Magical Realism: Queer Caribbean Sounds

Join us as we close the Spring Queer Arts Festival (SQAF) 2025 with Magical Realism: Queer Caribbean Sounds, produced by Esotérica Tropical in partnership with Queer Cultural Center (QCC). Taking place at SOMArts, this closing event embodies the festival’s theme, Pleasure in the Storm, celebrating resilience, joy, and collective healing through sound and movement.

A visionary artist, (esotericatropical) transcends musical boundaries with her commanding voice, harp, and fusion of Bomba rhythms with electronic innovation. Named Best Bay Area Music 2024 by KQED, she leads this night of immersive sound and ritual alongside Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba ensemble (@bateytambo). The evening culminates in a high-energy reggaeton dance party with (@papelonpapelon), inviting all to move, release, and revel in the power of queer Caribbean rhythms.

In a world of uncertainty, Magical Realism creates a space of deep connection, sensory pleasure, and celebration. Come experience the magic—dance, heal, and close out NQAF 2025 with us!

is a queer Boricua bruja who transcends musical boundaries with her commanding voice, intuitive folk harp, and a fusion of Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba rhythms and electronic innovation. Her work boldly challenges colonial mentality, advocating for sovereignty and surrealism. A chance encounter with a Celtic harp on a Puerto Rican beach in 2009 transformed her from an acupuncturist into a genre-defying musical magician. Drawing on 20 years as a healer, Esotérica’s ritualistic performances have captivated audiences at major venues and festivals worldwide including, Festival Color Caribe, The Chapel (SF), MACLA (San Jose), Oakland Museum of California, Teatro Municipal de Cusco (Peru), Festival Color Caribe, Teatro el Supremo en CDMX, Mills College at Northeastern, Acción Latina, SOMArts, el Fiestón Cultural del Instituto de Cultura de PR and Brava Theater (SF). In 2022, she featured on Argentinian producer Chancha Via Circuito’s album La Estrella. Her self-titled debut album was named the Best Bay Area Music in 2024 by KQED, KALW, and White Crate.

is a Bay Area-based, women of color-led cultural group grounded in the centuries-old musical tradition of Afro-Indigenous Puerto Rican bomba, directed by Denise Solis and Julia Cepeda. Batey Tambó’s mission is to facilitate a discussion through teaching and sharing space for bomba bateys (communal spaces) that intervene discussion and practice on racial, gendered and geopolitical contexts by offering an opportunity for dialogue.

Straight from the Boricua underground, prominent music selector and vibe curator has been making asses twerk since 2016. Known for blending their Caribbean roots with hyper-pop and industrial sounds, they use inspiration from their life experiences to build sets with intentionality.

SOMArts is wheelchair accessible, with ADA-compliant restrooms and low-scent cleaning products. The venue is near several public transportation options:

• Bus: The 8th St & Brannan St stop, a 3-minute walk away, is served by routes 12, 19, and 9.
• BART: The Civic Center/UN Plaza station, served by the Blue, Red, and Yellow lines, is a 14-minute walk from SOMArts.
• Light Rail: The N line's King St & 4th St station is a 2-minute walk from the venue.

Please note that SOMArts does not have automatic doors at its main entrance.

ASL will be available. Masks are mandatory and will be available at the door.

Host or Publisher Queer Cultural Center