Special by Dr. Yvonne De La Rosa, Teatro executive director
(Seguin) — Teatro is excited to bring our 40th Annual Noche de Gala Competencia de Vocalista to the Seguin community!
What does “Noche De Gala” mean? Noche De Gala literally translates into “GALA EVENING.” On January 11, 1985, Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin began the “Noche De Gala” tradition, and it has been so popular that the community has kept it alive.
The purpose of the first Noche De Gala event was to offer the community a cultural as well as a social evening of mariachi music and folklórico dancing. This event is consistent with Teatro’s major goals i.e., 1) to promote a better understanding of the Mexican American people and their culture; and 2) to provide the Mexican American people of Seguin, Guadalupe County, and the surrounding communities a responsible as well as creative outlet to participate in and contribute to the social life of the area.
This event also provided a hometown audience that Teatro’s very own Mariachi Juan Seguin could share and showcase their talents. The “Original” Mariachi Juan Seguin consisted of majority hard working adults who were learning to pay the guitar, vihuela, guitarron, violin, and trumpet as well as several high school and junior high students. They were a hit in and around Seguin! Since the inception of the Noche De Gala the Mariachi Juan Seguin has always been present and this year is no different. Although this group is mostly high school and middle school students, we still have several adults playing within the group because of their love of music. Vocalistas from numerous South and Central Texas communities will take the stage at the Texas Lutheran University Jackson Auditorium in Seguin on Saturday, March 1, 2025, 7PM.
The singers will be the heart of Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin’s 40th Annual Noche de Gala Competencia de Vocalistas. We will also have special performances by the Ballet Folklorico De La Rosa, Mariachi Juan Seguin, and the famous Mariachi Las Alteñas.Nineteen vocalistas will compete in four divisions: middle school, high school, University, and Community.
We have a special elementary singer who will be showcased as she was the only one brave enough to register and we know the community will show her all the support in the world. These vocalistas are some of the very best and will don the stage to compete for the coveted title of being the best of the best in their respective divisions.
“We are very excited to showcase the amazing talent you can find in Seguin and throughout Texas. said Dr. Yvonne De La Rosa, Teatro’s executive director. Mariachi Las Alteñas, “Texas finest all female mariachi” from San Antonio, will provide live music for each vocalista’s performance.
Valerie Vargas, a professional mariachi violinist since she was 14, began organizing Las Alteñas when she was 19 and recently celebrated their 23rd-anniversary and 9th year with Teatro’s Noche De Gala. To learn more about Mariachi Las Alteñas visit www.mariachilasaltenas.com.
General admission to the Noche De Gala presale and at the door is $10.
If you’d like to purchase your general admission tickets online visit www.teatrodeartes.org. Reserved seats ($15) are selling fast and are only available at the Teatro De Artes’ Cultural Arts Center located at 921 W. New Braunfels St. Seguin, TX 78155.
Event is partially funded by Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin, National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, Seguin Commission on the Arts, Guadalupe County United Way, Guadalupe County Community Symposium, H-E-B, Santos Patronos Thomas Ranch, and the City of Seguin.
For further information about tickets or the event, please contact us at Teatro (830) 401-0232. Teatro de Artes de Juan Seguin is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1982; its mission is to promote the Mexican American arts. Proceeds from Noche de Gala are used to fund the organization’s programs, most of which provide activities for children and youth. To learn more visit Teatrodeartes.org.