Mexican Day of the Dead (El Da de los Muertos)

Presented by Irma Bohrquez-Geisler & The New York State Institute on Disability

Sunday, October 30, 2011 from 10am-5pm

Hosted by Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden Visitor Center, Bldg C - 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301 (718) 448-2500

A joyful Mexican tradition, the Day of the Dead is a special occasion for Mexican families and community to honor and remember our deceased loved ones. Our day-long festivity begins early in the morning with the construction of two ofrendas (altars). You are welcome to bring photos of deceased loved ones, objects that remind you of them, or their favorite drink or food. This year our ofrenda will display the regional traditions of the Mexican state, Tlaxcala. Tamara Geisler, Silvia Gutierrez and Irma will teach how to make skeleton puppets, papel picado (colorful paper decoration), marigold flowers and sugar skulls (10am). A Mariachi band will play traditional music. Music by Radio Jarocho (a blend of Indian, African, and Spanish sounds that originated on the Gulf Coast of Mexico, southern Veracruz and northern Oaxaca). Dances by Los Chinelos del Caudillo del Sur, the dance group Carnaval de Tlaxcala, Ballet Guadalupano and Ballet Folklorico Tonatiuh.

Image: Jos Guadalupe Posada, Gran Fandango y Francachela de Todas las Calaveras (ca. 1910). Type metal engraving. Courtesy: Museo Jos Guadalupe Posada.

El Dia de los Muertos is made possible by The New State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York Sate Legislature, and in part by a 2011 Encore Award by the Council on the Arts & Humanities for Staten Island, with public funding from the New York State Council on the Arts. Funded in part by Con Edison. Thanks to Community Healthaction of Staten Island for acting as a conduit.

FREE and Open to the Public

For more information on this event, please contact: Irma Bohrquez-Geisler at irma621@yahoo.com, or (718)-448-8348

Fully accessible to persons using wheelchairs