mariachi acero goes to guadalajara, takes valley spirit to international conference

story by jonathan miranda cuevas
adapted by andreya martinez & sharon burns
edited by sarina e. guerra
edited & formatted by justin orsino

Take a walk through Brawley on a summer evening and you might hear it: the swell of trumpets, the quick strum of vihuela, and voices rising in harmony. It’s the sound of Mariachi Acero del Valle, a group that has become one of the Imperial Valley’s proudest cultural ambassadors.

Recently, those sounds traveled far beyond our desert towns. This summer, the ensemble journeyed to Guadalajara, Jalisco—the birthplace of mariachi—to participate in the 32nd Annual International Mariachi Conference. For Mariachi Acero, it wasn’t just a trip. It was a pilgrimage back to the roots of the very music that has shaped their lives and our community.

Mariachi Acero has been performing together for over a decade, blending the voices and talents of musicians from across the Valley. Under the leadership of Carlos Antonio Uribe, a fourth-generation mariachi musician with roots in Guadalajara, the group has carried our region’s name onto stages big and small.

They’ve performed at the Hollywood Bowl’s Mariachi USA Festival, shared the stage with Alex Fernández at the Summit of the Americas, and traveled internationally to Canada, France, Germany, Croatia, Colombia, and Mexico. They’ve even been part of film and television projects, including a CBS sitcom taping at Warner Brothers Studios. And yet, their heartbeat is here at home, in quinceañeras, church festivals, civic events, and backyard gatherings. They are as much a part of the Valley’s soundscape as the desert wind itself.

“We’ve played in stadiums, but it’s the look on a little kid’s face when they hear mariachi for the first time that stays with you,” says director Uribe.

“That’s why
we do this.”

For the musicians of Mariachi Acero, Guadalajara isn’t just another stop on the map. It’s mariachi’s birthplace—the city where this music first rose out of plazas and pueblos to carry Mexico’s spirit into the world.

The International Mariachi Conference brings together the most respected ensembles from around the globe for two weeks of music, learning, and cultural exchange. Workshops, master classes, and performances give participants the chance to sharpen their artistry and deepen their understanding of the tradition.

Big dreams require big effort, and Mariachi Acero has been hard at work making sure this journey happened. Their fundraising became a community event in itself.

They sold hamburgers and hot dogs in parking lots, grilled carne asada plates under the summer sun, and even crafted wreaths to sell for $50 each. Social media posts showed members serving food, smiling, and laughing alongside neighbors. The sound of mariachi mixed with the sizzle of meat on the griddle, turning fundraising into celebration.

Every dollar raised carried a story: a grandmother buying a plate to support the kids she once saw play in the park, a young family donating so their children could grow up with live mariachi music, or a passerby dropping bills in the jar simply because the music stirred Valley pride.

“It’s not just our trip,” one member explained. “It’s the Valley’s trip. We’re taking everyone with us, in spirit.”

From Hollywood stage and screen to Calipatria park kiosks, there is no stage too big or small for Mariachi Acero. But nothing compared to representing the Imperial Valley in Guadalajara. Here’s what members had to say about the experience:

Cecilia Rivas

“The audience in Guadalajara was so much more engaged—it was beautiful to see how deeply people there love mariachi.” – Cecilia Rivas, violinist

Ricardo “Richie” Silva

“We were representing the Valley, representing Chicali, and making Mariachi Acero’s name loud.” – Ricardo “Richie” Silva, violinist

Jennifer Wake

“Being on stage, hearing the entire audience sing with us—it connects you to your people and your culture in a way nothing else can.” – Jennifer Wake, founder & violinist

Cristian Oviedo

“Imagine hundreds of musicians in charro suits, violins gleaming, trumpets blazing—the whole city filled with music.” – Cristian Oviedo, guitarist

Eric Cosío

“It was inspiring to be surrounded by so much talent.” – Eric Cosío, violinist

Elina Oviedo

“The people of Guadalajara showed us how important mariachi is to Mexican culture.” – Elina Oviedo, harmony section

Jessie Flores

“Performing in the pueblos and bringing California mariachi to them made me proud.” – Jessie Flores, violinist

Astrid Ruelas

“The best part was meeting mariachis from around the world and sharing the stage with them.” – Astrid Ruelas, violinist

Carlos Antonio Uribe

“Mexican music is alive all over the world, and returning home with that knowledge fills my heart.” – Carlos Antonio Uribe, director

When Mariachi Acero boarded that plane, they weren’t just carrying instruments—they carried the love, sacrifice, and pride of the Imperial Valley residents who helped make the trip possible. And when they returned, their music carried something new: the lessons and inspiration drawn from mariachi’s birthplace.

This journey was about more than notes and melodies. It was about culture, identity, and passing something on. It was about ensuring that the next time a little kid in Brawley hears a trumpet blast and a guitarrón rumble, their eyes light up with the same pride that carried Mariachi Acero from local streets to international stages.

Because when Mariachi Acero takes the stage, the world doesn’t just hear music—it hears the voice of the Imperial Valley:

Strong,
Proud, &
United.