The fabulous annual fiesta that is the Pachanga Latino Music Festival takes over Fiesta Gardens this Saturday, and as promised earlier this week, we’re giving away two more tickets today to one loyal reader. Pachanga co-producers Rich Garza and Alex Vallejo have established a tremendous event that cultivates a wonderful family atmosphere and of course, offers loads of quality live music. Having attended the first two editions of the fest, we can attest that this is truly an excellent way to cherish and celebrate Latino culture in town come May each year. more ›

The third edition of Pachanga, scheduled to take place on Saturday at Fiesta Gardens, promises to be this emerging festival’s most spectacular installment yet. The lineup is truly mouth-watering, the rain gods will surely stay away, and the venue has been spruced up thoroughly. The stage is set. Do you have your tickets yet? more ›

Leading up to Pachanga (May 22nd at Fiesta Gardens), we’ll be spending five minutes with many of the artists scheduled to perform at the festival. Today, we catch up with San Antonio’s Girl In A Coma. more ›

Leading up to Pachanga (May 21st and 22nd at Fiesta Gardens), we’ll be spending five minutes with many of the artists scheduled to perform at the festival. Today, we catch up with L.A.’s Pilar Díaz. more ›

Although much of the album will instantly have you tapping your toes and searching for the closest dance floor, Grupo shifts tempos and rhythms expertly as needed, finding room for the odd slow jam like “Juan Tenorio” (featuring Larry Harlow) as well. Curt Kirkwood also cameos, lending his six-string chops to “Telaraña,” another funky concoction that will get you moving in no time. All in all, El Existential proves that Grupo Fantasma is THE obvious choice when leaning towards a night of riveting Latin music. So it only makes sense that we’d like to send you to one of their two album release shows this weekend at Antone’s -- enter your information in the form below for chance to win a pair of tickets to Saturday’s show: more ›

Leading up to Pachanga (May 21st and 22nd at Fiesta Gardens), we’ll be spending five minutes with many of the artists scheduled to perform at the festival. Today, we catch up with Austin’s Davíd Garza. more ›

Leading up to Pachanga (May 21st and 22nd at Fiesta Gardens), we’ll be spending five minutes with many of the artists scheduled to perform at the festival. Today, we catch up with Austin’s Brownout. more ›

Leading up to Pachanga (May 21st and 22nd at Fiesta Gardens), we’ll be spending five minutes with many of the artists scheduled to perform at the festival. Today, we catch up with San Antonio’s Piñata Protest. more ›

Leading up to Pachanga (May 21st and 22nd at Fiesta Gardens), we’ll be spending five minutes with many of the artists scheduled to perform at the festival. Today, we catch up with Austin’s Vallejo. more ›

Set to take place at the Fiesta Gardens in East Austin again this year, Pachanga will kick off on Friday, May 21st at 6:30 p.m. on one stage, and then revert to the usual multi-stage bonanza we’ve come to expect the following day. The lineup boasts Columbia’s Bomba Estéreo and Mexico’s Carla Morrison, along with a whole slew of Texas talent such as Bobby Pulido, Grupo Fantasma (scheduled to perform with New York legend Larry Harlow), Davíd Garza, Girl In A Coma, and Brownout, to name a few. We’re especially pleased to note that underrated local rockers Amplified Heat and exciting San Antonio popsters Hacienda are also on the bill, and we’re delighted that Mariachi Las Alteñas is back to woo more hearts this year. Arizona’s Y La Orkestra and Brian Lopez, California’s Pilar Díaz, and Missouri’s Making Movies ensure that other U.S. states are represented as well. more ›

This Saturday, the Pachanga Latino Music Festival takes over Fiesta Gardens and closes out Austin Latino Music Month with a full day of music and arts inspired by the Latin culture. Festival co-founders Rich Garza and Alex Vallejo have assembled quite a fine line-up for the second year of this fest, including Mexican Institute Of Sound, (read out interview with Camilo Lara here), Michael Salgado, Brownout!, Mariachi Las Alteñas, Maneja Beto, David Garza, Ocote Soul Sounds, among many others. We touched base with Rich Garza last week and learned that he is especially looking forward to the sets by M.I.S., Salgado, and Mariachi Las Alteñas (a thirteen piece all female mariachi band). Garza is pleased with the new venue for the festival as well -- “Fiesta Gardens is worthy of its own signature festival. It's in the middle of the East Austin, the heart and soul of the Latino community in Austin and it's on the water.” more ›

The second annual Pachanga Latino Music Festival takes place at Fiesta Gardens on May 30th featuring music from Mexican Institute Of Sound, Michael Salgado, Brownout!, Ocote Soul Sounds, Mariachi Las Alteñas, Gaby Moreno, Manejo Beto, and many more. This year, the festival also includes Niños Rock Pachanga, a kid-friendly area with instructional demos by musicians, dance lessons, and Annie Ray’s renowned photo-booth. more ›

Breakaway Records, located at 1704 E. 5th St. (Ste. 105) next to Cafe Mundi, is throwing a massive shindig this Sunday as a part of its Grand Opening Party. Besides the awesome promise of free beer (for 21+ only!), entertainment will be provided by Waxploitation! DJs, The Sock Hop DJs, Ready Steady Go! DJs, Heart & Soul Soundsystem, the list goes on -- check out the flyer on the left for the full line-up. It all kicks off nice 'n early at 11 a.m. Also on Sunday, one time one-hit wonders, Chicago’s Local H rock out at Emo’s but may have to play second fiddle as the incredible energy and imminent anthems of local hot-shots Lions precede them at this concert. Local H’s new record Twelve Angry Months hit streets on May 13th. more ›

Now that the Old Settler’s Music Festival and the Austin Reggae Festival are done and dusted for another year, the 2008 Austin City Limits Music Festival is still a ways away, (and c’mon, Eeyore’s Birthday Party is not a music fest, drum circles or not), what are we left with to fulfill our longing for another event that fosters song and dance under the Sun? The 1st Annual Pachanga Latin Music Festival is here to salvage the month of May and provide an assortment of music and art to coincide with the culmination of Austin’s Latino Music Month. Waterloo Park (also home to Fun Fun Fun Fest and now, Mess With Texas) will host this fiesta on May 31st and tickets went on sale today! All proceeds benefit ALMA. more ›