The first live music event in Española hosted by Taos-based Awakening Productions took place at the Plaza on July 14.

Presented by Native Winds Radio, the event featured local musicians Bobby Madrid, Kenny Madina, Lluvia Negra and Northern Revolution. Local car clubs also exhibited vintage Chervolettes, Fords and other classic cars, and attendants voted on their favorite.

Native Winds Radio approached the city with the idea earlier this year. Similar events have taken place in Taos, Los Alamos and Santa Fe. 

Turnout was low, in part from the heat wave that rolled through the valley last weekend. But coordinators of the event are optimistic about the future.

“It’s ok for our first time I think,” said Glenda Martinez from Native Winds Radio, of Española, in an interview with the Rio Grande Sun. “Española doesn’t have anything like this. Next year, hopefully we can have bigger and better things.”

At sunset, the talleys were in for the crowd favorite car in the competition. The winner, a vintage baby blue Chevy convertible from Viejitos Car Club in Chimayó.

“Just to have the cars and the people passing and looking at them, it’s something you don’t see often,” said Viejitos Car Club Chimayo President Eppie Martinez. “We’re not about the shows. We’re all about community.”

The plaza will host two more Friday night music events this summer on July 28 and August 11, both of which will showcase a wider selection of vintage cars, vendors and caterers.

“It’s something that the valley needs,” Martinez said. “It brings communities together in one place to enjoy some local northern New Mexico music. It gives a little taste of the culture of the valley.”