Looking back, Doris Muoz is still awestruck by that first show at the Hi-Hat, in Los Angeles Highland Park. Headlined by a young Cuco the Chicano singer who, until then, had only performed his dreamy pop ballads in backyard shows the 2017 event was organized by Muoz, his music manager, to raise money for her immigrant parents legal fees. The 350-capacity venue ended up being sold out.
We were all elated. I just remember everybody crying, recalls Muoz.
Its a particularly resonant moment in time, especially as Muoz readies Selena for Sanctuary a New York City fundraising event, which will take place August 18th at Central Parks SummerStage. A celebration of the late Tejana icon Selena, it is the tenth installment of the Solidarity for Sanctuary concert series, which sprang from the success of that initial gathering in 2017 and has since raised $14,000 for immigrant advocacy causes at-large.
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Its worth noting that the events inception coincided with a striking phenomenon in American pop culture. That same year, Luis Fonso and Daddy Yankees Despacito would boost Latin pops global cultural capital both on the charts and in the zeitgeist while simultaneously, those early days of the Trump Era portended a wave of increasing violence and racism toward Latinx communities.
The seemingly paradoxical parallel is no coincidence, Muoz says, pointing to the rise of Latinx artists like J Balvin, Ozuna and Bad Bunny. Theyre championing this movement because of all the shitty things that are happening, [doing so] with even more gusto, she says.
Even if their music isnt overtly political, their existence is, Muoz adds. Existing as successful Latinx artists within this political climate is a form of resistance.
The series biggest outing yet, the upcoming SummerStage show and its Latinx lineup is a realization of this truth. Headlined by Kali Uchis, with additional sets by Cuco, Helado Negro and many others, the concert is organized in conjunction with immigrant advocacy group Make the Road New York, and will raise funds through a merch collaboration with the clothing brand Kids of Immigrants.
Tearing families apart isnt right, and ICE raids are inhumane, Uchis says by phone from Los Angeles. They treat us like animals. Theres no compassion there, no humanity.
Speaking just days after the deadly mass shooting in El Paso, which targeted its Latinx population, Uchis and Muoz condemn the Trump administration in bolstering a summer of horrors that has preceded the upcoming show.
Trying to create a better world for your children, or running for your life is not a crime, says Uchis, who as a dual citizen, grew up in both the United States and in Colombia. The administrations decisions to double down on white supremacist ideals and dehumanize anyone in this country who isnt white is just so obvious at this time. The power of our community and the strength that we have united, thats whats really going to make a difference.
Children being ripped apart from their families, literally being put in concentration camps it really blows my mind how in this day and age some of this literally is happening in my own country, says Chicana indie rocker Ambar Lucid, who will also perform at the New York event.
For many in the show, its fraught context hits close to home. Lucids own father was deported when she was a child, and Muoz and Cuco are both children of immigrants. Muozs brother, who hadnt been to Mexico since he was two years old, was deported in 2015. He has three daughters and a wife he didnt even get to say goodbye to, Muoz says.
While previous shows have been organized in response to new Trumpian policies, such as the dismantling of the DACA program, this latest edition arrives during the series most urgent moment yet. Uchis, along with Muoz and Lucid, feels a heightened sense of responsibility, especially as the growth of Latin pops cultural import provides a larger platform.
I want to inspire all artists who are capitalizing off of Latin culture right now, but not necessarily doing anything for the Latin community besides posting memes and shit, Uchis says. I want to inspire people to actually fucking do something.
This sense of gravity carries into the future for Sanctuary, which will become an official nonprofit organization this year, and expand future shows to places like Texas.
This anger and this frustration will just transform into motivation and more energy, Muoz says. She refers to an expression in Spanish: No nos vamos a rendir, nunca. That means, Were not going to give up ever. Thats us right now.