by Mina Briseno

The 34th Mariachi USA festival, celebrated this past Saturday, was a true testament that the tradition is here to stay. Thousands filled the legendary Hollywood Bowl to celebrate culture, music and a sense of a family reunion is evident in every aspect of the celebration.

Rodri J. Rodriguez, founder of Mariachi USA has her eyes and her heart not only on next year when she promises a “big celebration” to commemorate the 35th edition of the largest mariachi festival in the United States. Rodriguez has worked tirelessly to keep the tradition of Mariachi USA alive for generations to come. “Si se puede is a great thing to say, but doing it and making things happen is another.”

The openers of this year’s festivities, 3 high school mariachi bands. “They are the future of Mariachi USA. When I’m no longer here, they will be singing on this stage,” said Rodriguez as she introduced the young artists.

Empowerment is something Rodriguez takes at heart; thus, women have a space on stage and this year the female power was present with Mariachi Las Catrinas and Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas. A sense of pride for Rodriguez was when she introduced both mariachi bands on one stage performing, “El Cascabel“. “One of my favorite songs,” Rodriguez said as she walked off stage.

It’s a beautiful scene to see generations of families flocking to the Hollywood Bowl, and people from different cultures embracing Mexican music. Many set up formal dining tables on box seats, others share food as they sing and dance with strangers.

After five hours of mariachi and a spectacular finale with all mariachi bands congregated on stage singing “Viva Mexico,” fans can be heard singing on their way to the parking lots.

A large family was riding the shuttle to the East LA location, one of them was already looking for tickets for next year, and another one shouted, “Wait for a code, we should try to get box tickets next year.”

A sign that Mariachi USA is here to stay for generations to come, a vision Rodriguez has had even when no one believed a mariachi festival could sell.

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