Join Elon University for an evening that celebrates a vibrant blend of cultures at 7:30 p.m. in McCrary Theatre. Tickets are $15 or FREE with your Elon ID.
Elon University is thrilled to welcome Jarabe Mexicano back to Elon this Thursday, Sept. 11, for a performance that promises to celebrate culture, community, and connection.
For nearly a decade, Jarabe Mexicano has been more than a band — they’ve been cultural educators. Whether through bilingual performances, classroom collaborations, or inspiring young musicians to embrace their heritage. The band brings not only music, but a message of unity and empowerment.
Inspired by genres from mariachi to reggae to rock, the band embraces the sounds their parents and grandparents once cherished, honoring childhood memories and family traditions while creating something fresh for today’s audiences.
One of the band’s goals is to reach wide audiences, and they have traveled across the United States performing on behalf of border communities in California and Arizona. Their mission is to respectfully represent these communities. As lead singer Tavo Alcoser explains, they “always advocate for education and the arts as a means of empowerment, prosperity, and self-fulfillment.” Beyond that, the group strives to act as a bridge across cultures and generations — bringing people together through the universal language of music.
This global appeal comes from the band’s bilingual performances and diverse song selections, which expose audiences to many different cultures. At a time when understanding and connection are more important than ever, Jarabe Mexicano’s music invites people to identify with others from different backgrounds and overcome fear of cultures unlike their own.
“Stay true to your authentic self and prepare as much as you can. I found that when I embraced my unique perspective, straddling two countries and their many cultures, the right opportunities began to appear in my life, and I was prepared enough to make the most of them,” said Aloser on his advice to young musicians.
Over the years, band members have come and gone, but the group has always remained like a family. The current lineup features Gustavo ‘Tavo’ Alcoser, Jr. (lead vocals), Eduardo ‘Eddy’ Valencia (vihuela/vocals), Antonio ‘Tony’ Pro (guitarrón/vocals, and the newest member), Esteban ‘Steve’ Smith (lead guitar) and Daniel ‘Danny’ Brito (percussion/MC).
From their beginnings as music education students at San Diego State University to now touring across Mexico and throughout the United States, we are thrilled to welcome Jarabe Mexicano back to Elon. Join us for an evening that celebrates their vibrant blend of cultures this Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in McCrary Theatre. Come experience the community they create—and soak in the music.
Tickets are $15 or free with your Elon ID.