365 Things To Do In Southern NM: Day 17 - Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference

The Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference is celebrating it's 17th year with amazing performances, workshops and the Mariachi Mass on November 14th. All of the weekend events are held at the Pan American Center on the campus of New Mexico State University.

The workshops are geared towards student mariachi groups from around the country. The video below features a high school mariachi group from San Diego, California. After all of the practicing - for both instrument players and vocalists - a spectacular showcase is held on Saturday night. According to the LCIMC website, the showcase includes over 750 workshop students performing along side popular artists including Mariachi Cobre and Shaila Durcal.

Where to stay: Las Cruces doesn't have a big airport so convention goers fly into El Paso and either rent a vehicle or use shuttle services to get to town.

Hotel Encanto is the host hotel but there are plenty of other great hotels right around the Pan Am Center

Parking: There is plenty of parking around the Pan Am Center. The Conference has created this PDF file to show you exactly where you can and can't park on campus.

You can find more information on hotels, parking and restaurants at the LCIMC website.

This truly is a remarkable weekend for all of us in Las Cruces, Personally, I love seeing the kids out and about in town and having a chance to talk to them about their music. Then, to attend the showcase on Saturday and see faces I've met is even better!