From Siempre Selena 2023 (Photo courtesy of Round-Up Saloon)
RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
The Round-Up Saloon’s annual Siempre Selena event — a day-long celebration with music, drag and festivities honoring the iconic Mexican-American singer Selena — will happen this Sunday, April 13. This year marks the sixth anniversary of the event, and it has grown significantly since its first iteration in the parlor bar.
Promoted by Round-Up staffer Gregory Castillo, this year the tribute party moves outside the club’s doors.
Siempre Selena has come a long way from the time Round-Up weekend manager Donnash Amrollah first started working at the club.
“It just keeps getting bigger each year. This time we’re expanding into the back parking lot to add more vendors in our market experience,” he said.
“My first day of work was at Siempre Selena in 2021,” Amrollah continued, “and ever since then, I see what the Round-Up is capable of.”
The event is like a one-day Selena-palooza, with a full schedule running from 4-9 p.m. Throughout the event, guests can enjoy drag performances with host Macarena, DJ sets and a dance party set to Selena’s hits as well as shop in the vendor market, which is held in partnership with Texas Latino Pride.
Last year, the Round-Up hosted its first tribute band for a live music element. And “this year, we are going to continue that with the band, Tejano Queen Forever,” Amrollah mentioned.
Don’t forget the bustiers and tight pants! Attendees are encouraged to come and serve their best Selena lewks for the “Selena Look-Alike Contest.”
Unlike other tributes, Siempre Selena honors the singer’s birth rather than her tragic passing with a joyful spirit highlighting the Latinx cultural impact. But the event also reminds of the singer’s appeal to the queer community.
“I think it’s her authenticity that appeals to the queer community,” Amrollah said. “She wanted to be a bridge of sorts, and you see that in her Mexican-American identity. She really was for the people, which I think makes her easy to connect with.”
What Madonna or Gaga are to perhaps Anglo or American queer communities, Selena was the equivalent for Spanish-speaking queers.
“She was that gay awakening for a lot of Latin people,” Amrollah said.
Over the years, the event has grown across the club from the karaoke room into the entire venue. The neighbors have gotten involved even.
“Back in 2022, we were able to get other bars involved, getting more support from our friends at Havana and Lava and, at the time, the Tap House,” Amrollah said.
Before Sunday’s event, Havana Lounge will host the Siempre SelenaDrag Brunch at 2 p.m. with host Mayra D’Lorenzo.
“This is a celebration of life and of the queen. We love seeing the new faces each year at Siempre Selena and our regulars as well for this fun, queer appreciation of her,” Amrollah said. “And with all that’s going on, this is still a free event.”
For more information, visit RoundUpSaloon.com.