Like so many years before ( since 2022 ), we will be putting up El Morro's very own community altar to honor our beloved departed in a celebration of life and love.
We would love for you to join us and share your memories and your loved ones with all of us.
Friday, October 31st
6:00 to 8:30 pm
at The Old School Gallery.
We’re reaching out to our awesome community to help make the fourth edition of
Dia de Muertos: Open Mic and Celebration totally free for everyone!
In past years, the magic came to life thanks to amazing sponsors like you, and we’re hoping to keep that tradition going. With only $20 you can become a sponsor and be part of something special by helping bring this celebration to life. As a thank-you, your name turned into a logo will be proudly displayed on our website and at the event.
This celebration is all about life, love, and tradition,
and it wouldn’t be the same without your support.
Reach out to: diademuertoselmorro@gmail.com
ABOUT DÍA DE MUERTOS
Día de Muertos (or Day of the Dead) is a time when families gather to honor and remember deceased loved ones. It is believed that, in that day, the souls of the dead return to visit their living families.
Day of the Dead originated several thousand years ago with the Aztec, Toltec, and other Nahua people, for whom death was a natural phase in life, and mourning the dead was considered disrespectful: it was believed that tears would make the spirit's path treacherous and slippery. Today it takes place on November 1 and 2—All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on the Catholic calendar—The festivities unfold over two days in an explosion of color and joy, around the time of the fall maize harvest, and the arrival of the monarch butterfly.
Be part of the Community Ofrenda!
Bring a picture of your departed loved one(s).
Bring mementos of them.
Some examples are:
-
A clothing item
-
Their favorite brand of cigarettes
-
Playing cards, or their favorite game
-
A postcard of their favorite place
-
Letters or poems they wrote
-
Your pet's collar or nametag, or their favorite toy
-
A mug, a book, a craft... you name it!
Let your face be painted and
walk the night as La Catrina in all her elegance.
.jpeg)
Savor the traditional Pan de Muerto and enjoy soul-warming drinks like Mexican hot chocolate.
Sing a song, read a poem, tell a story of the people you are honoring this evening,
or just come forward and read your Calaverita to everyone!
Want to take a shot at creating your own Calaverita?
Write your own satirical poem remembering a loved one or roasting your dear friend...
You can prepare one now, and recite it at the Open Mic, or you can create one at the event along with other people!
1. Pick someone (or something) to eulogize.
Just think of someone, either dead or alive, who you want the poem to be about. You can write about a politician or famous person, or your best friend, or pet, or even an object.
2. Introduce your subject.
Tell a funny story about the character: irony works best, but dark humor is welcomed as well.
Try starting with the imaginative prompt, “If [celebrity / politician / public figure] died of a particular emotion, what would it be?”. Do a little foreshadowing. Are they behaving badly? Making poor choices? Minding their own business? It’s all up to you.
3. Decide how they meet La Muerte.
How will Death come? Will it be the result of their hobby or occupation? Their personality? Or will they perish as the result of a really bad pun.
Consider a lesson about mortality or living life to the fullest.
4. Things to consider.
-
Take care with the number of syllables for each verse: you can use as many as you like, but be consistent.
-
A good starting point would be to make verses of 4 lines, with about 6 syllables each.
-
Remember to rhyme each line’s final word.
-
Think of the poem, even with its ironic twist, as a way to honor your character (poke fun, but mean well).
