Learn More About the Holiday Showcase Special Guests
Mando Rayo
Mando Rayo’s experience is deep-rooted in Latinx & BIPOC communities and is a 2022 James Beard Foundation Awards finalist and winner of two Signal Awards for podcasting. Mando is a digital story-teller and uses his Latinx identity to inspire and build bridges through his production company, IDENTITY. From working with PBS ITVS, El Rey Network, 7-Eleven/Laredo Taco Company, Beef Loving Texans, Whataburger, People en Español y más, Mando shares stories through food, culture, documentaries and digital platforms. As a Taco Journalist, food explorer and street ethnographer, Mando has traveled across the U.S. to uncover the tastiest tacos, from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas to L.A. and New Orleans to New York City. Mando is the producer and co-author of the books, ‘Austin Breakfast Tacos’ and ‘The Tacos of Texas book (University of Texas Press) & docu-series with PBS Digital Studios, United Tacos of America TV Show on El Rey Network and the Vitamina T for Tacos children’s book series (Jade Publishing). Mando’s work has been featured on Bon Appetit Magazine, The Food Network, NPR, The New York Times and SXSW. You can listen to El Cuatro – Season 4 of the Tacos of Texas Podcast on KUT, Austin’s NPR Station and Texas Standard, wherever you get your podcasts.
Alma Soto
https://mamasoto.myportfolio.com/
Alma Soto, also known as Mamasoto, is a graphic designer located in Houston, who has operated her home studio for over 19 years. Throughout her career, she has partnered with a diverse array of clients including KatyISD for designs such as Be The Legacy and the centennial celebration, as well as Memorial Hermann. She recently designed a new Loteria game, which was launched at MECA with the support of the AARP. A strong foundation in music design, she’s had the privilege of collaborating with billboard platinum indie band The Rare Occasions, for whom she’s recently created art for their latest album and tour merchandise.
As a multidisciplinary artist, singer/songwriter and poet, she explores the intersections of visual arts, literature and music. Her artistic work is marked by an eclectic blend of mediums, drawing inspiration from her life experiences, particularly her Chicago family’s artistic lineage and culture, which are central to her identity. Trained by her Pilsen artist grandmother Maria Enriquez de Allen, a ’94 Women’s Caucus for Art recipient, Alma’s a third-generation florista, adept in the intricate craft of Mexican flower making. Inspired by her mother, Marilú Castillo, a Chicago self published poet (Recuerdo’s Y Sentimientos), Alma plans on re-publishing her book, as well as her own poetry.
Currently Alma is working on a sculpture, El Mensaje del Colibri – The Celestial Emissary for the MFAH’s Fall Festival: Myths & Leyendas, in conjunction with ALMAAHH , running from November 10-17th at the Cullen Sculpture Garden. She eagerly anticipates continuing her family’s legacies that have influenced her across art, photography, poetry, music and folk art.
Sean Ardoin
Sean Ardoin is a Five-Time Grammy-nominated artist who has become an acclaimed figure in Creole and Zydeco music. With his pioneering genre of “Kreole Rock and Soul”, Ardoin’s electrifying performances and musical prowess have earned him a well-deserved reputation as a global music visionary from Louisiana.
Sunny Sauceda
Sunny Sauceda, a native of San Antonio and celebrated accordion virtuoso, has enthralled audiences throughout the United States and Mexico. With three GRAMMY Awards and 26 Tejano Music Awards to his name, including the prestigious 2022 Entertainer of the Year, Sauceda continues to captivate listeners with his dynamic performances filled with passion and intensity.
With a career spanning over four decades, Sauceda has left an indelible mark on the music industry. Through his independent label, Solstice Records, he has released seven successful albums, yielding numerous chart-topping hits. His soulful vocals have garnered widespread admiration, making him a revered figure not only among accordion enthusiasts but also among musicians worldwide.
Sauceda’s influence extends beyond borders and genres, earning him acclaim from accordion players across the globe. His engaging presence on social media platforms and his viral videos have attracted millions of followers, further cementing his status as a beloved entertainer.
While Sauceda has explored Texas Country music throughout his career, collaborating with artists like Robert Rodriguez and the late Charlie Robison, his recent focus has been on fulfilling the longstanding requests of his fans. For over two decades, they have urged him to showcase his accordion prowess in English, a demand he now meets as he ventures into the Texas Country/Red Dirt market. Sunny Sauceda is poised to leave an indelible mark on the Texas Country music scene.
Elena Fainshtein
Elena Fainshtein is the owner of Musical Expression Accordion School, which she founded in 2004 in Plano, TX. Over the years, she has trained four “Big Squeeze” champions and one national accordion champion. In 2013, Elena established the Fainshtein Accordion Ensemble, which continues to perform regularly, with the most recent concert in January 2024. Elena has been an active member of the ATG organization, NAA convention, and Las Vegas Accordion Convention.
She has performed internationally for over 30 years with her duo partner, Gregory Fainshtein, in countries across Europe, Israel, and various states in the U.S. Currently, Elena performs with a trombone partner, with recent performances at the Salt Lake City International Trombone Festival and the ATG Festival in Chicago. Upcoming performances are scheduled across Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas City.
Originally from Belarus, Elena completed her formal music education at the Belarus Academy of Music. She is passionate about sharing her love for the accordion with new generations, helping to cultivate a lasting appreciation for this beautiful instrument.
Elayne Doggett
Elayne Doggett is a talented performer who loves to see smiles on people’s faces when she takes the stage. She was named the 2022 Polka Champion for Texas Folklife’s Big Squeeze Contest and earned 3rd place at the Accordion Star International Competition the same year. Elayne has been studying piano since age 4 and dance since age 2. She is a competitive dancer at The Dallas Conservatory at Castle Hills, specializing in tap, ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, and ballroom, recently winning 1st place for her tap solo in 2024.
In addition to her musical and dance talents, Elayne enjoys acting and musical theatre. She won 1st place in voice at the Wildflower! Budding Talent Competition in 2019 and performed at the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts. She also placed 2nd at the DFW Icon singing competition in 2022.
Lamont Jack Pearley
Lamont Jack Pearley is an applied folklorist, ethnographer and African American traditional music historian and practitioner enrolled at Western Kentucky University in the Broadcast, African American and Folk Studies graduate program. He produces and hosts a weekly segment on WKU Public Radio called the African American Folklorist, and is the founder and chief editor of the African American Folklorist Magazine. A non-traditional student, Lamont was inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame as Great Blues Historian and TV/Radio Producer (2017) and Great Blues Artist (2018).
While at OpenDocLab, he’ll be working on Jack Dappa Blues, a virtual, web-based repository of blues culture and traditions.
Dr. James Robert Parkey
Robert “Doc” Parkey, MD is a sixth-generation rancher and native of the Wichita Falls area. He studied Animal Science at Tarleton State University and received his Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. After nearly two decades practicing rural medicine in Henrietta, Texas, he now focuses on Geriatrics and Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
Dr. Parkey is a member of the Wichita Falls Poetry Society, the Poetry Society of Texas, and the Western Folklife Center. His literary time pursues narratives of country life, medicine, and the human condition,as well as a lifelong interest in cowboy poetry and song, harkening back to his roots growing up on the family ranch in Archer County. He manages a cow-calf operation of his own in Clay County west of Henrietta. “Doc” Parkey is currently serving as President of the Wichita Falls Poetry Society, “Trail Boss” for the annual Cowboy True Poetry Gathering, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Arts Council of Wichita Falls.
Alyssa Villarreal
Alyssa Villarreal is Texas Folklife’s current Big Squeeze Youth Ambassador. She began playing the accordion at the age of 11, inspired by traditional Conjunto music and legendary artists like Carlos y Jose, Los Cadetes de Linares, and Los Alegres de Terán. Alyssa is passionate about her craft and dreams of one day becoming a renowned musician.
