Dia de los Muertos 2008 - Mesilla, New Mexico, November 2, 2008

Dia de los Muertos 2008 - Mesilla, New Mexico - November 2, 2008

Festivities in Mesilla, New Mexico, November 2, 2008

A mannequin that's been "muerto-ized"...


This large altar is in memory and honors all the American soldiers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan

Dia de los Muertos - Centro Mayapan - El Paso, Texas - November 1, 2008

This year's festival at Centro Mayapan focused on the Yucatan Peninsula

Dia de los Muertos - Centro Mayapan - November 1, 2008

More photos from Centro Mayapan, El Paso, Texas, November 1, 2008

Loaves of pan de muerto


Paper-maché skulls for sale

Dia de los Muertos 2008 El Paso - Centro Mayapan - November 1, 2008 - Set 1

Ofrendas at Centro Mayapan, El Paso, Texas, November 1, 2008

Dia de los Muertos - Altars inside the El Paso Public Library - Downtown

A few ofrendas (altars) inside the El Paso Public Library - Downtown Branch

Ofrenda to Frida Kahlo

Another beautiful ofrenda

Dia de los Muertos 2008 - Events at the El Paso Museum of History

Another year of celebration here in El Paso! Here are some photos from the El Paso Museum of History, November 1, 2008!

Ofrenda outside the Museum.


Folklorico dancers


Husband and wife mojingangas in a humorous dance

Dia de los Muertos 2008 events - Mesilla, New Mexico

Here is a link to Dia de los Muertos events in Mesilla. Catch the events in El Paso on Saturday, then head north on Sunday!

Dia de los Muertos events in Las Cruces / Mesilla, New Mexico

2008 Dia de los Muertos - A Celebration of Life - El Paso, Texas

The City of El Paso and the El Paso Times has published a listing of all the Dia de los Muertos events throughout the city. It appears that this year's events have been pared back from recent years. I could be wrong. What I'm not seeing is a single, large event like the one that took place downtown just outside of Union Plaza last year. I still highly recommend the Dia de los Muertos event at Centro Mayapán, which consistently is fantastic.

Schedule of events from the City of El Paso


Here is the schedule of events from the El Paso Times

Photos of my daughter and me at Dia de los Muertos 2007, Centro Mayapan, El Paso, Texas

While finishing a delicious bowl of Sopa Azteca the other day at Café Mayapán, I ran in to Arturo and Vallarie Enriquez of Vantage Point Studios. Art reminded me that he had taken a few photos of my daughter and me at last year's Dia de los Muertos celebration at Centro Mayapan, and sent them to me a few days later. Thanks to Vantage Point for allowing me to share the photos!

Give Vantage Point Studios a visit! They're one of El Paso's finest!

Centro Mayapan Dia de los Muertos 2008 poster - El Paso

Here is the poster for Centro Mayapan's Dia de los Muertos 2008 celebration here in El Paso!

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab's Dia de los Muertos perfume oil

A Dia de los Muertos fragrance? Yes at Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab.

"A joyous celebration of La Catrina, La Flaca, La Muerte... Glorious, Beautiful Death. In Mexico, death is not something to be feared or hated; She is embraced, loved, and adored. La Muerte is fêted, as the celebrant "...chases after it, mocks it, courts it, hugs it, sleeps with it; it is his favorite plaything and his most lasting love." This is a Mexican paean to La Huesuda: dry, crackling leaves, the incense smoke of altars honoring Death and the Dead, funeral bouquets, the
candies, chocolates, foods and tobacco of the ofrenda, amaranth, sweet cactus blossom and desert cereus."

La Catrina Mexican Grill & Cantina - El Paso, Texas

I haven't visited there yet, but it seems completely appropriate for the Dia de los Muertos - El Paso website! Right across from my office is the new La Catrina Mexican Grill & Cantina (317 East Mills). Cool artwork on the front of the place!

Finding copal in El Paso

I recently received an email about where to find copal resin in El Paso. Of course, incense is easy to find, but copal is another story.

First, a little about what copal is. Copal is a resin (dried sap) of the copal tree, which is more common in southern Mexico. This resin is often burned on ofrendas (altars) during Dia de los Muertos. The word copal is derived from the Nahuatl word copalli, meaning "incense." The resin can come in many forms; milky white, black and the most common, pale yellow. Copal's fragrance imparts a very smoky, cedar aroma. I absolutely love it, but many find it oppressive.

Copal resin is most typically burned on little charcoal burners, which are available at virtually any store that sells incense. (A foil-wrapped tube runs about $2-$3 for ten burners).

Copal incense can also be found in stick and smudge form, although they do not impart the genuine qualities as the resin. It tends to have a sweeter smell.

Copal resin can be found at the following places in El Paso and surrounding areas. These are the only ones I know of, but would appreciate it if readers could drop me a line if they discover it somewhere else. Be sure to call first to see if these places have it in stock.

Cool Arrows - 2000 N. Lee Trevino - 915-592-8877
Cool Arrows - 1226 McRae Blvd., 915-590-2200
Cool Arrows - 800 N Zaragoza - 915-790-2090
Cool Arrows - 4948 Hondo Pass - 915-755-3303
El Paso Museum of Art Gift Store - 1 Festival Arts Plaza - 915-532-1707
Funky Karma Incense & Tea Shop - 207 Avenida de Mesilla - Las Cruces, NM - 575-635-2275

Dia de los Muertos 2008 information - El Paso, Texas

Bits and pieces of information are beginning to come in for the 2008 celebration of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) here in El Paso, Texas.

This year's event at Centro Mayapán will be focused on the peninsular area of Mexico (last year was Veracruz; the year before, Oaxaca). The dates and times have yet to be finalized. After a great lunch at Café Mayapán, I saw that they also have forms to fill out for people who would like to create and display an altar.

Dia de los Muertos dance performance in El Paso's Philanthropy Theatre

Someone posted a video of an excellent dance performance from the Philanthropy Theatre in downtown El Paso. This was also performed twice during the Dia de los Muertos festival in Union Plaza by the same group. The music, which is "Cabaret Hoover" from the film "The Triplets of Belleville," is a perfect complement to this skeletal dance. All credit for this goes to the cinematographer.

Skeleton dance

Dia de los Muertos 2007 - El Paso - Centro Mayapan

Ofrendas at Centro Mayapan. Photos taken at Festival Dia de los Muertos at Centro Mayapan, El Paso, Texas, November 3, 2007.


The wonderful Son Jarocho group from Veracruz — Son de Madera. Photos taken at Festival Dia de los Muertos at Centro Mayapan, El Paso, Texas, November 3, 2007.

Ofrendas at Centro Mayapan. Photos taken at Festival Dia de los Muertos at Centro Mayapan, El Paso, Texas, November 3, 2007.


My daughter as a Catrina. Photos taken at Festival Dia de los Muertos at Centro Mayapan, El Paso, Texas, November 3, 2007.

A very tired Catrina three hours later, and yours truly — Mondo Loco. We were stopped several times for photos, including El Diario and What's Up. Photo taken at Festival Dia de los Muertos at Centro Mayapan, El Paso, Texas, November 3, 2007.

Dia de los Muertos 2007 - El Paso - Celebration at Union Plaza

Processional through Union Plaza. Photos taken at the Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Union Plaza, El Paso, Texas, November 2, 2007.

Dancers at Union Plaza. Photo taken at the Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Union Plaza, El Paso, Texas, November 2, 2007.


Dancers watch a fellow troupe. Photo taken at the Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Union Plaza, El Paso, Texas, November 2, 2007.

El Paso artist Cesar Ivan with one of his hand-made esqueleto marionettes. I'm glad to own one! Photo taken at the Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Union Plaza, El Paso, Texas, November 2, 2007.

Papel picado streamers adorn Union Plaza. Photo taken at the Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Union Plaza, El Paso, Texas, November 2, 2007.

Candles, marigolds and water on an ofrenda. Water is a common offering during Dia de los Muertos. Others includes salt, pan de muertos and fruit. Photo taken at the Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Union Plaza, El Paso, Texas, November 2, 2007.

This ofrenda was in honor of El Paso's police and firefighters fallen in the line of duty. Photo taken at the Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Union Plaza, El Paso, Texas, November 2, 2007.

Sugar skulls adorn an ofrenda. Photo taken at the Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Union Plaza, El Paso, Texas, November 2, 2007.

Sugar skulls being sold by El Paso Calavera Company. Photos taken at the Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Union Plaza, El Paso, Texas, November 2, 2007.

Dia de los Muertos 2007 - El Paso - Mexican Consulate

Sugar skulls and flores de muertos or cempasuchil (marigolds, the traditional flower of Dia de los Muertos)






The proverbially cool Marina Monsisvais and her hubby as La Catrína and El Catrín.




These photos are from the magnificent ofrenda for Frida Kahlo at the Mexican Consulate. Part of the Culture Cruise to Die For, November 1, 2007.

Dia de los Muertos 2007 - El Paso - Adair Margo Gallery

Ofrenda to El Paso artist Tom Lea. Part of the Culture Cruise to Die For, November 1, 2007.

Dia de los Muertos 2007 - El Paso - Clarkston Art, Guitars & Gifts

Ofrenda to Vincent Van Gogh. Part of the Culture Cruise to Die For, November 1, 2007.

Dia de los Muertos 2007 - El Paso - Tourist Distractions Gallery

Ofrenda honoring fallen El Paso soldiers lost in the war in Iraq. Part of the Culture Cruise to Die For, November 1, 2007

Dia de los Muertos 2007 - El Paso - El Paso Chile Company

One of several beautiful, large painted paper maché skulls at El Paso Chile Company. Part of the Culture Cruise to Die For, November 1, 2007.

Dia de los Muertos 2007 - El Paso - Hal Marcus Gallery

I purchased the figure in the left of this photo (female calavera kneeling in front of casket).

Original artwork, folk art pieces and large ofrenda at the Hal Marcus Gallery. Part of the Culture Cruise to Die For, November 1, 2007.

Dia de los Muertos 2007 - El Paso - Marie Otero Salon

Artwork at Marie Otero Salon. Part of the Culture Cruise to Die For, November 1, 2007.

Dia de los Muertos 2007 - El Paso - El Paso Museum of Art - Part 2

Ofrenda to Frida Kahlo, in honor of the centennial of her birth. Inside the El Paso Museum of Art gift shop. Photos taken during the Culture Cruise to Die For, November 1, 2007.

Dia de los Muertos 2007 - El Paso - El Paso Museum of Art, Part 1

Some of the many Dia de los Muertos folk art pieces for sale at the El Paso Museum of Art's gift shop. Photos taken during the Culture Cruise to Die For, November 1, 2007.

Dia de los Muertos 2007 - El Paso - El Paso Public Library

Photos from the El Paso Public Library, Downtown Branch. Part of the Culture Cruise to Die For, November 1, 2007.

Dia de los Muertos 2007 - El Paso - El Paso Museum of History

Photos from the El Paso Museum of History. Ofrenda dedicated to Teresita Urrea. Part of the Culture Cruise to Die For, November 1, 2007.

Three excellent Dia de los Muertos books for children

I wanted to show three of the best Dia de los Muertos books for children (and adults, too). Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book by illustrator/author Jeanette Winter is filled with fantastic illustrations. The alphabet portion is wrapped within the story of three generations of family that make paper mache calavera for Dia de los Muertos. A great choice for young ones, but even if you don't have children at home, it's still an excellent choice and very fun.

Calavera Abecedario




Day of the Dead complements Calavera Abecedario perfectly. Jeanette Winter provided illustrations for Tony Johnston's book, which is the about the the preparation and celebration of Dia de los Muertos.Ideal for ages 4-8.

Day of the Dead


The Festival of Bones / El Festival de los Calaveras by Luis San Vicente is a fun one, with lots of nods to the woodcuts of Jose Guadalupe Posada. Presented in English and Spanish, the skeletons come to life and will delight your children. Appropriate for ages 5 to 8.

The Festival of Bones

Esqueletos from Cesar Ivan to go on sale downtown; paintings at Lumenbrite Café

I received a nice email from El Paso artist Cesar Ivan that he'll be selling his handmade skeletons at the downtown Dia de los Muertos festivities. Think I'll have to get one! They look great!

Also, here's a link to a Dia de los Muertos poem by Cesar, as well as some of his Dia de los Muertos-inspired paintings.

Cesar Ivan paintings

Cesar is showing some of his paintings at Lumenbrite Café, so check 'em out!

2007 Dia de los Muertos events at Centro Mayapan

One of El Paso's best places to learn about Dia de los Muertos is at Centro Mayapan. This year's festivities will be held on Saturday, November 3 from 3 to 10PM.

One of the best parts of Centro Mayapan's Dia de los Muertos event is the music. This year, the theme is based around the the musical style of son jarocho, which comes from Veracruz, Mexico. If you're not familiar with son jarocho, it is amazingly complex folk music played on instruments such as the requinto jarocho, a four-stringed guitar similar to a ukelele and the arpa (harp). Popular son jarocho songs include El Cascabel ("The Little Bell") and La Bamba. I play sones jarochos and sones huestecos (another style of Mexican folk music) on my porch whenever I'm relaxing or working outside. They are both styles that I have truly come to love.

The group performing at this year's Centro Mayapan Dia de los Muertos event is Son de Madera — one of the most renowned son jarocho groups. I have two of their albums, and I can certainly say that they are one of the best groups in my collection.

Centro Mayapan will also have altars, food — including many styles of molé (a blend of chocolate and chile) and champurrado (a sweet, hot beverage made from cornmeal), vendors and dancing.

Centro Mayapan is located at 2000 Texas Avenue. For more information, call Lorenzo at 533-9710.

I'll see you there!

Finding Dia de los Muertos items in the El Paso area

There are not too many places to find Dia de los Muertos figures and artwork in El Paso. Here are a few that I know of, but be aware that the selection is probably very limited. If you are aware of others, please drop me a line and let me know.

Casa de Emma (5034-A Doniphan in Placita Santa Fe). One of the best places for Mexican Folk Art, there's a small but selection of small clay figures and larger Catrinas. Items can be found year-round.

El Paso Museum of Art Gift Shop - Downtown El Paso in the Museum of Art - A small selection of items year-round, which tends to pick up toward Dia de los Muertos.

Collectibles (4700 N. Mesa) on North Mesa has a couple of seasonal items.

GaleriAzul and Galeria on the Plaza in historic Old Mesilla (just outside of Las Cruces) carry items year-round.

Spirit Winds (2260 S Locust St, off of University) in Las Cruces has a nice selection of Day of the Dead items.

Now, of course, items for the ofrenda (altar) are a different matter. Whether its offerings of food, cigarettes, candies, toys, liquor or whatever the deceased loved one may have loved in the earthly world, look no further than a small tienda or supermarket.

Copal, the resin incense often burned during Dia de los Muertos can be found at any of the Cool Arrows locations throughout El Paso.

Excellent El Paso Dia de los Muertos photographs, 2005 & 2006

I found this very nice set of El Paso Dia de los Muertos photos on the web. Some are from the 2005 Texas Rasquache Festival, some are from last year's festivities. Would love to hear from the photographer to give proper credit!

El Paso Dia de los Muertos photos

El Paso Dia de los Muertos 2007 events calendar

Here's the City of El Paso's banner for Dia de los Muertos 2007 events, plus link below for the full calendar.

City of El Paso's Dia de los Muertos web page

Masks y Mas - Albuquerque, NM!

I travel up to Albuquerque two or three times yearly. One of my "must-stops" is Masks y Mas on Central Avenue, in the heart of "the Drag," which is the University of New Mexico's college strip. Still, despite my 38 years, I love it. Masks y Mas is quite possibly, the best resource for Dia de los Muertos items in the United States. Here are some photos of just a sampling of their wares. Visit them at www.masksymas.net. Or call (505)-256-4183.

I caught my favorite band, Los Lobos, at the Albuquerque Zoo (the second time my wife, daughter and I have seen them there) on August 18. A great show as always.

Dia de los Muertos is fast approaching, and the word is, the festivities here in El Paso will be even more than last year. But if you're visiting Albuquerque, definitely stop by Masks y Mas. It's phenomenal.





I added one of these clay skulls to my ever-expanding collection!


A huge selection of Catrinas!

More photos of the Dia de los Muertos celebration at La Mujer Obrera, El Paso, Texas, 2006

Beck plays unannounced show at Black Market's Dia de los Muertos art show!

Here's one that will go down in El Paso lore. Beck played an unannounced, impromptu gig at El Paso's own Black Market. I was heading to the Black Market for the Dia de los Muertos art show anyway, and got a tip from my buddy Zach Passero that Beck was there and was going to play a short gig. I didn't have a camera with me; I was at a store getting a new battery for my car. I quickly snapped up a $5 idiot camera and squeezed into the show. Beck played a 45-minute set on borrowed instruments, kicking it off with "Black Tambourine." Other songs included "Where It's At," "Devil's Haircut, "Que Onda Guero?, "Nicotine and Gravy," "Hell Yes" and tracks from his new album, The Information. Sorry for the image quality, but luckily Zach had his digital SLR with his, and promised to get me some photos to post. Wow! What a great night!!!!

Dia de los Muertos links

Dia de los Muertos events in various cities

The City of El Paso's Dia de los Muertos 2006 events

The City of Los Angeles' Dia de los Muertos 2007 events
This is the largest Dia de los Muertos celebration in the United States. It's also known as teh "Hollywood Forever" Dia de los Muertos. Several great videos and photos here.

The City of Oakland's Dia de los Muertos 2007 events (Fruitvale Village)

The City of San Francisco's Dia de los Muertos 2007 events


Information, history, culture and photos

AZ Central's Dia de los Muertos site... tons of great links

Building an Altar for Dia de los Muertos from La Bloga

Casa de Calaveras

Children's books for Dia de los Muertos

Common misconceptions about Day of the Dead from insidemexico.com

Dayofthedead.com

Day of the Dead Folk Art

Day of the Dead from MexOnline

Dia de los Muertos art and images

Dia de los Muertos eCards

Dia de los Muertos at the Endicott Studio for Mythic Arts

Dia de los Muertos from InsideMexico

Dia de los Muertos from Mexico Coonnect

Dia de los Muertos from Northern Notes

Dia de los Muertos from OaxacaLive

Dia de los Muertos homecoming from Viva Oaxaca

Dia de los Muertos recipes

Dia de los Muertos Wikipedia entry

Diademuertos.com

Diadelosmuertos.us

Dias de los Muertos

Free Dia de los Muertos icons from IconFactory

GoMexico's Dia de los Muertos photo gallery

El Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead from Farstrider.com...lots of photos

El Dia de los Muertos from Halloween on the Web

El Dia de los Muertos from HoustonCulture.org

Los Dias de los Muertos

Sugar Skulls

The People's Guide to Mexico: Day of the Dead

Top Five Dia de los Muertos destinations

Why do Mexicans celebrate on Day of the Dead?


José Guadalupe Posada - the artist who created many images commonly associated with Dia de los Muertos

Calaveras

José Guadalupe Posada

José Guadalupe Posada's calavera prints

José Guadalupe Posada: His Art and Times

José Guadalupe Posada - His Calaveras

José Guadalupe Posaga - an excellent resource!

Los Calaveras de Posada


Dia de los Muertos items for sale:

Alamo Fiesta

Calacas-Culture/Clothing/Curios

Corazon de Pueblo

Latin Works Co.

Masks y Mas

MexicanSugarSkull.com

Tesoros Trading Company

Tu Pueblo Imports

Untitled work by Cesar Ivan

Here's a mixed-media work by El Paso artist Cesar Ivan. It's one of many featured featued at the El Paso Muesum of Art, now through December 10. I visited the show yesterday... definitely one to catch, and part of the Dia de los Muertos celebration here in El Paso. The SpAG (Space Available Art Gallery... located at 2419 North Stanton) is also featuring similar works by other El Paso artists through November 8. The Hal Marcus Gallery also has a Dia de los Muertos display. Photo courtesy of Cesar Ivan.

Texas Rasquache Festival 2005, El Paso, Texas

Mojigangas (skeleton dancers) parading down Texas Avenue during the Texas Rasquache Festival, El Paso, Texas (2005)



Photos of me and my daughter from the Texas Rasquache Festival, El Paso, Texas (2005)

El Dia de los Muertos 2006, Photos from Plaza de los Lagartos, El Paso, Texas

El Dia de los Muertos 2006, Art Junction, El Paso, Texas

El Dia de los Muertos 2006, La Mujer Obrera, El Paso, Texas, part 3

El Dia de los Muertos 2006, La Mujer Obrera, El Paso, Texas, part 2

More photos from the Dia de los Muertos 2006 celebration at La Mujer Obrera, El Paso, Texas. Photos taken October 28, 2006.

El Dia de los Muertos 2006, La Mujer Obrera, El Paso, Texas, part 1

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