Oct. 20 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents the Queen of Mariachi, Aida Cuevas at the Arlington Theatre

SUMMARY

“Cuevas is to Mexico what Aretha Franklin is to the United States: a powerful voice that encapsulates the essence of her nation’s spirit.” The Kansas City Star

SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Aida Cuevas, Canta a Juan Gabriel 40 años después on Sunday, October 20 at 7 p.m. at The Arlington Theatre. A Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning icon of Mexican music, Aida Cuevas is beloved for her devotion to traditional mariachi and for her mastery of its demanding vocal forms. An impassioned performer with a striking voice that evokes life’s greatest joys and most profound longings, Cuevas was the first female singer of the genre to win both Grammy and Latin Grammy awards. In her return to Santa Barbara, the “Queen of Ranchera Music” will lead a mariachi spectacular celebrating her late mentor and friend, pop legend Juan Gabriel.

Aida Cuevas, “Buscando el Séptimo Amor”

ABOUT AIDA CUEVAS

Aida Cuevas has created one of the most important careers in traditional Mexican music. With a 49-year career and 41 album releases to her credit, Cuevas, dubbed “The Queen of Mariachi,” is an esteemed figure in Mexico, beloved for her unswerving devotion to traditional mariachi music and for her mastery of its demanding vocal forms. Cuevas celebrates a long-lasting career with a Grammy award, a Latin Grammy award and eleven Grammy nominations in the “Best Mariachi/Ranchero Album” category.

Cuevas became the first female singer in the mariachi genre to win a Grammy when she was honored at the 2018 awards for “Best Regional Mexican Music Album” for her studio album Arrieros Somos (Versiones Acústicas). The album is a collection of acoustic versions of Mexican classics by renowned composer Cuco Sánchez. She previously won a Latin Grammy for “Best Tango Album” for her 2010 release De Corazón a Corazón…Mariachi Tango, and has been nominated for three Latin Grammys since her win.

Cuevas’ 2017 studio album Totalmente Juan Gabriel, Vol. II was nominated for “Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)” in the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. Her 2021 release Antología De La Música Ranchera, Vol. II was nominated for the same category in the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.

Cuevas is a master of the mariachi art song performing a full range of mariachi numbers, including the falsetto heavyweight “El Pastor,” the iconic hits “Te Doy Las Gracias” and “Quizás Mañana,” as well as new songs from Totalmente Juan Gabriel Vol. II, including “Gracias Por Todo” and “Buscando el Séptimo Amor.” Cuevas also performs many ranchero classics such as “Traición a Juan,” “Toro Relajo,” “Los Laureles” and “No Me Amenaces.”

Now Aida Cuevas has returned with a new show bringing the very best of Mexico’s music with her unique voice and style, allowing her to cultivate a successful 49-year career and leaving a remarkable imprint on the history of Mexican music.

ABOUT UCSB ARTS & LECTURES

Founded in 1959, UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) is the largest and most influential arts and lectures organization between Los Angeles and San Francisco. A&L annually presents more than a hundred public events, from critically acclaimed concerts and dance performances by world-renowned artists to talks by groundbreaking authors and film series at UCSB and Santa Barbara-area venues. With a mission to “educate, entertain and inspire,” A&L also oversees an outreach program that brings visiting artists and speakers into local classrooms and other venues for master classes, open rehearsals, discussions and more, serving K-12 students, college students and the general public.

Aida Cuevas is presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures in association with the Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival and UCSB Department of Music.

Tickets are $37 – $82 / UCSB students $16 (Current student ID required)

For tickets or more information, call UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535 or purchase online at www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu; or The Arlington Theatre, (805) 963-4408

UCSB Arts & Lectures gratefully acknowledges 2024-2025 Season Sponsor Sara Miller McCune.

UCSB Arts & Lectures gratefully acknowledges our Community Partners the Natalie Orfalea Foundation & Lou Buglioli for their generous support of the 2024-2025 season.