Baila esta cumbia

Celebrating the Queen of Tex-Mex

The Student Union will host a tribute event for the Queen of Tex-Mex from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday on the Brownsville campus.

Vaquero Cumbia Night will take place on the Student Union lawn and the Conjunto Club will open the stage for Infusion Live Band, who will pay tribute to Selena Quintanilla.

The idea for the night came from a desire to engage students and create a sense of belonging, according to Sergio Martinez, associate director of the Student Union.

“I think the cumbia-kind-of theme got tossed around and a cumbia festival with a twist of, you know, really doing it around [Selena’s] birthday … because we feel like it’s something that people are into the style of music,” Martinez said.

He added he believes Selena is a positive role model and her music has transcended generations.

“I grew up listening to Selena when I was, like … 12, right?” Martinez said. “You know, I’m 45 now, super fascinating and very proud to see that she’s still … relevant and popular.” 

Student organizations will sell food and host DIY activities and games.

“We currently have about 12 student organizations planned to be present to fundraise,” he said. “… Some people do food games … whatever their skill set is to add to the environment and to add to the theme. Some other academic programs will be there recruiting, so we’re super excited to see so much turn out for the activity.”

Anahi Esquivel Cantu, program coordinator for the Student Union, said last year’s event was more country-themed. The 2024 Vaquero Cumbia Fest also took place on the Edinburg campus.

“Now, we wanted to go a little bit more with the Tex-Mex route,” Esquivel Cantu said.

She added the event should reflect cultural diversity across the Vaquero community. 

  “[It will be] a dance and, also, a nighttime programming, which is not not seen as much in Brownsville,” Esquivel Cantu said. “But, we’re trying to introduce it little by little. That way, Edinburg and Brownsville are on the same level and we offer the same kind of activities.”

Martinez talked about the cultural reflect on this event and the Tex-Mex heritage. 

“We’re a Hispanic [serving] institution,” he said. “… We are majority Hispanic population and I think for a lot of the families from our students, you know, they grew up listening and dancing to cumbia music.”

Music freshman Diego Rodríguez, drummer for Conjunto Club, mentioned the band’s excitement to participate in the event.

Rodriguez told The Rider his favorite Selena song to perform is “Como la flor.”

“I know this music is here from the area, but it’s not really played that often there in school,” the drummer said. “… What I’m trying to do is, like, get them to hear that music again. I want people, like, younger people like me … to listen to this kind of music.”For more information, visit the event page on V Link or email studentunion@utrgv.edu.