Queen of the Zocalo
Message from Queen Santa Frida Elisa Refugio Babosita
As 2017 SLUG Queen Santa Frida Elisa Refugio Babosita, also known as Mija Andrade, I am excited to present a festive celebration showcasing the cultures and talents of several of our Latinx community members. This event is a place to enjoy and engage in music, dance and creative opportunities together. Inspired by the lively city centers of Mexico, called Zócalos, often active with people and families enjoying music, art, dance, games and food together. During my rain, it has been my mission to create and support an inclusive community culture. I believe art is a place where we can unite the culture we’re born into with the culture we create as a community. The purpose of this event is to bring us together in celebration, to celebrate culture and to build our own community culture through art, music and dance.
With the support of the City of Eugene’s Downtown Fund as well as several sponsors, this celebration includes 6 separate music and dance performances from local community members as well as several opportunities for creative engagement and activism by local arts and service organizations. Our event will be emceed by Jessica Zapata of Eugene Arte Latino. Music and dance performers include Alma de Mexico, a youth ballet folklorico group; Lo Nuestro playing Latin American folk music, Taller de Son Jarocho featuring music and dance from Veracruz, Mexico; the band Llorona which plays what they call Mexamericana music; and a live salsa band Descarga 54 with salsa lessons and dancing during their show. Samuel Becerra will also present Sounds of the Past, a fantastic demonstration of pre-columbian indigenous instruments many of which he makes himself. He gives his presentation while dressed in his spectacular Azteca regalia.
Participating local organizations include OSLP Arts & Culture Program, Centro Latino Americano, Huerto de la Familia, MECCA, Downtown Languages, Maude Kerns Art Center, PeaceJam, ArtCity, Eugene Emeralds/Monarcas, Instaballet and Whiteaker Printmakers. These organizations will provide creative activities for attendees to enjoy and participate in collaboratively. A community mural project will be lead by local muralist Esteban Camacho Steffensen. This project is funded by a sponsorship from Imagination International, Inc. and after this event it will be installed in Buena Vista School. Esteban creates murals all over the world but is well known locally for his beautiful murals at the WJ skate park.
We’ll also have food carts including Dominican Delights and Sweet Bay Shave Ice.
Generous sponsors of this event include Tacovore, Imagination International Inc., Eugene Emeralds , Banner Bank , Threadbare Printhouse , Pacific Real Estate Services, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art , Pedal Power and Kiva Grocery, with additional support from QSL Print Communications and WildCraft Cider Works. Sound for the event provided by Pedal Power.
When not SLUG Queening, I work as the Development Director for Oregon Supported Living Program, a local non-profit supporting adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities for 40 years. Prior to this I was the Executive Director of MECCA, Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts, a local art, education and reuse non-profit organization. I also currently serve as Board President for Centro Latino Americano, a local non-profit serving Latino community members for over 40 years. My passion is to build connections that uplift our community through inclusivity, partnership and collaboration.
In the news
Eugene Crowns 35th SLUG Queen – Register-Guard
A New Queen is Crowned – Eugene Weekly
