Trio Chapultepec (photo by Ashkan Roayaee)
Since its premiere in 2019, the opera has become a holiday tradition in Houston, and this year’s performances includes several members of the original cast — including mezzo-soprano Cecilia Duarte and the San Antonio-based ensembleTrio Chapultepec, who are onstage for most of the opera, dressed in traje de charro (“cowboy suits”) and sombreros. They anchor Martínez’s score with the traditional mariachi instrumentation of guitar, guitarrón — a large, deep-bodied, six-string bass, and vihuela — a smaller sized, higher tuned five-string guitar.
Trio Chapultepec members Vincent A. Pequeño, Israel Alcala and William Carlton Galvez, along with percussionist Jesús Pacheco, appear on Duarte’s new albumReencuentros, a collection of classic boleros she heard as a child growing up in Chihuahua City. For his part, Pequeño was introduced to mariachi in the eighth grade, by renown musician and educator Gumecindo "Gino" Rivera, with whom he still plays to this day. But at first, Pequeño had no idea what he was getting into.
Trio Chapultepec
San Antonio native Vincent Pequeño joins William Carlton Galvez from Kyle and Israel Alcala from Laredo in Trio Chapultepec. The three gents were selected by...
Trio Chapultepec (photo by Michael Bishop)
“I hadn’t really practiced my Spanish, because my parents didn’t teach me,” says Pequeño, who was born in San Antonio, grew up relatively poor, and initially explored his musical aptitude on a toy piano and “a beat up guitar that only had, like, three strings.” When Rivera asked Pequeño if he’d like to play guitarrón, he immediately said yes. “In my head, I thought he meant the guitar!” says Pequeño, who nevertheless fell in love with the unwieldy instrument and decided to commit himself to a career playing mariachi.
The roots of mariachi date back to the earliest years of the colonial period of Mexico, when a new amalgamation of musical styles emerged across several distinct geographical regions, performed on stringed instruments introduced by the invading Spaniards, and incorporating the rhythms of music by African slaves and indigenous tribes. Over the 19th and 20th centuries, violins and trumpets had been integrated as well. Today, there are mariachi’s throughout Central and South America, as well Japan, Canada, and Dubai.
“It’s not necessarily just music. It’s a culture,” says Pequeño of the genre. “I love folkloric music from Mexico, and mariachi is a kind of culmination of it all into one.” There’s also a sound and feel to mariachi one can only develop by ear and with experience, which for Pequeño meant listening to and getting advice from older mariachi musicians playing along San Antonio’s downtown Riverwalk. “It’s like when someone gives you a recipe,” explains Pequeño. “And you ask, ‘Can I find this online?’ and they tell you, ‘No. It was my grandma’s recipe, and her grandma’s, and her grandma’s … .’”
Pequeño’s mother didn’t tell him how musical his family was until after he’d gotten into music. He then found out she played in band, and that other family members were strongly rooted in San Antonio’s Tejano music scene, but nobody in the family had played mariachi. “My parents love American rock and roll. They never really expected me to choose mariachi,” says Pequeño. “But I just was magnetized toward it, and now I’ve made a whole career out of playing it.”
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Reliant Lights Mayor's Holiday Spectacular (photo by Richard Carson)
Deck the Park at Memorial Park
Photo by Liz Silva via Instagram
On Friday, Dec. 2, beginning at 4pm, Memorial Park Conservancy presents “Deck the Park,” a family-friendly picnic on the Clay Family Eastern Glades Event Lawn, beginning with an advance preview of the park’s Holiday Lights followed by an outdoor screening of the Christmas classic Elf. Kids can enjoy cookie-decorating, festive games, and letter-writing to Santa — and fill up on hot chocolate and other holiday treats. If you don’t have a picnic blanket, you can buy one at the park.
Jingle All the Way, Better than a Negligee
Need a gift, but dread going to Best Buy or Target? Then head over to Burning Bones Press Printmaking Studio this Saturday, Dec. 3, 11am-4pm, for its annual “Jingle All The Way, Better Than A Negligee” holiday market. Earlybird shoppers can browse a wide selection of provocative prints, handmade artisan gifts, and other unique items created by Houston’s independent printmakers and community retailers.
Holiday Brews on the Bend
On Sat., Dec. 3, 2pm-6pm, head over to Bayou Bend Collections and Gardens for a holiday-themed beer tasting, with craft beers from some of your favorite Houston breweries, including Saint Arnold, 8th Wonder, Eureka Heights, and others. Houston saxophonist Philippe Edison and The Black Luster Quartet will provide sublime jazz and neo-soul vibes. The event is for ages 21 and up.
Holiday Celebration at 4411 Montrose
On Sat., Dec. 3, 2pm-4pm, the galleries of 4411 Montrose — Anya Tish Gallery, Art is Bond, Assembly, Barbara Davis Gallery, David Shelton Gallery and Foto Relevance — come together for a holiday celebration, perfect for seasoned gallery-goers as well as those who want to learn more about the city’s vibrant and diverse art scene. Visitors can enjoy sweet treats and poinsettia cocktails while checking out paintings, sculpture and photography by homegrown and internationally renowned artists.
Reliant Lights Mayor's Holiday Spectacular
Gloria “I Will Survive” Gaynor headlines the Reliant Lights Mayor’s Holiday Spectacular this Saturday, Dec. 3, 6pm-8pm, in Hermann Square at City Hall. The free extravaganza includes performances by Houston Contemporary Dance Company, Dance of Asian America, Parker Elementary Performing Strings, and Mariachi Luna Llena, the lighting of the holiday tree, free photos with Santa, fireworks, and other festive activities for all ages.
Holiday Festival at Levy Park
River Oaks Dance at Levy Park (photo via Instagram)
Family fun abounds at Levy Park all weekend long. Check out the Holiday Festival — with craft stations, Houston vendors and photos with Santa — from 12pm-5pm on both days. Food trucks like The Burger Joint will supply delicious eats, and local performing-arts groups, including River Oaks Dance, the Boomtown Brass Band, and holiday carolers, will be taking the stage throughout the weekend.
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