Tejano weekend, with a side of barbecue
By Cassandra Hinojosa Caller-Times
November 9, 2006
Organizers have found one more way to "beef up" the Noche de Fiesta Tejana Weekend in Alice.
The seventh annual event, which starts today, will have its first barbecue competition on Sunday to complement its celebration of music and culture.
That means fajitas, brisket, pork spare ribs, jackpot chili and even a kids' cook-off.
Tejano music and cook-offs go hand in hand, according to Javier "JV" Villanueva, CEO of the Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Hall of Fame in Alice.
"It's such a big deal now in all of these events that we have participated in throughout the country," Villanueva said. "This is our first opportunity to do this and we have gotten quite a big response."
The Noche de Fiesta Tejana Weekend kicks off today in Alice, known as the Birthplace of Tejano, with a dance, followed by the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony on Saturday.
It wraps up Sunday with a Tejano Jam with daylong free concerts, a live taping of "Domingo Live!" and an open house at the Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Museum, 213 N. Wright St.
From beef to chorizo
The Chorizo Crew from Houston - Jesse "Jumpin' Jess" Rodriguez and Alfred "The Boogieman" Rodriguez (no relation) - is one of this year's broadcast inductees with more than 30 years in radio.
The two met in 1975 and often use the phrase "Wake up and smell the chorizo" during their morning show, which has played on various Houston radio stations and most recently on AmigosRadio.com. The Internet radio station has been around two years.
Alfred is owner and program director of Amigos, formerly BandidoRadio.com, which he founded in 1999. Jesse is marketing director of Amigos and he promotes bands and mariachis through his business, Hot Latin Entertainment.
"I've been doing Internet ever since," Alfred said. "You can listen to it all over the world. I get emails from Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan and all over and I've been blessed that I'm able to give them what they want to hear, plus all the news, the chisme and all the gossip, right?"
Their projects include a CD "The Best of the Chorizo Crew," and the book, "How to Travel America with No Money in Your Pocket."
"Radio is such a powerful tool," Jesse said. "It's changing lives and educating people. Empowering the community is what I love and letting know they can stand up for themselves and be proud of their culture."
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