AbouT US
“Texas Finest All- Female Mariachi Tradition, Passion, Excellence.”
When you think ‘mariachi’ you most likely think of the deep powerful sound of a man’s voice, but if you listen closely to this unique mariachi, you’ll hear they are strumming, singing and dancing to a different key. Mariachi Las Alteñas is an all female mariachi group that is making waves across the United States. Their mission is to achieve excellence as overall musicians and performers, and to raise the standards for women in mariachi music. This prestigious mariachi is under the direction of Valerie Vargas and consists of 10 members. Las Alteñas has a complete instrumentation, which includes five violins, two trumpets, a guitarron, vihuela, and guitar creating a full mariachi sound acknowledged in the industry. Many spectators are impressed with not only the musicianship, but also with the groups’ stage presence. Choreography plays a major role in the groups’ performances as does interacting with the audience. The groups’ philosophy is not simply to sing a song, but rather interpret the meaning and communicate that meaning with the audience. Its approach has audiences offering standing ovations after each performance. Their signature colorful Trajes de Charro and vocal harmonies draw abundant crowds to their performances. Mariachis are the flavor of Mexico, and in San Antonio Las Alteñas and the city’s culture and heritage make the perfect combination. Mariachi Las Alteñas are known for their musical diversity, which appeals to crowds of all generations. The women that make up Las Alteñas are a stunningly beautiful group of musicians who are clearly proud of their Mexican heritage and who are eager to share that with their audiences. Their name Las Alteñas is taken from the birthplace of mariachi music, Jalisco, Mexico. The higher regions, Los Altos de Jalisco, is an area described as being near the top of the world, and fans say these ladies are up there!
Celebrating 20 years as “Texas’ Finest Female Mariachi”, Las Alteñas is considered one of the genre’s premier all female groups. They have built quite a name for themselves. Not only do they perform all over San Antonio but they travel around the country. Throughout the 20 years this group has been together they have been able to share their music at some of the most prestigious venues and events such as:
5th Annual Viva El Mariachi Festival in San Diego, California, 2002
1st Annual Mariachi Festival at the Gran Plaza de Fort Worth, Texas,2004
National LULAC Convention in Little Rock, Arkansas with Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan
Albuquerque Mariachi Spectacular in 2005
14th annual Cinco De Mayo celebration in Kansas City, 2005
Nominated for the 2005 Premios a la Musica Latina
Accompanied Trio Los Panchos at Mariachi USA Festival in Tucson, Arizona and Hollywood Bowl 2005
71st Annual Fiesta Mexicana in Topeka, Kansas, 2006
Austin TX , Pachanga Music Festival 2009-2010
Performed on Good Morning America in New York representing the City of San Antonio, 2009
3rd consecutive year at the world-famous Mariachi USA Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, 2010
1st Place for the 2nd time in 2010 at the Go Tejano Mariachi Competition in Houston, TX
Mariachi USA Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada 2011
Performed a concert series at the Historic Aztec Theater in San Antonio, 2010-2011
National LULAC Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, 2011
Accompanied Prince Royce at the People in Español Music Festival, 2012
Lafayette Louisiana’s Festival Internationale in April 2013
SXSW in Austin, Texas 2014
Fiesta Mexicana, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 2014
Grand Marshals at the 2015 Avenida Guadalupe Association Dies Y Seis de Sieptembre Festival
Texas Folk Life Festival in San Antonio, Texas 2014, 2015, 2016
Echale Latino Music Estyles block party Pearl Brewery 2016
Ballroom Marfa in New York, New York 2016
Women's Mariachi Music Festival in Los Angeles, California 2017
1st Annual Mariachi USA FESTex in Austin, Texas 2017
29th Annual Mariachi USA in Los Angeles, California 2018
Unidos Conference, San Diego California, 2019
In a predominately male industry, this all female Mariachi has indeed created their unique mark in the mariachi world. Las Alteñas will change what you think of mariachi music. They’re young, they’re driven, and with them, every night is ladies night.