Maneja Beto

Apparently I don't need any sort of vacation after all the craziness SXSW brings to my life because this week, Accent has a newspaper that needs to be sent to press by Friday and Austin Vida is throwing not one, not two but THREE shows this week. All one after another. However, the line ups are pretty awesome so I'm not too upset about my lack of rest. I envision a lot of coffee and Red Bull in my future.

TUESDAY
First up, we have a Nacional Listening Party at Mi Casa. Now this is less of a live show performance and more of a party to hang out. Austin Vida teams up with DJ Chorizo Funk as he spins the latest release from this Mexico City band, Maldita Vecindad y Los Hijos Del Quinto Patio. This album Circular Colectivo is the first release for this band in last 12 years. And if any of the songs posted on their myspace is any indication of what's to come on this album, I'm super pumped.

Held at Mi Casa again means 50 cent wells and tamales. We'll be also giving away free tickets to the upcoming Pachanga Fest! and Sexy Marvin's show, as well as CDs.

Starts at 8 p.m. and it's free.

Click here for more details at the Facebook event page.

WEDNESDAY
Speaking of Sexy Marvin's, that show with Rubix and Vinyl Dharma will happen the next night at Stubb's indoor. Sexy Marvin is coming to Austin for the very first time all the way from Monterrey. This indie band has opened for some heavy hitters such as The Killers and Muse. Don't worry for the spanish impaired, they sing in English. I can't wait for this show. We all know I'm a sucker for a great indie band.

Show starts at 9:30 p.m. If you get your tickets now, it's only $8 but for you procrastinators like me, it'll cost you $10 at the door.

Click here for more details at the Facebook event page.

THURSDAY
Then to end this week with one big dance party, Austin Vida is throwing a showcase. Just like our first one, we tapped into our favorite Latino locals: El Tule, Este Vato and Maneja Beto. This time we've added Latin pop fusion La Guerilla. Man, this is gonna be a Mexican wedding good time. Seriously.

This show starts at 9:00 p.m. and $5 for 21+ and $7 for the youngsters.

Click here for more details at the Facebook event page.

When my Austin Vida editor emailed me Maneja Beto's single "Ofrendas" all he wrote was "Get your Blue Stage on!" If you're read my Fun Fun Fun Fest 2009 coverage, you would know how much that made me laugh. And he was right. I did get my Blue Stage on the moment I first heard it.

Last night I saw Maneja Beto perform as well as El Tule and Este Vato at Beauty Bar last night for Austin Vida's showcase. Man, what a dance party. If you didn't go, you missed out. I haven't had that much fun in a long time. Like I told some friends, I felt like I was at a wedding. All that was missing was someone dancing with my grandma and a dollar dance.

Anyway, on Friday, Maneja Beto released their music video for "Ofrendas" at Rabbit's on East 6th street. As someone who was born and raised in East Austin and currently lives near East 7th Street and Pleasant Valley, it was nice seeing the familiar neighborhoods and businesses in the video. There are also some familiar faces as well from the Austin music scene. Pay attention to the janitor.

So check out the video and make sure you turn up the volume because you're going to want to get your Blue Stage on. ;)

Tonight one of the sites I write for, Austin Vida is hosting it's first showcase at Beauty Bar tonight. Although the site started in January 2009, I was asked to join the writing team back in June. Because of this site, I discovered there is more to Latino music than just cumbia and tejano. But before I get into a cultural enlightenment, back to the subject on hand...

So to celebrate one year of production, we are throwing a party in the AV way that we can. I can honestly say that the line up is pretty good and should be a fun show.

So come out to Beauty Bar tonight and celebrate with us. It's only $5 cover.

Click here to head to the facebook page for more details on the show and the bands.