The Museum of the Moving Image will be holding a Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 2, starting at 4 p.m.
This will be MoMI’s third time celebrating the Mexican holiday, according to Leonardo Santana-Zubieta, MoMI’s director of education.
The celebrations will feature performances from Mariachi Nuevo Amanecer Academy, followed by traditional Aztec Mexica dance, poetry and music by Yayauhki Tezcatlipoka. There will also be traditional face-painting and a catrina and catrín contest hosted by artist and historian Rosa Ruiz and Catrinamia.
The museum will have a traditional ofrenda honoring beloved Latin American artists who have had an impact on moving image history, such as Dolores del Río, María Félix, González Camarena and Cantinflas, as well as all the ancestors that visitors would like to bring.
The celebration will conclude at 6:30 p.m. with a screening of the animated Oscar-winning film “Coco.”The film tells the story of a 12-year-old boy accidentally transported to the Land of the Dead, where he seeks help to find his deceased musician great-great-grandfather so he can return to his family in the world of the living.
“Day of the Dead is a holiday that resonates with many traditions and communities across Latin America,” said Santana-Zubieta. “Through this celebration, we get the opportunity to dialogue, reconnect and recognize the relevance and value of our local Spanish-speaking communities and everyone who wants to join and learn more about this holiday.”
All of the performances will be free. Tickets for the film screening will be $15. Those buying tickets in advance can use the code ANIMATE20 for 20% off.
Ticket holders will receive a 10% discount across the street at Tacuba Cantina Mexicana, where guests can sample a special menu of traditional Day of the Dead foods.
To learn more about MoMI and its Day of the Dead programming, visit movingimage.us/event/dayofthedead/
