When she was 13 years old, ranchera music icon Beatríz Llamas entered her first singing competition and lost. Instead of quitting, she entered another competition, a KCOR radio talent contest at San Antonio’s Alameda Theater, and won first place.
From there, Llamas began a legendary music career that redefined the ranchera genre and earned her the stage name “La Paloma del Norte.”
On Saturday, Aug. 15, San Antonians will gather to honor the late singer and her legacy at the fourth annual “Voz de la Paloma,” hosted by Esperanza Peace and Justice Center and the López family, including Llamas’ son, John López.
The vocal competition and homenaje, or tribute, will take place at the Buena Vista Theater at the University of Texas at San Antonio’s downtown campus. While admission is free, RSVPs are encouraged through esperanza.eventbrite.com.
This year’s competition is open to girls and women ages 10 and up. Contestants will compete across four categories: Middle School, High School, Adult Amateur and Adult Professional.
Following the competition, the audience will be treated to a mariachi performance. The night will conclude with the announcement of the winners in each category.
Llamas built a name for herself in San Antonio, where early success led to radio appearances and performances at local theaters. Her voice carried far beyond the West Side, though, and in 1967 Llamas became the first Tejana to perform at Madison Square Garden. In 1995, she was inducted into the Tejano Music Hall of Fame.
Singing competitions early in Llamas’ career helped propel her to stardom. In this spirit, Esperanza officials hope to use the event as a platform to inspire Tejanas to share their voices with the community and carry on local musical traditions.
Free, 5 p.m., Buena Vista Theater on the University of Texas at San Antonio Downtown Campus, 501 Buena Vista St., (210) 228-0201, esperanza.eventbrite.com.
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