By Mia Garcia, Staff Reporter
The band Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Ángeles kicked off LGBT History Month on October 2 with a concert performance at the LaCorte Auditorium. The award-winning band – whose name in Spanish translates to “The Los Angeles Rainbow Mariachi” – is a unique ensemble that travels around the United States to share the sounds of Mexican tradition and culture.
Notably, Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Ángeles is the only LGBTQ+ mariachi group, traveling throughout the United States to perform at college campuses and local events. The band released their third studio album, “Mahtlaktli-Xihtih,” this past May. The album’s title, which translates to “10th Year” in the Nahuatl language, honors the indigenous people of Mexico.
“We’re all here, we’re all coexisting and sometimes we have to be loud about it in order to be heard,” said band member Yalitza Vazquez-Lopez, a violinist and vocalist.
The concert featured both original songs and covers from artists like renowned Mexican composer Juan Gabriel. The enthusiastic crowd sang along from the first note, in-sync with the performers for the duration of the concert. The ensemble was dressed in all black but with rainbow bows, while they danced and played their instruments in-sync.
Child development and women’s studies student Deaylin Martinez was among those in attendance at the concert. Martinez told The Bulletin she was impressed by the range and depth of the performance.
“It was really beautiful to see the diversity also mixed in with a little bit of my culture, it was really special,” Martinez said.
Women’s studies professor Anat Schwartz lauded the significance of the concert, saying the band helped to elevate the LGBTQ+ presence at CSUDH.
“It’s important to see Dominguez Hills invest in bringing diverse queer voices and representations to campus,” Schwartz said. “I think it means a lot to invite them here, but also support these opportunities and to make sure students feel represented.”
