La Frontera Tucson Mariachi Conference

504 W. 29th St., Tucson
520/838-3908
www.tucsonmariachi.org [1]

Mariachi music is an important part of Tucson [2]’s soundtrack; it can be heard everywhere—in one restaurant or another just about every night of the week, and pretty much at any festival or event that draws more than three people. Many public schools in the Old Pueblo offer mariachi classes as part of their music curricula.

It’s not surprising, then, that one of the most popular annual gatherings of mariachi enthusiasts and professionals, the La Frontera Tucson International Mariachi Conference, takes place in Tucson every April.

The weeklong event features concerts and workshops and a final-day fiesta at the Reid Park [3] bandshell—the easiest and least expensive way to take part ($5 adult, free child under 12). Otherwise check the website for performance times, venues, and prices (tickets tend to sell out early).