Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Tucson International Mariachi Conference 10.Isaac Resendez, left, with Herencia Mariachi Academy out of Corona, California, and Kevin Zuniga with Mariachi Los Potrillos of Cholla High School jam together as the other workshop students take a break at the 37th annual La Frontera Arizona Tucson International Mariachi Conference at Casino del Sol in 2019. “We ask the community to come celebrate with us, and it’s free of charge,” said Federico. “We have to understand that it’s very important, the treasures that were left behind by these great artists,” said Mena.īeyond the talent, his mural features Fred Martinez's parents for having kept the place running for years.ĭuring Fred Martinez’s management, he’s had Gil Federico by his side, sharing his life-long appreciation for the ballroom and working to make events like these accessible to the community. Preserving history for generations to come is also the inspiration for artist Luis Mena, bringing it to life on the walls of the El Casino Ballroom. He said it’s a history worth fighting for, with talents like Selena Quintanilla and Lalo Guerrero passing through the doors, Martinez pushed to keep them open.

“They would come after work, we’d work till 8-9 at night, and fixed it up little by little and reopened in February of 2000,” Martinez described. He’s worked at the ballroom since he was six years old, and has dedicated most of his life to keeping it going.Īfter a microburst put the ballroom out of business for nine years in 1991, he said it was a community effort to bring it back.

Martinez has nearly 30 years of experience managing the place, following in his fathers footsteps. ‘Oh grandma got married here in 1952.’ And generations of people have been coming here,” said Fred Martinez, manager of El Casino Ballroom.

They’ve never done anything like this celebration before, and they’re excited to give back to the community after all their years of support.įamilies from all over Tucson have celebrated weddings, quinceañera, events of all kinds throughout those 75 years the ballroom has been in business. 10, featuring several music groups, food trucks, and lots of dancing. They’re holding an event at the ballroom Saturday, Sept. (KGUN) - The El Casino Ballroom crew is getting ready for a weekend to remember, celebrating 75 years in business.

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