McAllen’s Sunset Live outdoor music festival returns with a Tex-Mex Country R&B musical celebration on Saturday, April 9, at the McAllen Convention Center Oval Park, 700 Convention Center Blvd. After a brief pause these past two years, the concert series, which features local musical groups, as well as other regional and national bands, which has been a staple in McAllen for the last eight years returns in its full capacity. Admission and parking to the concert is free and is open to the whole family, including pets.

This will be the 43rd concert for Sunset Live, making it the leader in outdoor live music events in the Rio Grande Valley. Future dates will be held on May 14 and June 11.

“The open-air concert series of artists on the rise that come from all over the region and nation, averages a total of 40,000 annual attendees. It is combined with an artisan, nature, and crafts market, as well as food trucks, beverages, yoga, and outdoor fun activities for the whole family,” said Yajaira Flores, Director, McAllen Convention Center Facilities.

The first concert will begin with a yoga class led by Quiet Mind Yoga at 6 p.m. Taking the stage at 6:30 will be STAARZ (R&B Pop), 7 p.m. Lizzie Astorga (Mexican and American Pop), 8 p.m. Ricky J and Desert Bloom (Country), and 9 p.m. will be Darius Jackson (Blues).

The concert series is held every second Saturday of the month, with three concerts in the spring and three concerts in the fall, Sunset Live focuses on promoting the arts and giving up-and-coming artists and musicians a different type of exposure outside of the local bar scene. Sunset Live has grown each year and become one of the most highly anticipated events all year. Organizers are excited to have all of these unbelievable performances on tap and make this year’s season an unparalleled experience for music-lovers of all ages.

For more information on the full line-¬up and concert series, visit www.mcallenconventioncenter.net or www.facebook.com/SunsetLiveMcAllen