Dia de los Muertos take 2

Happy, so happy, to be a part of this special celebration and beautiful tradition. Easter Seals Central Texas threw down with the 2nd Annual Dia de los Muertos (http://www.austindiadelosmuertos.com) celebration in East Austin. The Texas weather couldn't be anymore cooperative. Hot enough to make you thirsty and keep sponsors Casa Garcia's and El Jimador tequila busy, but not so hot as to make the crowd miserable.

Behind Zavala Elementary school is were this celebration took place. A small stage behind the school was the perfect spot for the music, dancing, and early entertainment. There was a kids zone behind the stage with face painting, games, and a piñata. There were also some food trailers on the hill opposite of the stage with some different selections there to calm the hunger pains. My only criticism is how spread out and distant all these things seemed to be from each other. It was an awkward set up.

The performances for the early crowd were absolutely perfect. The mariachis, the ballet folklorico, and musical performances were spot on. Set up early and scheduled well to keep the crowd with the young children happy and entertained.

Mariachi Nueva Generacion were every bit as spectacular as you would expect. I Can't say they needed the sound system, as the group projected their voices and instruments and did it well. The music selection, the different singers and soloists kept it interesting and every bit entertaining.

Roy Lozano's Ballet Folklorico de Texas  (http://www.balletfolkloricodetexas.com) was as beautiful and visually stunning as they were inspiring. Giving the crowd that moment where you are transported away, while watching them. It was very nice to see all the young girls in the audience enjoying it and mimicking the dancers on stage.

OH MY! Austin Samba School (http://www.austinsamba.com) and drum line with Las Monas was the high point of the early festivities. Doing a Dia de los Muertos version of a conga line. The procession entered the fields and snaked around through the crowd. With the beautiful Austin Samba School dancers and all the other characters leading the way for the drummers as well as Las Monas, it was FANTASTIC. Drawing in many members of the crowd, the performance was a wonderful way to continue the festivities for the evening.

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The final performance was a traditional dance by Austins own Groupo de Danza Mexica-chichimeca de Austin.  They were doing some very beautiful footwork to bring the crowd out to the main stage area. It was a very moving moment.

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Kicking off the evening on the main stage were the Tiarra Girls  (http://tiarragirls.squarespace.com) A 3 piece band that was as surprising in their music and performance as the realization these were 3 sisters ages 13 - 16. What WHAT you say?! Yes! You read that correctly. The girls did some covers and originals mixed together. It was brave and stunning, when these young ladies did the Selena song 'Como la Flor'. With Selena's brother and father there. They did it good and did her song justice in their rock version. Go ahead and do covers, but own it don't karaoke it. The reaction from the crowd was enough of the truth, they were loved and the crowd enjoyed the performance. I loved the originals, and some of the covers were pretty damn surprising and amazing. I will bet you that my dad would have choked up hearing the Tiarra Girls do Linda Ronstadt. These girls need the experience and continued support of live performances, but there is NO doubt all in attendance can say with pride "I was there."

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There was a small break in the performances with the introduction and some words from both the Easter Seals Central Texas (http://www.easterseals.com/centraltx/) executives and some local politicians. There was also introductions of special guests and ambassadors of the Easter Seals organization. It is nice to have been a part of a special event that is so meaningful to so many people and does so much for the Austin Community.

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Son De Rey  (http://www.sonderey.com) was up next. This is the band I was really excited to see. With some recent recognition at the Austin music awards, I was stoked. The lead singer definitely had all eyes on him with his amazing headdress, so if anything,  you new it would be entertaining. It was actually better than that. They were great! With the mix of Latin themed music, Spanish lyrics and some cover songs, this band powered through their set. As the crowd built up, more people were on hand to absorb the brilliant performance from Son De Rey. So glad I did enjoy this set with the crowd. Hell, one member of my entourage was downloading their music before the set ended.

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Quimikoz Del Son
(https://www.facebook.com/QuimikozDelSon) was from Ft. Worth and these cumbia performers came to show Austin, live music lives all over! They were energetic and exciting. Quimikoz Del Son are one of those bands that have members filling the stage from on side to the other, but it didn't stop the lead singer from conducting the show and having the Austin crowd on their feet. It was cumbia done well and it was cumbia done fun. Here's to hoping these guys don't stay away from Austin to long. I am sure they will enjoy the love Austin gives them back. Special congratulations to the keyboardist as he became the father of baby girl the very morning they left Ft Worth to come perform for the Easter Seals Dia de los Muertos in Austin.

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Capping off the night was AB Quintanilla and the Kumbia Kings All Starz (https://twitter.com/ABQuintanilla3) WHOA! This was a hella set. From the moment the lights came up, the Kumbia Kings All Starz completely showed the crowd why they are kings. Looking out into the crowd, there was no question this is what every one came to see and no doubt everyone was having a good time. With all of the dancing going on and crowd cheering, they lit up the east Austin night with their sound. Like true professionals, the Kumbia Kings All Starz powered throughout the set when there were sound problems. They happily gave the crowd what they wanted, had fun doing it, and left the crowd not wanting more, but happy. An all around entertaining performance and crowd pleasing good time with the cumbia and rock mix. Watching all the beautiful people in the crowd have a great time, it was a stellar night.

Happy that we were all there!




Laters

Dia de los Muertos Austin 2013

for the Easter Seals Central Texas (http://centraltx.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=TXCA_homepage)

I had the fantastic opportunity to join a few thousand other folks on a beautiful Saturday for the 1st Annual Dia de los Muertos festival at Fiesta Gardens in downtown Austin, Texas. The beautiful grounds to walk around on, moving from the Fiesta Garden stage across the bridge to the Festival stage. Everything was set up well, with food booths, merchandise vendors, and two stages set up for non-stop music and fun. You just can't beat good music, family, and fun on a beautiful Texas fall day. With all sorts of good food to eat, souvenir shirts to remember the day with, awesome face painting, music and dancing for all, it was a can't miss day.



Austin Samba school (http://www.austinsamba.com) was kicking up their heels on the Festival stage when we arrived and was showing everyone a great time. The rhythm of drums was powerful and driving, the dancers were moving on the floor and through the crowd. All of this building up wonderful join in and dance along! Just check out the photos and a quick video here http://youtu.be/1TuQ0W82eH8

Moving through the festival, down across the bridge, and to the Fiesta stage where I caught DaHeBeGeBees (http://dahebegebees.com). These guys put the soul in Latin rhythm without a doubt. DaHeBeGeBees are a staple in the Austin music scene and can be seen regularly at many of Austin's fine music venues. When you get a chance you will not be let down at the good times and great feelings you get listening to them. In fact it will probably be the only time you can say you were happy to get DaHeBeGeBees! My personal favorite is 'Hurts to Hate', that is some powerfully fun stuff there. Check out these photos and video from the festival. http://youtu.be/ORO-obOfM4Q

Running back across the grounds was so worth it to see Flaco Jimenez (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Flaco-Jimenez/187073768014785), Rick Trevino (http://www.ricktrevino.com), and Los Texmaniacs (http://www.texmaniacs.com) on the Festival stage. WOW! All that grammy award winning talent right there on one stage. It was great and the Tejano dancing crowd couldn't have completely agreed more. I will be happy to admit that I am not thoroughly familiar with all of their music, but that has nothing to do with how much fun the crowd was having and how great Los Texmaniacs were on stage. We will see if the 2nd annual festival can top a great gathering of talent like this.

Back across the grounds, to the Fiesta stage, I caught some of the performance of another of my Austin Favorites, El Tule (http://www.eltuleband.com). I first caught this band a few years ago at the Hot Sauce festival and darn glad I did. This group has that Latin sound with a cool horn section and a smoking hot rhythm section. It was completely and utterly uptempo. El Tule had people in the crowd moving to the groove. Loved It!

Now for the last time, I made it back across the grounds to catch the utterly amazing and incomparable Dale Watson (http://dalewatson.com/index.htm). Are you kidding me! This, for me, was the greatest thing. Dale Watson has had the people in Austin doing the 'quick quick, slow slow' (C'mon ya'll - the Texas Two Step) and the 'quick, slow slow' (HELLO - the Waltz) for years. I was thrilled to death when OUR Dale Watson made his recent appearance on national television on The David Letterman Show. All of that doesn't matter though as Jonas Schwartz, Chairperson of the Board, Executive Chair for Easter Seals Central Texas proudly introduced Dale Watson to the stage! My goodness you don't understand, a fan of Dale Watson for many, MANY years and I have not one darn good excuse for not going to see him at The Broken Spoke or any other place in Austin, or the central Texas area....and here he was. It was every bit worth the wait. The audience definitely agreed with me as it got really crowded and EVERYONE seemed to be dancing and singing to EVERY SINGLE SONG. The crowd even loved every second of Dale's Lonestar commercial, in the middle of his set. Here are some photos from his performance.

 

To finish off the evening on the Festival stage, on his 73rd birthday, Little Joe Y La Familia (http://www.littlejoeylafamilia.com). This looks like the event that the crowd was holding out for. Everybody up on their feet and on the floor. It was definitely a celebration of music and good times. With an epic history of making music and performing, it is undoubtedly the best way that the Easter Seals Central Texas could have capped off their 1st annual event. 

I look forward to next year and hope to see many, many more people there. Remember it is not all just good times, but for a great cause!

Special thanks to KOKE FM for allowing me this opportunity to tell everyone about this special event!

Laters