The 4th Annual Mariachi Idol competition features local talent
Last night’s winner of the third round of La Fuente’s Mariachi Idol, hosted by Genaro Moreno, was Aura Otero. Otero stole the show, but it wasn’t easy; she faced very talented challengers.
Otero only returned to singing publicly in the past month. She got her singing start early with Tucson’s Los Changuitos Feos while a student at Tolleson. She stayed with them until her graduation from Cholla.
While doing some bookkeeping work for her friend, Jesus Aguilar of JC’s Tax Service, the mother of two sons, began singing. Jesus told her she needed to share her talent.
Aura, says that now that she is older and wiser she is unafraid of the stage, but admitted to being “a little nervous.” The crowd couldn’t tell. One delighter diner said, “Aura filled the room with her aura. She was amazing.”
“I am ready to perform again, I have more experience now,” said Aura. “I am not unafraid and really enjoy performing.”
The full house listened to a total of seven talented singers including Francisco Castro, Araceli Valenzuela, Brisa Beregen, Manny Celaya, Heriberto Ramirez, and Dulcemaria Pineda.
Each contestant is accompanied by Mariachi Estrellas de la Fuente.
Based on the popular TV show, Mariachi Idol contestants face a panel of three judges who offer their critique and score the contestants. After the First Round, the judge’s scores are added and the top three contestants advance to the Second Round after which, the audience will choose that night’s winner by show of applause. The runner up is chosen by the judges’ scores.
After 10 finalists have been selected, each will compete in the Grand Finale on August 15th for the title of “Mariachi Idol 2012”, a First Place cash prize, official trophy and his/her name permanently engraved on La Fuente Restaurant’s Mariachi Idol plaque. Second and Third Place prizes will also be awarded.
On the nights of the competition, La Fuente Restaurant briefly closes its doors at 5:00 p.m. for set up and re-opens at 6:00 p.m. The competition begins at 7:00 p.m. During the Mariachi Idol competition, guests may order from a special dinner menu. The dinner, including a soft drink and tax, is only $19.99 per person. For those not wishing to eat, La Fuente Restaurant offers its lounge and bar to guests, aged 21 and over; to enjoy specials on alcoholic beverages for an entry charge of $10.00 includes first domestic beer, house margarita, or well drink “On-the-House.”