DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBTRATION
Saturday, November 1st, 2008

The Day of the Dead - Día de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated mainly in Mexico and by people of Mexican heritage (and others) living in the United States and Canada. The holiday is a 3,000 year-old tradition which pays homage to friends and relatives who have died. The celebration occurs on the 1st and 2nd of November, in connection with the Catholic holy days of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.  Dia de los Muertos is most recognized for the commemorative altars built in celebration of  the lives of the deceased. 

At El Museo del Barrio, Saturday, November 1

12:00 - 3:00 pm Paper Monarch Butterflies
Every autumn, monarch butterflies fly from the north back to Michoacán, Mexico, just in time for el Día de los Muertos. Join visual artist Blanka Amezkua to discover how butterflies born in Canada and the United States find their way back to their ancestral homeland, a journey even scientists don’t fully understand. Then, learn how to make colorful monarch butterfly offerings to honor your loved ones.
 
12:00 - 3:00 pm, Communal Altars
Bring your ofrendas and collaborate with artist Paulina Perera-Riveroll to create communal altars and enjoy talks by El Museo’s artist educators.
 
3:00 – 5:00 pm, To the Sound of Mexico!
Enjoy traditional dance and music by Ballet Folklórico Espíritu de México, followed by “The Smiling Skull,” a theater presentation combining music, dance, and storytelling by folkloric group Mexico Beyond Mariachi.
El Museo del Barrio is located at 1230 Fifth Avenue between 104th and 105th Streets and is accessible via the 6 train to 103rd St. or the 2/3 trains to 110th Street.

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At Queens Museum of Art, Sunday, Nov. 2
 
11:00am – 1:00 pm, Guagua de Pan Contest and Colada Morada Tasting
Co-hosted by Casa Ecuatoriana
 
1:00, 2:30 & 3:45 pm, Gallery Tour: Past Meets Present
Visit altars created by artists Ixrael and Juan Betancurth, as well as our Chinese and Taiwanese exhibition Reason’s Clue, to examine how traditional cultures inspire contemporary art.
 
1:00 - 4:30 pm, Altar Making Workshops
The artists will help visitors to create their own altars.
 
2:00 & 4:00 pm, Interactive Dance Performances
Enjoy a show by Ballet Folklorico Nueva Juventud and Ballet Folklorico Infantil Telpochtli.
 
The Queens Museum of Art is located in the New York City building, inside Flushing Meadows Corona Park and is accessible via the 7 train to Willets Point/Shea Stadium or 111th Street.
 
For more information and detailed directions, please visit www.queensmuseum.org