LI Woman Hopes To 'Bridge 2 Worlds' With Guatemalan Music Contest

GREENPORT, NY — A young Long Island woman has found a unique way to use a shared love of music to bridge two cultures in both Long Island and Guatemala.

Rosario Rodriguez, 25, is a Guatemalan filmmaker and content creator from the North Fork. She organized the music contest, "Palencia Fest," to back and to support the local music artists that have passion for, and talent in, the world of music, she said.

The event takes place in Guatemala on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 11:30 a.m. Contestants must be 16-40 years old, reside in Palencia, a town in Guatemala, have a social media account such as Facebook and Instagram, and have an email.

Three prizes of 700 quetzales, or around $100 USD, will be awarded; prizes include a professional music video or professional mixed and mastered song.

Discussing how the idea was born, Rodriguez said she pitched the idea to her longtime friend and film partner, Charlie Ehrman, who she created a short documentary with in Guatemala named “En Mi Camino.”

She then teamed up with her cousin, a digital artist, Marielos Gonzalez, and 17-year-old rapper Abigail Lemus, who runs a local freestyle rap group in Guatemala, in August.

"At first, it was an idea and now, it has grown into something bigger — there are about 25 sign-ups," she said.

The execution of the event became possible with the help of Palencia Mayor Beto Reyes and his team.

As for the United States team, the event was made possible with the help of Svani Quintanilla, a DJ and music producer from Texas who brings Cumbia — folkloric music and dance from Colombia — to modern times as an homage to his aunt and beloved star Selena Quintanilla-Perez. Quintanilla-Perez was shot and killed by her once-friend and fan club president, Yolanda Saldívar, on March 31, 1995, when she was just 23.

Also involved is David Berson, who runs a non-profit that focuses on educational programs through experiences on his vessel, the Glory, in Greenport, she said.

Rodriguez hopes to bring her two worlds together as one.

"Being born in Guatemala and raised in the States has offered a lot of perspective and gratitude," she said. "It's a reminder of my beginnings and roots, which was the biggest reason why I created Palencia Fest. I wouldn’t be where I’m at if it wasn’t for the people that believed in me and helped me throughout my film career and life. So now, I’m hopefully being that support and encouragement for my people in Guatemala."

She added: "I’m a huge believer that music bridges the gap between worlds and communities. You don't need to know the language in order to feel the music inside and through you. So what better way than combining my town in Long Island with my town in Guatemala, through the music contest?"

What makes the contest especially meaningful is that many community members on the North Fork come from the same town in Guatemala, Rodriguez added.

"Combining non-English speakers and non-Spanish speakers will bring more compassion, cultural awareness, cultural exposure and more importantly, a lifetime experience for both — and bring North Forkers to Guatemala."

Telling people's stories humanizes them and creates bridges of understanding, Rodriguez said.

"I feel as though people understand more by seeing and visualizing the stories that are being told, or the lack of, hence why my passion is filmmaking," she said.

The performances will be available on Rodriguez's social media platforms for those who cannot physically attend the event in Latin America.

The event is just one of many Rodriguez has planned to bring cultures together.

"My goal is to continue to use my passion, my work and dedication to be able to share on both sides of where I grew up. Representation truly makes a difference," she said. "Seeing yourself in someone else gives you the motivation, drive and discipline to keep moving forward. Latin America has limited resources, depending on where you come from and especially what education you are able to get. Hopefully, I can bridge to worlds with my community here in the United States in Guatemala by creating some sort of programs either artistically, educationally and much more in the future."

The results of the contest will be revealed at the end of February, Rodriguez said.

The hope is that the seeds of understanding can be planted, she added.

“Being able to bridge these two worlds together will not help Guatemalan Americans feel seen in America — but in a way, it will bring a sense of 'home' to each place.”

History taught in the United States focuses on the Mexican experience and not as fully on that of those living in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Panama, Rodriguez said. Hence, having that cultural awareness and experience is a positive, she added.

Telling one another's stories will help people understand the immigrant experience, much like her own, Rodriguez said. "It's not about physically being seen, but instead, the cultural experience, another reason I want to actually bring people to Guatemala. A lot of people don't know what any place looks like other than Cancun resorts. They don't know what's like to be these people — what they've lived through. What life is really like, for a lot of us. It's more of an understanding."

Rodriguez, who participated in the Manhattan Film Institute's two-week program in 2019 as an intern, when the Greenport High School graduate was still studying at SUNY Oneonta, said the experience changed her life.

The daughter of a North Fork farm-working family, Rodriguez said the MFI experience taught her all about how to direct short films, edit, and safely handle camera equipment, as well as the physical fundamentals of production.

"My end goal is to be a filmmaker or a content creator for the Latino community," she said. She's inspired to shape her work and give voice to the Latino community.

The demographics of Greenport, Rodriguez said, reflect a burgeoning Latino community.

"I’m a big believer in representation," she said. "This is a great way to help people understand and remove stigmas and stereotypes in the community. Storytelling, filmmaking is one of the great ways to expose people and show what our community is like — our struggles and our triumphs, as well."

For tickets and information about Palencia Fest, click here.