Last Sunday, October 7, Atlanta’s Latinx Arts and Music Festival, OYE Fest, took place in Old Fourth Ward Park. Held in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, since 2017, the festival has spotlighted locally based talent and provided a platform for artists and social justice activists within the Hispanic community. Grammy Award winner – and this year’s recipient of the Billboard Latin Women in Music Pioneer Award – La India, headlined this year’s festival with her powerhouse vocals. The lineup featured other vibrant artists, like El Bam, Cristina, and Daniz. In addition to the live performances, there were art installations, interactive games, and a vendor market representing a wide variety of Hispanic culture.
The festival kicked off at 1 p.m., and though it was early afternoon, the energy was high and the music sets were hypnotizing. Atlanta-based singer Cristina graced the stage, performing many of her popular hits, including “Déjame Vivir.” Singer and rapper El Bam soon followed, hyping the crowd up with catchy songs such as “Los Turros Mas Pegados” and “ATL H*E.” El Bam’s commanding stage presence and bold cadence in his lyrics showcased his talent and love for the Atlanta hip-hop music scene. Later, Venezuela-born singer and dancer Daniz strutted on stage, performing with a melodic voice and a bubbly personality.
Another enjoyable element of the festival was the broad range of diverse artists and vendors who knew just how to put a smile on one’s face. Edgar Lituma, owner of the art brand Litumaism, hails from Ecuador and specializes in making prints and colorful designs. When asked about what inspires him in his work, he responded, “I’ve always been close to my heritage and family. [OYE Fest] is a culmination of all the Latin American cultures here…you see the history, the culture, the love and struggle. It’s beautiful.”
Another artist, Dez, founder of jewelry brand, Gems by Mocha, says this was her second time hosting a booth at the festival. When asked what she loves most about OYE Fest, she smiled and answered, “It reminds me of a piece of me. Whenever I put my necklace on, I feel connected to my country in Panama.”
There was even an informational booth for Latinx voters about the upcoming presidential election, with volunteer opportunities to raise awareness about Project 2025 and details on Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. With sources proclaiming this upcoming election to be one of the closest in history, it’s all the more important for social justice activism to take place in venues like this one and to inspire an energized Get Out the Vote effort.
Though the OYE Festival only takes place once every year, its impact on the Atlanta community remains strong in our minds and hearts. Whether you’re looking for a safe space to relax and enjoy music and art, or you’re just looking for a nice Sunday rendezvous, this event was definitely worth coming to. The word ‘Oye,’ – which means “to listen” in Spanish – is a reminder that all cultures from every walk of life are worth honoring and celebrating.
