(Day of the Dead) Virtual Celebration

In 2008, UNESCO recognized the importance of Día De Muertos (Day of the Dead) by adding the holiday to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Our tradition states that on November 1 and 2, the souls of the deceased return to visit their living relatives to once again taste their favorite foods, which are placed on altars. The bread of the dead, flowers, papel picado, sugar skulls, and copal, fill Mexican homes with color, joy, and celebration. This holiday is widely celebrated in Michoacán, Mexico. Follow along to learn more about how we celebrate in the state of Michoacán. Celebrations are hosted all over Michoacán such as Janitzio Lake, Patzcuaro, Tzintzuntzan and Jaracuaro. These “pueblos magicos” are known for being some of the best places to celebrate Día De Muertos. The different variations of traditions in these towns have brought people from all over the world together.

In 2017 Disney Pixar released the Oscar-winning animated film Coco where the magical towns of Pátzcuaro and Tzintzuntzan, were featured. Beautiful and culture-filled towns like the Island of Janitzio, the Paricutín volcano, Paracho, and Santa Fe de la Laguna in Michoacán are some of the places that inspired the creators to capture one of the most beautiful traditions in Mexico: Día De Muertos.

In this presentation, you will learn all about how Día De Muertos is celebrated in Michoacán, Mexico, from traditional dances and food to the historic stories behind some of Michoacán’s most special and culture-rich towns. Together we will sing “pirekuas” Michoacán’s songs about Day of the Dead. To conclude, we will share how you can celebrate these traditions at home and in the city of Indianapolis.

Join us to listen to Latinx youth who are empowered by their musical heritage. Concert by the Mariachi Juvenil of the Latino Arts Strings Program in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The national award-winning Latino Arts Strings Program (LASP) was established in the fall of 2002 at the United Community Center (UCC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is housed in the Bruce-Guadalupe Community School (BGCS). Created and directed by Dinorah Márquez, this pre-college, full scholarship, music training program provides Latino students with instruments, music materials, individual lessons, small group and orchestra, and mariachi ensemble lessons every week, all for a fee of $95 per school year.

LASP began with 26 students in 2002 and now serves over 200 students ages 5 to 18. Students receive lessons in violin, viola, cello, bass, and guitar. Most of the students may otherwise never have the opportunity to receive serious music instruction. In addition to giving several solo recitals during the school year, LASP students participate in one or two ensembles, which include: a Latino Youth Orchestra, a Cello Choir, a Guitar Orchestra, the “CoraSon y Madera” Son Jarocho ensemble, the PAAX violin Choir, and 4 levels of Mariachi – Mariachito Luna, Mariachito Sol, Mariachi Infantil and our flagship ensemble the Mariachi Juvenil Latino Arts.

Xantolo: Huasteca región Xochipitzahuatl, La Chimenea y La Bruja Huasteca are dances from the region better known as the Huasteca as part of the Xantolo festival. Xantolo is the name of the Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations in this region. Xochipitzahuatl is a dance that is done with ribbons and without singing for the celebration of Xantolo, but it can also be used in other celebrations such as marriage. La Chimenea uses a play of words, describing a woman who sways sensually while dancing.
Finally, La Bruja Huasteca (the Huasteca Witch) tells the story of a witch who usually walks through the Huasteca area looking for newborn children and dying patients to take them away. The three dances together celebrate the Dia de Muertos ( Day of the Dead) with rhythms of joy.

Xantolo: Región de la huastecaXochipitzahuatl, la Chimenea y la Bruja Huasteca son bailes de la región mejor conocida como la Huasteca en la festividad de Xantolo. Xantolo es el nombre de las celebraciones del Día de Muertos de esta región. Xochipitzahuatl es un baile que se hace con listones y sin canto para la celebración de Xantolo, pero también se puede usar en otras celebraciones como en el matrimonio. La Chimenea hace un juego de palabra diciendo que una mujer que se mueve de tal manera al bailar que Che (se) Menea.
Por último la Bruja Huasteca relata la historia de una bruja que suele pasear por la zona huasteca buscando niños recién nacidos y enfermos agonizantes para llevarlos. Los tres bailes en conjunto celebran el Día de Muertos con ritmos de gozo.