Sat 10/29
The end of October means more than just trick or treating. Sure, Halloween gets all of the attention but there’s a Northeast Ohio tradition with international roots that is attracting more participants every year.
Presented by Artistas Latinos Unidos in collaboration with Cleveland Public Theatre, the annual Dia De Muertos or Day of the Dead is a cultural event about honoring those family members no longer with us.
This year’s free affair takes place all day Sat 10/29 around the Cleveland Public Theatre campus and the surrounding Detroit Road area. Activities include indoor and outdoor art installations, Latin food, live music, performances and a colorful “Skeletons and Skulls” procession.
CoolCleveland talked to Artistas Latinos Unidos artistic director Hector Castellanos about the upcoming Day of the Dead soiree.
Let’s start with the history of this Day of the Dead celebration in Cleveland.
We started in 2005 when a friend of mine from Mexico, who is also an artist, said we need to have this event in Cleveland because it’s getting popular in many other states, especially on the West Coast. At first we got together and did it on the east side. We did it there for a few years but there were some limitations. Now we’re on the west side, where we’re able to build a cemetery in the backyard and have a parade we call the procession with the ghosts and skeletons. Now we have more entertainment and a lot more people attend. For example, in the beginning we did face painting and we only had two face painters. Now we need at least 10 people because it’s amazing how many wait in line to get their face painted. So this is our 12th year, and it’s already part of our history and tradition here in Cleveland.
For those unfamiliar with the holiday, what is the Day of the Dead?
This is a tradition for family members who have passed away. We make offerings of all of the things they loved in life such as food and music. And for at least one day a year we remember them. All of the skeletons are well decorated and are happy. They’re different from the regular skeletons we see at Halloween. That’s something that brings us joy. We remember and tell these stories to our children to keep this event going. Now it’s here in Cleveland. I’m glad we have a chance to share and also learn from others.
Why are people coming out to Cleveland’s annual Day of the Dead?
Really for different reasons. One is they want to know what the difference is between the Day of the Dead and Halloween. It’s the same time, pretty much, like the harvest celebrations. The other thing about is they hear about it and other traditions related to it so they want to see what’s going on. There are arts, food and music. Everything comes together. It’s a day that brings much joy. Also, it creates a unity in the neighborhood because have people from different cultures. Right now 70 percent of the people who come are non-Latinos.
Considering the current concerns regarding evil clowns scaring neighborhoods, are you worried about this year’s Day of the Dead?
We never had any problems at all in the previous years. I was in Georgia a week ago and there were some concerns about sending kids out for Halloween candy when there are clowns out there in different areas. For me, it’s not a concern. We have security. Also, we’re a big group of artists that are in a safe place. We’ll have our eyes open for anything that’s not proper. And we have great relations in the area. We owe a big thanks to Cleveland Public Theater for making it possible for us because they have great facilities and they support the event 100 percent. They’re doing a lot of things. They’re a very important organization helping us.