| Cinco de Mayo, a wonderful holiday celebrating | | | | acoustic guitar, a vihuela (high-pitched five-string guitar), |
| Mexican independence and Mexican pride, takes place | | | | a guitarrón (large acoustic bass guitar), violins and one |
| every year on May 5. Mexicans and Americans come | | | | or more trumpets. The mariachi musicians (a.k.a. |
| together for Cinco de Mayo to enjoy Mexican | | | | "Mariachis" or "Mariacheros") also sing during their |
| traditions and festive parties. No matter how you plan | | | | musical performance. In some cases the mariachi |
| to celebrate on Cinco de Mayo, more likely than not | | | | group may be joined by a female vocalist, known as a |
| you will hear mariachi music. | | | | "ranchera". |
| Mariachi music is one of the most familiar of Cinco de | | | | Mariachi is perfect music for a festive occasion such |
| Mayo traditions. Mariachi is probably the most | | | | as Cinco de Mayo, with its lively tempo and vibrant, |
| well-known genre of Mexican folk music. Almost every | | | | upbeat feel. While you are sure to hear some mariachi |
| American knows the two most popular mariachi | | | | music this Cinco de Mayo, mariachi bands are also |
| songs, "La Cucaracha" and the "Jarabe Tapatío" | | | | frequently hired to play at Mexican weddings, |
| (a.k.a. "Mexican Hat Dance"). With its distinct sound and | | | | quinceañeras (a girl's 15th birthday) and other parties. |
| characteristic western costumes, mariachi has come | | | | Many of the standard mariachi songs have a romantic |
| to symbolize Mexican nationalism. | | | | theme and amorous lyrics, making mariachi a popular |
| The mariachi ensemble generally consists of an | | | | choice for formal settings like fine restaurants. |