FridaFest 2024
“VIVA LA MUJER!”
JULY 27
The City of Edinburg invites the community to mark their calendars for July 27, as downtown Edinburg comes alive with the vibrant art and wellness extravaganza, FridaFest. Set against the backdrop of the city’s new Arts, Culture, and Events Center (A.C.E.), FridaFest celebrates women's empowerment and honors the legacy of Frida Kahlo while embracing themes of healing, belonging and the rich tapestry of Edinburg's cultural scene. The festivities will take place from 5:30 to 11 p.m.
This year's FridaFest is themed around art and wellness, marking the culmination of Edinburg's participation in the Arts for Every Body Initiative. Edinburg was one of 18 cities nationwide selected to improve community health and wellness through the arts. On July 27, all 18 cities will join in an evening of celebration, premiering large-scale participatory art projects inspired by the theme "No place like home."
The excitement kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with the premiere of the original musical ¡Despierta! at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium, starring 75 community members. Following the musical, the community is invited to the FridaFest Artist Exhibit Reception in the Edinburg City Hall lobby, showcasing a collection of artworks by talented local female artists.
The FridaFest outdoor grounds, including the Edinburg City Hall Courtyard, the City Hall Lobby, and the East McIntyre Promenade, will be filled with inspiring art, live art demonstrations, health and wellness partners, local performers, Frida-inspired models, mariachi and folkloric performances, fun photo ops, kiddie rides, and a children's activity area.
An electrifying musical experience will take place featuring Ache de Barrio, the Valley’s premier party band known for its high-energy performances. Headlining the event is the dynamic group Jenny & the Mexicats. This innovative band masterfully blends flamenco, jazz, folk, and cumbia, delivering captivating songs in both English and Spanish. Attendees can look forward to a night of unforgettable music and vibrant rhythms.
FridaFest will once again host the annual Frida Look-A-Like Contest, open to children, teens, and adults. For more information, contest details, and registration, please visit edinburgarts.com/fridafest.
The festival also features a chalk art competition. Artists interested in competing can register at edinburgarts.com/fridafest. Participants will be allocated a 5' by 5' space to showcase their skills, with the top three winners receiving cash prizes: $250 for 1st place, $150 for 2nd place, and $100 for 3rd place. The proposed art should celebrate women and be Frida-inspired.
Returning this year is the FridaRiders Caravan in partnership with the South Texas Motorcycle Museum. Female riders can register for free at edinburgarts.com/fridafest. The best-dressed Frida Rider will be selected as people's choice in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. The MotoShow will line up at FridaFest, where attendees can take pictures with the bikes and riders.
Don't miss this unforgettable celebration of art, culture, and community at FridaFest!
Contact:
General Info: sgonzalez@cityofedinburg.com Vendor Inquiries: Eguevara@cityofedinburg.com
ABOUT FRIDA KAHLO
Frida Kahlo is one of Mexico's most famous artists and also a popular feminist icon, celebrated for her passionate indomitability in the face of life's trials. She's best known for her daring self-portraits depicting the suffering she experienced in her personal life. Frida Kahlo had polio as a child; at the age of 18 she broke her right leg and pelvis in a horrific bus accident, leading to a lifetime of chronic pain. Partially immobile after the accident, Kahlo began painting in the late 1920s.
She married famed muralist Diego Rivera in 1929 and together they traveled to the United States, staying in Detroit and New York City in the early 1930s. Kahlo had exhibitions of her paintings in New York City and Paris in the 1930s and associated with some of the most famous painters in the world. Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera were both known for their rocky marriage and in 1940 they divorced for a short time before remarrying. During the 1940s, Frida Kahlo gained international recognition for her colorful and sometimes graphic paintings (as well as for her bold public persona), but she continued to have health problems. She died in 1954, just after her 47th birthday.
In Edinburg, we celebrate FridaFest, a Women’s Empowerment, Art & Wellness Festival to celebrate womanhood and to send a powerful message to future generations of girls and young women that their dreams, aspirations, and voices are valid and valuable.
FridaFest is inspired by the iconic, Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist who despite physical and emotional trauma was able to persevere and flourish to become one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Here are some reasons why Frida is commemorated:
An Internationally Recognized Artistic Legacy: She became the first Mexican artist to have a solo exhibition at the prestigious Louvre Museum in Paris, her work is known worldwide.
A Feminist Icon: Frida fearlessly explored themes of gender, identity, and challenging societal norms and expectations. Her unapologetic portrayal of the female experience resonates with many women and continues to inspire generations.
A Cultural Representative: Frida Kahlo’s work is deeply rooted in Mexican culture and heritage. Frida’s art has become a symbol of Mexican identity and pride, both within Mexico and globally.
Inspiring Disability Advocacy: Frida Kahlo’s life was marked by numerous health struggles due to a bus accident she experienced as a teenager, she endured multiple surgeries and lived with chronic pain. Despite her physical limitations, Frida refused to let her disability define her. Her resilience and determination inspire people with disabilities worldwide, emphasizing the importance of embracing one’s individuality and overcoming adversity.
Iconic Self-Portraits: Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits are some of her most iconic and recognizable works. Through these self-portraits, she not only captured her physical appearance but also expressed her emotions, dreams, and struggles making her the first ever “Selfie Queen”.
Frida Kahlo’s accomplishments extend beyond this list, but these points highlight some of her most significant contributions to the art world, feminism, disability advocacy, and cultural representation. Her legacy continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.