TODAY’S HOLIDAY: TUCSON INTERNATIONAL MARIACHI CONFERENCE

Tucson International Mariachi Conference

Mariachi is traditional Mexican folk music performed by a small group of musicians who typically sing and play some combination of the following instruments: guitar,vihuela (a small guitar-like instrument), guitarrón (a larger bass-like instrument), violin, and trumpet. Since the early 1980s, Mexican music enthusiasts have gathered in Arizona every April for the Tucson International Mariachi Conference. Attendees take part in cultural workshops, enjoy performances by top mariachi bands, and join in the fun at the Fiesta de Garibaldi, an outdoor street festival. More… Discuss

Related articles

• Mariachi Mass, or Misa Panamericana, a tradition at Houston church
• [VIDEO] Student mariachi group awarded with high honor and play at the White House
• Mariachi Loco… previewing the Annual International Mariachi Festival in Guadalajara, Mexico

TODAY’S HOLIDAY: FIESTA DE LOS VAQUEROS

Fiesta de los Vaqueros

This weeklong event in Tucson, Arizona, features the “world’s longest non-motorized parade” and the largest outdoor midwinter rodeo in the United States. The fiesta starts with the parade—a two-mile-long procession of more than 200 entries, including old horse-drawn vehicles such as buckboards, surreys, and Conestoga wagons. The eight days of rodeo include the standard events, as well as daily Mutton Bustin’ contests. In these, four- to six-year-olds test their riding skills on sheep. There are also demonstrations by the Quadrille de Mujeres, a women’s precision-riding team. More… Discuss