In the second-ever concert held at the Edinburg Promenade Park Amphitheater, the Pre-Veteran’s Day Music Festival will feature legendary Tejano artists Roberto Pulido and his son, Bobby Pulido, UTRGV’s own Mariachi Juvenil and other musical acts at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
The free event starts with performances by UTRGV Mariachi Juvenil and UTRGV Ballet Folklórico, followed by an honor guard presenting the colors, the national anthem and a welcome by Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. and members of the City Council.
Los Dos Gilbertos de Gilberto Garcia Jr., a tribute band, will follow the opening events.
The UTRGV Mariachi Juvenil will perform alongside the Pulidos and individually.
Dahlia Guerra, UTRGV assistant vice president for Public Art & Special Projects, told The Rider the City of Edinburg reached out to the mariachi and asked them to accompany the Pulidos as they have in the past.
Guerra said Mariachi Juvenil has been rehearsing since the start of the year and even rehearsed with Roberto for this concert. Songs to be performed include “Me Despertó la Realidad,” a duet with his daughter, Alba Pulido, and “No Vale La Pena,” a duet with Bobby.
“It’s a great opportunity for [Mariachi Juvenil],” she said. “When [Roberto] came to rehearse with [Mariachi Juvenil], he was inspiring. He tells them to work hard and to realize the beauty of music and what music does for them. … He quotes his dad … ‘It’s not just important to make money. It’s important to be a good person and give back to your community.’ It wasn’t just, ‘Let’s read my music.’ He was trying to be inspirational and encourage them to work hard.”
Miguel Aguirre Jr., a music education senior and guitar player for Mariachi Juvenil, told The Rider it was awesome to rehearse with Roberto and that he is excited to perform with the Pulidos for the festival.
“He’s a charismatic older gentleman,” Aguirre said of Roberto. “He’s always giving encouraging words of wisdom … to keep up with your dreams, you know, ‘Echándole ganas,’ as he would say.”
As an Edinburg native, Aguirre said he is excited to be one of the first musicians to play at the new Edinburg Promenade Park Amphitheater located at 202 N. 10th Ave.
“I like the idea of amphitheaters,” he said. “… It’s another experience. You’re outside and you’re just playing music for an audience. … It’s just more interactive. [In] a concert hall, there’s a certain etiquette that you have to follow, like, you only clap after a certain time. … [At an amphitheater], it’s the essence of what, like, community engagement is.”
Magdiel Castle, assistant director of Edinburg Cultural Arts, told The Rider the new amphitheater can seat about 1,500 to 2,00o people.
“What [the city] intends the amphitheater to be is a meeting place that creates community and brings the community together,” Castle said.
At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Bobby Pulido, conjunto musician Ricardo Guzman Jr. and Tejano drummer Balde Muñoz will be inducted into the City of Edinburg Walk of Fame in the Region One Education Service Center-Hidalgo Room at 1900 W. Schunior St.
Previously called the Tejano Walk of Fame, it was rebranded to Walk of Fame so it does not sound like it is only Tejano music, Castle said.
At 10 a.m. Saturday, Edinburg will have the annual Veterans Day Parade, which will start at the Richard R. Flores Stadium.
To see the official festival rules and more information, visit www.edinburgarts.com/emf.
