UTRGV Mariachi and Folklórico Plan Local Concert, Followed by Summer Tour

by Letty Fernandez

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – The UTRGV Mariachi Aztlán and the Ballet Folklórico are planning a summer tour to showcase outstanding and award-winning ensembles across Texas, New Mexico and Colorado.

Before they depart, though, both ensembles will perform in a Summer Tour Kickoff Concert, 3 p.m. Saturday, July 7, at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex. The concert will feature the new all-female Mariachi Azálea, with Mariachi Aztlán and the Ballet Folklórico.

The UTRGV Mariachi Aztlán and the Ballet Folklórico will conduct workshops and performances from July 8 – 16 in Floresville, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Greely and Lone Tree, Colorado.

“These performances and workshops, presented by both ensembles, will promote UTRGV, celebrate cultural heritage, showcase our talented students across three states and several cities, and recruit students nationwide to our Fine Arts programs, “ said Dr. Dahlia Guerra, assistant vice president for Public Art.

Guerra said many of the students who attend the workshops and performances are first-generation Americans of Hispanic descent and are inspired by the UTRGV Mariachi Aztlán and Ballet Folklórico to be empowered by their culture and to seek higher education.

UTRGV student Nathan Garcia, of Odessa, Texas, first experienced a workshop by Mariachi Aztán in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2011, when he was in high school.

“Since I first saw Mariachi Aztlán perform in Albuquerque, I knew then that I wanted to go to a university where I could study and also perform the music that I love,” he said. “I will be the first in my family to graduate from college, and I also had the opportunity to perform with the best mariachi ensemble in the nation.”

Tickets for the July 7 concert are $5 and are available at http://patron.utrgv.edu/