South Philadelphians celebrating Día de los Muertos will have a pair of options to remember loved ones locally.
The Fleisher Art Museum at 719 Catharine St. in Bella Vista and FDR Park will both host events over the weekend as the Day of the Dead holiday is widely celebrated in the Mexican community.
The Fleisher Art Memorial will host its 12th Día de los Muertos Celebration on Nov. 2 from 2-9 p.m. with an Ofrenda (an altar) in Fleisher’s Sanctuary space. There will also be an outdoor market with entertainment held in front of the Fleisher Art Memorial building. The event is free and open to the public and attendees are encouraged to come in costume.
This year’s Ofrenda was created by Joaquina Cuba, a Mexican artist and South Philadelphia resident who shares her passion for the arts by providing art education at various organizations. She has helped serve immigrants at Puentes de Salud, Vamos Juntos, WOAR and Fleisher Art Memorial. She was chosen by La Calaca Flaca committee to bring her vision to La Ofrenda and designate a theme for the celebrations. The focus of La Ofrenda will be on four distinctive animals (hummingbird, monarch butterfly, Solo dog and ajolate) that are either spiritual guardians, messengers or gods. La Ofrenda will be on view at the Fleisher Art Memorial in the Sanctuary space from Nov. 2-9 but it will be closed on Nov. 5 for Election Day.
During the Día de los Muertos celebration, families can create wearable crafts during the Children’s Fair, which will precede the Día del los Muertos procession through the streets of South Philadelphia. Parade participants will gather in front of the Sanctuary doors at 4:30 p.m. The parade will proceed from 5-6 p.m. when the Danzantes Aztecas will initiate and bless the evening celebration with traditional dance. There will be an artisanal Latinx market, La Calaca Market and entertainment from Los Guachinangos, Son Revoltura, Los Bomberos de la Calle, Children’s Mexican Folkloric Dance Group Ñuuxakun, Los Guachinangitos and additional surprises.
On the other side of town, FDR Park has several days of activities planned for Día de los Muertos.
Fairmount Park Conservancy and Mexican-American artist Cesar Viveros invite the public to South Philly’s largest park to enjoy dance and musical performances, admire a large-scale art installation by Viveros, try food samples from local vendors and explore the Mercado de Latinas for handcrafted items and unique gifts. The free event takes place on Nov. 1 from 6-9 at the Boathouse at FDR Park, 1500 Pattison Ave.
Viveros, a longtime artist who has created artwork in both Mexico and the United States, has worked previously with Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Fleisher Art Memorial.
He will be constructing the Día de los Muertos large art installation on the steps of the boathouse in honor of the holiday, which will be on display from Nov. 1-3, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Interested in a sneak peek? Viveros will host a free artist workshop for adults from 4-6 p.m. on Oct. 30. RSVP at https://fairmountpark.ticketleap.com/.
The festivities continue on Nov. 2 from noon to 2 p.m. for a free Day of the Dead music workshop with Fairmount Park Conservancy and Miss Cat of Mister John’s Music for an interactive, family-friendly program at the Anna C. Verna Playground in FDR Park.
Sing, dance and even learn to play a new instrument in this bilingual musical program celebrating the popular Día de los Muertos holiday. There will be two programs, each roughly 45 minutes in length.
