San Antonio Welcomes Spring With The 8th Annual Noche De Romance
The spring season in San Antonio was witnessed with traditional music and cultural fusion when Plaza Guadalupe hosted its 8th annual ‘Noche de Romance’. The event was organized by the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center on a Friday evening, filling the air with romantic mariachi melodies, serenading the young and the elderly alike.
The event played between 8 p.m. -10 p.m., the waxing moon enhancing the romantic ambiance of the evening. The Plaza was alive with the music of several mariachi groups, with the headlining Mariachi Azteca de América performing an array of traditional Mexican love songs, boleros, baladas, and rancheras.
Reviving Nostalgia with Traditional Mariachi Music
“You can expect traditional mariachi music, you can expect virtuoso pieces, you can expect the nostalgia of these traditional songs and artists,” said Gino Rivera, the traditional music director of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center and bandleader of Mariachi Azteca de América.
The annual fiesta of music unites the young and the old with its timeless appeal. “It’s a special evening to see the youth and the elderly interact and enjoy the same type of music. That’s rare. And I believe mariachi music is one of those styles that really unite,” expressed Rivera.
Spreading the Love for Mariachi Across Generations
The Noche de Romance featured mariachi groups from local schools and has seen performances from esteemed musicians and upcoming talents alike. This included performances from 9-year-old phenom Mateo Lopez, Jonathan Palomar, formerly of Mariachi Vargas, and Rhonda Garcia, a performer and mariachi instructor for 26 years.
Gaining Funds for Youth Mariachi Programs
Funds raised from the event, while serving as a delight for the audience, were directed towards the Guadalupe Center’s Mariachi education programs. Rivera stressed on the importance of involving the students in the event, saying, “it’s also great to tie in the students to show them what they can become” by performing alongside a professional group and “world-renowned vocalists.”
Vocalist and violinist Rhonda Garcia, who has performed at all but one Noche de Romance, expressed her fascination with the intergenerational appeal of Mariachi music, “It’s a night where everyone comes together. It’s a night of familia, of family connection.”
As she overlooks the crowd while performing, “It fills my heart to be able to see an 80-year-old woman with her husband, and then next to them is a 13-year-old child who’s enjoying the music just as much,” adds Garcia.
Ticketing for the Event
Providing seating for 500 patrons in the plaza, tickets were available at different price levels, from $20 standing general admission, $35 seated general admission, to VIP sections at $40-$50, through the Guadalupe Center’s website.
No matter the age or background, the Noche de Romance continues to captivate its audience, making it truly an enchanting experience for each attendee. By sharing timeless melodies, this event unites generations beneath the Texan sky, creating an unforgettable night of romance and music.