CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The fourth annual Festival de Mariachi en la Isla is set to kick off Wednesday evening! The recently expanded five-day event will feature a highly anticipated all-female mariachi group in addition to performances by high school students and other professional ensembles. You and your entire family will be able to celebrate Mariachi. There will be food trucks, local vendors, contests and workshops, so get those gritos ready!!
You can check out the schedule here!
Wednesday, April 3, 6:00 p.m.
Mariachi en la Isla
Alcorta’s Compania de Danza Folklorico
Free Admission
John-Thomas even put TAMU-CC Mariachi de la Isla ensemble director Rai Morales and Jim Moore on alert for their gritos! They say we can expect to hear them tomorrow!
Thursday, April 4, 7:30 p.m. TAMU-CC PAC:
Corpus Christi Chorale
The Corpus Christi Chorale kicks off the Festival de Mariachi en la Isla with their all-Spanish program, featuring local mariachi musicians.
Works on the program include:
Una tarde fresquita de Mayo Arranged by Bruce Trinkley, Three Mexican Folk Songs arranged by David Conte, Esta Tierra by Javier Busto, Sigue by Ivette Herryman and Missa Criolla by Ariel Ramirez
FREE for Students
Friday, April 5, 5 p.m TAMU-CC Bay Hall 103:
Masterclass with Mariachi Mariposas
Friday, April 5, 8 p.m. TAMU-CC PAC:
Mariachi Mariposas concert
Mariachi Mariposas began in the summer of 2012, the group says they came together in an effort to safeguard their cultural music and give performance opportunities to female mariachi musicians. They said that in a male dominated genre, Mariachi Mariposas strives to set the example in being a mariachi that can play and sing the art of mariachi music as well as our male counterparts.
Saturday, April 6:
$20 ticket for entire day of performances including final concert by Mariachi 7 Leguas
All day art activities with local artist, Mayra Zamora –
Mayra Zamora is an award-winning Chicana Artist, Muralist, and Educator from Corpus Christi, Texas. Zamora was born in Austin and raised in the small town of Tivoli, Texas. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Art and Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi. Zamora is a freelance artist allowing her to work with local non-profit organizations in her city.
11 a.m. – Middle School groups begin day-long performances
1 p.m. – Platica: Mujeres de Mariachi with TAMU-CC Professor Amanda Marquez and Aries Limon
Aries Limon is from Santa Ana, California. She has been costuming for theater since high school and has worked for various theaters in California, New Mexico, and Texas, most notably the San Francisco Opera. She moved to Austin for graduate school and is currently pursuing her MFA in Costume Technology in the Department of Theater and Dance from the University of Texas at Austin.
Her thesis is titled A Tailor’s Perspective on the History and Cultural Significance of the Traje Charro. She has spent the last year reading about the history and development of the traje charro, interviewing mariachis and sastres about their own relationship with this cultural symbol, and building a traje charro as a part of this effort.
5pm – Final college ensemble performance
8 p.m. – Mariachi 7 Leguas
For almost two decades, Mariachi 7 Leguas has captivated audiences with their soulful performances deeply rooted in Mexican tradition. Founded in 2004, the group is a testament to the enduring attraction of Mariachi music.
Partial list of ensembles performing Saturday: TAMU-Kingsville Mariachi Javelina, Sharyland HS Mariachi Nuevo Cascabel, Las Vegas Academy of the Arts Mariachi, TAMU-CC Mariachi de la Isla, Mariachi Del Mar (Del Mar College), CCISD All-Stars Mariachi
Sunday, April 7:
11:00am Spanish Mass at the Corpus Christi Cathedral
Music by Corpus Christi Cathedral Mariachi Catedral. Up to 40 area mariachi musicians will participate in the Mariachi Mass at the Corpus Christi Cathedral
505 N. Upper Broadway
Corpus Christi, TX 78401