By Edward Becerra
Route 78 Rotary presents its 12th Annual Mariachi Festival at the California Center of the Arts, Escondido on Sunday, March 8. Their signature VIP Tacos & Tequila pre-concert event runs from 12–2:30 in the Center’s Conference Center and features a complete Mexican food buffet, free Tequila tasting, free Mezcal tasting, and a live auction of top-shelf tequilas. The Mariachi Concert follows in the Concert Hall from 3–5:30 pm.
This year, Mariachi Garibaldi from Southwestern College will open, followed by Mariachi Champaña Nevin. Dr. Jeff Nevin directs both groups, blending traditional mariachi music with a classical twist. LuMaya, “little girl with the big voice,” will also be featured, along with Folkloric dancers from Tierra Caliente Academy of Arts.
Route 78 Rotary is unique in that it is focused on the Latino community throughout North County. Proceeds from the concert are distributed to nonprofits from North County and include youth leadership programs (MANA and Encuentros); Empowering Latino Futures (Education Begins in the Home, the Latino Book & Family Festival); folklorico groups including Tierra Caliente Academy of Arts; and organizations assisting families in food assistance, as well as international groups including the Thousand Smiles Clinic in Ensenada; a medical clinic in Zimbabwe; and efforts for polio prevention around the world.
The Route 78 Rotary Club meets in Escondido twice a month at Cocina del Charro and is actively seeking new members.
Tickets for the Festival can be purchased online. Concert-only tickets start at only $25.
