From Laura Varela, Filmmaker:

Dear Friends, Eva Ybarra is a living legend, and today we are asking our community to come together for her sake.

Known worldwide as the Queen of the Accordion, Eva Ybarra is one of the most important figures in Texas Conjunto music—a tradition that carries the history, joy, struggle, and resilience of working-class Mexican American communities. Eva helped shape a sound that has influenced generations of musicians and continues to define Texas music today.

Now, at a moment when she should be celebrated and protected, Eva is facing an urgent crisis.

Due to the new ownership of the home she has lived in, Eva is being forced to leave. Like so many culture bearers in her generation, she is facing housing insecurity at a time when stability, safety, and dignity matter most. This is not just a housing issue—it is a cultural one.

Eva has given her life to music. She has represented Texas and Conjunto music on stages across the country and internationally, carrying our stories with pride. Yet, like many artists—especially Mexican American women —she has not always benefited financially from the cultural wealth she helped create.

Some of her accolades include the 2017 National Endowment for the Humanities Cultural Heritage Award Recipient, Texas State Musician, and the ACTA (Association of California Traditional Arts) Tap Root Fellow.

We are raising funds to help Eva:

There are also ways to support Eva beyond donating:

Eva Ybarra is not just a musician—she is a cultural treasure. This is our moment to show up for her the way she has shown up for us, through decades of music that has brought people together across generations.

Let’s make sure the Queen of the Accordion has a home, security, and the respect she deserves.