Cinco de Mayo Concert to Feature Del Castillo, The Brew and The Connectors

It will be a concert you will not want to miss as Del Castillo, The Brew and The Connectors take the stage to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 5 on the grounds of The Arts Center.

This outdoor concert is an extra addition to the Signature Series and is sponsored in part by the generosity of the Brownsville Society for the Performing Arts.

Wristbands for the concert are $30 and half price for children under 12 and are available for purchase in the box office of The Arts Center or online at utb.edu/artscenter

Fresh off their new album, “Infinitas Rapsodias,” Del Castillo began as a CD project for relatives in winter 2000 and is now an internationally-known band that blends flamenco, rock, Latin, blues and world music. Four members of the band – Mark del Castillo, Ricky del Castillo, Mike Zioli and Albert Besterio – played in the UTB and TSC university jazz bands in the 1980s. The university honored the band in 2010 with the Distinguished Alumnus award.

“We always look forward to coming back to Brownsville to play for our family and friends,” said Rick del Castillo from Berlin where they are completing a European tour. “Where else can you get world-class tamales?”

Between the release of their first album, “Brothers of the Castle,” back in 2001, to their 2006 release, “Brotherhood,” Del Castillo has received an astonishing 18 awards including SXSW/Austin Music “Album of the Year” Awards for “Vida” (2002) and “Brotherhood” (2006), “Band of the Year (2003),” ASCAP’S “Best Independent Group of the Year (2005),” and Austin Music Pundits “Best Live Act (2004).”

Based in Austin, the band is good friends with Film Director Robert Rodriguez who attended a Del Castillo concert in 2002 and a great friendship developed between the two. Rodriguez then enlisted the group to contribute music to the soundtracks of his movies and perform with him at the premieres. The group also counts Willie Nelson as a fan as well.

Joining Del Castillo will be Brownsville favorites and also from Austin, The Brew. Brothers Michael, Joe and Mark Rodriguez were born and raised in Brownsville.

“We are looking forward to seeing our family, friends and all of our fans,” said Mark Rodriguez. “We love Brownsville and always enjoy coming home.”

In the 1970s, the Rodriguez brothers and their late brother Rudy formed The Brew and eventually relocated to Austin in the early 1980s. They have since become an Austin original and a perennial favorite of audiences young and old.

The Brew has opened for such diverse notables as the Rippingtons, George Howard, Everette Harp, Jeff Lorber, Chuchito Valdez, Hiroshima, Acoustic Alchemy, Larry Corryel and Kirk Whalum. Currently working on their fifth album, their others works include “In the Beginning,” “Rio Vista,” “Latin Brew” and “Rumba Caliente.”

Joining Del Castillo and The Brew will be local band and favorite, The Connectors.

A wristband will be needed to enter the concert area. Patrons are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the outdoor concert. There will be food vendors, and no outside food and drinks will be allowed on the grounds.

Additional sponsors are Brownsville Living and the Mexican Consulate. Sponsorships are available which will include reserve seating. For information, call (956)882-8587.

The Signature Series will soon unveil the third season and already announced is a performance of the Ballet Folklórico de México for Oct. 22.