Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at The Museum of South Texas History
Saturday, October 17, 2008 10:00am-4:00pm
The Celebration:
Every fall, throughout communities in Mexico and increasingly in the United States, a colorful celebration takes place. Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is a unique observance deeply rooted in Hispanic tradition. The holiday focuses on the remembrance of loved ones and is founded in the belief that once a year the souls of the dearly departed can return to earth.
Join the Museum of South Texas History for a Día de los Muertos celebration unlike any other! Festivities for this special day will include a one-man, bilingual play called The Life and Times of Juanito Gonzalez written and performed by local playwright Pedro Garcia, poetry, musicians, dancers, Día de los Muertos arts & crafts, and children's activities! Traditional Mexican foods such as pan de muerto and hot chocolate will be available throughout the day . So don't delay! Visit the Rio Grande Valley's premiere Día de los Muertos celebration and see why the Museum of South Texas History is unlike any other!
MARIACHI 10:15AM ~ 10:45AM Los COYOTES
Children's Activities/Actividades de Niños: (Class/Discovery Room)
10:00AM-4:00PM Making Paper Flowers(Marigold)/Flores(Cempazuchitl) de Papel Decorating Sugar Skulls /Calaveras de Azúcar
Main Events/Eventos Principales: (Courtyard Gallery)1:00AM-12:00PM Día de los Muertos, Presentation and Book signing with author Mary J. Andrade
1:00PM-2:00PM Play/Obra : "The Life and Times of Juanito González" starring Pedro García
Dance Performances / Presentaciones de Bailes: (Grand Lobby)2:00PM-2:30PM "The Deaths of Frida Kahlo" dramatic performance choreographed by Raúl Galván (Traditional Oaxacan Costumes provided by Juan Cuestas)
2:30PM-2:45PM Edinburg Folklorico Dance Team choreographed by Rebeka Gonzalez
All Day/Todo el Día: Altar Exhibit on display in Old Jail Gallery
- Día de los Muertos Art/Food Demonstrations and Sales in the annex hall way.
- Día de los Muertos folk art, books and t-shirts will be for sale in the museum store.
- Traditional Mexican food and refreshments will be sold in the courtyard.
- Admission includes self-guided tour of Rio Grande Legacy exhibits.
All Day:
- Art by Kirsten Rosten
- Día de los Muertos Art and Food demonstrations in the annex hallway
- Día de los Muertos folk art, books, and t-shirts sold in the Museum Store
- Traditional Mexican food and refreshments sold in the Grand Lobby
- Admission includes entrance to Rio Grande Legacy and River Crossroads Exhibits
The Museum of South Texas History is proud to present Mary J. Andrade as the keynote speaker for Dia de los Muertos. Heralded by many as a "leading expert" on the iconic holiday, Andrade has received many awards for her presentation and preservation of the historic celebration. For more information on Mary Andrade
click here.
Altar Display:
The heart of any Día de los Muertos celebration is the building of altars. Ranging from simple to elaborate, these private altars are usually dedicated to a loved one, but not always. Elements of the altar incorporate personal items and photographs of the deceased and a variety of ofrendas or offerings such as marigold-like cempazúchitl flowers, prayer candles and the favorite foods and beverages of the dearly departed. Sugar skulls, calaveras or skeletons and papel picado are often an integral part of the holiday.
This year, members from the community have come together to build 10 altars to departed loved ones or individual causes. The individuals are:
- Jessica Alba
- Dedicated to Tejano Star Selena Quintanilla Perez
- Adrian Cavazos
- Dedicated to his Great Grandparents Santos and Guadalupe Castellanos
- Dedicated to his Grandparents Rosa and Modesto Cavazos
- Dedicated to his Grandfather Alfonso de la Fuente
- Kathleen Carrizal-Frye
- Dedicated to her Aunt
- Adriana Garza
- Dedicated unknown
- Joel F. Garza
- Dedicated to his Grandfather Lauro Salinas
- Wendy Gilbert
- Dedicated to her partner
- Veronica Morales
- Dedicated unknown
- Sandra Robles
- Dedicated children's author Roald Dahl
- Valerie Ramirez
- Dedicated to her father-in-law Mayor Alfonso Ramirez