Opening Windows with Lila Downs
The iconic Mexican vocalist’s 2017 concert marked the beginning of Strathmore’s series dedicated to diving deeper.
By Stav Ziv
Lila Downs’s 2017 performance at Strathmore didn’t just captivate audiences. It marked the launch of a new educational initiative: the Windows series. Designed to deepen audience connections, Windows pairs select performances with complementary events that explore the artists’ work and perspectives beyond the stage.
A singer-songwriter, Downs is renowned for her distinctive voice and charismatic performances, blending traditional Mexican genres like rancheras and corridos with jazz, hip-hop, and American pop. Her latest album, 2023’s La Sánchez, is a tribute to the sounds of northern Mexico, maternal influences, and the dynamics of personal and social relationships. In On the Corner, SFJAZZ’s magazine, Downs described the album as her “contribution as a woman from the south who also considers the music of the north as her own and who would like to hear more female voices joining in.”
The daughter of a Mixtec mother and a Scottish-American father, Downs has spent nearly three decades using her platform to connect cultures, honor her roots, and advocate for social change. Themes of social justice, such as immigration and women’s rights, are woven throughout her music, reflecting her deep commitment to activism.
“Lila Downs has managed to create a singular artistic voice and retain her agency in a male-dominated industry and genre,” says Lauren Campbell, Strathmore’s vice president of education and community engagement. “She skillfully harnesses the power of her music to elevate issues like indigenous language rights, immigration, and women’s freedom. We wanted to hear local women artists speak to how they navigate questions of identity and integrate their artistry with social justice.”
The preshow event, Women Artists on the Intersection of Music, Politics, and Identity, featured a panel discussion with DMV-area artists Josanne Francis, Chao Tian, Irene Clouthier, and Lena Seikaly. Inspired by Downs’s integrity and activism, the panelists explored how they navigate pressures to represent their cultures and genders while maintaining their artistic freedom.
Since its debut with Downs, Windows has expanded significantly, from two events in 2017 to 11 this season. The series now includes interactive formats, such as dance workshops, cultural showcases, and community jams. For example, the April 2024 Calabash Arts Market celebrated West African arts ahead of Gambian kora player Sona Jobarteh’s concert with live music, dance, and artisan wares.
“These events aim to help audiences enter the performance with more context and richness,” Campbell explains, “making the experience more connected and meaningful.”
Over the past decade, Strathmore has been increasing international programming, with Windows highlighting diverse perspectives from global and American artists, including BIPOC, queer, and other underrepresented voices. While the series has expanded in size and scope, Joi Brown, Strathmore’s artistic director and vice president of programming, underscores that it remains driven by the artists. When Downs returns to Strathmore in March, Windows will feature a pan-Latin American market with local vendors, performers, and community organizations to celebrate her cultural impact.
Planning for Windows is one of the education team’s most anticipated meetings of the year. “It’s such an exciting challenge to explore all the dimensions of a performance and create pathways that help audiences dive deeper into the experience,” says Pablo de Oliveira, Strathmore’s education and community manager. His work includes partnering with local embassies, cultural organizations, and nonprofits to enhance selected performances and connect Strathmore with the broader community.
For example, collaborations with the Gambian embassy opened doors to educate DMV patrons about Jobarteh’s culture while a partnership with the Potomac Riverkeeper Network on Allison Miller’s River in Our Veins led to ongoing discussions on local water conservation.
“Our goal,” Campbell says, “is for people to be amazed by the richness and layers within every performance. I want them to leave marveling at how much there is to learn.”