Fiesta del Norte
Press Kit (EPK)
Connecticut’s first mariachi band, Fiesta del Norte is a Mexican Mariachi band performing the traditional folk and popular music of Mexico.
Dressed in traditional sombreros and “charro” outfits, our repertoire spans from the Mariachis of Jalisco to the Nortenas of Chihuahua, to the harp music of Vera Cruz, down to the Marimba music of Chiapas. All this played on authentic instruments such as guitar, vihuela, guitarron, violin, trumpet and with beautiful singing throughout. Song translations, storytelling and cultural insights are interwoven between musical numbers.
Fiesta del Norte is a Mexican Mariachi band performing the traditional folk and popular music of Mexico.
A member of the CT Commission of Culture and Tourism since 1986, this Hartford based group has serenaded New England audiences at major festivals, First Nights, colleges, schools (K – 8), libraries, town greens, senior centers and many other venues.
A hallmark of a Fiesta del Norte concert is the wonderful audience participation with singing, dancing, hand-clapping, maraca-shaking, and the joyful calls or ‘gritos’ heard on every song.
Our concerts are often bilingual and designed for all cultures and age groups. So put on your sombreros and celebrate Mexico with Fiesta del Norte!
Song List
Polka / March
Jesusita en Chihuahua
EL Dos Negra
Las Perlitas
La Raspa
Las Coronelas
Las Bicicletas
Juan Colorado
La Adelita
Cancion del Mariachi
Atotonilco
Guantanamera
Marcha Zacatecas
El Zopilote Mojada
Alla en el Rancho Grande
Jalisco No te Rajes
Los Machetes
Bolero / Rumba
Si nos dejan
Besame Mucho
Piel Canela
Quien Sera (Sway)
Quizas, Quizas
Amor, Amor
Amor Eterno
Perfidia
Ultima Noche
La Paloma
Huapango
Malaguena Salerosa
Cucuru Paloma
Seren. Huasteca
Cancion del Mariachi
Ranchero
Las Chiapanecas
Cielito Lindo
De Colores
La Feria de las flores
El Rey
La Llorona
Las Mananitas
Maria Elena
Tu Solo Tu
Volver, Volver
Serenata Tapatio
Juan Colorado
La Adelita
Cancion del Mariachi
Atotonilco
Guantanamera
Marcha Zacatecas
El Zopilote Mojada
Alla en el Rancho Grande
Jalisco No te Rajes
Los Machetes
Son
Jarabe Tapatio
La Negra
La Bikina
Las Alazanas
Guadalajara
La Culebra
La Bamba
Workshops
Educational presentations by Fiesta del Norte have been tailored to fit any age group ranging from K through 12. Programs include short musical examples from our repertoire, an introduction to the various instruments we play (guitar, vihuela, guitarron, violin, trumpet and with beautiful singing throughout).
Song translations, storytelling and cultural insights are interwoven between musical numbers.
Fiesta del Norte offers 45-minute assemblies and workshops and are designed to address the different styles of learning and your curriculum objectives.
Workshops include:
- Cinco de Mayo (May 5)
- Mexican Independence Day (Sep 16)
- El Dia de los Muertos (Mexican Day of the Dead Nov 2)
- Today is your Birthday in Mexico!
Assemblies include:
- Musical performance & discussion of the instruments
- Song translations and signs with Spanish subtitles
- Colorful ‘kid-sized’ regional costumes & simple dance steps
- The Parade of ‘The Viejitos’
- Supplemental materials for teachers
“Fiesta del Norte provided excellent entertainment: attractive presentation in costume, cheerful demeanor, wonderful instrumental playing and beautiful singing. They provided the kind of music I expected and engaged the audience, inviting their participation. They were very personable and accommodating and my guests enjoyed them immensely. We were extremely pleased and highly recommend them.”
— Yvonne Alexander, private events contractor, Stormville, NY
“Fiesta del Norte came to present to our theme-based arts and world languages schools. They immediately connected with our students and staff. They performed a variety of Mexican music as well as helped to teach the students about the culture. Our students were engaged for the entire performance. We look forward to having them back again in the future.”
— Emil S. Kopcha, Principal Sunset Ridge School Elementary Academy of Arts and World Languages
“THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!!! That was beyond wonderful and we thoroughly enjoyed it all! Your band made the party!”
— Erin Leishman and Kinsley (my daughter)
“Fiesta del Norte Mariachi Band is probably the best PTO sponsored educational entertainment group I have had the pleasure of seeing in my almost 33 years as a public school teacher. I recommend these very talented musician ‘hands down’ to bring great culture to our young people in any school district.”
— Bruce Coviello, Music Coordinator, Derby Public Schools
More Reviews
“The Music, costumes, and cultural information were terrific. Thank you so much for helping us to celebrate the culture of Mexico in such a fun and exciting way.”
— Sue Jensen, Willes-Turner Memorial Library, Glastonbury, CT
“They were fun, engaging and did a wonderful job with our preschoolers! The woman had a beautiful voice! David brought educational items for our children and helped them learn while having fun. They were the perfect way to celebrate and complete our lessons about Mexico!”
— Mary Popick
Performances
Hudson Valley Community College
Fiesta del Norte Mariachi Band
LaBelle Winery
Fiesta del Norte Mariachi Band
Essex Elementary School
Fiesta del Norte Mariachi Band
Client List
Fiesta del Norte has also performed at countless major festivals, First Nights, colleges, schools (K – 8), libraries, town greens, senior centers and many other venues.
Schools
Wesley School
Middletown, CT
Brewster Elementary
Durham, CT
Country School
Madison, CT
Island Avenue Elementary School
Madison, CT
CREC Academy of Aerospace & Engineering Elementary School
Rocky Hill, CT
Chestnut Hill Preschool
Manchester, CT
St. Mary Magdalen
Oakville, CT
Aiken Elementary School
West Hartford, CT
JFK Middle School
Enfield, CT
Mary Hooker Magnet School
Hartford, CT
Senior Centers
Essex Meadows
Essex, CT
White Oaks Senior Center
Manchester, CT
Vernon Senior Center
Vernon, CT
Shady Knoll Health Center
Seymour, CT
North Haven Senior Center
North Haven, CT
Litchfield Woods Health Center
Torrington, CT
Aaron Manor
Chester, CT
Brookdale Mountain Laurel Hebron
Glastonbury, CT
South End Wellness Senior Center
Hartford, CT
Multimedia
Atotonilco
Chiapanecas
De Colores
Jarabe Tapatio
Jesusita
La Guacamaya
La Ultima Noche
La Venadita
Las Alazanas
In the News
Mariachi Madness Saturday Night with Fiesta del Norte in Branford
Reprint from the New Haven Register l Posted at 4:11 PM EST on 1/14/16 by Mark Zaretsky
A night of traditional mariachi and Mexican folk and popular music with Fiesta del Norte will kick off the Branford Folk Music Society’s 2016 concert calendar Saturday night at the First Congregational Church of Branford.
Read More +
The show is at 8 p.m. in the auditorium of the church, at 1009 Main St. on the Branford Green.
Admission is $15 for nonmembers, $12 for members and $5 for children 12 and under. For more information, call 203-488-7715 or go to branfordfolk.org.
Fiesta del Norte’s repertoire includes the mariachi music of Jalisco, nortenas from the northern state of Chihuahua, the harp music of Vera Cruz and the marimba music of Chiapas, Mexico’s southernmost state.
Fiesta del Norte, led by Dave Giardina, for many years has taken its music and cultural message throughout Connecticut to schools, town greens, festivals, libraries and senior centers. The group dresses in customary charro outfits and juxtaposes songs, translations, storytelling, joyful gritos and cultural insights in its live performances.
Giardina, who has roots in the 1960s folk-rock culture, studied classical guitar with Sharon Isbin and Phillip de Fremery, jazz with Sal Salvador and Bob Kobus and flamenco with Mario Escudero and Paco Pena of Spain. He also played in master classes for noted guitarists John Williams, Manuel Barrueco, Ben Verdery, Abel Carlevaro and Oscar Ghiglia.
Giardina has taught for many years on the faculties of Trinity and St. Joseph colleges and Manchester Community College, as well as privately. His compositions are featured on two releases by the Connecticut Classical Guitar Society, of which he is a founding member.
His latest release, “Fiesta Grande,” features music of Mexico.
The Branford Folk Music Society, now in its 41st year, is an all-volunteer nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to preserving and encouraging the growth and appreciation of folk music, song and tradition. Its next concert will be on Feb. 13, featuring a return visit from the New England duo Notorious, which includes Eden MacAdam-Somer and Larry Unger.
Sounds Of Mexico Come To Old State House Farmer’s Market
Reprint from the Hartford Courant l Posted July 27, 2015
The sounds of Mexico, along with dancing, hand-clapping and maraca-shaking, come to the Old State House Farmers Market. Fiesta del Norte, Connecticut’s first mariachi band, performs on Friday, July 31, at noon at Connecticut’s Old State House, 800 Main St., Hartford.
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The concert of traditional folk and pop music, from noon to 1 p.m., is free. 860-522-6766 and ctoldstatehouse.org.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Fiesta del Norte
Reprint from the Trumbull Times l Posted May 5, 2014
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Fiesta del Norte, an interactive Mariachi band on Friday May 9, at The Center, 23 Priscilla Place, in Trumbull, at 7:30 p.m.
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Sponsored by the Trumbull Arts, the band performs traditional Mexican folk and popular music on authentic instruments. Cabaret seating, bring your own refreshments. Cost is $5/ticket. For more information, call 203-452-5065.
Dave Giardina & Mariachi Fiesta del Norte Celebrate Big Read Project
Reprint from easternct.edu / Posted on September 11, 2012 by Dwight Bachman / Written by Nan Owusu-Agyemang
Willimantic, Conn. — Eastern Connecticut State University’s will continue to celebrate The Big Read Project during National Hispanic Heritage Month, with an afternoon of music and entertainment by Dave Giardina and Mariachi Fiesta del Norte on Sept. 20 from 3-5 p. m. in the University’s Student Center Café. The public is invited. Admission is free.
Read More +
Fiesta del Norte is an interactive Hartford-based Mariachi band that performs traditional, folk and popular Mexican music on authentic instruments. The musicians dress in customary charro outfits as they interweave songs with translations, storytelling, joyful gritos and cultural insights. They describe their music as “always uplifting, interactive and in many cases – educational.”
The public is encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the local food bank.