MARIACHI USA celebrates 35th anniversary at the Hollywood Bowl

For its 35th anniversary, MARIACHI USA returns to the Hollywood Bowl, one of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000 people for its annual music festival.

MARIACHI USA has become a cornerstone celebration of mariachi music and culture in the United States. This year, the festival promises to be a spectacular event, showcasing the vibrant and timeless tradition of mariachi music with performances from top mariachi bands, breathtaking fireworks and more.

Rodri Rodriguez, who is a visionary in the world of mariachi, has dedicated over three decades to curating and producing this beloved festival. Her passion for mariachi music and commitment to cultural preservation have earned her recognition as a leading figure in the Latin music community. “For me, it was important to recognize and celebrate the mariachis living and working here in the U.S.A., the ones that play in your backyard for just about everything,” Rodriguez said.

Since Rodriguez was a little girl, she would entertain family members at home and create little shows for her family. She always knew she wanted to be part of the music industry. “I loved what I saw in people's faces—what I made them feel. And not just because I was a cute little girl, but because it made them happy, and I had a way of delivering a story, a song, a dance or whatever it was. And so I believe that sat with me and my journey as an entertainer. DNA kicked in, and it was just there. I was born with it,” Rodriguez said.

Under her leadership, MARIACHI USA has grown into one of the biggest mariachi festivals in the country, attracting thousands of people each year. Since its inception in 1990, MARIACHI USA has continued to champion mariachi music, tradition and most importantly, its cultural pride.

“My director, Anthony Medrano and I really evaluate the showmanship, the musicianship and the trajectory of each group that we select to be on that bowl stage because it is for us. It's a sacred space for five hours. We're entertaining people who trust us by making them feel good,” Rodriguez said.

In addition to returning favorites, this year's lineup includes performers from the new era of mariachi, ready to deliver powerful performances. The 2024 line-up features Ballet Folklórico Mi Tierra as well as some of the most acclaimed mariachi bands in the world, including Mariachi Cobre, Mariachi Divas, Mariachi Los Reyes, Mariachi Campanas de America and Mariachi Los Camperos.

These groups represent the pinnacle of mariachi music, each bringing their unique style to the stage for an evening that promises to be an unforgettable night of puro mariachi, continuing MARIACHI USA’s legacy of showcasing the best in mariachi music.

In 1991, Rodriguez founded the MARIACHI USA Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to keeping the traditional mariachi art form alive for generations to come through intensive music instruction for K-12 students in California. “I started the foundation 34 years ago. I felt that there was a need to educate students. My foundation was able to provide after school programs and also our grants are given to schools so that they can provide instruction and also buy instruments for the kids,” Rodriguez said.

For Rodriguez, it’s crucial to keep mariachi alive for future generations. “I'm very forward thinking and I’m always looking at 10 to 20 years down the line because [that’s] when the mariachis that we had are going to begin to retire or can’t play because of arthritis or maybe because they don’t want to play anymore. So the foundation was a way of continuing to develop professional mariachis so that we would have mariachis,” she said.

Thanks to her foundation she has someone like Jorge Alvarez who was one of the foundation students, his own professional group and also owns two restaurants, one in El Monte and one in Tustin. “His entrepreneurial spirit goes beyond just being a mariachi musician,” Rodriguez said. “Foundations like these help students with music education because we believe that music makes kids smart and, no matter what they choose to be, we're not forcing [them to] be mariachi musicians. But music does give you a rounder feel to a successful human being.”

The 35th Annual MARIACHI USA festival invites fans and newcomers alike to experience the magic of mariachi music under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl. With a line-up that showcases the best of mariachi, a tribute to a beloved icon, a celebration of Mariachi Divas' 25th anniversary and a spectacular fireworks finale, this event promises to be once again, a memorable celebration of family, pride and tradition.

Tickets are on sale now and available at www.mariachi usa.com, the Hollywood Bowl Box Office and on Ticketmaster. Early purchase is recommended, as this landmark event is expected to sell out. Rain or shine, the show goes on.

Date & Time: Saturday, June 8, 2024 / 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM

Location: Hollywood Bowl