Chingona Fest Texas: A Cultural Celebration That Resonates
Chingona Fest Texas took place at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
Natalia Torres/Ribbon Magazine
Speaking as a fellow Latina, there’s nothing more powerful than badass Latina women, and this year’s Chingona Fest proves it. The event showcases exactly what it means to be a fierce, unstoppable woman.
Returning to Austin, Texas after a five-year hiatus due to COVID-19, Chingona Fest is once again celebrating Latina cultural heritage with passion and pride. Chingona Fest Texas is an annual statewide music festival and conference with a focus on social impact. The festival traces its roots back to 2012 when Deena A. Trigo-Herrera, a fierce Latina inspired by Sandra Cisneros, sparked a movement in the Rio Grande Valley. Deena created a space for Latinas to unite, celebrate their culture, and empower one another.
In 2018, Denise Hernandez from Hustle for the Cause, collaborated with community leaders and Texas creatives to launch Chingona Fest Texas. Each year, Chingona Fest Texas continues to grow, attracting over 1,500 attendees and featuring more than 60 Latinx vendors from across the United States. This includes an all-women musical lineup, showcasing the powerful voices of chingonas and celebrating their incredible talent and strength.
This year, I had the honor of covering Chingona Fest for Ribbon Magazine, and it was an amazing experience packed with delicious food and vibrant vendors. As a Hispanic woman living away from home, the smell of mini tacos loaded with cilantro, green salsa, and chopped onions brought a wave of nostalgia and a mouthwatering sensation that reminded me of home. This year the event took place on Sept. 14th, 2024.
Paranormal Putas, Leah and Bethany, perch themselves at their stand at Chingona Fest the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
Natalia Torres/Ribbon Magazine
Before the festival kicked off, I had the chance to explore a few vendors, and it was truly a sight to behold. Each booth showcased handmade merchandise with a personal touch, reflecting the rich heritage and creativity of the artisans. The craftsmanship and cultural pride in every piece were unmistakable.
A couple of vendors piqued my curiosity, including the booth run by paranormal podcaster sisters Leah and Bethany, known as the Paranormal Putas. These two hermanas were born and raised on the East Side of Austin, Texas. As fourth-generation Mexican-Americans, they grew up listening to their father and uncles share campfire tales, sparking their curiosity about the paranormal. As they grew older, they began experiencing strange occurrences of their own and became avid fans of Ghost Adventures on the Travel Channel. During the pandemic, they decided to combine their love of family stories and paranormal TV to create a podcast that captures it all. Their unique blend of stories and supernatural intrigue made their presence stand out at the festival.
DJKICKIT launches off the festivities at Chingona Fest at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
Natalia Torres/Ribbon Magazine
The festival was underway as it got kicked off by DJ KICKIT, an energetic female DJ from Austin, Texas. Born in Mexico, DJ KICKIT has deep roots in Latino culture and pride. Her distinctive mixing style, which blends classic hip-hop, funk, and Latino favorites, has garnered nationwide recognition. She was recently featured on DJCITY Latino and Pitbull’s Globalization on SiriusXM, where she appeared on DJ Laz’s segment “Live From The 305”. In 2023, she was recently awarded a Proclamation by the City of Austin, declaring May 17th as “DJ KICKIT Day.” DJ KICKIT is also a motivational speaker, empowering others through her messages of resiliency and entrepreneurship throughout Texas. Her music, featuring a seamless blend of classic hip-hop and recognizable Latin favorites, kicked off the festivals with a bang. The vibrant mix set an energetic tone for the day, igniting a contagious excitement that lingered throughout the festival. Her ability to fuse genres and keep the audience engaged demonstrated her remarkable talent and set the stage for an unforgettable event.
Angélica Rahe took the stage as she sang at Chingona Fest at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
Natalia Torres/Ribbon Magazine
Soon, the festival buzzed with music and dancing as Angélica Rahe took the stage, following DJ KICKIT. After touring the world supporting Kali Úchis as her musical director, background vocalist and guitarist while opening for Lana Del Rey in 2018, Angélica Rahe set off to establish herself as a solo artist. In 2020 she delivered REINA, a debut album that was called “intoxicatingly smooth” by Austin Monthly. Her latest single “Dale Nena,” which was released this year on International Women’s Day, is a celebration of feminine strength and resilience, a key theme in her music and mission. The songstress's performance was electrifying, especially as she delivered captivating renditions of her songs, including "Reina." Her energy was infectious, drawing the audience into every note and beat. With each song, she not only showcased her vocal talent but also connected deeply with the crowd. Angélica’s style was unique just like her music as she dressed in a black long sleeve see through with floral embroidery along with a pinkish skirt to the aesthetic. The atmosphere was charged with excitement, and her performance truly elevated the festival experience, leaving everyone eagerly anticipating her next appearance.
Que Rico T-Shirt Co. display their unique merchandise at Chingona Fest at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
Natalia Torres/Ribbon Magazine
After taking a break from the musical lineup, I set out to explore more and discovered another quaint booth led by best friends Roman Flores and Isaac Padilla in their business, Que Rico T-Shirt Co. Aiming to create an appeal company that celebrated their Latino heritage, including Latino pop culture influences from their time growing up in Abilene, Texas. These shirts and items featured cute and hilarious sayings like “Hay Comida en la Casa” and “¡Eye te watcho!”—phrases I used to hear from my mom while growing up. They served as a nostalgic and humorous reminder of my roots. Their pieces were truly a touching reminder of home, filled with heartfelt items that resonated deeply and made them warmly familiar.
(Left to right) Kiki Avilez, Jessica Garza, Joseph Nevarez, Anais Tavira, Denise D. Hernandez, and Director José M. A. Velásquez speak at the at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
Natalia Torres/Ribbon Magazine
As the sun reached its peak just before 2 pm, José Velásquez, the Community Engagement Director for Chingona and Austin City Council Member, took the stage alongside the team that made the festival possible. This year, Velásquez warmly welcomed all the “Chingonas” and emphasized the importance of celebrating the powerful women behind the festival’s success. He acknowledged their contributions and expressed the joy of honoring their strength and dedication in making the event a reality. Velásquez gave a huge shoutout to all the vendors and musicians who came together to celebrate the event, acknowledging their vital role in making the festival a vibrant and successful celebration.
Singer Stephanie Bergara singing “Remember the Alamo” at Chingona Fest at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
Natalia Torres/Ribbon Magazine
The performers continued to dazzle the crowd as Stephanie Bergara took the stage. A solid performer of 20 years, singer-songwriter Stephanie Bergara was a treat to listen to. As the lead singer of a Texas-based Selena Tribute band BIDI BIDI BANDA, she has shared her love of performing with record breaking audiences across the United States. Drawing inspiration from iconic performers like Selena and Linda Ronstadt, Bergara combines deeply personal lyrics with melodies to craft a narrative of fierce empowerment and pure vulnerability. Stephanie is set to release her debut EP in early 2025. She added a country twang that shone brightly as she wore her Queen of Hearts card-inspired boots, bringing a unique and stylish flair to her performance. She sang “Remember the Alamo” along with other country and Latino hits, blending genres in a way that captivated the audience and showcased her diverse musical influences.
JZD offers one-of-a-kind merchandise at Chingona Fest at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
Natalia Torres/Ribbon Magazine
This festival continued as I delved deeper into the festival, discovering even more vibrant vendors such as JZD, a Queer Latina-owned lifestyle brand run by queer couple Jen and Vero. Jen moved to the US from Mexico at 7 years old and Vero is a first-generation Mexican-American. Starting JZD with no money, they kept carrying on until November 2014, when Jen created the Pink Latina Power Tee that launched JZD on Etsy. Little by little, JZD started to grow into the powerhouse company that it is each time a Latina would post photos in a JZD Tee and an influx of orders and customers. The sweatshirts and Tees were decorated with Spanish sayings embroidered into the fabric leaving a unique design along with other merchandise including uniquely styled tote bags and snapback hats with Latino sayings like “no pasa nada club”.
As I kept exploring, I also discovered another unique brand calling themselves Dope Culture, a nail salon brand founded in 2021 by Abigail Tovar and Lisset Velasquez. With their unique nail art and intricate designs, Dope is more than just a salon to them—it's a Latina empire. Every brushstroke and design reflects a deep sense of pride in their heritage, turning the salon into a community hub where art meets identity. It’s a place where clients aren’t just getting their nails done; they’re stepping into a space that celebrates resilience, ambition, and the vibrant spirit of Latina entrepreneurship.
(Left to right) The Tiarras: Tori, Sophia and Tiffany Baltierra performing at Chingona Fest at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
Natalia Torres/Ribbon Magazine
The festival was a lively and energetic experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed the performances and festivities. The excitement continued with the next lineup, as a trio of sisters took the stage as The Tiarras, bringing just as much enthusiasm and talent to the crowd. Hailing from a proud Mexican-American heritage, The Tiarras—Tori, Sophia, and Tiffany Baltierra—are literally a band of sisters who seamlessly blend genres and cultural influences. Their music weaves together elements of rock, Latin, pop, soul, reggae, and blues, resulting in eclectic beats. The band brought an infectious, soulful energy to the festival, drawing people to the dance floor with ease. Their set was filled with memorable moments, including a heartfelt rendition of “Como La Flor” by the legendary Selena, which captivated the crowd. They also showcased their original music, performing tracks like “Soy Chingona,” leaving the audience entranced by their electrifying rock and roll vibe.
If I had to describe the Chingona Festival in one word, it would be thrilling. As someone who’s living away from home for the next nine months, this festival felt like a long-awaited breath of fresh air, an experience that brought both excitement and a sense of belonging. It was all so familiar and touching to experience firsthand as it all linked back to who I am and where I came from. It was a powerful reminder of my roots, making the festival even more meaningful to me personally.
