Marin Voice: Music a highlight for Latin Heritage Day at the fair

The Marin County Fair will feature themed days for the first time this year: Sunday is Latin Heritage Day. The day’s events will celebrate the vibrant and diverse Latin American communities of Marin County and will culminate in an evening performance by Los Lonely Boys on the Island Stage.

I am honored to be the coordinator of the community stage, where local performing groups showcase their talents, and which will be a focal point of the day’s Latin heritage theme. Area Agresiva (12:30 p.m.) is a Norteño quartet formed under the auspices of the Multicultural Center of Marin. Zazil Haa (1:30 p.m.) demonstrates the elegant dance forms of Yucatán, Mexico.

Two ensembles feature youth who have graced the community stage year after year, displaying their commitment to artistic education: Enriching Lives through Music (3:45 p.m.) performs classical orchestral works and beyond; and Ballet Folklórico Netzahuacoyotl (5:15 p.m.) represents the many regional dance styles of Mexico with brilliant and colorful costumes.

Two new performing groups join the community stage lineup this year: Raya Nova (11:30 a.m.) is a dynamic and eclectic rock band, combining elements of world music such as the sitar with classic and modern rock. Clave MC (7:15 p.m.) performs a unique, high-energy style of classic Mexican songs with a twist.

The Latin Heritage Day lineup promises to entertain and excite audiences of all ages, who are encouraged to get up and dance if the music moves them. The covered viewing area provides shade and respite from the heat.

As a San Rafael native and longtime fair attendee, I jumped at the opportunity to perform on the community stage last year with my own group, Mariachi Femenil Orgullo Mexicano. I have played violin in the ensemble for 12 years, performing at festivals and events all over California. But there is nothing like a hometown show. I was elated to see friends and family in the audience cheering us on as we played and sang for 45 minutes at full volume and energy. I was amazed at my own stamina, given that I was seven-months pregnant and the temperature outside was in the 90s.

Mariachi Femenil Orgullo Mexicano was formed to show the world that women can be mariachi musicians and also get an education, have careers and families, and be engaged, committed members of their communities. Our members represent all ages and cultural backgrounds.

We all have advanced degrees or are in school. When we perform, we love to connect with our audiences, especially when we see young women and girls who are listening to and learning from us. Performing at the Marin County Fair was a wonderful opportunity to outreach to the young women of my own community, and to share the mariachi art form with all in attendance.

Another Latin heritage organization near and dear to my heart is the aforementioned Enriching Lives through Music. ELM is Marin County’s answer to Venezuela’s national model of “El Sistema” music education; this inspiring global movement upholds that music education should be free, equitable and accessible to all young people.

ELM students are held to a high standard of musicianship as well as academics. Their dedication and commitment to music study is rewarded with many exciting performance opportunities around the Bay Area and beyond.

Over the years, I’ve taught violin, chorus, chamber music, orchestra and ukulele to ELM students and their parents. I’ve befriended ELM families and seen the young students grow into accomplished, college-bound musicians. ELM is a jewel in the crown of our county, and they are proudly representing their Latin heritage on Sunday at the fair.

Join me and the community stage performers on Sunday for Latin Heritage Day at the Marin County Fair.

Catherine John is a San Rafael resident and musician.