It's been awhile...

Wow. It's been forever since the last post and a lot has happened in the last year! For now, check out this picture of the group.



We had a little photo session in Austin with Jake Rice and the photos rock! Check out his website at www.jakericedigital.com.

Consider this my attempt to keep this updated moving forward. :)

2009 Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza

World-renowned Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán is performing this Saturday in concert at the Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio, TX. This concert is the culmination of the weeklong Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza, and mariachi students from around the country will be in San Antonio this weekend for workshops and competitions.

Photo courtesy of MariachiMusic.com

I started playing mariachi in high school and we competed at the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza for the first time in 2000. I still remember all the hard work and dedication we put into preparing for competition. The nerves, the excitement. Getting to go to workshops taught by members of Mariachi Vargas. Playing onstage at the Municipal Auditorium. We looked up to these guys and here we were being taught by and performing in front of them. It was awesome!

Roy Miller High School's Mariachi Cristal at the
Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza in 1999.

Mariachi groups compete in three different categories - elementary/middle school, high school and university. Vocalists have to audition for a spot in the vocal competition. Members of Mariachi Vargas critique, judge and announce the winners, some of who are then featured at the concert on Saturday night.

The mariachi group and vocal competitions are open to the public. If you're in San Antonio, go out and support the kids that work so hard to be there. Admission is $7 (good for both competitions) and a small price to pay for some great mariachi music. The amount of talent some of these groups have is amazing!

Congrats to our own Julian Arizola! He'll be teaching at this year's workshops. And good luck to all our fellow mariachis that will be competing!

2009 Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza
Weekend Schedule

• Friday, November 20, 2009


• Mariachi group competition, 9 a.m.
  Municipal Auditorium
  Admission $7 (also good for vocal competition)
  


• Saturday, November 21, 2009


• Mariachi vocal competition, 9 a.m.
  Municipal Auditorium
  Admission $7
  


• Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, 7:30 p.m.
  Opening acts - Nydia Rojas, Ricardo Castillon and competition winners
  Municipal Auditorium
  Tickets $20-$200 through Ticketmaster
  
  


• Sunday, November 22, 2009


• Almuerzo con Mariachi featuring Mariachi Mexico de Noche, 1-3 p.m.
  Estela's Mexican Restaurant, 2200 W. Martin

Mariachi Tamazula for a Cure

We had a great time doing Susan G. Komen's Austin Race for the Cure this year! A few of us in the group have had family and friends affected by breast cancer, so we're more than willing to give and help out the cause.

This was our second year participating, but this year we invited friends and family to join us. We set ourselves up along the course and played for everyone making their way toward the finish line.

It was awesome to see so many survivors dressed in pink and celebrating life. My mother had breast cancer, and I've seen the havoc such a disease can inflict on one's body and mind. What a feeling it must be to survive the worst and have the ability to join thousands of others supporting you and wanting to find a cure. The joy and appreciation for life was apparent on the faces of many survivors and we were glad to be able to celebrate with them.

Click here and check out some pics of the team at Race for the Cure.

We plan on making this somewhat of a tradition for the group. Our hopes are to raise more money and get even more friends and family to join our team next year. Thanks to Anna, Vance, Joey, Bea, Elaine, Silvia, Yeya and Lili for taking the time to join us this year! You guys are awesome!

Also, donations are continuing to be accepted until November 30th. So far, this year's event has brought in $867,900 in donations! If you'd like to help our team by giving a little, click here and make a donation.

Can't wait for next year's Race for the Cure - November 7, 2010!