Mariachi Aztlán of the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley. Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Vive el Arte de Santa Bárbara! proudly presents Mariachi Juvenil Mestizo from Delano, CA, who will open for Mariachi Aztlán on Sunday, April 29, 7 pm, at The Marjorie Luke Theatre for the closing event of Viva’s 13th season. Directed by Juan Morales, Mariachi Mestizo has performed on world-caliber stages such as the Carnegie Hall of New York City and the Hollywood Bowl, in Los Angeles. The have also performed at The Waterfront Blues Fest, The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, and the Hardly Strictly Music Fest in San Francisco, among others.
Mariachi Juvenil Mestizo is a program of The Mariachi Studio is a community space where youth can explore the art of mariachi music-making through vocal and instrumental performance offering lessons on all the mariachi instruments. Students also participate in one of three different performing groups which perform regularly throughout the year in several recitals and various community events.
The U.S.’ premier University mariachi ensemble – Mariachi Aztlán of the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley will also appear in free family concerts at Isla Vista School on Friday, April 27, 7 pm; at Guadalupe City Hall on Saturday, April 28, 7 pm; and offer a workshop for local musicians to practice and share mariachi tradition at Franklin Elementary School on Thursday, April 26, 7 pm, co-presented with the school. The workshop is intended for experienced players but observers are welcome. Parts will be available on Facebook on www.facebook.com/vivaelartesb.
Mariachi Aztlán is recognized as one of the most accomplished and nationally celebrated student groups to come out of the U.S. mariachi educational movement which originated at UCLA in the 60s. Mariachi Aztlán have performed at the Hollywood Bowl, the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and have been featured in concerts festivals throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada, including major national events in Tucson, Chicago and San Diego. In 2010 the group was invited to the White House to perform for President Barack Obama at a signing ceremony of an Executive Order commemorating the renewal and enhancement of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.
Details:
- FREE CONCERT – Friday, April 27, 7:00 – 8:00 pm, Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Rd., Goleta
- FREE CONCERT – Saturday, April 28, 7:00 – 8:00 pm, Guadalupe City Hall, 918 Obispo Street, Guadalupe
- FREE CONCERT – Sunday, April 29, 7:00 – 8:00 pm, Marjorie Luke Theatre, Santa Barbara Jr. High, 721 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara