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Grupo Vida has vida, LSU también
By Rico de La Prensa
Tejano music sensation, Grupo Vida, will be the headliner at this year’s Latino Student Union (LSU) annual scholarship dance at the University of Toledo ’s Student Union Auditorium, scheduled for Saturday, March 5.
According to LSU president Elisea Alvarado O’Donnell, “We wanted to bring them back after a successful performance at last year’s dance. Some were not able to hear Vida since we had to turn people away at 9:30PM because the auditorium was filled to capacity.”
Elisea is a junior, majoring in education. She is very appreciative of all the efforts by the members of LSU.
LSU vice-president Cristina Alvarado, a junior, concurs and adds that, “Vida is better than ever.”
I’m sure Cristina was referring to both the band and la vida itself.
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True, since Vida’s appearance last March, it went on to win Best Tejano Show Band at the Tejano Music Awards (March, 2004), released two CDs (Vivo and Ultimo Segundo), nominated for the 2005 Grammy Best Tejano Recording (Vivo), and is up for five awards at the Tejano Music Awards ( TMA ), scheduled for March 19 in Eagle Pass, Texas.
The five TMA nominations are: Showband of the Year, Song of the Year (Tomas Tomas), Male Entertainer of the Year (Art Tijerina), Male Vocalist of the Year (Art Tijerina), and Album of the Year—Tejano (Vivo).
And let’s not forget that Vida’s accordionist, Sunny Sauceda, won a 2005 Grammy for Best Tejano Recording with Polkas, Gritos, y Acordeónes, a collaborative CD with David Lee Garza (who is scheduled to headline LatinoFest V on June 11 in downtown Toledo) and Joel Gúzman.
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Vida hails from San Antonio , Texas and is comprised of: Tim Villanueva (drums, percussion), Sunny Sauceda (accordion, bajo, bass, guitar, vocals), Javier Sauceda (keyboards, percussion, guitar, pennywhistle), Jason Martínez (guitar, bajo sexton, fiddle), and Art Tijerina (lead vocals).
Actually, Art is from Bryan , Texas , but he considers San Antonio a quasi-casa.
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The LSU baile is scheduled for 7:30PM with Los Aztecas of Toledo performing from 8:00 until 9:00PM . Los Aztecas is primarily a Tejano band composed of six brothers. Their father, Ray Longoria, started the group several decades ago and raised his sons into the band.
The Longoria family also owns and operates a restaurant at the Woodville Mall in Northwood , Ohio —the Enchilada Hut—that specializes in Mexican cuisine.
Vida will perform two sets, one at 9:30PM and another about Midnight .
LSU has been meeting regularly in preparation for the fundraiser, under the guidance of advisor Sabina Elizondo Serratos, who works in UT’s financial aid department. Last year, over $15,000 was raised.
Graduate student Ceci Rivera, who receives her master’s degree in May (Criminal Justice major), has been active in all aspects of the dance including radio appearances at area stations promoting the dance.
Graduate student Alex Ramírez will be one of Saturday’s MCs along with Cristina Alvarado. Ramírez has also been busy preparing this year’s program booklet. Rivera will receive a master’s degree in education and plans on teaching.
The LSU secretary, Elicia Leal, has been busy too along with the group’s treasurer, Adam Belcher.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, but don’t wait till Saturday. Remember last year, when the group stopped selling tickets early in the evening due to space limitations. Over 1,000 attended that baile.
Tickets are on sale at Los Amigos restaurant, Mi Hacienda restaurant, El Reparo restaurant (Southwyck), and Mi Mexican Store. You can also call 460-2720 , 467-9746 , or 787-1008 (all area codes are 419).
Oh, there will be an after hours gathering at La Vista in downtown Toledo , according to co-host Hector Cordero.
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