VIRTUAL BATTLE OF THE MARIACHI BANDS to Celebrate AMERICAN MARIACHI at the San Diego Old Globe

The Old Globe celebrates the world premiere of José Cruz González's play American Mariachiwith a Virtual Battle of the Mariachi Bands. Starting today, February 2, Southern California mariachi bands can submit a video for the world to see (see below for contest guidelines). Audiences will then be able to vote for their favorite band startingFriday, February 9 at 12:00 noon through Friday, March 16. The first-, second-, and third-prize winners will be announcedMonday, March 19. Only the first 20 eligible videos received will be presented online to the public for voting, so interested bands should act fast!

The mariachi band with the most votes will receive an invitation to perform live on The Old Globe's Copley Plaza before theopening night performance of American Mariachi on Thursday, March 29, as well as a cash prize of $500 and two mini-subscriptions to The Old Globe's current season for each band member. Members of the second-prize band will each receive two mini-subscriptions to The Old Globe, and members of the third-prize band will each receive a pair of tickets to the world premiere of American Mariachi at The Old Globe.

Video submissions can be made through this link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/OGTBOBSUB.

(If 20 eligible videos are not submitted by the February 9 public voting date, videos will be accepted until 20 videos are received. In this case, voting will begin with the videos available, and the form will be updated with new submissions as they become available.)

Public voting, which begins February 9, can be done through this link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/MariachiBands.

(One vote will be counted per person.)

Before submitting a video, a mariachi band and the content of their video must meet the following criteria:

· All members of the band are 18 years or older at the time of the video submission;

· The person submitting the video is a member of the band or officially affiliated with the band;

· The video is submitted as a link to a YouTube video;

· The video includes only one song and is recorded live (not a studio recording or audio-only);

· The video is no longer than three minutes;

· Only one video is submitted per band;

· In the event that it wins the first prize, the band is available to perform at The Old Globe on Thursday, March 29 from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.;

· First-prize winners provide their own transportation to The Old Globe in Balboa Park.

For questions or further information, interested bands can email Contest@TheOldGlobe.org.

American Mariachi is a heartwarming and hilarious world premiere comedy about family, progress, and the freedom to dream big that will send your heart soaring and put a bounce in your step with a wave of vibrant, infectious live music. Spending her days caring for her ailing mother, Lucha yearns to break her monotonous routine. Here's a wild idea: an all-girl mariachi band! But it's the 1970s, and girls can't be mariachis...or can they? As Lucha and her spunky cousin hunt for bandmates, dodge disapproving relatives, and bring Mom along for the ride, they wonder: will the band come together?

Directed by Globe favorite and San Diego native James Vásquez (Rich Girl, Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!) and presented in association with Denver Center for the Performing Arts Theatre Company, American Mariachi will run March 23 to April 29, 2018 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Tickets start at $30.00 and go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 9 at 12:00 noon. Previews run March 23 to 28, 2018. Opening night is Thursday, March 29 at 8:00 p.m. (The production will play in Denver from January 26 toFebruary 25, 2018.)

Additional events taking place during the run of American Mariachi include:

LOBBY EXHIBIT: "American Women in Mariachi," ongoing during the run of American Mariachi.

This special exhibit will be curated by Dr. Leonor Xochitl Perez, Founder and Director of the Mariachi Women's Festival, and will use photographs, videos, instruments, and costumes to track the involvement of American women in mariachi.

PANEL DISCUSSION: Monday April 2, 2018 at 8:00 p.m.

Scholar Dr. Leonor Xochitl Perez, Ph.D. and American Mariachi music director Cynthia Reifler Flores take a musical look at the form and history of mariachi.

VICKI AND CARL ZEIGER INSIGHTS SEMINAR: Tuesday, March 27 at 5:30 p.m.

An opportunity to closely connect with productions both onstage and backstage. A panel selected from the artistic company of each show-possibly including playwright José Cruz González and director James Vásquez, joined by actors, designers, and/or technicians-engages patrons in an informal and illuminating presentation of ideas and insights to enhance the theatregoing experience. Reception at 5:00 p.m. FREE.

SUBJECT MATTERS: Saturday, April 7, following the 2:00 p.m. matinee.

Explore the ideas and issues raised by a production through brief, illuminating post-show discussions with local experts, such as scientists, artists, historians, and scholars. Subject Matters will ignite discussion, bring the play's concerns into sharp focus, and encourage you to think beyond the stage! FREE.

POST-SHOW FORUMS: Tuesdays, April 3 and 10, and Wednesday, April 18.

Join us after the show for an informal and enlightening question-and-answer session with cast, crew, and/or Globe staff members. Get the inside story on creating a character and putting together a professional production. FREE.

AXIS: Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles Saturday, March 31 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

With community partner Dr. Leonor Xochitl Perez and the Mariachi Women's Festival, the Globe's Arts Engagement Department will present the band Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, a performance that will captivate audiences with vivacious spirit. America's first all-female mariachi ensemble, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles brings sensitivity, beauty, warmth, and a new perspective to the realm of Mexico's musical heritage. FREE.

SINGLE TICKETS to American Mariachi start at $30.00 and go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 9 at 12:00 noon. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE [234-5623], or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. Discounts are available for full-time students, patrons 29 years of age and under, seniors, military members, and groups of 10 or more.

Performances begin on March 23, 2018, and continue through April 29, 2018. Performance times: Previews: Friday, March 23 at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, March 24 at 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m.; Tuesday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m.; and Wednesday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m. Opening night is Thursday, March 29 at 8:00 p.m. Regular performances (March 30 - April 29): Tuesdayand Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., Thursday and Friday evenings at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. There will be an additional matinee performance on Wednesday, April 18 at 2:00 p.m. and no matinee performance on Sunday, April 22 at 2:00 p.m.

American Mariachi at The Old Globe is supported in part through gifts from Production Sponsors Globe Guilders, Paula and Brian Powers, and Vicki and Carl Zeiger. Financial support is provided by The City of San Diego.

LOCATION and PARKING INFORMATION: The Old Globe is located in San Diego's Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. Through a special arrangement with the San Diego Zoo, Old Globe evening ticket-holders have the opportunity to pre-purchase valet parking in the Zoo's employee parking structure. With a drop-off point just a short walk to the Globe, theatregoers may purchase fast, easy, convenient valet parking for just $14 per vehicle per evening. Pre-paid only, available only by phone through The Old Globe Box Office. Call (619) 234-5623 or visit
www.theoldglobe.org/plan-your-visit/directions--parking/valet-parking. The Balboa Park valet is also available during performances, located in front of the Japanese Friendship Garden. For additional parking information visit www.BalboaPark.org.

There are numerous free parking lots available throughout the park. Guests may also be dropped off in front of the Mingei International Museum. There is a 10-minute zone at The Old Globe, used only for daytime deliveries, ticket purchases, and handicapped access dropoff. For directions and up-to-date information, please visit www.theoldglobe.org/plan-your-visit/directions--parking/detailed-directions.

The Tony Award-winning Old Globe is one of the country's leading professional regional theatres and has stood as San Diego's flagship arts institution for over 80 years. Under the leadership of Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and Managing Director Timothy J. Shields, The Old Globe produces a year-round season of 15 productions of classic, contemporary, and new works on its three Balboa Park stages: the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the 600-seat Old Globe Theatre and the 250-seat Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, both part of The Old Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, and the 605-seat outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, home of its internationally renowned Shakespeare Festival. More than 250,000 people attend Globe productions annually and participate in the theatre's artistic and arts engagement programs. Numerous world premieres such as the 2014 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Meteor Shower,Bright Star, Allegiance, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and the annual holiday musical Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! have been developed at The Old Globe and have gone on to enjoy highly successful runs on Broadway and at regional theatres across the country.