This weekend I had the privilege to participate in a special project near Marshall, Texas - the effort to maintain an old slave and African-American burial ground, Love Cemetery. Brought to national attention through a book and an ongoing documentary by Texan, now California-based, China Galland, the the "keepers of Love" continue to struggle to gain access to the grounds for visits and upkeep.
Cristina's blog
Latin Grammy Award for David Lee Garza and TXF board member Armando Sanchez
Photos by David Dodd: David Lee Garza with Johnny Ramirez (2008 Big Squeeze Champion) and Isaiah Tellez
Santa Muerte altar
Elements of an altar to La Santa Muerte
Our presentation at BookWoman inspired us to build a mini altar to the Santa Muerte as demonstration. We got most of our information from Andrew Chesnut's book, "Devoted to Death," and from a documentary by Mexican filmmaker Eva Aridjis.
Celtic & Conjunto Music
Without fail each year the Big Squeeze Accordion Contest brings a pleasant surprise, and this year (2013) it was eleven year-old Juan Duenes from Brownsville. To my astonishment I heard a Celtic jig coming from the stage, and it was little Juanito openining up his audition song with a tune by Irish punk band Dropkick Murphys, before smoothly transitioning to Tejano Conjunto. The experienced and masterful musical back-up of his teacher, Santiago Castillo, helped him pull it off, but the idea was not inspired by him - it was all Juanito himself.
Seeking Tasty Texas Stories
Texas Folklife Kicks off its State-Wide Food Traditions Survey Exploring South Texas Taquerias
by Cristina Ballí, Program Director