How seriously do Mariachi Los Galleros take their repertoire?
“We have over 200 songs,” says Marilynn Martinez, a violinist in the group. “We’re trying to incorporate more English songs too, because of how diverse our hirings are.”
Mariachi Los Galleros has performed across the state of Nebraska at weddings, funerals, quinceañeras, grand openings… and now, after Union Omaha’s Hispanic Heritage Night on September 19th, sporting events. Martinez says it’s important to be as inclusive as possible with their offerings.
“We’re continually learning new songs, seeing what people are asking for… we sing any songs, to the genre of mariachi.”
Martinez has been with Mariachi Los Galleros for six years, but the Omaha-based mariachi group was established in 1996. She’s played mariachi since she was 14, and started with the violin even earlier than that, at age 10. She said it was cool to be in an atmosphere like the one on Hispanic Heritage Night at Morrison Stadium.
“I was surprised to see that representation in the community even with the [rainy] weather. All the people with blankets and their kids, having the food trucks, and the dancers…”
What also stuck with Martinez was their halftime performance down on the pitch.
“It was amazing to be on the field and see everyone in the stands, having that point of view,” she says. “Usually we’re performing on the concourse or by the entrance [to a venue], so this was really unique. We’re a walkable cover band, so we don’t need speakers, and you can put us at any location.”
That also meant crossing paths with the dancers of Raíces de México throughout the night… and that wouldn’t even be the only time they would in September. The two groups also performed last Tuesday at an event at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, as well as for Mexican Independence festivities weeks ago.
Monica Mora has always been pulled towards dance.
“I believe it stems from my sister doing a dance event with our church community when I was a toddler,” says Mora. “I have no memory of this, but we have videos somewhere of me trying to dance with her when she was practicing. It explains why my love for folklorico has always existed in my mind.”
For Mora, though, it’s not just about the dance itself, but how everything else weaves into it.
“I love getting to learn more about my culture through the history that is incorporated into the dance, music, and clothing that we wear. Everything that we wear and do has context, and I love not only learning about it but also educating others as well. Even being a part of this organization after 11 years, I continue to learn so much.”
She asked her mother to join Raíces de México at just nine years old. While they didn’t have folklorico at the time, it was mere months before Mora became part of the first cohort of Raíces de México’s Folklorico group. A decade later, she said it was “crazy to believe that in one night we performed in front of more than 3,000 people” at Morrison Stadium, especially to share her culture with those who had never seen it before.
“The US is a melting pot of cultures,” says Mora, “which makes it all the more important for everyone to share their roots as well as learn about the culture of others. Especially in a place like Nebraska, where people don’t realize there are actually multiple thriving communities of Hispanic and Latino people throughout the state. More than anything, our dancers always enjoy an opportunity to be in the spotlight to showcase their dancing abilities and love for their culture.”
What stuck with Mora throughout Raíces de México’s folklorico performances was the excitement prevalent in the audience, from children to adults. Some would ask for pictures afterwards, while others just reminisced on memories and connections that came to the fore because of their performance. Either way, it was truly a special night for Mora.
“It’s beautiful to see how impactful our presence can be for others,” she says.
ABOUT UNION OMAHA
Union Omaha, the 2021 and 2024 USL League One Champions, is the premier professional soccer team in the state of Nebraska. USL League One is a United States Soccer Federation-sanctioned professional men’s soccer league that occupies the third tier of the American soccer landscape, below USL Championship (tier two) and the newly announced top-tier USL Premier, launching in 2028. Union Omaha will play its 2026 USL League One home matches at Morrison Stadium in downtown Omaha. The team is led by Chief Operating Officer Alexis Boulos in the front office and by Head Coach Vincenzo Candela on the pitch.
