At the heart of every great performance at The Soraya is a great artist. Some appear on the stage, and some are composers, choreographers, or others who act as inspiration across generations and geography. Please meet some of those creative powerhouses who elevate the 2025-26 Season.
In the early 1900s, Mexico’s cantinas were dominated by men. Chavela Vargas (1919-2012) changed that. As a teenager, she fled her family in Costa Rica, finding refuge in Mexico City, where the cigar-smoking, tequila-drinking, gender-bending singer boldly claimed Mexican rancheras and boleros for herself. Dressed in men’s clothing, Vargas brought a rugged voice and a solo guitar to the stories of love, heartbreak, and patriotism previously reserved only for male performers.
By the 1950s, Vargas had become legendary for her one-of-a-kind performances, as well as for her unconventional personal life. Alcoholism took her from the stage in the 1970s, but Vargas reemerged in the 1990s and launched a Latin Grammy-winning international comeback, championed by Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar. Vargas received a 2007 lifetime achievement award from the Latin Recording Academy for her distinctive interpretations of ranchera songs and her unique stage presence.
Vargas’ hard living did not cut short her life. She passed away at the age of 93.
Chavela y Sus Mujeres
Un Homenaje a Chavela Vargas
featuring Ofelia Medina, Eugenia León, Ely Guerra, LA Marisoul, Los Macorinos, Mariachi Gama 1000
Sat Apr 18 | 8PM
Sun Apr 19 | 3PM
Musical icon Chavela Vargas was known for her “rough voice of tenderness,” a reflection of her long life, much spent reveling in Mexico’s nightlife and cantinas. A cast of today’s most relevant and important Latina artists pays tribute to her unmistakable voice that spanned most of the 20th century and is remembered in hundreds of songs.
2025–26 SEASON JUST ANNOUNCED
The spotlight’s on our boldest season yet! From a reimagined Fiddler on the Roof, to a star-studded Tribute to Quincy Jones, and the electrifying return of Veronica Swift with the Pacific Jazz Orchestra, the stage is set for unforgettable moments.