Step into Mariachi Plaza and you'll be dazzled with an assembly of intricately embellished suits, nylon strums and brassy blasts. This is the historic gathering place for Boyle Heights’ mariachis and, for the last 25 years, home of the Mariachi Festival.
The Mariachi Festival arrives in Boyle Heights this Sunday with a full day of performances from local and international mariachi acts, like Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar, Mariachi los Reyes and Mariachi Nuestras Raices de Jose A. Gonzalez. This year's fest also includes tributes to the late Mexican superstar Juan Gabriel as well as ranchera icon José Alfredo Jiménez.
"This event was created for the local community to strengthen itself," says festival producer Edward Padilla, "to join together in an art form that we know, that is deep in our hearts. It’s deep in our roots."
Photograph: Courtesy Mariachi Festival
The festival was founded as a counterpoint to area violence in the ’80s and as a way to preserve the plaza’s heritage. Mariachi Plaza and the Boyle Hotel across the street have long provided a haven for working mariachis. That’s why, even when approached by other venues, the festival’s organizers say they could never leave the plaza.
With one foot rooted firmly in tradition, the fest has taken a step toward an increasingly inclusive future in recent years by featuring the the all-female Trio Ellas, the straight-out-of–high-school Mariachi los Toros and Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, which prides itself as the first ever LGBTQ mariachi band (the latter two will once again be performing at this year's festival).
"It’s what the community is sort of asking us to reflect upon,” says Padilla. “To highlight the richness and wonderful music that’s coming out of our youth now."
Mariachi Festival takes place on November 20 at Mariachi Plaza (730 Pleasant Ave) from 9:30am to 7pm. It's free to attend.
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