Jota at DeRosa University Center

JOTA by Katherine Bahena-Benitez

Date: Friday, October 23, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM Location: University of the Pacific, DeRosa University Center Ballroom, 3601 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA JOTA is a powerful solo performance by Katherine Bahena-Benítez that follows a young queer Mexican Indigenous woman as she navigates identity, belonging, and transformation at a pivotal moment in her life. Reclaiming a term historically used to shame LGBTQIA+ communities, the production centers resilience, healing, and self-determination through an intersectional lens of culture, queerness, and lived experience. This performance is presented by NOPAL in partnership with Pacific's Center for Identity and Inclusion and is made possible through funding from the California Arts Council. Additional financial support is provided by Central Valley Gender Health & Wellness, with community partnership and collaboration from the San Joaquin Pride Center and InnerG. Admission to JOTA is free and open to all. If you are able, NOPAL welcomes donations at the door to help sustain future opportunities for storytelling, artistic expression, and community connection. Your support helps ensure that performances like these continue to be accessible and impactful for our community. For questions, please email Ricky Gutierrez-Maldonado at ricky@nopalstockton.org or the Center for Identity and Inclusion at thecenter@pacific.edu.