“This timeless group has taken the world by storm with their traditional Spanish-Flamenco style music mixed with Western pop and Latin rhythms. They have won several awards and helped to introduce Hispanic music to people all over the world.  We’re very excited to have this world-renowned group visit Laredo, a city very proud of its Spanish heritage,” said Xavier Villalon, general manager of the SMG-managed Laredo Energy Arena.

 Tickets go on sale Friday, February 24, 2012 at 10 a.m.

 Tickets are $72/$62/$47 / $27 (not including facility fee).

Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations including the LEA box office, Ticketmaster.com, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 and various H-E-B Ticketmaster outlets.

The Gipsy Kings

The Gipsy Kings consist of two bands of brothers: the Reyes (Nicolas, Canut, Paul, Patchai, Andre) and the Baliardos (Tonino, Paco, Diego).  The Reyes and Baliardo boys were the offspring of Spanish gypsy families that had fled into France to escape Spain’s Civil War. They grew up roaming the south of France, working harvests and making music. 

Jose Reyes – father of the GK’s Reyes – sang alongside guitarist Manitas de Plata and did much to popularise flamenco internationally: John Steinbeck, Charlie Chaplin, Pablo Picasso, Miles Davis and Salvador Dali were amongst the duo’s admirers.  Jose split from Manitas in the 1970s and formed Los Reyes with his teenage sons.  His death devastated the Reyes yet lead to their fortuitous encounter with the Baliardos at the St. Marie de la Mer Gitan pilgrimage. On that warm night, as they passed the guitar, shared songs and wine, history was shaped.

Initially, the Reyes and Baliardos busked on the streets of Cannes, played weddings and parties, young men flavouring flamenco with Western pop and Latin rhythms.  When an American admirer told the band their name Los Reyes meant “The Kings” in English they realised they were born to be Gipsy Kings.  In 1987 The Gipsy Kings’ self-titled debut album introduced the world to ‘rumba Gitano’ – the sound of South America’s rumba rhythm married to flamenco guitars – and with ‘Bamboleo’ the Gipsy Kings scored a huge international hit.  Since then the Kings have never stopped singing to the world.

Today the Gipsy Kings still live with their families in the south of France.  Life may have changed for them – they no longer busk on streets or pick crops when times are hard or travel in caravans – but still, at heart, they remain Gypsies, the proud descendants of an ancient people who seduced the world with music and dance.  On Pasajero, the Gipsy Kings continue their epic musical journey. 

 About SMG  

Since 1977, SMG has provided management services to more than 220 public assembly facilities including arenas, stadiums, theatres and performing arts centers, equestrian facilities and convention, congress and exhibition centers.  With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 11 million square feet (1.1 million square meters) of exhibition space.  As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides construction and design consulting, pre-opening services, venue management, sales, marketing, event booking, and programming.  SMG also offers food and beverage operations through an in house catering company, Savor, currently servicing more than 100 accounts worldwide.  For more information, visit www.smgworld.com.                                            

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For more information, contact:

Anissa Treviño
Director of Marketing
Laredo Energy Arena
(956) 523-7736
atrevino@learena.com

LAREDO, TX – The Laredo Lemurs signed infielder Jimmy Mojica and RHP Manny Ayala for their opening season. Ayala, a 6-foot-3, 225 pound right-handed pitcher, is coming to the Laredo Lemurs from the Calgary Vipers. He was drafted by the Mesa Miners of the Independent Golden Baseball League in 2004. During his 2005 season, he went 12-4 with a 3.05 ERA, one shutout, three complete fame, one save and 82 strikeouts in 22 games. Ayala was named the “Rookie of the Year” in the GBL in 2005. Over the last few years, Ayala has played in both the Double-A and Triple-A leagues with the Phillies and Padres. In 2010, while playing in the Independent Golden Baseball League, Ayala was 14-0 with an ERA of 2.86. “I am excited to bring Manny to our roaster,” stated Pete Incaviglia, Lemur’s Manager. “He has four pitches he can throw for strikes and will be at the top of our starting rotation,” Mojica, a 6-foot, 185-pound infielder began his professional career with the St. Joe Blacksnakes of the American Association in 2006. The Puerto Rican native hit .303 with 12 home runs, and 41 RBI in 82 games in 2011 with the Kansas City T-Bones. Mojica has 107 stolen bases in his career, with 20 coming from last season. Mojica has 33 multi-hit games, including seven 3-hit games, and two 4-hit games, while hitting safely in 63 of 82 games. In 2010, Mojica hit for .281 for the T-Bones in 97 games with a career-high eight home runs and 43 RBI. The short stop scored 56 runs, hit 15 doubles, three triples, and stole 24 bases, resulting in a .341 on-base percentage. Mojica tied the team record for stolen bases in a game twice in 2010. “Jimmy Mojica is a very athletic and speedy shortstop, who will lead-off and be our spark plug,” said Incaviglia. Entering his seventh year of professional baseball, Mojica has a career batting average of .280, 204 RBI, and 29 home runs., In 2009, Mojica played Double-A with the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.. The 2012 season of the Laredo Lemurs baseball begins May 17th versus the Grand Prairie AirHogs at the new Uni-Trade Stadium. Season tickets, suite rentals, and group packages are on sale now. For more information, call the Lemurs’ office at 956-7LEMURS or visit the Lemurs’ official website at www.laredolemurs.com

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Contact: Mark Schuster

Tel 956.7Lemurs

White-collared Seedeaters, Green Parakeets, Say’s Phoebes, Crested Caracaras, Chachalacas, Cinnamon Teals, Green-winged Teals, Black Vultures, Night-Herons, Black-crowned Herons, Chihuahuan Ravens and over 140 other species of birds were seen on the three-day excursions had by visitors into Laredo, some for the first time.

“This festival was one of the most enjoyable and relaxed events that I have ever attended. It has the potential to be one of the premier birding events in North America and I congratulate Laredo, TOS and Monte Mucho Audubon Society (MMAS) for hosting such a successful birding festival,” stated Mr. Dunne, participant and field expert at the 2012 Laredo Birding Festival. “I have visited many parts of the United States and even Texas, but never Laredo; it was a memorable trip.”

According to the Art of Bird Finding, Pete Dunne has been on this task across North America for more than three decades. He is author of numerous books on birding, bird identification, and natural history- including Pete Dunne’s Essential Field Guide Companion, Arctic Autumn, The Feather Quest, and The Art of Pishing—and he is the director of the New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory. In 2001, he was awarded the Roger Tory Peterson Award by the American Birding Association. Now, he is a fan of birding in Laredo!

The event began Wednesday, February 1, 2012, with the inaugural field trip into the historic St. Peter’s district in search of Green Parakeets, which were located immediately by local field guides and volunteer staff from the Monte Mucho Audubon Society. The event was structured to take birding field trips out to various different locations in Webb, Zapata and Starr Counties, with Laredo as the host location and origination for the trips, daily from Thursday, February 2 through Saturday, February 4. Field trip sites varied from private ranches, such as Los Lazos Ranch in Aguilares to public park spaces in Laredo such as North Central Park.

The event offerings were diversified again this year by the addition of two nature photography field trips, sponsored by Images for Conservation that took participants to just outside of Mirando City to the San Jose Ranch; owned and operated by John and Ana Puig. The other photography trip went to the Rockin’ R6 Ranch, just north of Laredo, owned and operated by Butch and Zita Ramirez. Mr. Ramirez also loaned his images to an exhibit that was displayed during the opening reception event on Wednesday, February 1, 2012. Participants enjoyed his cache of amazing wildlife images and Ojo Rojo at an evening mixer sponsored by the Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Participants stayed at La Posada Hotel and were from throughout Texas as well as from Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Arizona, South Carolina, and even included a couple from Ontario, Canada.

Festival attendees took in local public parks and trails such as Lake Casa Blanca State Park, Las Palmas nature trail, North Central Park, San Ygnacio Birding Sanctuary, Falcon Dam and the Laredo Community College Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center. Other locations were generously loaned by private ranchers to show off the regional assets of the area and included excursions to La Perla Ranch Resort, La Laja, Santa Maria, Rancho Rio Verde, Los Lazos, Saleneño and Chapeño Ranches.

Post-field trip information and photo galleries are posted online at www.visitlaredo.com look for the Laredo Birding Festival photo gallery entry or under the Sports drop down dynamic menu and click on Birding.

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The Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau is a City of Laredo municipal department dedicated to marketing and promoting Laredo as a destination for visitors of all types.

LaredoConvention & Visitors Bureau

501 San Agustin Ave.  –Laredo,Texas78040

Contact: Blasita J. Lopez

800-361-3360 or 956-795-2200

blopez@ci.laredo.tx.us

 Laredo Theatre Guild International (LTGI), well into its 3^rd successful season of plays, is once again preparing a great classic to present to Laredo audiences, William Shakespeare’s shortest and arguably most powerful play, “The Tragedy of Macbeth.” Commonly known simply as “Macbeth,” this most famous of Shakespeare’s tragedies is known for its ghosts, witches, and murderous bloodiness, which combine with its central story of royal lineage and succession to make it a timeless favorite. “Macbeth” will be presented by LTGI in cooperation with Texas A&M International University in the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre.

Directed by Vernon Carroll and Produced by Joe Arciniega, the team that brought LTGI’s venerable smash hits, “The Sound of Music” and “Annie” to Laredo, “Macbeth” opens Thursday, February 2 and runs through Sunday, February 12, with performance times for each week from Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 PM with matinees Sunday at 3:00 PM. Tickets are $15 general admission and $10 for students with Valid ID and for Senior Citizens, and are available for advance purchase at Foster’s located at 1202 Del Mar Boulevard, Suite 101; Blue Top located at 101 Hillside Rd #11, and at the TAMIU Bookstore, as well as at the box office prior to each show. For more information, call (956) 319-8610 or visit www.laredotheaterguild.com

According to director Vernon Carroll, “Murder, mayhem, magic, treachery and deceit, this has them all. It is one of Shakespeare’s most exciting plays, and not only for the actors in it. Audiences like it for the action. You can’t beat a good sword fight onstage to grab a crowd’s interest. We see a powerful, intelligent man who has a nation’s unquestioned support and admiration degenerate into a killer without a conscience. His death is inevitable and he knows it, but he goes down fighting. This is Shakespeare at his best!”

“Macbeth” will feature veteran Laredo performers, alongside novices, with cast member ages ranging from 11 to 70+ years old to best suit the roles, a practice for which LTGI has become known. According to producer and lead actor playing Macbeth, Joe Arciniega, “We work very hard to get as close to a professional experience for the audience and the cast as possible. When we have a call for a 70 year old, we look for one as hard as we can, and fortunately, we generally succeed.”

LTGI’s “Macbeth” features Joe Arciniega and Teena Arciniega as the Macbeths, as well as Vernon Carroll, John Maxstadt, Adolfo Ramos, Jake Rathmell, Ariadne Diaz, Margo Paz, Claudia Boone, Kelly Fitzgerald, and a cast of 20+ talented members of the community in various roles.

For more information call LTGI at (956) 319-8610, email LTGI at laredotheaterguild@gmail.com, or visit LTGI on the web at www.laredotheaterguild.com

Pre Sale sample ticket prices for Border Beer Fest have been discounted from $25 to $15 making Laredo’s first ever beer tasting festival even more affordable.

For $10, designated drivers can also participate in the sampling of gourmet food and cuisine from the Gateway City’s most savory restaurants.

Border Beer Fest will be held Saturday, February 4th, 2012 at the L.I.F.E. Downs Pavilion and will benefit South Texas Academic Rising Scholars. Attendees will be greeted with the opportunity to sample from 100 different beer types, gourmet food samples, beer and food pairing workshops, and Beer 101 which educates beer lovers on how beer is made.

“It’s history in the making and we are blessed to bring it to Laredo,” says David “Kash” Vasquez, creator and organizer of Laredo’s first ever beer sampling event, Border Beer Fest. “Beer from around the world combined with the best restaurants in the city for 10 and 15 bucks is something everyone will love,” adds Vasquez.

Texas Monthly’s famed Chef Beto Gutierrez of Zaragoza Grill will provide a show that highlights his Modern Latin Cuisine while 22 year culinary veteran Chef Chano Aldrete brings Border Fusion to the scene adding to the Border Beer Fest flavor and spice. Beer fest goers will relish in food from eateries such as El Capataz, Zaragoza Grill, La Roca, La Carreta, Aji, and Buckets just to name a few plus move to the best of Classic Rock, 80’s, Spanish Pop, and Top 40 from local sensation Factura 22.

Pre sale tickets will now cost $15 and $20 the day of the event, while designated drivers enjoy a $10 cover that gives them all the benefits of the Border Beer Fest without being able to drink any alcohol. Only people 21 years of age or older will be able to enter the event. Presale tickets can be purchased at all Gold Rush locations in the city or online at www.borderbeerfest.com.

For more information on Border Beer Fest, please contact:

David Vasquez

Border Beer Fest

Phone: (956) 744-5274

info@borderbeerfest.com

www.borderbeerfest.com

www.facebook.com/borderbeerfest

 Almost 100 of Texas’ top-producing companies made their trek to Laredo looking to fulfill thousands of jobs that have been created due to the recent oil and natural gas boom in South Texas, known as the Eagle Ford Shale formation, encompassing a total 30 counties.

 Their timing couldn’t be better. While the rest of the nation deals with a painful economic recession and a lingering 8.5% unemployment rate as of December 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Laredo and South Texas have seen a mass influx of workers eager to exploit the natural resources recently discovered in this part of the Lone Star state.

 “These are good-paying jobs that will be around for the next 40 to 50 years,” said U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) at a meeting yesterday evening with company executives at the Laredo Energy Arena.

 The congressman is surely excited, as much of the Eagle Ford formation encompasses the districts he represents at the Capitol.

Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) addresses the media at the Eagle Ford Shale Job & Vendor Fair at the Laredo Energy Arena on Friday.

Arena officials confirmed over 6,000 individuals attended the job fair to hand out their resumes and pick up applications. Lines were already wrapping around the arena long before doors opened at 9 a.m.

 Armando Gutierrez, the first person in line, began waiting outside the arena at 4 a.m. today amid freezing temperatures.

 “I’m interested in a better career in the oil field,” Gutierrez said.

 Laid off in 2003 from a regional oil field company, Gutierrez is eager to get back on his feet.

 His story is a common one among the thousands of people who came looking to take advantage of some wonderful offers.

 “We are delighted with the turnout we received today, not to mention the quality and caliber of candidates that made their way out to the arena. Today was a testament to the professionalism and organization that both the City of Laredo and the arena provided in presenting this event to the public,” said Xavier Villalon, general manager of the SMG-managed Laredo Energy Arena.

 With so much interest, talks of a new job fair have already begun.

# # #

For more information, contact:
Anissa Treviño
Director of Marketing
Laredo Energy Arena
(956) 523-7736
atrevino@learena.com

PREPARE FOR LIFT OFF!

Enjoy an Intergalactic Journey of Delicious Food, Music & Fun at Taste of Laredo

 LAREDO, Texas – The SMG-managed Laredo Energy Arena (LEA) has announced the date for one of the tastiest events of the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association (WBCA). For the tenth consecutive year, this popular event will take place at the LEA Tuesday, February 7, 2012. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, with the festivities following immediately after at 7 p.m.

 Tickets for this event will go on sale Friday, January 13, 2012 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations including the LEA box office, select H-E-B stores, online at ticketmaster.com and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are $22 for adults and $12 for children 12 years or under.

 “We are thrilled to once again welcome our finest restaurants and food aficionados to the largest and most popular food sampling festival on both sides of the border,” said Xavier Villalon, general manager for the SMG-managed Laredo Energy Arena.

 “In addition to the wonderful evening of tasty food and fun for the entire family, a special musical performance is planned,” Villalon added.

Approximately 2,500 people come out to this event annually to sample delicious fare prepared by the best chefs and cooks in Laredo, and they will also get an opportunity to vote for the “People’s Choice Award” for best food in Laredo. Restaurants will also be judged in the categories of “Best Decorated Booth” and “Best Overall Taste” by local celebrity judges.

The WBCA’s Taste of Laredo attracts people of all ages, and children are always welcome. This year’s live music will be provided by Austin, Texas, sensation, The Space Rockers.

“Where else can you taste so many wonderful dishes and enjoy a night of great music and entertainment for one low price?” Villalon said. “Our event gets better every year.”

This year, the Taste of Laredo will again feature a chef competition, a bartender showdown, a pizza eating contest sponsored by Hungry Howie’s Pizza and a blazing wing eating contest sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings that will be open to all who wish to compete.

The Taste of Laredo has been part of the WBCA since 1985.  Restaurants, Bartenders, and Chefs interested in participating in this event may contact Javier Solis, Jr. at (956) 523-6598.

# # #

 Earth has lost it’s groove…

 People have fallen under a spell that keeps them from dancing. The galaxy’s most famous intergalactic superheroes, The Space Rockers, have landed to break the trance and restore the party!

Come join Captain Cosmos, Probe, Thunderstick, Stinger, and Neuron, along with their dynamic spaceship on an unforgettable voyage that will free your spirit and move your body on the dance floor.

Please visit www.thespacerockers.com for more information regarding the band.

# # #

For more information, contact:
Anissa Treviño
Director of Marketing
Laredo Energy Arena
(956) 523-7736
atrevino@learena.com

They have increased the amount of Laredo-Orlando flights as well as maintained 6 weekly flights to Las Vegas.  

For a complete Summer 2012 Allegiant schedule and availability please go to www.allegiant.com .

 LRD – Orlando/Stanford

May 17, 2012 – June 14, 2012                       Sunday and Thursday

June 17, 2012 – July 14, 2012                       Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday

July 19, 2012- August 12, 2012                     Sunday and Thursday

LRD- Las Vegas

Current – June 15, 2012                                 Sunday and Thursday (Add Monday and Friday, June 11 and 15, 2012)

June 17, 2012 – August 11, 2012               Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Contact:  Timothy Franciscus-Timm

 Telephone:  (956) 795-2000

E-mail:  ttimm@ci.laredo.tx.us

“We are extremely proud to welcome Laredo as a member of the American Association. The plans for the new stadium are impressive, and we expect great things from this team. Laredo has a great baseball history, and the city will be an outstanding addition to the league,”Wolff commented.

The team will be owned by Laredo Baseball Investors, LLC. The Lemurs’ president and chief executive officer is Mark Schuster, a longtime professional baseball executive. “We are thrilled to join the American Association” stated Schuster. “he choice became clear that this league will give our fans the caliber of professional baseball that they expect”

The 100‐game 2012 American Association regular‐season schedule will begin May 17, and concludes September 3. The official schedule will be released on Wednesday, November 1st.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE TRYOUTS CONTACT:

Mark Schuster
843 367-3832
mark@venturasports.com