Member preview to be held Oct. 21, with inaugural evening showing of altars starting at 5 p.m. Oct. 22.
The Jaime Major Golightly Historic Courtyard at the Museum of Northern Arizona awaits visitors at its 2015 Celebraciones de la Gente. AmigosNAZ file photo ©2016
FLAGSTAFF — It’s Lucky 13 for Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, which presents its 13th annual Celebraciones de la Gente from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 22 and 23 at the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA), 3101 N. Fort Valley Road, Flagstaff.
“A joyous occasion, the festival is a way for the community to honor deceased loved ones and transform grief into music, dance and artistic expression,” said Cristen Crujido, director of marketing and public affairs at the museum. “Celebraciones celebrates all aspects of Latino culture, not only locally but throughout the southwest and Mexico.”
Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), an ancient pre-Columbian observance, is held throughout Mexico, Latin America and the Southwest on Nov. 1 and 2 (All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day).
While rituals and timing vary geographically, central to every celebration is a gathering of friends and family who visit cemeteries to remember their loved ones. Today’s celebrations fuse centuries of indigenous practices with contemporary traditions and spiritual beliefs. Ofrendas (altars), marigold flowers, sugar skulls and skeleton caricatures, pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and photos of those who have passed take center stage.
Visitors will enjoy two days of fine art and unique crafts from more than a dozen local, Arizona and Southwest artists. From paintings and jewelry, to bultos, retablos and tinwork, a variety of artwork is available for purchase.
In addition, attendees will enjoy performances by Mariachi Sol Azteca de Tucson and Ballet Folklorico de Colores de Flagstaff in Branigar Hall (get there early, limited seating), entertainment by local favorites Los Compadres in the Jaime Major Golightly Historic Courtyard, traditional pre-Columbian dancing by Los Matachines de Flagstaff and Day of the Dead-inspired crafts for children.
The member preview (with a silent auction) will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21. The event includes the first opportunity to purchase artwork from participating artists. To become a member of the Museum of Northern Arizona, call 928.774.5211, ext. 219.
The museum’s courtyard will be transformed — decorated with brightly colored papel picado (cut-paper banners), candles and more than a dozen flower-and-memento-filled ofrendas created by local families and artists.
For the first time community members can also enjoy an evening viewing of the ofrendas / altars from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. Hot chocolate and pan dulce will be available for purchase. Admission is $5 and free for children under 10.
“In addition to the visual and performing arts, the event also includes humanities-based lectures and presentations by noted authors, scholars and artists that highlight and explore the Mexican, Mexican-American and Chicano(a) experience of the region and beyond” Crujido said.
Schedule programs include:
- “Día de los Muertos: A Celebration of Life & Death” with Elena Díaz Bjorkquist
- “Macaws, Chocolate & Turquoise: The Southwest, Meso-American Connection” with Dr. Ben Nelson, Dr. Kelley Hayes-Gilpin and Christopher Schwartz
- “Legends of Love” with Stella Pope Duarte
- “Los Recuerdos de Barrio” with Delia Ceballos Muñoz
- “Ofrendas 101” with Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces
- “Growing Up Chicana in Morenci, Arizona” with Elena Díaz Bjorkquist
- “La Virgin & Talking Eagle” with Stella Pope Duarte
Click here for times and dates of the lecture programs and a listing of the artists who will be presenting at the event.
Other activities include sugar skull decorating and a papel picado (cut paper) workshops, a “Piñata for Pepita” show and Day of the Dead arts & crafts for children.
Celebraciones de la Gente is presented in partnership with Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces. Celebraciones is made possible through the Arizona Commission on the Arts, which receives support from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts, Arizona Humanities, City of Flagstaff BBB Revenues/Flagstaff Arts Council and the Coconino County Board of Supervisors.
Event admission is $12 adult and $8 student (with ID), American Indian (with tribal affiliation) and youth (10-17). Children under 10 and MNA members are free.
The Museum of Northern Arizona is located at 3101 N. Fort Valley Road, three miles from downtown Flagstaff on scenic Highway 180 leading to the Grand Canyon.
Visit musnaz.org or call 928-774-5213 for membership and event information.
Please click here for more information