one queer thing: "flowers" goes from pop anthem to salsa sensation 💃🏽🌸
miley's empowerment bop gets a spicy latin makeover
tl;dr: marlon caro and lidice transform miley cyrus's "flowers" into a sizzling salsa track, proving that self-love is universal and downright danceable. don't miss our new substack sommelier section for must-read recommendations, and check out our first-ever hillcrest hotspot feature - including tonight's kiwanis club meeting (thu aug 22) at uptown tavern! scroll down for more local happenings that'll make you want to dance, cry, and feel empowered all at once. warning: this email is packed with goodness and may get truncated, so be sure to click "view entire message" to catch it all!
hola mis amores! 🌈✨
welcome back to our weekly dose of musical fabulousness at one queer thing, where we celebrate art that's "at odds with everything around it," as the incomparable bell hooks would say. speaking of which, let's take a moment to bask in her wisdom:
"queer not as being about who you're having sex with (that can be a dimension of it); but queer as being about the self that is at odds with everything around it and has to invent and create and find a place to speak and to thrive and to live."
now, imagine taking that spirit of reinvention and applying it to one of the biggest pop hits of the year. that's exactly what marlon caro and lidice have done with their salsa cover of miley cyrus's "flowers."
it's a transformation so unexpected, so deliciously queer in its reimagining, that i've had it on repeat since i first stumbled upon it on instagram. (side note: whoever's running my algorithm deserves a raise. or therapy. or both.)
past queer things: (9) “this hell” by rina swayama | (8) "company" by durand bernarr | (7) "queen" by janelle monae feat. erykah badu | (6) "carmen" by olivia dean | (5) “the village” by wrabel | (4) "alone & unafraid" by eliza | see more…
you can find the one queer thing playlist on spotify here.
this week's one queer thing: "flowers" by marlon caro feat. lidice
![Flowers (feat. Lidice) [Salsa Version] - Single - Album by Marlon Caro - Apple Music](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5yV5!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F15e70d40-dbb0-460a-be44-807c316d817c_1200x1200.jpeg "Flowers (feat. Lidice) [Salsa Version] - Single - Album by Marlon Caro - Apple Music")
when miley cyrus dropped "flowers" earlier this year, it was an instant self-love anthem. but marlon caro and lidice oran (who by the way make the cutest couple ever, aren’t they cuuuute?) have taken that empowerment and added a generous sprinkle of sabor latino. the result? a track that doesn't just encourage you to buy yourself flowers – it makes you want to salsa with your own fabulous self across a flower-strewn dance floor.
the original lyrics, "i can buy myself flowers / write my name in the sand," through lidice's rich, emotive voice take a whole new level of power for me. maybe it’s her accent. the way she pronounces and sings, the phrasing… it’s so latine. it’s not the way any of us are used to hearing this song. there's a rawness there, a vulnerability that really adds depth to the declaration of independence. and when that chorus hits? honey, you'll be reaching for your dancing shoes faster than you can say "i can love me better."
but it's not just the vocals that shine here. marlon caro's arrangement and production are nothing short of genius. he's taken miley's pop banger and infused it with the soul of salsa. the horns! the percussion! the way the piano dances around the melody! it's like the song has always been meant to be a salsa track and i just didn't know it until now.
what makes this cover truly queer, in the bell hooks sense, is how it challenges our expectations. it takes a mainstream pop hit and reimagines it through a latin lens, creating something entirely new and utterly captivating. it's a musical code-switch, if you will, that speaks to the experience of straddling cultures and identities.
and can we talk about the sheer joy radiating from this performance? watching marlon and lidice in the video, you can see the love they have for the music, for their craft, and yes, for themselves. it's a reminder that self-love isn't just about buying yourself flowers or writing your name in the sand – it's about embracing who you are, where you come from, and expressing that without apology.
in a world that often tries to put us all in boxes (especially queer and latinx artists), this cover is a jubilant middle finger to those limitations. it's saying, "we can take your pop song and make it our own. we can infuse it with our culture, our rhythm, our soul." and in doing so, marlon and lidice have created something that's both familiar and entirely new.
so, mi gente, the next time you need a reminder of your own fabulousness, put on this track. dance in your kitchen. sing at the top of your lungs. buy yourself those flowers.
if you're thirsting for more musical genius, let me pour you a glass of
’s substack and podcast, "playing with fire." this indie pop queen isn't just serving bops – she's dishing out raw, honest insights into her creative process, mental health journey, and the music industry. it's like getting a backstage pass to her brilliant mind. from insights into her songwriting to vulnerable reflections on artistry, kimbra's words are as captivating as her vocals. trust me, it's a vintage you don't want to miss. cheers to creativity, authenticity, and maybe learning how to hit those high notes (results not guaranteed, but dreaming is free).
you know i'm all about that local love, and this week, hillcrest is serving up a smorgasbord of civic engagement realness! whether you're a seasoned activist or just dipping your toes into the community pool, there's something here for everyone. remember, showing up is half the battle – and trust me, your presence matters more than you know. so grab your calendar (or let's be real, your phone) and let's plan to make some noise!
🏳️🌈 kiwanis club of hillcrest all-inclusive meeting
date: thursday aug. 22 (today!)
time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
location: uptown tavern, 1236 university ave
what's the tea: kerri fox will be speaking. she is the executive director and ceo of resounding joy, a nonprofit that focuses on music therapy to help people. come on down and learn about music theory and hangout with some of your neighbors and friends.
🏫🚌 councilmember stephen whitburn's back to school drive
date: now through aug. 25 (7 days left!)
time: during library operating hours
location: multiple drop-off sites including:
mission hills – hillcrest library: 215 w washington st.
university heights library: 4193 park blvd.
north park library: 3795 31st st.
central library (downtown): 330 park blvd.
city admin building: 202 c st., 10th floor
what's the tea: help our local k-9 schools kick off the year with style! donate those essentials like backpacks, pens, pencils, notebooks, and don't forget the classroom must-haves (clorox wipes, anyone?). your generosity will light up faces at grant utk-8, florence elementary, washington elementary, and a bunch more schools in the 'hood. let's make sure our awesome teachers and kiddos have everything they need to rock this school year! bonus: you get to declutter your junk drawer. win-win, am i right?
🎨 community paint day with art reach san diego
date: sunday aug. 25
time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
location: 1065 university avenue (vermont street side)
what's the tea: grab your paintbrushes and let's create! art reach san diego is transforming their building's vermont street side into a masterpiece, and you're invited to be part of the magic. dive into hands-on art projects, explore their studio, and mingle with the awesome art reach crew. it's a colorful community bash you won't want to miss!
🚶♀️🎨 walk in art at mural alley
date: thursday sept. 5
time: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
location: mural alley (behind the studio door)
what's the tea: get ready for a night of creativity and community vibes! this free event is back with a bang, featuring live tunes from dj jüsto (5-7:30 pm) and tristan brooks (8 pm), local vendors, refreshing drinks, and tons of fun for all ages. it's the perfect excuse to explore our neighborhood's artistic side and mingle with fellow art lovers.
oh, it’s reoccurring? yes, gurl. mark your calendars for the upcoming fall dates: oct. 3, nov. 7, and dec. 5. see you in the alley!
remember, mi gente, life (and community) is not a spectator sport. see you out there, making hillcrest even more incredible than it already is! 💖🌈
final thoughts
before i go, i want to hear from you! what did you think of this salsa version of "flowers"? and hey, if you know of any other unexpected covers or queer anthems that deserve some love, drop them in the comments. who knows? they might just be our next one queer thing!
hasta la próxima, mis estrellas! keep blooming, keep loving yourself, and for the love of all things holy, keep dancing. 💃🏽
edgard🌸✨
p.s. serious question: do you think miley's heard this version? because if not, we need to start a petition or something. miley, if you're reading this (a person can dream, okay?), check out this cover. it's chef's kiss.
wow i wish i found a substack like this when i lived in san diego. i hope this is able to unite people in SD!