TOPEKA, Kansas – The Kansas Mariachi Festival is growing. Join Visit Topeka beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 16 to enjoy a night of wonderful music and get a Taste of Mexico at the third annual festival.
Two noted Mariachi performers, Fatima Hernandez, from Dodge City, Kansas and Mariachi Tradicion de Jalisco, from Houston will take the Topeka Performing Arts Center stage Saturday evening at 6 p.m. Tickets to the concert are just $15 each.
Before the concert, beginning at 4 p.m., enjoy a car show by TopCity Kustomz, vendors, food trucks, children’s games and a live performance by Mariachi Habanero in front of the Topeka Performing Arts Center, 214 Southeast 8th Ave. Also at 4 p.m., Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, at 201 NE Chandler St., will host a Mariachi Mass, featuring Mariachi Luna Azul.
After the concert, from 8-11 p.m., enjoy a Taste of Mexico beverage garden on 8th Street in front of TPAC. The garden will offer a variety of Mexican alcohol, in exchange for tickets. Live music will be provided by and Rhythm of Oakland. Five tickets can be purchased for $20, and tickets may be shared. ID is required.
“We are thrilled to bring these regionally and nationally recognized Mariachi musicians to the community,” said Rosa Cavazos, director of tourism development at Visit Topeka, who organized the festival. “We are expanding the event this year with the street fair in the afternoon. We also are proud to continue our partnership with Mana de Topeka’s Latina Awards, which will be presented during the concert.”
Mana de Topeka will present its annual awards between the two performances.
Organized by Visit Topeka, the Kansas Mariachi Festival celebrates the influence of Mexican and other Latino cultures on Topeka and Kansas. Mariachi music began in Western Mexico in the 1800s.
In addition to Mana de Topeka, festival partners include CoreFirst Bank & Trust, Cortez Transportation, Parrish Hotels and Standard Beverage.
The festival is held Sept. 16 to commemorate Mexican independence. September 16, 1810 is the day Mexico declared its independence from Spain. That independence was won in September 1821.
“One of Topeka’s strengths is its blend of cultures. Visit Topeka created the Kansas Mariachi Festival to celebrate that. It joins the variety of ethnic festivals our community heartedly supports throughout the year,” said Brett Oetting, president and CEO of Visit Topeka. “We hope everyone comes out Saturday and throughout the year.”
In keeping with that celebration, Visit Topeka will unveil at the event its new Tacos y Tequila passport. Expect to learn more about how to explore five of the seven culinary regions of Mexico without ever leaving Topeka. This 17-stop culinary tour highlights the vibrant Mexican food scene in Topeka. Those who complete the passport will receive a free T-shirt.
Concert details:
Time: 6 p.m.; doors open at 5 p.m.
Date: Friday, September 16, 2016
Place: Topeka Performing Arts Center, 214 Southeast 8th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603
Tickets: $15 ticket if purchased from the Box Office, Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets purchased through Ticketmaster also have a processing fee.
Taste of Mexico Garden is $20 for five tickets, at the gate only.
Online resources:
#KSMariachi
https://www.VisitTopeka.com/mariachi
Visit Topeka Facebook Event
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As Topeka's official destination marketing organization, Visit Topeka is dedicated to marketing the region as an exceptional destination for meetings, events, sports and leisure tourism, thereby enhancing the local economy. Visit Topeka is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit organization. Find more information at VisitTopeka.com.
