On Saturday, May 20, the Tohoho O’odham nation will celebrate its quintessential style of music.
Initially, you may think you’re hearing regional folk kicked up with some norteño accents and mariachi-worthy energy.
That’s waila. The bellow of an accordion contrasting the high-pitched saxophone. Combine that with electric and bass guitar and percussion to create a wholly distinctive sound that has come to define Tohono O’odham’s waila tradition.
From 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, four local waila bands — Gertie & the T.O. Boyz, T.O. Pride, Carl & Buddies, and The Joaquin Brothers, which is one of the best known waila bands — will fill the plaza at Desert Diamond Casino, 1100 W. Pima Mine Road, with what’s also been compared to European polka. Each group will perform for 50 minutes and musicians from all of the groups will join in the middle of the celebration for a 6 p.m. jam session.
The festival also will include food vendors and other musicians. Admission is free. Details: ddcaz.com
