Mariachi Plaza

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Mariachi Plaza
Mariachi bands wait at the plaza
Mariachi bands, who are available for hire, wait at the plaza
Dedicated toMariachi music
LocationBoyle Heights, Los Angeles, California, United States
Coordinates: 34°02′51″N 118°13′10″W / 34.047486°N 118.219392°W / 34.047486; -118.219392Coordinates: 34°02′51″N 118°13′10″W / 34.047486°N 118.219392°W / 34.047486; -118.219392
Boyle Hotel

Mariachi Plaza is a plaza located in the Boyle Heights district of the city of Los Angeles, California. The plaza is known for its history as a center for mariachi music. Since the 1950s, mariachi musicians have gathered in hopes of being hired by visitors who are looking for a full band, trio or solo singer.[1] A mariachi named El Cochero (Juan M. Gonzalez), the fundador (founder) of "La Boyle"[2] is said to have stopped at the gas station that once stood on the corner and wandered around the neighborhood where he found $7 per week rooms to rent, and told his mariachi friends to join him there.[3][4][5] The plaza resembles Mexico's famed Plaza Garibaldi in both form and function. This plaza is also an historic gateway to the neighborhood.[6]

Musicians wait around the plaza and hotel—now an affordable living complex—to be hired. There is a small kiosk located in the plaza, similar to those found in Mexico, donated in 1998 by the Mexican State of Jalisco, the birthplace of mariachi music. The kiosk is ornamental and has been criticized for its poor acoustics.[7] Lucha Reyes has a statue in the plaza as she visited the city many times during her career.[8] A bandstand was added in 2009. Local leaders hope to promote the plaza and for it to remain a sanctuary for musicians.

The plaza is bounded by E. 1st Street to the south, N. Boyle Avenue to the west, and a small residential street named Pleasant Avenue to its north. It is surrounded by the East Los Angeles Interchange, and is located between Interstates 5, 10, and 101.

Transportation[]

Metro Rail station[]

L Line Mariachi Plaza Station, 2009
Main article: Mariachi Plaza station

The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority has a light rail subway station open in 2009 under the plaza on the Eastside extension of the Gold Line. The plaza has a direct route into Downtown Los Angeles and a connection to other lines of the Metro. As of 2020, there is a proposal to redevelop the square, though it is highly contested by local residents and mariachis.[9][10]

In popular culture[]

Owing to its musical history, several music videos have been filmed at Mariachi Plaza, such as the music videos for La Santa Cecilia's "", Loona's "Butterfly", and Beatriz Gonzalez's "Los Laureles".

A season 4 episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was filmed at Mariachi Plaza.

The film How to Be a Latin Lover was partially filmed at Mariachi Plaza.

Michael Connelly's crime thriller novel The Burning Room focuses on a murder which takes place at Mariachi Plaza.

Mariachi: A Tale of Three Lives, a short KCET-TV documentary, featured Mariachi Plaza. Starring Jose Hernandez and El Cochero's son, La Aguja.

References[]

  1. ^ Barajas, Julia (2019-11-19). "With a saintly procession and music, L.A. celebrates 30 years of Mariachi Plaza". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2019-11-25.
  2. ^ LA Times Magazine (1989-06-18). "LA BOYLE : For L.A.'s Mariachis, the Road to Success Begins Outside a Doughnut Shop at First and Boyle". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2021-09-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "19 Aug 1990, 91 - The Sacramento Bee at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  4. ^ "19 Aug 1990, 98 - The Sacramento Bee at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  5. ^ "LA BOYLE : For L.A.'s Mariachis, the Road to Success Begins Outside a Doughnut Shop at First and Boyle". Los Angeles Times. 1989-06-18. Retrieved 2021-09-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ Bermudez, Esmeralda (November 30, 2014) "Mariachi Plaza development plan worries L.A. musicians" Los Angeles Times
  7. ^ "The battle of Boyle Heights". Los Angeles Times. October 25, 2007. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  8. ^ Bloomekatz, Ari B. (November 15, 2009). "East L.A. hails arrival of Gold Line; activities are to be held today at four stations". L.A.Now. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 September 2016. Mariachi Plaza Station: At 8:30 a.m., there will be an unveiling of the Lucha Reyes statue...
  9. ^ Ohnsman, Alan and Gould, Jens Erik (March 12, 2008 "Ay Caramba! Los Angeles Mariachis Play Blues After Forced Move" Bloomberg News
  10. ^ Bermudez, Esmeralda (January 23, 2015) "Boyle Heights residents force a fresh start on Mariachi Plaza project" Los Angeles Times


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