[T]his summer saw the return of reggaeton music in multiple Chicago outdoor venues. While Grant Park’s first Sueños Festival brought fresh and trendy performers during Memorial Day weekend, the inaugural Mas Flow Fest in mid-July brought reggaeton legends like Don Omar, Ivy Queen, and Tego Calderon to a somewhat unusual location for the crowds this genre typically attracts—the sprawling Calumet Park.
Despite plenty of excitement surrounding the three-day festival, some logistical issues dampened what could have been an explosive event, namely the continuous rain forecast and not enough preparation to ensure all ticket holders had access to dry areas. Still, crowds of Latinx people picked their favorite performers to go see and the weather didn’t stop fans from getting a VIP-like view of the stages. With some tweaks and community input, Mas Flow Fest has the potential to become a highly popular event on the Southeast Side for years to come.
Luz Magdaleno Flores, also known as DJ Light of Your Vida, is a Chicana art curator, poet, textile artist, and fotógrafa based in Pilsen by way of Oxnard, California. She aims to evoke feelings of nostalgia and melancholy in everything she creates. IG @lightofyourvida