El Paso’s original live art and music event will soon be celebrating its 5th birthday—La Parada originated in 2010 and has persevered through trials and tribulations, personal issues and stumbling blocks, coming out on the other side stronger and more focused. The original intent for structuring the event was to showcase creative endeavors by El Paso’s artists and musicians. Five years later the team can say it has remained loyal to that goal.
“Five years ago the vision and goals were to create an event that highlighted the local talent here, musically, artistically and anything we could put together in the same space,” said Anthony Flores, La Parada co-organizer. “So far everything we’ve done has stayed pretty true to [our original vision]. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’ve pulled it together and continue to make it work.”
The man credited for spearheading the idea and providing a viable framework from which to operate La Parada, Adam Marshal, had moved to El Paso from Detroit, and noticed the amount of talented artists here. A chance meeting between Marshal and some of the current organizers proved to be fortuitous and spawned the ultra-successful event.
“We were already putting together live shows throughout the city, but when we met Adam, things fell into place. He really added structure to everything and got the ball rolling,” said Bianca Cervantes, another of La Parada’s coordinators.
Part of the formula for success that has sustained La Parada is the fans. “Definitely our audience [is a big part]. They love La Parada, and they want to see it succeed as much as we do,” said another of the event’s organizers, Joey Lozano.
Flores echoes this sentiment: “The public is what makes it. Everybody who comes, their vibe and their energy, transforms the event and it takes on a life of its own.”
Another key component is the talent that is showcased at the events. For the last several years, the city has seen a boom of tremendously creative, unique artists. La Parada has seized that talent and held on. The event provides a platform from which artists and musicians can display their gifts, thereby gaining exposure and, hopefully, fans.
“The talent is one of the driving forces behind this. If it weren’t for the artists and musicians, it would be like a regular bar,” Lozano said.
An effective team is another aspect organizers recognize as seminal to the event’s longevity. The group’s lineup has changed throughout the years. Marshal moved to Vietnam, DJ Rob Bass, original founding member and former resident DJ, moved to New York and others have come and gone. The effects from these transitions were not always welcome. Cervantes explains: “When Adam left, La Parada lost some of its traction. We all worked hard and knew how to do our own thing within the group, but he was just better at delegating. When he left, that torch was passed around and there was a little bit of confusion. It took a little while to get back on track. We went through that growing phase, and then everything just clicked.”
Fortunately the group survived the change and is now enjoying the fruits of its labor. Both Cervantes and Flores agreed this year has been one of the most productive and effective for the team.
“What kept it together is the love for the community we have, and the love of the effect we see La Parada has on a lot of people. That’s our reward,” Cervantes said.
For the anniversary celebration, La Parada lovers can expect an all-female lineup. Musical acts Fettish, Astronautica, DOT, Jess Rox and Young Handsome are set to grind out some girl power.
Tattoo/visual artist and owner of Dreadful Things, Francella Salgado, is one of the artists who will be featured at the show. She explained one of the most important aspects of La Parada: “I feel like art and music go hand-in-hand, and with something like La Parada, it makes it easier to appreciate art because you’re watching it in its production, you’re not looking at a finished piece. You get to see it as it progresses, and that creates an intimacy between the artist and the viewer. Exposing art and music, having that all in one place, is really important. I’m very proud of La Parada for doing that and keeping it going for so long.”
The El Paso Punk Rock Flea Market will also be doing live art. They will also be vending some of their items and will set up at 5 p.m. There will also be Burlesque performances by Betti Mae Wiggle, Feisty Baudelaire, Khaleesi Love Skye, Madame Pearl and Abby Ripper.
Details:
September 4th, 2015
San Carlos Building, 501 Texas Ave
Admission: $5
$1 Tacos and margaritas, 5—8 p.m.