Mariachis from the East Coast to the West Coast throw a party for Santa Cecilia
Mariachis in East L.A. pay their respects to the patron saint Santa Cecilia. (Getty Images)
By ANGIE ROMERO
Channel: Entertainment
November 22 is universally known as the feast day of Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians, composers, instrument-makers, and poets. Roman Catholic legend has it that when Cecilia was executed by Emperor Marcus Aurelius circa 180 AD, she praised God by singing to him. Raphael painted her, Chaucer wrote about her, and Handel composed music inspired by her.
On Tuesday, over 200 mariachis took over the streets of East L.A. to celebrate Santa Cecilia in their own unique way. The tradition has been going on for 22 years, with over 30 different mariachi groups coming together to pay their respects to the patroness.
A similar celebration takes place annually the Wednesday before Thanksgiving on the other side of the country in Brooklyn, New York, where the Mexican community has grown exponentially in recent years. Dubbed “Encuentro de Mariachis,” the celebration kicks off with a 6pm mass at the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro, and then turns into a full-fledged concert and street party that lasts until midnight, with 20 to 25 different mariachi groups participating.
