Lowriders, resources, Napa community unite at Tacos & Tunes
Josie Belfer
Napa Valley Register Correspondent
Jul 27, 2026
Beneath a yellow Les Schwab Tire Center sign, colorful lowriders inched through a crowded parking lot, easing past tents serving street tacos, elote and fresh fruit, a DJ spinning vinyl, and friends sharing hugs and laughter.
Classic cars were a central feature of the third annual Tacos & Tunes Lowrider Summer Jam, hosted on Sunday by the VOICES Youth Program in partnership with Grapetown Car Club at the South Napa Marketplace.
“It’s a family and community-run event, and that’s what we’re going for here,” said event organizer Odelia Bueno. “Just bringing that Chicano culture here and normalizing it, it becomes a safe place.”
Beyond free food, classic cars and live music from DJ Tuff, the event brought together local nonprofit groups, including NEWS Domestic Violence & Sexual Abuse Services, LGBTQ Connection, Expressions of Hope and Abode Services.
“We want to make sure you can come and have fun and get something to eat, but also get a valuable resource that you may need,” Bueno said. “We can be the warm handoff.”
Bueno has worked for VOICES for seven years. She has helped organize the Tacos & Tunes Summer Jam since the event began three years ago. This year, 348 people attended the event.
VOICES supports youth-led program development for foster youth. The organization’s peer-to-peer services are designed to involve young people in creating and leading programs that address their needs.
Bueno credited Angie Barajas, the opioid prevention coordinator of On the Move, the organization that operates VOICES, as her “right-hand gal” in organizing this year’s event.
Barajas said her favorite part of the event was connecting community members, particularly older and Spanish-speaking residents, with the range of resources available in Napa.
“I always feel really rewarded when they get the help they need because it’s all here in one location,” Barajas said.
This was the first year the event included live music, with a performance by DJ Tuff, also known as Rene Lopez. Lopez happens to be Bueno’s cousin.
The co-organizer of the event, Grapetown Car Club, is a self-described “family- and friend-driven car club.” On June 16, the club was recognized by Napa Mayor Scott Sedgley for its contributions to culture and community in the city.
Ricardo Navarro, the president of Grapetown Car Club, has been involved in the club since 1992.
“Back then it was a totally different scene,” Navarro said. “Cops would see us around with our cars and tow us just to get us off the streets. Now it’s totally different.”
Although the club eventually died out, Navarro helped bring it back about five years ago, with the new aim of prioritizing family and giving back to the community.
“These events put a bright light on our classic cars,” Navarro said. “In the ‘90s, the lowrider was perceived as a gangster car, but now things are changing. I love that we can come out and change people’s perspective of the old classic lowrider.”
These days, Navarro said the club helps organize food events, raffles and events for family members when they pass away.
“We do all kinds of stuff to give back a little bit,” Navarro said. “It really touches my heart. We have the best club members here. I couldn’t be happier with all of them, with what they do.”
One of those members is Brandy Topete, the first female member of the group. She said community support was what initially drew her to the club.
“He (Navarro) has a daughter with special needs, and my son, Frankie, has special needs,” Topete said. “I always want my son to feel not different, but welcome. They make it all about him.”
To officially join the club, a member has to show commitment for over a year. Because Topete’s year was up in June, the group made official shirts to give to her son at the Summer Jam.
The event also drew first-time attendees, including Napa residents Hannah Byrum and Amber Bush. Byrum found the event through a flyer and said the pair enjoyed visiting car shows.
“I work with Amber; she has disabilities, and we try to get her out to different events in the community,” said Byrum. “We saw the free tacos, so that was a major selling point.”
As the event has grown, Barajas said she has seen its impact extend through the Napa community.
“Everybody knows about this event at this point, and Napa locals ask about it to make sure we’re gonna do it,” Barajas said. “It brings the whole community together with some good food and oldies and lowriders.”