The Abe Mac band, a local country group, gave a special holiday performance for elementary students Dec. 13 and 14 in the Socorro Independent School District.
Abiel Macias, also known as Abe Mac, is the front man and founder of the band which performed its Spread the Holiday Cheer concert series at Desert Wind School, Elfida P. Chavez Elementary, Robert R. Rojas Elementary, Escontrias STEAM Academy, and Hueco Elementary.
Mac, a Socorro High School 2003 graduate, said he wanted to emphasize healing through music and also provide a special reading from his first book as things return to normal after the COVID pandemic.
“We just want to get everyone dancing and having a great time,” Mac said. “COVID obviously made everything tough, everything was just turned upside down, so what better way to emerge from that than bringing Christmas music to kids.”
Mac included a story-time as part of the performance, reading from his first children’s holiday book, “Christmas Snow.”
“It was great to spread Christmas cheer and have fun,” said Diego Ruiz, a fifth-grade student at Desert Wind School. “I’m grateful because this is my first concert and I really liked it.”
The band also brought two very special guests, Western Santa Claus and the Grinch.
The special guests went head-to-head in a dance contest, gave out candy and sat with the children as the holiday book was read.
Zachary Ovptande, a fourth-grade student at Hueco Elementary, said his favorite part was the dance off between Santa and the Grinch.
“I think the Grinch won, that was my favorite part,” Ovptande said. “Today was fun, especially with everyone happy and singing.”
This is not the first time Mac has given back to the school district that helped shape him. In 2021, his band put on a virtual performance for SISD students.
“I can’t tell you how special it is to come out to do this kind of stuff for kids,” Mac said. “The kids are going to be home in a few weeks, surrounded by their families, and so we hope that they’ll take a little bit of today home with them.”
The concert series was made possible with the help of Casa Auto Group and Speaking Rock Entertainment.
Abe Mac performing at Escontrias STEAM Academy event photos
Published February 7, 2023
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