In Mexico the word to describe someone who lives life with zest is “chispa” — Spanish for spark. On Friday evening Oaxacan-American singer Lila Downs brought her chispa to a packed Lincoln Theater at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville.

Friday’s packed performance was Downs’ first visit to the Lincoln Theater,  and was one of many stops on a tour that has taken her as far as New Zealand.

Downs’ songs have been featured in the movies “Frida,” “Tortilla Soup,” and “Real Women Have Curves,” and she launched her nearly two-hour set with songs from her latest CD, “La Cantina.” But it wasn’t until she sang the third song of the set, “Traigo Penas en el Alma,” that Downs unveiled the true power of her vocal cords.

Drummer Yayo Serka, bassist Booker King and guitarist Guilherme Monteiro provided solid ranchero rhythm as Downs sang in Spanish “From cup to cup, my life ended. ... How dark are the memories of your lies. ... I carry sorrow in my heart that liquor cannot kill.”

The song drew applause from the diverse crowd that paid $30 or more to watch the singer Friday. Downs mixed lyrics by famous Mexican singer José Alfredo Jiménez into “Tu Recuerdo y Yo” and declared to the audience “La vida no vale nada,” Spanish for “Life doesn’t mean a thing.”

Although Downs’ performance drew loud applause, as well as shouts of “Otra tequila,” “Oaxaca” and “I love you, Lila,” the crowd largely remained motionless in their seats.

In turn, Downs sang most of her songs in the cradle of her band — a skilled group of musicians that formed a semi-circle around the singer — and not at the edge of the stage.

The few times that she did venture out were memorable, giving the crowd opportunities to hand her wine and bouquets of flowers. One lucky girl, dressed in a traditional Oaxacan outfit, briefly went on stage with Downs to share the limelight.

Downs is a dynamic singer with the range to deliver low lows and crisp highs. During a rendition of the famous Mexican folk song “La Cucaracha,” Downs and harpist Celso Duarte engaged in a classic call-and-response segment — Downs would sing high notes and Duarte would match them on his harp.

Despite her ample vocal ability, she failed to involve the crowd in much of the performance. It wasn’t until the last song, “El Bracero Fracasado,” that a group of her fans rushed the stage and everyone in the theater rose for the grand finale.