Denver area’s Día de los Muertos events for families
Despite new statewide pandemic restrictions announced this week, individual Día de los Muertos events are still happening around the metro area.
Of course, those “events” in many cases are simply altar displays and works of art that you and your family can visit. But for people wanting to mark the traditional Mexican Day of the Dead, which falls between Sunday, Nov. 1, and Monday, Nov. 2, they’re better than nothing.
“For us, the only change that we will have is reduced capacity,” said Erica Grossman, innovations manager at Thornton’s
Anythink Libraries, which is inviting people for in- person and virtual programming. “We do have door counters and software that alert us when we are approaching our capacity limits. Since reopening, we’ve only held programs online or outside with physical distancing. With the cooler temps, nearly all programs will be held online.”
Here’s a quick roundup of inperson celebrations that are still on for the coming days, plus a couple of virtual options.
• Aurora’s Stanley Marketplace, which was already set for tighter pandemic restrictions before this week, is hosting a
Day of the Dead Family Celebration at 2501 Dallas St. from 4: 30 to 6: 30 p. m. on Monday, Nov.
2 ( the actual Day of the
Dead). Families can listen to music and dance while leading offerings for the dead at altars spread throughout the indoor retail complex.
Still looking for pumpkins?
They’ll have those, too. Those cost money, but admission is free. stanleymarketplace. com
• Anythink Library at Wright Farms in Thornton is hosting “Xolotl: Dios Perro,” a 140- pound sculpture from Mexican artist Oscar Becerra Mora. The large alebrije ( folk- art sculpture) is created in the style of cartoneria — a modern form of Mexican
folk art that uses papier- mache. In this case, it’s an Aztec dog deity that represents the lord of the underworld and “complements the celebration of Día de los Muertos, the Mexican holiday that commemorates the passing of loved ones.” The public is invited to contribute to a community ofrenda ( altar) hosted alongside the alebrije exhibition. Photos can be printed onsite. Anythink is also hosting a virtual Día de los Muertos Family Movie Night ( Nov. 2) and artisttalk with Mora ( Nov. 7).
Free. anythinklibraries. org
• The Chicano Humanities
Arts Council will mark the end to its month- long, virtual Día de Los Muertos series by honoring Colorado- based, master Mexican folklorist Rita Wallace, and with a tribute to the legend of La Llorona. The tribute, on Zoom at 2 p. m. Saturday, Oct. 31, recognizes Wallace as one of the first people to introduce Día de Los Muertos to Colorado. She was the artistic director for Centro Cultural de Mexico and the Mexican Counsel for more than 25 years. Free. bit. ly/ 2HJM7Wv
• History Colorado and the Chicano Humanities and
Arts Council ( CHAC) are partnering on a community ofrenda at the History Colorado Center, on view through Nov. 9. “All are welcome to visit this community altar, leave personal tributes to any loved ones, or create a paper flower to add to the display,” organizers said. Colorado artist and educator Arlette Lucero led the creation of the altar, featuring artists Cal Duran and Mark Martinez Luna.
Additional community ofrendas are also open to all at El Pueblo History Museum, Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center, and the Trinidad History Museum. Coloradans who prefer to remain at home can submit a written tribute that can be displayed at the History Colorado site of their choosing. A submission form is available at h- co. org/ form. Visit historycolorado. org for locations.
• Firehouse Art Center is hosting “Día de los Muertos 2020: Our Past and Present” at 667 Fourth Ave. in Longmont through Nov. 9. The limited- capacity art show ( available by appointment; email info@ firehouseart. org) includes work from artists Cal Duran, Javier Flores, Adrian Raya and Ramon Trujillo in altars honoring political heroes and activists. Curated by Grace Gutierrez. firehouseart. org.