Texas Folklife’s “Big Squeeze” Conjunto Semi-finalists to Compete at Edinburg Music Festival on April 15
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2023
EDINBURG, Texas - The Conjunto Semi-Finals of Texas Folklife’s annual Big Squeeze statewide youth accordion contest will return to the Rio Grande Valley for its 17th season on Saturday, April 15th, from 2-5 PM. This year, Texas Folklife collaborates with the City of Edinburg and the Museum of South Texas History to present the contest as part of the Edinburg Music Festival, featuring 2023 National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellow Little Joe Hernandez (of Little Joe y la Familia).
“Texas Folklife is honored to continue our partnership with the Museum of South Texas History and thrilled to work with a new partner, the City of Edinburg, for the Big Squeeze Conjunto Semi-Finals!” said Executive Director Charlie Lockwood. “The Big Squeeze Conjunto Semi-Finals will kick off the Edinburg Music Festival with a showcase of the remarkable talent and dedication of youth conjunto accordionists from across the region and state”.
The semifinals will showcase a competition among youth accordion players competing in the Big Squeeze’s Conjunto category, along with a performance by Grupo Azido and special guest MC Veronique Medrano. The Conjunto semi-finalists have been chosen after their video entries were scored by a panel of judges. Contestants will perform live for the judges at the semi-finals, after which the judges will select up to six finalists to compete in Austin next month.
2023 Big Squeeze Conjunto Semifinalists:
16 and Under Age Category
Adiel Emmanuel Vazquez, Pasadena
Chelsea Campos, San Benito
Christian Zapata, Mission
Ethan Torres, Los Fresnos
Giovani Guerrero, Mission
Jayden Bucio, Crosby
Roberto Martinez III, Edcouch
Ruby Acosta, Houston
17-21 Age Category
Angel Guerra, Mission
Daniel Hernandez, Mission
Eligio Martinez, San Benito
Gilberto Treviño, Palmview
Texas Folklife’s Big Squeeze Conjunto Semifinals
Saturday April 15th (2pm-5pm)
Promenade Park Amphitheater
201 W McIntyre St, Edinburg, TX 78541
More event info:
https://texasfolklife.org/event/big-squeeze-2023-conjunto-semi-finals
Additionally, Texas Folklife Executive Director Charlie Lockwood and Big Squeeze Conjunto Semi-Finals MC Veronique Medrano will also participate in an event on Sunday April 16th at the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg. Sunday Speaker Series - Accordion Para Todos: How We Celebrate Texas Folk Music.
See below for Sun 4/16 Speaker Series event details:
https://www.facebook.com/events/222467583792540
This year’s Big Squeeze Finals are returning to their traditional home, as well, at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. They will be held Saturday, May 13. Finalists in all categories — Conjunto, Polka, Zydeco, and Cajun — will compete for top prizes. In the Conjunto category, prizes will be awarded for two categories: age 16 and under, and the Anthony Ortiz Jr. Prize for the age category 17-21.
Winners will receive a cash prize, a new Hohner accordion valued at more than $1,500, performance opportunities with Texas Folklife, publicity, professional development, and other opportunities.
The Big Squeeze is presented by Texas Folklife as part of its mission to preserve and present Texas’ diverse cultural heritage. Since 2007, Texas Folklife has promoted Texas accordion music genres through the Big Squeeze program. More than 300 young, talented players from dozens of Texas communities have participated in the program, which supports these vital community-based accordion music traditions.
Sponsors
The 2023 Big Squeeze is supported in part by the generosity of H-E-B, a Squeezebox Legend Sponsor, who has contributed to worthy causes through Texas and Mexico for 115 years. We also are grateful to the City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board for their long-time support. This project is made possible in part by a grant from the Texas Music Office, Office of the Governor, as well as contributions from Hohner Accordions, Texas Commission on the Arts, Museum of South Texas History, The Bullock Museum, The City of Edinburg, Rancho Alegre, and other regional partners.
About Texas Folklife
Texas Folklife (TXF) is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to presenting and preserving the diverse cultures and living heritage of the Lone Star State. TXF is designated by the National Endowment for the Arts as the official folk and traditional arts organization for the state. Since 1984, TXF has honored traditions passed down within communities, explored the importance of traditional arts in contemporary society, and celebrated the state’s vibrant heritage by providing arts experiences enjoyable for all generations. For more information, visit texasfolklife.org.
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Notes for editors: Program Flyers and Semifinalists’ headshots can be found here.
The Promenade Park Amphitheater is located at 201 W Mcintyre Street in Edinburg, Texas. More information at: https://www.edinburgarts.com/emf.
Suggested social media hashtags: #BigSqueeze2023 #TexasFolklife #TexasMusic #BigSqueeze #accordion #acordeon
Media Contact:
Maya Williams-Britton, Texas Folklife Outreach and Marketing Coordinator
(512) 441-92550; memberships@texasfolklife.org
Program Contact:
Joshua Thomson, Big Squeeze Program Director
(313) 258-0378; bigsqueeze@texasfolklife.org
