Fiestas Patrias: 31th Annual Diez y Seis de Septiembre Fiesta in Austin, Texas

Fiestas Patrias of Austin, is a non-profit organization founded in 1978 by Gilbert Velasquez. Mr. Velasquez saw a need in the Mexican-American community to host the annual Diez y Seis de Septiembre celebration in order to preserve and promote the Mexican-American culture. This annual event raises funds for scholarships for college bound Hispanic and funding youth programs.

The tradition of the Diez y Seis de Septiembre festival dates back to September 16, 1810, when the impoverished peasants of Mexico, declared their independence from Spain. This call for independence, "El Grito de Independencia," dates back to September 15, 1810, when Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a village priest, who is known as the father of Mexico, gave the call for independence. The evening will be highlighted on September 12, with the re-enactment of "El Grito de Independencia."

Schedule of Events and General Information:

September 12, 2009

Location: Fiesta Gardents map, 1901 Jesse Segovia Ave

Doors Open at 12:00 PM

Admission: $6.00 until 6:00 PM ($1.00 fee to PARD included)
$8.00 after 6:00 PM ($1.00 fee to PARD included)

Children 12 and under free with paying adult

Schedule of Events:

12:00 PM "Show Ur Ride Car Show" TBA

1:00 PM Brenda y Alexcion

2:00 PM TBA

3:00 PM Knights

4:00 PM Car Show/BBQ Awards

4:30 PM Trampia

5:00 PM Grupo Laredo

6:00 PM La Tradizion

7:00 PM Cincodoce

8:00 PM Raulito Narvaira

9:00 PM A.J. Castillo

10:30 PM Gary Hobbs

12:00 AM Close

*Musical acts subject to change

For more details click on Fiestas Patrias.

Rock y Roll Radio has A.J. Castillo on the Pachanga Latino Music Festival Radio Edition #155.

Nortec Collective featuring Bostich y Fussible Radio Edition

Nortec Collective featuring Bostish and Fussible is coming to the University of Texas at Austin Performing Arts Center (UTPAC), specifically Hogg Memorial Auditorium on September 25, 2009.

Who or what is Nortec Collective?

First, let's define "Nortec." Nortec is a form of music which combines Mexican Norteño music and Techno music. Norteño is a style of music concentrated in Northern Mexico along the Mexican/US border and Techno is a style of music using technology to make music or fuse music with electronic beats or sounds. Nortec music was created by the DJ's in the border discos and bars.

Second, the who. Nortec Collective is group of DJ's who create Nortec music. This collective is an extremely musically creative and technologically savvy group of artist. The collective consist of: Bostich-Ramon Amezcua; Clorofila-Jorge Verdin; Fussible-Pepe Moght and Hiperboreal-PG Beas.

Rock y Roll Radio saw Nortec Collective featuring Bostich and Fussible at the 2008 Pachanga Latino Music Festival in Austin, Texas. Bostich and Fussible had the crowd in a mad frenzy. The music, the beat, the visual cinematic show and the musicians playing the accordian, clarinet and trumpet created an incredable show and atmosphere. The crowd was dancing, jumping up and down to the beat, screaming and shouting in euphoria. Although the Hogg Auditorium is a more refined venue than an open park, expect the same reaction as the music festival crowd. Wow!

Nortec Collective featuring Bostich y Fussible Radio Edition playlist consist of:

1. Tijuana Sound Machine
2. Tengo La Voz
3. Que Bonito Bailas
4. Tijuana Makes Me Happy
5. Tijuana Bass
6. Ovidala Compa

The video below will give you a sense of what to expect when you attend a Nortec Collective performance.






Visit Rock y Roll Radio to listen to Nortec Collective playlist.

For more information on Nortec Collective click on blog by Xina Jardin

Kalua: A Band With A Vision

First, let me state, " I like Kalua."

Kalua is a band of four young, charismatic, Latin men from Austin, Texas. They are Juan Diaz, (Mexico) vocals and guitar; Andres Junca, (Columbia) guitar; Andres Delgado, (Venezuela) drums and Andres Acevedo, (Columbia) bass. Their sound combines rock, reggae, punk and Latin, sung mainly in Spanish.

They formed in 2007 with a purpose and a vision. They weren't just going to be a band, they were going to be a "premier band in contemporary Latin music worldwide." They wrote original material, went to the studio, worked hard and the end result was the "La Novedad" CD.

You would think the hard work was over, but not for Kalua. The next step was get the CD and their music out in front of the public. These guys were everywhere. They were at both Pachanga Latino Music Festivals, two time winners of Burger King's "Tu Ciudad, Tu Musica" contest, numerous TV appearances, radio interviews and print and media reviews. What impressed me about Kalua was that they were executing their plan and maximizing band exposure and recognition in each appearance, interview and performance. Even after two years as a band, Kalua is still focused on their vision. They put out their second music video, touring and Rock y Roll Radio subscribes to their e-mail bulletins. (Do you subscribe?)

Second, the women love Kalua. I've seen Kalua perform at several Austin venues and they always attract a lot of women to their performances. These women are in all age groups and they are all dancing. You can tell they are really into the music and enjoying themselves. It's great to watch them.

Kalua is the model for success. They have the music, talent and drive.

To get a better sense of Kalua, listen to the song "La Novedad" on Kalua's website and check out their video below. Also, check out Kalua's MySpace page for show dates.

La Novedad - Kalua from KALUA on Vimeo.

Charanga Cakewalk and Patricia Vonne Perform

Charanga Cakewalk and Patricia Vonne will perform at the Continental Club on Friday, July 24, 2009. Both are Austin's favorite local performers and the Continental is Austin's favorite club.

If you're familiar with Charanga Cakewalk and Patricia Vonne, then I really don't have to say any more.

If you're not familiar with either one let me tell you about them.

Charanga Cakewalk is lead by Michael Ramos, and recently added Brian Ramos of Kanko, a local Austin band. Both individuals, along with the band members, make exceptional music. If you're from the area, you can describe their sound as a combination of Mexican Cumbia, Mexican Folk, Lounge music. I provided a video below to give you a better sense of the Charange Cakewalk "experience." Rock y Roll Radio has seen Charanga Cakewalk numerous times, recently at both Pachanga Latino Music Festivals, 2008 and 2009, and at the One World Theater, as the opening act for Bajofondo. Once you get the Charanga fever, you can't shake it off. You'll know you have the fever when your feet involuntarily start to dance and your body starts to sway at the sound of Charanga Calkwalk music.

I'm not the only fan of Charanga Cakewalk. The other day I was catching up on LatinoUSA podcasts on my iPod and Maria Hinojosa stated that she had Michael Ramos on her iPod while traveling in Chile. I thought to myself, Maria has excellent taste.

La Negra Celina





Patricia Vonne is also an exceptional singer and musician. She sings both in English and Spanish and mixes Tex-Mex, rock-a-billy and Flamenco into songs with a story. Her voice is sultry and mesmerizing at the same time. I'm sorry to say I haven't seen Patricia as often as I would like to but when I do catch her show it certainly is a treat. I've also provided a video so that you can get a sense of Patricia Vonne's music and style.

Patricia Vonne



If you can make it to the Continental on Friday, please do, you won't be disappointed.

AJ Castillo To Perform at Tejano Music Awards

One of Rock y Roll Radio's favorite new Tejano music artist is AJ Castillo. Rock y Roll Radio recently saw AJ Castillo perform at Pachanga Latino Music Festival this past May and was just blown away. AJ plays a mean accordian, Tejano style and also rocks it. You can expect to see and hear more from AJ Castillo in the future, the new Tejano breed.

AJ Castillo will perform at the 29th Annual Tejano Music Awards and the video below will give an idea of what to expect from this young Tejano artist.




Rock y Roll Radio MySpace has AJ Castillo's song on our player along with others artist.