A Guide to the Best of Southern California : THE ARTS : Mariachi Hot Line

Next time the mood for mariachi music strikes, just pick up the phone and call Mariachi For Hire, a Santa Monica-based service that represents more than 20 professional mariachi groups. Proprietor Rodri J. Rodriguez, president of Rodri Entertainment Group--which also produces the annual Mariachi USA Festival at the Hollywood Bowl--will arrange for the musicians of your choice (and price range) to perform at your next family or group function.

“There are a lot of people, Anglo and Hispanic, who don’t know where to begin to get a group,” Rodriguez says. “We’ve had calls from people wanting mariachis to serenade at the airport (and from) a guy who wanted a group while he proposed to his fiancee.”

Prices start at $400 an hour; some mariachis command as much as $2,500 for a two-hour show that includes traditional songs and contemporary tunes. Several ballet folklorico troupes, ranging in number from two to 28, also are available for hire.

Mariachi For Hire, (310) 451-5044.