Thursday, October 02, 2014

Info on an altar building workshop from Frank Varela...October 11

Here's some info on an altar building workshop by Frank Varela

FREE EVENT! Join us for this wonderful lecture on the altares of Dia De Los Muertos, presented by Frank Varela... where you will learn the different components of an altare, and the symbolism behind them. You will also learn how to create a beautiful altare inexpensively, and using mostly items that you can find around your home.

ENTER OUR CONTEST: Help us create a beautiful array of altars in the cemetery on Dia de Los Muertos this year! All who attend either one of our FREE Altares Workshops will be eligible to set up their own altar during our Dia De Los Muertos Festival - Concordia Cemetery (Nov 1), for a chance to win a prize for best altar!


Join us!
Saturday, October 11th
108 E. San Antonio
1:00 pm


https://www.facebook.com/events/779485118781071/


Dia de los Muertos 2014 - Concordia Cemetery - El Paso

Here's information on events at Concordia Cemetery...


For more infomation, visit http://www.concordiacemetery.org/untitled2.html

or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DiaDeLosMuertosFestivalElPaso

Monday, November 04, 2013

Dia de los Muertos in Buena Vista, west El Paso, November 2, 2013

Artist Israel Armendariz works on the world's largest painted skull...made from the frame of a vintage VW Beetle!



Folklorico group Ceiba performs at the event...


Works by David Lyon Andersen, Buena Vista Dia de los Muertos, West El Paso, November 2, 2013

What a surprise I had when attending the Dia de los Muertos festivities in the little Buena Vista neighborhood tucked away in west El Paso...several paintings by my old friend David Lyon Andersen. I was Dave's assistant at the UTEP Department of Art from 1987 to 1989. I was a student at the university, and I helped him empty out lockers, paint moving gallery walls, hang shows...just about the best minimum wage job I could ever imagine...LOVED it. Plus, Dave is just a great guy!

I had not seen Dave since 1989 or 1990, and I've always been a huge admirer of his work. When I left my position at the art department, Dave graciously gave me one of his watercolors, which was of a mummified cat. It's hung in every apartment and house I've lived in since that time. Dave now calls Portland, Oregon his home, and it was absolutely GREAT to see him again for the first time in 23 years!

Anyway, Dave had a little show of some of his more recent works, and they are FAN-tastic. Would love to own one (I need to start saving my pennies). Here's a sampling!










Friday, November 01, 2013

--> Día de los Muertos Events in El Paso and Southern New Mexico, 2013Firstly, my apologies for not posting this sooner...I've been sorely neglecting this blog over the past few years, especially since other forms of social media have taken off and blogs have been in sort of a decline. Hopefully many of you will take part in several of the events here in the El Paso southwest this weekend.

My long-standing favorite event is Día de Muertos at Centro Mayapan, 2000 Texas. The celebration features traditional altars, calavera poems and a catrina contest. Dance company Comparza de Chinelos de Zapata will also perform. The event will be from 3 to 10 p.m., Saturday, November 2.

Día de los Muertos Festival at Concordia Cemetery. The Concordia Heritage Association and the Paso del Norte Paranormal Society are having their annual event from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday, November 2 at Concordia Cemetery, 3700 E. Yandell. Admission is $5, $1 for students, children, seniors and military. The event will have face painters, live music, storytelling and a ghost tour from 9 to 11 p.m. For more information, call 694-2317 or email help@ghosts915.com.

Downtown Día de los Muertos Celebration. This event is for the whole family, and will be held at the San Carlos Building, 501 Texas. Live music from Chuco Soul Project, Bella Fusion and DJ Onemanjazz, plus live art, card readings and fire dancers! Event starts at 5 p.m., Saturday, November 2. Admission is $5 at the door. Kids 5 and younger are free.

Buena Vista Día de los Muertos. This is one I’ve never attended, and I’m looking forward to. The celebration is all day Saturday, November 2, at 120 Courchesne. There will be altars, art picnic workshops and an exhibition by David Lyon Andersen. Iya Khan will perform from 9 a.m. to noon, and Ceiba will have a workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 619-886-1892 or email centroartisticobv@blogspot.com.

Día de los Muertos at the El Paso Museum of Art. Hands-on activities, storytelling and more from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, November 2. A candle-decorating workshop will also be held (Cost: $10 for non-members). A celebration featuring an ofrenda (altar) to artists who have passed, pan de muerto and chocolate will be offered. Admission is free. For information, call 532-1707 or visit elpasoartmuseum.org. Also at the museum is a special catrina art show called “Hermosos Huesos,” featuring the work of artist Wayne Hilton. The exhibit is currently open, and ends Wednesday, November 6.

Día de los Muertos Counterculture Festival, 3 p.m. to 1:45 a.m., Saturday, November 3 at Paulina’s Badlands Billiards, 77932 Franklin. Lots of performers at this event! Matachinez Guadalupanos, Folklorica Quetzalez, Bella Fusion (fire dancers) and ten bands, including Fixed Idea and Get the Honey. Costumes are encouraged! Admission is $5 at the door; kids 10 and younger are free! Call 269-6774 for more information.

Day of the Dancing Dead. Starting 5 p.m., Saturday, November 2. This downtown block party will be held on Mills Avenue between Kansas and Stanton. Food trucks, go-go dancers, stilt walkers, music and much more. General admission is $15; VIP admission is $30. Tickets available at the Network, 317 E. Mills.

Dia de los Muertos Celebration in Mesilla Plaza, Mesilla, New Mexico. This is another long-standing Día de los Muertos event, and runs all day Friday, November 1 through Sunday, November 3. Several altars will be displayer, and artists selling folk art, crafts and much more! Just off Mesilla Plaza, Café de Mesilla, 2051 Calle de Santiago is featuring a Día de los Muertos art exhibit and altar. For more info, email calaveracoalition@q.com.

Border Book Festival Foundation Día de los Muertos, Las Cruces, New Mexico. Based at Casa Camino Real, 314 South Tornillo Street in downtown Las Cruces. There will be a downtown procession at 5 p.m., Saturday Nov. 2 to San José Cemetery. Afterward, music, posole and refreshments.

Tuesday, October 02, 2012


A Dia de los Muertos slot machine? Believe it or not, I spotted this dollar-eater in Las Vegas this summer.
The Calavera Coalition invites businesses and groups to construct an altar for this year's Dia de los Muertos Celebration, November 2-4 in Old Mesilla Plaza. Altars can be for specific persons, groups, a cause or beloved pets, and may also serve as a venue for public information related to your organization. Overnight security will be provided, and all proceeds go to the Community of Hope. For information, email calaveracoalition@q.com or call 575-647-2639.
Info on 2012 Dia de los Muertos events here in the El Paso-Las Cruces area are starting to become available. Here's the ad from one of our favorites — Centro Mayapan! (Click on photo to see full image)

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Dia de los Muertos items at the Busy Lady Gift Shop, 5034 Doniphan

Here's just a tiny sample of the wonderful assortment of Dia de los Muertos items at The Busy Lady Gift Shop, 5034 Doniphan on El Paso's westside. I'm pretty confident that the store has El Paso's best selection of Dia de los Muertos items in the area. Give them a visit or a call at 915-637-5168. The store is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM.

(Note: Unfortunately, The Busy Lady shut down in early 2012)







Feliz Dia de los Muertos, El Paso

Today, November 2, is Dia de los Muertos, or All Souls Day. Feast and drink with your loved ones who have passed.

Dia de los Muertos 2011 - Centro Mayapan - October 30, 2011

Folklorico dancers performing in the zapateado style of Veracruz, Mexico.




Ofrendas at Centro Mayapan



 Ofrenda for El Paso artist and sculptor Luis Jimenez



An ofrenda to legendary El Pasoan bandleader Don Tosti, creater of "Pachuco Boogie"






Son jarocho group Los Utrera's performance at Centro Mayapan...





Dia de los Muertos events in Mesilla, New Mexico - October 28, 2011

Just a few photos of ofrendas on the first night of Dia de los Muertos events on Mesilla Plaza.