Mexico City's mariachi mecca Salon Tenampa turns 90

Record ID: 126961

  • Title: Mexico City's mariachi mecca Salon Tenampa turns 90
  • Date: 24th November 2015
  • Summary: PATRONS LAUGHING AS THEY RECEIVE ELECTRIC CURRENT SHOCKS INSTRUMENT THAT GIVES ELECTRICAL SHOCKS MORE OF PATRONS LAUGHING FROM ELECTRICAL CURRENT (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) OPERATOR OF INSTRUMENT THAT GIVES OUT ELECTRICAL CURRENTS, GUILLERMO ANAYA, SAYING: "They're in the mood after some tequilas. It's a tradition here in Tenampa, it's a classic." MORE OF PATRONS LAUGHING AFTER RECEIVING ELECTRICAL CURRENT
  • Embargoed: 9th December 2015 20:54
  • Keywords: Mexico mariachi Salon Tenampa music tradition anniversary
  • Location: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
  • City: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Human Interest/Brights/Odd News,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA0063ARXS9L
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Mexico City's mariachi temple, the legendary Salon Tenampa, celebrated its 90th anniversary on Sunday (November 22) to the familiar sounds of regional Mexico that has seen it become a local icon.
    Located in the capital's Garibaldi Plaza, this restaurant bar opened in 1925 and soon became the birthplace of mariachi music in the capital. Its founder, Juan Hernandez, invited bands from the Mexican state of Jalisco to perform at the establishment a little-known genre of music called mariachi.
    Since then, the familiar musical styling has become a mainstay and attracted the likes of performers such as Mexican actor Pedro Infante and singer Chavela Vargas.
    Nine decades on Tenampa remains a family business. Owner, Fernanda Aguilera, told Reuters her salon is a genuine Mexican experience.
    "Mexican music, tequila, this heritage of humanity, they are all present here and this place is obliged to give Mexicans and visitors in Tenampa an experience which is traditional and historical," said Aguilera.
    Tenampa's Mexican experience would not be complete without the traditional taco and salsa washed down with a shot of tequila.
    Local mariachi musician, Jaime Gamez, said Tenampa is the place to make memories and forget your sorrows.
    "In Tenampa there are a lot of memories and the mariachis are the lovers, the gentleman. If you want to forget something you come here," he said.
    The atmosphere at Tenampa is electrifying, literally. Patrons at Tenampa play a drinking game called "toques". The game involves participants electrocuting themselves between shots to see how much voltage they can handle.
    Guillermo Anaya gives out the electric shocks. He told Reuters that after a few tequilas people are game for a jolt.
    "They're in the mood after some tequilas. It's a tradition here in Tenampa, it's a classic," he said.
    Nine decades on Salon Tenampa remains as popular as ever and continues to evolve. From mariachi it has branched out to new Mexican regional music such as jarocho from the Gulf state of Veracruz.
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