Mariachi Plaza Mariachi Plaza Mariachi Plaza is located in the Boyle Heights district of the city of Los Angeles, east of downtown. Since the 1930s, mariachi musicians have gathered in hopes of being hired by visitors who are looking for a full band, trio or solo singer. The plaza resembles Mexico's famed Plaza Garibaldi in both form and function and draws people from all over Los Angeles. This plaza is also an historic gateway to the neighborhood. Day or night, one can find many musicians waiting around the plaza and hotel - now an affordable living complex - across the street to
Mariachi of trumpets and the use of charro outfits by mariachi musicians. The musical style began to take on national prominence in the first half of the 20th century, with its promotion at presidential inaugurations and on the radio in the 1920s. In 2011 UNESCO recognized mariachi as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, joining six other entries on the Mexican list of that category. The origin of the word is disputed, but prominent theories attribute it to indigenous roots. One states that it comes from the name of the wood used to make the dance platform. Another states that "Mariachi" comes from