Accordions, memories, rain By Israel Saenz Caller-Times September 11, 2006
Robert Quijas danced through the decades, through the poverty, and through the rain on Sunday as sporadic showers drenched the third annual Conjunto Festival for the third consecutive year.
Quijas, 54, paid little attention. He was too busy being nostalgic.
The Edinburg native recalled his boyhood job cleaning cafes, when conjunto, a South Texas blend of accordion and string instruments typically set to a polka beat, always was part of the backdrop.
"It was poor times then," said Quijas, now retired from the Air Force. "I was always listening to this music."
The event co-sponsored by KROB-AM 1510 and the Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation Department's Multicultural Services brought 12 bands to Heritage Park, including co-headliners Los Desperadoz and Los Monarcas. Organizer and K-ROB program director Bob Pena said he expected a slightly smaller turnout than last year's attendance of about 8,000.
"We're pleased with the turnout," he said. "There's a little less than last year, but it doesn't seem like anyone left with the rain."
The brief showers, which came about 2 p.m., had conjunto lovers bringing out umbrellas and seeking cover under trees and porches at the park. About five couples continued to dance.
Quijas did not mind the rain - or dancing to a band called Los Homies, a younger Conjunto group.
"They didn't go through the same things we did, but their grandparents and parents probably did," Quijas said. "The music goes from generation to generation."
Michael Saldana, 18, said the music's infectious nature is hard to deny, even for younger audiences.
"There are people that just can't get it out of their systems," Saldana said.
