[Noozhawk’s note: One in a daily series leading up to Old Spanish Days Fiesta.]
It would not be a Fiesta without Mariachi.
The sounds of trumpets, violins and guitars. The exploding vocals. Mariachi music fills our streets and restaurants, our events and the Santa Barbara Bowl, every summer during Old Spanish Days Fiesta.
This popular music has its origins in western Mexico
First created in the 1700s, Mariachio music has evolved. The members of the early mariachi orchestras wore white outfits attuned to peasant garb of the time.
Over the years, the cloths emerged into the Traje de Mariachi or the Mariachi suit that we commonly see today.
Women were invited into the Mariachi performing world in the 1940s, and they continue today.
Like so much in Mexico, Mariachi music embraces both indigenous and foreign elements. It is the sound of weddings and quinceañeras.
One of the best experiences is when families in Mexico often hire a Mariachi group to surprisingly awake their loved one on their birthday morning with “Las Mañanitas,” a popular and special birthday song.
Credit: Fritz Olenberger / Old Spanish Days photo 
Credit: Fritz Olenberger / Old Spanish Days photo 
Credit: Fritz Olenberger / Old Spanish Days photo 
Credit: Fritz Olenberger / Old Spanish Days photo 
Credit: Fritz Olenberger / Old Spanish Days photo 
Credit: Fritz Olenberger / Old Spanish Days photo 
Credit: Fritz Olenberger / Old Spanish Days photo 
“Mariachi music is like the country music,” said Miguel Avila, who helped create The Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival during Fiesta week in 1996, along with Al Pizano and Salud Carbajal.
“It is the heart and soul of Mexican music. Mariachi music often goes very deep into the heart; it can be about heartbreaks.”
Mariachi songs can also be happy.
“There are a lot of songs that speak of the happiness and celebration,” Avila added. “Songs often speak about a couple in love, or a couple breaking up in a relationship.
“There’s lots of romantic lyrics, very loving romantic songs.”
Mariachi music can also go beyond romance, beyond happiness and beyond sadness.
“Many songs are about the country of Mexico, about the Mexican culture, even the environment, the atmosphere, celebrating life, celebrating the weather, celebrating the open fields, beautiful life in the country,” he explained.
For nearly 30 years, The Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival has brought many of the top Mariachi groups in the world to the Santa Barbara Bowl. It is a popular Fiesta Saturday experience.
The Greater Santa Barbara Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has been behind the Mariachi Festival since Year One, and in all, more than $1 million has been given out to local students in the form of higher education scholarships.
Working closely with the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, Mariachi Festival event organizers provide scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to aspiring higher education students.
This year alone, $75,000 will be granted, reflecting the proceeds from last year’s Mariachi Festival.
The Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival will be held Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Santa Barbara Bowl, 1122 N. Milpas St. Click here to purchase tickets online, or stop by the Bowl ticket window between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Fiesta 2024 runs July 31-Aug. 4. Click here for a complete calendar of Fiesta events.
