At 5 years outdated, Tanisha Washington first watched the 1997 movie “Selena.”
Washington’s connection to Selena Quintanilla didn’t cease at her childhood, carrying her love for the Texas-born singer into maturity.
“I grew up singing in choir, and I’ve at all times been so impressed by her expertise, her character and the way she was so forward of her time,” Washington stated. “It’s tragic that she was taken at 23 years outdated. She would have went on to be one of many greatest superstars of our world … when it got here to vogue, music (and) her capability to not solely be an incredible performer however an incredible human being.”
Quintanilla’s influential music and elegance stays a quintessential piece of Texas’ cultural historical past. Since 1995, when then-governor and former President George W. Bush declared April 16 as Selena Day in Texas, followers outdated and new proceed to rejoice the Tejano singer’s legacy. On Sunday, South Austin bar Lulu’s hosted a Selena Day occasion, which included bingo, Selena’s hits and a Selena dress-up contest.
“It’s an effective way to convey the group collectively to help and rejoice such a legend,” Washington stated. “Even if you happen to come and also you don’t know a lot about her, (by) being round everybody and simply seeing the celebration … you possibly can be taught a lot about her.”
Attending the Selena Day celebration, Daniela Shout stated, as a newcomer to Texas, she witnesses how Selena’s followers hold her legacy alive.
“I simply discovered about Selena, and I’m completely impressed,” Shout stated. “I wish to be taught extra about her and the way she evokes others.”
Evelyn Baez, a radio-television-film junior, attended the occasion and cited Selena as one among her first function fashions.
“She’s an icon right here in Texas,” Baez stated. “I believe it’s an important thought to rejoice her birthday and get different individuals who don’t actually know the artist to get to know her music and her artwork.”
Lydia Isnanto stated seeing youthful generations embrace Latin music evokes her as a Mexican-American.
“It’s inspiring that (individuals) are desirous to find out about you, and Selena is an effective illustration of that,” Isnanto stated.
Isnanto stated she feels compelled to be taught the whole lot about her ancestors, despite the fact that she lives within the U.S. Referring to Selena as a Mexican American, Isnanto stated she identifies with sitting on the intersection of two cultures.
“You possibly can relate to each cultures,” Isnanto stated. “You’re impressed by what your dad and mom grew up with, and it influences you mentally, however you additionally take heed to English music or artwork. You’re drawn to that as properly. You’re within the center.”
Rising up, Roxana Flores stated she listened to Selena’s music, watched the biopic and admired the singer, prompting her to attend the celebration. Flores stated she admires how Selena broke boundaries, crossed limitations and continues to encourage future generations to do the identical.
“Ni de aquí, ni de allá,” Flores stated. “She represented that you could achieve success, you might be each.”