Enjoy Spectacular Music, Dancing, and Cuisine at the 2019 International Mariachi Festival
Enjoy Spectacular Music, Dancing, and Cuisine at the 2019 International Mariachi Festival
Mariachi Estrellas de Chula Vista (Photo: Arash Afshar, Port of San Diego–Flickr)
One of the great cultural events in San Diego County is right around the corner, and you’ll be within easy reach of its melodic, visual, and gastronomic pleasures as a guest of the Sofia Hotel!
Sunday, March 10th marks the seventh edition of the International Mariachi Festival, which this year will take place in Chula Vista’s Bayside Park. Join us for the finest hospitality in Downtown San Diego at our historic hotel, and take in the live music, dancing, arts-and-crafts, and culinary delights of this fabulous celebration right at the doorstep of San Diego Bay!
The International Mariachi Festival
Presented by the National City Chamber of Commerce and the Unified Port of San Diego, the International Mariachi Festival celebrates Mexican cultural heritage with world-class performances by mariachi and ballet folklorico dance ensembles.
These groups hail from all around the United States and Mexico, and include a host of student outfits that’ll be competing for cash prizes in both high-school and middle-school divisions. (A two-day music conference ahead of the festival will go down at the University of San Diego, where top mariachi instructors will lead workshops and classes for hundreds of students.)
Mariachi is a centuries-old style of folk music that originally developed in rural Mexico and came of age during the 20th century as it spread into Mexico City and other urban centers. Typical instrumentation includes guitars, violins, and trumpets, which provide the nimble foundation for soaring vocals.
Ballet folklorico, meanwhile, encompasses a wide range of traditional Mexican folk dancing, including the widely known Jarabe tapatío (“Mexican hat dance”) from the state of Jalisco: a mesmerizing courtship routine commonly accompanied by mariachi.
Main Stage performances at this year’s International Mariachi Festival come courtesy of such groups as Mariachi Los Reyes, Mariachi Juvenil de San Diego, Mariachi Los Aventureros, Danza Folkloric alas Florecitas, Mariachi Estrella de Chula Vista. On the Port Stage, meanwhile, you’ll be treated to entertainment from Ballet Folklorica Sangre Mestiza, Geralda Obeso, Nancy Gabriela, and others.
Other International Mariachi Festival Attractions
The onstage music and dancing is the main attraction at the International Mariachi Festival, it goes without saying, but much else is on tap as well. You’ll find a variety of food vendors on hand, including Pupusas Express, Karina’s Mexican Seafood Cuisine, Tacos El Chilango, Mariposa Ice Cream, and Birrias, Chiros y Cheves. To wet your whistle, a festival beer garden will be open from 11 AM through 6 PM.
Better than 70 arts-and-crafts vendors will also be taking part in the festival. A special family area will offer a host of kid-friendly activities, including face-painting, climbing, water games, and virtual-reality technology.
Attend the International Mariachi Festival on Sunday, March 10th With Boutique Downtown San Diego Accommodations at the Sofia Hotel
You can learn more about the logistics of the International Mariachi Festival—including transportation, not least the super-convenient option of taking the public trolley to the H Street Transit Center and then riding a free festival shuttle to Bayside Park—at the official FAQ.
We’d love to host you for this amazing showcase of Mexican culture and cuisine here at the Sofia Hotel, your go-to choice for boutique accommodations and luxury amenities in Downtown San Diego. Come join us for the festivities this Sunday!