Cultural Coalition announces its fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival/Phx on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, from 12 to 6 p.m. at Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012. It is free and open to the public.
The Coalition invites families and friends to bring a blanket and grab a spot on the grass for this fifth annual event which honors and celebrates those who have passed with music, dance, theater performances and an artists' mercado featuring local artists and art groups. Food and a c hildren's activities area will be available as well. Last year the event drew several thousand visitors.
Cultural Coalition seeks to build new audiences and good will through performances, arts and crafts, children's activities and educational programs about the Day of the Dead. Prior to the park event, the Phoenix Public Library, Burton Barr branch, will host a free program featuring the Cultural Coalition: "An Imaginary Trip Through The Americas" on Thursday, September 15th at 6 pm in the Pulliam Auditorium.
FREE ADMISSION to the festival includes dynamic performances by local artists, mask-making and hands-on childrens art activities led by local artists. The festival will also feature a variety of local healthy ethnic foods such as Paz Tacos, Molly's Tamales and Dine Yummy.
Entertainment will include mariachi music and dances in different styles such as Aztec, folklorico, and other original dance productions, including Las Coronas, La Visita, La Mascarada and The Flight of Quetzalcoatl ~ The Eagle Serpent.
At the end of the day, festival attendees will be encouraged to participate in a colorful candlelight procession alongside "Las Flacas," which are 8-foot-tall animated puppets. A moment of silence for the departed also will be observed.
"We want to explore and express our roots in a positive way, with ceremony and celebration," says Zarco Guerrero, president of Cultural Coalition, Inc. "This tradition has cross-cultural appeal. Its philosophy of celebrating life and not fearing death is comforting to many cultures. American society has assimilated the beautiful aspects of Day of the Dead."
"Every year, we realize how important it is for the freedom of cultural expression to create community. We feel culture is the tool we need to spread good will. For me, Dia de los Muertos is not only a personal form of expression, but it's a way to pay tribute to people other than our relatives. It's become a multicultural celebration and also a remembrance of people experiencing hardships."
This unique celebration, supported by grants from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, features an afternoon of food, music and cultural performances.
For more info visit diadelosmuertosphx.com or facebook.com/culturalcoalitionaz
Founded in 1996 by Zarco and Carmen Guerrero, Cultural Coalition is celebrating 20 years. The Coalition has produced festivals, theater, music concerts, and community events in Chandler, Guadalupe, Phoenix, Mesa, the West Valley and throughout the Southwest. For more information, visit www.culturalcoalition.com
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