El Día de Muertos, Day of Dead, is a complicated date that goes beyond the sugar skulls so much visible everywhere in the pop culture in U.S. as evidence of cultural appropriation. On this conversatory, Mexican Chef, Educator, and Activist, Neftalí Durán(Oaxaca); Artist, Performer, and Dancer, Michelle Marroquín (México DF); Xicanx Artist, Songwriter, Singer, and Educator, Diana Alvarez (Texas); Chicano Playwright and artist, Jason Montgomery (California); and Radioplasma’s Host and Producer, Iohann R Vega (México DF), we had a conversation to share and learn from each other’s perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and meaning of what Day of Dead is, and is not.

Also, there are activities planned around this Day of the Dead, 2017 in Easthampton and Holyoke, providing an opportunity to learn and share the ways to honor, acknowledge and remember the departed:

On November 2nd, there will be an art-making workshop at The Wistariahurst Museum’s Gallery, for the creation of pieces and elements to add to our Ofrenda de Muertos.

On November 4th, there will be a workshop from 12:00 PM to -3:00 PM for making puppets, embellished portraits, or other meaningful creations at Studio 028, (basement of Eastworks), Open Studios at Eastworks, 116 Pleasant St. Easthampton, MA.

Later, there will be a film screening and panel discussion titled “Day of the Dead in Context”. This event will start at 4:00 PM at Eastworks, 116 Pleasant St. Easthampton, MA.

And on November 5th, a full day of activities, starting at 10:00 AM with Love Notes to the Dead: A supportive space to hold both our love and grief as we write love notes to someone who has passed away.
Studio 028, Open Studios Eastworks, Easthampton, MA

4-5pm Garden of Souls Art Installation: Embellished portraits and meaningful objects will be placed around the two large pine trees at the foot of the cemetery.
Park at 50 Payson Ave; gather at Base of Brookside Cemetery

5-6pm Performances by the Pond: Witness the live music of Pan Morigan and Tony Silva as they set the stage for a series of encounters with dancers, poets, and puppets.
Base of Brookside Cemetery

6-7pm Placement of Symbolic Objects on Ofrenda (traditional altar): La Casita Azteca, 58 Cottage St.