Born in Brownsville and raised in San Antonio, Bonnie Ilza Cisneros is a fourth-generation Tejana educator in a line of South Texas teachers. . Known in the community as DJ Despeinada, Bonnie collects and shares Spanish-language vinyl records of las Americas from all eras. Her work takes many forms: she teaches workshops, presents lectures, designs zines, curates art exhibitions, coordinates cultural events, publishes playlists, records radio shows, creates altar installations, makes jewelry, and keeps a flock of gallinas in San Antonio, Texas.

Juan & Armando Tejeda are primos hermanos (first cousins) who have been performing traditional Conjunto Music together with accordion and bajo sexto guitar for almost 40 years. Juan is a retired professor of Mexican American Studies and Music and has been performing with his band, Conjunto Aztlan, since the mid-70s. Armando is a professor of Education at Texas A&M University San Antonio and has performed and recorded with some of the great Conjunto musicians such as Valerio Longoria, Jesse Borrego Sr., Chalito Johnson, Santiago Jimenez Jr., and Flavio Longoria. Their recording, Raiz XicanX/Juan & Armando Tejeda, was released in 2018.

The San Antonio Public Library changes lives through the transformative power of information, imagination, and ideas. For more than 110 years, the award-winning San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) has been a vital center for free learning, knowledge, communication, culture, and enjoyment within the City of San Antonio and for all Bexar County residents.

When you think 'mariachi' you most likely think of the deep powerful sound of a man's voice. But if you listen closely to this unique group, you'll hear they are strumming, singing, and dancing to a different key. Mariachi Las Alteñas is an all-female mariachi group that is making waves across the United States. Their mission is to achieve excellence as overall musicians and performers and to raise the standards for women in mariachi music.

Mariachi Las Alteñas are known for their musical diversity, which appeals to crowds of all
generations. The women that make up Las Alteñas are a stunningly beautiful group of
musicians who are eager to share the pride for their Mexican heritage with their audiences.

Mariachi Las Alteñas is under the guidance of founder and director, Valerie Vargas, as well as musical director Angela Campos. Las Alteñas consists of 14 musicians who all serve as vocalists for the group: 7 violinists, three trumpeters, a guitarronista, vihuelista, and two guitarristas, creating the iconic mariachi sound acknowledged and respected in the industry. Spectators are impressed with not only the ladies' musicianship, but also with the group's stage presence.

The group's philosophy is to not simply sing a song, but rather interpret the meaning and communicate that meaning with the audience. Their signature colorful trajes de charro and vocal harmonies draw abundant crowds from far and wide to their performances. Mariachis are the flavor of Mexico, and in San Antonio Mariachi Las Alteñas and the city's culture make the perfect combination. Their name Las Alteñas is taken from the birthplace of mariachi music, Jalisco, Mexico. The higher regions, Los Altos de Jalisco, is an area described as being near the top of the world and fans say these ladies are right up there! In a predominately male industry, this all-female group has indeed paved a unique path in the mariachi world.

Las Alteñas will change what you think of mariachi music. They're young, they're driven, and with them, every night is ladies' night!

BexarBrass is a San Antonio based brass band blending the sounds of New Orleans with modern pop, funk, hip-hop, jazz, and heavy metal and bringing it to the streets of San Antonio, TX!

El Tallercito de Son SATX is a collective of students, teachers, artist, activists, community organizers and musicians, who share Son Jarocho with the community of San Antonio through FREE community talleres, or workshops. El Tallercito de Son uses Son Jarocho as a vehicle for social justice and human rights. We are inclusive and everyone is welcome to join us.

Blackbird Sing has found the recipe for blending the swaggering bravado of Punk, Americana and a little spice of Tex-Mex. The sound has been hailed as catchy with just the right amount of grit to make you Stomp and Holler. It's the experimentation of a band with nothing to lose, and the good old fashioned Tex-Mex-Americana described as exclusively their own (Texicana).

The Mexican Standoff is known for their electrifying live performances, blending Mexamericana, country ranchero, and mariachi influences with a punk twist. They've headlined premier venues like The Grand Ole Echo (Echoplex), opened for acts including Los Amigos Invisibles and Los Super Seven, and performed at major events like Punk Rock Bowling, Viva Los Dodgers and L7's Fast and Furious Festival.

An all-female band with roots in Los Angeles and Mexico, The Mexican Standoff bridges the Latin, Country and punk music scenes with their vibrant Mexamericana sound. With a commitment to celebrating and preserving Mexican American culture, they continue to captivate audiences and break barriers in the music industry.

Deejay Cesar Wang digs deep into the crates, spinning soul-searching sets that blend soul, ska, reggae, disco, and punk into one smooth groove. A record collector with an ear for deep cuts and forgotten sounds, he celebrates the music that shaped modern culture, from the accordions that moved his abuelos to the rhythms that moved Jamaican dancehalls. Born in Ventura, California, and a longtime Tejas local, Cesar brings sub-culture roots and community energy wherever he plays. His vinyl-only sets are chill, eclectic, and fluid, a celebration of culture, roots, and the people who came before us.

While the sounds of Latin Alternative are everywhere, the culturally important and wholly distinct identity of San Antonio, TX has primed its sounds to be heard on a broader scale; proudly taking this sound nationwide is Los Juanos._x000D_
Liberally interweaving Conjunto, Corrido, and Cumbia Norteña with elements of Dream Pop, Psychedelic, Punk, Hip-Hop and more, Los Juanos echo the pioneers of the Tejano movement, characterized by an unfiltered creativity and an even more daring disregard for the cultural barriers that cut through la frontera, algo ni de aquí, ni de allá. _x000D_

Santiago Jiménez Jr. is a San Antonio–born accordionist who carries forward the rich conjunto traditions of his family and of South Texas. Honored with the National Heritage Fellowship and the National Medal of Arts—and nominated for multiple Grammys—he’s celebrated nationwide for preserving and sharing the sound of his roots.

Olivia Garcia is a vinyl collector, nurse and 4th generation Tejana born and raised in San Antonio. She began collecting records after inheriting her grandfather’s collection of Conjunto, Tejano and Cumbia LPs and 45s. She was an original member of Chulita Vinyl Club and has been DJing for over 10 years. She hopes her records serve as a form of healing and keeps San Anto culture alive as a form of resistance.

La Doña is a solo artist, music educator, activist and cultural worker from San Francisco, CA. Born Cecilia Cassandra Peña-Govea, she began her career at age seven playing trumpet, strings and percussion in her family's conjunto. She is a student, teacher and preservationist of Latinx traditional arts like corrido, bolero, cumbia, and mariachi. In her compositions, she combines these ancestral traditions with contemporary diasporic musics like reggaeton, hip-hop and jazz. La Doña's live performances are grounded in ceremony and social mobilization; she and her audiences sing, dance, cry and chant together, for collective healing and political action. _x000D_
_x000D_
La Doña was chosen as one of YouTube's Foundry Artists (2019) and she has performed at Lollapalooza and Outside Lands music festivals. Her song, "Quién Me La Paga" was the first of the New York Times Magazine's "19 Songs that Matter Now," for 2020, and her EPs, Algo Nuevo and Can't Eat Clout have been selected by the San Francisco Chronicle as two of the best albums of 2020 and 2023, respectively. La Doña was awarded the San Francisco Arts Commission Individual Artists Grant in 2021 and was the recipient of the YBCA's Guaranteed Income Program in 2022. She was a fellow for California Creative Corps 2024 and an artist in residence at Women's Audio Mission, and SF Jazz. She has toured internationally with artists including Cuco, Helado Negro, Durand Jones & the Indications and Kaina. La Doña is set to release her sophomore album in 2026. _x000D_

DJ Plata has been a pioneer of the all-vinyl DJ community in San Antonio for over 25 years. Holding numerous long-term residencies at clubs and venues over the decades he has stood out as a skilled DJ, vinyl selector and music historian of our beloved San Antonio Westside Sound's Music History. Plata will be spinning deceased artists of the classic genre for this event.

EL Dusty, a Latin Grammy-nominated producer and DJ from Corpus Christi, blends the Southern Texas border experience with modern beats. Using an MPC2000 sampler, he mixes Latin music history with bass-heavy sounds influenced by Jamaican and hip-hop cultures._x000D_
His music combines old-school Tejano, Chicano soul, classic rock, and '70s Latin soul with early hip-hop, reggae, and house music. Based in Texas, he runs the **Produce** collective, where the downtown compound houses a micro-bodega, recording studio, rehearsal spaces, Americano label, and recently opened **OK Hi-Fi**, a vinyl sound bar. He collaborates with artists like Natanael Cano, Steve Aoki, Santa Fe Klan, DannyLux, and Ozomatli. El Dusty also works with brands like Pepsi, Jack Daniels, Miller Lite, Chivas Regal, Red Bull, Vans, and Puma.

Born in Brownsville and raised in San Antonio, Bonnie Ilza Cisneros is a fourth-generation Tejana educator in a line of South Texas teachers. . Known in the community as DJ Despeinada, Bonnie collects and shares Spanish-language vinyl records of las Americas from all eras. Her work takes many forms: she teaches workshops, presents lectures, designs zines, curates art exhibitions, coordinates cultural events, publishes playlists, records radio shows, creates altar installations, makes jewelry, and keeps a flock of gallinas in San Antonio, Texas.

Punk rock like abuela used to make! Piñata Protest is a Tex-Mex punk band from San Antonio, TX. Their self described sound and attitude arises from the two counter-clashing worlds that the band embraces: punk and Tex-Mex.

Piñata Protest's unique and catchy sound takes the traditional folk rhythms of Tex-Mex music (conjunto and norteño music that is native to the South-Texas and Northern Mexican region they originate from) along with the three-row button accordion and combine that with the fast tempos and attitude of punk rock, ska, and many other genres. Along with the use of traditional instruments and rhythms, the band also sings in their regional mix of Spanish and English (or Spanglishas it's called locally). Their song lyrics cover a range of topics, from political topics close to the ethno-identities of the band, to drinking, love, religion, and racism. Adding to their sonic performances is a lively and energetic live show that ignites crowds to mosh, skank, and twirl their dance partners.

Piñata Protest was founded by the Mexican-born singer, songwriter, and accordionist Álvaro Del Norte. The band includes Regino Lopez on electric guitar and vocals, Richie Brown on electric bass and vocals, and Chris-Ruptive on drums. Other instruments such as the trumpet and güido are used in not only their studio recordings but their live performances as well.

For over ten years the quartet has maintained a busy schedule of performing and touring throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, and France alongside range of musical acts such as The Reverend Horton Heat, Mariachi El Bronx, Molotov, GBH, Tagada Jones, Guttermouth, Voodoo Glow Skills, Brujeria, The Toadies, Ramon Ayala, The Blasters, Authority Zero, Agent Orange, Ozomatli, Mustard Plug, The Blasters, and Wayne Hancock.

Festivals are a strong point for Piñata Protest. Their very eclectic sound, interactive show, and energetic performances make them a perfect fit for a wide variety of festivals. Most notably the band has had several official appearances at Punk Rock Bowling, SXSW, The Tejano Fan Fair, Flogging Molly's Salty Dog Cruise, Palomino Fest, Punk In Drublic, The Latin BMI Awards, Accordion Noir, Muddy Roots Festival, and a slew punk, folk, and Mexican themed festivals.

The band's unique sound has also led them to be featured in soundtracks for the following major and independently released films: Tequila Re-Pasado (2023), Me Estas Matando Susana (2016), La Soldera (2015), Circus of the Dead (2014). The band has also written music especially for Me Estas Matando Susana.

The band has also had several collaborations with companies including releasing their own beer through Freetail Brewing with a release of Piñata Protest beer which was distributed in grocery chains, bars, and venues across Texas. The band has also collaborated with other worldwide brands such as Tecate beer, Ford Motor Company, and Nike Athletics.

Born in Brownsville and raised in San Antonio, Bonnie Ilza Cisneros is a fourth-generation Tejana educator in a line of South Texas teachers. . Known in the community as DJ Despeinada, Bonnie collects and shares Spanish-language vinyl records of las Americas from all eras. Her work takes many forms: she teaches workshops, presents lectures, designs zines, curates art exhibitions, coordinates cultural events, publishes playlists, records radio shows, creates altar installations, makes jewelry, and keeps a flock of gallinas in San Antonio, Texas.

Mariachi Las Valquirias is San Antonio's groundbreaking all-female mariachi ensemble, uniting tradition with innovation. Rooted in the rich heritage of mariachi, the group infuses their performances with bold fusions of pop, rock, and country--creating a dynamic sound that transcends genres while honoring cultural legacy. Their artistry bridges generations, blending the timeless beauty of rancheras and sones with modern rhythms that surprise and captivate audiences.

With their signature harmonies, powerful instrumentation, and electrifying stage presence, Mariachi Las Valquirias embodies strength, elegance, and creativity. Each performance is both a celebration of Mexican tradition and a fresh take on what mariachi can become. From heartfelt boleros to reimagined country ballads and rock-inspired arrangements, they deliver unforgettable shows that resonate across diverse audiences.

Pioneers in a male-dominated genre, Mariachi Las Valquirias stands as a symbol of empowerment, artistry, and fearless innovation, carving a new path for the future of mariachi music.

El Tallercito de Son SATX is a collective of students, teachers, artist, activists, community organizers and musicians, who share Son Jarocho with the community of San Antonio through FREE community talleres, or workshops. El Tallercito de Son uses Son Jarocho as a vehicle for social justice and human rights. We are inclusive and everyone is welcome to join us.

Santiago Jiménez Jr. is a San Antonio–born accordionist who carries forward the rich conjunto traditions of his family and of South Texas. Honored with the National Heritage Fellowship and the National Medal of Arts—and nominated for multiple Grammys—he’s celebrated nationwide for preserving and sharing the sound of his roots.

Consentida is a part of Chulita Vinyl Club - ATX.

Meet The Tiarras: Tori, Sophia, and Tiffany Baltierra, a dynamic trio of multi-faceted artists who effortlessly blend genres and cultural influences to create global music that knows no boundaries. Sisters turned bandmates, The Tiarras have embarked on a journey that defies conventions and embraces sonic exploration.

Hailing from a Mexican-American heritage, The Tiarras draw from the rich tapestry of musical diversity that surrounded their upbringing. Their vibrant compositions seamlessly weave together elements of rock, Latin, pop, soul, reggae, and blues, resulting in an eclectic yet refined sound that challenges the very notion of genre.

After an explosive debut performance opening for beloved Penrose Records artist, Thee Sacred Souls, San Antonio Chicano soul ensemble, Joaquin & The Glowliners continue to deliver passionate, original songs perfect for your Saturday night lowrider cruise. _x000D_
_x000D_
Fronted by lead vocalist Joaquin Muerte, the band also takes its name from Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales' seminal movimiento poem, "I Am Joaquin" and lists San Antonio soul pioneers, Sunny and The Sunliners and The Royal Jesters among their influences. _x000D_
_x000D_
"Our sound is a Chicano Motown; Stevie Wonder crossed with Joe Jama, or Donny Hathaway meets Sunny Ozuna," says Joaquin Muerte, also known for his work with San Antonio staples, Los Nahuatlatos and Eddie & The Valiants. _x000D_
_x000D_
Showcasing multi-rhythm tracks ranging from fast bops to slow tempo brown-eyed soul, Joaquin echoes the doo-wop era with three-part harmonies rounded out by vocalists,. The full band sound features Felipe Iruegas Jr. on guitar, Luis "El Wicho" Gonzalez on bass,, Jacob Benavides on drums and Joaquin Muerte on Keys and lead voice._x000D_
_x000D_
Staying true to the Chicano legacy, Joaquin seeks to revive the duty of Chicano musicians to bridge the gap between social justice activism and soul music from the civil rights movement. _x000D_
_x000D_
Joaquin's vinyl debut includes the soul-stirring tracks "Hinder" and "I Remember" which explore the intricacies of barrio romance and are richly textured reminders that Chicano love is indeed forever

"Introducing a musical phenomenon hailing from the vibrant heart of Houston, Texas - Ritmo Lokura seamlessly intertwines the soulful rhythms of reggae with the passionate vibes of Latin roots to deliver a fresh and electrifying sound that resonates with audiences worldwide. We are more than just a band; we are a harmonious fusion of cultures and influences, forging a new sonic experience that is both timeless and contemporary. Our music embodies the diversity and warmth of our Texan heritage, inviting listeners on a captivating journey of melody and emotion. Join us in our quest to unite hearts and spirits through the universal language of music, as we strive to spread joy and unity one note at a time."

Chimbita formed in 2016 as a loose combination of friends and bandmates, many of whom had played together in other groups, all of whom were products of the Colombian diaspora who ended up as first generation New Yorkers making their way in the city's fertile music scene. Through a year-long residency at Brooklyn's iconic venue Barbès, an incubator for countless musical talents, the group's sound evolved, mutated, and gradually came into focus. What had once been a casual jam session now clearly showed signs of real synergy, the kind of thing that demanded a dedicated approach to reveal where it would go. El Corredor Del Jaguar, an EP recorded in the infamous hangout known as El Bunker, was the result, and it showed the roots of all that would come ahead: the crackling rhythms of Dilemastronauta, Niño Lento's razor sharp guitar, Prince of Queen's cosmic synths, and above it all the mesmerizing vocals and propulsive guacharaca of Carolina Oliveros. 2017's full length Abya Yala followed, with successive LPs dropping bi-annually after that (2019's Ahomale and 2021's Ire). Throughout it all, the band has toured relentlessly, developing a live show that is impossible to ignore. Whether it is the individual musicianship of the band, an evolving and intricate interplay of instrumentation that manages to be both tight and laser-focused as well as expansive and psychedelic, often in the space of a single song -- or the shamanic intensity of Oliveros's performance, always theatrical and fierce to the utmost, Combo Chimbita is forging their own unique musical path, one that is well worth following.

Jaz-Funk is a vinyl DJ and cultural force whose deep roots in San Antonio’s barrio shape every set she spins. Raised on funk and soul 45s, she carries forward a musical legacy that honors heritage and inspires cultural pride. Known for spinning classic funk and oldies exclusively on vinyl, Jaz-Funk brings the rich, often overlooked sounds of Chicano soul back to the forefront. Whether performing on stage, in clubs, or at community events, she is a live performer and storyteller who uses music to celebrate identity, uplift culture, and unite generations. As a rising force in media and broadcasting, she’s preserving San Antonio’s musical past while shaping its future through sound.

Kings del Wepa, desde Monclova, Coahuila, llegaron para ponerle sabor único a la cumbia mezclándola con ritmos del norte. Fundados en 2013 por King Boy Abraham Perales, conquistaron miles de corazones con temas como Atrévete y Wepiriski, sumando millones de reproducciones en YouTube. Su energía en el escenario ha encendido plazas, festivales y hasta programas de TV nacional como Venga la Alegría y La Academia. Con un estilo que contagia a chicos y grandes, los Reyes del Wepa siguen rompiendo fronteras llevando música, baile y fiesta a donde se presenten. ¡Prepárate para bailar sin parar! ????????

Bonnie Ilza Cisneros, aka DJ Despeinada, is a Tejana essayist, editor, educator, curator, archivist, publisher, all-vinyl selectress, and mother of two mijas in San Antonio, Texas. You can learn about her projects, publications, and peruse her latest MAS journalism series, SAN ANTO ART JOURNAL, at www.bonniecisneros.com