In spite of the economic tsunami, I am overwhelmed at the response from our fans eager to celebrate our 20th anniversary. It is with great joy that I announce the participation of Mariachi Mujer 2000 and Mariachi Campanas de America at our Festival. Mujer 2000, an extremely talented and equally beautiful all female mariachi group, will grace the Hollywood Bowl stage at our 20th Annual MARIACHI USA Festival on June 20th. Mujer 2000 is motivated by the desire to demonstrate that women in mariachi music can successfully arrange and perform some of the most challenging mariachi selections.

In 2008 Mujer 2000 performed in the opening ceremonies for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China and played throughout the entrance of the athletes. Their rendition of ‘La Negra’ accompanied the American Team as they entered!

In 2007, the group performed at Oprah Winfrey’s Santa Barbara home for her Barak Obama fundraiser and caused much sensation with the Hollywood crowd in attendance. In their short existence, this group of women has broken through traditional barriers while maintaining the tradition of this music genre. They ‘play’ their pride as Latinas and as excellent musicians carrying high the flags of the roots that anchor them and the country they inspire. Musical director, Laura Sobrino is a Mariachi pioneer in the US Mariachi world and will be featured in an interview next week on www.mariachiusa.com.

Mariachi Campanas de America’s history with the festival is long standing, many of their members mere teens when they first performed at the Festival. Founded in 1979 in San Antonio, Texas, Campanas is the leader in showmanship and professionalism. There are many factors that make Campanas an innovative mariachi and none is most apparent than the presence of a saxophone, trombone and an accordion. The introduction of these instruments gives Campanas unmatched versatility and enhances this genre. Director, Juan Ortiz has dedicated his life to Campanas’ excellence and will be featured in an interview next week on www.mariachiusa.com.