Vanessa Ramirez, Director of BF Quetzalli AZ, is organizing this year’s 16th Annual Chandler Mariachi Festival. It will be held on October 3, 7 pm, at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N Arizona Avenue. This festival will once again delight audiences with the music and traditional dances of Mexico featuring a dynamic folkloric dance troupe and two outstanding and popular Mariachi groups!

Doors open at 5PM with a Garibaldi Mercado & Live Entertainment Pre-Show. Ticket prices start at $20 and can be purchased online at www.chandlercenter.org or by phone at 480-782-2680, or in person at the Center for the Arts Box Office.

Back by popular demand, Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuellar led by Jimmy “El Pollo” Cuellar, son of Jaime Cuellar, will be the main performing act. Mariachi Garibaldi hails from southern California and has toured with Mariachi Vargas and accompanied various well-known artists such as Yolanda del Rio, Mercedes Castro, Humberto Herrera, and shared the stage with artists such as Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán, Alejandro Fernandez and Juan Gabriel.

Mariachi Garibaldi will be joined this year by the Tucson–based Mariachi Sonido de Mexico. Mariachi Sonido de Mexico is a professional group comprised of college students and working professionals. They are under the direction of Andrea Gallegos and under the musical direction of Salvador Gallegos. The group has participated and has been recognized in several national and international conferences, including the prestigious Encuentro Internacional del Mariachi y la Charreria in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. They strive to preserve the tradition and culture of Mexico’s music and are a pride to the Tucson community.

The Festival is rounded out by the colorful and talented Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli-AZ, under the leadership of Vanessa Ramirez. Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli-AZ has performed throughout the state and is dedicated to the awareness and education of Mexican culture through dance. As well as dancers from Tradiciones Dance Company, directed by Jose Soto.

The Chandler Mariachi Festival, produced by C.A.L.L.E. de Arizona (www.calle-az.org) is a yearly event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.

For more information, contact Vanessa Ramirez at 480-326-2722, or www.calle-az.org