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An evocation of the pyramid at the Casa Azul at the “Frida Kahlo: Art, Garden, Life” exhibition at the New York Botanical Garden.
(Photo: Robert Benson) |
Mano a Mano
East Yard at St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery, 131 E. 10th St., at Second Ave.; 212-587-3070; stmarksbowery.org
For 14 years, Mano a Mano, a nonprofit celebrating Mexican culture, has been hosting an event that reminds attendees that the Day of the Dead is a true holiday, not a Halloween party. “Day of the Dead is a time to honor and revere our deceased family members and ancestors, not a time to dress up,” says executive director Juan Carlos Aguirre. Rooted in over 3,000 years of tradition, this celebration will feature an altar where all are invited to offer flowers, food, incense, photos, and candles to welcome the souls of the dead. There will also be art-making workshops, live music, and demonstrations of Día de Muertos traditions. Crafts (handmade earrings, clay skulls, pottery, papel picado decorations) and food (tacos, tamales, quesadillas, Day of the Dead bread) will be available for purchase.
Admission: Free and open to the public, but donations are welcome.
Date and Time: October 31, noon–6 p.m.; November 1-2, 1 p.m.–6 p.m.
New York Botanical Garden
Bronx Park, Bronx River Pkwy. at Fordham Rd.; 718-220-0300; nybg.org
Inspired by its popular “Frida Kahlo: Art, Garden, Life” exhibition, the New York Botanical Garden will honor Día de los Muertos in the show’s final two weekends, with special events and an altar dedicated to Frida Kahlo. Visual artist Andrea Arroyo will create the altar, a scale version of the pyramid designed by muralist Diego Rivera, decorated with images of Kahlo, sugar skulls, and traditional flowers marigolds and coxcomb. Visitors can also expect live music from Calpulli Danza Mexicana and Jarana Beat or the Villalobos Brothers, giant papier-mâché skeletons, La Catrina puppets, mask making, face painting, and, on the first weekend only, pumpkin carving with master carver Ray Villafane.
Admission: $25
Date and Time: October 24–25 and October 31–November 1, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Threes Brewing
333 Douglass St., nr. Fourth Ave., Gowanus; 718-522-2110; threesbrewing.com
This 8,000-square-foot Gowanus beer hall will host its first “Noche De Los Muertos Fiesta” on October 31. Highlights will include a DJ spinning Mexican and American music into the night, tacos from Northern Spy, burlesque dancers with Legs Malone + Friends, as well as a photo booth, costume contest, piñata bashing, plenty of tequila specials, and a new beer: Tres Equis, an aromatic Mexican lager brewed with a touch of malted New York State corn, via a Threes Brewing and Other Half Brewing collaboration.
Admission: Free
Date and Time: October 31, 10 p.m.
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Calaca, or skeleton, face painting.
(Photo: Gonzalo Marroquin for El Museo del Barrio) |
El Museo del Barrio
1230 Fifth Ave., at 104th St.; 212-831-7272; elmuseo.org
Celebrate a few weeks early with El Museo del Barrio. A part of “Super Sábado,” which hosts free family programming the third Saturday of every month, this kid-friendly event will include art-making workshops to create ofrendas (offerings for the Day of the Dead altar), calaca (skeleton) face painting, storytelling, and a concert with the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company.
Admission: Free
Date and Time: October 17, noon–5 p.m.
92nd Street Y
1395 Lexington Ave., nr. 92nd St.; 212-415-5500; 92y.org
Get crafty at 92Y’s first Día de los Muertos celebration. This workshop (recommended for children ages 5 and up) will teach attendees how to use colored tissue paper, pipe cleaners, and scissors to create two traditional decorations: marigolds and papel picado, a banner made with paper that’s cut or perforated into designs. All supplies are included, and everyone walks away with a marigold and a banner.
Admission: $25 per child, $15 per accompanying adult
Date and Time: November 1, 10 a.m.
Brooklyn Brainery
190 Underhill Ave., nr. Sterling Pl., Prospect Heights; 347-292-7246; brooklynbrainery.com
Learn about funeral eats with Brooklyn Brainery’s “Food of the Dead: A Culinary History of Funeral Food” lecture. Writer and “historic gastronomist” Sarah Lohman will lead a small class through the history of mourning traditions in regard to food and drink—most commonly bread, alcohol, and sweets, including pan de muerto, or Day of the Dead bread, a sweet roll decorated with crossbones on top. Participants will also sample an 18th-to-19th-century-style funeral cake (a very dry and slightly sweet butter cookie flavored with caraway), Mormon funeral potatoes, and Dogfish Head’s Midas Touch beer, which is “made with ingredients found in 2,700-year-old drinking vessels from the tomb of King Midas.”
Admission: $16
Date and Time: October 29, 8–9:30 p.m.