Mariachi High Opens PBS arts summer festival

Imagine that. A mariachi band is going to premiere the seven-part series anchored by films that highlight art, artists and performances from around the world. MARIACHI HIGH documents a year in the life of “Mariachi Halcon,” a top-ranked competitive high-school mariachi band in the rural ranching town of Zapata, Texas. The program premieres June 29, 2012, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings) as part of the PBS ARTS SUMMER FESTIVAL.

The festival celebrates the arts but education as well. “At a time when Latinos have the highest dropout rate in the country and when arts education continues to be under attack, we found a story of teens who pursue excellence through their cultural heritage despite some very real challenges,” says MARIACHI HIGH producer and director Ilana Trachtman. It's so important to teach our youth the importance of not only staying in school, but getting involved in their community.

This is just an addition to PBS's awesome commitment to showcasing positive Latino programming. A few years ago PBS aired the Latin Music USA series. The arts series will include the following programs:

• MARIACHI HIGH, June 29, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET
• ISLAMIC ART: MIRROR OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD, July 6, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET
• JOHN LEGUIZAMO'S TALES FROM A GHETTO KLOWN, July 13, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET
• HOMECOMING: THE KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY PRESENTS JOYCE DiDONATO, July 20, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET
• HAVANA, HAVANA!, July 27, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET
• THE BARNES COLLECTION, August 3, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET
• GREAT PERFORMANCES “Tanglewood 75th Anniversary Celebration,” August 10, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET