El Cucuy: the Hispanophone analogue to the bogeyman. Cucucuy: one of Houston’s most intriguing Latin bands. Speaking to the Houston Press, the group noted that while only a few letters separate the monster from the music, the extra two create a deejay style repetition often heard on cumbia tracks. Cucucuy is eclectic, though, and mashes up styles from all over the Latin world—salsa, bachata, reggaeton, and, yes, cumbia—creating an eerie, upbeat sound that will have you nodding or dancing along. Check out their first single “Amanaciendo (Con Tu Amor).”

The Thursday night event at Discovery Green is also hosting Kiko Villamizar, a Miami-born, Colombia-raised musician whose latest album “Todo el Mundo” was described by the Austin Chronicle as engaging with “themes of change, immigration, and the wind.” It, too, is eclectic, combining in one album both traditional and psychedelic music, as well as storytelling and inner dialogue that offer a look at the Villamizar’s psyche and worldview. The album’s lead single, “Tuya Tulita,” dropped in 2022, and its opening guitar riff is something to savor. 

Finally, there's The Tiarras, an all-female band that’s a Latina power trio. Their unique sound and lyrics boom as they “celebrate unity, empowerment, and culture.” The band lists Selena, Santana, and Chicano Batman among their influences, and, oh, by the way—they're sisters! This family (and musical) affair seeks to unite people and to help them “learn about themselves and express the unspoken.” 

As a recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution, the University of Houston-Downtown is proud to sponsor these three acts for the Gator community and Downtown Houston.