A Dia De Los Muertos Celebration Is Coming To Brooklyn

DOWNTOWN, BROOKLYN — A Día de los Muertos celebration is coming to Brooklyn this weekend, complete with traditional dancers, Mexican folk art and make-up artists to transform visitors into Day of the Dead skulls.

The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership announced that the neighborhood's Halloween celebrations this year will include an ode to the traditional Mexican holiday. The celebration, honoring the lives of those that have died, will kick off at 2 p.m. Saturday in Albee Square.

The Brooklyn plaza will transform into a version of the pre-Hispanic tradition — where participants celebrate the visit of souls returning home to be with their loved ones between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2 — complete with altars, dancers, art and other activities.

Here's a rundown of what to expect:

Performances:

• Traditional Aztec dance group Atl-Tlachinolli: Performers of all ages will make a circle and a blessing to the four directions as well the sun and the earth (tonatihu and tonantzin.) All dances are prayers to the creator and the cosmos.
• La Danza de los Viejitos (Dance of the Little Old Men): This dance form originated in pre-Hispanic times as an offering to Tata Huriata (Grandfather Sun) and to the four Purépecha regions as well as the four seasons and the four elements. Later, the dance became a critique and protest against colonization by Spain, while also celebrating the resilience and strength of the Purépecha communities. It is from the Purépecha people in Michoacán, Mexico.
• Jackie Coleman's band: Coleman — known for Mariachi Flor de Toloache, Solange, Natalia Lafourcade, Antibalas — has put together a band for the event and will perform music from various regions of Mexico, including ranchera, huapango, and music from Veracruz (with roots in the sounds of indigenous, Spanish, African and Caribbean cultures.)

Activities:

• Learn how to build an alebrije piñata: Alebrijes are brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantasy and mythical creatures.
• Make multi-colored paper marigolds.
• Color your own Day of the Dead black velvet art.
• Have a makeup artist transform you into a Day of the Dead skull.
• Contribute to a community altar. All are invited to bring photos and share flowers, bread, or fruit.