Concerts/Dances

One way to enjoy banda music is play listening to it on the the radio or on your ipod, but another way is to go live concerts or dances where the bandas play for an live audience. Concerts are usually when a group is on tour or whenever there are festivals in certain towns or cities in Mexico. These live appearances usually are a big deal and bring a lot of commotion to smaller towns. The concerts are most often at a place where there is space to dance. Some examples of places where bandas preform live are: bull coliseums, stadiums, carnivals, and even fairs. Its almost always that a banda concert is also called a baile, which means dance.

Concerts and dances are the same thing when it comes to listening to banda live. When people buy tickets to concerts, they really just bought tickets to go dance. People in reality go dressed up to dance. What usually is seen at a concert is crowds of people dancing and maybe a couple rows of people surrounding the stage to try and get up on stage to dance with the banda. These shows are basically a time to display your dancing skills in front of the public. If you are lucky enough to be seen as a good dance, the banda usually allows some girls to come on stage and dance with the banda.

 

Coming up in about 2 weeks there is a baile that has high schools hyped! Its called Festival del Sol 2010. It is celebrating the success of a radio station who honors their 14th year of being present and supported in the bay area. There will be live banda performances from multiply famous groups and they are welcoming the whole family. Banda concerts usually cost $40-$70 per person, but this event is welcoming everyone because they are only charging $10 per person. Excitement of concerts/dances are always over the top! 

MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE

September 16, was Mexican Independence Day. This day is celebrated by Mexicans to remember and live up the freedom they won from Spanish rule. There were conflicts for independence and the indigenous people were not going to be walked on. In the early hours of September 16, 1810, father Hidalgo, accompanied by several conspirators rang the bell of his little church, calling everyone to fight for liberty. This was the start of the Independence War! The war lasted about 10 years and in the end, the indigenous people won what they deserved. 

My school really stepped up this year to make all students aware of the joy in partying for freedom! The latino club Nuestra Gente planned a wonderful fiesta in honor of the day. Of course there has to be banda when commemorating such a huge deal to Mexicans. There was a banda who played for the kids and even the staff got to witness the festivity. One of the students from the sophomore class got up to sing with the banda!  Good turn out of people dancing and eating and just being a part of the Mexican culture. 

Some photos of kids and teachers that were entertained from lunch bell to lunch bell! 

Banda At Funerals

A more common tradition in Mexico than in the United States, is having a banda play at a loved one's funeral. This tradition actually started during a celebration of the Day of the Dead, known in spanish as Dia de los Muertos. Usually on the Day of the Dead, people take special things or foods with them to go visit someone at the cemetery. There are so many different ways of showing the dead that you still cherish their memories and that they will always be loved. In this case, love can be shown through music.

When theres is banda, family members generally make processions to the cemetery, but not always. If there is a procession it is also the bringing of offerings and decorations for the grave sites. Families show up with music and dedicate favorite songs to the dead loved ones. Sometimes for passionate families who like to stay and keep watch all night, have musicians play music while priests offer blessings. Lighting candles and singing along is accustom because it shows affection. Commonly after the ceremony, the family gathers to go have a meal together and the banda stays until every family member has left. 

Hearing a banda play at a funeral may sound a little overwhelming, but it really is beautiful. It was an exceptional way to express sorrow through music. The songs played can be favorites of the person who died, or songs that tell stories. The range and variety of banda music is so widely spread that it can fit to work for anything. Touching songs. Sad songs. Sentimental songs. Really anything to suit any mood. I honestly love  banda that I would be honored to have one play at my funeral. 

Julion Alvarez Y Su Norteño Banda

The focus of this post is on a specific banda that has become very popular. This particular group has been playing for several years now and not only have they gone to the top of the charts together, but also have become a close family. The lead singer, Julion Alvarez, has amazing vocals that really can be brought out more by his band. The cooperation and chemistry of the banda is noted through out there songs, music, and dances. Reading reviews on some of concerts done by Julion and his band, he has pleased many many fans with their hits and the fact that they get the audience really hyped! 

In the last two years this banda has had their songs win very high prestige awards. Songs like, "Y Tu" and "Eres Todo Todo" also "La Maria" have been played numerous times on the radio and on music shows on TV. 

Because this banda is still in their prime, many await a new hit to come any day now! 

An interesting fact is that the Nuestra Gente, club I'm in at my school, will be dancing to a song by Julion Alvarez Y Su Norteno Banda! Everyone voted to dance to "La Maria" and we all are very excited to show how much fun dancing to banda is especially to such a great group. 

http://julionalvarez.net/