It’s Selena Quintanilla’s birthday month. In honor of the “Queen of Tejano music,” San Francisco hosted a Selena-themed lowrider cruise in the Mission District Saturday, bringing together hundreds of Latinx fans and families from across the Bay Area.
“I love Selena,” said attendee Liliana Flores. “I struggle with Spanish a lot and I know that she did too. She was never afraid to talk about it… that never took away from her culture.” Roy Vasquez, who was joined by his wife Patricia Vasquez, said he admired Selena for crossing over into mainstream music culture. “She really put her heart into it,” he said.
As lowriders cruised along Mission Street, a few blasted the singer’s most beloved hits, including “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” and “El Chico del Apartamento 512.” Many attendees wore Selena-inspired outfits and accessories.
The Grammy-winning singer and Latinx cultural icon, who was killed at 23 in 1995, would have turned 52 this year. “She continues to leave her legacy to so many younger generations,” said Chrisarely Salazar, who grew up in the Mission District.
The next cruises are scheduled by the San Francisco Lowrider Council on May 11, to belatedly celebrate Cinco de Mayo, and May 25-26, during the Carnaval Grand Parade.
