The BIG SQUEEZE Accordion Contest is Back for 2018

Texas Folklife Will Search for Top Young Accordion Talent in Showcases Across the State

Grand Prize Winners will be selected in the following updated four categories:  Polka Grand Prize (Age 25 and under); Cajun & Zydeco Grand Prize (Age 21 and under); Anthony Ortiz, Jr. Conjunto Grand Prize (Ages 18-21); Conjunto (Ages 17 and under)

Austin, Texas – Texas Folklife is thrilled to announce that the Big Squeeze Accordion Contest is back in 2018. This will be the 12^th year for the Big Squeeze program that supports up-and-coming Texas youth accordionists. The contest is one of the ways in which Texas Folklife carries out its mission to preserve and present Texas’s diverse cultural heritage. The contest recruits players in all genres of the Lone Star State’s accordion-based music, including German, Czech, and Polish polka; Creole, Cajun, and zydeco; conjunto, norteño, and Tejano.

Since 2007 Texas Folklife has built a reputation as a champion of Texas accordion music genres through the Big Squeeze program, and has supported over 230 young, talented players from dozens of Texas towns and cities in their efforts to carry on these vital community-based accordion music traditions.  This year, Texas Folklife will hit the road again and hold Big Squeeze showcases in communities throughout the state to search for young accordion talent. Four Final Grand Prize Winners will be selected from Texas traditional accordion music genres: polka, Cajun, zydeco, and conjunto. The polka genre will include German, Czech, and Polish polka traditions. Cajun & Zydeco will include zydeco, Creole and Cajun musical traditions. And conjunto will include conjunto, norteño and Tejano.

For the 2018 program Texas Folklife has implemented some changes that will encourage more statewide youth participation. The Conjunto Category has been split into two age categories (one for ages 17 and under, and one for ages 18-21) and the Polka Category has been extended to ages 25 and under. There are no changes in the Cajun & Zydeco Category. The Conjunto grand prizecategory for ages 18-21 is named in loving memory of Anthony Ortiz, Jr., a former Big Squeeze finalist, virtuosic young professional accordionist, and member of the Texas Folklife family who passed away in 2017. The showcases will be free and open to the public, and will feature music by established accordion artists as well as showcase the young musicians.

The Big Squeeze talent showcases for 2018:

February 10:    Ennis Czech Music Fest in Ennis

February 11:    Pleasant Grove Branch Library in Dallas

February 17:    Café 4212 in Houston

February 18:    Multicultural Education & Counseling through the Arts in Houston

February 24:    Larry’s French Market & Cajun Restaurant in Nederland/Groves

March 3:          McDonald Public Library in Corpus Christi

March 11:        Guadalupe Theater in San Antonio

March  23:       Los Fresnos High School in Los Fresnos

March  24:       Palmview High School in Palmview

April 21:           Big Squeeze Finals: Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin

Up to twelve finalists (three from each category) will be selected the 1^st week of April a panel of judges, and will perform at the Big Squeeze Concert and Finals at the Bullock Museum on Saturday, April 21. At that time, four Grand Prize Winners will be selected. The four Big Squeeze 2018 Grand Prize Winners will receive a prize package valued at more than $4,000, including a cash prize, performance opportunities with Texas Folklife, publicity, professional development, and other professional opportunities. Additionally, the Grand Prize Winners will perform onstage with legendary Texas musicians at Texas Folklife’s Accordion Kings & Queens Concert, held at Houston’s Miller Outdoor Theatre in June.

Interested players are encouraged to reserve a showcase slot at a venue in their region by contacting Texas Folklife. Those who cannot attend a showcase may also mail or e-mail their entries to arrive at Texas Folklife no later than March 30, 2018. The complete contest rules and entry forms are available online at www.texasfolklife.org/bigsqueeze2018
or by calling (512) 441-9255.

Big Squeeze Program Director Alysha Hernández will be leading the Big Squeeze Program again this year in 2018. Hernández brings a decade of experience in communications, film, and live event production. She is a native Texan, born in San Antonio and has spent much of her life in the Rio Grande Valley. Veteran arts administrator Tomas Salas will also join the team this year as Big Squeeze Program Producer. Tomas has over 3 decades of experience in the performing and visual arts as a performer and an arts administrator.

The Big Squeeze also has opportunities for individuals and organizations to become sponsors of the program. There is information on the website on how to become a Big Squeeze Sponsor at: www.texasfolklife.org/bigsqueeze2018 or please contact us by phone at 512-441-9255.

“I can’t wait to get started on the Big Squeeze Accordion Contest for 2018,” said Executive Director Charlie Lockwood. “This year we’ve made some improvements to the program to foster more participation from young musicians across the state. The Big Squeeze is one of our most popular and most important programs, we have a great production team and are excited to hit the road again this year!”

The Big Squeeze is supported by Hohner, Inc., by grants from H-E-B, The Texas Music Office, Texas Commission on the Arts, the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin’s Economic Development Department, and the City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board. Regional community and venue partners include Hacienda Records, Cajun Sounds Internet Radio,www.zydecoevents.com, Conjunto Heritage Taller, McDonald Public Library in Corpus Christi, Café 4212, Multicultural Education & Counseling through the Arts, Larry’s French Market & Cajun Restaurant, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, Los Fresnos High School, La Joya Independent School District, and the Bullock Texas State History Museum.

About Texas Folklife

Texas Folklife is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to presenting and preserving the diverse cultures and living heritage of the Lone Star State, and is designated by the National Endowment for the Arts as the Folk & Traditional Arts organization for the state.  Since 1984, Texas Folklife has honored cultural traditions passed down within communities, explored their importance in contemporary society, and celebrated them by providing accessible and joyful arts experiences.