Dr. Dahlia Guerra, the visionary behind UTRGV’s renowned mariachi music program, and founder of the FESTIBA Mariachi and Literacy Festival, is launching a new and exciting chapter in her life. After nearly four decades as an educator and advocate for mariachi music, she has established the South Texas Music & Cultural Arts Foundation and is proud to present the inaugural South Texas Mariachi Festival, taking place April 25-27, 2025! This three-day event will include all the beloved traditions of a mariachi music
festival—workshops, competitions, and a spectacular concert—along with some unique and meaningful additions.
FRIDAY, APRIL 25 – Workshops & Vocal Semifinals – The festival kicks off with mariachi
workshops at Valley View High School, led by members of Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati
Cano and UTRGV’s Mariachi Aztlán. Under the direction of Francisco Loera, the workshops will
focus on Sones de México, highlighting traditional mariachi music from regions across Mexico.
The workshop repertoire includes:
El Tecolote (Son Abajeño Viejo)
La Rabia (Son de Tierra Caliente, Guerrero)
Son del Triste (Son Jalisciense)
La Malagueña (Son Huasteco, Huapango)
El Huizache (Son Jalisciense)
El Siquisiri (Son Jarocho)
Friday evening features the Mariachi Vocal Semifinals, with competitions for middle school and
high school students, plus a duet category and an open division for all ages.
SATURDAY, APRIL 26 – Group Competitions & Gala Fundraiser – Saturday morning is
packed with mariachi group competitions, followed by the vocal finals in the afternoon.
In the evening, we gather for the Mariachi Under the Stars Gala Fundraiser at the historic Old
Hidalgo Pump House (902 S. Send St., Hidalgo, TX), where Mariachi Los Arrieros del Valle will
be honored with the prestigious Mariachi Hall of Fame Award. The gala will feature stellar
performances by:
Jonathan Palomar
Vanessa Alonzo
Christina Lopez
Mariachi Aztlán
SUNDAY, APRIL 27 – Finals & GRAND CONCERT The festival culminates on Sunday
with Mariachi Group Competition Finals, followed by the South Texas Mariachi Festival 2025
GRAND CONCERT from 4:00–6:30 PM. The lineup includes:
Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano
Mariachi Los Arrieros del Valle
Vanessa Alonzo
Christina Lopez
Mariachi Aztlán
Vocal and Group Competition Winners
Tickets start at just $20 and are available at SouthTexasMusic.org.
We are so proud of Dr. Dahlia Guerra for her leadership, passion, and enduring commitment to
elevating mariachi music and culture in South Texas and beyond. Her contributions have paved
the way for generations of musicians, and we are honored to support her efforts with a $1,000
contribution to go towards scholarships for vocal competition winners.
Additional sponsors of the event include the City of Hidalgo, Texas, To Give, Valley View ISD
Fine Arts and Palm Valley Sleep Lab.
¡Felicidades, Dra. Dahlia! We can’t wait for an incredible weekend—and of course, the fun after
party at the Old County Jailhouse following the GRAND Concert!