Mariachi USA is like a family coming together for a reunion. Such was the feel, once again, this past Saturday at the Hollywood Bowl, as the largest Mariachi Festival in the country took place for the 35th year. The celebration was epic, with not one Mariachi group, but six and over 15,000 people celebrating under the stars.

It’s a tradition. Every year thousands of music lovers make it a point to buy their tickets to celebrate the richness of Mariachi music. They know the songs and sing along with family and friends.   For some it is a reunion of sorts because this festival is where some have met and see each other every year.  It never gets old, it is a musical ritual that includes dancing, singing along and dressing up.  This year was no different.

The Mariachi groups change, but the music remains a classic staples of Mariachi music. This year the participating groups showcased were Mariachi Cobre traveling from EPCOT Center Walt Disney World Resort where they have been playing for over 30 years. This years also included the L.A. based all women’s Mariachi Divas and Mariachi Los Reyes, and from San Antonio, Texas Mariachi Campanas de America and one of the U.S.A.’s first Mariachi groups and L.A. ‘s very own Mariachi Los Camperos.  Each Mariachi group brings their unique style and a few surprises.  Among the classic Mariachi songs were adaptations of Gloria Estefan’s Conga, and a Mariachi rendition of Charlie Daniels Band’s The Devil Came Down to Georgia which had the 15,000 “Bowl” attendees up on their feet dancing and singing…nuevo Mariachi style.

From its inception thirty five years ago, there are two things that are a constant at Mariachi USA,  Mariachi music and Rodri Rodriguez the host for the evening, and producer of this event since its inception under her banner Rodri Entertainment.

Mariachi USA never disappoints.  It is now a tradition and has become a reunion of sorts, where you bump into friends you haven’t seen in a while…other than on social media, you grab a partner and dance to the music and throw a few gritos (a loud passionate Mexican gutteral yell).  It’s a night of festive attire, with most everyone dresssing for the occasion with their cultural attire, embroidered dresses, rebozos, flower headdresses, boots, and cowboy hats. There is not another Hollywood Bowl event quite like this one.

Although the evening starts at 6PM and goes to 10:30PM, it always goes by too quickly, and before you know it the classic Mariachi songs like El Rey, La Negra, reserved for the finale, sung en masse at the end of the evening to a spectacular display of fireworks.  A perfect way to end the night! Until next year’s show which has already been slated for June 28.  Claim your tickets now at www.mariachiusa.com and join the fun! 

To further commemorate the 35th anniversary, and keep you informed about the Marachi genre until next year, Rodri Entertainment has launched the MARIACHI USA The Podcast, hosted by MARIACHI USA founder Rodri. The podcast delves into the rich history and vibrant culture of mariachi, exploring its roots, celebrating its icons, and sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the festival’s illustrious history.

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After being interrupted by Covid last year, the Mariachi USA music festival is returning to the Hollywood Bowl on August 22, from 5 PM to 10 PM.

“Undoubtedly Volver Volver will never be louder than on Sunday, Aug. 22, so join us and get ready to fill it up,” quips Rodri J. Rodriguez, founder, producer and host of the yearly music festival. Rodriguez refers to the iconic song made famous by Mexican charro singer Vicente Fernández in the late 1970s that has become synonymous with mariachi music. 

The heartfelt ballad speaks of a desire to go back to a lover’s arms after a broken romance. It’s one of the most played mariachi songs on YouTube, with the original version raking in 138 million plays.  

“Volver” means to return in Spanish. And that’s what the annual music fest is doing this summer thanks to vaccinations and other pandemic protocols that have allowed huge venues and public events to resume. 

The 32 second edition of Mariachi USA will feature two-time Grammy-winning, all female Mariachi Divas, Mariachi Nuevo Mujer 2000, Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán, Mariachi Los Reyes, Mariachi Los Toros. Also performing will be special guest Lupita Infante, a Grammy-nominated singer, as well as the dance ensemble Mi Tierra Ballet Folklorico. The event will pay homage to Lucha Villa, one of Mexico’s greatest female mariachi singers.

Infante, a granddaughter of Mexican singing and acting legend Pedro Infante and daughter of the late actor Pedro Infante Jr. will make her second appearance at Mariachi USA, having last performed in 2018. “I was just beginning my professional career as a singer, you know, songwriter musician,” says the singer. Infante credits Mariachi USA’s Rodriguez with opening doors for her when the singer didn’t even have an album out yet. Her 2019 debut album La Serenata received a nomination for a Grammy for Best Regional Mexican Music Album. The following year, her song “Dejaré” was nominated for a Latin Grammy. “So, returning now to Mariachi USA, after all of these amazing things that have happened since the first time, is truly…an honor.”

As for the retuning Mariachi Divas, Cindy Shea, founder of the all-female group said, “Planning the Divas performance at Mariachi USA after surviving the pandemic made me realize how dependent I was on the energy of a live audience” and added. “Not until I was forced to produce and perform virtual concerts did I realize how vital a live audience is, and we’ve planned a very dynamic set to celebrate with mariachi fans.” Founded in 1999, Mariachi Divas was the first all-female mariachi to be nominated to the Grammy. They’ve won the award twice since then.

Another all-women ensemble is Los Angeles-based Mariachi Nuevo Mujer 2000 prides itself on continuing the legacy of the pioneering female mariachis that have gone through its ranks, including Laura Garciacano Sobrino and Marisa Orduno. The group is currently led by Patricia Fernández.

“Meeting high standards in musicianship, our goal involves surpassing previous stereotypes, as each member of this ensemble represents tradition, culture and education all in one,” states the band on its official website.

For its part, Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán is a 12-piece group that has performed regularly at Mariachi USA featuring what’s reportedly one of the top three horn sections in the mariachi universe. Founded in 1965 by brothers Pepe and Fernando Martínez Barajas, their family legacy continues with a third generation that included current leader Angel Martínez Arreguín.

Another L.A. talent, Mariachi Los Reyes is a popular group that has accompanied stars like Luis Miguel, Ramon Ayala, Lupillo Rivera, the late Jenny Rivera in their live performances.

Mariachi Los Toros could be defined as a mariachi of the third millennium as it was founded in the early 2000s, also in Southern California. Directed by Carlos Parra, the group has collaborated with Mexican rock band Mana and performed along with the American rock group Faith No More.

As usual, the festival will include live dance performances. Mi Tierra Ballet Folklórico, a group from Las Vegas. “Our folk group puts an artistic style to Mexico’s folk dancing, innovating and interpreting its various regions that are full of diversity,” says the band on its website. “Although we are far from our homeland, we keep our history alive through this form of dance, Mexican ballet folklórico.”

The tribute to Lucha Villa will be a highlight of the evening. She was one of Mexico’s best-known female mariachi singers as well as actress. Born in 1936, her music hits include “Media vuelta,” “La Cruz del Cielo” and “Viva Quien Sabe Querer.” Villa was featured in the 1996 album Disco del Siglo: Las Tres Señoras along with another two greats of Mexican music, Lola Beltrán and Amalia Mendoza. The album was produced by Juan Gabriel. 

The founder of Mariachi USA hopes the festival will contribute to a sense of normality after a year and a half of the pandemic. “Our celebration this year is bittersweet,” says Rodriguez. “We have all felt the devastating toll of the pandemic, the most tragic being the loss of loved ones.” She adds, “As we show up daily, doing our very best, reinventing, purging, shifting, we must remember to involve ourselves in art and music…All of us at Mariachi USA strongly believe that what we do nourishes the soul and motivates the spirit and simply… heals.”

For more information and tickets, visit https://mariachiusa.com.

Featured Photo: Mariachi USA (Photo: Mariachi USA)

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Los Angeles, CA — January is National Menudo Month and Juanita’s Foods, the #1 brand for ready-to-eat menudo, is celebrating big with Vive La Tradición.  The family event will feature live musical performances, folkloric dancers, games, activities for the kids and plenty of delicious Juanita’s Menudo for the entire family. The festivities will take place on Sunday, January 27^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Plaza De La Raza located at 3540 N Mission Rd. in Lincoln Heights. Concurrently, there is a promotion which consists of a consumer sweepstakes (www.vivelatradicion.com)

Vive La Tradición is a celebration of Mexican culture, paying homage to the traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. From the music to the dances and the food, these traditions are so deeply rooted in the culture that they have not only transcended generations, but also borders.

Juanita’s Menudo has been promoting Mexican culture since in 1950 when the De La Torre family began canning and distributing their homemade menudo recipe in the U.S. They became the largest producer of menudo and the #1 menudo brand in the United States. Today, the company continues to be owned and operated by the De La Torre family with millions of loyal consumers.

“The De La Torre family believes in the importance of preserving Mexican culture and traditions which is why Juanita’s Foods is proud to host promotions like Vive La Tradición which honors those traditions,” said Gina De La Torre Harpur, Juanita’s Foods Third Generation Owner. “We invite everyone to join us in this special celebration and in keeping the tradition alive!”

Vive La Tradición will feature performances by Lupita Infante (granddaughter of the legendary Pedro Infante), Alvera De Leon, Mariachi Los Reyes, Mariachi Alma Angelino, Plaza de la Raza Mariachi Youth Ensemble and Pasión de Mi Tierra Dance Company. Kids will enjoy a variety of games and activities at the Sleepie Teepee station like playing their favorite Mexican Bingo game, loteria or taking a swing at the piñata. Other activities include face painting provided by Creative Face & Body and balloon art provided by Vivian’s Face Painting & Balloons. With so much activity going on, fiesta-goers are sure to work up an appetite and will be invited to sample a delicious bowl of Juanita’s Menudo or Juanita’s Pozole and quench their thirst with aguas frescas provided by Agua Lucha. Rain or shine, this fiesta is sure to delight the young and the young at heart alike.

Vive La Tradición is a free, family event and open to the public, hosted by Juanita’s Foods in celebration of National Menudo Month 2019.  Vive La Tradición will take place on Sunday, January 27^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Plaza De La Raza located at 3540 N Mission Rd., Los Angeles 90031. For more information, please visit: www.juanitas.com or www.plazadelaraza.org

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