Fred Renk says Adios after 70 years

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Published: Tuesday, 11 February 2020 21:44

Renk's final event on February 16 will honor his son Matador David Renk, "El Texano," a true icon of Matadorship in the bullfight world. David passed away September 2018. He was the sixth American Matador in history since 1902 to achieve the title, and the only one of the group to ever appear in the world's largest bullring and receive the doctorate of bullfighting.

Renk started to put on bloodless events in 1986, by leasing the Houston Astrodome, where the first of a series of world class bullfights started. From there he went with his partner Mr. Jack Woodson of Brownfield, Texas, to the Hemisphere Arena in San Antonio, then to Ft. Worth, then to the coliseum in El Paso.

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Mission Chamber celebrates Winter Texan community

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Published: Wednesday, 05 February 2020 13:24

The 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

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Published: Wednesday, 05 February 2020 13:10

Absolutely 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

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Published: Wednesday, 05 February 2020 13:07

Lindley 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

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Published: Friday, 31 January 2020 10:15

The 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

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Published: Friday, 31 January 2020 07:10

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.

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