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Mission San Juan Capistrano, with the generous support of the Thomas J. and Erma Jean Tracy Foundation presents the

Fourth Annual Mariachi Festival, part of Orange County’s Imagination Celebration.

Imagination Celebration is presented by Arts Orange County and the Orange County Department of Education

"Battle of the Mariachis"
Saturday, May 3, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Mariachi Festival 2009 Dates Just Announced!
Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17, 2009

Mission San Juan Capistrano, with the generous support of the Thomas J. and Erma Jean Tracy Foundation presents the Fourth Annual Mariachi Festival, part of Orange County’s Imagination Celebration.

Imagination Celebration is presented by Arts Orange County and the Orange County Department of Education

Mission San Juan Capistrano invites you to join us at our fourth annual Mariachi Festival, which will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. in the beautiful Mission Courtyard.

The festival will include live musical entertainment, cultural merchandise, children’s art workshops provided by students of Laguna College of Art & Design, mariachi vocals and ballet folkloric dance workshops provided by instructors from Mariachi Academy of Carson, and authentic Mexican food. Mariachi performers will compete for cash prizes.

The Mission will also play host to a very special art exhibition by the family of the late award-winning children’s book author and illustrator, Leo Politi. Politi’s work includes Song of the Swallows, Pedro the Angel of Olvera Street, and Juanita. To learn more about this champion of children and Mexican culture in the Los Angeles area, please visit his Centennial Celebration website: www.leopoliti2008centennial.org.

Please no outside food or beverage coolers allowed, and absolutely no alcohol.

This event is free with paid admission to the Mission.

To apply as a performer or merchant, please call
Rita Granard at (949) 234-1321

For event information, please call our
Special Events Hotline at (949) 234-1315

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Information for Mariachi Performers

This event is open to all semi - professional mariachi groups with members ranging in age from Middle School through College. All groups entered in the competition will be given 15 minutes to showcase their talent to the audience and to other performers, as well as to a panel of judges. The judges will rate each group along professionally-accepted criteria for for mariachi performance. Winners will be rewarded as follows.

First Place Winners
Middle School: A trophy, a professional group photo, and a $1,500 check
High School: A trophy, a professional group photo, and a $2,000 check
College: A trophy, a professional group photo, a $2,000 check, and a live performance at the Mission during the 2008 Christmas
Community Choice: A trophy, a professional group photo, and a $500 check

Second Place Winners
Middle School: A framed certificate to display at school, and a $1,000 check
High School: A framed certificate to display at school, and a $1,500 check

Bands Set to Battle
Aztecas de Oro (Bloomington, CA); Mariachi Academy of Carson (Carson, CA); Mariachi Anacatlan (Anaheim, CA); Mariachi Puño de Oro (Anaheim, CA); Cielo Azul (Oxnard, CA); Mariachi Aztlan (Los Angeles, CA); Mariachi de Montclair (Montclair, CA); Mariachi Herencia de Mexico (Whittier, CA); Mariachi Nuevo Ensueño (Azusa, CA); and Mariachi Juvenil de San Diego (San Diego, CA) and more to be confirmed…

Fourth Annual Mariachi Festival is Made Possible By:

MAJOR UNDERWRITING SPONSOR

The Thomas J. and Erma Jean Tracy Foundation

Special “Thanks” to the Tracy Family for underwriting the cost of this event.

JUDGING AND EDUCATIONAL SPONSORS
El Campeon	Family Classic Cars	Las Golondrinas
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER
Val Westover Photography

With special thanks to Art and Maria Galindo of Las Golondrinas for underwriting the honorarium for this year’s wonderful emcee.

To become a Supporting Sponsor of this educational and fun event,
please contact Sabrina Irsay at (949) 234-1317.