Winners of the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza have been invited to perform in various parts of the country to represent the best of mariachi music among student-based mariachi groups and vocalists.
In 2002 Roma High School’s Mariachi Santander spent a week in Atlanta, Georgia performing throughout the community in places such as the world headquarters of Coca-Cola USA. In 2006 UT Pan Am’s award-winning mariachi, and Monique Alvarado (Best Mariachi Vocalist), represented the Extravaganza in Quad Cities, Illinois during a 7-day residency program. In 2008 Zapata High School’s Mariachi Halcon traveled to Eugene, Oregon to participate in numerous community outreach activities and open for the world renowned Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan. This year Mariachi Cotuleño, first place winners in the 2009 high school group competition, will represent the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Green Show in Ashland, Oregon. The Cotulla High School Mariachi Group will perform 4 shows during their weeklong visit to the Rogue Valley area. Karenn Lazo from Roma High School will join Cotulla in Ashland as first place winner of the mariachi vocal competition (High School Category). Twenty-seven students and directors will have the opportunity to showcase their talents in Southern Oregon and represent the best of mariachi music in the U.S. among high school students. Students will perform their award-winning competition pieces along with some all-time favorites such as Los Laureles, La Negra and Guadalajara. The experience is sure to be one that will have a lifetime impact on these South Texas students. Thanks to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival organizers, the entire community of Cotulla, Texas and Elio Ramirez, Cotulla’s Mariachi Director, for your work in making this all possible!!!
The 2010 Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza will be held in San Antonio, Texas November 28 – December 5. Tickets go on sale September 1. The vocal competition deadline is October 1. For information on the Oregon Shakespeare Festival log on to www.osfashland.org
