Carver High School Hosts Free Mariachi and Ballet Folclórico Event on Friday, May 9

Aldine ISD invites the community to a lively evening of music, dance, and culture as Carver High School hosts its annual end-of-year Mariachi Concert & Ballet Folklórico Showcase. The free event will feature performances by Carver High School’s award-winning Mariachi Acero, Drew Academy’s emerging Mariachi ensembles, and Carver’s vibrant Ballet Folklórico.

Mariachi Concert & Ballet Folklórico

Friday, May 9, 2025
Doors Open at 6 p.m. | Show Starts at 6:30 p.m.
Free Admission — Donations Accepted
Carver High School — Auditorium
2100 South Victory Street, Houston, TX 77088

Mariachi Acero

Mariachi Acero will headline the evening, fresh off an award-winning year that included a Distinguished Performance Award at the UIL State Mariachi Festival and a strong showing at the Texas Association of Mariachi Educators (TAME) Contest, where the ensemble placed 15th in their competitive 6A division. All eight violinists earned individual gold medals at UIL, reinforcing the group’s reputation as one of the state’s top high school mariachi programs.

“The mariachi competitions are among the most challenging in Texas,” said Jaime Alanis, director of Mariachi Acero. “Advancing at this level speaks to our students’ dedication, musicianship, and teamwork. They continue to set the bar higher.”

Click on the image for a short video snippet of Mariachi Acero.

A sample of the evening’s mariachi setlist includes beloved classics such as:

• La feria de las flores
• Árboles de la barranca
• El relámpago
• La charreada
• Qué bonita es esta vida
• Amor eterno

Drew Academy Mariachi

Joining the lineup are students from Drew Academy’s Mariachi program, which launched in 2022 under the direction of Alanis. The young musicians, comprised of 7th and 8th grade students, are just beginning their mariachi journey but have already shown incredible promise. Their performances of songs like La valentina, Árboles de la barranca, and Vals will surely make us all proud and excited about their developing talent on traditional instruments.

Carver High School Ballet Folklórico

Also taking the stage is Carver High School’s Ballet Folklórico, directed by Veronica Flores, a Spanish teacher and department head who founded the group in 2013. What started with just three dancers has blossomed into a full ensemble of 25 students across beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Carver’s folklórico dancers have performed throughout the district and community, appearing on Fox 26’s “Isiah Factor Uncensored” and Telemundo. Most recently, they danced alongside Lone Star College’s Mariachi Los Huracanes and have been invited to perform at Traders Village’s upcoming Cinco de Mayo celebrations sponsored by Telemundo.

The group will present colorful, high-energy dances from the states of Jalisco, Mexico, and Sinaloa, including:

• La estereofónica
• Toro mambo
• El son de la negra
• Las alazanas

Carver Ballet Folklórico has achieved remarkable success, receiving “Excellent” and “Superior” ratings in multiple state-level virtual competitions. They have also been recognized with a Silvia Lozano Award from the Texas Association of Dance and Culture (TADC).

Join Us!

The May 9 celebration promises to be a powerful showcase of student talent and culture. Families, friends, and community members are encouraged to attend and support these rising stars in an evening celebrating heritage, culture, hard work, and the joy of performance.