10/30–11/2/09 Día de Los Muertos - Day of the Dead Celebration @ St Mark’s Church in the Bowery

St. Mark’s Church In-The-Bowery

131 E. 10th Street (at Second Avenue)

New York, NY 10003

Cost: Free

For all ages

The Day of the Dead has been one of Mexico’s most important celebrations since pre-Hispanic times. It is a time for families to gather and welcome the souls of the dead on their annual visit home. Cempasúchil (marigold) flowers, burning copal incense, fresh pan de muertos bread, candles, sugar skulls, photographs and mementos of the departed adorn special altars. In Mexico, Day of the Dead, is celebrated over an entire week with the preparation of altars, foods, dance, music and special offerings for people who have died. Mano a Mano recreates the magical space of a village churchyard during the celebration and has organized a series of events including altar-building, workshops, dance, poetry and music. This is a great opportunity for New Yorkers to remember their own departed loved-ones by bringing photographs, candles and flowers to adorn the altar throughout the 4-day celebration. is celebrated over an entire week with the preparation of altars, foods, dance, music and special offerings for people who have died.

This year’s special activities include a celebration of the life and music of Michael Jackson (October 31) and a weekend Altar-Building Marketplace where visitors can buy the components for their own home altars, such as sugar skulls, bread, copal incense and papel picado.

Schedule of Events: 

Friday, October 30
2-6 pm Altar building, theme: Women of Juarez, in cooperation with Amnesty International
6:30 pm Traditional Dance Procession Assembles at Union Square with Cetiliztli 
Nauhcampa Quetzalcoatlin Ixachilan and Mesa de la Virgen de Guadalupe Atl Tlatinolli
7-8 pm Traditional Dancers arrive at St. Mark’s for A Ceremony at the Altar with the Consul General of Mexico in New York, Ambassador Rubén Beltrán
8-9 pm Performance of Mujeres de Arena, ACES Collective. Theater honoring the Women of Juarez

Saturday, October 31
12-7 pm Altar-Building Marketplace
12-3 pm Altar Building, theme: Michael Jackson and other recently deceased artists
3-5 pm Four Workshops: Paper Skeletons and Papel Picado for Day of the Dead, Sugar Skulls, Day of the Dead Bread, Poetry for Day of the Dead
5-7 pm Michael Jackson Dance Party with DJ José Higuera with Sammy Shecter and Ricardo Villa

Sunday, November 1 - All Saints’ Day
1-8 pm Altar-Building Marketplace
1-4 pm Altar building, theme: Los angelitos - Children who have died from gun violence. In cooperation with New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Education Fund
4-6 pm Four Workshops: Paper Wreathes and Papel Picado Crafts for Day of the Dead, Sugar Skulls, Day of the Dead Bread, Poetry for Day of the Dead
7-8 pm Performance by La Carpa. Street theater based on traditional stories, performed in Spanish with English translation
8pm-7am Candlelight Vigil (Velación) with Concheros Citlaltonac de la Mesa del Santo Niño de Atocha and the Mesa de la Virgen de Guadalupe Atl Tlachinolli

Monday, November 2 - All Souls Day
5-7 pm Altar building, theme: Los grandes - Adults who have died
7-8 pm Musical Performance by Mariachi Tapatio de Alvaro Paulino
8-9 pm Taking Down the Altar by the Public

http://www.manoamano.us/