Moving into this circular structure will activate one of two programs.
The first program begins with on-screen text that reads: Selena’s songs still inspire many to consider: What does it mean to stay true to your roots?
The first song, “Like a Flower,” 1992, begins with Selena singing in Spanish: “Como la flor.”
With her hair in bangs and falling straight and full down her back, she wears a sparkling purple jumpsuit with a crisscross halter-top. She sings on stage, holding a wireless microphone in front of a crowd at the Houston Astrodome. An on-screen quote from Selena reads: “I feel very proud to be Mexican.”
The second song, “Dance This Cumbia,” 1990, begins with Selena singing in Spanish: “Siento algo que me mueve/I feel something that moves me.”
With her straight hair brushed back, she wears a full-shouldered, rhinestone-trimmed purple jacket over a sparkling bra top and black pants. She sings and dances on a darkened stage in the glare of a spotlight. On-screen text reads: “Tejano music . . . reminds me of home.”
The third song, “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” 1994, begins with Selena singing in Spanish: “Y se emociona/The excitement is building.”
With her wavy hair brushed back, she wears a white short-sleeved crop top and wrap skirt. She sings with dozens of dancers outside on the Santa Monica pier, the Pacific Ocean sparkling behind her. An on-screen quote from Selena reads: “I don’t feel pressure because I’m not trying to portray something I’m not.”
The first program ends with on-screen text that reads: Selena’s songs got us talking about identity.
The second program begins with on-screen text that reads: Selena’s songs still inspire many to consider: What does it mean to stay true to your roots?
The first song, “Forbidden Love,” 1994, begins with Selena singing in Spanish: Amor prohibido murmran por las calles/Forbidden love they murmur through the streets.”
With her long hair brushed back, she sings outdoors in a rocky desert with colorful, free-standing set pieces designed to suggest a window and a doorway. Scenes fade in and out, showing her by the window in a black leather vest, against the scenery in a flouncy white blouse, in the doorway in a red shirt tied above her midriff—and once in the arms of a young man with tousled hair wearing a black t-shirt. An on-screen quote from Selena reads: “We are all equal.”
The second song, “Dreaming of You,” 1995, begins with Selena singing: “I’ll be dreaming of you tonight.”
Clips in close-up show Selena singing and laughing—some in slow motion. These alternate with clips of hundreds of fans holding small flickering candles—some wiping away tears—as they mourn the singer’s untimely death. An on-screen quote from Selena reads: “The goal isn’t to live forever but to create something that will.”
The program ends with on-screen text that reads: Selena’s songs got us talking about identity.