The Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference and hosting sponsors invite you to (2) film screenings entitled, “The Traveling Mariachi Memoirs,” by Tucson based independent Filmmaker, Barbara G. Bustillo's Cogswell, screening her Mariachi films, as a fund raiser for scholarship for the LCIMC conference, in collaboration with the Mesilla Valley Film Society screening, at the Historic Fountain Theatre, 2469 Calle De Guadalupe, Mesilla, New Mexico, on Thursday, September 15th, 2022, at 5:30 and 7:30 PM screenings.

Barbara began documenting the Mariachi artform since the late 80’s began with a 3-part series for NBC TV 4, in Denver, Colorado, for her community affairs program, entitled, “Mi Linda Raza.” Later producing stories for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Recording and Research department headed by the famous voice doctor to the stars, Dr. Wilbur J. Gould, who was Linda Ronstadt voice doctor. Bustillos produced a voice care film for Mariachi students screening at various Mariachi conferences, throughout the Southwest obtaining “consejos/advice” for students studying the artform.

First Interviews with Pepe Martinez, with Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, Los Camperos de Nati Cano and Las Perilitas de Guadalajara, Mexico, for NBC, Bustillos received their blessings to this day. Before social media and for nearly 20-years she was welcomed by the top groups and ranchera iconic singers and doors opened at festivals, workshops, and community gatherings to document the good, the bad and the ugly of a career, as a Mariachi. Her self-funded guerrilla style photojournalist journey became a tribute to the Mexican communities that never forgot their culture and love of their Mariachi artform. As a Chicana, the 80’s was the start of her plight to document and improve venue discrimination, improve sound systems and question fair pay for Mariachis, especially women, with promoters.  The USA Mariachi revolution was applauded with legendary icons such as Amalia Mendoza, Yolanda del Rio, Lola Beltran to Pepe Aguilar and the sharing actor/musician Daniel Valdez, regarding his tour with Linda Ronstadt, on Broadway is a tribute to all Mexican communities.

“In 2004, I traveled to document the Las Cruces conference, and filmed their dedication to their conference a great volunteer spirit and welcomed the loyalty by Steve and Randy Carrillo, founders of Mariachi Cobre, who found a home away from home, at the LCIMC.” Since 20014, I returned to screening stories for the students, found a long lost cousin, Arnold and Adrian Bustillo's and have made LCIMC, my second home.”