Mexico’s Ministry of Culture has advanced 365 performers—320 based in Mexico and 45 in the United States—to the second phase of the new “México Canta por la paz y contra las adicciones” competition, Secretary of Culture Claudia Curiel de Icaza said during President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s July 4 morning briefing. The song contest drew 15,115 entries across traditional and urban-fusion genres and is aimed at encouraging young musicians to promote non-violent narratives. State-level eliminations will run from 5 July to 8 August, narrowing the field to 48 acts ahead of regional rounds in September and a final scheduled for 5 October. Live events are expected in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Tijuana, Mexico City and Oaxaca, according to preliminary plans. A principal jury made up of singer-actress Regina Orozco, composer Mónica Vélez, singer-songwriter América Sierra and producer Javier Ramírez will evaluate style, interpretation and composition. They will be joined by guest jurors such as Vivir Quintana, Mario Domm and A.B. Quintanilla. Performances and voting details for the current round are available on the contest’s new microsite, mexicocanta.gob.mx.