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Mariachi Cobre was just one of the many acts to take the stage Saturday night at the Bowl. (Instagram)

Mariachi USA celebrated its 25th anniversary amidst music, dancing and games at the Hollywood Bowl on Saturday, with guest of honor Angeles Ochoa.

Mariachi USA has nurtured a tradition of showcasing mariachi bands from Mexico and the United States, and in doing so, provides the audience with one of the best Mexican music parties in Los Angeles. The festival’s founder, Rodri Rodriguez, has taken it upon herself to preserve and share with the world this traditional Mexican music, thus making this festival the largest of its kind in the country.

Mariachi bands Nuevo Tecalitlan, Mariachi Cobre, Mariachi Los Reyes, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, Mariachi Tierra Querida and Junko Seki were on hand at the celebration to perform, accompanied by the colorful dances of Folklórico Mi Tierra.

This 2014 edition of the festival was extra special because it welcomed back to the stage one of Mexico’s greatest voices, Angeles Ochoa, after a hiatus of several years due to the death of her husband. At the festival, she proved that she’s still one of the best and can sing as great as ever.

The evening started with a pre-show reception at 5:30 p.m., which hosted press and guests for interviews and performances. Among those present were children who receive musical instruction through the non-profit organization established by Mariachi USA.

The mariachi groups started at 6 p.m., performing a repertoire of traditional Mexican classics.  Ochoa performed around 9:20 p.m., dressed in a magnificent folkloric gown and performed three of her most famous songs.

Later, representatives from Mariachi USA presented Rodriguez with an award for her arduous efforts to preserve mariachi music and her involvement with the community.

To close out the evening, several mariachi groups, accompanied by Ochoa, joined together to sing classics such as “El Rey,” “Volver, Volver” “Viva Mexico” and “El Son de La Negra” – the last of which was illuminated by an impressive fireworks show that captivated an audience that had already enjoyed a fantastic show.

Edison Millan contributed to this review.

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