San Antonio’s 17th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza serves host to the largest, longest running and most competitive mariachi vocal competition in the U.S. Vocal finalists have been selected and will be posted on Sunday, October 30 at 10 am. on mariachimusic.com.

The preliminary screening was extremely tough to judge as so many talented entries were submitted and the talent gets tougher every year. All students who submitted their CD are to applauded for their efforts. Vocal finalists will compete at the Lila Cockrell Theater on Saturday, December 3 at 9 a.m. Members of Mariachi Vargas will judge the competition. One student will be selected as the best vocalist in the U.S. and will be invited to open for Mariachi Vargas in concert in San Antonio.

The vocal competition is open to the public with purchase of a wristband. Call Sandra Guevara at 210-225-3353 to order your wristbands today or email her at sandra@mariachimusic.com.

Mariachi groups and individuals can register now to participate in San Antonio’s 17th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza. The early registration deadline to secure a spot in mariachi workshops and competitions is November 10. Register as a group or individual before this date to avoid paying the late fee. The final day to register for the Extravaganza is November 17. Registrations will not be accepted after that date.

The mariachi instrumental and vocal workshops are scheduled for Friday, December 2 at the Lila Cockrell Theater and Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Mariachi group competitions will take place that evening at the Lila Cockrell Theater starting at 5 p.m. The student vocal competitions will take place Saturday, December 3 also at the Lila Cockrell Theater starting at 9 a.m. First place winners for each group category and the “Best Mariachi Vocalist in the US” will be invited to open for Mariachi Vargas at the Lila Cockrell Theater. (See below for wristband information to attend competitions.)

Click Here to purchase tickets to see Mariachi Vargas in concert at the Lila Cockrell Theater. TWO concerts will be held on Saturday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 4 at 3 p.m.

Over 1,000 mariachi musicians will convene in San Antonio for more than 100 live performances during the city’s 17th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza November 27 through December 4. The 8-day mariachi music festival is the largest and longest running mariachi music event of its kind in the U.S. Competitive mariachi group and vocal competitions, spectacular mariachi concerts and numerous free community presentations and performances are scheduled. The Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza is named after the internationally acclaimed and Mexico City based, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán who performed their first US mariachi festival in San Antonio in 1979.

**Wristbands to attend the group and vocal competition should be purchased in advance for $7 by calling 210-225-3353. Wristbands may be purchased at the door for $10. Limited seating is available so please purchase wristbands in advance. The purchase of one wristband allows for entry into both the mariachi group and vocal competition.