Altar de Muertos (Altar to pay respect to those who have passed)
On Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, Salt Lake Community College West Valley Center and the Dream Center welcomed students and community members from all backgrounds to celebrate Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). A celebration rooted in Aztec traditions where people can celebrate their loved ones who have passed on from the living world. The center celebrated the evening packed with notable performances and opportunities for everyone to participate in the Day of the Dead festivities.
Mariachi Academia Mis Raices performing La Malagueña
The evening started with a Mariachi performance by Academia Mis Raices from Esperanza Elementary. One of the songs performed by the band was La Malagueña, an old Spanish folk song, which left people in the audience in tears—followed by a performance by Isabel Lucero, a tiny Mexican folk dancer whose performance delighted attendees with her dance move, some choreographed by Isabel, herself.
Isabel Lucero performing Mexican folk dance.
Throughout the event, attendees were delighted with pan de Muerto (Mexican bread shaped dome with bone-like features on top sprinkled with sugar) and champurrado (a thick corned-based hot chocolate drink)—two food staples placed on the altar for loved ones to eat when they visit. Attendees were allowed to place their loved ones names on the altar to pay respect. Ann Monroy, a community member, says, "It is beautiful to see the community come together and celebrate the beauty of the culture and the meaning behind the day of the dead."
Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl
The Aztec tradition was highlighted when Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, from Orem, Utah, performed. Dancers and drummers dressed in traditional Aztec regalia. The audience was enchanted by the performance rooted in tradition, one drum beat at a time. Israel Medina, Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl drummer, says, "Aztec dancing affords people the opportunity to feel like they are back in Mexico. I continue to perform because I see people identify with the beat of the drums and the dance. There is always at least one person we pull a fiber from within, and I see the shift happening in front of me; they start feeling reconnected to their roots."
Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl Aztec Drummers
To wrap up the evening festivities, Gloria Caro hosted a sugar skull workshop where attendees could decorate their sugar skulls while learning the meaning behind them and sharing their stories about their loved ones. Emily Alarcon and Chandler Taylor, both SLCC students, were among the attendees decorating sugar skulls. "I did not get the opportunity to do this stuff growing up, and getting the opportunity to do it now and to show my culture to others is a great experience," says Emily. Meanwhile, Chandler shared," This is cool to experience other people's culture. I am doing my sugar skull for my grandfather, who has passed, and I might put it on the altar."
Emily Alarcon and Chandler Taylor attending the sugar skull workshop
Every performance and activity allowed every attendee, no matter their background, to connect and reconnect with ancient traditions rooted in love, respect and unity. The Aztec performers and the drums' captivating rhythm reminded attendees that Día de Los Muertos is a colorful tradition where life is celebrated in its embrace of death.
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