Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The 12th Annual San Pancho Music Festival will be opening in San Francisco (San Pancho) Nayarit, on Friday, February 24th at 5:00 pm. The Festival will be held for three days, Friday through Sunday the 24th through the 26th. Performances are free to the public and begin each afternoon at 5 pm, typically ending prior to 12 midnight.

San Pancho's Music Festival is a vibrant, eclectic expression of performing art traditionally held annually for 3 days during the last weekend of February. It began informally in 2001, and by 2006 included some 116 performers.

The Music Festival attracts some of the most colorful musicians from around the world, including international acts from Europe, the U.S., Chile, Guatemala, France and Germany. Regional talent has also been retained to include the traditional Mexican and Latin music of local musicians.

Traditionally there is no fee to attend, and performers are not paid. The Festival is entirely supported by the gracious contributions of local musicians and international recording artists, and by the local residents of San Pancho.

Artists come to perform because they enjoy performing in the intimate venue and magical surroundings of San Pancho. It is a truly wonderful balance of amateurs and professional performers coming together for 3 days to share an unforgettable and enriching musical experience in one of the most beautiful regions of Mexico.

Donations are encouraged, but there is no intent for the Festival to profit from the performances. Additionally, proceeds from sales of music and video CDs go directly to the performing artists.

This year, the Festival has been moved to the community park in San Pancho due to street construction and remodeling of the Plaza. Seating in the park is festival seating only, and is somewhat limited. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets. Restaurants and bars will be open throughout the event to serve the crowd.

2012 San Pancho Music Festival Schedule

Friday, February 24th
5 pm - Nuiwarika (Grupo de Danza)
6 pm - Olivia de la Cruz
7 pm - Frida's Eyebrow
8 pm - No Walls
9 pm - Steve O'Connor
10 pm - Jeff Oster

Saturday, February 25th
5 pm - open
6 pm - La Turquesa
7 pm - The Coolerators
8 pm - Werther Ellerbrock
9 pm - Banderas Bay Jazz Allstars
10 pm - Jam Session with: Jeff Oster, trumpet; Bryan Savage, alto sax; Werther Ellerbrock, guitar; Tom Lillienthal, bass; Chas Eller, keyboards; Steve Goldberg, flugelhorn; Dov Schiller, percussion; Lazaro Poey, drums; and others to be announced

Sunday, February 26th
5 pm - open
5:30 pm - Los Compas (musica nortena)
6 pm - Awacero (trova Mexicana)
7 pm - Sons of the Beach (featuring Jodi Moran)
8 pm - Latcho & Andrea (Blonde Gypsies)
9 pm - Tatewari
9:45 pm - Jazz Tubo (with Beto and Carlos)
10:30 pm - Atrakadero

For more information and directions, please visit SanPanchoMusicFestival.com.