Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at Mesa Arts Center Oct. 19-20

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~ The City of Mesa, along with the Mesa Arts Center and the community, is gearing up to celebrate the 18th annual Da de los Muertos Festival. This two-day event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The festival will kick off on Saturday at 10 a.m. with a traditional Aztec Dance performance by Ministerio de Danza Azteca. On Sunday, the closing ceremony at 4:30 p.m. will feature Mayor Giles, Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia, and Consul General of Mexico Jorge Mendoza Yescas.

Mandy Tripoli, deputy director of visual arts and engagement/education at Mesa Arts Center, expressed her excitement for the festival saying, "Mesa Arts Center's Dia de los Muertos festival is special for its combination of rich cultural traditions and community-focused experiences." She added that the festival celebrates the richness of Mexican culture through various activities such as performances, hands-on art activities, and a marketplace.

The festival will offer nonstop live entertainment including mariachi music, folklorico dance, contemporary bands and for the first time this year, a dedicated DJ stage. Attendees can also participate in hands-on artmaking activities such as a Copper Enamel Calaveras workshop and free youth nichos and printmaking activities. Mesa Arts Center's Art Studios will also be offering free glass and ceramics demonstrations throughout the festival.

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Other highlights of the festival include traditional face painting, a variety of food options and an expanded Mercado Marketplace featuring traditional and contemporary merchandise from local artisans and vendors. The Store, an artist's cooperative and gallery, will also be open during the festival selling Day of the Dead themed items.

One of the main attractions at the festival is the community altar designed by local artists Luis and Pilar Estrada of Estradas Artistry. Attendees are invited to leave mementos in honor of their departed loved ones on the altar. The photographs will be kept and replaced each year or can be collected by 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20.

The festival will also feature an Altar Contest and altars created by local artist Zarco Guerrero and Tucson artist Xochitl Avila. Other installations include a unique alebrije sculpture by Oscar Becerra Mora and Rueben Miguel Castillo Navarrete, photobooths, tintamarresques, and a cemetery scene by Mesa Youth Creative Agency.

This year, the festival will also have an expanded Relaxed Hour on Sunday, Oct. 20 from 9-10 a.m. This hour is specifically designed to provide a comfortable and inclusive experience for those with sensory sensitivities. It will have fewer crowds, reduced lighting and sound, allergy-friendly snacks, a sensory-friendly play space, meet and greet with festival performers, and artmaking activities led by specialist artists.

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The festivities will continue across Main St. at the Plaza at Mesa City Center with an extension of the Mercado, new roaming elote carts, a music stage, live muralists curated by local legends Such and Champ Styles, and activities with MABEL in front of ASU's MiX Center. As part of the celebration, admission to Arizona Museum of Natural History will be free on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The festival will conclude with an open procession to the Community Altar led by traditional Aztec dancers and Ballet Folklorico La Llorona followed by a closing performance by Mariachi Pasion at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

There is no cost to attend the Da de los Muertos Festival and parking is free. The event will take place at Mesa Arts Center located at One East Main Street in downtown Mesa. For more information, visit mesaartscenter.com.

The presenting sponsors of the festival are Amazon and SRP, with additional support from National Endowment for the Arts, Crescent Crown Distributing, Food City, Consulate General of Mexico, Modelo, 93.3 Alt AZ, 100.7 KSLX, Jarritos, Celerion, Humana/Centerwell Senior Primary Care, BASIS Charter Schools and presented in partnership with Mesa Arts Center Foundation.

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