Beatríz Llamas made her name on stages across Texas and beyond, becoming the first Tejana artist to perform at Madison Square Garden in 1967.

But it all started with a talent show on San Antonio’s West Side.

At age 13, she entered her first singing contest, losing to another young West Side artist — Eva Ybarra, who would later become known as La Reina del Acordeón, the queen of the accordion. Undeterred, Llamas entered another competition, won, and soon launched a career performing on radio shows and touring nationally with mariachi groups.

More than 50 years later, her son, John Lopez, and the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center are keeping her legacy alive through Voz de la Paloma, a mariachi and ranchera vocal competition.

Now in its third year, the event returns Saturday Aug. 2 at t

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