“Yo Soy Mariachero”
directed by Steven Wade Adams
editing and sound design by Manuel Fernandez Lorea
As a boy in Jalisco, Mexico, Rosalío Chavarín wanted to be a mariachi. His mother forbade it. He immigrated to the United States, raised a family, and carried the music with him. Decades later, nearing 80, Rosalío finally stepped onto the stage as a mariachi — performing alongside his daughter, Veri, and granddaughter, Lucía.
Yo Soy Mariachero is a story of music, immigration, family, and a dream deferred for a lifetime.
This is the dream his mother said he couldn't have.
"Someone who has a very strong work ethic and believed in the power of education and community, and who was very compassionate and cared about the well-being of everybody."
Veri Chavarín
on how she hopes her father is remembered
San Diego Union-Tribune, Sept. 18, 2026
Photographs of the Villa Musica Mariachi enemble in Logan Heights, San Diego 2024-2026. Shipping early November 2026.
Canciones de Vida / Songs of Life
Photographs and text by Steven Wade Adams
From 2024-2026, I photographed the Villa Musica Logan Heights Mariachi Ensemble at rehearsals at the Logan Heights Library and performances across San Diego. This book is the companion to the film Yo Soy Mariachero, and it’s dedicated to Rosalío Chavarín but a celebration of the entire ensemble and community music. $5 of each purchase will be donated to Villa Musica’s Camp Rosalío Summer Camp, named in honor of Rosalío.
106 pages · 42 black-and-white photographs · bilingual Spanish/English · 11.7 × 8.3 in landscape
Preorder now: $40, free shipping within the US. Copies ship in early November.
PRESS & RECOGNITION FOR YO SOY MARIACHERO
SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Official Selection · San Diego Scene
World Premiere · October 2026
SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE
From forbidden to fruition, he finally became a mariachi
Lisa Deaderick · September 18, 2026
KPBS
Yo Soy Mariachero
"YO SOY MARIACHERO" is an intimate documentary portrait of Rosalío Chavarín and his journey to keep the music of Mariachi alive in himself and his family. Through the lens of family memory the film explores the weight of immigration and the "beautiful things of life" that remain when the dust settles.
OTHER REFLECTIONS
"He simply outlived the need for her blessing and granted himself his own."
From "What We Owe the Unlived Version of Ourselves", written after reading Rosalío's story in the Union-Tribune; Notes From a Death Doula
"I can't believe Steve took all of those interviews and made such a beautiful film."
- Rosalío Chavarín
on seeing Yo Soy Mariachero, as told to his daughter, Veri
WORLD PREMIERE
San Diego International Film Festival
October 15, 2026 · 12:45 PM
October 18, 2026 · 6:45 PM SOLD OUT
AMC UTC 14 · La Jolla, California
Tickets & Festival Information →
YO SOY MARIACHERO 13 minutes · Documentary Short · 2026
Directed by Steven Wade Adams
Edited and sound design by Manuel Fernandez Lorea