ARTS
At first glance, the widely celebrated Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) might appear gloomy or even a little morbid to some. The fact that it falls so close to our own Halloween draws inevitable comparisons, though they are quite different. Halloween is thoroughly doused in the spooky and supernatural, whereas Dia De Los Muertos is a celebration of ancestry and remembrance of relatives who’ve passed on.
An opening reception on Friday, Oct. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. gets it started. The museum’s Swan Auditorium will showcase gigantes, giant traditional puppets, altars for the dead, and a deluxe nacho bar courtesy of Cyclhops Mexican Cantina.
BY L.L. CHARLES for LONGMONT MAGAZINE
Celebrations are lively and full of color, music, dance and beautiful tradition. If sugar skulls are the only part of the holiday that you’re aware of, there are two community events you should make a point of attending. Just wear your dancing shoes.
Dia De Los Muertos Celebration, Longmont Museum When the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center first began hosting a Dia de los Muertos celebration sixteen years ago, the day was mainly celebrated only by locals who had grown up in Mexico. Now it’s a big multicultural event with parties, food and festivities for all. The holiday is so mainstream, you can even buy September/October 2017
calavera (skull) shower curtains on Amazon. The museum still has bragging rights as the largest celebration of its kind in the state, and for good reason. In its seventeenth year, there are multiple events planned starting Oct. 14 and running through Nov. 7. LongmontMagazine.com
A free family celebration day on Saturday, Nov. 4 features live music and dancing, sugar skull decorating, traditional food, paper flower making, face painting and a special appearance by Lady Catrina. Come dressed in your finest calaca (skeleton) apparel. “We get about 6,000 people who participate over the entire Muertos period. On family day, we usually get about 3,000 people attending on just that one day,” says Joan Harrold, Marketing and Development Manager. “People often think of Dia del los Muertos as being something morbid, but it’s really a celebration. The holiday has an uplifting feel, and our event embraces that feeling.” Other events include a curated conversation, bilingual tours, a sugar skull making day and a gigantes building workshop. There’s even an Art & Sip class for adults. For more information visit the museum’s web pages at LongmontColorado.gov.
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