Want to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos? Nelson has full day of performances, food, art
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is celebrating Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, this weekend.
The free festival, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, will be filled with traditional Mexican dances, art, food and more.
It’s one of many Dia de los Muertos celebrations around Kansas City as the Nov. 1 date approaches. In preparation, the museum is installing an altar in Kirkwood Hall, created in collaboration with local artists, students, the Mattie Rhodes Center and the Mexican Consulate in Kansas City. It’s on view Oct. 28 to Nov. 7.
Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican celebration, traditionally held the day after Halloween, honoring the lives of deceased family members and friends.
Here’s what else the Nelson has in store Sunday:
WHO’S PERFORMING?
The celebration features plenty of live performances in Atkins Auditorium, honoring Mexican culture and heritage:
Los Bailadores de Kansas City from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
Rose Marie’s Fiesta Mexicana from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. Before the dance performance begins, there will be special welcome remarks.
El Grupo Folklorico Atotonilco from 2 to 2:45 p.m. and 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.
The Bloch Building at the museum will also host performances:
Calacas procession at 10:45 a.m. Photo opportunity from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mariachi Azteca from Guadalupe High School from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m.
Guadalupe Center Middle School Mariachi from 12:30 to 1 p.m.
Performances by students from the Art as Mentorship program, a local nonprofit approaching young students’ potentials through music, from 2 to 2:30 pm. and 3 to 3:30 p.m.
ARE THERE OTHER ACTIVITIES?
You can make your own Dia de los Muertos picture frame in rooms 1, 2 and 3 on the lobby level all day. Here’s what else you can do:
Visit the Educator Resource Center on the lobby level to learn more about printmaking, Mexican culture and more from noon to 4 p.m.
View live printing led by local artist Erick Felix from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Rockhill Room.
Virginia Oropeza demonstrates traditional Mexican crafts from 1 to 4 p.m in the Rockhill Room.
Book displays and paper picture frame decorating from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Spencer Art Reference Library.
Two storytimes for preschoolers also happen from 10:30 to 11 a.m. and from 11:30 a.m. to noon at the Noguchi Court. Latino writers from Missouri and Kansas will also read selected poetry from 1 to 1:30 p.m. and 2 to 2:30 p.m. there.
Food from Rozzelle Court Restaurant, Panaderia de las Americas and Yoli Tortilleria will be available while supplies last.
This story was originally published October 28, 2022 at 7:30 AM.
