Three of the world’s greatest mariachi ensembles will perform in Texas this fall!
On September 10, Mariachi Cobre and Vikki Carr will perform as part of the grand opening ceremonies of the brand new Tobin Center in San Antonio. Mariachi Vargas follows with two shows, in Corpus Christi on September 13 and San Antonio on November 22. In addition, Los Camperos will perform in San Antonio on December 11 at the Aztec Theater, and on December 12 in Nacogdoches.
Mariachi Cobre
Mariachi Cobre and Vikki Carr
El Paso native Vikki Carr is one of the most popular Mexican American artists to ever sing mariachi music. The list of her hits in English and Spanish over the last 50 years—including three Grammy awards—is impressive, to say the least. Mariachi Cobre, founded 44 years ago in Tucson, was the country’s first prominent Mexican American mariachi, and the group has been one of the pillars of the U.S. mariachi festival and conference movement. These celebrated performers team up for one show only at San Antonio’s H-E-B Performance Hall on Wednesday, September 10. Tickets can be purchased at the Tobin Center website.
Vikki’s latest CD, Viva la Vida, featuring Mariachi Sol de México, was nominated for the Latin Grammy Best Ranchera Album of the Year award last year, but lost to Vicente Fernández.
Vikki Carr
7th Annual Corpus Christi Mariachi Music Fest
John Vela’s Mariachi Nuevo Royal will accompany Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza “Best Mariachi Vocalist in the US” winner William “Carlton” Gálvez as an opener for Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán—el mejor mariachi del mundo—on September 13, at the American Bank Center Selena Auditorium. Little Joe Anthony Pérez of Ben Bolt, and Catherine González of Kingsville will also perform at that concert, adding a little local flavor and giving the audience a preview of the upcoming Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza vocal competition to be held in San Antonio on November 22. The award-winning Mariachi Aztlán from the University of Texas Pan-Am in Edinburg also will make its debut appearance at this festival. This will be Vargas’ seventh consecutive year performing in the sparkling city of Corpus Christi, and a show you won’t want to miss! Tickets are on sale now at ticketmaster.com.
UT Pan-Am’s award-winning Mariachi Aztlán
20th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza
It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since my first production of the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza in 1995! Now, two decades later, we’re working hard to make sure this year’s event is the best ever. This 20th anniversary Extravaganza will be a very special event, as we welcome Mariachi Vargas’ newest member and new musical director, Carlos Martínez, to San Antonio, and bid farewell to veteran member Federico Torres, who is officially retiring from the group after 50 years. Our goal is to make this the biggest gathering and celebration of the individuals who have made great contributions to mariachi music over the years! Tickets go on sale September 1 at ticketmaster.com. Registration for groups and vocalists opens the same day, at which time a complete schedule of events will be posted on mariachimusic.com.
Fiesta Navidad with Los Camperos de Nati Cano
On Thursday, December 11, the legendary and incomparable Los Camperos de Nati Cano will perform that group’s annual Fiesta Navidad Christmas concert at San Antonio’s Aztec Theater. I will be there chilling out, relaxing, and enjoying their beautiful show following the Vargas Extravaganza. I’m always excited to see local homeboy Raúl “Junior” Cuéllar, and the rest of the Camperos, including Germán López (vihuela), Jonathan Palomar (guitar and son of former Vargas member Rafael Palomar), and Jesús “Chuy” Guzmán (the group’s musical director). The following day, Friday, December 12, Los Camperos will repeat the show at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, TX. Call the University Box Office at 936-468-6407 for tickets.
Look forward to seeing all of you at these shows this fall!
—Cynthia
