Oct. 28—31, 2016 1-6pm
All events are free and open to the public.
New York, NY, October 20, 2016 –Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders brings Mexican traditions to New York at its annual celebration of Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) with live musical performances and art-making workshops from October 28th to 31st from 1-6pm at the East Yard of St. Mark’s (11th Street and Second Avenue in Manhattan).Day of the Dead celebrates an ancient Mexican tradition that brings together family and friends to remember past loved ones. Marigold (Cempasúchil) flowers, burning copal incense, fresh pan de muerto bread, candles, sugar skulls, photographs and mementos of the departed will adorn the special altar known as Ofrenda. 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, and music.
This year, Mano a Mano will remember victims of femicide on Oct 28th and 29th. About 66,000 women and girls are violently killed every year according to the Small Arms Surveybased in Geneva, Switzerland. Mano a Mano will adorn its main altar in pink in remembrance of the hundreds of thousands of women who have been killed violently in Mexico and other parts of the world. Join us by placing pink roses on the altar as we remember them.
In accordance with tradition the altar will change daily. On October 30 and 31 Mano a Mano will remember Mexican superstar Alberto Aguilera Valadez better known by his stage name of Juan Gabriel. On August 28 he died from a massive heart attack. He is Mexico’s bestselling artist of all time and considered one of the greatest musical icons in the Spanish speaking world.
When: Oct. 28—31, 2016 – 1-6pm
Where: East Yard at St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery – 131 10th St., New York, NY 10003
All events are free and open to the public. Mexican food will be available for purchase throughout the event, including:
Hot drinks: Atole (Hot gruel flavored with cinnamon), Chocolate caliente (Hot chocolate)
Traditional dishes: Chicken with mole sauce (chilies and chocolate)
Tamales and sopes (Corn based dumplings with different toppings and fillings)
About Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders
Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders is a New York-based non-profit organization 501(c)(3) dedicated to celebrating Mexican culture and promoting the understanding of Mexican traditions.
General Information about the event
How to Get There:
Subway: #6 to Astor Place, L to 3rd Avenue, F to Second Avenue, or any train to Union Square. Bus: M8, M15, M101, M102, M103.
Venue:
St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery
131 E 10th St (at Second Ave.), New York, NY 10003
Organizer:
Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders
For information please visit www.manoamano.us, call 212-587-3070 or email:
info@manoamano.us.
Schedule of activities:
Friday, October 28 – In Remembrance of Victims of Femicide
1-6pm | Marketplace
Mexican handcrafts and folk art, papel picado, sugar skulls, pan de muerto bread, and Mexican food on sale.
1pm | Altar Building
Members of the public can join our team in altar building. We encourage everyone to bring pink roses to adorn the altar.
4pm | Workshop: Paper Flowers
Create your own paper flowers and place them as an offering at the altar or take them home with you.
Saturday, October 29 – In Remembrance of Victims of Femicide
12-6pm | Marketplace
2pm | Workshop: Skull masks
Join artist Andrea Arroyo to create your Mexican skull (calaca) mask.
4pm | Claudia Valentina
Enjoy this special performance by singer Claudia Valentina as we remember Mexican superstar Juan Gabriel
Sunday, October 30 – Tribute to Juan Gabriel
1-6pm | Marketplace
1pm | Altar Building
Members of the public can join our team in altar building. We encourage everyone to bring copies of photographs of departed loved-ones to adorn the altar.
3pm | Cetiliztli Nauhcampa
Enjoy a special performance by artist collective Cetiliztli Nauhcampa Quetzalcoatl in Ixachitlan as we honor our ancestors and departed loved-ones.
4:30pm | Fandango with Son Pecadores
Enjoy a special performance by Son Pecadores a collective that shares the centuries-old traditions from Veracruz.
Monday, October 31 – Tribute to Juan Gabriel
1-6 pm | Marketplace
12pm | School group visits
Scheduled Day of the Dead presentations for groups students.
5pm | Mariachi Tapatio
Join us for a special Mariachi performance to conclude the event.
6pm | Taking down the Altar & closing
Items from the altar are shared with the public.
Funding to Day of the Dead is provided in part by public funds the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; and Council Member Rosie Mendez.
