A prelude to the International Mariachi Festival, which begins on Saturday, August 28, is the Encuentro Nacional de Mariachi Tradicional, when musicians showcase the typical compositions, string instruments and costuming that distinguished the genre at the dawn of 20th century.
Historians trace the roots of mariachi to the highlands of west-central Mexico, evolving since the 16th century to become the emblematic sound that articulates the very soul of the nation.
They dressed in the typical peasant’s garb of homespun muslin shirts and baggy trousers, with red hand-loomed sashes tied around their waists, serapes thrown over their shoulders and huarache sandals on their feet.
Troupes performed their lively strains on crude violins, guitars and harps copied from old world models, sometimes with the accompaniment of reed pipes, drums and other instruments held over from Pre-Columbian cultures.
The Encuentro runs from August 25 to 29 at several Guadalajara venues.
Wednesday, August 25, 8 p.m. Mariachi Tradicional El Carrizo will play at the opening of the “El Mariachi de mi Tierra” art exhibit at the Museo Regional (Liceo 60, city center). No charge.
Thursday, August 26 and Friday, August 27, 5-7 p.m., traditional mariachi groups will perform in the Plaza Fundadores behind the Teatro Degollado. On Saturday, in the same place and at the same time, they will be joined by more modern mariachi bands dressed in their elegant attire. No charge.
Two grand traditional mariachi galas close the festival-within-a-festival on Sunday, August 29, at the Teatro Degollado. They take place at noon and at 6 p.m. Both have free admission.
Guadalajara’s 17th International Mariachi Festival swings into gear Saturday, August 28 with a host of events in different locations (see chart right).
The schedule will be much like last year’s, with nightly galas in the Teatro Degollado and free performances in restaurants, public malls and plazas and local churches. The colorful parade takes place Sunday, August 29, 10 a.m. in downtown Guadalajara.
For more information go to www.mariachi-jalisco.com.mx.
MARIACHI FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE:
Opening parade (free)
Downtown Guadalajara (16 de Septiembre) Aug. 29 10 a.m.
Galas de Mariachi
Teatro Degollado Aug. 28, 29, 30, 31, Sept. 1, 2, 3,. All at 8 p.m.
Teatro Diana Aug. 30, 8 p.m.
Auditorio Telmex Sept. 4, 8.30 p.m.
Recitals in Guadalajara (free)
Plaza Fundadores (behind Teatro Degollado) Aug. 28, 5-7 p.m., Aug. 29, 8-10 p.m.
Recitals in Zapopan (free)
Plaza Andares Aug. 27 7 p.m., Aug. 28, 6 p.m., Aug. 29, 6 p.m., Sept. 1, 7 p.m., Sept. 2, 7 p.m., Sept. 3, 7 p.m., Sept. 4, 6 p.m.
Recitals in Tonala and
Tlajomulco
Tlajomulco Principal Plaza Aug. 27, 8 p.m.
Plaza Cihualpilli Aug. 28, 8 p.m.
Street mariachi
Guadalajara center (Centro Joyero, Instituto Cultural Cabañas, Plaza de los Mariachis)
Aug. 30, 6 p.m., Aug. 31, 6 p.m., Sept. 2, 4 p.m.
Zapopan center Aug. 30, 31, Sept. 1, 2. All at 6 p.m.
Tonala center Sept. 1, 6 p.m.
Tlaquepaque center Sept. 1, 6 p.m.
Recitals in restaurants
(no cover)
Karnes Garibaldi (Santa Teresita) Aug. 30, 31, Sept. 1, 2, 3, 4. All at 3 p.m.
Kamilos 333 Aug. 30, 31, Sept. 1, 2, 3. All at 3 p.m.
Carnes Navarrete Sept. 2, 3. Both at 9 p.m.
Parian Tlaquepaque Aug. 28, Sept. 3, 4. All at 10 p.m.
Lunadas Tapatias
Camera de Comercio
(Vallarta and Niño Obrero) Sept. 4, 8 p.m.
Mariachi Masses (free)
Metropolitan Cathedral
Aug. 28, Noon
Basilica de Zapopan Sept. 5, Noon
National Charro
Championship
Lienzo Charro La Union Ganadera (Lazaro Cardenas and Carretera a Chapala) Aug. 28, 4-6.30 p.m., Aug. 30, 5.30-8 p.m., Aug. 31, 5.30-8 p.m., Sept. 1 5.30-8 p.m., Sept. 2, 2.30-5 p.m., Sept. 3, 5.30-8.30 p.m., Sept. 4, 2-4.30 p.m. and 5.30-8.30 p.m., Sept. 5, 2-4.30 p.m.
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