Mariachi, tequila and antojitos mexicanos will be the center of attention during “Una Noche en Garibaldi,” which will take place for the first time at 8 p.m. Friday in Market Square in downtown Brownsville.
The event is being organized by the nonprofit organization, Mr. Amigo Association, in partnership with Brownsville Community Improvement Corp.
In an interview with The Rider, Arturo Treviño, Mr. Amigo Association president for the 2018-2019 term, said the event is focused on Mexico’s Independence Day celebrations.
“We want to focus on a theme related to the week of el Grito, or with the Mexican “Fiestas Patrias”; therefore, we want to reinforce this theme with the food, the drinks and our music, which are Mexico’s pride,” Treviño said in Spanish.
He said “Una Noche en Garibaldi” will be a fundraising event.
“We are going to have [the event] for the first time here in Brownsville in order to raise funds for a museum and office for the Mr. Amigo [Association],” Treviño said. “We want to build an office that will have a museum theme as well. … That is the idea, more or less.”
He said the office/museum will help Mr. Amigo’s traditions and history to endure.
Each year, the Mr. Amigo Association honors a Mexican citizen to promote international friendship and goodwill between the U.S. and Mexico. The honoree is recognized during Brownsville’s Charro Days Fiesta. Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, holds Fiestas Mexicanas at the same time. Previous Mr. Amigos include Pedro Fernández, Cantinflas, Juan Gabriel, Verónica Castro, Lucha Villa and Arath de la Torre.
Treviño said Mr. Amigo Association was created in 1964 by the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce.
Graciela Salazar, Mr. Amigo public relations officer, told The Rider the museum will have material belonging to the festivities conducted by Mr. Amigo throughout the years.
“We have a lot of photos, videos, memories or recognitions that we would like for people to see,” Salazar said in Spanish. “It is something that people have always asked us. A museum … where people can always learn about Mr. Amigo’s history.
“Una Noche en Garibaldi” will mimic several traditional elements of the famous Plaza Garibaldi located in Mexico City and also known for its atmosphere full of mariachis, renowned cantinas (bars), its fondas (traditional Mexican small restaurants) and its traditional Mexican folklore.
Salazar said tickets for the event will allow attendees to enjoy all the elements the event will offer without any extra charges.
“With this ticket they will have access to samples of antojitos mexicanos,” Salazar said. “There are about 15 restaurants … that will be offering samples of their food. There is going to be a restaurant giving out tamales, others will offer tacos, others will offer pollo asado, avocado ice cream. There is going to be a variety of Mexican plates for people to taste.”
She also said there will be a tequila tasting; however, bars will offer a variety of other drinks.
Different mariachis popular in the region, such as Mariachi 7 Leguas and Mariachi Margaritas, will liven up the event with their music. In addition, several singers such as, Flor Amargo and Lluvia Vega; former participants of the Mexican television show “La Voz … México”; and Jesús Urbina, former participant of “La Voz Kids,” will perform at the event.
Salazar said they are excited for this event.
“This is the first time we organize this event,” she said. “We are trying to do things for Brownsville and Matamoros. We want people to stay and to enjoy what Brownsville has to offer.”
Advance tickets are $25 and $30 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at mramigo.com or on Mr. Amigo Association’s official Facebook page. In person, the tickets will be available at Mi Pueblito Restaurant Bar & Grill, El Ultimo Taco, any of Los Trevi Drive-Thru stores and at the Brownsville Convention & Visitors Center.
Attendees must be 21 or older.
Treviño hopes the event will be celebrated annually.
“We would like for this event to be organized year after year,” Treviño said. “We want for it to become a part of the community and for the community to keep supporting it every year.”
Salazar encourages the public to attend “Una Noche en Garibaldi.”
“I hope that the Brownsville students, who are really close to Market Square, can accompany us,” she said. “Also, everyone from Edinburg. We would love to have a lot of students there. We know that the international student population is very large and we would love that not only Mexican people, but people or students from other countries could also be with us so that they can learn more about the traditions.”
