Mariachi Craze

“Expenses advertising 13,140 travel 10,064 lodging 8,534 liability 1,260 conference & performance 15,707 bank/credit card charges 90 gifts 150 total 48,945”

“To preserve, promote, and teach the folk music and dance that makes our border culture unique.”

“Mariachi craze hosts two events a year: the el paso border folk festival (bff) music & dance conference and concert series and the cinco de mayo mariachi & folklorico night. The music and dance conference creates a folk festival atmosphere, and opens its doors to students involved in school and community music programs. While the conference is mariachi music based, it is through a variety of music genres that the objective of exposing students and teachers to a broader understanding of music theory, proficiency of technique, stage performance, and further cultivation of music appreciation is carried out. In 2023, the music and dance conference attracted 250 students from the borderplex region to include el paso, ciudad juarez, and las cruces. The el paso bff concert attracted 1032 concertgoers at the iconic abraham chavez theatre in downtown el paso. Mariachi craze fulfils its mission of preserving and teaching by hiring quality clinicians, presenters and performers. Since inception, the conference has exposed students to grammy award-winning & nominated musicians, walt disney world cast musicians, and professional musicians who have demonstrated proficiency in their craft. In 2023, maestro julio cesar flores presented dance clinics designed for ballet folkloric dancers. Maestro julio cesar is the director of the ballet folklorico at the universidad veracruzana in xalapa, veracruz, mx. Also in 2023, mariachi estrella de mexico, known as the biggest mariachi in the world, led a series of clinics and presentations to middle and high school students at the 9th annual el paso bff music & dance conference. The concert series is our community outreach, and the way we promote the music and dance that makes our border culture unique. From bluegrass to mariachi, to the sweet, vocal harmonies of the mexican trios romanticos, mariachi craze continues to serenade the el paso community with a rich variety of styles of folk music. In 2023, the concert series continued the cinco de mayo mariachi & folklorico night at the fountains at farah where local mariachis and ballet folkloricos were offered a paid opportunity and a stage to perform before el paso community. The outdoor concert attracted approximately 600 concertgoers from our community. Also in 2023, the 9th annual el paso border folk festival concert headlined tlen huicani from xalapa, veracruz. Tlen huicani was presented the star of the mountain award by our mayor in honor of their excellence in folk music and arpa jarocha (folk harp) since 1973, and their recognition as best folk group in mexico by the union of music and theater critics.”