The annual "Viva El Mariachi" Festival is an opportunity for students of mariachi music to learn new skills and techniques from professional mariachi musicians.
The workshops, open to all ages, offer instruction for beginners, intermediate and advanced musicians on traditional instruments--violin, vihuela, guitar guitarron and trumpet. Instruction is also offered to students of voice. An additional workshop choice is the art of roping tricks, or floreo de reata, taught by the world-renown Los Hermanos Escamilla.
Workshop classes will be held Saturday at California State University, Fresno. Registration is filing up already, and advance registration is encouraged as space is limited. Registration fees are $35 if received by Jan. 20, 2004. They are $45 after Jan. 20 and until Feb. 13. The registration fee then increases to $55 and is subject to availability.
Workshop registration fees include one day of instruction, lunch, sheet music, and admission to the grand festival on Sunday. Also all students will participate in the Festival program on Sunday, Feb. 22.
Those interested in registering may contact The Alliance for California Traditional Arts at 237-9812 or Radio Bilingue, to speak with someone in Spanish, at 455-5777. Registration forms are also available at the Radio Bilingue Web-site, www.radiobilingue.org.
For a complete story pick up a copy of the Lindsay Gazette.
