Musicians Nina Rodriguez (left) and Carla Sutterfield, who performs as Carbonlily, are the organizers of San Antonio’s I Am Every Woman festival. Credit: Courtesy Photos / Nina Rodriguez (left) and Carbonlily (right)

What better way to celebrate Women’s History Month this March than by recognizing some of history’s most revered women musicians?

On Friday, March 28, the third annual I Am Every Woman music festival will take place on the rooftop of Rosario’s ComidaMex & Bar. It’s the second year the event has taken place at the Southtown staple, which offers the San Antonio skyline as a backdrop.

This year’s theme is “I Am Every Woman — Electric,” and the music will honor an array of musical icons including Nina Simone, Cher, Whitney Houston, Shania Twain, Karen Carpenter, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Mama Cass, Alicia Keys, Dolly Parton, Janis Joplin and Madonna.

This year’s lineup of performers includes San Antonio vocalist-guitarist Carla Sutterfield performing as Carbonlily, R&B singer Tuasha Jackson, country-infused singer-songwriter Marisa Flores, pop stylist Misha Allyse, rocker Genevie Casillas and jazz vocalist Michelle Garibay-Carey, the daughter of late and legendary Chicano bluesman Randy Garibay.

The headliners will be backed by some of San Antonio’s top musicians, including Nina Rodriguez on percussion, Joey Blackman on bass, Armando Aussenac on drums and Gonzalo Mateluna on lead guitar. Renowned music director Chris Guerrero is overseeing the entire performance. DJ Catwalk will spin throughout the night.

In addition to performing at I Am Every Woman, Rodriguez and Sutterfield are the festival’s organizers.

San Antonio native Rodriguez is a nationally celebrated percussionist, performer, clinician and educator who won a 2004 Grammy for her session work on country singer Randy Travis’ Rise and Shine album.

Sutterfield, a self-taught guitar player, performed music throughout the world as a member of the U.S. Army. After her time in the service, she made San Antonio her home and performs regularly under the moniker Carbonlilly.

‘Create something magnificent’

The two musicians joined forces to organize the inaugural I Am Every Woman in 2023.

“The night came together because three years ago I was wondering how I could honor Women’s History Month, and the only way that I know how is through music,” Rodriguez said. “How could we produce a music show and bring in female artists that could showcase their beautiful talent and really be selective on music that highlighted icons that have paved the way for women in music?”

To answer that question, Rodriguez reached out to Sutterfield, whom she’d at a shared gig on the River Walk. Sutterfield understood Rodriguez’s vision and immediately came on board.

“We’d been waiting for this moment in time where we could collaborate and create something magnificent, and here we are today,” Rodriguez said.

The first showcase, held in a North Side restaurant, filled the venue beyond capacity, prompting Rodriguez and Sutterfield to seek a larger space. After a move to Rosario’s, the second festival completely sold out and prompted the pair to start selling tickets for this year’s entry a year in advance.

Painting in broad strokes

Beyond finding the right space, Rodriguez and Sutterfield said they strive to bring in musicians who share in the joy of the event.

“When Nina and I sit down and talk about the theme of the show, we have an initial collaborative session that sets the tone,” Sutterfield said. “And when we reach out to musicians, Nina is always gracious and asks the artists what they want to sing.”

A child of the ’60s, Rodriguez wanted to paint in broad strokes this year, incorporating multiple genres and eras.

When it came to producing this year’s show, Rodriguez and Sutterfield agreed that this was the right time to tell their stories. Through specifically chosen songs and careful booking of talent, they have created a show they’re confident will resonate with the audience.

“The beauty is that everyone in the audience has a connection to every song,” Sutterfield said. “It’s really just creating an experience where people can come, and they can feel loved, they can celebrate, they can be joyful, meet new people and make new connections.”

Rodriguez said the diversity reflected in the music being at I Am Every Woman is intentional.

“There are so many songs that really resonate to me,” she said. “Every year I have 50 more songs that can’t make it into the show.”

Seated tickets for the festival are sold out, but standing-room tickets — or dancing-room, as the case may be — still remain.

$30 (standing room), Friday, March 28, Rosario’s ComidaMex & Bar, 722 S. St. Mary’s St., (210) 223-1806, iaew.org.

Subscribe to SA Current newsletters.

Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter| Or sign up for our RSS Feed

Related Stories

This article appears in Mar 19 – Apr 1, 2025.