The Spectacular is the culmination of the four-day Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference, during which budding musicians of all ages are introduced to the respective musical genre and learned from the ground up. (Courtesy of Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference)
A high-profile collection of mariachi masters will roll over the upcoming Las Cruces International Mariachi Spectacular Concert on Friday November 12th.
The Spectacular is the culmination of the four-day Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference, during which budding musicians of all ages are introduced to the respective musical genre and learned from the ground up.
“It’s a workshop for students,” said Robert Palacios, conference director. “We teach all the main instruments of the mariachi orchestra; Violin, trumpet, guitar and guitarrón, vihuela and voice. The great thing is that this year our teachers for the workshops are Mariachi Cobre, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. “
In the workshops the students learn traditional dance and music. (Courtesy Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference)
Like most other events in the state, the conference and concert closed last year due to virus-related health mandates, so organizers wanted something special this year.
“This year we’re celebrating 28 years,” said Palacios. “It will be a nice celebration because last year we couldn’t because of COVID. It’s the first time since 2019 that we have had a face-to-face event. It was very much missed. “
Students learn traditional dances and music with the dancers practicing the ballet folklorico movements.
“It’s very intense,” he said. “We have a repertoire and a choreography for the dancers.”
Marachi Cobre has played around the world and has been the conference’s primary instructor for more than two decades. (Courtesy Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference)
The majority of students are of school age who come from community programs or schools.
“But we accept all age groups,” said Palacios. “We have older students who come to the workshops and we take all levels from beginner to advanced. It’s good to have some experience, but we take all levels with us. “
Students then begin the Spectacular at New Mexico State University’s Pan American Center, he said.
“At the beginning of the Spectacular, the students opened with their teachers,” said Palacios in return for the hard work they have done.
Then the professionals take the stage.
Steeven Sandoval, a violinist and singer, will play alongside Mariachi Cobre. (Courtesy of Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference)
The headliner, Steeven Sandoval, La Voz del Mariachi, a violinist and singer, will play alongside Mariachi Cobre.
“Steeven Sandoval was one of the two best mariachis in the world, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán for 14 years and Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán for five years, both as a violinist and as a singer,” said Palacios.
Sandoval is considered one of the best advocates of the ranchero genre behind songs like “Por Amor”, “A los Cuatro Vientos”, “Te would have gone earlier”, “Si La Ven” and “100 Litros de Tequila”.
Just before the pandemic, Sandoval’s one of Mexico’s most emblematic theaters, El Teatro Degollado in Guadalajara, Jalisco, was sold out.
Mariachi Cobre came to Sandoval from Disney World in Orlando, Florida and has played around the world, accompanying celebrities such as Lola Beltrán, Linda Ronstadt, Pepe Aguilar, Pedro Fernández, Ana Bárbara, and Graciela Beltrán.
The group has been the conference’s key trainer for more than two decades.
For the star power of the evening, Mariachi Femenil Flores Mexicanas, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, will appear in the Spectacular for the first time. The band is notable as an all-female group accompanying Grammy winning international singer and performer Lila Downs. The group also accompanied Juan Gabriel at concerts in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico. The group was featured in the November 2019 issue of Vogue Mexico magazine and took part in the filming of PBS’s “La Frontera” with Pati Jinich, which aired last October.
“We’re going to great lengths to get people to participate,” said Palacios. “The conference has had some very good years, but it’s tough. The most important thing for me are the workshops and the passing on of the traditions. The Spectacular, that’s the part you get to see your hard work. We’re trying to find a happy place between bringing in well-known mariachis and highlighting educational opportunities for the students. “
Comments are closed.