Sara Ramirez Instagram – The first time I experienced Las Mariquitas- New York City’s only queer & trans salsa band- I recall their warm, electric, spirit & sounds magnetizing me into the room. The space was packed, the crowd was very inclusive. Bodies of all shapes & colors could not help but undulate to the vibrations of our ancestors/trancestors. From slow romantic tunes to fiery fast paced rhythms, Las Mariquitas has an uncanny ability to lay out a musical tapestry of pain, joy, & everything in between. I could sense the band was (and is) not only made up of some of the most beautiful, talented, queer people I’ve ever met, but unified for something more expansive than that space could contain. And there we all were, moving, singing & forcing the walls to contend with our unification through the music of Las Mariquitas. We danced, we sang, we connected. At one point Las Mariquitas descended from the stage into the crowd & opened the floor up for us to root each other on in our collective liberation. I knew in this moment I would be transformed forever. When Las Mariquitas plays, it’s not just for entertainment, it’s not just about the tight & vibrant sets they perform, it is – additionally- about power of the people & of Mother Nature. The space they inhabit is welcome to all. Las Mariquitas has, with their spellbinding & soaring melodies, arrangements, vocals & lyrics, touched my soul & I am forever changed & grateful. Do yourselves a favor:learn what it is to experience Las Mariquitas live. This is an invitation for you to savor the delicious taste of liberation through the power of salsa & Las Mariquitas band.  Pic 1: multicolored poster, with green lady bugs that reads “Feb.22.2024, Mariquitaverse, ft. Duendita, MiraMira, Gladstone Deluxe, 3 Dollar Bill, Doors 7pm, Showtime 7:30pm-3am, 260 Meserole St., Brooklyn, NY, Las Mariquitas” . Pic 2: Sara & @mariquitas.band @breakingthebinarytheatre’s Bliss in 2023 . Video1/2/3: Feb 17,2023. My first time @mariquitas.band @cmoneverybodybk with @qween_jean @trudy0nduty @blacktransliberation @adrianavergaraa @lola.machine Video3/4: Sept 22,2023 @mariquitas.band @qween_jean joins the band @cmoneverybodybk 🎥: @trudy0nduty