Conjunto Los Pochos: News

El Padrino recommends Dame Más Amor - June 28, 2010

Martin "El Padrino" Martínez from San Antonio offers his insights on the latest CD, Dame Más Amor (¡Gracias, Martín!). Check out his blog here:

http://puropadrino.wordpress.com/tag/los-pochos

*CD Artwork by Adriana Garcia (from San Antonio, TX)
*Photography by Misty Cervantes (from Los Angeles, CA)

In his blog post, Martín keenly recognized three unique voices, and wondered about who sings which songs. Since that info was left out, we will list the tracks and vocalists here:

Dame Más Amor - Lorenzo Martínez (Lead) & Otoño Luján
Hey Baby, ¿Que Paso? - Elliott Baribeault
Maria Isabel - Lorenzo Martínez (Lead) & Otoño Luján
Cien Años - Lorenzo Martínez
Lost - Elliott Baribeault
El Chubasco - Otoño Luján (Lead) & Elliott Baribeault
Viva Seguin (Instrumental)
Light As A Feather - Elliott Baribeault
La Puerta Negra - Otoño Luján (Lead) & Elliott Baribeault
On The Road Again - Otoño Luján (Lead) & Elliott Baribeault (Harmonies)
Wasted Days & Wasted Nights - Elliott Baribeault
El Borrachito - Otoño Luján (Lead) & Elliott Baribeault (Harmonies)
Paso Del Norte - Otoño Luján (Lead) & Elliott Baribeault

To listen to all the tracks and download mp3's, visit: CDbaby.com/conjuntolospochos

~ Martin De Jesús Martínez (aka El Padrino) is a writer, visual artist, musician, conjunto advocate and community organizer. He is a regular contributor to the Reyes Forum and is responsible for developing ConjuntoIsLife.com. Martín also plays button accordion, performing with his own band, Conjunto Los Padrinos out of San Antonio, TX. ~

Book the band 24/7 - June 15, 2010

Are you planning an event and want Los Pochos there? Find out about their availability using the new 24-hour Booking Form. Just enter basic information about your event and click submit! You'll get a follow-up response within one business day.

Book the band.

29th Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio - May 11, 2010

It's happening this week!

Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center presents

The 29th Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival
en San Antonio, TX - May 11-15, 2010

Flaco Jimenez

May 11 & 12, 2010
Guadalupe Theater • 1301 Guadalupe St., San Antonio, TX

May 13-15, 2010
Rosedale Park • 303 Dartmouth St., San Antonio, TX

Tuesday, May 11

Guadalupe Theater | 9-11 a.m. | Free

Seniors Conjunto Dance
Dueto Carta Blanca de George y Mague

Wednesday, May 12

Guadalupe Theater | 7-9 p.m. | Free

Best of the 28th Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival 2009
CD Release Party

Thursday, May 13

Rosedale Park | 6-11 p.m. | $13 per person*

6:00 Opening Ceremonies
Poster Contest Exhibit & Awards

Lo Mejor del Conjunto Orquestal

6:30 Los Layton (Elsa)
7:30 AJ Castillo (Austin)
8:40 David Lee Garza y Los Musicales (Poteet)
10:00 Roberto Pulido y Los Clásicos (Edinburg)

Friday, May 14

Rosedale Park | 7 p.m.-12 a.m. | $14 per person*

Puro Conjunto Pesado

7:00 Mickey y sus Carnalez (Houston)
8:00 Los Arcos Hermanos Peña (Dimmitt)
9:00 Los Fantasmas del Valle (Mercedes)
10:00 Boni Mauricio y Los Máximos (Corpus Christi)
11:00 Los Dos Gilbertos (Pharr)

Saturday, May 15

Rosedale Park | 1 p.m.-12 a.m. | $15 per person*

Puro Conjunto Pesado

1:00 Student Showcase:

* Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Conjunto Heritage Taller
* La Joya Independent School District
* U.T. Austin Conjunto Ensemble
* Palo Alto College/Conjunto Palo Alto

3:00 Lázaro Pérez y su Conjunto (Bishop)
4:00 Dwayne & the TexMeXplosion (Netherlands)
5:00 Linda Escobar y su Conjunto (Corpus Christi)
featuring Honorio Imamura (Japan)
6:00 Eva Ybarra y su Conjunto (San Antonio)
7:00 Max Baca y Los Texmaniacs (San Antonio)
8:00 Bernardo y sus Compadres (Laredo)
9:00 Joel Guzmán Sarah Fox y Conjuntazzo (Buda)
10:00 Rubén Vela y su Conjunto (Santa Rosa)
11:00 Flaco Jiménez y su Conjunto (San Antonio)

* 3-Day Rosedale All-Events Pass
$30 GCAC Members
$35 Non-Members

Stay connected via Twitter - May 10, 2010

Conjunto Los Pochos' Twitter page.

New Pocho Facebook Page - May 1, 2010

Check out the recently launched Facebook page.

Button accordion classes in L.A. - March 29, 2010

** Have you been wanting to learn to play the button accordion? **
** Don't know where to start? **
** Unable to find a good teacher? **

~ Plaza De La Raza offers instruction in button accordion for ages 8 to adult. Spring registration starts soon. ~

Here's what students are saying about the classes...

"The instructor is patient and invested in student learning. He helps ... tackle musical roadblocks as they arise. I feel a sense of accomplishment after every session."
- Jackie Vergara, Private student (8 months)

"I have learned the basics of tempo, ...intervals, and using a metronome to strengthen my accordion practice...excellent class...excellent instructor."
- Tom Barela, Group student (3 months)

FAQ's

Who is this for?
Anyone interested in learning to play the button accordion. No prior musical experience is required and you have the choice of private or group classes. The button accordion is used in a variety of genres, such as Conjunto Tejano, Norteño, Zydeco, Vallenato, Merengue, Cumbia, Country and more.

What can I expect to learn?
The main class objective for beginners is to learn to play an instrumental tune by the end of the nine weeks. The class will break down the components to the song (such as major scale, rhythm & tempo), and you will be taught practice techniques to overcome your own individual challenges and advance your playing. Students will also be given handouts to aid in learning. For intermediate to advanced students, you will be challenged to overcome "roadblocks" that may have been holding you back.

Where are classes held?
Classes are held at Plaza De La Raza, just minutes from downtown L.A.. The address is: 3540 North Mission Road, Los Angeles, CA 90031

Do I need an accordion?
Plaza De La Raza has a limited number of button accordions on site and available to students. It is highly recommended that you invest in even a modest accordion to start. If you need assistance, please contact Otoño for recommendations.*

When do classes meet?
All classes are 9-weeks long and meet once per week. Below is a list of available times.** For a one-hour private lesson, simply choose two adjacent class times.
Spring session starts the week of April 19th, 2010.

Thursdays
~ 4-4:55pm - Level 1 Group Class (Beginners welcome)
~ 5-5:25pm - Private
~ 5:30-5:55pm - Private
~ 6-6:25pm - Private
~ 6:30-6:55pm - Private
~ 7-7:25pm - Private
~ 7:30-7:55pm - Private

Saturdays
~ 9-9:55pm - Level 2 Group Class
~ 10-10:55pm - Level 1 Group Class (Beginners welcome)
~ 11-11:25am - Private
~ 11:30-11:55am - Private
~ 12-12:25pm - Private
~ 12:30-12:55am - Private
~ 1-1:25pm - Private
~ 1:30-1:55pm - Private

What does it cost for the whole 9-weeks of instruction?
~ Group lessons are $90
~ Private 1/2 hour lessons are $225
~ Private hour lessons are $360
(There is a $20 registration fee to enroll)

How do I sign up?
Call Plaza De La Raza at 323-223-2475.

Still have questions?
~ For questions related to registration and class availability, please call Plaza De La Raza.
~ For questions regarding class content or for accordion referrals, please call the instructor Otoño Luján at 323-207-6246 or via email at otono@lospochos.com.

** 5 minutes is allocated for change over between classes.

Los Pochos is on the Los Angeles County Musicians Roster - March 1, 2010

What does this mean?

"The Arts Commission administers the Musicians Roster, the only internet database of vetted musicians in Los Angeles County. Each listing includes audio samples and other details about each group. Organizations applying for Free Concert sponsorship are required to select musicians/groups from the Musicians Roster."

Is your organization interested in putting on a FREE CONCERT? Check out the county's FREE MUSIC CONCERTS program for more info on how to apply.

"The Arts Commission accepts applications from community organizations interested in producing and marketing a free concert. Eligible organizations include Los Angeles County-based parks, libraries, hospitals, juvenile halls, probation camps, arts organizations, civic centers, senior citizen centers, and other non-profit performance venues. Applicants must be willing to coordinate all logistics, production and marketing of the event, and show that they can effectively bring in an appropriate audience size for their proposed concert to be considered."