Laredo Community College will host a two-day festival and competition, billed as “Viva el Mariachi” on October 29 and 30 at the downtown campus on West End Washington Street.
Friday activities include master classes led by professional musicians for middle and high school mariachi ensembles, a free afternoon concert featuring the talented high school musicians, and a competition to select the region’s top mariachi ensemble.
Saturday’s highlights include a competition to select the top high school mariachi singer, more master classes and a special one-evening only concert fundraiser featuring Grammy-nominated Jose Hernandez y Su Mariachi Sol de Mexico.
Among the schools that will participate in the various event activities are Alexander, Martin, Cigarroa (including middle school), Porter, Valley View, McAllen Memorial and Port Isabel. Friday’s workshops for middle and high school musicians will be led by members from Sol De Mexico and Los Arrieros de Laredo. Some of those schools will also compete for the coveted honor of best mariachi ensemble in the region. The master classes will be from 8 to 10 a.m.
Also on Friday, a free mini-concert, featuring the middle and high school musicians, will be held at 1 p.m. in the Martinez Fine Arts Center theater. Later in the evening, a mariachi ensemble competition will be held at 6 p.m. in the Martinez Fine Arts Center. Admission to the mini-concert and the competition is free and open to the community. Sponsors of the master classes are the LCC Education Foundation and the City of Laredo.
On Saturday, the event will continue with a vocal competition at 9 a.m., master classes for college mariachi musicians at 1 p.m. and the concert fundraiser at 7 p.m. in the Martinez Fine Arts Center theater.
Reserved seating is available for $35 and $50. A VIP concert pass, which includes an after-concert reception to meet and greet members of Mariachi Sol De Mexico is available for $125. Tickets for all seating levels may be purchased at the LCC Bursar’s Office. Major credit cards are accepted. Proceeds benefit music education and student scholarships at LCC.
The Mariachi Sol de Mexico concert will open with a performance featuring Los Arrieros de Laredo. The concert sponsor is Paul Young Auto Mall.
Billed as America's Premier Mariachi, Mariachi Sol de Mexico has performed around the world and their music has been featured on major motion pictures, such as "Don Juan de Marco." In 2001, the group was nominated for a Grammy for their CD, “Tequila con Limon.” They have recorded with some of the most respected and recognized names in the industry, including Juan Gabriel., Lucha Villa, Vicente Fernandez, Alejandro Fernandez, Rocio Durcal and Selena, among others. The group is scheduled to perform in Orlando at Walt Disney World prior to their Laredo performance.
For more information about the “Viva el Mariachi” Festival and Competition, contact the LCC Music and Dance Department by calling 721-5140.
VIVA EL MARIACHI SCHEDULE
Friday, October 29
8-10 a.m. – Master Classes
(For high school musicians)
Martinez Fine Arts Center, room 101-trumpets
Martinez Fine Arts Center, room 102-vihuelas, guitarras de golpe y guitarras
Martinez Fine Arts Center, room 104-guitarron
Martinez Fine Arts Center, room 105-harps
(For middle school musicians)
Music/Dance Building I, room 107-violins
Music/Dance Building II, room 106-vihuelas, guitarras de golpe y guitarras
Music/Dance Building II, room 109-guitarron
Music/Dance Building II, meeting room-trumpets
10:30 a.m.-12 noon – Mini-concert rehearsal
Martinez Fine Arts Center Theater
12-1 p.m. – Lunch for school musicians
Kazen College Center
1-2 p.m. – Mini-concert featuring school musicians
Martinez Fine Arts Center Theater, Free admission
6 p.m. – Mariachi Competition
Martinez Fine Arts Center Theater, Free admission
Saturday, October 30
9 a.m. – Mariachi Vocal Competition
Martinez Fine Arts Center Theater, Free admission
1 p.m. – Master classes for college musicians
Martinez Fine Arts Center, room 101
7 p.m. – Concert fundraiser featuring Mariachi Sol de Mexico,
Martinez Fine Arts Center Theater, Tickets: $35-$50-$125
Office of Marketing and Public Information
West End Washington St.
Laredo, TX 78040-4395
956- 721-5140
Fax 956-721-5443