Brownsville’s downtown changes as SXSM approaches

BAM has made a positive out of a negative, in a way to help evolve and shape the new direction of Brownsville’s Downtown area.

Brownsville has recently become the

88th designated Main Street city in the Texas Historical Commission. This designation allows the city to access the Texas Historical Commission’s expertise on a range of issues, including design, historical preservation, planning, economic development, and organizational management. The best part is the Main Street Program gives cities across Texas the opportunity to bolster their growth by stimulating investment while retaining, expanding and recruiting businesses to their historic downtown. This will play a key role in the revitalization of Downtown Brownsville and just in time for Brownsville’s annual premier underground festival SXSM.

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Jason Chronis, bass player of band Tele

Novella at BAM Tele Novella is a indie psych pop band out

of Austin, Texas.

Mickey Jeremy Pfaff playing acoustic

guitar at El Hueso de Fraile.

Jared Kohl, hip hop artist Sokohl

performing at Haven Bar.

All photos were captured by photographer Conrado

Gonzalez

MUSIC With 60 performers last year, this years partial lineup leak looks to

keep the tradition alive by bringing more originality and

diversity.

1ART

Painters, stencil artists, graffiti writers, poets, film makers, blog writers, and screen printers will be sure to highlight this years

festival.

2VENUES

BAM, Kraken, Palm Lounge, Hueso de Fraile and the sponsorship of Main Street Brownsville.

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SOUTHXSOUTHMOST JUNE 30, 2016

SXSM Turns 2 South X South Most July 22nd-23rd 2016

Brownsville Artists and Musicians (BAM) has overcome its first 2 years of growing pains with the city. Since its inception nearly 2 years ago, it has become instrumental in the way Brownsville and the RGV experiences the local art community. BAM is a one-of-a-kind one stop shop art space hosting as a mecca for likeminded individuals looking to push the envelope in their community development. After hosting countless art shows, market inspired flea markets, booking nationally/internationally recognized musicians, been mentioned in Texas Monthly on where Brownsville’s music/art scene stood and what direction its going, its no joke that BAM’s stakeholders are giving perspective of how to

view Brownsville’s uprising Historic town. With less than a month away BAM just released its first wave of performers for this years SXSM. This years lineup is bigger, faster and stronger than last years lineup bringing back some Valley favorites like Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes, Xetas, local favorites Los Skagaleros, even Brownsville’s heavy hitters La Ratera. If you didn’t attend last year you missed Brownsville History being made. BAM nursed and doctored up the idea of featuring ALL ORIGINAL artists from South Texas and the surrounding region. BAM believes in the concept of encouraging original music and art in the Brownsville area because creative mindsets are the foundation for a vibrant arts community of tomorrow.

“To collect and openly foster the collaboration of creative individuals and artists to promote, sustain accessible visual and musical culture within our community” - Mission Statement

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SOUTHXSOUTHMOST JUNE 30, 2016

VISION “To uphold, support a thriving local multimedia community through collaborative action as a means to enrich our community’s cultural experience and facilitate an environment compromised of many voices and perspectives.”

Esther Martinez, guitarist/vocalist of band Fantastico! at BAM. Fantastico! is a local favorite pop punk band from McAllen.

Danica Salazar (vocalist), Trey Pulga (drummer), Daven Martinez (bass player) of band DeZorah at BAM. DeZorah is a latin progressive indie rock band from McAllen.