The 36th Annual Accordion Kings & Queens
Texas Folklife proudly celebrates 36 years of AKQ at the Miller Outdoor Theatre!
Featuring Performances by
GRAMMY-Nominated Musician Sean Ardoin
And the champion of the year’s Big Squeeze Showcase!

Photo Credit: Joel Bruce
Texas Folklife is thrilled to announce that Grammy-nominated artist Sean Ardoin will headline the 36th Annual Accordion Kings & Queens Concert on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Miller Outdoor Theatre in Houston. This highly anticipated free event celebrates Texas’s vibrant cultural and musical heritage, showcasing the accordion as a cornerstone of the state’s diverse folk traditions.
From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, attendees will enjoy a night of electrifying performances featuring a blend of polka, conjunto, zydeco, and other folk styles, creating an atmosphere of joy, music, dance, and community spirit.
Sean Ardoin, a Louisiana native and acclaimed zydeco musician, will bring his high-energy, soul-stirring sound to the stage as this year’s headliner. Ardoin, a four-time Grammy nominee, recently earned a 2025 Grammy nomination for his latest album, “25: Back to My Roots,” in the Best Regional Roots Music Album category.
In 2024, Ardoin gained international recognition as the host of the award-winning travel documentary Amplify Louisiana, which received top honors at the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards. His contributions to the documentary highlighted Louisiana’s rich cultural and musical landscape, further cementing his role as a cultural ambassador.
Admission to this spectacular event is free and open to all at the Miller Outdoor Theatre. Valued members of Texas Folklife have the exclusive opportunity to reserve advance tickets, secure premium seating, and indulge in a VIP Experience at the concert.
Exclusive early access to assigned and VIP experience tickets can be reserved here: RSVP for Members & Donors
Become a member
https://texasfolklife.org/memberships/
Free tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis at the Miller Outdoor Theatre website the day before the performance at 10:00am.
36th Annual Accordion Kings & Queens
Saturday, June 7, 7-10 pm CST
Miller Outdoor Theatre
6000 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, Texas 77030
Media & Program Contact:
Mariela Freire
mfreire@texasfolklife.org
(210) 275-2720
Susan Schmaeling
susan@saspr.com
(713) 252-2799
Interested in sponsoring this year’s show? Local and Corporate Businesses inquiring about fiscal and in-kind sponsorships, please email mfreire@texasfolklife.org.
Tickets
Ticket reservations are available in advance exclusively to Texas Folklife Members! Ticket assignments will be shared closer to the show date and will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reserve your tickets in advance to make sure you have the best seats in the house! Tickets will be delivered virtually closer to the show date.
Become a Texas Folklife Member Today to reserve your AKQ tickets and receive other exciting perks!
Support the Show
It takes a village to put on a show like this, and we would not be able to offer free and low-cost folk & traditional arts programming like Accordion Kings & Queens without the support of our members and donors! Please consider supporting our work in one of the following ways:
Become a Texas Folklife Member: Our members help to support the production of AKQ as well as get to enjoy exclusive perks for the show such as early access to reserved covered seats to AKQ, complimentary raffle entries, and more! Membership fees are tax-deductible donations. Learn more about Texas Folklife Memberships here.
- Donations: Consider making a tax-deductible donation to support Texas Folklife here.
- Make an In-Kind Donation: Donate items, experiences, or gift cards to be included in future AKQ Fundraising Efforts like our annual raffle. Contact mfreire@texasfolklife.org for more information.
- Buy TXF Merch: Purchase Texas Folklife shirt designs! 100% of shirt profits benefit our organization. Shop our online Bonfire Store here.
We thank you in advance for your support! Please reach out to mfreire@texasfolklife.org if you have another way you would like to support our organization or the Accordion Kings & Queens show.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Accordion Kings & Queens?
Since 1989, the Accordion Kings & Queens Concert has been a staple event of the Houston area. Bringing in capacity crowds at the Miller Outdoor Theatre, AKQ celebrates the musical diversity of the accordion within Texan cultural communities. Historically, the show has showcased the genres of polka, conjunto, zydeco, cajun, Tejano, swing, & more. This year, the event will take place live at the Miller Outdoor Theatre and online.
Mark your calendar to tune in live on June 7, 2025!
Important Dates:
Here are some dates for #AKQ2025 to keep on your radar!
June 1, 2024: 35th Annual Accordion Kings and Queens
How Do I Get to the Show?
The Miller Outdoor Theatre is located at 6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030 in Hermann Park, just south of the Museum of Natural Science and the McGovern Centennial Gardens.
Find information on parking at the venue and taking the Metro to the Theatre on the Miller Website.
Merch Options:
Buy Texas Folklife Merch in our online Bonfire Store! 100% of shirt profits benefit our organization. Orders are shipped directly to you!
How to Support the Show:
It takes a village to put on a show like this, and we would not be able to offer free and low-cost folk & traditional arts programming like Accordion Kings & Queens without the support of our members and donors! Please consider supporting our work by purchasing an annual or monthly recurring membership, a subscription package or a one-time donation.