The Magic of Mariachi / La Magia del Mariachi

The Magic of Mariachi / La Magia del Mariachi is a fascinating book that combines two disciplines – art and poetry – creating a treasure of lyrical poetry and strikingly beautiful paintings of mariachi musicians. The twenty four poems, written in English and skillfully translated into Spanish, were created in response to each of the twenty-four works of art in the book. The poems are placed side by side with the paintings and drawings of contemporary mariachi musicians. The artwork in the book is the result of the artist’s direct encounter with mariachi musicians in their rehearsals and performance settings. The paintings and drawings are done in pastel, watercolor, and charcoal in a variety of styles and approaches. The poems are written in a variety of poetic forms: sestina, haiku, villanelle, triolet, prose poems, dramatic monologues and free verse. The Magic of Mariachi / La Magia del Mariachi is a cross-cultural text that will encourage reading, bilingual learning, and creative expression through poetry and art.

Reefka Schneider is one of the foremost artists of “la frontera,” the binational region of the Rio Grande Valley. She is co-creator of the highly acclaimed traveling exhibit Borderlines: Drawing Border Lives / Fronteras: dibujando las vidas fronterizas, published as a book by Wings Press in 2010. Steven P. Schneider is professor of Creative Writing and Literature and Cultural Studies at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He is co-creator with his artist wife Reefka of the traveling exhibit and book Borderlines.