Mariachi in front of the plaza to flag down passing cars. In 2010, the government renovated the plaza to make it more tourist-friendly, adding new paving, gardens, police, security cameras, painted facades, and a museum dedicated to mariachi and tequila. Although mariachis can be hired in Mexico City over the phone or on the internet, many people still prefer to come to the plaza, hear the musicians and haggle over the price. About 2,500 mariachis hold union cards to work in the plaza, but as many as 4,000 may circulate through on a busy weekend. The size of a Mariachi group
Mariachi El Bronx (2009 album) performing "Cell Mates" in mariachi style under the name "Mariachi El Bronx". The punk rock album was released first, on November 11, 2008. Titled "The Bronx", it was their third eponymous album. The band supported it with a world tour from September through December 2008 covering Canada, the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, playing with bands such as Bad Religion, Every Time I Die, and Stick to Your Guns. In a December 2008 interview, singer Matt Caughthran commented that "["Mariachi El Bronx"] was something that was a part of us that we didn't really realize.