Gold Line Event: Mariachi Festival Nov. 20, 2011

22nd Annual  Mariachi Festival, Community Fair and

International Farmers Market

November 18, 2012, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm

EVENT RAINED OUT — NEW DATE: APRIL 15, 2012

We wish it weren’t so, but when we arrived at Mariachi Plaza just before 11:00 a.m. the rain had just started falling softly. For more, see our new post.

Local mariachi musicians gather in Mariachi Plaza to solicit work.

Discover LA by Metro:

Mariachi Music, Food, Community Spirit to Brighten Fall

The promise of trumpets, guitars, brightly colored dancing costumes, glittering charro outfits, and, of course, good food is drawing us to the 21st Annual Mariachi Festival and Community Fair this Sunday, November 20, 2011. While the skies are predicted to be gray, the mood will be far from sullen in Mariachi Plaza. We can hear that beat now. Just what’s needed to perk up our spirits before tackling cooking and cleaning next week!

The Mariachi Festival, scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., couldn’t be more conveniently located for Metro adventurers – it’s right at the Metro Gold Line Mariachi Plaza station in Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles.

A statue commemorating singer Lucha Reyes  is a highlight of Mariachi Plaza.

The festival will fill Mariachi Plaza, which is appointed with striking public art. The colorful stained-glass-look canopies over the station exit and the stage area behind it echo the shape of a dancer’s hair comb. A dramatic kiosk and 17 handcrafted wrought-iron benches are gifts from Jalisco, Mexico. A sculptural tribute to mariachi music commemorates singer Lucha Reyes (1906-1944), one of the first women mariachi band leaders.

The festival promises appearances by mariachi groups from Mexico and Los Angeles, including Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, Mariachi Voz de America, and Grammy Award winner Alicia Juarez La Musa de Mexico – making her first appearance at this festival.

There will also be food vendors and children’s activities.

The kiosk, a plaza focal point, is a gift from the state of Jalisco, Mexico, home of mariachi music.

If you’re looking for a sit-down meal rather than one from the festival vendors, a fave restaurant of our is La Serenata de Garibaldi (1842 East 1st Street, Los Angeles 90033, 323-265-2887 – shown on the map below), just across from the plaza. The menu is creative and the sauces palate pleasing. This is definitely an upscale establishment whose success led to two more restaurants on the West Side: West Pico Blvd. near Westwood Blvd. and Fourth Street, Santa Monica.

We haven’t been to any of the past Mariachi Festivals, but we have explored Boyle Heights and find it a vibrant community. (Watch for posts on many of the Boyle Heights community attractions.) We’re looking forward to a lively day. Hop on the Gold Line and meet us there!

Circling Mariachi Plaza are 17 wrought-iron benches, a gift from artisans of Jalisco, Mexico.

21st Annual Mariachi Festival and Community Fair
Sunday, November 20, 2011
11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Mariachi Plaza Metro Gold Line Station
Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles,  90033

This is a FREE event

Mariachi Plaza is at the corner of Boyle Ave. and E. 1st Street.

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