La Fonda De Los Camperos Mariachis - The End of an Era
27
October 2007
 Lisa
and I showed up at La Fonda de Los Camperos for good mariachi, margaritas,
and tortilla chips during the restaurant's closing weekend.The drinks and chips were okay. But really, this restaurant's about the music. And what a band they have! The amazing Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano showmen/musicians performed with pride for one last weekend at L.A.'s La Fonda de Los Camperos, near MacArthur Park. The Los Angeles-based Mariachi Los Camperos known for their versatility and amazing number of singer/instrumentalists, and have a reputation for being one of the finest mariachi bands in the world, with numerous releases on Smithsonian-Folkways and elsewhere. |
 In
1969, after years of traveling throughout the country
Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano became permanently
based at La Fonda Restaurant.This restaurant is closing, with the building most likely to be torn down. However, they will reopen some time in 2008 after locating a new place. ~~ The guitarrón player keeps it pulsing. |
 Founder
Nati Cano (not pictured here) was awarded the National Endowment for the
Arts-National Heritage Fellowship and in Mexico, the coveted Sylvestre
Vargas Award for artistic excellence.
The Grammy-winning ensemble collaborated on some of Linda Ronstadt’s 1987 milestone album Canciones de Mi Padre. They also appear on Ms. Ronstadt’s Más Canciones and toured with the singer nationwide.
|
La Fonda de Los Camperos' busy bar, a favorite with locals and tourists, and
quite popular with large birthday parties.We enjoyed fantastic mariachi music here. No, it's not the annoying sort that interrupt your meal, but a beautiful, versatile kind that Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano brings, with guitarrón, Mexican vihuela, trumpets, strings, bass, arpa (mariachi harp), and vocals, intricate arrangements, and proud vibrant deliveries of their Guadalajaran heritage. |
 Late
night at La Fonda's closing night. |
 One
last look at La Fonda.~~ 1600 ISO, aperture-weighted D50 with 18-200mm lens. |
La Fonda de los Camperos Mariachis 2007
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Contact photographer/musician Ken Lee
