Texas State’s 15th Annual Mariachi Festival Brings in Top Talent Concert Features Sebastien DeLa Cruz, Lorenzo Negrete and Comedian Valente Rodriguez

April 25, 2014

P Seelan

The Texas State University  “Feria Del Mariachi” festival turns 15 with international entertainment performers featured at the final concert on April 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the San Marcos Embassy Suites ballroom. The final concert tops off a week of events, from April 21 to 27, including  mariachi music concerts, education and competition among visiting high school mariachi bands. Mexican actor, singer and musician Lorenzo Negrete, will receive the Golden Voice Award, or “La Voz de Oro” in Spanish from the hands of 11-year old Sebastien De La Cruz, former ‘America’s Got Talent’ finalist and Texas State University youth mariachi singer. Both will perform at Saturday’s concert. Previous recipients of the Voz de Oro have been awarded to famous mariachi artists Pedro Fernandez, Angeles Ochoa, and Jose Hernandez.The “Soul of the Mariachi” award, or ‘Alma del Mariachi’ in Spanish, will be awarded to the late legendary singer and actor Jorge Negrete; his grandson Lorenzo will accept the award on behalf of the family.  Award winning Texas State student mariachi band Nueva Generacion, or New Generation in Spanish, will perform at the concert.  The concert master of ceremonies will be American actor Valente Rodriguez best known for his role as Ernesto “Ernie” Cardenas of the George Lopez Show where he starred in more than 100 episodes.Tickets for the concert are $10 for students, $15 for general admission, and $25 for preferred seating. Tickets can be purchased at www.txstatepresents.comThe first ever one-week long Feria will kick off with a Mariachi concert on Monday, April 21 at the LBJ Student Center on campus, and ends with a Mariachi Mass at noon Sunday April 27 at Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic church on campus. Visiting high school performers will attend workshops and 11-year old Sebastien De La Cruz, former ‘America’s Got Talent’ finalist and Texas State University youth mariachi singerclinics to learn how to perfect the art of mariachi.  They also will compete to win first, second and third place in high school and middle school mariachi group.  In addition an award will be presented to the top violin, armonia or “harmonuy” and trumpet sections in both high school and middle school categories.  Texas State has selected top performers to create the first ever all-state high school mariachi band. These students will come together to perform at the concert.“This is an opportunity for the community in the San Antonio-Austin corridor and San Marcos to join and enjoy the music and stars,” says John Lopez, coordinator, Latin Music Studies at Texas State.  “Mariachi Nueva Generacion” has been preparing hard and long to show its very best; it’s going to be a real treat.”Lopez says remembering our ancestors who excelled at mariachi like Jorge Negrete is an important tribute  for younger generations to appreciate the music art form. Negrete senior was one of three famous Mexican mariachi singers and movie stars in the 1940s. Negrete, along with Javier Soliz and Pedro Infante, were considered the three kings of Mexican films that fans embraced with pride and joy. Their songs and films were famous not only in Mexico but in all Latin America, Spain and the Caribbean.Grandson Lorenzo Negrete will share some of the movies made famous by his grandfather, Jorge, at the ‘Cine y Cena’ event, or ‘Movie & Dinner,’ fundraiser on April 24, 7 p.m. in LBJSC Ballroom to raise funds for mariachi students’ scholarships. Fans who want to donate to the scholarship fund may contact Ms. Gabriela Poler-Buzali, Senior Major Gift Officer, via e-mail at gpolerbuzali@txstate.edu or by phone at 512-245-8822. Feria Del Mariachi 2014 ScheduleApril 21-27, 2014  DATETIMEEVENTMonday, 4/21       11:30amMariachi Kick Off ConcertAt the LBJ Student CenterTuesday, 4/22        6:30pmYouth Mariachi ConcertAt the Centro Cultural HispanoWednesday, 4/23      7:00pmSMCISD Folkloric Art CompetitionAt the Centro Cultural HispanoThursday, 4/24      7:00pmCine y CenaAt the LBJ BallroomFriday, 4/25     6:00pm –10:00pmFeria Del Mariachi CompetitionAt the LBJ BallroomSaturday, 4/26      8:00am –4:00pmFeria Del Mariachi WorkshopsAt the LBJ Student CenterSaturday, 4/26      7:30pm –9:30pmFeria Del Mariachi ConcertAt the Embassy SuitesSunday, 4/27     12:00pm –1:00pmMariachi MassAt Our Lady of Wisdom (Texas State)