Last Night: Mango Punch! Celebrates 20 Years

Photo by Cimela Kidonakis/Optix Studios

​Mango Punch! 20th Anniversary Concert
Talento Bilingüe de Houston
September 28, 2011

If you felt the earth shake last night, it was because one of Houston's most popular performers, Walter Suhr, was on stage with the original members of Mango Punch! celebrating the group's 20th anniversary.

Coming together for a concert/party at Talento Bilingue de Houston, Brian Torres (vocals/drums), Oscar Larranaga (vocals/percussion) and Julio Céspedes (bass), along with Suhr (piano/guitar/percussion/vocals), were the first lineup of the Latin band, formed in 1991. Five CDs, dozens of awards - including a slew of Houston Press Music Awards and several prestigious songwriting honors - and thousands of performances later, Suhr's group has a different lineup but the same infectious party vibe.

Walter Suhr signing autographs at his afterparty.

​Everyone in the audience was waiting for the incredibly danceable "¿Que Me Pongo?" The video shows Suhr endlessly waiting for his girlfriend to make up her mind about what to wear when they go out, and was a longtime regular on VHUno.

Suhr kept that song for last, but there were other highlights in the two-set show, including an upbeat "Fun en Espanol" and a touching, heartfelt "Me Quedo Contigo," which Suhr sung to longtime manager/partner Susana Trimmer.

The music was interrupted several times as local politicos presented Suhr with awards and commemorations. Paying homage were the Mayor's office, University of St. Thomas and the Guatemalan consulate).

For more information on Walter Suhr and Mango Punch!, visit the group's Web site.

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