Selena Quintanilla-Pérez continues to be one of the most influential female Latinx artists.

Selena’s impact on culture went beyond Tejano music, a male-dominated industry where she thrived and opened a path for other women to make their mark. Her performances, fashion statements, and entrepreneurial vision turned a young woman into a 1990’s icon.

Selena’s birthday (April 16th, 1971) was designated Selena Day by former President George W. Bush, Governor of Texas, at the time of her death (March 31st, 1995). Today it’s a widely recognized national appointment to honor her vibrant legacy, a contribution that continues to encourage people of all generations.

Twenty-seven years after the senseless death of the Latinx idol, we honor her life every April 16th. This year Selena would have turned 51. Check out these awesome activities to celebrate Selena Day next Saturday, April 16th, 2022.

1. Listen to Selena

Selena’s music was her gift to us, so, speaking like a true fan, what better way to remember her than through her most popular songs: “Como la flor”, “Amor prohibido”, “El chico del apartamento 512”, “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom”, “No me queda más” and “Fotos y Recuerdos”. You can create a playlist with your favorite tunes and share it with your friends.
Whether you are interested in her greatest hits or her entire discography from start to finish, you can stream it on SoundCloud or YouTube. And if that weren’t enough, this year, Abraham Quintanilla (Selena’s father) has announced an album featuring new and old songs with a release date in April.

2. Selena on Screen

Another great way to spend Selena Day would be watching biopics. So put on your comfy clothes, prepare your favorite Mexican dishes, and enjoy Selena from the comfort of your home.
The first recommendation would be Selena (1997), a musical drama written and directed by Gregory Nava, starring Jennifer Lopez in her breakout role. It’s a critically-acclaimed film by experts and audiences alike. If you haven’t seen it, you won’t regret it!
If you prefer the small screen, you can watch Selena: The Series (2020) on Netflix, a two-season-long drama presenting Selena’s rise to fame and her family’s sacrifices along the way.

3. Selena on Paper

For those who love books, there are many options on Amazon: To Selena, with Love; A Father’s Dream; Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla, or The Life of Selena, a children’s book that hit Amazon’s bestseller list.
From the youngest family members to adults, everyone would enjoy the pleasure of a good story and a captivating read. Some include breathtaking illustrations and never-before-seen family photos too.

4. Dress Up, Makeup Like a Diva

Selena’s style remains a source of inspiration and creativity. For example, many fans reinterpreted her iconic purple jumpsuit over the years, and several best-selling MAC makeup collections prove it.
On Selena Day, gather your friends to dress and mimic her best makeup looks. Then, organize a cosplay contest or a fashion runway show; I promise you’ll have a blast!

5. Travel

To get the whole Selena experience, you could plan a trip to Texas where everything began. Her native Corpus Christi has held yearly events, including music festivals and tributes to the star. So her impact is a part of the history there.

According to the Dallas Observer, this year’s Selena Season is kicking off on March 25th, and it will end right in the heart of Oak Cliff at the Texas Theatre (338 W. Jefferson Blvd.). The Theatre and the Oak Cliff Cultural Center will pay homage at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday 16th to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 1997 Selena biopic by showing the movie.

Of course, you don’t want to miss the party observing Selena’s cultural phenomenon (your ticket includes attendance of a DJ set after the screening), so make sure to grab your tickets now.