The Jardin Principal was filled to the max — locals, tourists and ex-pats — all waiting for this one woman, Lila Downs. I squeezed in as close to the stage as I could get. A beautifully decorated microphone, with orange and pink flowers, marigolds, native to Mexico, stood silent in the center.     As the 9pm hour approached cheers from the crowd rang through the square in anticipation: “Lila, Lila, Lila.”

In a matter of moments the band came on stage playing their instruments, followed by Lila making a grand entrance wearing a traditional colorful Mexican costume, glowing, singing, and dancing her way to the flowery microphone. Her powerful voice filled the air and long-held notes sounded in every direction through the entire Jardin. Lila wore her hair in several long pigtails, of indigenous origin. Engaging with the audience on all sides of the stage, she spun around and round round waving a scarf, which often can be seen in Mexican folk dance.

Lighting up the colorful televised stage with “Son de Difuntos.” segueing into “Son del Chile Frito,” the crowd joined in, dancing and waving scarves along with her.

Lila performed a wide array of songs in Spanish, English and also from her indigenous Mixtec roots. A song in English was called “Dear Someone” which she wrote with Norah Jones and dedicated to her late husband and musical partner Paul Cohen, a jazz saxophonist who recently passed away. At the same time, Lila also mentioned Gabriel Hernandez, Bobby Kaplan and Ken Bassman, all San Miguel jazz performers.

Covering a diversity of musical styles ranging from folk to jazz to Ranchero, she also incorporated a wide array of social issues.As an encore she draped a shawl over her head to perform the classic Mexican folk song  “La Llorona” (The Weeping Woman), often associated with November 2, Day of the Dead. Lila is a voice of strength for all women that continue to fight for equal rights in the face of adversity.

Lila is a passionate social activist as well as a songwriter, combining her lyrics and music to address issues around immigration, the border and indigenous cultures. She tells the stories of people whose voices often go unheard.

Lila Downs has appeared numerous times on NPR in the US, as well as Democracy Now, giving interviews and live performances, expressesing her views through her music.  Much of her past work is relevant to the world today. “I’ve learned to respect the mysterious force of music, and been humbled by it. It’s such an important vehicle to learn and appreciate who we are, also to forgive and work out matters of emotion and identity.”  Lila Downs.

Follow the links below to learn more about Lila Downs:

‍https://www.democracynow.org/2017/6/29/mexican_singer_lila_downs_in_conversation?jwsource=clhttps://youtu.be/5O8o53SdEqs?si=8evA_92L_6asllWd

‍https://www.npr.org/2023/10/15/1205950967/grammy-award-winner-lila-downs-on-her-most-personal-album-yet

‍https://www.npr.org/2019/08/13/750821660/mexican-folk-fusion-artist-lila-downs-on-the-soundscape-of-home

The Jardin Principal was filled to the max — locals, tourists and ex-pats — all waiting for this one woman, Lila Downs. I squeezed in as close to the stage as I could get. A beautifully decorated microphone, with orange and pink flowers, marigolds, native to Mexico, stood silent in the center.     As the 9pm hour approached cheers from the crowd rang through the square in anticipation: “Lila, Lila, Lila.”

In a matter of moments the band came on stage playing their instruments, followed by Lila making a grand entrance wearing a traditional colorful Mexican costume, glowing, singing, and dancing her way to the flowery microphone. Her powerful voice filled the air and long-held notes sounded in every direction through the entire Jardin. Lila wore her hair in several long pigtails, of indigenous origin. Engaging with the audience on all sides of the stage, she spun around and round round waving a scarf, which often can be seen in Mexican folk dance.

Lighting up the colorful televised stage with “Son de Difuntos.” segueing into “Son del Chile Frito,” the crowd joined in, dancing and waving scarves along with her.

Lila performed a wide array of songs in Spanish, English and also from her indigenous Mixtec roots. A song in English was called “Dear Someone” which she wrote with Norah Jones and dedicated to her late husband and musical partner Paul Cohen, a jazz saxophonist who recently passed away. At the same time, Lila also mentioned Gabriel Hernandez, Bobby Kaplan and Ken Bassman, all San Miguel jazz performers.

Covering a diversity of musical styles ranging from folk to jazz to Ranchero, she also incorporated a wide array of social issues.As an encore she draped a shawl over her head to perform the classic Mexican folk song  “La Llorona” (The Weeping Woman), often associated with November 2, Day of the Dead. Lila is a voice of strength for all women that continue to fight for equal rights in the face of adversity.

Lila is a passionate social activist as well as a songwriter, combining her lyrics and music to address issues around immigration, the border and indigenous cultures. She tells the stories of people whose voices often go unheard.

Lila Downs has appeared numerous times on NPR in the US, as well as Democracy Now, giving interviews and live performances, expressesing her views through her music.  Much of her past work is relevant to the world today. “I’ve learned to respect the mysterious force of music, and been humbled by it. It’s such an important vehicle to learn and appreciate who we are, also to forgive and work out matters of emotion and identity.”  Lila Downs.

Follow the links below to learn more about Lila Downs:

‍https://www.democracynow.org/2017/6/29/mexican_singer_lila_downs_in_conversation?jwsource=clhttps://youtu.be/5O8o53SdEqs?si=8evA_92L_6asllWd

‍https://www.npr.org/2023/10/15/1205950967/grammy-award-winner-lila-downs-on-her-most-personal-album-yet

‍https://www.npr.org/2019/08/13/750821660/mexican-folk-fusion-artist-lila-downs-on-the-soundscape-of-home