Color in motion: BCSD celebrates 3rd annual Mariachi and Folklorico Festival
Apr. 29—Skull masks, ribboned skirts and cinched waist sashes bedazzled the stony concrete interior of the Cato Middle School auditorium Saturday at the Bakersfield City School District's third annual Mariachi and Folklorico Festival.
"Their Board of Education believes that investing in children to bring the arts to life is one of the best use of dollars that we can commit to our children," Superintendent Mark Luque said in his opening remarks.
Jorge Laris, a behavioral specialist with the district, led a mariachi group in one of the first performances.
While the mariachi program was established by the district in 1995, the festival did not materialize until recently.
"We didn't have a festival to show off the different programs in schools," Laris said. "Orchestra has the end-of-the-year performance, band has the honor band, jazz has their honor concerts — but there was nothing for the mariachi students."
Ten mariachi and 10 folklorico programs all from BCSD schools competed. Since these after-school programs run year-round, students practice a lot to get their routines right.
