Saturday, February 1 features Music from Banda Maguey and Nacho Bustillos
Sunday, February 2 features “Legends of Lucha Libre” Live Wrestling Show
Cathedral City has announced the Saturday and Sunday headliners for its weekend-long, family-friendly festival, running from Friday, January 31 through Sunday, February 2 next year. This is the ninth edition of the event, which celebrates the sights, sounds, and tastes of its sister city Tequila in Jalisco, Mexico, honoring the 28-year relationship between the two cities through culture, art, cuisine, music, and fashion.
On Saturday, February 1, there will be a live music performance from Jalisco-native band Banda Maguey, with local artist Nacho Bustillos opening. On Saturday, February 2, the Legends of Lucha Libre live wrestling show, presented by Masked Republic, will take the stage in downtown Cathedral City.
Founded in 1993, Banda Maguey (“La estrella de los bailes” or “the star of the dances”) originated in Villa Corona, and have been called one of the two most successful exponents of the technobanda sound. With well over 2 million social media followers, they are peripatetic touring musicians and have released 16 records since their debut in 1993.
With traditions extending back decades, lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) was officially declared “an integral part of the culture of Mexico” by Mexico City’s government in 2018. Formally organized in the city more than 80 years ago, lucha libre grew from an amusing entertainment to a national pastime to an international global phenomenon.
The top lucha libre stars in Mexico, known as luchadores, transcended the ring and would become stars of film, TV, and comic books as well. By the early 2000s, the silver mask of pioneering luchador El Santo (who died in 1984) had become one of the most recognized icons of the country, second only to the Virgin Guadalupe herself. Producers/promoters Masked Republic are committed to expanding the appeal and performances of lucha libre beyond the borders of Mexico.
Already set to perform at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater in Cathedral City Town Square Park are The Outlaw Mariachi, Maná tribute band Corazón De Maná, and Selena tribute artist Dreaming of You. Other entertainment offerings that highlight Mexican culture include an artisan craft vendor market, gold medal tequila tastings, authentic cuisine, community folklorico dance presentations, and a sprawling carnival with power-ups available, like unlimited ride wristbands and “fast passes” to skip lines. Headliner tickets start at $29.00 and are on sale now; general admission tickets do not include the headliners, but headliner tickets do include free festival admission.Parking is free and more information available at www.tasteofjalisco.com. Free Cathedral residents Friday and the 1st 250 residents can get free tickets to the headline shows on Saturday and Sunday.
Hours: Friday, January 31 from 5:00PM to 10:00PM; Saturday, February 1 from 11:00AM to 10:00PM; and Sunday, February 2 from 11:00AM to 8:00PM. Address: 68600 E Palm Canyon Dr, Cathedral City, CA 92234.
About Taste of Jalisco Festival
Now in its ninth year, Taste of Jalisco Festival celebrates Cathedral City’s sister city relationship with the city of Tequila in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The festival honors this relationship through music, fashion, culture, spirits, and cuisine. The Sister City relationship was first established in 1996 when the two cities entered into a formal Sister Cities agreement. Since then, exchanges between the Cities have included art, culture, governmental best-practices, youth focused educational opportunities, donation of firefighting equipment, and firefighter training, among others.
About Cathedral City
Cathedral City takes its name from Colonel Henry Washington of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who in 1850 noted the area’s canyons resembled the interior of a grand cathedral. The name stuck; in 1925, developers named the area’s first subdivision Cathedral City, California. After living in the area for millennia, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians established their reservation in the Coachella Valley in 1876, which comprises approximately 28% of Cathedral City. Incorporated in 1981—later than its neighbors—Cathedral City is dedicated to providing a quality lifestyle and welcoming business climate. Cathedral City represents about ten percent of the Coachella Valley’s population and is a destination of friendly neighborhoods, lush country clubs, diverse shopping, and unlimited business potential. Cathedral City is the fastest-growing among the desert cities, boasting higher growth in “snowbird” and full-time resident populations and economic indices than its neighbors while remaining a great value.
