Ruben Ramos, LA 45 to Headline 2026 Conjunto Showcase en Minnesota

Ruben Ramos “El Gato Negro” and LA 45 will headline the 2026 Conjunto Showcase en Minnesota October 16–17 in St. Paul. *(Credit: Lupe Moya)*

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Grammy Award-winning Tejano legend ”El Gato Negro” Ruben Ramos and San Antonio’s LA 45 will headline the 2026 Conjunto Showcase en Minnesota, a two-day celebration of Conjunto, Tejano and Chicano music set for October 16–17 in St. Paul.

The annual event brings together nationally recognized Tejano and Conjunto artists with Minnesota musicians and fans as organizers continue their mission to celebrate, preserve and grow the musical traditions of Música Mexicana y Tejana in the state.

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The weekend will begin Friday, October 16, with a free public Conjunto & Tejano workshop led by Mike Torres III and featuring members of LA 45 alongside Ruben Ramos. The educational event will offer musicians and community members an opportunity to learn more about the music and traditions that have connected generations of Mexican American families across the country.

The celebration continues Saturday, October 17, with the Grand Baile at Mount Zion Temple in St. Paul. The evening will feature performances by Ramos, LA 45, Los Rebeldes and Nieves del Norte.

For more than five decades, Ramos has been one of Tejano music’s most influential performers. The Grammy Award winner has helped carry the sound of Tejano and Chicano music to audiences across generations.

Ruben Ramos “El Gato Negro” and LA 45 will headline the 2026 Conjunto Showcase en Minnesota October 16–17 in St. Paul. *(Courtesy photo)*

Representing a new generation of La Onda Chicana, LA 45 will bring its San Antonio sound to Minnesota for the showcase.

The lineup also highlights artists with deep roots in Minnesota’s Música Mexicana community. Los Rebeldes, described as Minnesota’s longest-running Conjunto Tex-Mex band, will join Nieves del Norte, a family-rooted group from St. Peter that continues to preserve Norteño and Tejano traditions.

Founded in 2024, Conjunto Showcase en Minnesota was created to celebrate, preserve and grow Conjunto music throughout the state through live performances, cultural education and community engagement.

Since its founding, the organization has produced six events across Minnesota, including a Conjunto Workshop and Gran Baile featuring Grammy Award-winning Conjunto legend Max Baca and Los Texmaniacs. The events have welcomed hundreds of attendees while providing a platform for Minnesota musicians and nationally recognized artists to share the music with new audiences.

“Conjunto music was born in South Texas, but generations of Mexican immigrant and migrant families helped make it part of Minnesota’s cultural heritage. Our mission is to celebrate, preserve, and grow this tradition for future generations,” said Luke Cardona, founder of Conjunto Showcase en Minnesota.

The 2026 showcase reflects that connection between South Texas and Minnesota, where generations of Mexican American families have helped establish and maintain Música Mexicana as an important part of the state’s cultural landscape.

Grand Baile Tickets

Tickets for the Saturday, October 17, Grand Baile are $20 in advance and $30 at the door. Youth ages 17 and under will be admitted free with a paid adult.

Details about the Friday, October 16, Conjunto & Tejano workshop, including the location and schedule, will be announced at a later date.

Tickets and additional information are available at ConjuntoShowcase.com.

The 2026 Conjunto Showcase en Minnesota is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

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