Cultural center receives state recognition

By TONY VINDELL
Special to the NEWS

The work of a dedicated group of South Texas Conjunto music fanatics has paid off as the organization they all support with passion has received state recognition.

The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center (NMCAC), which is the nation’s second oldest entity celebrating the Conjunto genre, was inducted into the Conjunto Hall of Fame this past Thursday at the Guadalupe Theater in San Antonio. The event was presented by the acclaimed Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center in San Antonio.

The Los Fresnos-based organization was one of four to get the distinction. The others are Mike Garza, Ramon Gutierrez and Cruz Y. Martinez.

Rogelio Nunez, the NMCAC director, said they are all elated about the recognition.

“We have been working for the center for the last 32 years,” he said, before leaving to the Alamo City to receive a plaque. “It has finally paid off for all of us.”

The center was originally based in San Benito, but it relocated to Los Fresnos in 2018.

One of the reasons behind the move stems from what organizers deemed the lack of support the center received for its annual music festival from Resaca City’s administration at the time.

The festival, which has been going on for more than 30 years, was relocated to Los Fresnos as the organization could not afford to keep paying the $17,500 fees the City of San Benito was charging to hold the event.

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