Dia de los Muertos Events in Port Isabel

Hi! I just got word of these events by email and they all sound muy muy chido! I suggest you all get yourselves to lovely Port Isabel and enjoy these special events!

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"El Color de la Muerte: A Day of the Dead Celebration"
Saturday, October 30, 2004 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
A Collaborative Celebration between the Museums of Port Isabel,
the Laguna Madre Museum Foundation,
the International Museum of Art & Science of McAllen ,
The University of Texas-Pan American and the
Texas Commission for the Arts!
Please join us for a day of ancient traditions, art, history, dance, and storytelling
celebrating “Dia De Los Muertos” a Mexican custom of celebrating death through life.
 
“Candles, Cockscomb, and Marigolds” – It’s the “Day of the Dead”.
Can’t you just smell copal burning in the Mexican cemeteries?
Let’s take a peek at what the living are doing there!
Schedule of Events

3:00 p.m.

“Telling Our Stories Program” Day of the Dead in Oaxaca , Mexico . The Day of the Dead, as celebrated in Oaxaca , Mexico (located between Mexico City and Guatemala ), will be the topic of October's "Telling Our Stories". George Gause and his wife, Virginia Haynie Gause will make this festive celebration come alive through both slides and various artifacts associated with the Day of the Dead.
George & Virginia Haynie Gause have lived in the Valley since 1973. George is originally from New York and Virginia from Alabama . Both are librarians from The University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg . He is Special Collections LIbrarian and she is Systems Librarian. Both have traveled extensively in Mexico . George enjoys collecting Mexican folk art and books related to this subject, while Virginia pursues photography. Treasures of the Gulf Museum , 317 E. Railroad. Free Admission.
4:00 p.m.
Tour of the Port Isabel Cemetery by George and Virginia Haynie Gause. A special tour of the historic Port Isabel Cemetery will take place in conjunction with the Day of the Dead where decorations found there, will be examined for artistic symbolism. Port Isabel City Cemetery .
5:00 p.m.
The Laguna Madre Art League will be creating Day of the Dead Altars in a Hands-on Workshop. Families are invited to create their own altars. Supplies and instructions are provided. Treasures of the Gulf Museum .
6:30 p.m.
“El Color de la Muerte” Altars and Art Display Reception will feature various Valley Artists original artwork and altars depicting Day of the Dead. Treasures of the Gulf Museum and Port Isabel Historical Museum. Music by the Joe and Rosie Perez of San Benito and a special choreographed dance by the Brazos Rio Grande School of Dance with artistic directorJesse Murguia. Special appearance by La Calavera Catrina (the skeleton of the fashionable lady) as portrayed by Carmen Zacarias, Director of the Brownville Historical Association. La Catrina is the creation of Jose Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913), a Mexican engraver known for his illustrations of newspapers during the times of dictator Porfirio Diaz. He originally created La Catrina for the popular song “La Cucaracha” but later used the image to parody overdressed Mexican ladies that had an obsession for everything French. And the La Maguacata Theatrical Troupe of Matamoras will be presenting a 30 minute play about "Day of the Dead" during the reception. Treasures of the Gulf Museum .
8:30 p.m.
Ghost Stories at Port Isabel Lighthouse. Come in costume and hear some of the scariest local ghost stories while enjoying frightful images projected on the side of the Port Isabel Lighthouse.


MUSEUMS OF PORT ISABEL
317 E. Railroad Ave. • Port Isabel , Texas 78578
956.943.7602 • Fax: 956.943-4346
director@portisabelmuseums.com • www.portisabelmuseums.com