El Dia de Los Muertos-Day of the Dead

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El Dia de Los Muertos - The Day of the Dead
Tuesday, November 1, 2005, 5 - 11pm

Living Arts of Tulsa is hosting the celebration of “El Dia de los Muertosâ€? in which it is believed by some Hispanic cultures that the spirits of those who have passed from this earth are remembered and believed to return to join the living who are holding vigil by their altar.  Food, flowers, artwork,  performances, music, fireworks, dancing are all part of the ultimate  contrast between the sadness of death and the joy of living.  And so, Living Arts invites the public to come to 3rd and Kenosha Ave in Tulsa, Ok. and be part of the Day of the Dead.  Events of the evening include:

Altared Spaces Exhibition- opening at 5:00pm the evening of November 1 and continuing through November 11, a special exhibition of altars made by local artists and students will be featured inside Living ArtSpace.  Artists and non-artists (this includes all of YOU) this year are invited to create a work which will utilize “the empty tableâ€? format in the middle of the gallery to create an altar to anyone who has passed on.  You can start at 12:00noon today!

Many thanks to Monica Montagut for curating this exhibit!  Regular gallery hours are Sat 1-4pm, and Thur 5-8pm.

Altar Guidelines:
1. The altar should be built in honor  of a person(s).
2. It should  contain items that they would like.
3. It must not be disrespectful of the Hispanic people or culture.
4. Arrange the objects in a mindful manner -   create a beautiful work of art to welcome them for their return.
5. Think about safety - don’t use anything that could     injure someone.
6. Consider not placing anything of great value on the altar.

These guidelines are suggestions that are made   not to limit your creativity, but to keep the altars  within the limits designed by the Day of the Dead Steering Committee. They are meant  only as starting points for your imagination to run freely as you create a wonderful installation to someone who has passed on.


3rd & Kenosha Street Fiesta
Come enjoy the Hispanic food, music, artists booths, activities and performances as Kenosha Street will be closed off to traffic this year with Hispanic performances happening in the street from 5:00-9:00pm followed by a Salsa Dance Contest.



Entertainment schedule

MC: Maria Swindell

6:00-6:30
Eisenhower School Exchange Students dance presentation

6:45-7:45
Mariachi Tulsa

8:00-8:25
Tierra Mestiza Ballet Folklorico

8:30-9:00
Rosa Clark
Musica Latina or Latin Songs

9:00-11:00pm
Parrandero
DJ Latina musica: Cambia, Banda, Norteña, Bachata, Merengue,

Salsa Street Dance Contest & prizes!!

Many thanks to Linda French for coordinating the performing artists!


Dead Letters
An area will be set up for people to write letters to friends and relatives who have passed on.  These will be set ablaze and the messages will be symbolically transmitted to the deceased.

Authentic Mexican Food
Great food and drink will be available for purchase this year from Las Juanas, El Charro and Living Arts Board Members!

Made possible with assistance from: the Oklahoma Arts Council, CBRE CB Richard Ellis/Richard Monaghan, Las Juanas, El Charro, Cosmo Café, Hispano de Tulsa, Leigh Manlove, A Studio and others from the community.  With many thanks to this year’s Day of the Dead Committee, Chaired by Cindy Pollack.

For details, call 585-1234 or go to www.livingarts.org