Preserving tradition: Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque promotes traditional Mexican music through education

Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque keeps the spirit of Mexico’s traditional folk music alive for future generations to appreciate.

The organization’s mission is to promote culture, arts and excellence through education that contributes to the understanding and appreciation of Mariachi folk music and dance in the Land of Enchantment and beyond, according to its website. Each year, Mariachi Spectacular, which is in its 32nd year, organizes events that attract groups of performers and brings master musicians from around the state, country and the world, to celebrate the art form.

Preserving tradition: Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque promotes traditional Mexican music through education

This year’s event began with conference music workshops on Wednesday, July 10, at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Classes are separated by instruments or vocals and by skill level. Students must try out to be part of the master class.

“They’re essentially being tutored or taught the art form at whatever level they come in at,” said Peter Sanchez, CEO of The Atrisco Companies, a social enterprise that supports New Mexico communities through various nonprofit and community-focused organizations. “We have classes beginning with intermediate, advanced, and even a masterclass. So we have a lot of different master teachers that we bring in that are teaching all of the participants.”

The Mariachi Showcase Competition, which takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 12, at Civic Plaza, 1 Civic Plaza NW, will feature students who attended the conference. Groups are limited to a seven minute performance and no piece of music can be repeated if it has been played. Categories include elementary school, middle school, high school, college and open, according to the Mariachi Spectacular website. There will be one winner per category, as well as an overall winner.

The competition is free to the public and made possible through support from the city of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County.

“(The competition) is kind of a battle of the bands of about 15 to 17 groups who have agreed to perform and compete,” Sanchez explained. “We generally attract 30 to 40 groups and a number of them want to compete with each other just for prize money and the opportunity to open the professional show the next night. So that’s a big deal in bragging rights and you have people coming to New Mexico from across the country.”

Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque wraps up with the Mariachi Spectacular Concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at Sandia Resort & Casino, 30 Rainbow Road NE. The ticketed event will feature headliner Mariachi Estrella de Mexico and performances by Mariachi Mariposas, Mariachi Ángeles de Pepe Martínez Jr., and special performances by Ballet Folklorico Paso del Norte dance company, Los Hermanos Escamilla trick ropers and Mateo Lopez.

“We’re going to have a special guest appearance by a young boy who’s gotten himself a little famous because he’s done well on (the TV show) ‘America’s Got Talent’ and various programs like that,” Sanchez said. “His name is Mateo Lopez. He’s young ... (he’s) considered to be the youngest professional mariachi performer at the moment. So lots of different variety in the show and that’s what we’re kind of known for. There’s a lot of variety and a lot of different types of performances. It’s always interesting. It keeps the audience engaged. So we’re really happy and excited.”