Junior Angelica Lopez was eating her salad Sept. 2 in the Main Campus cafeteria when she stopped to sing along to the Randy Rogers song, “In My Arms Instead.” Close by, acoustic guitarist Avery Castro sat perched on a high stool performing well-loved songs for students during the First Wednesday Music Scene.
“I think it is pretty neat to be able to eat and listen to music,” Lopez said.
Performances from various artists take place the first Wednesday of September and will continue through December. The concerts, sponsored by the Campus Activities Board (CAB), take place from noon – 1:00 p.m. at the Main Campus cafeteria in Central Academic Building.
Marie Bueno and Alyssa De La O are on the Oct. 7 lineup playing Tejano and Mariachi music.
“We put a call out to the campus, soliciting musically talented individuals, using Facebook, fliers and word of mouth,” CAB President Hoyt Garner said.
The total budget for the music series is $2,400, which breaks down to approximately $300 per event, provided artists bring their own sound equipment, Garner said.
Psychology senior Jolynn Vigil said he liked the distraction from doing school work and the deep quietness that sometimes blankets the cafeteria.
“He sang really well. My favorite was ‘I’m Yours’ by Jason Mraz,” Vigil said.
Castro said he plays the drums as well as acoustic guitar.
“I play all kinds of music, acoustic, bluegrass, hip hop, Jackson 5, Garth Brooks,” Castro said. “My dad was a big influence on me. I started playing when I was 10. It was hard not to. I lived in a house full of guitars.”
Castro said his usual gig is at the Texas Two Step, 9840 TX-1604 Loop and Braun Rd., and he’s available for local house parties.
“It was fun. It was nice and quiet, not a lot going on,” Castro said about the cafeteria concert. “I like playing for people who are in front of me like this. You know, like chill.”
For more information about the “First Wednesday Music Scene,” call CAB at 210-784-1391, or email cab@jaguar.tamu.edu.
