DJ Lucy Lopez tells you how to slay Calle Ocho like a boss
How many Calle Ochos has radio personality Lucy Lopez been to?
“So many,” the Hialeah native says. “The first one I went to with my cousins, Manny, Danny and Eli. We parked so far away and walked for so long to get there. But when we finally got there, it’s like, it didn’t matter who you were, you automatically fit in. It didn’t matter what you were wearing, you were fine.” Lopez has proven herself to be one of Miami’s most authentic voices since she snagged a job at Power 96 in 2001. She landed her spot on air after calling in to defend Hialeah when a pair of DJs started trash talking her hometown. “They loved my Hialeah accent, which I didn’t know I had at the time,” says Lopez, who you can catch on Power 96’s Morning Show with JP.
When it comes to Calle Ocho, Miami’s most infamous street party, Lopez is not here for your complaining. No one gets to sit on the sidelines today at the annual celebration that shuts down Eighth Street between 12th and 27th Avenues. Read on for her pro tips:
1. Show your pride: “Calle Ocho is a chance for you to rep your country. Says Lopez, “Don’t be too uppity where you don’t bring your own flag. It’s cool! You’ll see people from Jamaica, Trinidad, Colombia. There’s nothing like walking past a bunch of Doral girls with Colombian flags on their backs. It’s like a pack of Sofia Vergaras.”
2. Support local: Thanks to Calle Ocho, Little Havana’s local vendors and residents get to cash in on the incredible inconvenience of having 1 million people wandering past their front porches. Says Lopez, “Don’t take Uber! I would never Uber to Calle Ocho because I am stealing from the little old lady who charges you $20 to park on her lawn.” Also, Lopez says not to fear the unlicensed vendors that sneak in to sell their wares. “If a little old lady wants to sell you a tamal, buy it. I bet you they live a block away from where you are. Take a chance. Eat it! Nothing is going to happen to you.”
3. Take selfies: Everyone at Calle Ocho is looking to have a good time, explains Lopez. “It’s one of those moments where everybody is cool with you taking a picture of them.”
4. Stalk away: With the streets jam packed, you are likely to run into someone famous. “[Celebrities] are probably going to take photos with you. Last year I was following a bunch of fashion bloggers and I ran into them. And then we ran into a Snapchat star.”
5. Wear proper footwear: Obviously, you want to be comfortable at Calle Ocho. So don’t hit the street like you are going to the club. “Go in sneakers, but bring your chancletas (sandals) in your bag.”
This story was originally published March 10, 2017 at 6:01 PM with the headline "DJ Lucy Lopez tells you how to slay Calle Ocho like a boss."