Pepperdine Hispanic Council Presents 9th Annual Mariachi Concert: 'A Merry-achi Christmas'

MALIBU, CA. (Pepperdine University) - Pepperdine University's Hispanic Council will present its 9th Annual Mariachi Festival on Sunday, December 5 at the Countrywide Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks. The annual tradition which raises educational scholarship funds will begin at 3 p.m., featuring several renowned musical performances. The event is being produced and directed by Jose L. Hernandez. This year's concert is called, "A Merry-achi Christmas" and is being co-presented by Pepperdine's Hispanic Council and the Cacique Foundation.

Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, the nation's premier mariachi performing group, will play symphonic mariachi arrangements scored by the Maestro himself. In addition to playing the traditional Mexican beloved songs, the all-male musical group will play pop, jazz, swing, Broadway songs and favorite Christmas melodies.

Audiences will also be entertained by Enrique Chia, Master Pianist and Ensemble with special guest appearances by The Pacific Dance Company and Jessica Rivera.

Rivera, a former Resident Artist at the Los Angeles Opera, has delighted L.A. opera audiences performing such roles as Susanna in Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro." She has been featured in various works with the Los Angeles Philharmonic including Mahler's "Symphony No. 2" and Mozart's "The Magic Flute."

Rivera is a graduate of Pepperdine University as well as USC's Thornton School of Music.
Tickets are available by calling the Hispanic Affairs Office at (310) 506-4043, the Smothers Theatre Office at (310) 506-4522, the Thousand Oaks Box Office at (805) 449-2787 or any TicketMaster location.