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Mission Chamber celebrates Winter Texan community

20200205 Winter Texan Fiesta JB 1 017The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce their Annual Winter Texan Fiesta, sponsored by Mission Regional Medical Center and Bert Ogden Rio Grande Valley. The festivities will be held at the Mission Event Center, 200 N. Shary, in Mission, on Saturday, February 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, February 16, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The annual two-day event is free, open to the public, and is held to show appreciation to the Winter Texan community that call the Rio Grande Valley home during the Winter season. On Saturday (only) attendees can expect to enjoy live music at the outdoor concert hosted by the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce. The Mission Historical Museum will also be a part of the festivities as they will be hosting their Artesano Market Days inside of the Mission Event Center.

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ACDG performing in the Valley this month

20200205 Absolutely Country 2Absolutely Country, Definitely Gospel (ACDG) knows how to sing. They lend their strong voices to beautiful country ballads and recognizable gospel songs when on the stage. They were enjoyed by all at a recent Showcase event. The piano player has some of the fastest fingers around.

The group has been nominated for Gospel Group of the Year in the Valley Star Awards. They will be performing throughout the Valley this month. Valley Star Awards voting deadline is next week, so try to catch them before then to get a good idea on what they are about.

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Lindley Creek, always a Valley favorite

20200205 lindley creekLindley Creek has been a favorite in the Valley for a number of years now. Currently nominated for the Valley Star Awards Family Vocal Group of the Year, the group did win the 2015 RGV Bluegrass and Folk Band of the Year.

Lindley Creek’s musical roots are strong, stemming from the Ozark Hills’ rich legacy of bluegrass and gospel music. They bring their unique and personal brand of acoustic music to the stage to delight all that attend their shows.

The group will be presenting their Faith, Family and Freedom show with Williamson Branch on Saturday, February 8 at Casa Del Sol (400 N. Val Verde Rd., Donna). There will be a performance at 2 and 7 p.m.

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McAllen Wind Ensemble to premier new composition

20200129 MWE Aaron DThe McAllen Wind Ensemble has been given the honor of premiering the composition “Angels in the Sky” by composer Aaron D. McMichael on February 11. Mr. McMichael composed the piece specifically for the McAllen group as they celebrate their 45th year of performing in the Rio Grande Valley. The February 11th concert, sponsored by Thurmond Eye Associates is entitled “Something...Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue” The event will feature a musical potpourri of concert band works from each of the categories of the old wedding rhyme.

Aaron D. McMichael’s works definitely belong in the “something new” category. Even though he has started composing seriously in just the last three years, Mr. McMichael’s parents started him in music at the young age of five. When he started middle school, he switched to trumpet and was an instant success. After graduating high school, he earned a scholarship at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi. There he met the composer Robert W. Smith, who extended a full scholarship to Troy State University. Once Mr. McMichael graduated in 2003 with his bachelors’ degree, he began teaching at Victoria High School. Since then, he has taught at several high schools and middle schools across the state of Texas including Brownsville ISD, Mercedes ISD, San Benito ISD, Mission ISD, and Victoria ISD.

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Snowbird Extravaganza next week

The 2020 Snowbird Extravaganza will be held at the Pharr Events center, Tuesday, February 4 and Wednesday, February 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This year’s event will feature Next Generation Leahy, Sean Emery, John Wing, Jimmy Flynn, Valdy and April Wine’s Myles Goodwyn.

Next Generation Leahy is a group of very talented siblings whose live performances have been described as astounding and breath-taking. They have performed across North America and have shared the stage with the likes of The Chieftains, We Banjo 3, The Tenors and Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy.

The siblings are all accomplished multi-instrumentalists whose live performances are filled with the high-energy, infectious music associated with the Leahy name. However, not content to play only the music of their Celtic heritage, these musicians explore many genres of music and pull influences from far and wide. Fiddle, cello, French accordion, singing, piano and French-Canadian step-dancing serve to bring their unique style of music to life.

Read more: Snowbird Extravaganza next week

Valley Star Wards offers great lineup of entertainment

20200129 VSA desert polynesiaEvery year, the Valley Star Awards offers a great lineup of entertainment – and this year is no different. The lineup includes some of the best Wintertainers™ performing in the Winter Texan parks and resorts during the Winter months. This year’s lineup includes Rick McEwen, Dave and Daphne, Tom Wurth, Desert Polynesia, Maggie Mae and Dan Smith, and Absolutely Country, Definitely Gospel.

Rick McEwen performs classic rock, classic country, rhythm and blues and soul music. He is a member of the Traditional Country Hall of Fame. He has performed with greats such as Earl Suggs, Webb Pierce and The Dillards. He has opened for Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Dottie West and other county legends.

Dave Salyer has toured the world with Barbara Mandrell, performed for presidents at the White House and has appeared on countless TV shows. Daphne Anderson has toured with some of the greatest Southern Gospel Groups and has been described as a cross between Shania Twain and Patsy Cline. Together, they perform country music and Daphne yodels.

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Second showcase did not disappoint

20200122 Showcase IMG 3810While there were a lot of familiar names at the first Showcase, I was not familiar with more than half of the Wintertainers™ on the list to perform at the second Showcase. The activity director’s association and Robert and Billie Ferguson put on two showcase events every year to help activity directors book entertainment for next year. The Showcase allows the activity directors to get a sampling of what the Wintertainers™ can offer.

Even though I was not able to stay for this Showcase, I enjoyed every minute I was there. Only recognizing about six of the performers on the list, I was eager to see what the others had to offer.

The room was full of laughter and clapping – as just about every Wintertainers™ had a joke to tell.

Read more: Second showcase did not disappoint

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