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Councilmember Roberto Uranga has teamed up with world-renowned lecturer and art historian Gregorio Luke and Mariachi Imperial to bring to Long Beach Mariachi Under the Stars, a multimedia lecture on Saturday, July 18.

As part of this summer’s Murals Under the Stars series, this educational event will bring the history of Mariachi music to life for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Accompanied by Mariachi Imperial, Luke will showcase legends Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete and Javier Solis, explore the meaning of Jose Alfredo Jimenez’ lyrics and connect the genre’s history to contemporary superstars such as Vicente Fernandez and Juan Gabriel, according to the announcement.

As the current director of Art in Communities and Schools (ARCOS), a nonprofit organization which works to bring art and cultural presentations to schools and communities at no cost, Luke has 20 years of experience offering cultural multimedia presentations in museums and venues such as the Smithsonian Institution, the Library Congress, the Ford Amphitheatre and Mexico’s Palacio de Bellas Artes. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to enjoy an enriching bilingual experience given by this passionate teacher.

“As a huge fan of the sounds, sights, and history of Mariachi music, I look forward to sharing the Mariachi Under the Stars experience with our community,” said Luke in a statement. “In a city that is becoming increasingly diverse as Long Beach, events such as this serve to provide cultural enrichment and encourage greater understanding of the many cultures that we enjoy in our great city.”

Mariachi Under the Stars will take place this Saturday, July 18 from 8:00PM to 10:00PM at Los Cerritos Park, 3750 Del Mar Avenue. This event is co-sponsored by Long Beach City Councilmember Al Austin, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe and the Arts Council for Long Beach.