Rogelio on the Squeeze Box
Sixteen-year-old Rogelio Garcia of San Benito is shown auditioning for the Big Squeeze Contest in San Benito on Sunday. (Staff photo by Francisco E. Jimenez)
By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
The fifth annual Big Squeeze Accordion Contest kicked off on Sunday, March 6 at the birthplace of Conjunto music, San Benito, Texas.
The Big Squeeze Accordion Contest is a competition in which accordionists throughout the state compete for the chance to win various prizes, including a new accordion, recording time in a studio, and a $1,000 cash prize among other things.
The contest is the product of Texas Folklife, a non-profit organization based out of Austin which has been dedicated to preserving the diverse culture and heritage Texas for 25 years.
“This year we had four contestants, but some of them couldn’t be here today because of different school activities and family responsibilities,” said Cristina Balli, Program Director for Texas Folklife. “They’re going to mail in their entries.”
Of the four contestants, only one was able to make it to the event on Sunday at the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center – 16-year-old Rogelio Garcia said that he has been playing accordion for about three years.
For more on this story, pick up a copy of the March 9 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.
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