Since 2006, Viva el Arte Santa Barbara, a central coast collaboration has presented free concerts of high quality latin music and dance of the Americas to venues between Carpinteria and Santa Maria. UCSB Arts & Lectures, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, Isla Vista School and the Marjorie Luke Theatre joined forces for this community enriching program and one highlight this year was a workshop with April’s artists, Mariachi Aztlán from the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley. About 100 mariachis from all over central and southern CA benefited from the coaching and advice of members of this talented group of students and professionals led by founder Dr, Dahlia Guerra, and came together for a spirited and surprisingly cohesive performance by all at the end. Viva mariachis!
