Sat 10/26 @ 7-10PM
For the 17th year, Kent’s Standing Rock Cultural Arts presents its annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibition in its North Water Street Gallery (which is celebrating its 27th birthday!) The exhibit features a riot of paintings, prints photographs, masks and giant puppet sculptures by Vince Packard, Elizabeth Lax, Trey Berry, Joshua Bentley, Amy Strainer and other artists, with a special appearance by Mariachi Santa Cecilia. There will be food and drinks, and a parade to the gazebo, with all drummers welcome.
The exhibit will be on view through November 30. It’s a $10 suggested donation, and they will be taking up a donation for the family of Vicente Hernandez, the vocalist with Mariachi Santa Cecilia and a community member for more than two decades. Why? He’s being held in detention in Cleveland by ICE, according to the press release. However, when I went to the HOLA Cleveland page to find out how that happened, there was happy news, posted just two hours earlier on Tuesday 11/22:
“We just got word from the Assistance Field Office Director for ICE that Vicente will be able to apply to be released on bond!! This is a rare and unexpected outcome. Yesterday, he had been told to pack his bags, that he was being deported. In fact, he was picked up by ICE agents and moved from the jail. We were in a panic mode, and issued our urgent release. Thanks to all of you who called and applied pressure!!! We were told many calls came in to our members of Congress. Thank you all for taking action!!!”
I’m sure he and his family could still use whatever help people can offer, given this country’s broken, Kafka-esque immigration system.
Kent, OH 44240