Celeste Quesada

We’re so utterly proud of our homies at @mill.scale for producing one of our favorite events of the year ~ LOCKHART RISING! :: @plantasiatx and @verdejuiceshop served up Agua Fresca, fruit cups, and an array of succulents, gorgeous cotton napkins, jewelry, gift certificates all while providing quick landscaping consultations! :: Here are some fun pics of our beloved friends and magical moments. Muchísimas Gracias, Millscale… you make Texas feel like a family affair. :: Best pics, as always, taken by @thedigitalbird 💖 :: #lockhart

This week the Austin screens light up 🎥 The 28th annual Cine Las Americas International Film Festival is officially here, bringing five days of powerful storytelling, late-night screenings, special events, and unforgettable voices from across the Americas. 🌎 From Latinx, Indigenous, and Latin American stories to independent Texas filmmakers, CLAIFF28 continues building bridges through film and community. Catch appearances from Lou Diamond Phillips, Marta Méndez Cross, and producer Elizabeth Avellán.✨💫 Badges are on sale and number of free screenings are available to the public, and student discounts are up for grabs! 🎟️ May 13–17 in Austin. Cinema season has officially arrived and we are proud to again be a part of it! 🍿🔥 #CineLasAmericas #AustinEvents #FilmFestival #LatinxCinema #indigenouscinema

Cine Las Americas begins this week. I can’t believe my first labor of love is 28 years old. I am incredibly proud of Gabriel Ornelas @gabrielocine ~ Executive Director and Giselle De La Rosa @cosasdelarosa ~ Associate Director, along with their staff and board of directors, who are leading Cine Las Americas into the best chapter yet!! :: Read the @tribeza piece and see why Cine Las Americas is more important than ever. Especially as of February 2026, my very own Alma mater The University of Texas at Austin announced plans to merge the Department of African and African Diaspora Studies and the Department of Mexican American and Latina/Latino Studies into a new “Department of Social and Cultural Analysis”. :: That is why it is up to us as individuals and as a community to create, protect and enjoy events and spaces where people with unique backgrounds and lived experiences can be heard. :: I’m so excited to join opening night festivities on Wednesday 5/13 and to see the @jarajulya short film during the Hecho en Tejas program on Sunday… filled with all kinds of great films in between! :: And Big Shout-out to incredibly thoughtful writer, @averylaaa at Tribeza for yet another great article celebrating Austin institutions. :: Article in profile above. :: @cinelasamericas @cinelasamericasiff

36 hours in El Paso celebrating The Husband’s birthday… doing what he loves best while cruising into another incredible year. :: El Paso gets its name from the Spanish phrase El Paso del Norte, meaning “The Pass of the North,” coined by explorer Juan de Oñate in 1598. :: The murals, comida, and estate sales 😘 in El Paso are nexxxt level. 🔥 :: @adrianmquesada

I love Easter…. deeply rooted in the world’s ancient spring festivals honoring spiritual rebirth. :: In celebration of all creatures great and small, we enjoyed dyeing goose and chicken eggs with tightly wrapped vintage silk sari materials. :: Happy Spring, y’all!

It looks like I’m giving James Talarico a piece of my mind… But really, I’m just whole-heartedly giving him my VOTE! :: Let us not forget… :: Republican Senator John Cornyn voted to proceed to the SAVE America Act, legislation requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo identification for federal elections. He also voted to confirm Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense and advocates for pro-life measures. :: Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was impeached by the Republican-led Texas House in May 2023 on 16 charges, including bribery, abuse of office, and obstruction of justice related to helping a donor.  :: It’s time for CHANGE! :: Talarico graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in government. He later joined Teach For America, where he taught sixth-grade English language arts in San Antonio. Afterward, he served as the Central Texas executive director for Reasoning Mind, a nonprofit focused on bringing technology to low-income classrooms. He graduated from Harvard University with a Master of Education degree in education policy. :: As of early 2026, Talarico has passed 16 bills into law during his tenure in the Texas House of Representatives. His legislative successes include eight bills focused on education, childcare, and youth workforce development, along with measures related to mental health, consumer protection, and technology. :: Shout-out to comadre @tralalatx for letting me be her plus one at the event …and only @pilarpeabodyjones for being Jimmy’s inspiring teacher!! 😘 :: #vote #talarico

Officially crossing “Executive Producer on a film” off my personal bucket list! :: I’m thrilled to support filmmaker Merced Elizondo on his project ~ And Then Everything Turned Itself Inside Out. :: Shot in Dallas, this short film is the only Texas-made project selected for the 2026 LFI Inclusion Fellowship with the Latino Film Institute and Netflix! :: Even more special: a majority Latino cast, a Latino writer+director (@mercedelizondo ), a Latina producer (@lizette_barrera_ ), and a diverse, talented crew bringing it all to life. :: The film stars our “remember-way-back-when” homie @raulcastillo (Looking, Task, Army of the Dead, We the Animals), alongside Moira Kelly (The Lion King, One Tree Hill, The West Wing) and Julio César Cedillo (Sicario, Narcos: Mexico, Cowboys & Aliens). :: Shout-out to fellow EP, and artist, actor, art director @maddilonglegz for the dot-connecting! ❤️🎬 :: #vamos

Next Up in Introductions: CELESTE QUESADA :: COMMUNITY BUILDER Celeste Quesada is a multidisciplinary artist and real estate agent focused on distinctive, affordable spaces. With over 25 years of experience in cultural arts and social impact, she is passionate about building community ~ and loves to inspire, collaborate, and share her knowledge with others. Photo by: JD Swiger

Spring Break 2026 Refections: • Rallying the vote at Luck Reunion for @teamginatx • Rejoicing at Tia Josie’s 100th birthday • Resting at the Gunter Hotel in Robert Johnson’s room • Receiving inspiration from art and space in San Antonio :: Grab your GINA FOR GOVERNOR battle cry materials here: /

Plantasia sure does throw a great Pachanga!! :: Our friends at @plantasiatx created a special space for people passionate about plants. …Or plant-curious and prefer shopping for vintage clothing, fantastic facial products, homewares and art found in the wild. :: Shout-out to beloved @adrianmquesada for the killer cumbia and @sadiew0lfe for the dreamy cello. :: DM if you have an idea for a creative collaboration. :: 📸 = La Reina @thedigitalbird y más

I was honored to be invited to a special SXSW showcase at the @contemporaryatx about women’s health produced in collaboration of The Moth and The Gates Foundation. Hosted by stand-up comedian, writer, and actress, @ivylewithonee with opening remarks by author of Four Mothers, Abigail Leonard, and music by Austin violinist, @steele.strings , this program featured three global storytellers. :: I took the birthday girl with me because she needs to know about women’s health issues, the power of storytelling, that the Gates Foundation is made up of real life people and because, highly likely, Marcelle is smarter than me. :: @mothstories is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to connecting humanity through the power of personal storytelling. Since launching in 1997, its live programs, including Mainstage productions and StorySLAM open-mic competitions, have been the source of over 65,000 true and personal stories, told live and without notes. The Moth’s Global Community Program hosts intensive workshops across the globe, teaching the art of storytelling to advocates pushing for positive social impact. The Moth Podcast, which is downloaded tens of millions of times to annually by listeners across the globe, can be found anywhere you get your podcasts. :: Special Shout-out and Big Thank You to Global Associate Producer, @jodydoo

Our Mademoiselle Marcelle has officially turned 16 years old!! This smart cookie is sooo very sweet and broke the mold with her magic. She’s the brains behind the operation and her beauty shines brightly inside and out. We looooove you, our youngest Quesadita. :: @adrianmquesada