TOPEKA, Kansas -- Enjoy a night of wonderful music and get a Taste of Mexico at the second annual Kansas Mariachi Festival on Friday, September 16.
Two noted Mariachi bands from Texas will take the Topeka Performing Arts Center stage that evening: Mariachi Corazon de San Antonio and Mariachi Aguilas de America from Dallas. Tickets to the concert are just $15 each.
After the concert, enjoy a Taste of Mexico beverage garden on 8th Street. The garden will offer a variety of Mexican alcohol, in exchange for tickets. Live music will be provided by local Mariachi Girasol and Rhythm of Oakland. Five tickets can be purchased for $20, and tickets may be shared. ID is required.
“The musicians last year were outstanding and we are excited for them to share their talents again.” said Rosa Cavazos, director of tourism development at Visit Topeka, who has organized the festival. “We are changing the event this year. It will be one night and includes the Latina Awards, presented by Mana de Topeka, during the show.”
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.
Festival partners include Cortez Transportation and Standard Beverage and CoreFirst Bank & Trust. Vendors will be inside TPAC before the show and food sales will be available near the Taste of Mexico garden after the performance.
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.
During their visit to Topeka, the Mariachi bands also are working with Topeka Public Schools students and educators. In addition to a workshop, there will be a free performance for students.
“One of Topeka’s strengths is its blend of cultures. Visit Topeka created the Kansas Mariachi Festival to celebrate that. It joins this week’s Fiesta Mexicana, the Intertribal Powwow and India Fest in September, and Dia de los Muertos, Rome Sweet Home and Oktoberfest in October,” said Brett Oetting, president and CEO of Visit Topeka. “We hope everyone gets out and enjoys not only the Mariachi Festival but all of the great cultural events that take place throughout the year in our Capital City.”
Find more information online at http://www.VisitTopeka.com/Mariachi.
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:
http://www.VisitTopeka.com/mariachi
Visit Topeka Facebook Event
Mariachi Aguilas de America on Facebook
Mariachi Corazón de San Antonio on Facebook
