April 20 - 24, 2010
The La Frontera Tucson International Mariachi Conference will once again take center stage as music lovers converge in the Southwest for the 28th year. This year will be an extraordinary week celebrating the 50th anniversary of our lead Mariachi group, the world-famous Los Camperos de Nati Cano. At the Espectacular Concert they will be joined by Lila Downs, Mariachi Cobre and Los Arrieros.
Additionally, upwards of one thousand performers will be participating in an attempt at the Guinness World Record for the largest mariachi group performing simultaneously in one venue.
All week there are workshops, performances and fiesta to ignite the soul.
Join us for:
Student Workshops - taught by professional Mariachi and Folklorico maestros in a rigorous classroom setting. Registration is limited. Ages 12 and up. Beginners through Masters - past experience required; Wednesday - Friday April 21 - 23.
The Participant Showcase and Guinness World Record Attempt - the TCC Arena is the site for this unprecedented concert; a stage packed with world-class professionals, local performers and our students. Everyone will show their stuff and it really will be one for the record books. TCC Arena - Thursday, April 22
The 2010 Espectacular Concert - joining Los Camperos de Nati Cano in celebrating their 50th year of pioneering the art form of Mariachi will be Tucson's own Mariachi Cobre, El Paso's Los Arrieros and the unique and sultry Lila Downs. TCC Arena - Friday, April 23; tickets are on sale and cost $48 and up.
Mariachi Mass - a beautiful tradition showcasing the music and spirit of the Conference in an awe inspiring venue; Saturday, April 24, St Augustine Cathedral
The Fiesta de Garibaldi - an all day fiesta bringing together all generations for fabulous music, dance and great eats. Saturday, April 24, DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, Reid Park
Educating and Helping our Future - the children
The conference was created for the sake of the children. Each year approximately 900 students come from all over America and parts of Canada and Mexico to learn from the masters of mariachi and baile folklórico dance. In these workshops students of all ages and skill levels learn the art of their chosen instrument and the more intricate steps of the dance. But they learn more. The workshops also teach students life lessons such as individual responsibility, the importance of tradition, humility, pride in oneself, team building, leadership, how to be a contributing member of a group, and how talent is a gift that requires a lot of hard work. The masters instill all this in the students in just a few days and classes culminate with live performances in front of audiences where they show-off what they have learned. Many of the students start the workshops in the beginner classes and as the years go by they come again and again to progress through to the Masters program.
La Frontera Center, Inc. knows these children are the future of mariachi and Hispanic music traditions. The entire community benefits from the young mariachis love of the music and from La Frontera’s assistance in the surrounding area. Each year proceeds from the conference benefit the families and children to help where other social programs fall short. Sponsors of the Conference will help in that cause and play a part in making this portion of the United States a better place to live and raise a family.
