The Big Squeeze Accordion Competition and Concert

For its sixth year on the Museum's Lone Star Plaza, the Texas Folklife Big Squeeze Accordion Contest will host an afternoon of squeezebox greats, young and old. Watch the next generation of accordion players compete for three grand prizes in polka, zydeco, and conjunto accordion traditions. Following the competition, enjoy a free concert featuring some of the best accordionists across the state: Conjunto accordionist Eva Ibarra and Cajun accordionist Charles Thibodeaux, and 2014 Big Squeeze Champions Aaron Salinas, Garrett Neubauer, and Randall Jackson III.

This year's finalists hail from across the state of Texas.

Cajun Zydeco category finalists

Donovan Bourque, age 14, from Beaumont
Chloe Johnson, age 14, from Moscow
Elizabeth Kelley, age 16, from Port Neches

Polka category finalists

Brandon Hodde, age 20, from Holland
Rebecca Huck, age 21, from Harker Heights
Chris Trojacek, age 20, from Ennis

Conjunto category finalists

Brandon Betancourt, age 17, from Houston
Josue A. Garcia, age 15, from La Feria
Rito Peña, age 16, from San Antonio
Raul Resendez, age 14, from Palmview