Anyway, enjoy the tunes. I’m looking forward to the new album. And if someone whines about it, tell them, “It’s about identity, pendejo!”

Gracias, Rick!

Cinco de Mayo

I Am A Mexican

Cowboys Like Me

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted in 2020, Cultura, DC Promo

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The City Needs Your Input on Long-Term Plan for Latino Arts Facility

Posted on November 27, 2019 | Comments Off on The City Needs Your Input on Long-Term Plan for Latino Arts Facility

The City of Houston is developing a long-term plan for the city-owned facility in the East End Cultural District (formerly operated by Talento Bilingue de Houston, or TBH). The vision is to build on the history of the facility as a home for Latino arts and realize a dynamic and welcoming cultural center serving residents, visitors, and local artists.

To that end we need your help. Please take the following survey (OFFERED IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH BELOW) to let us know more about your experience and your needs.

English survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MJLK8NF
Spanish survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TDPGDSK

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Posted in 2019, Accion, City of Houston, Cultura, DC Promo

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40th Annual Festival Chicano Set To Launch on Thursday

Posted on October 3, 2019 | Comments Off on 40th Annual Festival Chicano Set To Launch on Thursday

Thursday night is the first night of the 40th Festival Chicano at Miller Outdoor Theater. Beginning at 7PM, thousands of folks seated and on the hill will enjoy the music of Grupo Fuerte, Los Desperadoz, and Jaime De Anda (JDA).

Festival Chicano is a weekend filled with music, culture, and community enjoyed by thousands every fall. Earlier this week, Mayor Sylvester Turner and City Council approved a resolution honoring the festival.

It’s safe to say that creating Festival Chicano wasn’t an easy feat, according to festival founder and director Daniel Bustamante. In an interview with Tony Diaz at KPFTs Nuestra Palabra show, Bustamante tells us that he had to fight his way into Miller Outdoor Theater.

Festival Chicano first started with a concert held at Moody Park in the northside of Houston on Easter, 1977. After attracting over 10,000 spectators, the City of Houston was a bit upset because of crowd issues. The fact that there were limited facilities, parking and other issues didn’t sit well with the City. Bustamante offered the idea to use Miller Outdoor Theater.

The City and the MOT folks weren’t too keen on the idea. Maybe it was the thought of 10,000 Chicanos converging on a major facility, but the excuse to first deny the Festival was that the facility was for “fine arts.” Of course, it wasn’t like Bustamante lacked an infrastructure. With the support of Little Joe y La Familia and with the intent to empower a community through culture, there was little doubt that the event would be a success.

It took a few more years to finally get to the MOT. After the HPD murder of Joe Campos Torres and the pushback at Moody Park, the City may have become more receptive. With Little Joe’s support, the first official show at Miller was held on April 1980. 40 years later, the festival continues with capacity crowds and the very best music in Texas. Little Joe has played every year, except for one, and will get to celebrate his 79th birthday on Friday.

Friday features Little Joe, La .45, and Los Monarcas. The festival closes on Saturday with Elida Reyna y Avante, Los Garcia Brothers, and Tejano Highway 281.

THE MUSIC

Los Garcia Brothers, Los Monarcas, and Grupo Fuerte are considered hard-core conjunto bands, led by the acordeon and the bajo sexto. Fuerte and Monarcas are local favorites, while Los Garcia Brothers, dressed in zoot suits, travel from Eagle Pass.

Los Desperadoz are also a conjunto but with a more progressive slant to their music. They recently released a new album, so, I expect they will put on a good show. And speaking of good shows, Jaime De Anda, a showman and killer acordeonista in his own right, will showcase his new band, JDA. De Anda recently went solo after separating from the group he founded in Houston, Los Chamacos.

Of course, Little Joe (y La Familia) is a living legend who continues a heavy touring schedule showcasing an amazing horn and rhythm section. La .45 is led by a couple of former members of La Familia and also offer up a 5 piece horn section that plays original and old school favorites. Elida Reyna y Avante are also touring behind a new album. The powerful-voiced Reyna is sure to wow the crowd with her cumbias and rancheras, and a big sing-along is expected for Luna Llena. Finally, Tejano Highway 281 is an up-and-coming band from the Rio Grande Valley with a style that brings together conjunto, Tejano, and country. Expect to be impressed.

I expect to be there for at least two of the nights. I’ve got a DJ gig on Saturday, but I’ll probably play some of the music from the bands I’m missing. Check out Festival Chicano, wear your favorite candidate/political t-shirt, and take in nuestra cultura.

¡QUE VIVA DANIEL BUSTAMANTE!

¡Y QUE VIVA EL FESTIVAL CHICANO!

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Posted in Accion, City of Houston, Cultura, DC Promo

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DC’s Top 10 of 2018

Posted on December 28, 2018 | Comments Off on DC’s Top 10 of 2018

I haven’t had that busy a year on DC. No doubt, the state of politics concerns me when Republicans are still as nasty as they want to be, and Democrats, well, they only push back when a win is in sight, otherwise, they might lose a right-wing vote. Call for abolishing ICE or calling for Democrats to fight harder on, say, deportation and incarceration of brown folks, and they get skittish. Calls for “civility” are quite offensive when Democrats won’t fight and the policies offered by right-wingers are simply uncivil and not worthy of debate. If we want to win, increase turn-out, and make meaningful change it will take more than knocking on doors, but also promoting and defending a meaningful platform that fights for people, rather than one which rides a stripe down the middle of the road painted yellow on issues like immigration. At this point, 2020 is about trust and it must be earned.

Needless to say, I still had some posts that generated some good traffic, so, here are my Top 10 for 2018.

  1. The 2018 Dem Primary Stace Slate
  2. Beto’s South Texas Problem Isn’t A Problem
  3. Trump Planning Baby Jail for Houston
  4. Los Texmaniacs Cruzando Borders
  5. Runoffs, Victories, and Tear Jerkers
  6. RIP:  Jimmy Gonzalez
  7. HISD Tactics: Reminders of the Good Ol’ Days
  8. Lina Hidalgo Responds to Emmett’s State of the County
  9. Demsplaining the DACA Sell-Out
  10. LULAC Supports Trump’s Wall

I don’t know how active a blogger I’ll be since some folks take all the fun out of it by flinging insults at those of us who are called “far left,” while calling for “civility” with the most uncivil among us–Republicans and their apologists. But that doesn’t mean I’m done. There’s a lot to write about politics and Chicano culture and I’ll still be doing it, or else, the pendejos who get easily offended will take over. So, stay tuned. Year 14 of DosCentavos begins in a few days!

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Posted in Accion, DC Promo, Democratic Stuff

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2016 Tejano Conjunto Fest Schedule

Posted on February 18, 2016 | Comments Off on 2016 Tejano Conjunto Fest Schedule

tcflogoMy FB friend, Juan Tejeda, the long-time organizer of the Tejano Conjunto Festival in San Antonio, posted the schedule for this year’s fest to be held May 11 – 15, 2016 at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center and at Rosedale Park. I know I’m making plans to be there for some of the festivities! Here you go:

Below is the complete schedule and musical line-up for the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center’s 35th Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio 2016 which will take place from May 11-15 at the historic Guadalupe Theater and Rosedale Park. Hope to see you in San Antonio for the landmark 35th Annual, and por favor spread the palabra and schedule to your familia and friends. Gracias.

Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center
35th Annual
Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio 2016
Tentative Schedule

Wednesday, May 11/Guadalupe Theatre/10am-12noon/Free

Free Seniors Conjunto Dance
Bene Medina y el Conjunto Águila (San Antonio)

Thursday, May 12/Guadalupe Theatre/6-9:30pm/$25-$10*

San Antonio Premiere of Conjunto Blues

6-7pm Reception
7pm Conjunto Blues
Conjunto Blues is the newest theatrical/musical/multi-media performance piece by San Antonio-based musician and theater artist, Nicolás Valdez. Through live music, poetry, teatro and documentary video footage, Conjunto Blues explores the historical and social conditions that led to the creation and development of Conjunto as an original American musical ensemble and style of music, as well as an expression of cultural resistance and liberation.

8:15pm Live concert & dance with Los Nahuatlatos

Friday, May 13/Rosedale Park/5:30pm-12am/$15 per person**

5:30pm Opening Ceremonies/Poster Contest Exhibit & Awards

Hecho en Tejas: Puro Conjunto Pesado

6pm Acero (San Antonio)
7pm Santiago Garza y La Naturaleza (Jourdanton)
8pm Los Clavos del Wesso (San Antonio)
9pm The Hometown Boys (Lubbock)
10pm Los García Bros. (Eagle Pass)
11pm Jaime y Los Chamacos (Houston)

Saturday, May 14/Rosedale Park/12pm-12am/$15 per person**

Hecho en Tejas: Puro Conjunto Pesado

12noon Conjunto Student Showcase:
Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center
Conjunto Heritage Taller
Houston Accordion Performers
Southside High School Conjunto Cardenales
Los Fresnos High School Conjunto Halcón
Palmview High School Conjunto La Tradición
La Joya High School Conjunto Los Diamantes
Palo Alto College Conjunto Palo Alto
3pm Conteño (Brownsville)
4pm Conjunto Deltaboyz (Elsa)
5pm Los Nuevos Chachos de Jesse Gómez (Mission)
6pm Los Badd Boyz del Valle (Edcouch)
7pm Los Tremendos V (Corpus Christi)
8pm Lázaro Pérez y su Conjunto (Bishop)
9pm Los Monarcas de Pete y Mario Díaz (Houston)
10pm Los Fantasmas del Valle (Mercedes)
11pm Boni Mauricio y Los Máximos (Corpus Christi)

Sunday, May 15/Rosedale Park/1-10pm/$12 per person**

Hecho en Tejas: Puro Conjunto Pesado

1pm Conjunto Cats (Seguin)
2pm Conjunto Baraja de Oro (Dallas)
3pm Bernardo y sus Compadres (Laredo)
4pm Eva Ybarra y su Conjunto (San Antonio)
5pm Dwayne Verheyden (Montford, Netherlands)
6pm Los Texmaniacs de Max Baca (San Antonio)
7pm Flaco Jiménez y su Conjunto (San Antonio)
8pm Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers (Alice)
9pm Roberto Pulido y Los Clásicos (Edinburg)

Saturday, May 14/Guadalupe Theatre/10am-12noon/$45

Accordion Tuning, Maintenance & Repair Workshop
Tim Schofield, Hohner Accordion Repair and Parts Supervisor,
will teach you how to tune the reeds of your accordion and
maintain it in tip-top playing shape. Accordion tuning kits
will be available for purchase.

For workshop registration & info, call 210.271.3151.

* Conjunto Blues & Los Nahuatlatos Concert/Dance
$25 per person: Includes admission price, first-tier floor table seating, free reception with light food, two free drinks, and TCF program magazine. Tables of 4 available.
$20 per person: Includes admission price, second and third-tier table seating, free reception with light food, one free drink, and TCF program magazine. Tables of 8 available.
$10 per person: Includes admission price, fourth-tier single chair seating and TCF program magazine.

** 3-Day (Friday-Sunday) Rosedale All-Events Pass
$37 GCAC Members
$40 Non-Members

For tickets & info, 210.271.3151
www.guadalupeculturalarts.org

The Guadalupe Theater is located at 1301 Guadalupe St.
and Rosedale Park is at 340 Dartmouth in San Antonio, Texas.

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Posted in 2016, Cultura, DC Promo, Uncategorized

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‘Tis the Season for Buenos Diaz Buñuelos

Posted on December 23, 2014 | Comments Off on ‘Tis the Season for Buenos Diaz Buñuelos

bunueloI made a trip to Buenos Diaz on Tuesday to get my buñuelo fix.

What’s a buñuelo? Well, the easiest, yet falling short, way of describing it is that it is sort of a thin, deep-fried dough (not a tortilla!) that is then coated with a sugar/cinnamon mix soon after it gets out of the fryer. There are numerous recipes, different styles credited to different Latino nations, but I prefer the Mexican Buñuelo. These treats are very popular during the Christmas/New Year season.

buenosThe one pictured (and the 29 others I purchased today) was team-made by Celia Diaz (aka The Buñuelo Lady) and her son Jose Manuel Diaz (who is a FODC-Friend of DosCentavos) and sold out of their storefront at 6319 Lyons in Denver Harbor. All I can say is that they’re pretty perfect, especially during this holiday season.

stacebunAs one of my college classmates was telling me, it’s easy to find buñuelos that are as thick as flour tortillas, but the best are those that are thin and crispy, yet don’t break apart easily. The Buenos Diaz buñuelos are just like this. And no, I did not eat a bag of them by myself, but it was tempting.

Most will eat them with a mug or two of Abuelita chocolate, some with a more daring taste (me) will eat them with glass of Cab Sauv or Shiraz. The bottom line is that you must eat the Buenos Diaz ones or you’re getting the burnt edge of the tortilla. So, take a drive over to Denver Harbor and get yourself a few bags of buñuelos.

It was great visiting with Jose Manuel and Celia. DosCentavos enjoys supporting small businesses and no matter what corner of the county you live in, the trip will be worth it.

Tell them DosCentavos sent you.

(No buñuelos were broken during the creation of this post, but one was eaten.)

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Event Update: OCT 26 ~ Latina American Women in Music

Posted on August 18, 2014 | 1 comment

lawim

 

Latina-American Women In Music (“L.A.W.I.M.”) is sponsored by organizations, companies and concerned individuals that desire to see a change. Many community leaders, organizations and entertainment icons have committed their support for “L.A.W.I.M.” and offer their extraordinary talent and resources to this cause. Their enthusiasm and influential participation in the community has inspired many to achieve higher goals and we are honored that they have committed and pledged their time to participate! In joining us in these charitable causes your affiliation and presence includes you as a part of making a difference and change in our world. A donation will be presented to the Houston Area Women’s Center to assist them in helping the abused and battered and we will continue to reach out to our communities where the help is much needed and be of support of future events for various causes. “L.A.W.I.M.” has committed to continue the fight for human rights! Your sponsorship and participation will have a real effect on lives in our communities. Please join us so will have a lasting impact in our world! We are thanking you in advance for your support and contribution. For further information, please feel free to contact us! (702)234-9606 or (832)546-9414

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Posted in Cultura, Event - Houston, Uncategorized

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La Mafia’s New Album Set To Drop June 3

Posted on April 29, 2014 | Comments Off on La Mafia’s New Album Set To Drop June 3

lamafia

Houston supergroup, La Mafia, is set to drop its first full-length production in six years on June 3rd.  Announced on their Facebook page, the new album is titled, Amor y Sexo.

Oscar de la Rosa and the band have been around for over 30 years. Dubbed, “the pride of the Northside,” La Mafia was one of the first Tejano bands to break into Mexico and the rest of the Americas. Recently, they have continued a busy touring schedule across the U.S.

Personal story:  The first time I caught La Mafia was around 1983 at the Crystal Ballroom in Crystal City–I was 12. The opening band was fronted by a talented 12-year old vocalist named Selena Quintanilla.

Fans may pre-order the new music on iTunes starting on May 5.

Expect a review right here on DosCentavos.net!

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DC Review: SIGGNO En Vivo

Posted on April 3, 2014 | Comments Off on DC Review: SIGGNO En Vivo

Tex-Mex showband and Latin Grammy winners Siggno just released their long-awaited live album, “En Vivo.” Recorded in multiple cities, including Houston and Laredo, Jesse Turner and his tight-knit band give us a good live recording–as good as their live shows, which are really good. Kudos to Freddie Records for some great post-production work.

siggnoFans who love them will miss the light and pyro show they sometimes bring with them, but what listeners will definitely not miss is the power-drumming of Joey Jimenez and the rock-n-bajo of Richard Rosales. And what listeners definitely get is a drive through Siggno’s 14-year career, with recent hits like Mi Mundo Se Acabo and Yo Quisiera Detenerte and earlier hits like Pero Hablama and Estupida. Other hits, like Mejor Dimelo, and Ya No Me Importa will definitely keep hard-core fans happy. The album even has a tear-jerker part in which band leader Turner dedicates Mama to his mom.

What many fans were awaiting was the release of four new tracks. Getting much airplay and YouTube hits is En La Basura. Enamorados, Tonto Corazon, and Duele definitely have the potential to be fan favorites.

All-in-all, it’s a great collector’s item and cruising partner for those sunny Sundays.

 

 

 

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Posted in Cultura, Reviews

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