Tucson International Mariachi Conference

Tucson International Mariachi Conference

Last week in April

Mariachi is traditional Mexican folk music with vocal, instrumental, and dance components. A small group of musicians typically sing and play some combination of the following instruments—guitar, vihuela (a small guitar-like instrument), guitarrón (a larger bass-like instrument), violin, and trumpet. Mariachi music also lends itself to the rhythmic zapateado dance, where the performers' boot heels act as percussion instruments.
Since the early 1980s, Mexican music enthusiasts have gathered in Arizona every April for the five-day Tucson International Mariachi Conference. Attendees take part in cultural workshops geared toward young people, enjoy performances by top mariachi bands, and join in the fun at the Fiesta de Garibaldi, an outdoor street festival offering food, arts and crafts, dance, and music.

CONTACTS:
La Frontera Tucson International Mariachi Conference
P.O. Box 3035
Tucson, AZ 85702
520-838-3908; fax: 520-792-9854
www.tucsonmariachi.org

SOURCES:
LatinoLife-1995, p. 34

Celebration days: Apr 24 - Apr 30