Members of Mariachi Centenario de Chapala (from left to right): Eric Serna, Ramón Úlises and Brandom.

Jazmín Stengel, Ajijic (JAL)-At an informal meeting between Laguna Seminario and members of the Chapala Musicians’ Guild, the mariachi “Centenario de Chapala” group’s trumpet player, Eric Serna, said «It [this season] wasn’t the best, but it was better than last year.» 

Among mariachi groups that work on the malecón and Chapala tourist area such as the groups “Centenario,” “Aguila,” and “Norteño Los Alacranes,” group members mentioned having earned up to a thousand pesos a day per person during the winter season. Each mariachi group charges 250 pesos per song to the general public.  Groups usually consist of five to seven musicians. The good season began in November; however, during the holidays «we even get tired of working,» Serna added. 

The situation in Chapala  has improved to such an extent that Serna and his colleagues have preferred to remain in Chapala instead of traveling to Puerto Vallarta as they usually do during the low season. On the other hand, the soloists working in downtown Ajijic and the surrounding restaurants considered December as having been the lowest month of the season, although in January «people have been more splendid,» agreed three area guitarists. This was echoed by merchants of the Tianguis Navideño [merchants who sold their merchandise in Chapala’s plaza last holiday season], who complained about the low sales during the winter holidays for businesses of all sizes. 

Translated by MaryAnne Marble