PAC Hosts Mariachi Fiesta-val Today and Tomorrow

More than 300 students from area middle schools and high schools have converged upon Palo Alto College to participate in a “first-of-its-kind” musical event for community and family, which promises a learning and performance experience for mariachi aficionados: students, teachers, instructors, and the community, May 18-19.

Palo Alto College and the Mexican American Business and Professional Women’s Club of San Antonio, Inc. is hosting “Garibaldi at Palo Alto,” a Mariachi Fiesta-val. The festival is a scholarship fundraiser for the Mariachi Program at Palo Alto College.

A day-long music clinic is underway with workshops on technique, style, stage performance, music selection, and specialized topics running until 4 p.m. Additional workshops are scheduled for tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Instruction and workshops are designed for students in grades 6-12. Mariachi groups from area schools and individuals have been invited to participate.

The internationally renowned Campanas de América will provide instruction for event workshops. With nearly 30 years of experience, Campanas continues to prove they are one of the most sought after mariachi ensembles in performance and instruction. Other special guest artists and clinicians have been invited to participate as well.

In the evening on both days, the campus Courtyard will transform into “Garibaldi at Palo Alto” with strolling mariachis and a variety of food and novelty booths adding a fiesta flair to the event from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, and from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday. Garibaldi is a park in Mexico City that attracts strolling mariachis and other artisans that entertain visitors to the park.

The evening event is free and open to the public.