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.

The Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza group competition will be held Friday, November 30 starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Lila Cockrell Theater at 200 E. Market, San Antonio, Texas. Nearly 1,000 mariachi musicians will participate. Vocal competitions begin  Saturday, December 1 at 9:00 a.m. Wristbands are required to attend and may be purchased in advance at the Mariachi Connection or at the Lila Cockrell Theater one hour prior to each competition.

Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza competition winners will be invited to open for Mariachi Vargas Saturday, December 1 at the Lila Cockrell Theater at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are going fast. Purchase today!

In addition to scholarships for winners, the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza presents a scholarship each year in the name of Geraldine “BooBoo” Orta Charles who spent her life as director of the Mariachi Choir at San Jose Mission. The scholarship is awarded to a student who utilizes their talent by volunteering to play at a mariachi mass. If you know someone who plays mariachi music in a church, please take a moment to email me at cynthia@mariachimusic.com and nominate them for the Geraldine “BooBoo” Orta Charles scholarship today. Call 210-225-3353 if you have questions.