By Jacqui Somen
Each year on Nov. 1, you can find many Denverites walking down the street in a candlelight procession honoring those who have passed.
Denver’s annual Día de los Muertos celebration is now a mainstay in the city, but it hasn’t always been that way. The city’s rich Día de los Muertos tradition dates back to the early 1980s and was started right here on the Northside.
According to the Mexican Cultural Center of Denver, Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, “commemorates honoring loved ones who have passed on and venerating their return.” The spirits of loved ones are thought to come home and visit with their relatives on the first two days of November each year.
This year, North Denver residents have numerous ways to celebrate their loved ones who have moved on. One way is by viewing altars—or ofrendas—created by the community at Pirate: Contemporary Art, a member-run cooperative art space that used to be housed on Navajo land near 37th Avenue. The art space has since moved to Lakewood’s 40 West Arts District, but its Día de Los Muertos festivities are still a go-to for North Denver residents.
This year, the space will have Día de los Muertos altars on display from Oct. 18 through Nov. 3. The altars will be created by students from area schools, including Alameda International Junior/Senior High School, Maple Grove Elementary, Arvada West High School, Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design High School, Littleton High School, Golden High and Ralston Elementary, as well as members of the public.
“Anybody who wants to celebrate somebody in their life is welcome to come and install an altar,” said Pirate: Contemporary Art member Craig Robb.
Previous year’s altars have included wire sculptures of loved ones, painted masks and skeletons on tar paper. On Nov. 1, Pirate will host its annual Día de los Muertos candlelit procession.
North Denver residents can also celebrate Día de los Muertos at BRDG Project Gallery and Event Space, a community art space located at 3300 Tejon St. This year, BRDG Project is working with curator Arlette Lucero to host an event that includes an art exhibition featuring 30 local Chicano and Chicana artists and a ticketed masquerade ball.
“I am so excited to bring the Día de los Muertos Art Show back to my Northside neighborhood where it all began,” said Lucero. “This neighborhood has changed so much over the years with gentrification. In this way, we are honoring the past traditions of this area. We are showing the art of some of our finest from our Chicano(a) community. The Calaveras Ball is something I hope will become a new way to celebrate for years to come.”
The events at Pirate: Contemporary Art and BRDG Project are just a few celebrating Día de los Muertos in and near North Denver.
Additional arts-centered Día de los Muertos celebrations in and near North Denver include:
Día de los Muertos Art Show; Oct. 11- Nov. 2
The show will feature local Chicano and Chicana artists such as Al Cardenas, Angela Ramirez, Anthony La Combe, Arlette Lucero, Benjamin Kelly, Cal Duran, Carlos Fresquez, Danielle Ramos, David Martinez, Esmeralda Patino, Frank Zamora, Holly Wasinger, Javier Flores, Jerry Rael, Josiah Lopez, Judy Miranda, Karen Yust, Mark Martinez Luna, Quinton Gonzalez, Rob Yancy, Shantel Lucero, Shay Guerrero, Sylvia Montero, Tammy Yancy and Tony Ortega. BRDG Project Gallery and Event Space, 3300 Tejon St., Denver.
Día de Los Muertos Altar Exhibition; Oct. 18-Nov. 3
On Nov. 1, an annual celebration will take place with Aztec dancers, adult and children piñatas, a candlelight procession and fire dancers. Pirate: Contemporary Art, 7130 W. 16th Ave., Lakewood.
Clay Sculpting: Día de los Muertos; 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Oct. 19
Attendees can explore their ancestral connections by creating redrock clay sculptures. Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, Denver.
Calaveras Masquerade Ball; 7-11 p.m., Oct. 25
A ticketed event featuring music from the Taco Cats, Cipriano and DJ Ramirez, as well as food, drink, dancing, face painting and storytelling. Tickets can be purchased at brdgcalaverasball.eventbrite.com BRDG Project Gallery and Event Space 3300 Tejon St., Denver. Tickets are $35-55.
Día De Los Muertos Art Reception; 4-9 p.m., Oct. 26
Presented by Chicano Humanities and Arts Council and The Armory Performing Arts Center.
The Armory Performing Arts Center, 300 Strong St., Brighton.
ART OF CULTURA: Día de Muertos Community Altar Workshop; noon-2 p.m., Oct. 26 and 27.
Join Museo de las Americas to create paper marigolds, papel picado and sugar skulls to contribute to the Museo’s community altar. Museo de Las Americas 861 Santa Fe Drive, Denver. Tickets are $15.
First Friday: Día de Los Muertos Celebration; 5 p.m., Nov. 1.
Museo de las Americas, 861 Santa Fe Drive, Denver.
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