Tucson International Mariachi Conference a pilgrimage for music lovers

750 enthusiasts are here for dance, song workshops

Californians (from left) Mario Eguin, 17; Edith Torres, 17; and Maria Gonzalez, 17, practice at a mariachi workshop.
Photos by NORMA JEAN GARGASZ/Tucson Citizen

DANIEL BUCKLEY
Tucson Citizen
April 24, 2003
With instruments in town and backpacks on their backs, students of mariachi music and folklórico dance made the pilgrimage to the Tucson Convention Center complex yesterday morning for three days of intense workshops at the Mervyn's Tucson International Mariachi Conference.
Conference coordinator Lolie Gomez said some 250 folklórico students and more than 500 mariachis signed up for the opportunity to learn directly from the masters of the music and dance.
"We had to turn some away because we just don't have enough room," Gomez said.
That was easy to believe from the mob scene in the lobby of the exhibition hall where students, young and older, from around the nation, lined up to pick up their books and head off with their teachers. They were divided up based on level of experience, from beginners to master-level performers.
"It's fun," said Cristal Gomez, a 15-year-old freshman from Tucson High School, returning for her second year of folklórico dance studies at the conference.
This is an especially big year for folklórico students because college-age performers from Ballet Folklórico de la Universidad de Colima in Mexico will be joining their choreographer-director, Rafael Zamarripa Castaneda, at the workshops. The group gave an impressive conference debut performance at Desert Diamond Casino on Tuesday in the kickoff concert of the event.
"I've heard they're really good," said Flor Ramirez, another 15-year-old freshman from Tucson High, who is attending the conference for the first time.

Santa Cruz Catholic School 8th-grader Jesus Leon, 14, plays trumpet at a workshop.

Cristal Gomez said the concentrated workshops are terrific.
"Everything was kind of new," she said of her experience last year. "The teachers are more serious."
Adrian Amador, a 15-year-old from Roskruge Middle School, returning for the fourth time, was likewise excited. He also is a folklórico dancer.
"My instrument is my boots," he said, laughing. "You have to listen to the beat and go with it."
What's his favorite part of the conference?
"Everything pretty much," he said. "Meeting people and going to the big concert. People who haven't gone should really go because it's fun."
Ramirez said that it's a charge for most of her mariachi-playing friends as well.
"Most of them are here," she said.
The workshops have been a central part of the conference for 21 years, cranking out some of the foremost young players in the United States.
"We're like the feeding ground for mariachis," said Delfina Alvarez, president of the Mervyn's Tucson International Mariachi Conference board. "(The conference) has also motivated TUSD to write the mariachi curriculum. There's now a lot of mariachi groups in Tucson."

A line of young trumpeters gets instruction at a mariachi music workshop yesterday.

STILL AHEAD:
What: The Mervyn's Tucson International Mariachi Conference Student Participant Showcase Concert
When: 7 tonight
Where: Tucson Convention Center's Music Hall
Tickets: $9 at the door
What: The Mervyn's Tucson International Mariachi Conference Espectacular Concert, featuring Pablo Montero, Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano and Tucson's Mariachi Cobre
When: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow
Where: TCC Arena
Tickets: $26-$76, available through the TCC box office (791-4266) and the mariachi conference office (838-3913)
What: The Mervyn's Tucson International Mariachi Conference Fiesta Garibaldi, a free celebration of Mexican culture featuring live mariachis, folklórico dancers, food booths and more
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday
Where: Armory Park (South Sixth Avenue and 13th Street