Latinos account for more than one-third of the population of Texas, so it's only natural that Batanga should provide a showcase of Hispanic music at SXSW, the annual arts festival held in Texas' lovely capital city of Austin. Over the course of four nights in mid-March 2008, 1,700 bands and solo artists from around the world played on more than 70 stages across downtown Austin, filling the vibrant city with an astounding variety of sounds and voices.

The Spanish language contingent came roaring to life on Wednesday night at The Continental Club, a 50-year-old venue famous for the line of vintage cars often parked in front. That evening's bill featured Guadalajaran rocker Elis Paprika, the breezy electro-pop of Tijuana's Ceci Bastida, and Austin singer-songwriter David Garza, a third generation Mexican-American. Between sets, the lovely DJ Pajaro, from Los Angeles' La Cita club, spun tunes on the turntables.

On Thursday, SXSW kicked into high gear, as music fans from all over continued to pour in to downtown Austin. Local Latin funk band Grupo Fantasma got the party started at the scenic Auditorium Shores Stage with merengue rhythms, timbale rolls, and a tight, punchy horn section. Later that evening, Flamingo Cantina hosted a Latin showcase of artists from both sides of the Atlantic. Another Guadalajaran act, the chica-fronted Descartes a Kant, turned philosophy into rock, while Brazil brought us electronica group Lucy and the Popsonics, and Spain's soulful hip-hop lady Mala Rodriguez delivered beats and rhymes en español.

You didn't need to go to a showcase to find a strong Latin presence at SXSW, though. At the Music Trade Show, a friendly trio of Brazilians proudly presented a free two-disc compilation of the latest tunes from their country, with songs ranging from established artists like Tom Zé to hip noise-pop act Mahnimal. Next door, at the SESAC Day Stage, a member of the Argentine press snapped photos of UK protest singer Billy Bragg. A few blocks west of the Convention Center, Mexic Arte Museum and TKO Productions hosted a whole day of Latino music, the stage area back-dropped by beautiful oil paintings from Hispanic artists such as José Fors and Enrique Guillén. Rock band Manejo Beto soundchecked in two languages, calling out, "Check, check, vamonos," before ripping into their set. Later that night, accordionist Joel Guzman played tejano-influenced Americana songs with legendary Texas songwriter Joe Ely. Even at two in the morning, downtown Austin was still bustling with nightlife, as young Latinos filed out of Planeta Nightclub, sweaty from dancing to the hottest reggaeton tracks.

For the most potent dose of Latino music, the Batanga Latin Party was the place to be. From noon until evening on Friday and Saturday, the open-air courtyard behind the restaurant Habana Calle 6 featured a healthy mix of Hispanic music. Acts including Mexico City punk-pop group Allison and bilingual L.A. alt-rockers Monte Negro played short but thrilling sets, while the audience danced away. Between bands, the crowd enjoyed delicious Cubano sandwiches and tasty mojitos.

On Saturday night, Gustavo Alberto played his own full set at Maggie Mae's Gibson Room. The diverse crowd was clearly won over by his tuneful, acoustic-based pop-rock. Alberto's show was the perfect ending to four days of stellar Latino music. Batanga and SXSW proved to be the ideal combination, as artists from three continents united, bringing a wide array of musical styles to thousands of music fans.

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