Eternamente Brings a Día de los Muertos Spectacular to UNCW Kenan Auditorium
UNCW Kenan Auditorium Presents Eternamente: A Día de los Muertos Spectacular
WILMINGTON, NC — On Friday, October 23, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium welcomes Eternamente: A Día de los Muertos Spectacular, a vibrant celebration of Mexican culture featuring the electrifying sounds of live mariachi and the sweeping movement of traditional Ballet Folklórico
Featuring Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklórico del Río Grande, Eternamente brings the spirit of Día de los Muertos to life through powerful music, richly choreographed dance, dazzling costumes, and a luminous virtual altar honoring the traditions of this beloved celebration. The production also pays tribute to legendary Mexican artists through iconic songs, creating a theatrical experience where memory, heritage, and artistry come together.
For more than 30 years, Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar has shared the vibrant traditions of mariachi music with audiences around the world. Founded in 1994 by Jaime Cuéllar and now directed by his son, Jimmy “El Pollo” Cuéllar, the ensemble has become one of California’s most recognized mariachi groups. The group has performed alongside some of Mexico’s most celebrated artists, including Juan Gabriel, Alejandro Fernández, Aida Cuevas, Pepe Aguilar, Ángela Aguilar, Leonardo Aguilar, Paquita del Barrio, and others. Most recently, Mariachi Garibaldi was featured in Camila Cabello’s Tiny Desk concert, performing “La Buena Vida.”
The ensemble has performed to sold-out audiences at prestigious venues across the United States, including the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, and the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Their performances have helped introduce mariachi music to audiences across generations and demonstrate the genre’s enduring place in contemporary music and culture.
Ballet Folklórico del Río Grande (BFRG), under the direction of Miguel Peña, is a 30-member organization composed of alumni of the internationally recognized folklórico program at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. UTRGV offers the only folklórico dance major in the United States, providing highly trained dancers who form the foundation of BFRG.
With performances throughout the United States and internationally, BFRG has appeared at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and has toured countries including Canada, France, Italy, Argentina, and Mexico. The company has also performed alongside artists including Los Tigres del Norte and Aida Cuevas. Through its partnership with Mariachi Garibaldi, BFRG celebrates Mexican culture through dynamic productions honoring traditions including Día de los Muertos and Christmas.
Together, Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklórico del Río Grande create a spectacular celebration of Mexican music, dance, heritage, and remembrance. Eternamente invites audiences to experience Día de los Muertos not simply as a tradition, but as a vibrant expression of the enduring connection between generations, culture, and community.
Tickets are available at uncwarts.universitytickets.com or by calling the Kenan Auditorium Box Office at 910.962.3500.
