FESTIVA: Shwayze, Santana and free tickets galore
> > > COVER STORY < < <
SHWAYZE DAYS Shwayze is as hot right now as the Malibu beaches he grew up on. The 23-year-old rapper stars in "Buzzin,'" an MTV reality show about his exploits in the music business. He's also headlining a nationwide tour.
- CLICK HERE TO WIN FREE TICKETS TO THE SHOW
- LISTEN TO OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SHWAYZE
> > > THE SHWAYZE SHOWCASE < < <
WHO WILL OPEN FOR SHWAYZE? Find out which act won your vote. *Results pending.
- FESTIVA TV Check out behind-the-scenes interviews with the bands in the competition.
- THE REVIEW Read Zack Quaintance's review of the showcase on our MySpace blog.
- SNAPSHOTS See pics of the people who were there!
FREE MP3 DOWNLOADS Own the live performances from the bands who competed in the Shwayze Showcase, courtesy of Cine El Rey, by clicking the links below:
- THE NEPTONES One of the few ska bands in South Texas, The Neptones have been mixing things up in the Valley music scene for a couple years. The 7 band members are friends and say they put on a great show not only because of the music, but because of the group's energy. View a photo gallery of their performance.
- THE BROKEN POETZ The Broken Poetz combine a full rock band with three MCs. The six piece band's electric live shows have generated much buzz as of late, winning them a tough battle of the bands contest in the summer. View a photo gallery of their performance.
- SHAWN ELLIOT Shawn Elliot is a seasoned hip hop performer who came up in South Florida. He's here in the Valley now, brining his excellent flows and shows to local crowds. View a photo gallery of hisperformance.
- C-STYLES C-Styles is an up and coming Valley rapper. He's collaborated with many on the local music scene, and he's preparing an album for release later this fall. View a photo gallery of his performance.
- FUTURE Future of Dem ATM Boyz is on his own now, having come up as part of one of the biggest hip hop acts in the Valley. View a photo gallery of his performance.
- DAMAJA SQUAD Damaja Squad have opened for acts such as Ludacris and the Ying Yang twins. They began back in early 2000 with just two guys rapping, but became a bigger act when they added a DJ, drums, guitar and bass to form a hip hop band. View a photo gallery of their performance.
> > > FILM, TV & GAMING < < <
DUDE, SERIOUSLY: EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE This film brings us all the ultimate "dude movie" elements. You have Clint Eastwood - Mr. Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Dirty Harry himself. The guy who's just waiting for you to make his day. You have a monkey. No wait, that's an orangutan. That means we have a full-blown ape here folks.
HOMETOWN HOLLYWOOD: MICHAEL RAY ESCAMILLA Meet a Pharr native who's a writer, actor, director and producer
GAME REVIEW: THE FORCE UNLEASHED
> > > MUSIC < < <
STUDY YOUR SANTANA Carlos Santana has become international music's effervescent guitar man. For four decades he's banged out hits, earning him fame the world over.
WHY EDINBURG ROCKS Where there is college, there will be music. And Edinburg is no different. It's home to the Valley's biggest higher education institution, the University of Texas-Pan American, and that means it attracts the most college kids.
THE DIGNAN TOUR BLOG Get a firsthand look at the road through the eyes of one of the area's most prominent indie rock bands.
BAND PROFILE: THE TRENDEES The Trendees isn't a band, really. It's more like one guy, his guitar and a computer. But what Mauricio Del Toro, 22, creates under the band name The Trendees is bursting with sound - including piano, guitar, bass, drums and vocals.
FESTIVA CD REVIEW: THE TRENDEES - 'DREAM MUSIC'
> > > DINING & NIGHTLIFE < < <
FEAST & TELL: THE CHICKEN STOP Now it's your turn to review restaurants.
> > > OTHER COOL STORIES < < <
A FUTURE MISS TEXAS? Miss Texas will one day be from the Rio Grande Valley - at least that's what some local beauty pageant experts say. And they say that the Miss Texas beauty pageant winner will be one Ashley Hughes
SMALL GYMS Members of these smaller facilities say small gyms and fitness clubs dotted throughout the Rio Grande Valley give them more privacy, less pressure and a homely feeling.
> > > FREE TICKETS < < <
WWE SMACKDOWN Click here to win tickets to the event.
