The rain holds off but the clouds cool the thousands who gathered at Cannonsburg Ski Area. Whole families, with spreads ranging from traditional home-cooked meals to chopped fruit and soft drinks. Half or more of the audience is Latino, a rarity for symphony concerts, though not surprising given that the symphony is performing with the best Mariachi in the world, and their joint conductor for the day Nathaniel Espinoza.
“The board of the Grand Rapids Symphony they wanted to get together both cultures, Mexican, Latin cultures, and the American culture of course.”
And that they did, both in the audience, and in the performers. Espinoza who lives in Mexico, but who told the audience that has family in West Michigan, says he is surprised at how people responded to the concert.
“…all the energy and I mean, we had a lot of fun, this, tonight.”
To mark the importance of the event, Mayor Rosalynn Bliss issued a proclamation declaring August 5 2017 Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan Day.