Centennial reunion with El Gato Negro

Centennial Reunion to feature Grammy Award winner Ruben Ramos

ALPINE – The Centennial Reunion will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 6-8 in Alpine and will feature an outdoor dance with Tejano legend and Grammy Award winner Ruben Ramos and his band the Texas Revolution at the Our Lady of Peace church patio.

This year the Centennial Reunion committee decided to have one fee only, $35, which lets the public into all of the events the three days of the reunion. Everyone is encouraged to purchase tickets or register for the weekend before Friday, July 6.  Register now by calling committee members Elidia Polanco 386-5494, Rosario DeLaO 837-2367, Mary Ann Lujan 432-294-2370, or Rory Contreras at Our Lady of Peace office 837-3304 Tuesday-Friday, 9-12 and 1-5.

Everyone is invited. You don’t need to be a Centennial ex to participate. Organizers invite Blackwell and Marfa exes and friends from the surrounding communities of Fort Davis, Marathon, Valentine, Presidio, and the Big Bend area.

Events begin Friday evening with a social at Centennial Park in Alpine with music provided by Grupo de la Paz.

Saturday’s events get underway at 11 a.m. with a parade down Gallego Avenue in Alpine. Families, businesses and organizations are encouraged to join the parade by calling one of the committee members listed above.

After the parade, a barbecue lunch, organized by B. J. Gallego, will be served from 1-3 pm at Our Lady of Peace patio. There will be special entertainment by Grupo Maracas and the ABC Play School Dancers, special recognitions, and much more.

Sul Ross President Ricardo Maestas will host a reception for Centennial and Sul Ross exes at the President’s home at 3pm.

Get your dancing shoes ready for Saturday evening as Ruben Ramos and the Texas Revolution takes to the stage at the church patio. Doors open at 8 pm for all registered persons.

Ruben Ramos, also known as El Gato Negro, is an award-winning American Tejano music performer. He began his music career in the late ’60s, and his fame has grown throughout the years as he formed his own distinct sound of music.

In March 1998, Ruben was inducted into the Tejano Music Awards Hall of Fame and in 1999 won the Best Male Vocalist Award. His band also won album of the year in 2008. In January 2009 at the 51st annual Grammy awards, Ramos and the Revolution won the 2009 Grammy for “Best Tejano Album of the Year.” As a member of Los Super Seven, Ramos won a Grammy Award for Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album in 1999 for its self-titled album.

Remember that the last opportunity to register/purchase ticket for the dance will be 2-5pm on Friday, July 6 at Our Lady of Peach parish hall.

Events conclude Sunday with Mass at noon at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. A Despedida/farewell brunch will be served after the Mass at the parish hall.

Come join the fun!