Free First Thursday: Día de los Muertos
Join us as we partner with Latinos of Montclair to celebrate the end of Latino/x/é Heritage Month with the first community Día de los Muertos celebration and community altar.
The theme for this year’s Latino/x/é Heritage Month celebration is Para La Cultura (For the Culture).
The Para La Cultura Community Altar will feature local schools, organizations, businesses, and community groups as a representation of our collective diversity and community culture.
The Community Altar will open for a FREE community-wide celebration and feature live music performances from Drums of Thunder and SIBONEY, children’s art activities, a community altar guided tour, docent tours of Taking Space: Contemporary Women Artists and the Politics of Scale which features two Latino/x/é artists, food trucks, a cash bar with specialty cocktails, and a Latino/x/é marketplace.
You’re not going to want to miss this evening of art, dance, good eats, and cultural celebration!
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a holiday widely observed in Mexico and by people of Mexican heritage. The multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pay respect and to remember friends and family members who have died. Traditions connected with the holiday include honoring the deceased using calaveras (sugar skulls) and marigold flowers known as cempazúchitl, building home altars called ofrendas, and visiting graves with gifts for the deceased.
Program
ART ACTIVITY
5-9 p.m. | Geyer Studio
Join us for an art activity for all ages in honor of Día de los Muertos!
AFRO-CARIBBEAN ENSEMBLE FROM MSU CALI SCHOOL OF MUSIC
5 & 6 p.m. | Leir Hall
After an introduction from our DJ, take to the dancefloor for the Cali School of Music’s performance to kick off the evening.
DOCENT TOUR
5:30 p.m. | Meet at the Cornerstone Café
We will be offering a docent-led tour of our exhibitions, Taking Space: Contemporary Women Artists and the Politics of Scale and Transformed: Objects Reimagined by American Artists, where we will be highlighting two works by Latinx artists!
DRUMS OF THUNDER PERFORMANCE
5:30 p.m. | Leir Hall
Montclairians will know, though they be but little, this troop of talented youngsters is fierce! Sit back and relax as Drums of Thunder wows the crowd.
REMARKS
6:30 p.m. | Leir Hall
The museum strives to be a beacon of community and act as a resource for our patrons. As such, we are honored to have an Ofrenda Dedication, where we will speak on the significance of the altar and Día de los Muertos as a holiday. In addition, help us applaud some of the committed community members who made this event possible!
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE
7 p.m. | Leir Hall
DOCENT TOUR
7:15 p.m. | Meet at Cornerstone Café
If dancing isn’t your forte, we will be offering a second docent-led tour of our exhibitions, Taking Space: Contemporary Women Artists and the Politics of Scale and Transformed: Objects Reimagined by American Artists, where we will be highlighting two works by Latinx artists!
SALSA PERFORMANCE
7:30 p.m. | Leir Hall
Fernando Pinto y su cuarteto SIBONEY are sure to light up the dancefloor with their first salsa set of the evening.
DJ DANCE PARTY
8 p.m. | Leir Hall
While our talent takes a break, enjoy Latin tunes and take to the dancefloor! Grab a drink at the bar, a bite to eat from one of our food trucks, or take part in tonight’s Art Activity, all in honor of Latino/x/é Heritage Month.
SALSA PERFORMANCE
8:30 p.m. | Leir Hall
Fernando Pinto y su cuarteto SIBONEY’s last set of the evening.
LAST SONG
9 p.m. | Leir Hall
We hate to see you go, but we love to watch you dance as you leave! Enjoy this heartwarming performance of Coco’s Song to close this year’s Día de los Muertos celebration at the museum.
EAT & DRINK
- Cash (and credit) bar with a specialty drink + other beverages
- Food trucks at MAM’s side entrance (Latin Bites & Mezoco)
Attendance is free, but space is limited. Advance registration is recommended.
Free First Thursdays at MAM are a once-a-month party at the Museum made possible by the generous support of TD Bank! Enjoy free general admission, activities, food trucks, a cash bar, and so much more!
