News Release

“Don Mariachi” Performs at Santa Ana College

The popular band will play traditional mariachi music at Phillips Hall Theatre Nov. 16

Santa Ana, Calif. – Experience the traditional Mexican dance music and songs with an enticing mix of music from Jalisco, Veracruz and other regions of Mexico when Santa Ana College’s own “Don Mariachi” band performs on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Led by Ernesto Viramontes, who took over the SAC mariachi program when longtime instructor and founder of “Don Mariachi,” David Lopez, retired earlier this year, “Don Mariachi” has been delighting and entertaining the Santa Ana community for nearly 25 years.

What:      A performance by Santa Ana College’s “Don Mariachi” band

When:     Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Where:    Phillips Hall Theatre, on the campus of Santa Ana College at 17th and Bristol Street ''''''''''''''''''''''''in Santa Ana

Tickets:   $5 children, $8 students, $10 general, www.sac.edu/music/Events

Parking:  Parking is available in Lot 6 off Bristol Street. A parking permit ($2) can be  ''''''''''''''''''''''''purchased at one of two permit dispensers located in the lot.

Modern mariachi music originated in the Jalisco region of Mexico in the late 19th Century and rose in popularity throughout the 1930s. Mariachi bands are responsible for the oft-loved and well-known songs “La Cucaracha,” “La Bamba” and “The Hat Dance,” among others.

Viramontes was one of Lopez’s first mariachi students and took an interest in playing the music. He is currently a part-time instructor at Santa Ana College and serves as a maestro of The Capistrano Community Mariachi Program (Mariachi for All), a non-profit striving to enhance quality of life by engaging the community in high-quality music education.

“Don Mariachi” was formed by Lopez and a handful of students interested in playing mariachi music soon after he began his tenure at SAC in 1993. The band features violins, guitars, vihuela (guitar-shaped five-string instrument), guitarrón (a large, six-string acoustic bass), trumpets and a variety of traditional vocalists. The band meets on Thursday afternoons.

About Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College (SAC), which turned 100 years old in 2015, serves about 18,000 students each semester at its main campus in Santa Ana. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions, provides invaluable workforce training, and customized training for business and industry. In addition, another 11,000 students are served through the college’s School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center. Ranked as one of the nation’s top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students, the college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and other medical personnel. SAC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District.

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Contact: Judy Iannaccone

Phone: (714) 480-7503

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