VOA标准英语2011--Mariachi Music Struggles in Downbeat US

Mariachi Music Struggles in Downbeat US Economy

The United States has long been seen as the land of opportunity for many Mexicans looking for work, including traditional Mariachi musicians. But the economy has changed that. The effects of the economic downturn on the Mariachi industry can be seen at a type of day labor¹ center near downtown Los Angeles called "Mariachi Plaza²," where musicians wait to be hired.
The musical tradition started in 19th century Mexico and has migrated³ to Los Angeles, one of the urban Meccas of mariachi music outside of its homeland.
The fortunate musicians play at restaurants, while others gather under the hot sun at a square just east of downtown Los Angeles, called Mariachi Plaza, to look for work. While they're waiting, some sit at an outdoor cafe and chat with each other.
"This is a job, the only job I have now and I've been doing it for 54 years," notes musician David Martin. He and other musicians, dressed in their silver-studded traditional "charro" outfits⁴, come to Mariachi Plaza regularly, hoping to be hired by families to play at weddings and other special events. But he says the economy has hurt business.
"…very very severely," notes David. "It's gone down more than 50 per cent. It's way way down, and that's caused some Mariachis to have to leave and go back to Mexico. Others just to give up, others just to hang on by their nails."
"This cannot supplement⁵ my whole income. I do have a regular job as well," Carlos Pacheco explains. He works⁶ at the airport, and can only play Mariachi music part time, because he needs the extra money to buy a house.
"Anything that affects the incomes of the general public affects us, because if they have less money they're not going to get a musician," adds Pacheco.
David Martin says when the economy was good, as many as eight musicians would be hired to play at a private function.
Many of the veteran⁷ musicians say the economy has created another problem.
"Some people are under-charging, and some people are coming who don't really play very well at all," adds Martin. "They give it a bad name then the public thinks 'oh they are not professional' then they don't hire them."
Martin says some of the musicians recently formed a mariachi union. Its members would promise to charge a minimum⁸ of $50 an hour for each musician. But some musicians are willing to work for less.
"If you can get the hours I wouldn't mind a reduction⁹ $5, $10, it's not much of a big difference," notes Pacheco. But he adds that the fear is, if the public gets used to paying a lower price, they may continue to expect it when the economy improves in a few years.

1 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

2 plaza   

n.广场，市场

参考例句：

• They designated the new shopping centre York Plaza.他们给这个新购物中心定名为约克购物中心。
• The plaza is teeming with undercover policemen.这个广场上布满了便衣警察。

3 migrated   

v.迁移，移往( migrate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Pioneers from New England migrated to all parts of the United States. 来自新英格兰的拓荒者移居到美国各地。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Great herds of buffalo migrated across the plains. 大群野牛迁徙过平原。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 outfits   

n.全套装备( outfit的名词复数 )；一套服装；集体；组织v.装备，配置设备，供给服装( outfit的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• He jobbed out the contract to a number of small outfits. 他把承包工程分包给许多小单位。 来自辞典例句
• Some cyclists carry repair outfits because they may have a puncture. 有些骑自行车的人带修理工具，因为他们车胎可能小孔。 来自辞典例句

5 supplement   

n.增补，补充；副刊；vt.增补，补充

参考例句：

• A supplement to this dictionary may be published next year.该词典的补编或许将于明年出版。
• They had to get a job to supplement the family income.他们不得不找一份工作以贴补家庭收入。

6 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

7 veteran   

n.老兵；经验丰富的人，老手

参考例句：

• My grandfather is a veteran of the Second World War.我祖父是二战时的老兵。
• We often asked the veteran workers for advice.我们常常向老工人求教。

8 minimum   

adj.最低的，最小的；n.最小量，最低限度

参考例句：

• What is the minimum price?最低价是多少？
• Today's minimum temperature is 10℃.今天的最低气温是10℃。

9 reduction   

n.减少，减低，减缩；减少，减低

参考例句：

• Reduction in income tax will be welcomed with open arms.减少所得税将受到热烈欢迎。
• You will have a reduction for cash.付现金可以打折扣。