Executive & Artistic Director
THOR STEINGRABER
________
Aida Cuevas
Canta a Juan Gabriel:
Amar y Cantar
with
Mariachi Aztlán
and special guest
Valeria Cuevas
________
Sat Oct 12 | 8pm
RUN TIME: 1 hour and 30 minutes
(no intermission)
________
Program
The program will be announced from the stage.
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Musicians & Dancers
Joe Anthony Flores | 1st Violin & Music Director
Mellanie Aime Olivares | Violin & Backup Singer
Sofía Ozuna | Violin & Backup Singer
Carolina Rodríguez | Violin & Backup Singer
Charlie Garcia Gonzalez | Violin & Backup Singer
Rodolfo De Santiago Jr. | Guitarrón (Bass)
Austin Jay Rosalez | Vihuela
Pedro Garcia III | Acoustic Guitar
Adolfo Torres-Terrazas | Trumpet
David A. Moreno Quijano | Trumpet
Luis Torres | Percussion & Drums
Jonathan Díaz González | Keys & Accordion
Ballet by Inspiraciones de Danza Mexicana by Susana Hinojosa
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Production
Mario Verdayes | Monitors Mixer
Baltazar Pérez | Stage Manager
David Punzo | Wardrobe & Assistant
Rodrigo Cuevas | Tour Manager
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Special Thanks
I would like to deeply thank Juan Gabriel for always believing in me and for the invaluable gift of these 10 wonderful songs for this new studio album. What a blessing and good fortune to have crossed paths in this life!
I also want to thank my son and music producer, Rodrigo Cuevas, with whom I have walked this professional journey over the last eight studio albums. His creativity has breathed new life into my music, and his vision has been essential on this journey.
Finally, to all the musicians, engineers, and collaborators who have made the creation of this beautiful show possible with their talent and artistry, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. Thank you for elevating this work to an extraordinary level!
— Aida Cuevas
Program Note
It is a pleasure to welcome back Aida Cuevas for the seventh time. Two of those occasions were on-screen, not the stage. In December 2020, when theaters were still closed during the pandemic, she filmed a beautiful segment from her home in Mexico City for The Soraya’s annual holiday tradition, Nochebuena. Later that year, Cuevas joined us onstage to televise a tribute concert to Linda Ronstadt broadcast on PBS SoCal. Just yesterday, she spent the afternoon with several CSUN students, discussing her life as a public figure and leader. Altogether, she is a real member of The Soraya family.
Gratefully,
Thor Steingraber
Executive and Artistic Director,
Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts
Leyendas del Mariachi is back by popular demand, following its sold-out U.S. debut at The Soraya in January 2024. Featuring Pepe Martinez Jr., Steve Carrillo, and Rafael Palomar, among others, this group unites musical icons from the most distinguished mariachi ensembles in an evening that includes beloved mariachi songs that will captivate all generations.
AIDA CUEVAS
Aida Cuevas, affectionately known as “The Queen of Mariachi Music,” marks 49 years of bringing traditional Mexican and Latin American music to the world. She remains the first and only woman in the mariachi genre to win both a Grammy® and a Latin Grammy Award®. Over her illustrious career, Aida Cuevas has garnered numerous Grammy nominations in the “Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album” category. She has recorded an impressive 43 studio albums that have sold more than 11 million copies worldwide.
Currently on her Amar y Cantar (Love and Sing) tour, Aida Cuevas celebrates her extraordinary legacy and triumphs.
An international icon of Mexican music since she was a teenager, Aida Cuevas is an impassioned performer with a striking voice that evokes life’s deepest sorrows, greatest joys and most profound longings.
VALERIA CUEVAS
Coming from a family steeped in art and melody, Valeria Cuevas emerges as the only daughter of the renowned “Queen of Mariachi Music,” Aida Cuevas. Her natural grace and distinction are reflected in the elegance with which she wears Mexico’s traditional regional costumes.
Valeria Cuevas makes her debut on the professional music scene as a legitimate heir to Mexico’s rich musical tradition, determined to perpetuate and enrich her mother’s musical legacy. The young singer not only represents a renewal in the mariachi music scene but also a voice that will resonate in the hearts of those who love mariachi music.
Recognized for her talent and commitment to musical tradition, she was crowned “The New Princess of Mariachi” in November 2022 at Plaza Garibaldi in Mexico City. In 2022 and 2023, she accompanied her mother as a special guest on a tour of 25 cities across the United States, captivating over 50,000 people.
The year 2024 marks a significant milestone in Valeria Cuevas’ professional career, as she released her debut studio album, Mi Canto, within the Mexican regional genre. Available on all digital platforms.
Listen to Valeria Cuevas’ music and follow her on social media: @SoyValeriaCuevas.
You Belong Here
This is your opportunity to belong to something special. Our 2024-25 Members enjoy exclusive experiences, such as the Member Appreciation Night for all Members, special events and artist meet-and-greets (Silver Members and above), private pre-performance artist salons (Silver Members and above), our festive holiday party, the annual Director’s Dinner in 2025 (Platinum Members), and more — as well as priority access to your preferred seats, your very own Members Only Seating Section, and exclusive savings when you select five or more performances. Most importantly, Member benefits are valid all season.
Beyond the benefits, Members drive our mission to present the highest caliber artists who captivate, inspire, and transport our audiences. Here, Members are part of a growing community of arts lovers connected by the joy of shared human experience. Here, Members belong.
About Us
The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts is an award-winning, 1,700-seat theater that opened in 2011 and was designed by HGA Architects and Engineers. In 2017, a transformative gift by Younes and Soraya Nazarian dubbed the venue The Soraya (formerly the Valley Performing Arts Center). A vibrant performance program has served to establish The Soraya as the intellectual and cultural heart of the San Fernando Valley and its 1.8 million residents, and further establish The Soraya as one of the top arts companies in Southern California.
The Soraya’s 2024-25 Season boldly advances the immersive sound of big orchestras; the free flow of jazz; an array of dance; and a cultural bounty drawn from the well of world traditions. The Soraya continues its vigorous commitment to innovating, excelling, and amplifying access by offering a wide variety of performances that reflect LA’s many distinctive communities and featuring new and original work from the Los Angeles region as well as artists from around the world.
Located on the vibrant campus of the California State University, Northridge, The Soraya and the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication share an integral link that enhances student opportunities in the arts and performing arts. This partnership fosters academic opportunity and artistic excellence, elevating the talents of CSUN’s students.
A $5 million contribution from record producer and former California Lieutenant Governor Mike Curb was pivotal in ensuring The Soraya was completed and opened in 2011. For his founding support and in acknowledgment of the integral relationship between the Mike Curb College and The Soraya, Curb is recognized as one of The Soraya’s Cornerstone Benefactors. The relationship between The Soraya and the Mike Curb College continues to grow, with robust offerings for students through master classes, student tickets, concerts of student ensembles, and students appearing alongside renowned artists, such as Wynton Marsalis, Aida Cuevas, and Martha Graham Dance Company.