Lakeside residents got a sample of what the International Mariachi Festival is all about with two very distinct musical troupes appearing on stage Saturday, September 6 at the Auditorio de la Ribera.
Performing first was the Mariachi Gadsden, a group of 11 young musicians from San Luis, Arizona, that stood out for the charismatic style of lead vocalist Ernesto Alvarado, who stepped off the stage for close and personal serenades to folks in the audience.
The troupe emerged from a unique teaching program initiated in 2001 by the Gadsden School District that focuses on training middle school students in the mariachi genre. Most of the musicians are now enrolled in college and assist in instructing elementary and middle school kids who are currently coming up through the mariachi program.
The young Americans said they were delighted to attend the Guadalajara Mariachi Festival for the second year running, giving them an opportunity to hone their skills through three days of practical workshops and numerous public performances. For trumpet player Alexis Orozco the highlight of the trip was having a chance to rub elbows with 93-year-old Miguel Martínez Domínguez, acclaimed as the father of the Mariachi horn.
After the intermission, Mariachi Tlaxcallan wowed the audience with an ebullient performance that demonstrated mastery of a huge repertoire and flawless showmanship. Their choice of potpourris representing popular tunes from different eras put individual musicians into the spotlight to showcase their special talents.
The group hails from Belén Atzitzimititlan, Tlaxcala, a village of under 2,500 inhabitants located about 40 minutes from the city of Puebla. Founded in 1987, all the players are members of the town’s Xolocotzi family. They have participated in the Mariachi festival for the last seven years. Director and lead singer Gilberto Xolocotzi Mata said they were thrilled to be invited to appear in Ajijic and also have the privilege of performing at a Degollado Theater gala.
The show opened with a demonstration of roping tricks by charros from the Pepe Martínez Ranch, home to the Equine Therapy Center that was chosen as the event’s charity cause. The program was rounded out by Ajijic’s Ballet Folklorico Xicantzy, dancing for the crowd to close the first act.