Musical mariachi family

ALL IN THE FAMILY – Founded in 1995, Mariachi Camarillo is run by the Rivera family.

What is a Cinco de Mayo party with a mariachi band?

One local family has provided entertainment for the annual celebration for nearly three decades, not to mention a host of others throughout Ventura County.

Mariachi refers to a traveling Mexican band with trumpets, violins and an outsized bass called a Guitarron. While some people experience mariachi, others in the US experience live mariachi performances in restaurants and bars – and a particularly popular day for this is Cinco de Mayo.

The group Mariachi Camarillo was founded in 1995 and started with several members of a musical family. Over the years they have performed at events throughout California and neighboring states.

“The best part is being able to be with my family,” says band member Danielle Ramirez. “You might lose a job, you might lose different things, but music will never be taken away from you. My mother always said, ‘If we become poor, we can always play the violin in the street.’”

FROM THE HEART – Nallely Saldana, left, and other members of Mariachi Camarillo, go through a practice session supervised by professional musicians at Camarillo High. Photos by JOSEPH A. GARCIA/Acorn Newspapers

Early in their musical careers, the four siblings played in a friend’s mariachi group. Tony Rivera played trumpet, Dominic Rivera played violin and Danielle Ramirez played guitar. Ramon Rivera, who has since started his own mariachi program in Washington state, was also in the band.

But it was their mother, Marie Rivera, who inspired them to form their own mariachi band and encouraged them to keep up with music lessons. The 74-year-old continues to play in Mariachi Camarillo with her children.

Dominic is now the director of Mariachi Camarillo. After almost 30 years of experience, he can play all the instruments needed in a mariachi band if one of his band members is ever absent.

“I was always surrounded by my family playing different instruments,” Dominic said. “I ended up just picking up those skills because I was around mariachi all the time.”

Dominic and his brothers also spearheaded the mariachi program in the Oxnard Union High School District. The program shows students how to play mariachi-style music using a guitar, Guitarron (bass guitar), vihuela, harp, violin and trumpet. The program prepares students for future careers and college by teaching leadership, teamwork and dedication through music.

Learning to be a musician is one endeavor, but learning to become an artist is another. An important part of the job is ensuring that the experience for participants is unforgettable.

“We had one client and we played for her baptism, her quinceanera and even her wedding,” Dominic said. “I love my job. It’s a form of expression, like a natural high.”

Dominic and Ramirez are tasked with securing bookings and understanding the type of event they will be playing.

With about 10 different coordinated outfits in different colors, Mariachi Camarillo will even come dressed in the party’s chosen color scheme. The band has also learned a repertoire of songs for specific party themes.

They’ve performed songs from franchises like “Star Wars,” Harry Potter, “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” as well as covers of pop songs and traditional mariachi tunes. “We want to make their vision come true. It’s great that we can share this with people and see which songs the audience connects with. Everyone loves mariachi,” Ramirez said.

The band has witnessed the most precious milestones in many people’s lives. One week they’re playing at a 90-year-old’s birthday party, the next week at a Cinco de Mayo party, and then at a funeral.

“We can’t tell them it’s okay that they lost a loved one, but we can play them a song,” Ramirez said. “To give them that gift of music, it’s so worth it.”

On May 5, Mariachi Camarillo is scheduled for at least two parties: from 4 to 5 p.m. at Tarantula Hill Brewing Co., 244 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks; and from 6 to 9 p.m. at Taqueria Jalisco, 4275 Tierra Rejada Road in Moorpark.

For more information, visit facebook.com/MariachiCamarillo.