a.b. cantu pan-american recreation center

[10/25] Preview: Dia De Los Muertos Festival at A. B. Cantu Pan-American Recreation Center

October 25, 2014 By Piper LeMoine

dia

Today the Dia De Los Muertos Festival will take place at Oswaldo A. B. Cantu Pan American Recreation Center. After an extraordinarily successful first year, the all-day event benefiting Easter Seals of Central Texas, is back for another round of family-friendly cultural activities and entertainment at the popular eastside community center best known for its Hillside Summer Concert series.

The musical lineup includes a wide variety of latino artists from various backgrounds and traditions on two different stages. Fans can look forward to mariachi, ballet folklorico, cumbias, Tejano (courtesy of Grammy Award winners A.B. Quintanilla & the Kumbia Kingz All-Starz) and more to celebrate the traditional Dia De Los Muertos holiday and raise funds and awareness for individuals with disabilities and special needs.

The schedule is subject to change, but here’s the lineup:

Hillside Stage
Grupo de Danza Mexica-chichimeca de Austin Aztec Dancers (Opening Ceremony) – 1:20-1:40 p.m.

Lesly Reynaga -2:00-2:40 p.m.

Mariachi Nueva Generación – 3:00-3:40 p.m.

Roy Lozano’s Ballet Folklórico de Texas – 3:40-4:00 p.m.

Austin Samba School – 4:00-4:20p.m.

Las Monas – 4:00-4:20 p.m.

Main Stage
DJ Syko – 12:00-3:00 p.m.

Tiarra Girls – 4:40-5:30 p.m.

DJ Syko – 5:30-5:50 p.m.

Son de Rey – 6:00-6:40 p.m.

Quimikoz Del Son – 7:00-7:40 p.m.

DJ Syko – 7:40-8:30 p.m.

A.B. Quintanilla & The Kumbia Kings All Starz – 8:30-9:45 p.m.

There will also be events for the kids (piñata parties!) and a Dia De Los Muertos procession at 4 p.m.

Long story short: A great event filled with family fun, pageantry, culture, tradition, and of course, music. Lots of cumbia this year not only from ABQ and crew, but also from DFW’s own Quimikoz Del Son (a group to watch, in my opinion).

The A.B. Cantu Pan-American Recreation Center is located at 2100 E. 3rd Street, at 3rd and Robert Martinez Jr. Streets in East Austin. Tickets are $20 at the gate, and children under 12 are free with a paid adult. All ages are welcome. VIP passes are $55 for those 21+. For more information, visit austindiadelosmuertos.com or follow the Facebook event here.

[7/29] Preview: Hillside Concert Series – Los A-T Boyz and Ruben Ramos & The Mexican Revolution

July 29, 2014 By Piper LeMoine

Tonight, the Hillside Concert Series continues at the A.B. Cantu Pan-American Recreation Center. Always a free, family-friendly event, the series features Latino performers of all musical backgrounds at the eastside neighborhood venue. This evening’s lineup includes two Austin Tejano powerhouses: Los A-T Boyz and the iconic Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution.

Los A-T Boyz, formerly known as Alma Tejana, are known for their high energy live show, with la familia Rodriguez masterfully working the stage through each cumbia, ranchera, and charanga.

Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution almost need no introduction. Led by the charismatic, silver-haired Ramos, the horn-driven ensemble has won Grammy Awards and maintained a solid following for decades.

Long story short: Two of Austin’s best groups, and if anyone hasn’t seen Ruben Ramos perform live…well they’re truly missing one of the great things about this town. Odds are very good a number of local Tejano legends will also jump on stage as well.

The A.B. Cantu Pan-American Recreation Center is located at 2100 E. 3rd Street, at 3rd and Robert Martinez Jr. Streets in East Austin. Music is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday in July. Admission is free, all ages are welcome. View the Facebook event here.

Los A-T Boyz

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Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution

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[7/22] Preview: Hillside Concert Series – Chris Castaneda Project, Devin Banda, Trampia, Los Texas Wranglers and more!

July 22, 2014 By Piper LeMoine

Tonight, the Hillside Concert Series continues at the A.B. Cantu Pan-American Recreation Center. Always a free, family-friendly event, the series features Latino performers of all musical backgrounds at the eastside venue. This evening’s lineup includes The Chris Castaneda Project featuring The Real Patron, Devin Banda with Trampia, and Los Texas Wranglers.

Chris Castaneda is a singer-songwriter whose guitar-driven sound has been described as soulful and electric, and his Project sessions have become increasingly popular at various venues around town. Fellow Gold Man Records artist The Real Patron will be joining Castaneda’s group for his Hillside debut. Rising Tejano star Devin Banda will also be performing, along with local hip hop artist Trampia Guzman. Austin’s own award-winning Los Texas Wranglers will close out the night with their unique, laid-back blend of country and conjunto.

Long story short: Another great summer night on the Hillside – talk about a gumbo of Austin sound. Everything from Blues to Tejano to hip-hop to conjunto and country.

Coming up next:
7/29 – LOS A-T BOYZ, Ruben Ramos and The Mexican Revolution
TBA – Rescheduled Calle Seis, JR Gomez, Raulito Navaira, Hugo Guerrero

[7/15] Preview: Hillside Concert Series – Calle Seis, Devin Banda, J.R. Gomez, and more

July 15, 2014 By Piper LeMoine

Tonight the Hillside Concert Series continues at the A.B. Cantu Pan-American Recreation Center. Always a free, family-friendly event, the series features Latino performers of all musical backgrounds at the eastside venue. This evening’s lineup will feature Austin Latin variety party band Calle Seis, along with special guests Hugo Guerrero, Raulito Navaira, Devin Banda, J.R. Gomez, and more.

Considered by some to be a Tejano music “super group,” Calle Seis features Grammy Award-winning personnel who also perform with a few of the genre’s most popular and highly-regarded acts including Little Joe y La Familia, and Austin’s legendary Ruben Ramos and the Mexican Revolution. The seasoned virtuosos of Calle Seis play nearly everything at their shows, from Tejano to funk to salsa to R&B to country…I think you get the idea. It’s not uncommon for other Tejano music stars to make surprise guest appearances at these shows as well, so you never really know who will show up.

Speaking of other Tejano music stars, Charanga king Hugo Guerrero is scheduled to join the guys, so is the always-entertaining singer and radio host Raulito Navaira. Austin’s own versatile vocalist and accordionist J.R. Gomez (Kumbia All Starz, Jay Perez band) will also be performing. Gomez recently collaborated with rising star Devin Banda, who is also scheduled this evening, on her very first single, “Yo Te Dije.”

Long story short: With a lineup like this, it’s party time at the Hillside. In fact, the good times will continue at the official after party at Blue Moon Rock n Blues (2200 S. I-35).

Coming up next:
7/22 – The Chris Castaneda Project featuring The Real Patron, The Texas Wranglers
7/29 – LOS A-T BOYZ, Ruben Ramos and The Mexican Revolution

[7/8] Preview: Hillside Concert Series featuring Palacios Bros and Alex Ruiz & Las Coronelas

July 7, 2014 By Austin Vida Staff

Every summer, the A.B. Cantu Pan-American Recreation Center hosts the Hillside Concert Series on Tuesday nights. Always a free, family-friendly event, the series features Latino performers of all musical backgrounds at the eastside venue. This Tuesday, July 8, the series continues with live music from Palacios Bros and Alex Ruiz & Las Coronelas.

Formerly of Del Castillo, Alex Ruiz is currently frontman for Austin-based band The Night Mothers. For Tuesday’s event, Ruiz will be doing another special performance with South Texas-based mariachi outfit, Las Coronelas. Ruiz performed previously with the all-female group this past spring at One-2-One Bar which received a favorable response by those in attendance. This time around the show should be just as good, if not better. Alex Ruiz and Las Coronelas perform at 8 p.m.

Event openers Palacios Bros are modern rock trio from Hebbronville, TX. Their music incorporates elements of blues, Texas soul and a hint of country. The group is no stranger to Austin as they have performed at Saxon Pub, Maggie Mae’s and at Blue Moon Bar & Grill. Palacios Bros perform at 7 p.m.

Watch Alex Ruiz perform with Las Coronelas below.

[7/1] Preview: Hillside Concert Series featuring Cinco Doce

June 30, 2014 By Piper LeMoine

Every summer, the A.B. Cantu Pan-American Recreation Center hosts the Hillside Concert Series on Tuesday nights. Always a free, family-friendly event, the series features Latino performers of all musical backgrounds at the eastside venue. This year, the series will kick off with some old school Austin sounds with the legendary Nash Hernandez Orchestra and new school flavor from Cinco Doce.

Bandleader Nash Hernandez started the Nash Hernandez Orchestra back in 1949. Now under the direction of Ruben Hernandez, the big band full of brass continues to play all over central Texas and beyond. With such a seasoned group of veteran musicians from all backgrounds, the set list is eclectic. The group plays everything from swing to mambo to salsa to R&B to standards, and more.

Cinco Doce will also be taking the stage. The group has made its mark in recent years with a trademark sound heavily influenced by Tejano and rock, as well as other rhythmic genres like Bachata, Reggaeton, and hip-hop. Their great stage show, unique sound, and hip, urban-inspired image, have gained them a loyal following, particularly among younger listeners. Recently, the group was featured on MTV Tr3s, winning “El Headliner” for September 2012.

Those also scheduled to perform this year include:

7/8 – Palacios Bros, Alex Ruiz & Las Coronelas
7/15 – Calle Seis featuring Devin Banda, Hugo Guerrero, Raulito Navaira, J.R. Gomez and Art Tigerina
7/22 – The Chris Castaneda Project featuring The Real Patron, The Texas Wranglers
7/29 – LOS A-T BOYZ, Ruben Ramos and The Mexican Revolution

Long story short: A great schedule and lineup for a great tradition. Affordable, family-friendly event with great music to get you out of the house on a Tuesday night, but not keep you out too late. “See you on the Hillside!”