![]() A Mariachi Cobre concert on Saturday will raise funds for the restoration of a placita and hall at St. Augustine Cathedral, pictured above. The concert will feature Vikki Carr and "Queen of Mariachi Music" Aida Cuevas.
Jeffry Scott / arizona daily star 2007
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Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 09.04.2007
Vikki Carr, a 1960s pop icon whose songs have topped the charts in English and Spanish, and Aida Cuevas, "The Queen of Mariachi Music," will perform in concert with Mariachi Cobre at the TCC Saturday.
The entertainers are performing in the Old Pueblo to help raise funds for restoration of a placita and hall at St. Augustine Cathedral that will be dedicated in October to Monsignor Arsenio Carrillo.
"It is a real pleasure to be on stage with women of this caliber," said Randy Carrillo, founder of Mariachi Cobre, the internationally known group that performs at the EPCOT Center in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.
"They are consummate professionals and when they go on stage you will get 150 percent out of both of these women," Carrillo said.
Carr is a native of El Paso who was raised in Los Angeles. She now resides in San Antonio.
She was born Florencia Bisenta de Casillas Martinez Cardona. Her father's love for music helped influence her career, which includes 59 albums —17 gold and three winning Grammys.
Carr starred in Las Vegas and is known for "It Must Be Him" (1967), "The Lesson" (1968), and "With Pen in Hand" (1969). Other hits include "Mala Suerte" (1988), "Hay Otro En Tu Lugar" (1989) and "Cosas Del Amor" (1991).
Mariachi Cobre has previously performed on four occasions with Carr, including on Univision and with the San Antonio Symphony.
Cuevas, a singer and actress, has released 27 albums and received a Latin Grammy for "Enhorabuena," which was released in 2002.
She was born in Mexico City and began singing at the age of 11 in an amateur contest. By 1977, she was performing in Europe and her international performances established her as the "ambassador of Mexican music".
Carrillo describes Cuevas as "one of the last Mexican music icons who is the consummate representative of traditional Mexican music."
"We have performed with her several times. She dips into the traditional mariachi well and sings songs such as "El Crucifijo de Pierda" and her signature tune, "El Pastor," Carrillo said.
He said Mariachi Cobre supports the fundraising efforts to restore the cathedral's placita and hall, which will be dedicated to his uncle Monsignor Carrillo, a retired priest who served 40 years at the cathedral.
Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas said the restoration of the cathedral is important for historic reasons. "History is the foundation upon which we stand," he said. "There are certain remnants of the past that are important to retain. Certainly, one of those remnants is Cathedral Square."
In addition to the placita and hall, the first phase of renovation includes painting the cathedral's exterior and work on the parking lot. Future phases will include renovation of the Marian Chapel, the Marist College building and the interior of the cathedral, the bishop said.
FUNDRAISER
What: 2007 Harmonía Fiesta Concert
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., in the arena
Tickets: $40, $60 and $80 at TCC Box Office, 791-4266, or Ticketmaster, 321-1000
Information: 760-4181
DONATIONS
The concert is a fundraiser for the renovation of St. Augustine Cathedral placita and hall, which is estimated to cost $675,000. Organizers need to raise $425,000. The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona is the custodian for the project's funds and donations can be sent to the foundation at 2250 E. Broadway, Tucson, AZ 85719.
● A version of this story appeared Friday in La Estrella de Tucsón, the Star's Spanish-language weekly. Contact reporter Carmen Duarte at 573-4104 or cduarte@azstarnet.com.
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