The Mariachi Plaza in the Boyle Heights neighborhood is true to its name: it is the place in Los Angeles to go to hire a mariachi band for your party. While it is now a stop on the Metro Gold Line, the plaza as a center for musicians has existed for decades. These photos were taken on a Saturday and some of the musicians were dressed in mariachi costumes, others were not.
Below ground the Metro station is is boring as two day-old refried beans. The “art money” designated for this station was invested in the grand and glorious bandstand in the plaza. The roof covering the station is an art work itself and always reminds me of a peacock fanning its tail.
The faded murals on the walls around the plaza, including the ubiquitous Lady of Guadalupe stuck away in a narrow alley, are all privately created and maintained.
For more information about bicycling around Los Angeles go to the CicLAvia site.
