How to Hire a Mariachi
Think of Mexico and you can almost hear the mariachis --
the strolling musicians who expose the romantic soul of Mexico through
expressive ballads.
Mariachi music is heard throughout Mexico but it was born
in the state of Jalisco (hal-ez-ko).
Did you know that the word mariachi is derived from the
French word for marriage? Often sung at weddings in the 15th and 16th
centuries, today mariachi music is usually enjoyed at the very end of
a wedding reception, when it's time to call it a night. Most Mexican weddings
are celebrated with boleros, romantic ballads easy to dance to.
How to Hire a Mariachi
You'll see mariachis strolling through restaurants in most
towns throughout Mexico. Feel free to hire a group for a song or two.
The cost runs about US$4 a song or three songs for US$10.
 What
to request? Here are some favorite mariachi songs:
- Cielito Lindo (Pretty Little Heaven)
- Cucurrucu Cucurrucu Paloma (a sad, romantic song named
after the sound of a paloma or dove)
- La Malaguena (from Malaga, Spain)
- Mexico Lindo (from Guadalajara)
- Endless Love (composed for a Mexican actress)
- You'll also find that most cities in Mexico have "their
song"...just ask the mariachis to play it!
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