Musco Center Presents:
Heartbeat of Mexico: Mariachi Fest
VIRTUAL EVENT Livestream

Saturday, May 15, 2021 | 1:00 p.m. PDT

Mariachi is thriving in our community -- our virtual Heartbeat of Mexico festival is merely bringing the celebration right to your homes. 

This virtual mariachi celebration is connecting professional artists with community members and bridging the gap between generations by allowing well-known local mariachi ensembles such as Las Colibrí, Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea, and Mariachi Espectacular to share the virtual stage with local school-based mariachi programs from Chapman University, Santa Ana High School and Garey High School.

In a live Q&A, ensemble leaders will join together to explore topics such as women in mariachi, local mariachi culture, and the transfer of knowledge to the next generation of musicians. 
 
In partnership with Chapman’s Latinx Staff and Faculty Forum, other family activities, such as story time and arts and crafts demos, will be provided. 

About the Artists

Las Colibrí

Las Colibrí or “The Hummingbirds,” are an all-female mariachi ensemble playing traditional early 20th century all-string instrumentations in the colorful costumes of Mexican cinematic divas of the 40’s and 50’s. With a traditional lineup featuring Guitarrón, Guitar, Vihuela, and Violins, they perform unique interpretations of traditional sones, huapangos, and rancheras with more modern jazz, rock, oldies, and R&B influences. 

Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea

All-female ensemble Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea was founded in 1999 by musical director and trumpet player Cindy Shea. Mariachi Divas is known for elegant, innovative performances of everything from mariachi classics to jazz and pop. 

The ensemble is both a local favorite and popular with many high-profile television, film, and music video projects. Mariachi Divas became the official premier all-female mariachi of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim in 2003, were featured in Disney Pixar’s Coco: A Live-to-Film Concert Experience at the Hollywood Bowl, and were in the music video for Disney Pixar Coco’s “Remember Me” with Christina Aguilera and Miguel. The group has won two GRAMMY awards, with eight total GRAMMY nominations and three Latin GRAMMY nominations.

Mariachi Espectacular

Formed by Grammy Award-winning producer Beto Jimenez and managed by Cindy Shea, this all-male mariachi ensemble features highly accomplished mariachi who have produced, composed, arranged and recorded for famous artists around the world. 

Mariachi Espectacular performs regularly at various events and concerts and returns to Disneyland Resort in Anaheim each year to perform at the Viva Navidad Holiday parade. Their debut album “Pura Tradicion” features the most popular classics in the world. 

Mariachi Panteras

Led by Dr. Tammy Yi of the Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music and collaborator Oscar Garibay of Santa Ana High School, Mariachi Panteras is Orange County’s first collegiate mariachi ensemble. The ensemble performs traditional Mexican music, such as sones, huapangos, corridos, polkas, and rancheras using traditional instruments such as the violin, guitar, trumpet, harp, vihuela Mexicana, Guitarrón, and voice. The ensemble is a non-auditioned group focused on inclusion and open to all Chapman students.

Mariachi Los Santos (Santa Ana High School Mariachi) 

Founded in 2000 by former Santa Ana High School band director Bill Hassing, Mariachi Los Santos is now directed by Oscar Garibay, who continues to preserve Hassing’s legacy of teaching the rich traditions of Mexico's culture with authentic mariachi entertainment. Los Santos has a history of excellence in Orange County and beyond. They won the "People’s Choice Award" at the Battle of the Mariachis in San Juan Capistrano for two consecutive years and have performed for notable government officials such as the governors of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León and recently the newly-elect Senator Tom Umberg. Additionally, Los Santos has accompanied appraised Mexican artists such as Grammy-nominated Lupita Infante and Mexican singer, Steeven Sandoval.

Garey High School Mariachi

The Garey High School Music Department has been winning top awards for its performances all over Southern California since the 1980s. Their band and orchestra are known as the pride and joy of Pomona. 

Artist, date, time, and program subject to change.