The Valley Symphony Orchestra (VSO) is thrilled to announce a special performance of Cocktails con Fuerza in Brownsville on Saturday, February 8, at 8 p.m. at the Texas Southmost College Performing Arts Center. From Gershwin’s Havana-inspired Cuban Overture to Duke Ellington’s thrilling symphonic big-band arrangements, this program promises to be as bold as it is captivating.
The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) announces the upcoming exhibition, "Paintings from Spanish America (1600-1800) from the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation Collection," which will be on view from February 8 to May 25. This exhibition features 16 masterworks that present a comprehensive panorama of artistic creativity from Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Cuba, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries.
The South Texas Irish Festival (STXIF) returns for its highly anticipated 5th annual event on Saturday, February 22, in McAllen. The festival, offering free admission and a family-friendly atmosphere, will be held indoors and outdoors with plenty of parking available for all guests.
This year’s festivities are bigger than ever, promising an exciting lineup of live entertainment, delicious food and drink, and fun activities for all ages. Whether you're a longtime lover of Irish culture or a first-time festivalgoer, there's something for everyone at this community celebration.
Read more: A Celebration of Irish culture, music, and community in McAllen
The family band, The Warman Trio, will be bringing their old rock-n-roll and more to the Valley Star Awards stage on Tuesday, February 12. The group, who have been doing shows and special sock-hop parties at the parks this year, are thrilled to be a part of this year’s show.
The Warman Trio is a 1950s family band and show comprised of a father and two daughters that add their flair to the rock n’ roll and country hits from the 1950s and 60s.
The father, Rick, leads the band on the electric guitar and vocals. While the eldest daughter, Presley Jewell, slaps and dances with her doghouse bass (Rosie) and manages the group. And last, but certainly not least, is the youngest, Jessica, the heartbeat of the band bringing incredible energy to the stand-up drum kit.
Rick leads the family and has been in every type of band there is from 90s to country grass, to oldies rock, to 30+ years as a worship leader. He also has performed all around the world from Siberia, St. Petersburg, and Moscow, Russia, to Amsterdam, to the good ole USA from CA to TX to TN. In 2016, Rick started teaching his daughters music in church, Presley the electric bass guitar and Jessica the cajon box drum/percussion. As they say, the rest is history. Since then, they have, as Presley says, followed where the Lord has led them as doors keep opening for them along their path of playing music for others.
The Valley Star Awards will be bringing a reader favorite to the stage this year – Steven May and the Southern Knights. They have been honored, and they say humbled, to have been nominated and voted, “Country Band of The Year” by readers for the Valley Star Awards in 2022, 2023, and 2024. They are honored again to have been nominated and are excited that Steven has also been nominated for Male Vocalist.
Steven May and the Southern Knights are a south Texas band playing a variety of country, rock and oldies. They play a variety of music that will have you up on your feet dancing and asking for more. They play everything from two stepping tunes to shuffles, waltz’s, line dances, polkas, rock-n-roll and good old belly rubbing favorites. There’s something for everyone at one of their performances.
You will hear songs that send you running for the dance floor, have you tapping with the beat, dancing in your chair, singing along, and even songs that will make you want to just sit back and enjoy the music and Steven’s velvety voice.
Steven May is the founder, lead singer and lead guitarist of the band and is a full-time entertainer. He was born and raised in Texas, where he grew up on a farm and continues to farm the land his great grandparents did along with singing and playing music. Over the years he has opened for big name acts, played and recorded in Nashville, and even played for a former First Lady.
The Go...With Jo Tours are beginning to pick up. So, get your friends together and lets go traveling...for a day, for three days, for a week or more. Whatever your heart desires, let's make it happen.
Just please, please help me with one thing. Please remember that when I am planning a tour, I enter into a contract with the bus companies, the hotels and the restaurants. All those entities have deadlines when I have to cancel or turn in numbers and pay up. Airlines have a deadline when we can cancel or cut back seats and get our money refunded. Go past that deadline and the deposit will not be returned. Generally, their deadline is about two months out. Hotels are a little different. They generally want a rooming list and a deposit at least thirty days before the day of arrival.
However, one hotel wants the rooming list and a deposit 15 days before the arrival date. And just guess which hotel that is...the Lucky Eagle in Eagle Pass. For some reason travelers going to Eagle Pass want to wait until the week of to make the decision. I am sorry but I must honor the contract. We can't wait to see how you feel or if the sun is shining. So please help us out and register and pay as soon as possible.
If you do get sick or there is an emergency and you can't go, we will refund your money. Just watch deadlines which are always listed in the trip description and read due dates carefully.
The world has changed since I was a little girl. At one point, a verbal contract was all that was needed. Those promises were as good as gold. But now not only does it cost more to live, but your word is also not good enough. The promise must be written and often even witnessed or notarized. Many look on these changes as progress while others might consider the changes as regression.
There is one thing for sure none of the Casinos are going to gamble on the customers intentions. However there has been a drop in what they charge per room. We have passed that reduction on to you. No doubt we are all feeling the cost-of-living increase with food, shelter and clothing taking priority. Travel has become a luxury.
Rest assured anytime I can pass a little savings on to you, I am going to do so. We will do the best we can to offer you the best tour possible. As I plan a tour, I try to see myself as a passenger and imagine what the passenger wants to do and see. We will continue to give you as much as we possibly can in the cost of the tour. And that's a promise.
Hope to see you soon!
This winter marks Sister Luv’s debut RGV Winter Tour, and they are thrilled to receive such a warm welcome from the Winter Texan community. They’ll be bringing their love for decades of music to the Valley Star Awards stage on Wednesday, February 12.
Sister Luv is more than just a musical ensemble; they are a vibrant tapestry woven from the talents and passions of three generations, creating an unforgettable entertainment experience. With a diverse repertoire that spans decades – from captivating melodies of the 1920s to the infectious pop hits of the 1980s, alongside classic country and soul-stirring gospel – Sister Luv engages audiences with a medley of genres that transcends age and time. Sister Luv was officially formed seven years ago, but the sisters have performed together for 12 years.
Read more: Sister group brings their love for music to VSA stage
Pat Davison and Tess are excited to be a part of the 2025 Valley Star Awards. They describe themselves as “the most fun show in the Valley.” The show includes comedy magic, juggling, audience participation and lots of laughs. Theu say the audience will laugh until they cry.
Pat says, “I grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and as such, I know how to ‘tickle the funny bones’ of the Winter Texan crowd.”
They have been world-traveling professional entertainers for more than 50 years. More than 40 of those years have included bringing fun and laughs to the Winter Texan RV resorts. They have brought laughter and thrills to audiences of all kinds on international TV shows, cruise ships, theaters, shows like Ringling Brothers Circus, Big Apple Circus, The Harlem Globetrotters, Branson Theaters and many more.
Read more: Pat Davison and Tess bring their magic to the VSA
Winter Volunteers at Rio Grande Bible Ministries (RGBM) will hold a Craft/Quilt/Bake Sale on Saturday, February 1, from 8 to 11 a.m. to benefit students of both the seminary and the Intercultural Studies Program. It will be held in the multi-purpose room of the campus in Edinburg, 4300 S. Highway 281, (Closner Blvd.). Parking is available at the Closner entrance. The quilt auction will begin at 10 a.m. Free coffee will be provided all morning and cookies/baked goods will be available for purchase.
Read more: RGBM Craft/Quilt/Bake Sale raises funds to benefit students
Ballots for the Valley Star Awards are rolling in – make sure your voice is heard and vote for your favorite Wintertainer™. There are ten categories in which we ask you to vote. Categories are Male Vocalist of the Year; Female Vocalist of the Year; Duet Musical Group of the Year; Family Group of the Year; Vocal Group or Choir of the Year; Individual or Small Band Act of the Year; Novelty, Comedy, or Variety Act of the Year; Gospel Group of the Year; Rock N Roll Band of the Year; and Country Band of the Year.
Then there is the most coveted award – the write in – Entertainer/Group of the Year. This one is totally up to you, our readers, because you have the chance to write in your favorite among all of those you have seen perform in the Valley.
