The Pan Americana Festival: A Community United

The Pan Americana Festival, hosted by the US Hispanic Contractors and Bellas Artes Alliance, returned this month for its eighth consecutive year on March 16-17, 2018, bringing with it a new and fresh approach to its community

engagement. Bigger and bolder, the festival is quickly becoming an Austin staple, as this classic provides performance opportunities for local bands. During the time of the year when our city is full of visitors for South by Southwest, the independent Pan Americana Festival provides a home to our local musicians and showcases the best of Austin’s talent at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center.

In the previous years, the two-day festival has included diverse Latin artists such as David Lee Garza y Los Musicales, 80 H Project, Pancho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band, The Tortilla Factory, La Mafia, Celso Pina, Kinky, Los Amigos Invisibles, and many more! The Pan Americana Festival has even made it into the Rolling Stone, which is a remarkable achievement given than more than 1200 bands showcase in Austin that week. This year’s festival featured Mariachi, Angel Gonzalez, Jorge Amayo Band, Ricardo Castillion y La Diferencia, Nikki Lopez, Tejano Idol winner Ashley Borrero, David Marez, and Little Joe y La Familia. Drawing crowds who camped out hours before the show began, this year’s performers really gave a show. They had the festival’s attendees on their feet dancing all night and enjoying the live music against Austin’s skyline. Senator Gonzalo Barrientos was in attendance both days, supporting the festival and speaking to the crowd. Austin’s Mayor Steve Adler also spoke at the event, wishing the attendees a joyous time at the festival.