Not all that long ago, Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, celebrations in this country sparked religious protests and cries of devil worship – thankfully, that sort of narrow-minded thinking is behind us. Dia de los Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday that honors family and friends who have passed away through the creation of ofrendas, or altars. Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village’s Dia de los Muertos festival has become a favorite event for Sedona locals and visitors, evident if you witnessed than one-hour-plus wait last year to get your face painted like the festival’s iconic Catrina dolls. Day of the Dead returns to Tlaquepaque Nov. 1 and 2 from 4:30 to 8 p.m.
The festival kicks off on Oct. 28 with the return of the Marigold Mural Project in Tlaquepaque’s Calle Independencia. Visitors and locals are invited to remember those who have passed on by adding their own artistic touches to the mural. Paints and brushes will be provided. The mural project began in 2012, so murals from the past two years will also be on display. Painting takes place daily from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. through Nov. 2. Local artist Lovejoy, who created the marigold garland that frames the mural, will be on hand to assist painters. “You don’t need to be artistic to participate,” says Wendy Lippman, Tlaquepaque’s resident partner and general manager. “It just needs to come from the heart.”
On Nov. 1 and 2, Tlaquepaque’s patios will be transformed by local wedding and party planners Events by Showstoppers. Colorful altars, flowers, candles, sugar skulls and papier-mache skeletons will be everywhere. Visitors are invited to bring photos of friends, family or pets who have passed on to contribute to the altars. Flamenco guitarists Eric Miller and Gaetano and Friends will provide entertainment, but the highlight of the evening will be the performance by funky-jazz ensemble DiVoM and the Extraordinaires, led by pianist and composer David Vincent Mills. The performance will include fire dancers, jugglers, stilt walkers, dancers and an aerial artist. The show starts at 5 p.m. – Erika Ayn Finch. Photograph by Deb Weinkauff.
SEDONA CALENDAR: Events, activities, shows, happenings
