CONJUNTO ALIVE AND WELL IN THE STREETS OF BROWNTOWN

As the heat receded somewhat and dusk descends Saturday evening, crowds begin to build up for the Ninth Annual Freddie Gomez Memorial Conjunto Concert in Brownsville’s Historic District. There was plenty of music, eats, and dancing.

A few of the inductees into the South Texas Conjunto Hall of Fame that include Lorenzo Lopez, at the mike, Juan Tapia, Jorge Mujika, and others. Timo Ruedas heads the local chapter of the South Texas Conjunto Association.

Conjunto music instructor Juan Tapia and accordion prodigy Gabriel Pantoja. Tapia - on bajo sexto - and Pantoja played such favorites as Atotonilco, Cerro de la Silla, and Las Gaviotas.

Students from the Casa Carlotta Petrina Revival Of Cultural Arts (ROCA) put on a show playing some favorites such as Un Puno de Tierra and Solo Para Ti.

Bernardo Martinez II y Sus Compadres were honored with the Freddie Gomez Conjunto Ambassador Award. The event was sponsored by the South Texas Conjunto Association, Lupe Saenz, founder.