The Romeros Bring Their Spanish Tour to Poway

While most young children sleep with stuffed animals, Pepe Romero had a small guitar in his crib.

Pepe Romero learned how to play the guitar at an early age, which has become a family tradition for The Romeros, an instrumental ensemble composed of related guitarists. Known to their fans as "The Royal Family of the Guitar,” The Romeros will take the stage at the on Saturday.

The quartet, which has played in Poway before, will perform a combination of Spanish group and solo pieces at the concert.

“I enjoy Poway,” said Pepe Romero, who lives in Del Mar. “We have some incredible friends in Poway, so I’m looking forward to it. It’s all really beautiful music, very joyous music. It should be a very fun event.”

Pepe Romero’s father, Celedonio Romero, taught his son to play the guitar when he was just 3 years old.

“I don’t remember not playing,” Pepe Romero said. “I’ve always thought of myself as a guitarist.”

Celedonio Romero founded the ensemble more than 50 years ago. The original group included Pepe Romero and his father, as well as his two brothers Celin and Angel.

The brothers have continued their father’s legacy after his death on May 8, 1996 in San Diego.

The quartet now incudes founding members Pepe and Celin, as well as Celin's son, Celino and Angel's son Lito.

“We all love what we do, we love each other and we love music,” Pepe Romero said. “It’s been a real bonding element to both the family and to the public.”

Other than a few short breaks, the group is on tour most of the year, Pepe Romero explained. Last year, The Romeros toured Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America.

Still, Pepe Romero enjoys every performance.

“It feels like we have been on this tour for 50 years. They kind of run together,” he said. “We’re always on the road, and every concert is very, very exciting.”

The show begins at 8 p.m. at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, located at 15498 Espola Road.

Tickets cost $42 for adults, $36 for seniors and $5 for children 18 and younger with purchase of an adult ticket. 

The 2011 Poway Unified Spring Music Festival will also take place at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts this week.

The two-day festival is on Wednesday and Thursday.  On both days, performances begin at 8:00 a.m. and run through 9:00 p.m. The showcase schools perform after 6:00 p.m.

In all, 19 schools are participating with 44 different ensembles performing throughout the event.

All PUSD middle and high schools, as well as a few other schools outside of the district, are performing.

Tickets cost $5 for evening performances. Admission to daytime performances is free. 

The is offering a Spring Break Arts Camp April 4-29.

Camp sessions are offered 9 a.m.-noon or 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m.-noon, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. or 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The art “camp” classes offer small class size and personalized instruction with Bonnie Stromer, the center’s founder and director.

To register, call 858-679-2787 or email bonnie@xpressivearts.com.

Xpressive Arts Center is located at 12257-B Old Pomerado Road.