Big Squeeze 2018 Showcase – Nederland/Groves
Texas Folklife is pleased to announce that a Big Squeeze Community Discussion & Talent Showcase will take place in Groves at Larry's French Market & Cajun Restaurant on Saturday February 24, 2018.
For this event we are going to hold a community discussion with local musicians, community members and stakeholders about sustainability of Cajun music in Southeast Texas, and follow up with some live music! Texas Folklife is committed to community engagement and helping to encourage young local musicians to play traditional music, and carry on Cajun accordion and Cajun music culture.
Some of Our Discussion Topics Will Include:
-What are the community needs in terms of youth traditional music participation?
-How can Texas Folklife encourage or facilitate community needs?
-Who are the teachers or tradition bearers that can serve as mentors or teachers to get young musicians involved? What will encourage them to participate?
-What can we learn from the active Louisiana-based music communities in order to get more Cajun youth participation in Texas?
-How can arts organizations, supporters, school music teachers, and community members partner together to work on this initiative?
The Big Squeeze Community Discussion & Talent Showcase at Larry's French Market & Cajun Restaurant is one of many Big Squeeze events across Texas in 2018. Texas Folklife's Big Squeeze Accordion Program searches for the top youth accordionist talent in Texas. All genres of accordion music are welcome including Conjunto, Zydeco, Cajun, Polka and more.
Big Squeeze Community Discussion & Talent Showcase - Nederland / Groves
Saturday, February 24, 2018 (Discussion 2pm-3pm, Showcase 3pm-4pm)
Larry's French Market & Cajun Restaurant 3701 Pure Atlantic Rd, Groves, TX 77619
Music by:
Jude Moreau
Donovan Borque - 2017 Big Squeeze Cajun/Zydeco Champion
and other guests TBA!
Show Timeline:
1pm: Doors Open
2pm: Community Discussion
3pm: Showcase Concert
Accordionists who wish to audition at this showcase can do so by contacting Texas Folklife.
Musicians who cannot attend this showcase to can submit an audition video by going to: http://texasfolklife.org/bigsqueeze2018 by March 23 at 11:59pm.
Finalists will be announced in early-to-mid April and will perform at the Big Squeeze Finals at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin on April 21.
We are excited to find and showcase accordion talent! The emphasis for this showcase is CAJUN and ZYDECO. Conjunto will include Norteño and Tejano. The Polka genre will include German, Czech, and Polish traditions. Cajun / Zydeco will include Creole, Cajun and Zydeco musical traditions. Please contact Texas Folklife if you are unsure under which category your music falls.
All young accordionists in any of the above styles are encouraged to show up an hour before start time to register for our contest.
The event is free and open to the public.
For details, entry rules and entry form, GO TO: http://texasfolklife.org/bigsqueeze2018
The Big Squeeze is supported by the board and members of Texas Folklife, Hohner, Inc., El Norteño Foods, Rancho Alegre Conjunto Festival, and by grants from H-E-B, The Texas Music Office, Texas Commission on the Arts, the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin’s Economic Development Department, and the City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board. Regional community and venue partners include Hacienda Records, Cajun Sounds Internet Radio,www.zydecoevents.com, Conjunto Heritage Taller, McDonald Public Library in Corpus Christi, Dallas Public Library Pleasant Grove Branch, Café 4212, Multicultural Education & Counseling through the Arts, Larry’s French Market & Cajun Restaurant, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, Los Fresnos High School, La Joya Independent School District, and the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
RSVP on our Facebook or Eventbrite pages!
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About the Categories
The Conjunto Category has been split into TWO age categories:
• Conjunto Grand Prize, Ages 17 and under
• Anthony Ortiz, Jr. Conjunto Grand Prize, Ages 18-21. The Conjunto grand prize category for ages 18-21 is named in loving memory of Anthony Ortiz, Jr., a former Big Squeeze finalist, virtuosic young professional accordionist, and member of the Texas Folklife family who passed away in 2017.
The Polka Category has been extended include ages 25 and under.
There are no changes in the Cajun and Zydeco Category and all accordionists under 21 as of the date listed on the application should apply.
For details, entry rules and entry form, GO TO: http://texasfolklife.org/bigsqueeze2018
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Interested in Sponsoring the Big Squeeze?
The Big Squeeze program and showcase events are partnerships with local businesses, art galleries, record labels, non-profit arts organizations, local public school districts, and universities. We will work with your organization's budget. But, we are also accepting major sponsorships beginning at $5,000+ levels.
Can we count on your support to make the Big Squeeze program a continued success? Want to see learn more about the Big Squeeze? To see our sponsorship packet, 2017 Finals flyer and photos from our 2017 program, as well as a contestant map from 2007 - 2015, GO TO:http://texasfolklife.org/article/interested-in-sponsoring-the-big-squeeze
