Selena Gomez, Alejandro Escovedo, Flaco Jiménez, and Del Castillo would make for one interesting dinner party, but somehow even they represent only a fraction of Latinos’ contributions to Texas music.
The field is vast, as the culture predates the state and Latinos keep turning out the hits. Here are just a few places to dip into the rich past, present, and future of Latino music in Texas.
Selena Museum | Corpus Christi
The legacy of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez carries on in her childhood city of Corpus Christi. The sweet, solemn tribute space built by her family walks visitors through the Queen of Tejano Music’s milestones. Here, you’ll see Selena’s awards, magazine covers, instruments, family photos, and childhood mementos. Her red Porsche Targa cuts a striking figure behind a velvet rope, but perhaps the real star of the show is the purple jumpsuit from her final concert at the Houston Astrodome, encased in glass along with several of her other iconic outfits. Afterward, you can drive to Corpus Christi Bay for a photo op with a life-size bronze statue of the songstress.
Houston Latin Fest | Houston
Whether you’re shaking your hips to salsa, two-stepping to cumbia, or chomping down on an empanada, Houston Latin Fest has it all. Since 2013, the festival has placed a big, bright spotlight on a cross-section of bands, dance groups, and restaurateurs representing Brazilian, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Mexican, and other Latin American cultures. You’ll see Carnival dancers in vibrant costumes, mariachis in full belt, and samba bands making the ground rumble. The stage hosts a round robin of Latin Grammy familiars and regional music mainstays, and food vendors bring flavor to the Pan-Latin unity—you won’t want to miss this event when planning your visit to the Lone Star State.
Tejano Conjunto Festival | San Antonio
For a boot-scootin’ good time, head to the Tejano Conjunto Festival in San Antonio. You’ll be in good company, as more than 10,000 fans flock to Rosedale Park and other venues as part of the annual dance-a-thon held since 1982. The fest is a celebration of conjuntos, a catch-all term for small bands playing norteño, Tejano, and more. These genres, which flowered from polka music brought by German immigrants to Mexico in the 1800s, create a communal vibe. Pairs of dance partners move arm in arm in a kind of easy, breezy geometry that only gets more complex as the crowd grows. You don’t need to be an expert though: With workshops on the schedule, you’ll be moving to your heart’s content and heels’ surrender in no time.
Mariachi Extravaganza | San Antonio
Organizers call it the “Super Bowl of Mariachi,” but the Mariachi Extravaganza in San Antonio is like the playoffs and championship all in one. The weeklong event series includes competitions, jam sessions, an outdoor serenade on the city’s famed River Walk, and a climactic concert featuring student and professional musicians. Catch any slice of it, and you’ll bask in the heart-swelling magic of genre talents at the height of their powers. Songwriters, vocalists, and groups all compete, totaling about 1,000 performers every year, each making beautiful noise that will remind you why mariachi has aced the test of time.
Trail of Tejano Music Legends & More | Austin
Hiking or biking the east side of Austin, a city known for its network of scenic trails, can lead you into history as much as nature. Just take the Trail of Tejano Music Legends to find out why. On this 5.6-mile course that partially overlaps Lady Bird Lake, you’ll stumble on seven thoughtfully placed sculptural installations honoring giants of Austin’s Latino music community. Influential band leader Nash Hernandez Jr., for example, receives his flowers in the form of an aluminum sculpture at Festival Beach Park. The trail is best traversed by bike, and you can fuel your adventure at any of Austin’s famed taco joints. If you’re in town during Austin’s Bésame Mucho festival, make sure to check that out as well—this multigenerational, star-powered affair already feels like a Texas tradition in the making.
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