Dia de los Muertos • El Paso

Monday, November 02, 2009

Documentary DVDs about Dia de los Muertos

I own three documentary DVDs about Dia de los Muertos, varying in quality. The first, and best is "Tradiciones Mexicanas: Dia de Muertos." This one is presented entirely in Spanish, but English subtitles are available. This documentary goes deep into many of the traditions, and includes recipe demonstrations for making molé.

The second is "Food for the Ancestors: The Mexican Celebration of the Days of the Dead," produced by PBS. Similar in format to "Tradiciones Mexicanas: Dia de Muertos," it relates the heritage of food and how it relates to Dia de los Muertos.

"The Day of the Dead" was the first documentary about Dia de los Muertos I found on DVD, and I've had it for a few years now. This DVD focuses on Dia de los Muertos celebrations in California, and features the Latin band Quetzal. Lots of great music on this one!

All these DVDs are fairly available, and are extremely reasonable! I bought "Tradiciones Mexicanas: Dia de Muertos" for about six dollars!

Dia de los Muertos - Morelos at Mercado Mayapan - November 1, 2009

Mercado Mayapan (Centro Mayapan / La Mujer Obrera) hosted the largest Dia de los Muertos event in El Paso this year. 2009 was dedicated to the Mexican state of Morelos. Attendance has grown almost every year at Mercado Mayapan's Dia de los Muertos event.

The events throughout the city were more limited as opposed to a few years ago. 2007 was an exceptional year for events, including the culture cruise throughout town (and in Ciudad Juarez — just a few months before violence in the city erupted). 2009 was the first year that the city had not hosted its own event (or partnered with a sponsor) in quite a while. One can only assume that budget cutbacks and the state of the economy are reasons for the slimming of events. Let's hope we can get back on track — Dia de los Muertos is good for the culture of the city and the area.

The photos below are from the celebration at Mercado Mayapan, on November 1, 2009

Dia de los Muertos events in Mesilla, New Mexico - October 31, 2009

A few photos from the annual Dia de los Muertos event on the plaza in Mesilla, New Mexico. Photos from October 31, 2009.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Dia de los Muertos exhibit - Branigan Cultural Center - Las Cruces, NM

Here's some of the artwork at the juried exhibit at Branigan Cultural Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The show runs through November 7, and the museum is open from M-F, 10 AM to 4 PM, and Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM. Visit the Branigan Cultural Center at 501 N. Main Street on the north end of the Downtown Mall.

Jackalope de los Muertos, by Liz Nielsen

Every Bone Tells a Story, by Susan Wester Perez

Our Lady of the Dead, by Christy Lou Sexton

We're Halfway There Baby!, by Flo Hosa Dougherty

Paul's Ride, by Charlotte Driver

Mejores Amigos / Best Friends, by Anick Olmsted

Tierra y Libertad, by Pamela Enriquez Courts

Cihulatampa, Region of the Dead, by Rita Morones

A view of the exhibit at the Branigan Cultural Center, Las Cruces, New Mexico

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Dia de los Muertos art show at Sunland Art Gallery

The Sunland Art Gallery in Sunland Park Mall has a nice Dia de los Muertos art show, featuring work by Candy & Charlie Mayer, Teri Spicer, Romy Hawkins, Winfrey Hearst, Jennifer Stapher-Thomas, L. B. McKay, Krystyna Robbins, Marji Carrasco, Melissa Urquidi-Bonham, Cil Abeyta, Nancy Diaz and Janet Aboud. Original art, as well as very affordable prints are being sold. The show is being held October 2-31, 2009. For more information, call 584-3117.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Masks y Mas - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Took a quick trip up to Albuquerque...thought you'd enjoy the front of Masks Y Mas as it appears now...plus a cool detail shot! Be sure to check out the store on Central Avenue, right near the University of New Mexico campus.