Mariachi Pumas performing (Ruby Costa / The Puma Prensa)
By Ruby Costa, Co-Executive Editor
On Friday, October 23, the Mariachi Pumas showed up and played their hearts out at Ross Street in downtown Santa Rosa.
In a parking lot behind Cooperage Brewing Company Downtown, tents serving food popped up around the small stage, and people began to arrive at around 6 p.m. Activities for the younger members of the crowd—like cornhole and other games—were set up to the right, but front and center were Maria Carrillo High School’s Mariachi Pumas, warming up their instruments and preparing to play.
Their set lasted nearly an hour, including both instrumental and vocal songs. As the sun began to set and downtown came to life, larger crowds gathered around the stage and watched the Pumas play. Family, friends, MCHS teachers, and curious strangers all filled the crowd— though the Mariachi Pumas play frequently, it’s not everyday that a Santa Rosa resident can enjoy mariachi music played by a group of promising high school musicians.
Lead vocalist and violinist Yara Chavez Mora, a senior at MCHS, expressed how getting to perform like this made her feel “so connected” with her identity. “I’ve always loved singing, singing was like my number one passion as a kid, and something that I always wanted to keep doing. I feel like being able to play for the community allows me to connect with…even the most random people.”
For Chavez Mora, mariachi is about so much more than just the music. She believes that “music in general is such a good way to form connections with people,” and that mariachi has completely changed her life. Chavez Mora reflects happily, “mariachi helped me come out of my shell.” At the Ross Street performance, Chavez Mora claims her favorite songs to perform were “Cien Años” and “Por Un Amor.”
This won’t be the last chance to see the Mariachi Pumas perform— they do many performances throughout the year, both during and after school. And, while waiting for their next show, the Luther Burbank Center’s advanced mariachi group—also featuring Chavez Mora as a lead—has many concerts and shows as well.
Santa Rosa teens are busy making fantastic mariachi music all across the city, so there’s no reason not to attend the next show that comes your way.