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PARTICIPATE!
WE WANT YOU! Participate in Viva la Vida Fest 2009:
Procession - walk or bike in the Procession from Saltillo Plaza to 5th and Congress in costume, with a prop/float, or both: Download the Procession Registration Form.
Please fill out completely, save a copy on your computer, and e-mail as
an attachment to info@mexic-artemuseum.org. You may also print it out
and fax to (512) 480-8626. NOTE - registration deadline extended to Friday, October 23.
Volunteer: Download the Volunteer Registration Form.
Please fill out completely, save a copy on your computer, and e-mail as
an attachment to info@mexic-artemuseum.org. You may also print it out
and fax to (512) 480-8626. NOTE - registration deadline extended to Friday, October 23.
If you are an individual or a representative of a community organization or local business, and you'd like to participate as a sponsor or vendor, please contact Alexandra Landeros at (512) 480-9373 x84 or e-mail pr@mexic-artemuseum.org for details.
Learn from local artist, Patricia Greene, how to create paper-mâché props for participation in the Grand Procession!
Saturdays, September 12 - October 17 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM FREE for Members / $5 per Session for Non-Members
Space available every Saturday on a first come, first served basis.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Mexic-Arte Museum, the Official Mexican and Mexican American Fine Art Museum of Texas, will be celebrating its 26th Annual Día de los Muertos – Austin’s largest and longest-running Day of the Dead festival featuring Latino artists and entertainment, an exhibition, and educational programs in the heart of downtown. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Museum's education programs.
This year, Mexic-Arte Museum will present Día de los Muertos as Viva la Vida Fest to celebrate life and our environment through art and culture. Mexic-Arte Museum’s Viva la Vida Fest brings together a diversity of people in Austin to pay homage to friends, family, and heroes. The festival features an exhibition of community altars, contemporary art, and pre-Columbian funeral art from West Mexico, education programs, a grand procession with costumes and props, and a street celebration with traditional foods, hands-on art activities, artist demos, local retail booths, live music and performances.
To make the festival eco-friendly this year, Mexic-Arte Museum is encouraging all participating artists and festival-goers to create their work out of recycled, re-used, and sustainable materials. The Museum is also committed to leaving a smaller footprint on the environment by reducing waste and minimizing energy wasted. The event will not only encourage artistic creations, but will also promote eco-friendly living, healthy eating, and exercise through cycling and walking. A free bicycle valet service will be available on site.
We are also adding a new component that honors Austin’s community builders – families who have been here for many generations – and pays tribute to the legacy of members of our city who have contributed to making Austin what it is today. Mexic-Arte Museum will invite these community members to create tributes to their family histories, both in the community altars exhibition and in the procession.
BICYCLE VALET, BUS, and PARKING
CYCLISTS As Mexic-Arte Museum is encouraging all Viva la Vida Fest attendees to ride their bicycles (it's good for your health, and good for the environment!), Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop will be providing FREE bike valet service at Congress Avenue and 5th Street. Please watch for them at the main entrance to the festival.
BUS-RIDERS There is a Capital Metro bus stop at the corner of
Mexic-Arte Museum. Please check their website, www.capmetro.org, for
route information. DRIVERS There are several options available for those arriving by car: 1) pay-as-you go metered parking on the streets 2) garage parking at Perry Brooks garage at 9th & Brazos, Capitol Tower garage, at 9th & San Jacinto, and Littlefield garage on 6th Street, just east of Congress Ave.
WHAT IS DIA DE LOS MUERTOS?
For 25 years, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) has been Mexic-Arte Museum’s annual signature event in the Austin community. Día de los Muertos is an important Latin American tradition, taking place on November 2, when friends and family gather to honor and remember loved ones – not through mourning, but through celebration! The origins trace back to the Pre-Columbian era, when death was viewed as a transformation. Death was not seen as the final end, but rather as a cycle or continuation of life. This ancient belief evolved to the modern tradition of creating altars to commemorate loved ones, decorated with sugar skulls, flowers, photographs, and favorite foods and memorabilia of the deceased. They share stories and memories, and they sing songs and play music.
SPONSORS
Mexic-Arte Museum wishes to thank all its sponsors and partners to make Viva la Vida Fest 2009 the best Día de los Muertos celebration ever yet. Please scroll down to the bottom of this page to view our sponsors.
Please contact Alexandra Landeros at pr@mexic-artemuseum.org or (512) 480-9373 x84 for 2010 Sponsorship Opportunities.
STREET FESTIVAL: October 24, 2:00-10:00 PM
Please scroll down to the Live Music section for band schedule.
Los Angelitos: Children’s Art Activities
Do-it-yourself altar building, mask painting, paper flower making, and more! Studio 3 will be featuring screen printing activities from 2:00-5:00 PM, and UT's Engineers for a Sustainable World will be featuring a windmill construction activity from 5:00-10:00 PM.
Performances & Entertainment by local organizations:
Teatro Vivo - 3:15-3:30 PM
St. Edward's Ballet Folklorico - 4:15-4:30 PM
Los Hijos de Janitzio - 4:30-4:45 PM
Roy Lozano's Ballet Folklorico - 7:15-7:30 PM
LIVE MUSIC
CHARANGA CAKEWALK (8:45 - 10:00 PM)
Michael Ramos was the ideal sideman, recording with John Mellencamp,
the BoDeans and The Rembrandts. Now, with his own group, Charanga
Cakewalk, he returns to his Tex-Mex roots. Click here for more info.
PELIGROSA & DJ CHORIZO FUNK(5:30 - 7:15 PM)
Peligrosa All Stars' sound is a sultry combination of cumbia, salsa, merengue, soul, hard funk and R&B into a Latin Heat that saturates the dance floor. Made up of three DJs - Chorizo Funk, Orion, Manolo Black, and Hobo D - Peligrosa will provide sizzling tunes perfect for an evening of dancing. Click here for more info.
BOCASTRIA (7:30 - 8:30 PM)
Bocastria,
dubbed “Austin’s Firecrackers” by Austinist.com, exploded onto the
music scene in 2006 with its original fusion of Latin Rock and Tejano
music. Bocastria’s first release, “Enter the groove,” was recorded by
Grammy Award Nominee, Jonny Martinez. Click here for more info.
TIBURON (4:45 - 5:30 PM)
The Austin-based Salsa / Latin Jazz band Tiburon brings to you the true sound of "Salsa Dura”. This group interprets all genres of Latin music, blending the styles and rhythms of Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican roots music with the excitement and improvisation of American Jazz. Click here for more info.
LIVE MUSIC (cont.)
MARY WELCH Y LOS CURANDEROS (3:30 - 4:15 PM)
Calling on the long standing traditions of the tribal medicine man, Mary Welch y Los Curanderos "Bring on the healing" to a Latin beat. A tablespoon of tango, a bottle of bolero, a fresh batch of bossa nova, a side of salsa, a splash of disco & top 40, all ingredients in our potent remedy potion. Click here for more info.
LAST WEEK WAS BETTER (2:00 - 2:20 PM) This up and coming band from San Antonio includes lead singer Josh Adams, who has played in 10 different bands, brothers Adrian (bass) and Zack (drums) Orozco, and guitarist Claudio Lopez. Click here for more info.
MANUEL "COWBOY" DONLEY(2:30 - 3:15 PM)
In addition to fronting a Tejano orquesta, Donley has performed in traditional “Trio” and “Mariachi” ensembles, and he has also composed and performed for movie soundtracks. Click here for more info.
The Grand Procession gathers at 5:00 PM at Plaza Saltillo in East Austin, bringing together a vibrant and varied mix of the traditional, contemporary, and Austin “weird.” The Procession – including costumes, props, live music, dancers, and floats – marches down historic 6th Street and culminates at 5th and Congress, marking the transition from the afternoon to the exciting evening portion of the street festival. The following are the main categories:
Pre-Columbian Americas: Refers to the time period when indigenous civilizations flourished in the Americas, such as the Aztec, Maya, Toltec, Olmec, Mixtec, and Inca. During these times, death was not feared, but rather celebrated and ritualized. Life, full of uncertainty and hardship, was a passage or journey to a heavenly afterlife.
Colonial Mexico: Marked by the Rule of the Spanish Viceroys in Mexico and the position and power of the Roman Catholic Church. In accordance with Catholic mourning practices, All Saints Day was merged with Day of the Dead to become a time to honor and remember loved ones who have passed. The tradition evolved to incorporate Catholic imagery and became a way to welcome back the spirits and celebrate their brief return to the earthly world.
Modern Mexico: Marked by the beginning of Porfirio Díaz’ rule in Mexico, resulting in the creation of a new Mexican national identity based on its Pre-Columbian past and manifested in Mexico’s modern arts. In 1913, José Guadalupe Posada created a famous print called "La Calavera de la Catrina" as a parody of a Mexican upper class female. In addition to the indigenous and Catholic traditions, the satirical and mocking portrayal of death in the form of a skeleton since has become associated with Day of the Dead.
Contemporary – Mexico meets United States: Happening now in Austin! Be part of history and help us create a new fusion of Mexican Día de los Muertos and American Halloween traditions.
Families of Austin: Honors Austin’s community builders – families that have been here for many generations – and pays tribute to the legacy of members of our city who have contributed to making Austin what it is today.
EXHIBITION: October 12 - November 22, 2009
This year's exhibition, Viva la Vida, in the main gallery, presents traditional and
contemporary Día de los
Muertosaltars created by
individuals, schools, and organizations in the Austin community in
remembrance of friends, relatives, and heroes. The main altar
is designed and created by Mexic-Arte Museum and each year highlights a
different region of Mexico; this year’s highlight will be
Puebla.
The
exhibition also showcases contemporary art pieces, incorporating Día de
los Muertos imagery and/or environmental/health themes, by local
artists.
Funerary Art of Ancient Western
Mexico (back gallery) features fine art replicas of
pre-Columbian funerary artifacts of Northwestern Mexico, from the
National Autonomous University of Mexico in San Antonio,
Texas. Click here for more information.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
After-School Art Classes throughout the fall semester in under-served AISD schools
Teacher Workshop to train AISD teachers on how to teach Day of the Dead in their classrooms
Take-Home Guide with educational material describing the history and traditions of Día de los Muertos
Mini-Symposium on Sunday, November 1, 2:00 PM Why Do the Dead Come Back? Culture, Life, and Transformation from the Aztec and Maya World Through the Present Day of the Dead is a cultural ritual that takes place annually, and in order to better understand it we want to look at both the event itself, and the larger cultural context that it is a part of, from an interdisciplinary humanities perspective.
The panelists will provide the context of daily life in Mesoamerica and how Day of the Dead fits into that cycle of life, explaining why the tradition exists in some places and not others and how we know what know about pre-Columbian history and the cultures within it. The Symposium will also present a demonstration and tasting of traditional Day of the Dead foods.
Moderator: Toni Nelson Herrera – Education Program Director at Mexic-Arte Museum. Panelists: Dr. Enrique Rodríguez-Alegría – Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Austin Amber O’Connor – Doctoral Student at the University of Texas at Austin Claudia Alarcón – Independent Researcher and Author Program made possible in part with a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. After-school programs made possible in part with a grant from Target.
This project is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.
Mexic-Arte Museum
This year's exhibition, Viva la Vida, in the main gallery, presents traditional and
contemporary Día de los
Muertos
altars created by
individuals, schools, and organizations in the Austin community in
remembrance of friends, relatives, and heroes. The main altar
is designed and created by Mexic-Arte Museum and each year highlights a
different region of Mexico; this year’s highlight will be
Puebla.
Mini-Symposium on Sunday, November 1, 2:00 PM 
