Fiesta Mexicana is a 45-minute interactive concert for kids and their parents based on an album of the same name. It involves all the musicians of Sones de Mexico Ensemble. The program includes seven or eight songs and a fair amount of storytelling and interactive games between the songs that can be delivered in English or in Spanish.
The group embarks on a journey through Mexican music and the magic world that surrounds it. Children begin by learning about the four sacred elements of nature for the Aztecs: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. Then they learn songs about different animals that inhabit the Mexican ecosystem, including the acamaya (a crawfish), the crocodile, the legendary mermaid, a mouse, a buzzard, a duck, and even a cat! Kids will clap Mexican rhythms and learn the difference between a slow and a fast tempo with the help of Doña Sabina, a 100-year-old special guest. First and foremost, everyone in the audience will learn how fun it is to play and dance Mexican music.
This is a free event. No tickets are required.
Sones de Mexico Ensemble Performers:
ZACBE PICHARDO, Member 2006 - Present
Harp, Huapangera,Marimba, Percussion, Accordion is a player with the ensemble. He has a composition degree from Columbia College Chicago and has contributed original material to the Ensemble’s repertoire.
VICTOR PICHAR, Member 1994 - 2023, 2018-Present
Co-founder and award-winning composer and educatoVictor was born in Mexico City and has been a bandleader for 35 years. His training in Mexican folk music has spanned most of his life.
He learned first hand, orally from master artists in Mexico’s various musical regions. In Chicago, as a master artist, he has taught mariachi bands in schools for 25 years.
In 2005, he earned a degree in music composition from Columbia College Chicago, which he has used to integrate folk idioms in orchestral music.
One of his most important orchestral compositions is entitled the Cantata “Revolucionarios”, commemorates Mexico’s Bicentennial and has been premiered in Mexico and USA.
KAREN MARCIAL, Member 2019-Present
Violin, Vocals
Karen Marcial is a singer and a violinist form Chicago. Her family hails from Guadalajara, Jalisco. She studied mariachi music under Victor Pichardo while attending middle school in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. Later, she became a teaching assistant at Orozco Academy. Karen has a degree from University of Illinois Chicago and joined Sones de Mexico Ensemble in the fall of 2019.
ERIC HINES, Member 2015-Present
Dr. Eric Hines is a professional percussionist and educator residing in Chicago, IL.
JUAN DIES, Member 1994-Present
Producer, Director, Bass, Guitarron, Guita, Harmonica, flute, Percussion, Vocals
Raised in San Luis Potosi, Mexico where he first developed a passion for music, learning to play the guitar at age six. At age 18, he migrated to the U.S. and explored new musical styles including jazz, folk, reggae and rock.
RUDY PIÑON, Member 2003, 2015-2016, 2018-present
Violin, Requinto, Guitarron Vihuela, Trumpet, Bajo Sexto, Vocals
Rudy Piñon began studying Mexican music in high school under Sones de Mexico Ensemble’s founding Music Director Victor Pichardo. He developed as a multi-instrumentalist and pursued a career in mariachi music, playing with he top groups in Chicago for almost 20 years. He joined Sones de Mexico Ensemble in 2016.
Inclement weather: In case of inclement weather, check our website (https://www.reidcenter.org/) for up-to-date information. Sidewalks will be cleared and salted in winter weather.
Drop-off: Drop off available at front door on North 11th Street, or by accessible ramp at entrance to alley, between North 10th and North 11th Streets off North A Street.
Parking: On-street parking is available along North A, 10th St, and 11th St. There is a lot north of the church accessible from the alley between 10th and 11th Streets. The municipal parking lot on 10th St. between Main and North A is a short walk. Parking is available in the Wayne County Historical Museum lot on North 11th, also a short walk.
Accessibility: We are honored to be caring for such a special facility, but older buildings come with challenges. It is our intention to be open and accessible to all community members. The south entrance (along North A Street) has an accessible ramp to the door. Once inside, there is a stairway of eight steps to the main level. On the left is a handrail, and on the right is a lift chair. The restroom on the main level is a private, single-person restroom, but is not wheelchair accessible. Until we can make permanent accessibility updates to our facility, we encourage those needing additional accommodations to reach out to our volunteer Events Manager, Lynn Knight at lynn@reidcenter.org or call 765-966-7618. We are eager to welcome you, and will do everything we can to meet your accessibility needs.
Thank you to our our co-presenter and our sponsors and for this concert!
