By Megan Wadding, April 9, 2015.
Ana Bárbara, a Latin Grammy award-winning singer originally from San
Luis Potosi, Mexico, will headline the Phoenix Pride festival’s Main Stage at 7 p.m. April 11.
Best known for her regional Mexican music, grupera, Bárbara will be singing solely in her native Spanish during her Saturday evening set.
Photo courtesy of Phoenix Pride.
Through the translation of her manager, Bárbara, who is currently on tour, made time to chat with Echo ahead of her upcoming Pride performance.
Echo: How did you get involved with Phoenix Pride? Is this your first Pride event?
Bárbara: I jumped at the chance to perform for Phoenix Pride, when the opportunity was presented to me. Phoenix Pride will be my first performance ever at a gay Pride festival. I am also performing this year at Los Angeles Gay Pride in June.
Echo: What about headlining Phoenix Pride most excited you?
Bárbara: Well, this will be my first ever performance at a gay Pride event, so that makes me very excited and nervous at the same time. The gay community has high expectations and I will work hard to give them the best show possible. So far, all of the shows I have done on the gay club tour with Club Papi have been incredible and the support from the community was amazing.
Echo: Can you tell me a little about your national gay club tour?
Bárbara: I am on a tour of gay clubs with Club Papi Productions. We just finished the first phase of the tour with performances all over America in 12 amazing cities. Now we are in phase two with the upcoming gay pride events in Phoenix and Los Angeles and one last gay club show in Salt Lake City the day after my performance at Pride in Arizona.
Echo: Have you ever been to Phoenix before, or anywhere in Arizona?
Bárbara: Yes, and I loved it. Arizona is great. I love Phoenix and could absolutely see myself living here one day. Arizona was one of the places we did not visit on the national gay club tour, so [Pride] is definitely a great way for me to connect with my many fans in the state.
Echo: What is your fanbase in Arizona like? Are you in contact with your fans?
Bárbara: I have many amazing fans in Arizona, and I love hearing from them on social media (follow @AnaBarbaraMusic on Twitter) and AnaBarbaraOfficial on Facebook). I have gotten quite a few messages from fans in the state very excited for my upcoming performance at Pride. I can’t wait to see [them all] at Phoenix Pride.
Echo: What new projects do you have coming up? Any new music coming our way?
Bárbara: Currently, I am living in Los Angeles while filming for my role as a judge on the Estrella [television] show, “Tango Talento, Mucho Talento.” I have a very big musical project coming up, but right now it is a big surprise.
Echo: Where do you draw inspiration for your music?
Bárbara: My music is made from the heart. I pour so much of my soul into my songs.
Echo: What is your connection to the LGBT community? Do you have a big LGBT fanbase?
Bárbara: I have always had a lot of love and respect for the gay community. They have been so supportive of my career through all of the ups and downs. They have never abandoned me, and I love them all for that support. I have many friends who are gay, and support their ongoing struggle for equal rights worldwide.
Echo: Do you have any sort of message for the LGBT community?
Bárbara: Yes, I wish the community lots of love, peace and respect. Let liberty rain all over the LGBT community. I will always have your back in the fight for equal rights.