The Big Squeeze film: World Premiere at SXSW!

RESCHEDULED FOR:
March 20, 2009 - 3:30PM - Paramount Theatre
For free admission just say you're a guest of Texas Folklife!
The Big Squeeze is a joyful leap into the heart of Texas music. From the urban barrios of Houston, to the colonias of the Rio Grande Valley, we find a new crop of players carrying on a passionate musical legacy fueled by family, friends, and food. The film follows them as they battle at Texas Folklife's annual accordion throwdown. The screening will be held March 20, 2009 at 3:30PM at the historic Paramount Theatre in Downtown Austin. Those without film badges may purchase tickets at the door. Visit the SXSW page for more details: The Big Squeeze world premiere

Listen to audio about our event on KUT.
http://www.kut.org/items/show/16119
http://www.kut.org/items/show/16120

Texas Folklife Members Only Pre-Premiere Party

March 18, 2009 - Photos taken from the party and the premiere.

Thank you to Botticelli's restaurant for their support and hospitality. Visit their website for menus and hours of operation: www.botticellissouthcongress.com

The Big Squeeze Accordion Contest

We are looking for the most amazing young accordion players in Texas and Louisiana! Are you 25 years old or younger, and not playing full-time professionally? YOU could win cash, a trip for two to play in Germany, and a day of recording in one of America’s finest studios! Finalists perform June 6 at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Houston at the 20th Annual Accordion Kings & Queens festival. DEADLINE: MARCH 1, 2009   Download entry form & rules Download the poster Download Electronic Press Kit

Texas Folklife on "Aielli Unleashed"

KUT's Aielli Unleashed invited Texas Folklife and some of Austin's finest accordion players to talk about The Big Squeeze and play songs from a variety of musical genres. The hour long program featuring Debra Peters, Alejandro Diaz, Charles Thibodeaux, Herschel Moody, Anthony Ortiz and Mariachis Corbetas, can be heard on KUT's website.

The Big Squeeze Documentary Broadcasts and Screenings

KUHT Houston: May 3 @ 9:30 p.m.     www.houstonpbs.org

KLRU Austin: May 7 @ 8 p.m. & May 11 @ 9:30 p.m.  www.klru.org

The Big Squeeze, by famed director Hector Galán, documents Texas Folklife’s statewide accordion contest for young musicians.  It’s a joyful leap into the heart of Texas music, from the urban barrios of Houston to the colonias along the U.S.-Mexican border where we find young players carrying on a passionate musical legacy fueled by family, friends and food, and then follow them as they do battle at the statewide throwdown.

The 26-minute film introduces the 2007 and 2008 contestants and their families as they prepare for the contest, interviews seasoned performers and judges, and concludes with footage of the contest held at Texas Folklife’s Accordion Kings & Queens concert in Houston. Some of the prominent musicians featured in the film are Zydeco greats Chubby Carrier and Step Rideau, Tejano star Mingo Saldivar, and Country Western singer/songwriter Ginny Mac. The Big Squeeze was an “Official Selection” at the 2009 SXSW Film Festival.

Hector Galán is an award-winning filmmaker with over thirty years of experience. He has produced and directed eleven films for the PBS series Frontline, two films for The American Experience, and many critically acclaimed and award-winning independent films including A Migrant’s Masterpiece: The Life and Legacy of Patrick Flores (2008), Los Lonely Boys: Cottonfields and Crossroads (2006), Accordion Dreams (2001) and Songs of the Homeland (1995). Galan’s films and documentary series have won numerous awards such as Imagen, Cine Golden Eagle, Telly, the Golden Apple, and SXSW Best Documentary and Emmy nominations. The Big Squeeze is scheduled to appear on KLRU on May 3rd at 9:30pm. Check your local listings for additional PBS broadcasts.                      

The Big Squeeze and its Houston presentation are funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art, the Houston Endowment, the Cogburn Family Foundation, the Still Water Foundation, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and Flashbang.

2009 Finalists chosen!

Congratulations to all of the 2009 Big Squeeze semi-finalists. Each contestant was extremely talented and the judges had a hard time chosing just 3 finalists.

The 2009 Big Squeeze Finalists are:
Gloria Jean Cantu of San Benito, TX
Anthony Ortiz, Jr of Austin, TX
Heriberto Rodriguez of Edcouch, TX
and Jorge Vazquez* of Houston, TX
*Jorge was the only semi-finalist in the 19-25 age category, which meant he automatically advanced to the Finals.

The Big Squeeze finals will be in Houston, TX on June 6 at 6:30pm. These four talented young accordionists will kick off an evening of accordion music: Texas Folklife's 20th annual Accordion Kings & Queens concert.

The event is free to the public and is held at the Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park.
For more info visit: www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

John Ramirez on Live from SugarHill Studios

2008 Big Squeeze winner John Ramirez from Houston appears on the latest edition of "Live from SugarHill Studios."

The Big Squeeze Semi-Finals Coming to Austin on May 2nd

Free Concert and Playoffs will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2-5p.m.
Mexican American Cultural Center MACC website
600 River Street, Austin
Official Hotel: Embassy Suites Town Lake

Texas Folklife and the Mexican American Cultural Center, in conjunction with the Austin Parks & Recreation Department, present this free contest and concert open to the public on Saturday, May 2, at the Mexican American Cultural Center. It will be an afternoon filled with music as the Austin-based cumbia-playing band Cerronato will perform as well as Conteño, with its mix of conjunto, norteño, and Tejano music featuring former Big Squeeze winner Juan Longoria, Jr. from the Rio Grande Valley. Dancing will be encouraged at this free, family-friendly event.

The Big Squeeze semi-finalists range in age from 15 to 25 and represent both rural and urban areas in the state, with four hailing from South Texas. They are: Gloria Jean Cantu, 16, from San Benito; Rogelio (Roger) Guerra, Jr., 16, from Mission; Issac Ledesma, 16, from Belton; Anthony Ortiz, Jr., 15, from Austin; Eduardo Ozuna, 17, from Penitas; Heriberto Rodriguez, 16, from Edcouch; and Jorge Vásquez, 25, from Houston.  Read more...

The Big Squeeze Semi-Finals Coming to Austin on May 2nd

Free Concert and Playoffs will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2-5p.m.
Mexican American Cultural Center
600 River Street, Austin
Official Hotel: Embassy Suites Town Lake

Texas Folklife and the Mexican American Cultural Center, in conjunction with the Austin Parks & Recreation Department, present this free contest and concert open to the public on Saturday, May 2, at the Mexican American Cultural Center. It will be an afternoon filled with music as the Austin-based cumbia-playing band Cerronato will perform as well as Conteño, with its mix of conjunto, norteño, and Tejano music featuring former Big Squeeze winner Juan Longoria, Jr. from the Rio Grande Valley. Dancing will be encouraged at this free, family-friendly event.

The Big Squeeze semi-finalists range in age from 15 to 25 and represent both rural and urban areas in the state, with four hailing from South Texas. They are: Gloria Jean Cantu, 16, from San Benito; Rogelio (Roger) Guerra, Jr., 16, from Mission; Issac Ledesma, 16, from Belton; Anthony Ortiz, Jr., 15, from Austin; Eduardo Ozuna, 17, from Penitas; Heriberto Rodriguez, 16, from Edcouch; and Jorge Vásquez, 25, from Houston. 

They were chosen by musicians and music industry professionals who served on the judges panel and were selected based on their song interpretation, technical skill, originality, execution, and stage presence. Texas Folklife congratulates these young musicians and appreciates their participation as well as all of those who entered the contest.

“The Big Squeeze contest allows us to fulfill our mission to preserve, promote, and celebrate Texas culture in a very real way,” said Texas Folklife Executive Director Nancy Bless. “By supporting these young musicians we hope to encourage them to continue playing the accordion, an instrument that is central to Texas traditional music. It is gratifying to help inspire a younger generation of musicians, literally put them on the stage, and help assure the future of ‘the national instrument of Texas.’”

Each semi-finalist will perform two songs at the May 2 concert and a panel of judges will choose three players to go on to the finals at the 20th annual Accordions Kings & Queens concert in Houston on June 6th.  Jorge Vásquez, in the 19-25 year old category, has already been selected by the judges to move on to the finals. The finalists will open at the widely acclaimed and wildly popular evening of squeezebox at Houston’s Miller Outdoor Theatre. Last year the audience numbered over 6,000, and this year’s concert promises to be a hit with an all-star line up including Santiago Jimenez, Jr., Sunny Sauceda, and Cedryl Ballou and the Zydeco Trendsetters.

The grand prize winner of The Big Squeeze accordion contest 2009, chosen at the Accordion Kings & Queens concert in June, will receive a prize package valued at $7,000, including an all expense paid trip to perform in Trossingen, Germany, the home of Hohner’s German factory, a day-long recording session at the historic SugarHill Recording Studios in Houston, and promotional support from Hohner, Inc., SugarHill, and Texas Folklife.  

The Big Squeeze contest is funded in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art, Hohner Inc., Houston Endowment, SugarHill Recording Studios, the Still Water Foundation Flashbang, Embassy Suites Hotel, Austin, Botticelli’s,Güero’s Taco Bar, and Sign Effects.This event is co-sponsored by the City of Austin's Parks & Recreation Department. The City of Austin is commited to compliance with the American Disablilities Act. If you require special assistance for participation in our programs or use of our facilities, please call (512) 478-6222. Visit the MACC at: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/macc/default.htm