Life In Death

Life In Death
Sunday and Monday, November 1 and 2
Winchester Cultural Center

Clark County Parks and Recreation presents “Life in Death: Day of the Dead,” a two-day festival featuring displays, an art exhibit, performances, craft sales and food vendors from 4 to 9 p.m. Nov. 1 and 2 at Winchester Cultural Center and Park, 3130 S. McLeod Drive. The event will explore cultural traditions relating to the Mexican holiday of El Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Admission to the festival is free.

The festival will feature “ofrendas,” or altars built by families and other groups in memory of deceased relatives or other beloved individuals. The ofrendas are elaborate works of art, detailed and sometimes large in size and will be displayed outdoors in Winchester Park. Ofrendas will be judged in three categories including most traditional, most creative and best theme, and a $500 award will be given in each category.

Performances in the park each day will feature Mexican dance troupes and readings of “calaveras,” or “skulls,” which are satirical poems written to commemorate people who are still alive. The poems treat the menace of death with good-natured humor and offer a chance to poke fun at prominent celebrity and political figures. Judges will award calaveras winners $150, $125 and $100 prizes.

Authentic Mexican crafts will be offered for sale and a variety of food vendors will be on site, and free samples of special Day of the Dead bread - made only once a year - will be given out to festival attendees. Demonstrations of traditional embroidery, as well as children’s activities and workshops on basket making and sugar and clay skull decoration, are offered free of charge.

On the stage, traditional Mexican folkloric dance performances are presented by well-known local groups such as Mariachi Acero, Ballet Mexicano de Martha Luevanos, Viejitos de Uren, Matachines of Juarez, Los Zapotecas, Grupo Folklorico Perla Tapatia, Trio Imperial, Izel and Xyachimal. Mariachi Acero will perform from 4 to 5 p.m. Nov. 1. On Nov. 2, Mariachi Los Vaqueros de Chaparral is set to perform at 4 p.m. with Mariachi Colima from 4:30 to 5 p.m.

The Winchester Cultural Center Gallery will host an exhibition of various artists. The exhibit opens Oct. 31 and will be on display through Nov. 21.

Those interested in “Life in Death: Day of the Dead” can call Winchester Cultural Center at 455-7340. Clark County Parks and Recreation events also can be found on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook by visiting http://tinyurl.com/l87c4l.

Those interested in reserving space or additional information on the festival can call Irma Wynants at 455-7029