Bisbee Mariachi Festival benefits Tin Town homeless shelter

“The sound of its string instruments and its oldest rhythms are rooted in Mexico’s colonial times from 1519 to 1810. People from Spain and African slaves, as well as their descendants, mingled with hundreds of Native Americans to create a new Mexican culture marked by many regions, each with its own signature musical tradition,” states the website.

Hosted by the Bisbee Coalition for the Homeless (BCH), the festival is an annual fundraiser which brings hundreds of people together in support of the Tin Town Homeless Shelter — a safe haven for men and women and their children.

BHC governing board president, John Acosta ran with the idea of bringing the music genre to town after seeing a mariachi festival in Tucson and meeting some of the groups. The board said yes and the Bisbee Mariachi Festival was born.

Tony Bedolla, executive director of BCH, said those who entertain love to share their unique music, so getting groups to come is not a problem. And, as the festival gains more fans every year, more groups want to come.

The festival was held in City Park for a few years, until the crowd became too large for the venue, Bedolla said. So, the Coalition decided to go big and rented the Warren Ball Park to accommodate the thousands of people who came. The crowd is now up to around 4,000 and still growing.

They come from all areas of the county and many are repeat customers.

Performers this year are Campania De Danza Folklorico Arizona, Mariachi Sonido De Mexico, Mariachi Aztlan De Pueblo High School, Mariachi Pueblo Viejo, Las Azaleas and Jasiel Ortiz, a young Tucson boy who loves to sing.

Mariachi Nuevo Azteca De Tucson, founded in 1992, is the headliner. The all-male group was founded in May of 2021 by Manny Ponce with a vision to create a professional mariachi ensemble that preserves the culture and authentic rich mariachi sound. Mariachi Pueblo Viejo is comprised of both working professionals and collegiate students.

Mariachi Aztlan de Pueblo High School is another accomplished group of young men and women ranging in age from 14 to 18 and according to director John Contreras, “These are the hardest working students, they maintain a high level of academic achievement.” The group has shared the stage with many of the world’s finest musicians, including Linda Ronstadt, symphony orchestras and world renowned artists like Pink Martini, Rufus Wainwright III, Calexico and Rita Moreno.

Las Azaleas, founded in 2020 by Diana Olivares, is an all-female group that highlights the voices and talent of female musicians. Olivares was inspired by the form of music that celebrates the culture and it was not long before she had a group ready to perform.

Campania De Danza Folklorico Arizona (CDFA) is a nonprofit group of dancers who say, “Our dance is music made visible.” Founded in 2013, the troupe’s members range from four years old and up. CDFA has already had many great opportunities such as touring and performing with Grammy Award winning Mariachi Los Camperos and performing throughout the states of Arizona, California and New Mexico.

Mariachi Sonido De Mexico was founded in 1997 by Andrea who has gathered students and young working professionals to create a popular group

Jasiel Ortiz made his debut in Bisbee in 2017 at the age of three and has been coming back by popular demand to deliver his renditions of mariachi tunes since then. Now at nine, he continues expressing his passion for mariachi and the crowds love it.

Bedolla said, “He’s a star in the making.” He started singing when he was three.

On site, there will be burgers, barbecue, Mexican delicacies, water, drinks and beer from a variety of brewers. Organizers ask festival goers to refrain from bringing in weapons and alcoholic beverages.

Tickets are $15 for adults and available at Everhart Insurance on Bisbee Road, at Sorted Past on Arizona Street and Purple Pass at: https://www.purplepass.com/#260875/Bisbee_Coalition_for_the_Homeless-8th_Annual_Bisbee_Mariachi_Festival-Historic_Warren_Ballpark-November-04-2023.html. Children 10 and under get in free.

All proceeds from the festival benefit BCH and the Tin Town Shelter. The fundraiser provides 30% of the shelter’s budget.