Mariachazo Brings Two Mariachi Groups to Elizabeth on Aug. 22

Concert Overview and Why It Matters

Mariachazo brings Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and Nuevo Tecalitlán Mariachi together for a single event in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The performance is notable for the groups’ long histories in mariachi music: Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán was founded in 1897, while Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán was founded in 1965.

Date, Venue and Location

Mariachazo is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, at the Ritz Theatre, located at 1148 E. Jersey Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey 07201.

The event begins at 8 p.m., and the official listing shows it running until 11 p.m., for a scheduled duration of about three hours.

Performers and Participating Groups

Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán

The group was founded in 1897 by Don Gaspar Vargas in Tecalitlán, Jalisco, Mexico. According to the biography published by Detroit Opera, Carlos Martínez currently leads the group and previously served as the director of Nuevo Tecalitlán.

The group has a history spanning more than a century. The same biography says it appeared in more than 200 films and performed with Linda Ronstadt in the 1980s, including its appearance on her 1987 album Canciones de mi padre.

Nuevo Tecalitlán Mariachi

The group was founded in Guadalajara in 1965 by brothers José “Pepe” Martínez and Fernando Martínez, according to published information about the ensemble. Its participation in Mariachazo is part of its long history in mariachi music.

Why Might Audiences Be Interested in the Concert?

The performance brings together two groups with long histories in mariachi music. The two ensembles are also historically connected through Carlos Martínez, who is described by Detroit Opera as the current director of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and who previously served as director of Nuevo Tecalitlán.

A Deeper Look at Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán’s History

Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán was founded in 1897 in Tecalitlán, Jalisco. According to the biography published by Detroit Opera, the group won first place in mariachi competitions in Guadalajara in 1933 and Mexico City in 1934.

In 1937, the group appeared in the film Así es mi tierra. That same year, it made its first recording and entered into an exclusive contract with RCA, according to the same source. The biography also says the group appeared in more than 200 films and released more than 50 recordings.

Another notable moment in the group’s history was its collaboration with Linda Ronstadt at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference in 1986, followed by its participation in her 1987 album Canciones de mi padre, which won a Grammy Award, according to the Detroit Opera biography.

Ticket Information

No official ticket price is confirmed in the available data. FindTick lists tickets starting at approximately $65, but that figure is from an outside platform and should not be treated as a confirmed official price.

For those interested in attending the concert, ticket details are available on the ticket page.