Member Preview will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20
FLAGSTAFF — Celebrate Mexican cultural traditions at the 14th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente, a lively Day of the Dead festival. Rooted in community, this weekend-long event is presented in partnership with Flagstaff Nuestras Raices. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21-22 at the Museum of Northern Arizona, 3101 N. Ft. Valley Road, Flagstaff.
Don’t miss fine art and unique crafts, music and dancing, colorful and elaborate ofrendas (altars), insightful heritage programs and Day of the Dead inspired crafts for the kids.
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 in the Jaime Major Golightly Historic Courtyard 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. 20. 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 second year, community members can also enjoy an evening viewing of the ofrendas / altars from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. Hot chocolate and pan dulce will be available for purchase. Admission is $5 and free for children under 10.
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.
Visit musnaz.org or call 928-774-5213 for membership and event information.
More details:
Admission
Weekend Pass: $18 adult, $12 youth
Daily Admission: $12 adult; $8 youth (11-17), student & American Indian (with ID); children under 10 free.
Courtyard After Dark Saturday, October 21, 5-8 pm
Enjoy an evening viewing of the community ofrendas (altars) against a backdrop of candlelight and strolling mariachi music. Mexican hot chocolate and pan dulce (sweet bread) available for purchase. Dress warm!
Courtyard After Dark Admission: Included with festival admission or $5 per person. Children under 10 free.