By Lori Dugan/EAC
THATCHER, — Eastern Arizona College invites the community to celebrate the opening of Hispanic Heritage Month with live mariachi music, Hispanic art and a celebration of the culture and traditions that have helped shape the Gila Valley.
The 12th Annual Hispanic Heritage Kickoff will be held Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 10:30 a.m. to noon in Lee Little Theater, located inside EAC’s Activities Center. Admission is free, and no ticket is required.
A highlight of this year’s kickoff will be the return of the highly acclaimed Mariachi Alegre de Tucson, a group with deep roots in Southern Arizona’s mariachi tradition.
Led by Tucson native George Bejarano, Mariachi Alegre brings decades of experience to the stage. Bejarano and other members of the ensemble have spent decades not only performing mariachi music but teaching it to generations of musicians throughout the Tucson area. The group is known for its extensive repertoire, exceptional sound and ability to connect with audiences through both traditional and requested selections.
EAC audiences may remember Mariachi Alegre from previous Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. When the group performed at EAC’s 2023 kickoff, the College described the ensemble as widely recognized for the historical significance of its musical selections and the quality of its sound.
Their influence extends well beyond the stage. Bejarano has taught the renowned Los Changuitos Feos youth mariachi and has helped train musicians and mariachi educators throughout Tucson, making Mariachi Alegre an especially fitting group to help open a celebration devoted to preserving and sharing Hispanic heritage.
In addition to the live performance, the Sept. 15 kickoff will feature a silent auction of Hispanic artwork and an inspirational speaker.
The kickoff marks the beginning of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month activities at EAC and continues a longstanding partnership between Eastern Arizona College and the Eastern Arizona Hispanic Heritage Corporation to celebrate Hispanic culture and recognize its importance throughout the region.
The celebration continues the following evening, Wednesday, Sept. 16, when author Dora Rodriguez visits EAC’s Alumni Library at 7 p.m. to discuss and read from her memoir, Dora: A Daughter of Unforgiving Terrain. The reading is free and open to the public.
The 12th Annual Hispanic Heritage Dinner and Show follows Saturday, Sept. 26, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the EAC Activities Center Dining Hall. The scholarship fundraiser will feature dinner by Gila Hank’s Cafe, dancing by Compañía de Danza Folklórica Arizona and live music by Mariachi Sonido de Mexico of Tucson. Ray and Caro Gaethje will be recognized as Family of the Year, while Jennifer Moralas, Benji Moralas and Taylor Martinez will be recognized as Teachers of the Year.
Tickets for the Dinner and Show are $75 per person or $600 for a table of eight and are available at eac.edu/ticketing.
The month’s activities conclude Saturday, Oct. 31, with the free Día de los Muertos Car Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Guitteau Gymnasium parking lot. The event will feature unique vehicles, local food vendors, raffle prizes and music by local DJ AZOLDIES.
But the celebration begins Sept. 15, and EAC encourages students, employees, families, and community members to fill Lee Little Theater and experience Mariachi Alegre de Tucson live.
Admission to the Hispanic Heritage Kickoff is free, and no ticket is required. Doors open for the 10:30 a.m. program Tuesday, Sept. 15, in Lee Little Theater at EAC’s Activities Center, 1020 N. College Ave., Thatcher.
About Eastern Arizona College
Since 1888, Eastern Arizona College has been the undisputed Smart Higher Education Destination, shaping student dreams into reality. With a faculty of qualified and caring instructors, EAC is committed to preparing students for high-demand careers and advanced studies at top universities.
Offering a diverse range of over 90 degrees and certificates, EAC is home to the state’s premier nursing school, a fine arts program featuring Arizona’s only community college marching band, and an engineering program that equips students for success at top-tier firms and universities.
Beyond academics, EAC is a vibrant community where students thrive, forging connections that last a lifetime. Experience on-campus housing, engage in over 30 clubs and organizations, participate in dynamic intramurals, and cheer for nationally ranked athletic and e-sports teams.
What sets EAC apart is its commitment to financial accessibility, allowing most students to graduate with $0 debt.
Choose EAC as your Smart Higher Education Destination. For more information, contact admissions@eac.edu or call (928) 428-8272.
About EA: Eastern Arizona College is a proud Hispanic-Serving Institution and a student-centered college committed to providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality education to the communities it serves. EA celebrates the cultures and traditions of its diverse student body while providing programs, resources and opportunities designed to help Hispanic, first-generation, and other students achieve their educational and career goals. Founded in 1888, Eastern Arizona College is Arizona’s first community college and continues its tradition of preparing students for university transfer, rewarding careers and lifetime success.
