ArtistDirect News
Piscataway Hosts Selena Quintanilla Tribute Concert Featuring Rayella Cruz
Piscataway, N.J. – The township’s 2026 Summer Concert Series will honor the legacy of Selena Quintanilla on Thursday, August 1, with a free performance by vocalist Rayella Cruz at the Columbus Park Extension Gazebo.
Cruz will take the stage at 7 p.m. to deliver a tribute to the late Mexican‑American singer known as the “Queen of Tejano Music.” The event is presented by the Piscataway Cultural Arts Advisory Commission and follows last week’s appearance by the local group The Kolor Blynd Band, which played an eclectic mix of R&B, soul, pop, and jazz.
Selena Quintanilla (April 16, 1971 – March 31, 1995) was a pioneering Tejano artist whose recordings in the 1990s brought the genre to a national audience. She released several albums that topped the Billboard Regional Mexican chart and earned her the Tejano Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year nine times in a row. Her post‑humous album Dreaming of You debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making her the first Latin artist to achieve that milestone.
Cruz, a local vocalist who has performed Selena tribute shows in 2018 and 2025, will perform a selection of the singer’s most iconic songs. The Cultural Arts Advisory Commission has organized the Summer Concert Series since 2024, offering free outdoor concerts at Columbus Park Extension and other venues throughout the township.
The Columbus Park Extension Gazebo is a popular gathering spot for community events. Residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating and to enjoy the music under the evening sky. In case of inclement weather, the township’s weather hotline (732‑562‑2389) will provide updates on the concert’s status.
The series aims to showcase a variety of musical styles while celebrating local talent. The Kolor Blynd Band’s previous performance highlighted the township’s diverse musical heritage, and the Selena tribute continues that tradition by spotlighting a figure who shaped Latin music in the United States.
The event is part of a broader effort by the Cultural Arts Advisory Commission to promote cultural awareness and community engagement. The commission, a township board, oversees public arts programming, including festivals, performances, and educational initiatives.
Selena’s influence extends beyond her recordings. She was also a fashion designer and business owner, and her style earned her the nickname “Tejano Madonna.” Her death in 1995 at the age of 23, caused by a gunshot from her former manager, shocked the music world. In the years since, her music has continued to be celebrated in tribute concerts, films, and television series.
The August 1 concert will be free to the public, with no admission fee. Attendees are advised to arrive early to secure a spot, as the gazebo has limited seating. The event is scheduled to run until approximately 9 p.m., after which the stage will be closed.
The Piscataway Summer Concert Series is scheduled to continue through the summer, with additional performances planned at other venues. The series is funded in part by the township’s arts budget and supported by local sponsors.
For those unable to attend in person, the township has indicated that live streaming of the event may be available on the Piscataway community television channel, though no official streaming link has yet been released.
The Selena tribute is a reminder of the enduring impact of Latin artists on the American music landscape and the role of community events in preserving that legacy.
The event is set for Thursday, August 1, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Columbus Park Extension Gazebo. Residents can expect a night of music, community, and remembrance.
Cruz will take the stage at 7 p.m. to deliver a tribute to the late Mexican‑American singer known as the “Queen of Tejano Music.” The event is presented by the Piscataway Cultural Arts Advisory Commission and follows last week’s appearance by the local group The Kolor Blynd Band, which played an eclectic mix of R&B, soul, pop, and jazz.
Selena Quintanilla (April 16, 1971 – March 31, 1995) was a pioneering Tejano artist whose recordings in the 1990s brought the genre to a national audience. She released several albums that topped the Billboard Regional Mexican chart and earned her the Tejano Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year nine times in a row. Her post‑humous album Dreaming of You debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making her the first Latin artist to achieve that milestone.
Cruz, a local vocalist who has performed Selena tribute shows in 2018 and 2025, will perform a selection of the singer’s most iconic songs. The Cultural Arts Advisory Commission has organized the Summer Concert Series since 2024, offering free outdoor concerts at Columbus Park Extension and other venues throughout the township.
The Columbus Park Extension Gazebo is a popular gathering spot for community events. Residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating and to enjoy the music under the evening sky. In case of inclement weather, the township’s weather hotline (732‑562‑2389) will provide updates on the concert’s status.
The series aims to showcase a variety of musical styles while celebrating local talent. The Kolor Blynd Band’s previous performance highlighted the township’s diverse musical heritage, and the Selena tribute continues that tradition by spotlighting a figure who shaped Latin music in the United States.
The event is part of a broader effort by the Cultural Arts Advisory Commission to promote cultural awareness and community engagement. The commission, a township board, oversees public arts programming, including festivals, performances, and educational initiatives.
Selena’s influence extends beyond her recordings. She was also a fashion designer and business owner, and her style earned her the nickname “Tejano Madonna.” Her death in 1995 at the age of 23, caused by a gunshot from her former manager, shocked the music world. In the years since, her music has continued to be celebrated in tribute concerts, films, and television series.
The August 1 concert will be free to the public, with no admission fee. Attendees are advised to arrive early to secure a spot, as the gazebo has limited seating. The event is scheduled to run until approximately 9 p.m., after which the stage will be closed.
The Piscataway Summer Concert Series is scheduled to continue through the summer, with additional performances planned at other venues. The series is funded in part by the township’s arts budget and supported by local sponsors.
For those unable to attend in person, the township has indicated that live streaming of the event may be available on the Piscataway community television channel, though no official streaming link has yet been released.
The Selena tribute is a reminder of the enduring impact of Latin artists on the American music landscape and the role of community events in preserving that legacy.
The event is set for Thursday, August 1, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Columbus Park Extension Gazebo. Residents can expect a night of music, community, and remembrance.