Quickly winning over fans after only two years, Pachanga Fest snatched up bragging rights for its "2009 Best of Fests" status, awarded by Austin, Texas ' weekly alternative newspaper, The Austin Chronicle.
"With a lot of ambition and heart, Pachanga Fest '08 showed a lot of promise to annually showcase Latino musicians in a fun festival setting," The Austin Chronicle said about Pachanga's award. "In '09,....Pachanga Fest truly lived up to its potential with a dazzling array of acts....it's a good indicator that for the 2010 Pachanga Fest, the sky's the limit."
The Pachanga Latino Music Festival blends Latin music with food and cultural arts programming for kids while overlooking Austin's Lady Bird Lake. For the first time since its 2008 debut, Pachanga Fest will extend the festivities to start on Friday night instead of a Saturday-only event (May 21 and 22).
Pachanga Festival 2010 Line-Up
From Latin accordion punk to Tejano cumbias, Latin music aficionados will have plenty of options to satisfy every musical palette. Here are three must-see Latin musicians generating lots of buzz.
Piñata Protest — An unlikely, but innovative, marriage between punk, rock and roll, and accordion beats. This San Antonio, Texas, band has been turning heads for their unique sound and growing fan base.
Bomba Estéreo— Psychedelic cumbia, anyone? This Colombian band exploded in the U.S. when they played at the 2009 Latin Alternative Music Conference in New York City. A mix of hip-hop, folk Colombian sounds, electronica, and reggae, result in dance sounds guaranteed to make hips shake.
Girl in A Coma — Punk rock girls with a Tex-Mex twist. The San Antonio trio made an instant impression on the legendary rocker Joan Jett during a 2006 show. Girl in A Coma was signed by Blackheart Records on the spot. These edgy Tejanas are constantly being showered with awards and critical acclaim.
A few other impressive artists from the line-up of about 24 bands:
- Tejano star Bobby Pulido
- Funky bilingual fusion band mixing electronica, dub, and Latin rhythms Pacha Massive
- Texas Chicano music pioneers Tortilla Factory
- Indie-mambo band Y La Orkesta
- Latin-infused rock and roll band Vallejo
For a complete listing of acts and to purchase tickets, visit the Pachanga Festival 2010 website. Doors open at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 21 and at noon on Saturday, May 22. An interactive kid's activity area on Saturday will feature kid-friendly performances by Pachanga artists as well as educational and cultural workshops.
In 2005, the Austin City Council declared the month of May Latino Music Month. It encouraged more events that help promote the diverse genres within Latino music. In 2008, the Pachanga Music Festival became the flagship event for Latino Music Month.
Nancy Flores - My freelance work, which ranges from writing articles, producing and editing online video and shooting photos, focuses on Mexican travel, ...
