Before the clock could even strike ten in the morning, the Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post 9186 in Southside San Antonio was buzzing with the sounds of accordions and the shuffling feet of eager seniors. These sprightly over-60s were not wasting a second to kick off the 42nd annual Tejano Conjunto Festival Seniors Dance, as reported by the San Antonio Report. With the venue's lot filled to the brim, attendees decked out in sequins and cowboy attire hit the dance floor, embracing a rich tradition that has brought the community together for more than four decades.
For the first time, the Seniors Dance found its rhythm at the VFW post according to Cristina Ballí, executive director of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, who is currently overseeing the festivities that were initiated by music scholar Juan Tejeda in 1982, and when she said "We're keeping it real on the South Side," she wasn’t just talking about location, but the spirit of the cultural phenomenon they’re nurturing. Festival veteran Flo Maley, 86, and her niece Mary Lupe Torres, who has recently returned to the event after losing her husband, were among the nearly 200 seniors in attendance, with Maley telling the San Antonio Report, "They're all wonderful," her face alight with joy.
Couples twirled and danced to the tunes of Los Hermanos DeLeón followed by Felipe Perez y sus Polkeros, embodying the convivial atmosphere of the event. Rudy Ortiz, along with his wife Linda, made the trip all the way from Tucson, Arizona, marking the festival as their annual vacation and a chance to spend the whole week immersed in the music and camaraderie that has kept them coming back for years.
The festival isn't just for the locals or the long-time aficionados; it bridges cultures and generations, with people like Seth Levine and his wife Maria Beck, who drove in from Lockhart, caught up in an hour traffic near Cibolo, they were just eager to dance, Seth Levine has been a fixture at the event for 41 years, missing only the first one and he quipped to the San Antonio Report, “We just embrace the whole culture around conjunto music," and they plan to mark their 26th wedding anniversary with conjunto music this Sunday at Rosedale Park.
The weekend promises more music and festivity with the festival transitioning to Rosedale Park from Friday through Sunday, offering attendees days filled with featured groups and endless dancing opportunities. The enduring tradition of the Tejano Conjunto Festival continues to be a testament to the vitality of the senior community and the enduring appeal of conjunto music, with tickets still available for those wanting to join the celebration here.
