Midtown Tucson unites in music to remember Juan Cristóbal Flores | News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – Midtown Tucson was alive with music as hundreds gathered to remember Juan Cristóbal Flores, a beloved community member who passed away on New Year’s Day.

The 30-year-old Flores died less than a week after a shooting at a Goodwill donation center on Tucson’s southeast side.

The celebration of life took place at Catalina United Methodist Church, a venue where Flores once sang. Marcela Molina, director of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus, summed up the evening’s purpose.

“Thank you for joining us to celebrate Juan Cristobal Flores and welcome to a concert where every note is going to be sang for him,” Molina told the crowd just after 7 p.m.

Groups that performed included Flores’ friends, those he performed with, and others from his past. The memorial concert featured groups like the Catalina United Methodist Church Sanctuary Choir, The Helios Ensemble and Emily Drum & Friends.

The night featured a variety of performances, including renditions of contemporary songs like “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna and “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush.

Abigail Juganaru, a close friend of Flores, told News 4 Tucson that Flores sang behind her for years. She did not sing Friday night saying it was “too painful.”

She said her-late friend would have been honored by the event.

“He’d probably be smiling and laughing at like, ‘Wow really?, all these people want to come out for me?’ Because he was a humble person too,” Juganaru said . . . “He would be really happy to see all the people coming in right now from all different communities.”

The church, once filled with Flores’ voice, resonated with music once again Friday despite his absence.

“It’s shown by the people, it’s shown by the people that are here, that his energy is with all of us,” Molina said.

The concert lasted nearly two hours, honoring a young man remembered for being welcoming, kind, and helpful