Lesly Reynaga: reunited with her UT Mariachi Paredes de Tejastitlán

By Peter Blackstock, Austin American-Statesman

First up was Reynaga, whose performance certainly was among the most colorful at the festival this year, thanks to an eight-piece backing crew that featured mariachi musicians and dancers. Reynaga sang mostly in Spanish, serenading the crowd with songs built on engaging Latin rhythms and the horns-and-strings accents of her mariachi compatriots.

Dressed in a flowing red dress tailored so beautifully that you might not have realized she's expecting a child soon, Reynaga charmed a small but enthusiastic crowd that showed up at noon for her 45-minute set. Near the end, she more than doubled the size of her band by inviting 14 musicians from the University of Texas' Mariachi Paredes de Tejastitlán to the stage.

Beaming with pride at having them join her, Reynaga explained she was a member of the ensemble during her UT days. They helped get the crowd dancing to cumbia beats as she wrapped up a thoroughly enjoyable set.