Entertainment: Youth mariachi bands will celebrate beloved Mexican music tradition
MHHS will hold annual family-fun competition at Villa Mira Monte May 21
Photo courtesy Morgan Hill Historical Society
The Morgan Hill Historical Society’s annual Community Picnic will host a Youth Mariachi Competition at the Villa Mira Monte estate May 21 with the goal of sharing this lively and colorful Hispanic cultural tradition with the community.
By Staff Report
!Que viva el mariachi!
Mariachi music has special significance for many Mexican Americans. The festive songs serve as an emblem of their cultural heritage and a source of pride and community connections.
To celebrate this beloved tradition, the Morgan Hill Historical Society invites South Valley residents to enjoy the merry music at its second annual Youth Mariachi Competition.
The free event takes place starting 1 p.m. May 21 at the Villa Mira Monte historical estate located at, 17860 Monterey Rd. in Morgan Hill. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch to eat in the gardens while listening to the tunes of young people playing
“The competition is an opportunity for people of all ages to share cultural traditions through music and dance,” said Kathy Sullivan, a MHHS board member.
The roots of mariachi tradition date back to the late 1700s and early 1800s in central and western Mexico, she said. It evolved over time in terms of the music, costume and gender inclusiveness. The music reflects Mexican, Spanish, indigenous and other influences.
“Emerging from ranches and small towns, mariachi traditionally includes a distinctive blend of guitars, violins and trumpets,” she said. “The music is often described as highly rhythmic and emotive in nature. In our experience, when the bands start playing, audience members are soon on their feet dancing to the music.”
For the society’s competition, participating youth bands each play three songs. They are judged and prizes are awarded. Folkloric dancers will also perform in their colorful costumes representing folk dance, or “dance of the people.” Like mariachi, folkloric dance reflects a variety of Mexican and other cultural influences and has added elements of ballet and modern dance over time.
“This celebration acknowledges our talented youth while recognizing the parents and the community that enthusiastically support them,” Sullivan said. “The young musicians show a lot of enthusiasm and respect for cultural traditions.”
Since the days of the Chicano Movement’s beginning in the 1960s, mariachi has become a movimiento of its own, attracting millions of fans and music makers, she said.
“Mariachi is the music of country people celebrating their struggles, triumphs and joys,” she said. “Like other art forms, it has evolved over the centuries while staying true to its roots. . . . . Sharing this tradition expands our understanding of the people and their culture.”
Mariachi has its own distinct sounds and the traditional songs are played at holidays, baptisms, weddings and funerals, Sullivan said. The music is an essential source of entertainment in Mexico and the American Southwest.
Celebrating cultural traditions through performance art gives younger generations the opportunity to express their sense of cultural identity, and to appreciate the contributions of their ancestors, she said.
This competition will be family-oriented, Shepherd said. It will be a fun and educational day enjoyed by parents as much as children. Activities include children’s science and art projects, an antique Morgan Hill fire truck, and a raptor exhibit presented by Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center of Morgan Hill.
“We like to say history is like an onion. As we dig deeper into history, we discover there’s still more waiting to be discovered and shared,” she said. “Our state and regional history have been shaped by generations of indigenous people and immigrants from around the world, including people of Spanish and Latin American heritage.”
Sullivan noted Morgan Hill Historical Society volunteers have contributed to the Youth Mariachi Competition. They include Kathy Chavez Napoli, Kathy Devine, Helen Najera Reyes, Shirley Trevino, Dora Amezquita, Ellie Weston, Karl Bjarke, Margo Hinnenkamp, Jan Dommer, Sue Hines, and Sue Olt.
