May - Texas Music Events Calendar 2012

The 2012 TMEC lists more than 500 annual events featuring live music. To update listing information for your 2012 event, please contact the Texas Music Office at music [at] governor.state.tx.us or call (512) 463-6666.

For a listing of Texas live music venues, please click here.

NOTE: Before sending an email please replace [at] with @. The Texas Music Office replaced the @ symbol to deter Web spiders from mining this page.

Email: music [at] governor.state.tx.us | Request Info | Texas music event application

Greater Southwest Music Festival
May 3-5
Amarillo Convention Center and Polk Street United Methodist Church; 3rd and Buchanan, Amarillo, TX
Kathy Fishburn
Kathy Fishburn
1000 South Polk; Amarillo, TX 79101
(806) 373-5093; (800) 444-4763; Fax (806) 373-5656
Music: Classical, Jazz
Activities: Awards show, Music festival, Singing contests
The Greater Southwest Music Festival is a non-profit organization that provides music competitions for bands, orchestras, and choirs. The festival offers band, orchestra, and choir concert contests with the addition of jazz band, show choir, and elementary choirs. Trophies are awarded for outstanding group performances. The Greater Southwest Music Festival is a non-profit organization.

Helotes Cornyval
May 3-6
Helotes Festival Grounds; 12210 Leslie Road
Helotes Festival Association, Inc.
Jim Benke, Music Director
P.O. Box 376; Helotes, TX 78023
(210) 695-2103; (210) 695-2103
Music: Bluegrass, Cajun/Zydeco, Country, Polka, Rock, Tejano
Activities: Rodeo
CORNYVAL???? No need to look up the spelling in a dictionary - you won't find it there. Cornyval is the name of an event that is about to celebrate its 41st consecutive year, starting Thursday May 3rd and running through Sunday May 6th, at the Helotes festival grounds located on Leslie Rd., just off of Bandera Rd in Helotes, Texas, across from the entry to O'Connor High School. The HFA will present Three PRCA rodeo performances, Thursday through Saturday, produced by the Sammy Catalina Rodeo Company. The Helotes PRCA Rodeo was recognized as having one of the top 5 PRCA Outdoor Rodeo Committees, at the PRCA finals in Las Vegas in December 2003. Cornyval will once again have a family area, on Saturday and Sunday, filled with attractions for Kiddies and Adults alike. The Medicine Wagon and T-Bone the longhorn steer will return to entertain Cornyval goers with an old fashion snake oil medicine show. The Texas Civil War enactors will return with shows and an encampment complete with interesting displays of typical weapons, equipment for bivouacking and medical services. The "All Outdoor Kid's Cat Fishing" will be back sponsored by HEB. Face painting and much more.

Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games
May 4-6
Maverick Stadium at UT-Arlington; 1307 West Mitchell
Arlington Highland Games Association
Ray McDonald, Executive Director
P.O. Box 511; Clifton, TX 76634
(800) 363-7268; (254) 675-3992; Fax (254) 675-3273
Music: Children's, Folk/Acoustic, World Beat, Celtic
Activities: Fiddling contests, Music festival
The Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games includes Scottish music and dancing, Scottish breed dog show, sheep dog trails, fiddlers contest, shortbread contest, photo contest, and a bagpipe contest. Live continuous entertainment in four tents. Past performers include Alex Beaton, Ed Miller, The Irish Rouges, Hamilton Pipes and Drums, Battlefield Band, Don Edwards, Donnie MacDonald, Margaret Gravitt, Claymohr, U.S. Air Force Pipe Band, Alastair Fraser, Battlefield Band, Brian McNeill, Andy M. Stewart, Glengary Boys, Natalie McMaster, and Brother.

Texas Rose Round Up
May 5
RR Mingus Lake Ranch; http://rrgameranch.com/the-ranch/our-facilities
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Northeast Office
Allan Meyer, Chair
1008 Winscott Road, Suite B Fort Worth, TX, 76126 ; Mingus, TX
(817) 249-7744
Music: Country, Rock
Texas Rose Round Up is a charity concert benefiting Cystic Fibrosis research. The concert is located at RR Mingus Lake Ranch, a luxury hunting ranch in Mingus, TX. The 2011 bands that played at Texas Rose Round Up were The Randy Rogers Band, Cody Canada & The Departed, Kylie D. Hart and Charla Corn. For Sponsorship and booking contact Beverly James at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Fort Worth, (817) 249-7744, bjames@cff.org.

Songwriters Serenade Contest
May 5
Moravia Hall; 11135 FM 957, Moravia, TX
Texas State Championship Fiddlers' Frolics Inc.
Mike Stroup
10911 FM 957; Schulenberg, TX 78956
(713) 598-6331; (512) 698-2621
Music: Folk/Acoustic
Activities: Songwriting contests
Twenty five outstanding performing songwriters, most of them Texans, are slated to showcase their original work at the Songwriters Serenade and vie for cash prizes totaling more than $2,700. Twelve semifinalists will advance to the finals where a panel of experienced judges will determine the order of finish. The semi finals will start at 11 a.m., with the finals taking place at 2 p.m. Saturday. Entry is free; for more information, visit www.songserenade.com.

North Texas GospelGrass
May 5
Harmony Baptist Church; 242 Harmony Road. Exit Tin Top Rd off I-20 in Weatherford TX. Go south 3 miles turn right on Harmony Rd.
GospelGrass Productions
Earl Bolling, Event Coordinator
1390 Sandy Lane; Weatherford, TX 76088
(817) 901-7100
Music: Bluegrass, Gospel
Activities: Music festival
Bluegrass Gospel Music festival - jamming, concessions on site, activities for kids. At the Harmony Baptist Church, located 3 miles south of I-20. Go 3 miles south on Tin Top Road, turn right on Harmony Road. Church is half a mile on the right. (242 Harmony Road). Fun for the Whole Family! 10 am - 10 pm. Free admission. Concessions on site provided by the Harmony Youth Group - chicken 'n dumplings, chili & cornbread, hamburgers. Camping near the church at the Back Acre RV Park. Contact Ken Clary, (940) 682-7701. Featuring Grandpa's Neighbors, The Herrins, The Bost Family, The Prowell Family, Copper Canyon, A Full Quiver and Grass Notes.

Western Heritage Classic
May 10-12
Expo Center of Taylor County; 1700 Highway 36, Abilene, TX
Western Heritage Classic
1700 Highway 36; Abilene, TX 79602
(325) 677-4376; Fax (325) 677-0709
Music: Country, Cowboy, Cowboy poetry
Activities: Cowboy poetry, Fiddling contests, Rodeo, Street dance, Trade show/convention
Western Heritage Classic celebrates the traditions of the great ranching lifestyle featuring working cowboys from famous ranches! Features live music on Friday night with Zach Harmon, Saturday Night with Casey Donahew Band. Other events include a chuck wagon cookoff, trade shows, ranch rodeo, and a benefit dinner dance with Rhinestone Round-up.

League City Lions Club Village Fair & Texas Music Festival
May 11-13
Walter Hall Park; 807 Highway 3 North League City, Texas 77573
League City Lions Club
Steve Lockhardt
P.O. Box 982; League City, TX 77574
(281) 332-5046; (713) 598-5978; Fax (713) 598-5978
Music: Cajun/Zydeco, Country
Activities: County fair, Music festival, Trade show/convention
A fun weekend for the entire family with something for everyone: carnival, vendors, business expo, food, certified 5K Run, crafts, barbecue cookoff, live music entertainment and much more. Check our website for an up to date listing on all the entertainers for this three day event.

AlleyFest
May 11-13
Downtown; Longview, TX
One Hundred Acres of Heritage
Elaine Reynolds
410 North Center Street; Longview, TX 75601
(903) 237-4040; (903) 237-4000; Fax (903) 237-4049
Music: Pop, Rock, Red Dirt
Activities: Music festival, Street dance
AlleyFest is Longview’s summer signature event, held in downtown. AlleyFest offers fine art, arts and crafts, various genre’s of music, Kids Fest, a 10k and 5k run, great food, and more. Arts and craft vendors are encouraged to apply. Many genres of music on two stages. See web site for updates.

Simply Texas Blues Festival
May 12
Historic Downtown San Angelo; 200 Block South Oakes Street
San Angelo Blues Society
Blue Lu Worsham
2437 South College Hills Boulevard; San Angelo, TX 76904
(325) 944-0021; Fax (325) 942-8790
Activities: Music festival, Band competition, Car Show, Children's Activities
Blues Band / Duo Competition to select sponsored band to attend the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. People's choice Car/Motorcycle Show. Blessing of the Bikes, Street Vendors, Cook-off and evening Band winner/Headliner concert.

Southbound Sound Music Festival ~ 2
May 12
Texas Rose Horse Park; 14078 State Highway 110 N. Tyler, TX 75704
KEN-RAN Productions
Brooks Kendall
418 South Barton Street; Tyler, TX 76051
(817) 552-9200 Fax:817-552-9204 Email: brooks@kenran.com; Fax (817) 552-9204
Music: Country, Rock
Activities: Music festival
Southbound Sound Music Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 14, 2011 from Noon - Midnight! This all ages festival features performances throughout the day at Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler, TX. This year's entertainment will feature Popular Texas Music Artists and promises to bring a great night of entertainment. The Festival will feature the best in wholesome family fun and entertainment. Enjoy a world of fun foods and attractions. Festival performers will be announced soon- check web site often for updates! The tentative line-up features doors opening at noon, with Brad Hines from 1:30 - 2:30 pm, Mike Kelly from 3:00 - 4:00 pm, Walt Wilkins from 4:30 - 5:30 pm, a hot air balloon "moon glow" at sunset, Micky and the Motorcars from 6 - 7:30 pm, Aaron Watson from 8 - 9:30 pm and Kevin Fowler from 10 - 11:30 pm.

Austin Symphonic Band Outdoor Concert Series
May 13
Zilker Hillside Theater; Austin, TX 78704
Austin Symphonic Band
Dan L. Wood
P.O. Box 6472; Austin TX 78762-6472
(512) 345-7420
The Austin Symphonic Band performs well-known selections, including marches and show tunes, that you and Mom are sure to enjoy! The band will also perform a Father's Day Concert in the Park on Sunday, June 17, 2012 at 7:30 pm, also at Zilker Hillside Theater. At the Father's Day Concert, the band will perform marches, Broadway show tunes and band classics sure to please Dad. Bring a picnic supper and spread out a blanket under the pecan trees at the Zilker Hillside Theater.

Pickin' in the Pines
May 17-19
Pine Mills; Intersection of FM 49 and 312
Tri-M Music LLC
Dick and Geri Miller
5700 FM 49; Mineola, TX 75773-4208
(903) 857-2253
Music: Bluegrass, Country, Cowboy, Folk/Acoustic, Jazz
Activities: Music festival
What is Pickin' in the Pines? If you ask a musician that question, they will tell you it's "An Acoustic Jam Fest". This is the musically correct explanation. Music fans that attend year in and year out will tell you it's even more then that. It could also be called "Pickin', Campin', Vistin', Barbecuin', Story Swappin', Relaxin', Sippin', Strollin', and Listenin' in the Pines. It's a weekend event, so most folks arrive with tents or self-contained camper trailer and it's BYOB. Guitar, flute, banjo, harmonica, fiddle, and mandolin are just a few of the instruments to enjoy and sing along with. Bring your own instrument of choice or just come and be a fan. Greenhorn campers enjoy a hot water shower and restroom for the guys and gals. If you can't camp out, you're still welcome to "come and go" just for Friday and/or Saturday night concerts if that is your preference.

34th Annual Bluebonnet Fest
May 18-19
La Vernia Lions Club; La Vernia
La Vernia Lions Club
Steve Mays – President
P.O. Box 291; La Vernia, TX 78121
(210) 380-6572
Music: Country
Activities: Street dance, carnival, volleyball, live auction, helicopter rides
The Bluebonnet Fest is one La Vernia and Wilson County’s most anticipated festival and live music event. Each year the La Vernia Lions Club sponsors the event, starting with the Miss La Vernia Pageant, and ending with the Festival held at the City Park. The newly crowned Miss La Vernia and her Court lead a parade, which includes floats from local and surrounding area businesses, youth organizations, and clubs. The kids can enjoy a carnival, a free petting zoo, and free pony rides. There will be arts & crafts vendors, all the festival foods you know, love, and crave, a live auction, a raffle and maybe even a Wild West Show. Both days end with a dance under the stars featuring live music on Friday and Clint Taft and the Buck Wild Band on Saturday.

Pasadena Strawberry Festival
May 18-20
Pasadena Fairgrounds; 7902 Fairmont Parkway Pasadena, TX
San Jacinto Day Foundation
Bert Muston
7603 Red Bluff Road; Pasadena, TX 77507
(281) 991-9500; Fax (281) 991-8880
Music: Cajun/Zydeco, Children's, Country, Pop, Regional Mexican, Rock, Rockabilly
Activities: County fair, Music festival, Street dance, BBQ cookoff, Beauty pageant, Mud volleyball, Children's area
In 1974 a small group of enthusiastic Pasadena citizens gathered in a tent on a football practice field for the opening of the Pasadena Historical Museum and celebrated San Jacinto Day with the very first Strawberry Festival. Strawberries, famous for their size and sweetness, were the first big business in Pasadena, Texas. As many as twenty-eight train carloads of strawberries a day left Pasadena loading sheds going as far north as Chicago and Kansas City. These strawberries not only brought premium prices, but also earned Pasadena the coveted title "Strawberry Capitol of the South." Today, with over fifteen hundred volunteers, the Pasadena Strawberry Festival continues to celebrate Pasadena's heritage on the 106-acre Pasadena Convention Center and Municipal Fairgrounds complex and attracts over 60,000 visitors. You, too, are invited to come enjoy three fun-filled days of activities, attractions and entertainment the whole family will enjoy.

Shrinefest
May 19
Maskat Arena; 2395 East Hatton Road
Maskat Shrine
Mark Terry
5101 Henry S. Grace Freeway; Wichita Falls, TX 76302-4202
(940) 766-4511; (940) 631-4208; Fax (940) 766-0064
Music: Country, Cowboy, Rock
Activities: Music festival
Shrinefest is an outdoor concert that features premier Texas Red Dirt artist. It is the first of its kind in the area. Shrinefest was put together as a fundraiser for Maskat Shrine Temple (www.maskatshrine.com). It started small and grew to be one of the largest Texas red dirt festivals in the area. The opening band is called the "Shoutout for Shrinefest" winner. We have an event earlier in the year where local talent competes to be the opening band for Shrinefest. Shoutout for Shrinefest is a great taste of what is up and coming for Shrinefest. For more information on Shrinefest and this year's lineup please visit www.SHRINEFEST.com. All benefits from Shrinefest benefit Masket Shrine activities.

Salmon Lake Park Bluegrass Gospel Music Festival
May 24-27
Salmon Lake Park; 357 Salmon Lake Road
Fannie Salmon
P.O. Box 483; Grapeland, TX 75844
(936) 687-2594; Fax (936) 687-2594
Music: Bluegrass
Activities: Music festival
The annual Salmon Lake Park Gospel Music Festival begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday and ends at 12 noon Sunday. Performers include the Marksmen, Robertson County Line, Audie Blaylock & Redline, East Mountain, White Dove, Herrin Family, Mountain Faith, and Batten Family. Sunday gospel singing & worship service at 10:30 am with Mark Wheeler- no charge. Live gospel bluegrass music outdoors, beautiful stage, beautiful trees.

Levitt Pavilion 2012 Concert Season
May May 25 - June 3, August 30 - September 29
Levitt Pavilion Arlington; 100 West Abram Street, Arlington, TX
Levitt Pavilion Arlington
Cathy O'Neal, Communications Director
505 East Border Street; Arlington, TX 76010
(817) 543-4307
Music: Bluegrass, Children's, Country, Cowboy, Folk/Acoustic, Jazz, Latin Pop, Polka, Pop, Reggae, Rock, Tejano, World Beat
Activities: Concert season
Warm nights, cool grass, the big Texas sky and free live music under the stars! The Levitt Pavilion Arlington provides 50 free outdoor concerts a year with culturally diverse professional musical artists, from world music to jazz and country to hot Latin rhythms. Concerts are divided into a summer and fall concert series. Our summer concert series includes children’s concerts. The Levitt is part of a national organization of Levitt Pavilions across the country and the only one in Texas. Artists for 2012 include Asleep at the Wheel, Ray Wylie Hubbard, The Tejas Brothers, The Trishas, No Justice and Brave Combo.

Athens Old Fiddlers Contest and Reunion
May 25
Athens Courthouse Square; Downtown Athens, TX
Athens Old Fiddlers Association
Mary Ensign, Secretary
3041 FM 2495; Athens, TX 75752
(903) 675-1859; Fax (903) 675-6209
Music: Bluegrass, Country, Polka
Activities: Fiddling contests, Street dance
The Athens Old Fiddlers Contest and Reunion is held on the Courthouse Square in Athens as a homecoming for many people. In 1932, the Bethel community started staging a countywide fiddlers contest as a climax to a farmers' study course. Beginning early on Friday morning, pickin' and fiddlin' takes place all around the downtown square. Groups of people crowd around to listen while the players practice before the contest. Later in the evening, a professional country western band plays for the street dance. There are concessions and novelty stands along the sidewalks, and there's always a carnival set up just off the square. Please bring quilts or lawn chairs to sit on while listening to the music and renewing old acquaintances.

National Polka Festival ~ 2
May 25-27
Downtown Ennis; Ennis, TX
Ennis Chamber of Commerce
Jeannette Patak, Ennis Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 1177; Ennis, TX 75120
(972) 878-2625; Fax (972) 875-1473
Music: Country, Polka
Activities: Street dance, arts and crafts, dancing at the 3 fraternal halls
The National Polka Festival is the oldest festival of its type in Texas. Texas' finest polka bands, as well as popular out-of-state polka bands, play the polkas and waltzes that everyone loves. Events include a king/queen contest, parade, live music, arts and crafts, costumes, USATF certified 5k or 10k/one mile fun run/walk, and street dancing. Authentic Czech cuisine (klobase, kolaches, etc.) is available. The festival is held in three air-conditioned halls. Join the fun starting at 10 am Saturday with a gala parade. 13 live bands featured throughout the weekend. Shuttle buses will run to carry enthusiastic visitors both to-and-from the various entertainment sites. Downtown activities include street dancing, arts and crafts, food and children's activities.

Official Texas State Arts and Crafts Fair
May 25-27
River Star Arts and Event Park; 4000 Riverside Drive East
Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Cyndi Copeland
2180 Sidney Baker; Kerrville, TX 78028-6300
(830) 896-5711; Fax (830) 792-3230
Music: Bluegrass, Country, Cowboy, Folk/Acoustic
Activities: Fine Arts, Crafts
The Official Texas State Arts & Crafts Fair is one of the top ranked arts and crafts events in the nation. Located at the River Star Arts & Event Park, it displays big tents laced among the trees to create the atmosphere of an old-fashioned fair. Tempting smells of good food and thirst-quenching drinks permeate the air. Buy a treasure from one of the 200+ artisans on site eager to visit with you about their work. Support student artists as they show and sell their work and compete for scholarship money as part of the Emerging Texas Artist Scholarship Program. Relax under a big tree, tent or in the covered pavilion and eat a snack from one of several concessionaires or one of the culinary arts exhibitors. Enjoy the music played throughout the Fair everyday and cheer on contestants as they sing their hearts out for the chance to be the next Texas Star. Bring your children! Let them experience art and express their artistic side. From cave painting to performance opportunities, a rock-climbing wall to a petting zoo, there’s something to keep people of all ages entertained! Profits from the Fair help fund educational projects of the Texas Arts & Crafts Educational Foundation.

Fiesta Amistad
May 26-27
Old Settlers Park; 3300 Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock, TX
El Amistad Club
Gordon Perez
P.O. Box 853; Round Rock, TX 75680-0853
(512) 464-5613; (512) 825-2743; Fax (512) 246-2708
Music: Tejano
Activities: Street dance
Fiesta Amistad features arts, crafts, and food booths, contests for tortilla spreading, and tamale eating. Past performers include: Los Palaminos, Groupo Vida, Ram Herrera, and Marcos Arrasco. The El Amistad Club of Round Rock's premier fundraiser is "Fiesta Amistad" which was originally held at Veterans Memorial Park on the banks of brushy creek. In 1988, the annual fiesta outgrew its original location and was moved to the downtown Round Rock. It has continued to grow into Central Texas' largest Hispanic two-day event. Fiesta Amistad is always held on Memorial Day weekend and features live music, plenty of food, and family entertainment.

Allen City Blues Festival
May 27
Allen Event Center; 200 East Stacy Road, Suite 1350
Tom Alexander
200 East Stacy Road, Suite 1350; Allen, TX 75002
(972) 912-1058; Fax (972) 678-4664
Music: Blues, Country, Rock
Activities: Music festival
The 1st Annual Allen City Blues Festival will take place on May 27th, 2012 at Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas. Our all-star music line-up includes Robert Cray, Jimmie Vaughan featuring Lou Ann Barton, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, the original Ian Moore Band and Tyler Bryant. Tickets will go on sale Friday, February 10th at 10:00 AM.

Melody Ranch's Annual Bluegrass Festival ~ 2
May 30-31 and June 1-2
The Chrystal Opry House at Melody Ranch; "http://www.chrystalopryhouse.com/
Melody Ranch
1977 White Mound Road; Sherman, TX 75090
(903)546-6893
Music: Bluegrass
Melody Ranch's 6th Annual Bluegrass Festival inside the air-conditioned Chrystal Opry House features a Gospel night on Thursday, May 31st. We have booked the Melody Ranch Ramblers, Full Quiver, and Copper Canyon for this event. Bands booked for Friday and Saturday, June 1 and 2, include Mark Phillips and IIIrd Generation, Hanks & Company, and Shady Grove Ramblers. We are in the process of booking more bands for this event. Please check our web site to ascertain new bands as they are booked. We have an 80 space RV park onsite.

Summer Showcase
May Thursdays, May 31 - August 30
Buddy Holly Center; 1801 Crickets Ave., Lubbock, TX 79401
Buddy Holly Center
1801 Crickets Ave; Lubbock, TX 79401
(806) 775-3560; (806) 775-3566; Fax (806) 767-0732
Music: Bluegrass, Country, Cowboy, Jazz, Mariachi, Regional Mexican, Rock, Rockabilly, Tejano
Activities: Concert season
Summer Showcase is a concert series held in the Meadows Courtyard of the Buddy Holly Center weekly from May through September. Summer Showcase features regional musicians, and the series provides area songwriters a forum to present their original compositions to a receptive and diverse Lubbock audience. Showcases are traditionally held on Thursday evenings from 5:30 - 7:30pm and are free to the public.