Six months ago, I ventured onto a new path when I moved from Facilities Associate of the Watsonville Center for the Arts to becoming the Watsonville Arts Program Manager. With this change, I’ve been able to dig deep, get creative, focus, and dedicate myself to the work. It brought together several passions that I hold dear: community organizing, collaborating with other artists and arts organizations, and elevating and celebrating the arts in Watsonville. Now, with the launch of the Puertas Abiertas Artist in Residence Pilot Program, I’m thrilled to share how this initiative will further energize our community and make the Center a hub for creativity and connection.

As part of this work, I’m exploring how the Watsonville Center for the Arts can be a cultural hub for years to come. People and community members will be the force that keeps this place alive and thriving. This pilot Artist in Residence program is central to that vibrancy. The thinking is to highlight select artists and provide benefits to them like space, promotional material, and funding, while they help us by bringing folks together and into the Center. The more people who use the center and recognize it as a “go-to” spot, the better the center will be.

So, without further ado, I’d like to share with you all the work that has been brewing in the past few months. Arts Council Santa Cruz County is proud to introduce its inaugural Open Doors, Puertas Abiertas Artist in Residence Pilot Program at the Watsonville Center for the Arts.

Join us in congratulating our first two Artists in Residence, Xitlali Cabadas and Mario Velasquez! They share a clear vision of creating a safe, inclusive space where people from all walks of life can express themselves. “It doesn’t matter who you are, but the energy you bring to the space,” shares Mario. They both want to create a special place in their hometown.

Recognizing the historical disparity in resource allocation favoring North County, the Council continues its commitment to making intentional decisions to distribute energy, focus, and funding more equitably.

One key initiative is to elevate artists and arts organizations from Watsonville. Through the Puertas Abiertas residency, selected artists will receive promotion, and their events will be widely shared. Our goal is to enhance recognition of their work, providing them with the visibility and support necessary for advancement.

In addition, we aim to invigorate the Watsonville Center for the Arts by hosting events that engage and energize the broader community. This residency seeks to foster a vibrant space for creative exchange and community involvement.

Mario, a DJ who goes by Mars and co-founder of Casa Primos, has been shaking up the local scene for years. He’s excited about offering a new kind of gathering to Watsonville. “Finally, we might have something to do and look forward to in Watsonville,” he excitedly shares. When Mario found out about an opportunity to bring his music to the community, he didn’t hesitate. “I got excited to think of all the different types of music I can bring to the community.” With similar excitement, Xitlali reflected that “Santa Cruz and North County have these types of programs for artists, but they are not as available for artists in South County. It's a really good opportunity for me to continue gaining more experience, playing music for my community and offering a safe space for folks to come in and enjoy themselves.”

Beyond just spinning tracks, Mario believes his events serve a deeper purpose. “Resistance, recuperation, reenergizing in order to fight the system,” he states, highlighting the transformative power of music and dance. The idea of resistance through celebration is core to his philosophy—bringing people together to recharge and rise up against the injustices in the world. “That has always been the goal,” he shares.

For Xitlali, organizing events is about more than just fun—it’s about creating a space that reflects her values of community and social justice. “I’m excited to plan events with my own intentions, creating an environment that’s inclusive and equitable,” she explains. She appreciated the Arts Council's efforts to offer a platform for talented individuals who might not have the opportunity to showcase their work otherwise. “There are many people with talent, but not always the space to share it,”

Not only will Mario be focusing this residency on his DJ skills, but he will also be dedicating time to his live music. “I’ve been playing live music professionally for about 6 years now, and I probably wouldn’t have gotten into DJing if it wasn’t for that and my early work producing music in high school.” In addition to his work as a musician and DJ, Mario also writes music and acts and is an avid dancer, showcasing his versatility as an artist.

Both of these incredible individuals are eager to help the Arts Council's Watsonville Center for the Arts foster meaningful connections and actively engage the broader community.

Xitlali who sees herself more of a “musical curator” shares that “going out into the community and talking to people, going to community events, and going to the farmers market” are all great ways to bring the community in. “I think word of mouth is a really great opportunity not only to share but also create space for you to learn about who you are inviting and for them to learn about you. When you go out and talk to people you can have a more organic conversation”, she says.

Invite your friends and family to engage with our newest programming. You will have several opportunities to come and meet Xitlali and Mario here at the Watsonville Center for the Arts, their new home for the next 6 months.

Mark Your Calendars!

🔸 Mario Velasquez (DJ & Musician) – Catch him on the following dates:

• January 24th
• March 21st
• April 18th
• June 20th
  

🔸 Xitlali Cabadas (DJ/Music Curator & Community Advocate) – Join her for two special events:

• March 1st
• June 28th (to close out the residency and welcome summer!)

There’s so much I’m excited to share in the months ahead. Whether it’s integrating our center into downtown festivities, supporting the development of Watsonville’s upcoming arts master plan, advocating for increased city funding for the arts, or creating paid opportunities for artists to share their work, me siento bendecida de poder llamar a esto mi trabajo, I truly am blessed to be able to call this work. Having the Watsonville Center for the Arts as my home base makes this work that much better—a place that was created out of community need, where creativity and community come together to inspire and uplift.

So stay tunned, because you won’t want to miss all the great things that will be happening at the Watsonville Center for the Arts and in Watsonville.

Xitlali Cabadas

Xitlali Cabadas, known as SeaTlali, is a DJ/music curator, and community advocate from Watsonville, California, proudly rooted in her Mexican heritage. She grew up in a very close knit family household which instilled values of community care and empathy at a young age.

After high school, Xitlali followed the expected path of college but soon realized she struggled to define her passions and career goals. This led her to take a bold step back, dedicating a year to self-reflection and exploration. During this time, she became more involved in her community attending Brown Beret meetings and becoming a founding member of Revolunas, a women of color collective. Here she discovered her passion for working with youth and creating safe, empowering spaces. With over a decade of experience in schools and nonprofit youth programs, Xitlali has made a lasting impact on countless lives.

Now stepping into the next phase of her journey, SeaTlali is embracing her creative side through DJing and music curating, blending her love for music with her commitment to community. From a young age she was deeply inspired by R&B and loved exploring diverse musical genres like jazz, hip hop, soul, and funk. At this point in time she is eager to begin blending both her passion for music and community to build spaces where music and the arts can inspire connection, healing, and empowerment.

Mario Velasquez

Born in Santa Cruz and raised in Watsonville, California, Mario O. Velasquez has been surrounded by music and dance since the age of three. Now 24, Mario has explored a variety of artistic expressions—ranging from music creation, acting, and screenwriting, to DJing and dance—and he’s deeply committed to fostering creativity in his community.

Mario’s love for music began in the heart of his own family home, where live music was always part of the rhythm of family gatherings. He remembers childhood family events filled with the sound of drums being played, and how these musicians brought a unique energy that lifted everyone’s spirits. It’s that same energy and joy that Mario strives to bring to his work today.

As a DJ for Casa Primos, an entertainment business he co-founded in 2022 with his cousin, Mario has worked to create spaces where people can come together, dance, and leave their worries behind. By collaborating with local organizations, Mario provides opportunities for community members to express themselves through music and dance, keeping the traditions of joy and connection alive.

Mario’s artistry doesn’t stop there. He is constantly searching for like-minded communities who share his passion for the arts. One of his dreams is to one day form a band that blends the rich sounds of rumba, son, and mambo, creating music that honors his heritage while pushing creative boundaries.

Whether through DJing, collaborating with local groups, or dreaming of his next big musical project, Mario is dedicated to uplifting his community and spreading the power of music and dance to all. Keep an eye on this rising star as he continues to inspire and connect people through the arts!