Citrus College’s own Haugh Performing Arts Center was packed with hundreds of people coming together to see a performance by Aida Cuevas on April 12th.
Known to fans as the “Queen of Ranchera Music,” Cuevas was accompanied by Mariachi Espectacular, a band of 10 – Two trumpets, one guitar, one guitarron mexicano, one mariachi harp, one vihuela and four violins.
The show began with the band playing alone, without Cuevas, and during a song she made her entrance to great applause. After her entrance came the appearance of four ballet folklorico dancers, who came and went during different songs as the show progressed.
Behind the band and Cuevas, there were several animations projected onto the screen that shuffled throughout the set. One of these animations portrayed a man and woman in each other’s embrace, surrounded by stars and a cactus.
Around the midpoint of the set, Cuevas disappeared backstage. The band played several songs without her, sharing the spotlight by taking turns singing between each of the different members. The final of these songs featured the entire band harmonizing on vocals.
Upon her return, Cuevas had changed into a traditional mariachi charro suit and sombrero. Cuevas paid tribute to iconic singers like Antonio Aguilar and José Alfredo Jiménez through songs like “Mi Gusto Es” and “Si Nos Dejan”, as well as fan favorites like “La Bikina”.
The show began at 2:00 and ended around 3:30, lasting about an hour and a half.
