Sat 10/30 @ 11AM-10PM
The celebration of the traditional Mexican Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), taking place on the campus of Cleveland Public Theatre/Teatro Público de Cleveland and the surrounding Gordon Square neighborhood, returns full-scale for its 17th year this year — no more looking at the altar installations (ofrendas) online.
While some have wrongly conflated this day with Halloween because of the proximity of the dates (Dia de Muertos is on November 1) and both involve costumes, they have little else in common. Día de los Muertos derives from Aztec traditions to honor and celebrate one’s ancestors family and community members who have passed on, with an element of a harvest festival as well. Despite the skull and skeleton imagery, rather than “spooky” or “haunted,” it’s a joyful occasion with food, music, flowers, decorations costumes and altars containing items connected to the loved ones who have died.
The all-day event, put together by artistic director Héctor Castellanos Lara, will offer the altars to be viewed in person, along Latin food, live music, kids’ activities and of course the popular parade.
Everything kicks off at 11am, with craft workshops and folk art vendors; visitors can view the ofrendas created by local artists. The procession steps off at 3:30pm from CPT’s Parish Hall, makes its way to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at West 70th & Detroit, continues to the Craciun Berry Funeral Home at West 72nd and Detroit, and then returns to CPT. Anyone can participate but you must register in advance. Former councilman Matt Zone will serve as the Grand Mashall while Olga Rosado carries the front banner and the Mariachi Santa Cecilia provides music. There will be no face painting at the event this year (we’re not quite 100% back), so come with your makeup on.
There’ll be performances in both the Church at CPT and Parish Hall, starting at 12:45 and going until 10pm, ranging from traditional Mexican and Guatemalan music, to dances by the Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center, to the Rice & Beans Latin Jazz Band to violin and guitar performances.
It’s all free; masks are required indoors. For a full schedule of activities, go to diademuertosohio.com.