Our mariachi and folklorico students are dynamic, passionate and multi-talented artists. Many go on to lead in college and their communities, contributing leadership in their careers and through their artistry.

  

¡VivaFest! classes can be life-changing experiences for young people as they blossom as artists, learn cultural pride, and grow in academic motivation. We want as many rising stars as possible to take part. To that end, we've launched a new Kickstarter campaign to help aspiring musicians pay for tuition for mariachi workshops. We call this effort "Our Big Fat Mariachi Summer Camp."

 

Help us lead the next generation of artists, musicians and community leaders! 

 

We can't think of a better group of people to lead the 2014 ¡VivaFest! workshops than Maestros José Hernández, Maria Luisa Colmenares, José Tena and Juventino Mejia. Together these outstanding artists will provide their heart and expertise in subjects as diverse as creating software for mariachi music, trumpet technique, and leadership development in the field of ballet folklorico. The workshops include a special one-day session taught by Mejia on learning basic code to create software that plots the chord variations for acoustic vihuela and guitar.

 

To experience Maestro Hernández's unique trumpet stylings, watch this Q&A/demonstration:

  

Maestro José Hernández on the trumpet.

 

Every year, our mariachi and folklorico workshops culminate in a gala concert performance. This year's theme is "Songs in the Key of Mexico": a tribute to the Mexico of the 1940s. Held on Aug. 1 on the Great Lawn at San José State University, the concert will also feature Symphony Silicon Valley and Mariachi Sol de Mexico. Admission is free!

 

 

Registration is now open for our 2014 ¡VivaFest! Mariachi and Folklorico Conference workshops. The following workshops are being offered:

• Mariachi: violin, guitar, vihuela, trumpet, voice, guitarron and Jalisco harp
• Ballet folklorico: beginning, intermediate and advanced dance workshop

Workshops will take place at San José High and Lincoln High in San José from July 25 through Aug. 1, ending with the gala performance.

 

 

Celebrate a local comic-book artist

 

Another artistic opportunity

 

Are you an artist looking for a place to create? Our friends at the City of Palo Alto have told us about a great opportunity. They're seeking new artists to apply for a studio through the Cubberley Studios program at Cubberley Community Center in south Palo Alto.

 

Artists of all kinds are welcome -- anyone whose work has a visual component. That includes painters, playwrights, metalsmiths, dancers, installation artists, weavers and graphic designers. The Cubberley Studios program has been popular with artists for many years, but now the city is actively seeking new creative types and expanding the arts events being held there. The city also provides subsidies for studio rent.

 

The application deadline is July 1. More information is available on the city's website. 

 

 

Change of address

 

One final piece of news: please note that we have moved, but not far! We just have a new suite number, Suite 246, at the same street address, 255 N. Market St., San José, CA 95110. We're right next door to the old office.

 

Keep an eye out for our next newsletter, in which we'll share the wonders of learning jalisco harp! 

 

Saludos,

Marcela