Count Basie Theatre Announces First-Ever Basie Mariachi Festival

Drawing on years of successful and renowned Cinco de Mayo concert celebrations, the Count Basie Theatre today announced its first-ever mariachi festival, to take place on Friday, May 4, 2018 at the historic nonprofit theater.

Tickets for the BASIE MARIACHI FESTIVAL, priced at $25, are on sale now through theBASIE.org, phone charge at 732.842.9000 and the Basie box office.

The BASIE MARIACHI FESTIVAL stars New York's all-female Mariachi Flor de Toloache, celebrated Xalapa, Mexico natives Villalobos Brothers, and Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, the nonprofit Queens-based troupe that teaches dance and advocates for the preservation and display of Mexican culture.

"Mariachi music is the heart and soul of Mexican culture and tradition," said Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Theatre. "The Basie is part of a community rich in Hispanic heritage and our Mariachi Festival will be a celebration of the diversity of our region. "

"We grew up in Mexico," noted Alberto Villalobos, one of the three, violin-wielding Villalobos Brothers, "going to formal music school and also playing rancheras (traditional, pre-revolution Mariachi) and boleros (slow-tempo, Latin-influenced music) with our grandmother. Our love for music has grown every day and now, we are a touring band, exploring the sounds of many different styles of music including of course Mexican folk."

"We are excited to join forces with the historic Count Basie Theatre in this authentic celebration of Mexican culture in the city of Red Bank and we are looking forward to meeting many new friends there."

"Calpulli and the Count Basie Theatre have been partners now for a few years," said Juan Castro, Managing Director, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company. "I can say that without a doubt that the leaders at the Count Basie Theatre are committed to their community, which is a value we share. Their year-long work to have the Mexican and Hispanic community in general represented in their programming both on stage and through education attests to their commitment."