Mariachi Extravaganza archive at Mariachi Music Blog

Archive for the 'Mariachi Extravaganza' Category

06
May

Steeven Sandoval chats with harp player Gabriela Fuentes

By Ally 0 Comments
Categories: Mariachi Extravaganza, Mariachi Music and Mariachi Vargas
Gabriela Fuentes, a harp player and mariachi director at McAulisse Middle School, had the privilege of interviewing Steeven Sandoval during the Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Vocal Camp last year. In this interview you will read about Steeven’s favorite memories with Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, his influences and why he likes to sing in the shower! Steeven will return to San Antonio in June to lead the 2nd Annual Mariachi  Extravaganza Summer Vocal Camp. Registration is now open, so do not miss this once and a lifetime chance to learn from one of the world’s best mariachi vocalist, Steeven Sandoval. 
1. How many songs have you composed?
Well I don’t really consider myself a composer, I have written a few. Ideas come to you when you get inspired. Currently I have three songs that I’ve written that have been recorded and I have a few more…waiting for a rainy day.

2. What advice would you give me if I wanted to prepare to join a professional group?

A great deal of dedication, of course practice, but good quality practice, 1-2 hours would be great, as long as it is concentrated. But above all you must relinquish yourself to your instrument.

3. Who are your vocal influences/inspirations?

Living, I have to say Vicente Fernandez, I really admire him.

Passed on, Javier Solis, I really loved him.

4. When did you first start to sing?

Honestly the shower was my first teacher; the acoustics in the restroom are very encouraging. I don’t remember exactly when I started, but I was a young boy.

5. What was your first song that you learned to sing?

The great artist at the time was “Pedrito” Fernandez, and I learned all his songs. I believe the first one I learned was… (Singing)” Que te pasa Chiquita que te pasa…”yes “La de la Mochila Azul”.

6.  When did you first start playing violin?

Actually, I started late in life, I was a stubborn boy that just wanted to play futbol (soccer).  In fact I remembered one time I had come up with an idea. As I use to practice violin I would record myself practicing scales and exercises. So one day my friends invited me out to play but I had to sneak out. So I decided to leave the tape playing of me on the violin and snuck out with my friends. I thought it was a genius idea and had a great time with my friends. Upon my return I found my mom seated next to the tape player in my room, tape still playing, awaiting my return. I was scared she was going to hit me so I offered her my belt, so she would forgive me. She took my belt, but did not hit me. Instead she hurt me with her words; she looked at me and calmly said. “Steeven, I hope you don’t think I am stupid, because you cannot make me stupid. Only you can make yourself stupid. One day you will want to have a family, but how are you going to support them?” And she quietly walked out.  That is when reality hit me and I knew selling hot dogs for $50 dollars a week was not going to sustain my future lifestyle. So I decided to truly dedicate myself to my instrument at the age of 14.

Continue reading ‘Steeven Sandoval chats with harp player Gabriela Fuentes’

17
Apr

More Details for Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Vocal Camp

By cynthia 2 Comments
Categories: Mariachi Extravaganza, Mariachi Music and Mariachi Vargas

One of world’s top performing mariachi vocalist and violinist, Steeven Sandoval, will be in San Antonio to lead the 2nd Annual Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Vocal Camp June 24-28 at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. Steeven is one of the greatest vocalist who performed with the world’s preeminent Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán (1998 – 2012). He is best known for his rendition of Por Amor and also works as a songwriter and producer in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Continue reading ‘More Details for Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Vocal Camp’

12
Apr

Mariachi Extravaganza Finalists Perform at Fiesta Arts Fair

By cynthia 0 Comments
Categories: Mariachi Extravaganza, Mariachi Music and Other Mariachi Events

 

 

 

 

It’s Fiesta time in San Antonio and Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza participants will perform! The prestigious Southwest School of Art is preparing for their many events including the Fiesta Arts Fair. The event will feature several of the 18th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza vocal finalists and winners. Continue reading ‘Mariachi Extravaganza Finalists Perform at Fiesta Arts Fair’

02
Nov

Cash Prize to be awarded to Songwriting Competition Winner

By Lilly Closed
Categories: Mariachi Extravaganza, Mariachi Music and Mariachi Vargas

The 18th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza is less than a month away! There are a few updates for the Mariachi Extravaganza Songwriting Competition, which will take place on Thursday, November 29 at 2 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio, 600 E. Market, and is free and open to the public.

First, we are excited to announce that a cash prize will be awarded to the winner of the competition who will be chosen by members of Mariachi Vargas! Second, the registration fee has been waived to enter the competition. Individuals do not have to be registered for the Extravaganza to submit songs for the songwriting competition. Third, the deadline to submit an entry has been extended to Wednesday, November 21. A MP3 must be emailed to Cynthia@mariachimusic.com by November 21.

Continue reading ‘Cash Prize to be awarded to Songwriting Competition Winner’

30
Oct

AGT Auditions to be held in San Antonio

By cynthia 1 Comment
Categories: Mariachi Extravaganza, Mariachi Music and Mariachi Vargas

America’s Got Talent (AGT) will host auditions in San Antonio January 12 & 13, 2013. If you have a talent or act you think America will fall in love with,  start preparing now for this audition. Director of Mariachi Charros de Oro – Baldemar Villarreal – said he had a great experience accompanying Sebastien De La Cruz who climbed all the way to the semi-finals on the most popular television reality show of the summer. America fell in love with the 10-year old mariachi singer from San Antonio and fell in love with mariachi music. Baldemar says he highly recommends giving it a shot as the experience is second to none.

Continue reading ‘AGT Auditions to be held in San Antonio’

30
Oct

Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Scholarships Offered

By cynthia Closed
Categories: Mariachi Extravaganza, Mariachi Music and Mariachi Vargas

San Antonio’s 18th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza will present scholarships to winners of the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza group and vocal competitions. The competitions are the largest, longest running and most competitive mariachi group and vocal competitions in the nation and are held during the 7 day Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Nov. 25 – Dec. 1. Mariachi group and vocal competition winners are selected by none other than members of the world’s preeminent Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan.

Continue reading ‘Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Scholarships Offered’

30
Oct

Vocal Finalists to be Posted Nov 1

By Lilly Closed
Categories: Mariachi Extravaganza and Mariachi Music


 

 

 

 

 

 

Finalists for San Antonio’s 18th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Vocal Competition will be posted Thursday, November 1 at 10am here. This year the number of entries went up by 30% from last year! There was a tremendous selection of entries from very talented, young vocalists from all over the country. The judges had a very difficult time narrowing down the list to only 37 finalists. The finalists will compete in front of a live audience at the Lila Cockrell Theater on Saturday, December 1 at 9 am. This is the only mariachi vocal competition in the country where winners are chosen by members of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan. First, second and third place winners are selected from four categories: Elementary School; Middle School, High School and College/University. One overall winner will be chosen as the “Best Mariachi Vocalist in the US” and will have the opportunity to open for Mariachi Vargas December 1. The “Best in the U.S. Vocalist” will also receive a scholarship and the opportunity to represent the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza in performances throughout the year.

Continue reading ‘Vocal Finalists to be Posted Nov 1′

24
Oct

Deadline nears for Mariachi Art Exhibit

By cynthia Closed
Categories: Mariachi Extravaganza, Mariachi Music, Mariachi Vargas and Other Mariachi Events

It is time once again to call for entries for San Antonio’s 18th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Mariachi-themed Art Exhibit and Competition. This event will take place on Tuesday, November, 27, 2012. The 18th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza takes place November 25 – December 1. The event is the largest and longest running mariachi music festival of its kind in Texas and among the most prominent in the US. More than 100 outstanding mariachi music performances take place throughout the 7-day period during mariachi group and vocal competitions, community presentations, concerts and more. Over 1,000 mariachi musicians from throughout the US and Mexico convene in San Antonio for the week-long event.

MARIACHI-THEMED ART EXHIBIT
The mariachi-themed art exhibit and competition is held at the Centro Cultural Aztlán during the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza. The event encourages local, regional and national artists to capture the spirit of the South Texas culture through its music and its people and to create artwork reflective of today’s most talented mariachi musicians and vocalists.

ARTISTS
Portrait painters, photographers, sculptors, sketch artists, mixed media artists, craft artists, illustrators, cartoonists, sketch artists, glass artists, wood carvers and all are invited to submit an art piece that incorporates a mariachi theme to be displayed at the Centro Cultural Aztlán as part of San Antonio’s 18th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza.

SPECIFICS
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: Friday, November 9, 2012 (before 5:00 p.m.)
SIZE OF WORK: 6 inches in height up to 8 feet in height and up to 8 feet in width
ENTRIES SUBMITTED TO: Malena Gonzalez-Cid
Executive Director
Centro Cultural Aztlán
1800 Fredericksburg Rd. #103
San Antonio, Texas 78201-5090
210-432-1896
PRIZES First, second and third place winners will receive a prize. Selected pieces submitted by Friday, October 26 will be printed on invitations to the opening exhibit and in the concert program. All pieces submitted will be posted on mariachimusic.com.

OPENING RECEPTION: Tuesday, November 27, 2012, 7:00 p.m.

ART EXHIBIT: Tuesday, November 27 through December 4, 2012

MARIACHI VARGAS CONCERT: Saturday, December 1 at 7:30 p.m./Lila Cockrell Theater

COMPETITION
Judges are looking for artwork that portrays the beauty, authenticity and elegance of the 100 + year old tradition of mariachi music. Log on to mariachimusic.com or check out the mariachimusicdotcom channel on YouTube for additional resources. For more information contact Cynthia Munoz, Producer of San Antonio’s 18th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza at 210-225-3353 or cynthia@mariachimusic.com.

Thank you for your participation in helping to make this event the largest mariachi-themed art exhibit in the US!

02
Sep

Concert dates and Extravaganza Deadlines posted

By cynthia Closed
Categories: Mariachi Extravaganza, Mariachi Music and Mariachi Vargas

Mariachi Vargas will be back in Texas very soon. Don’t miss these important dates and deadlines that are rapidly approaching.

Wed., Sept. 26 • Mariachi Vargas to perform in Dallas at the Winspear Opera House at 8 p.m. Click Here to purchase tickets.

Fri., Sept 28 • Mariachi Vargas to perform in Corpus Christi for the 5th Annual Mariachi Music Fest at the American Bank Center Selena Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Click Here to purchase tickets.

Nov. 25 – Dec. 1 • San Antonio’s 18th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza- To register for the Extravaganza or for more information Click Here. 

(Click on page to to continue reading.)

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31
Aug

Entries now accepted for Mariachi Songwriting Competition

By cynthia Closed
Categories: Mariachi Extravaganza, Mariachi Music and Mariachi Vargas

 

 

 

 

 

The Mariachi Extravaganza Songwriting Competition was incorporated into the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza in 2011 and serves as a platform for aspiring and established songwriters to share their original works with mariachi aficionados from throughout the world. The Songwriting Competition will take place on Thursday, November 29 at 2 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio, 600 E. Market, and is free and open to the public. The deadline to submit an entry is November 5. To register Click Here.

Continue reading ‘Entries now accepted for Mariachi Songwriting Competition’

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