One of the highlights of the annual Tucson International Mariachi Conference every spring is the Armando C. Gonzales Student Showcase.
Dozens of youth mariachis and folklorico dancers, with generations of family looking on, get a chance on Thursday, April 24 β day two of the four-day festival that continues through April 26 β to show off what they learned in the conference workshops. They only get nine minutes apiece, but for many itβs the best nine minutes of their lives.
A highlight of the annual Tucson International Mariachi Conference is the student showcase, where young mariachi show off their skills. This yearβs showcase is on Thursday, April 24, at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall.
Ever since the mariachi conference launched in 1983 it has served as a springboard for aspiring mariachi performers including the national El Mariachi Canta Competition on Wednesday, April 23, that attracts vocalists as young as 8 from all over vying for cash prizes and a chance to take their talent to a bigger stage.
But the student showcase is arguably the most exciting. The youth groups follow the example of the legendary Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson, which gave birth to the countryβs youth mariachi movement. The ensemble has been part of the festival nearly every year including this year.
Los Changuitos Feos alumni went on to form Mariachi Cobre, largely considered one of the worldβs greatest mariachi.
This yearβs showcase lineup comes from throughout the Southwest including New Mexico State Universityβs Mariachi Orgullo, the Phoenix West Valley ensemble Mariachi Los Tigres de Tolleson, and San Luisβs Mariachi Gadsen.
FolklΓ³rico dancers perform during last yearβs Tucson International Mariachi Fiesta de Garibaldi at JΓ‘come Plaza. This yearβs fiesta is from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. April 26.
Ballet Folklorico los Pumas, Compania de Danza Folklorica AZ, Mariachi Aguilitas de Davis, Mariachi Apache, Mariachi Arizona, Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo High School, Mariachi Campesina, Mariachi Desierto, Mariachi los Diablitos, Mariachi Estrella Juvenil, Mariachi Nueva Luna, Mariachi Pumas de Roskruge, Mariachi Rayos, Mariachi Toritos de White and NHS Folklorico Group also will perform.
Tickets for the 6 p.m. concert at Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave., are $20 through tucsonmariachi.org/tickets.
The festival includes the Espectacular Concert on April 25 at Music Hall and the hugely popular daylong Fiesta de Garibaldi at downtownβs JΓ‘come Plaza, 101 N. Stone Ave., to close out the event April 26.
Mariachi Los Toritos performs during last yearβs Tucson International Mariachi Fiesta de Garibaldi at JΓ‘come Plaza. This yearβs fiesta is on April 26.
Tickets for Espectacular start at $50 through tucsonmariachi.org/tickets; itβs $20 for adults, $10 for children 8-18 and those 65 and older. Children 7 and younger get in free.
For more on the 2025 Tucson International Mariachi Conference, see next weekβs Caliente.
