Led by director Carlos Samaniego, Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles has performed around the world to great acclaim. The group is the world’s first LGBTQ+ mariachi band and is proud to have the first transgender mariachi, Natalia Melendez as part of the group. While the group performs its repertoire to suit the LGBTQ+ community, all audiences also enjoy their presentation. This unique ensemble was created as a safe haven for mariachi musicians who identify as LGBTQ+ to come together and perform traditional Mexican regional music in response to a “machista” and at times, discriminating subculture of the mariachi world.