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The Arhoolie Foundation has teamed up with Little Village Foundation to produce “Working From Home,” a video series of mini house concerts recorded live by traditional musicians trying to make it through the current public health crisis doing what they do best. Please join us in supporting these working musicians by donating directly to them through the links provided. We will match the first $500 in donations to each.

Our first of the series features sisters Xochitl and Anaí Morales of Mariachi Mestizo singing and playing from their family’s home in Delano, CA, accompanied on guitar by their father, Juan. Enjoy!

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Donate directly to Xóchitl and Anaí here:
(Together, AF & LVF will match the first $500 donated)

On the Venmo app: @xochmorales

Anaí Adina Morales was born and raised in the Central Valley of California. With the guidance and expertise of her father, Juan Morales, Anaí discovered and developed her passion for mariachi music. She began playing with Mariachi Juvenil Mestizo at the early age of 10, and has performed at various prestigious music venues with them, most notably Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. In 2019, Anaí released her first solo album Espérame en el Cielo, produced by Little Village Foundation. She is now a pre-medical student at Harvard University concentrating in Integrative Biology. Outside of schoolwork, Anaí spends most of her time directing Harvard’s official mariachi ensemble, Mariachi Véritas, and performing at various events with her sister, Xochitl.

Xóchitl Morales is a student and organizer at Harvard University, concentrating in Ethnic Studies. Morales has been active as a music instructor, producer, poet, and filmmaker. She has performed at the Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall with Mariachi Mestizo, and recently had her poetry featured in the Sundance 2020 film Summertime. She is currently a research fellow for Boston-based artist, writer, and organizer Anthony Romero, and acts as a core organizer for the Harvard Ethnic Studies Coalition.


Statement on the passing of Chris Strachwitz

Arhoolie Records Founder
July 1, 1931 – May 5, 2023

We celebrate the life of our founder, friend, and great record man Chris Strachwitz. He died peacefully at home in Marin County, CA, surrounded in his last days by dear friends and family. Over his 91 years, Chris captured the music that represents the best “down home music” the world has to offer.

He was at the forefront of nearly all the roots revivals over the last 60 years including blues, zydeco, Cajun, Norteño and Tejano music. His drive to document traditional music helped introduce the nation to our diverse musical heritage. He had the foresight to save music that might have otherwise been lost to obscurity and played a role in strengthening cultural traditions through his records, films, and most recently the Arhoolie Foundation. He cared for those around him, fought for royalties and recognition for Arhoolie artists, and provided counsel to countless musicians, writers, film makers, and academics.

Plans for a public celebration of his life will be announced in the coming weeks. Today we’re thinking of all that Chris brought to our lives and the lives of the musicians and fans with whom he shared his passion.