Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center presents 13^th Annual Día de los Muertos celebration

The Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center (SQACC) will present its 13^th Annual Día de los Muertos celebration fundraiser on Saturday November 7^th, 2009 with the doors opening at 5:30 pm.  The celebration is from 6:00 pm till l1:00 p.m.  

This year’s musical entertainment is flamenco guitarist Carlos Enrique González and Andy Trejo. Original Día de los Muertos altars and artworks by local artists will be on display for all to enjoy plus an opportunity to purchase hand crafted items from Mexico. 

The proceeds from the fundraiser will help the Sofia Quintero Center continue its youth and community programs. 

To start the Día de los Muertos Celebration, the SQACC, in collaboration with Saints Peter & Paul Parish, will host its Annual Community Remembrance Walk Saturday November 7^th, beginning at 9:00 a.m.  Anyone wishing to participate should meet the SQACC at 8:45 a.m.  You are encouraged to bring, crosses, photos or other items of family or personal importance of those you wish to remember.  Participants will walk from the SQACC to Saints Peter & Paul Parish (approx. 1/2 mile) where a special prayer service will be presented.

What is Día de los Muertos?  It is a celebration with roots dating back 3,000 years where the Aztecs and other indigenous people of México believed that death was not to be feared but only another journey in the cycle of life.  When the Spanish Conquistadors came and introduced Catholicism, the Catholic Church tried and failed to erase this “pagan Aztec ritual.” 

The Catholic Church, to make this ritual more Christian, moved Día de los Muertos from early August to coincide with All Saints Day and All Soul’s Day, Nov. 1 and 2, which explains the Catholic tones seen on many altars  

Since that time to the present, Día de los Muertos is celebrated throughout México and in Latino communities in the United States and other Latino countries.

Admittance is $30.00 per person in advance and $35.00 at the door with food and drink provided.  Call SQACC 419-241-1655 in advance for reservations due to limited seating. 

Editor’s Note: Every year the SQACC asks artists, families and organizations to create original altars for public display.  The altar entry fee is $25.00 for an altar space of 8 X 8 square feet.  SQACC is willing to assist those willing to make an altar by supplying paint, brushes, lumber, paper or other materials needed to make a Día de Los Muertos Altar related Artwork.  If you are seriously interested to committing your time and talent, call SQACC at 419-241-1655.

The public, schools and organizations are invited to visit the SQACC from November 8^th through November 15^th to view the Día de los Muertos altars.  Call the SQACC at 419-241-1655 either to inquire about making an Altar or to make visitation arrangements if you have a large group.