FREE Hands-On Experience of Traditional Mexican Culture: Day of the Dead - Manhattan Oct 30 - Nov 2

Oct. 5, 2009 - PRLog -- Here’s a unique way to travel to Mexico: attend the traditional celebration that Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders will host at its seventh annual Day of the Dead (Día de los muertos). A variety of events and workshops will be offered in the churchyard of St. Mark’s in the Bowery (10th Street and Second Avenue in Manhattan) from Friday, October 30th to Monday, November 2nd.  All events are free and open to the public.  

Day of the Dead has been one of Mexico’s most important festivals since pre-Hispanic times.  It is a time for families to gather and welcome the souls of the dead on their annual visit home.  Cempasúchil (marigold) flowers, burning copal incense, fresh pan de muertos bread, candles, sugar skulls, photographs and mementos of the departed adorn special altars.  In Mexico, Day of the Dead is celebrated over an entire week with the preparation of altars, foods, dance, music and special offerings for people who have died.  Mano a Mano recreates the magical space of a village churchyard during the celebration and has organized a series of events including altar building, workshops, dance, poetry and music.  This year’s special activities include a celebration of the life and music of Michael Jackson (October 31) and a weekend Altar-Building Marketplace where visitors can buy the components for their own home altars, such as sugar skulls, bread, copal incense and flowers.  (A complete schedule of all activities is attached.)

“The Mexican immigrant community, and friends of Mexican traditional arts and culture, will once again gather to mark this intensely moving religious occasion,” said Emily Socolov, Executive Director of Mano a Mano. “This is a great opportunity for New Yorkers to join Mexicans and remember their own departed loved-ones by bringing photographs, candles and flowers to adorn the altar throughout the four-day celebration.”

On Friday, October 30th, visitors of all ages can join artists and volunteers in altar building from 2:00-6:00 pm.  At 6:30 pm, Mexican dancers from throughout the city will be assembling at Union Square to walk in procession to the altar for a moving dedication (7:00-8:00 pm).  The theme for the altar this year is a commemoration of the young women who have lost their lives on the border near Juarez.

On Saturday, October 31st and Sunday, November 1st, visitors of all ages can attend workshops where they will learn traditional Mexican paper crafts, sugar skull making, bread making and poetry writing.  Each of the four workshops will occur simultaneously, so guests can move from one to another, or try several one day, and return for the others the next.  All workshops are geared to teaching the special foods, crafts and traditions practiced in Mexico for this important holiday.

Saturday night is a celebration of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. His death had a major impact in Mexico and Mano a Mano will create a space where the community can remember Michael and invite his soul to make an appearance at this important Mexican festival.  A DJ will join us from 5:00-7:00 pm to share Jackson-era covers from Mexico and south.

Sunday night brings a street theater performance by guest artists La Carpa.  The celebration concludes on Monday with a stunning performance by Mariachi Tapatio de Alvaro Paulino.  During this time, the public is invited to come share the bread and flowers and join in the clearing away of the altar.

All events are free and open to the public.  Mexican food will be available for purchase throughout the event, including:
Hot drinks: Atole (Hot gruel flavored with cinnamon), Chocolate caliente (Hot chocolate)
Traditional dishes: Chicken with mole sauce (chilies and chocolate)
Tamales and sopes (Corn based dumplings with different toppings and fillings)
Desserts: Calabaza dulce y conservas (Caramelized pumpkin chunks with preserves)

How to Get There: Subway: #6 to Astor Place, L to 3rd Avenue, F to Second Avenue, or any train to Union Square.  Bus: M8, M15, M101, M102, M103.

Accessibility: This event is wheelchair accessible.

For information please visit: www.manoamano.us, call 212-587-3070 or email: info@manoamano.us.

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