Guide to Day of the Dead events in Rochester
Looking ahead to the weekend, there are a few events being held in Rochester to celebrate Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
Rochester Public Library
According to a news release:
Three events are planned for Saturday and Sunday to mark the Day of the Dead, a multi-day celebration observed in Mexico. Day of the Dead can be traced hundreds of years back to the Aztec times as a time to celebrate the lives of the departed.
Rochester Public Library is hosting the open houses, featuring craft options for all ages. Participants will be able to decorate a sugar skull, create a calaveras mask, make tissue paper marigolds, and also add memories to community memory boards.
Heather Acerro, Head of Youth Services at RPL says Day of the Dead is a joyful celebration. “Traditionally Día de los Muertos is a festive event meant to celebrate lives rather than mourn loss,” Acerro says, adding, “It’s also a great way to learn about other cultures and celebrations.”
Day of the Dead open house events will be held in the library auditorium:
- Saturday, November 4, 10 AM to 11:30 AM
- Saturday, November 4, 2 PM to 4 PM
- Sunday, November 5, 2 PM to 4 PM
Learn more on the library's website.
Day of the Dead Poets Slam
According to organizers:
The 4th Annual Day of the Dead Poets Slam is here! Day of the Dead Poets Slam is a combination of a Poetry Slam and Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
- Doors open: 6:00 PM
- Performance by Mexica Yololt & Mexica Yolotlzin (Aztec Dancers): 6:30 PM
- Day of the Dead Poets Slam: 7:00 PM
Day of the Dead Poets Slam honors late and great poets through the crucible of the world famous Poetry Slam. Poets arrive in character as their favorite dead poet, think Maya Angelou vs. Walt Whitman vs. Sylvia Plath vs. Pablo Neruda etc., and deliver high powered performances of that poet's works in an electrifying head to head competition for cash, prizes and glory. Poets are encouraged to use props, costumes and makeup while they compete in an environment festooned with Day of the Dead decorations, including altars, colorful papel picado, decorated sugar skulls and more!
Rowdy audience participation is encouraged by cheering for poems you love, and booing the judges when you disagree with their scores. Audience members are also encouraged to wear calavera style makeup, and come dressed as their favorite dead poet! We will have a makeup artist on hand to help with face painting at the event.
This event is part of Day of the Dead Poets Slam 2017. Other events in this series include Youth Poetry Showcase "I Remember"(Nov 3), VIP Very Important Pachanga (Nov 3), and Dia de los Muertos Crafts at Free Family Day (Nov 4).
Day of the Dead Poets Slam 2017 is a production of Rochester Art Ensemble.
Cover photo: File / Pixabay
