As part of the 70th anniversary American River College Homecoming celebrations, Mariachi Los Rios hosted its first concert of the semester on Oct. 29. The concert featured a night of vibrant music, celebration and cultural pride. 

Anthony Marvelli, the Mariachi Los Rios director and music professor at ARC, started the night by welcoming the crowd to the theater. He then introduced Mariachi Los Gallos, a professional mariachi group that Mariachi Los Rios invited to perform with them, and finally introduced Mariachi Los Rios. 

Mariachi Los Rios took the stage and immediately burst into its first song, a lively instrumental called “Jarabe Tapatio.” 

After concluding the first song, Iris Perez, a student at ARC and the president of the Mariachi club greeted the audience and welcomed them to the concert in both English and Spanish before jumping into “Alla en el Rancho Grande,” a fun and upbeat song featuring lots of boisterous trumpeting, guitar and gritos. 

“In mariachi it’s all about the emotion that you feel and the pride that you feel,” Perez said, urging the audience to join in with their own gritos.  

The group also celebrated the spooky season with songs from the movie “Coco,” as well as “La Bruja,” or “The Witch,” in English. 

One of the most powerful performances of the night came from vocalist Maylynn Lopez. She sang Los Laureles, a classic mariachi song featuring powerful and emotional vocals. The song drew a huge reaction from the crowd, with audience members whooping and clapping after her incredible vocal performance. 

Another standout moment was the group’s performance of “Amor Eterno.” Perez was the lead vocalist on this song and mentioned that the song had been requested by her father, and was sung in dedication to her grandmother who had passed. The song was an emotional and moving ballad that mesmerized the audience.

“If you have anyone that is a special someone that you think of with this song, try to dedicate it to them,” Perez said. 

After a fun and upbeat rendition of “La Chona,” Mariachi Los Rios left the stage and welcomed Mariachi Los Gallos. 

Mariachi Los Gallos concluded the concert with a catalog of lively and cheerful songs such as “La Bamba,” “Why Should I Keep Loving You” and “Stand by Me.” 

Mariachi Los Rios creates a space for people to gather, listen to great music and celebrate culture. 

“The culture here is very rooted, and with these concerts and even with the ensemble itself, it’s like we’re speaking our voice,” Perez said. “Even being Mexican American is political, and there’s a safe space for us in the mariachi.”