Dia de los Muertos celebrations planned
Oct. 24—HIGH POINT — Two public events celebrating Dia de los Muertos, a beloved Mexican holiday, will be held in High Point this week — a lively, entertaining show at the High Point Theatre and a community celebration at the High Point Museum.
"Ofrenda: A Dia de los Muertos Celebration" will be presented Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the High Point Theatre, 220 E. Commerce Ave.
The family-friendly show will feature the nation's premier Mexican folk dance company, Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles, and the musicians of Mariachi Garibaldi. With live mariachi, dancing and traditional costuming — as well as music from the Disney movie "Coco" — the show will also include tributes to great Mexican artists such as Juan Gabriel, Selena, Jose Infante and Alejandro Fernandez.
Dia de los Muertos, Spanish for "Day of the Dead," celebrates the lives of loved ones who have passed on by building an "ofrenda," a home altar decorated with a collection of objects, candles, marigold flowers and photographs of the dearly departed.
Tickets for "Ofrenda" range from $20 to $50, depending on seating location, and are available by calling the theater box office at 336-887-3001. They also can be purchased online at www.highpointtheatre.com.
Also this week, the High Point Museum and the YWCA Latino Family Center are partnering to present a Dia de los Muertos celebration Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the museum, 1859 E. Lexington Ave.
The annual event, now in its seventh year, is a hands-on learning experience and celebration of the Day of the Dead with altars, kids' activities and an honoring of the loved ones that have passed away.
"Dia de los Muertos is a celebration of family," said Laura Godinez Arce, director of the Latino Family Center. "We are able to honor those who have passed before us and remember their legacy. I think all families should be able to experience that feeling, and this way, we allow those that are not familiar with it to experience it as well."
The public is invited to learn about and experience the Latinx culture and view the community's Dia de los Muertos altars. Throughout the day, there will be live dance and music performances and a trivia game from the 2022 Kearns Academy robotics club.
Visitors will also get to make a Dia de los Muertos-themed craft, get their faces painted, and enjoy popcorn and pan de muerto — bread of the dead, a traditional sweet bread — from Enciso Bakery. Kids will also have a chance to contribute to the community ofrenda and get their photo taken with Catrin and Catrina.
Language interpreters will be on-site the entire day.
The event is free and open to the public.
The Day of the Dead ofrendas will be on display in the museum today through Nov. 4.
For more information, call the museum at 336-885-1859.
