The inaugural Frida Fest hits Sundance Square Plaza this Saturday. The event, produced by the Norma-Navarro Group, is named after the famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, best known for her self-portraits.
“The event is to give homage to Frida for the influencer that she still is today,” co-producer Mauricio Navarro said. “She’s a role model for many of our Latinas.”
Norma Navarro and Mauricio Navarro produced the event, which will feature art and crafts, dance performances and prominent Fort Worth Latinas speaking about their path to success.
Mauricio has original pictures of Kahlo, her ex-husband Diego Rivera and their home that Mauricio’s grandfather took back in the 1940s. Copies of the photographs will be given out for free.
“I’ve been sitting on these pictures for years and now we’re actually putting them to use and what a better way to do it with all our Latinas in Fort Worth,” he said.
If you go
Time: 2-10 p.m
Date: Oct. 1
Location: Sundance Square Plaza
Tickets: Free
Frida Fest will host two musical performances led by Latina vocalists. The headliner, set to perform between 7 and 8 p.m., will be “El Chanclazo.”
The band was started in 2019 and includes vocalist Mariana Grahl, percussionist Hebert Garcia, bassist Carlos “Fifo” Rengifo and guitarist Jose “Pepe” Valdez.
Each member of the band is from different countries spanning from Mexico to Peru. Their sound is a combination of bohemian and traditional Latin music, but doesn’t stray away from dance music, Grahl said.
Mauricio and Norma went to one of their shows at Revelers Hall and were determined to get them booked for Frida Fest, Grahl said.
She is excited to play at Sundance Square Plaza because it shows that people like what the group is doing, despite not playing the kind of music that is typically associated with Hispanic Heritage Month.
“We’re just very humbled and excited and amazed that we’re able to share who we are in our culture through music,” she said.
Juan Salinas II is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at juan.salinas@fortworthreport.org or on Twitter.
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