On Saturday, April 30, TAMU-CC will be hosting the second annual Festival de Mariachi en la Isla. The day will be filled with live music, family activities, food trucks, and cultural discussions, all in celebration of the rich Latine history and culture in the Coastal Bend region.

Though this is the second time the festival has been held, this is the first time it will take place in person. “We are really excited to bring the festival to Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend community,” Rai Morales, a committee member for the festival, said.

The festivities will kick off at 12 p.m. outside the Performing Arts Center. Family-centric activities including face painting and lawn games will be available for the entirety of the festival. “What makes the festival so great is that the event, yes it has music, but most importantly, brings families and community members out and together,” Morales said. 

The mariachi performances will kick off at 12 p.m. with Tuloso-Midway Middle School’s “Mariachi Los Guerreros.” Their performance will be followed by Eagle Pass High School’s “Mariachi Toro Azabache” at 1 p.m. The third act of the day will be Tuloso-Midway High School’s “Mariachi Tierra Mia” at 2 p.m.

TAMU-CC professor Amanda Marquez will be hosting a discussion titled “Mujeres de Mariachi” with Letty Guval de Luna at 2:30 p.m. “Both Marquez and de Luna have such wonderful personalities and will host a wonderful discussion,” Morales said.

At 4:45 p.m., McAllen High School’s “Mariachi Oro,” the seven-time winner of the Texas Association of Mariachi Educators’ (TAME) state UIL event, will take the stage. At 5:30 p.m., TAMU-CC’s Mariachi de la Isla will perform. 

The final act of the night, Mariachi Nuevo Royal, will take place at 8 p.m. Mariachi de Nuevo Royal was a finalist at the 2020 Houston Stock show and Rodeo, one of the most competitive mariachi events in the nation.

Local vendors that will be present at the festival include: Chasing Camilla, Beaching Blooms CC, Laura’s Cupcakery, RC Clay Designs, That’s What She Crafted, What Ev Makes, Spice Collections, Casa Creations, and Poppin Jars. Additionally, there will be four locally-owned food trucks: Chibolo’s Tacos on the Run, El King, TacoBar Street, and Sliced Pizza.

“Corpus Christi is long overdue for a festival like this. It is the perfect home for a festival hosting so many groups and to highlight the rich cultural traditions in south Texas,” Morales said. “It is definitely something we plan to continue.”

Admissions to the festival will be $5 for daytime concerts and events or $10 for an all-day pass, which includes the 8 p.m. headliner “Mariachi Nuevo Royal.” For more information, please visit https://www.tamucc.edu/performing-arts-center/mariachi-fest/index.php or email [email protected].