Dancing, music and poetry showcased at ACA Day of the Dead event Saturday
Bertha Santillan Medina and her daughter Ely Harris-Medina speak during a Day of the Dead event at the Arts + Culture Alliance building on Saturday night.
Dancers with the Bertha Alicia Santillian Medina Folklore Dance Group of Marshalltwon performed Saturday night at the Arts + Culture Alliance as part of "Day of the Dead" festivities.
Kristin Stuchis and Michael Gabler of Marshalltown performed original songs and music as part of "Day of the Dead" festivities Saturday night at the local Arts + Culture Alliance offices and witnessed by a standing-room only crowd.
T-R PHOTOS BY MIKE DONAHEY From left, Maria Andrade and Kimberly, Becerra, both of Marshalltown, display colorful day of the dead attire Saturday night at the Arts+Culture Alliance offices.
Bertha Santillan Medina and her daughter Ely Harris-Medina speak during a Day of the Dead event at the Arts + Culture Alliance building on Saturday night.
Dancers with the Bertha Alicia Santillian Medina Folklore Dance Group of Marshalltwon performed Saturday night at the Arts + Culture Alliance as part of "Day of the Dead" festivities.
Kristin Stuchis and Michael Gabler of Marshalltown performed original songs and music as part of "Day of the Dead" festivities Saturday night at the local Arts + Culture Alliance offices and witnessed by a standing-room only crowd.
T-R PHOTOS BY MIKE DONAHEY From left, Maria Andrade and Kimberly, Becerra, both of Marshalltown, display colorful day of the dead attire Saturday night at the Arts+Culture Alliance offices.
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Marshalltown's Latino population and others turned out in force Saturday night at the local Arts + Culture Alliance (ACA) offices to celebrate a "Voices & Memories" program inspired by "Dia de los Muertos" [Day of the Dead].
Day of the Dead is an annual event celebrated in Latin American countries Oct. 31 through early November honoring the past lives of departed family and friends. It is a major event in Mexico, according to those who were born, raised, and have traveled there.
The evening's program was complete with dance, fellowship, food, music, poetry, and songs performed by Latino and non-Latino artists alike. Latino attendees and performers wore bright, colorful costumes, masks, and exotic face paint, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
"The [Day of the Dead} tradition recognizes the lasting connections between generations through art, food, music and storytelling," said Kelbryn VanGundy, the ACA's marketing and program coordinator.
Bertha Alicia Santillan Medina's Folklore Dance Group of Marshalltown performed lively dance routines interspersed by traditional songs and music performed by the Kristin Stuchis and Michael Gabler duo. The couple are Marshalltown residents.
Kristin is a Spanish educator at Marshalltown High School and has traveled to Mexico extensively with her husband, she said. She spoke fondly of the country and the Day of the Dead traditions prior to and during the event.
She is one of ACA's featured artists, having applied previously for a singer-songwriter showcase.
"My husband and I co-created songs and will be sharing them tonight," she said shortly before the performance. "We had always dreamed of doing bilingual songs together. In addition, we brought marigold flowers from our garden ... they are common in Mexico… we are going to be telling stories of our time in Mexico during "Day of the Dead" ... it is one of my favorite holidays ... I am excited that our town is bringing this to life ... because that is what Dia de los Muertos does ... it is a time of connection and a vibrant celebration of life and connection."
Fittingly, the couple made references to monarch butterflies in their music and poetry, as they are integral to Day of the Dead celebrations rooted in culture.
"The indigenous peoples of Mexico view the arrival of the monarch butterfly as the literal return of the departed souls visiting the earthly realm," according to social media sources.
For hundreds of years, thousands of monarch butterflies make a 2,000-mile migration annually from Canada to Mexico.
"The first ones [monarchs} will be arriving in Mexico in about one week," Kristin said.
The ACA also featured a community ofrenda, or remembrance altar, where attendees brought a photograph of a loved one who had died.
"The community showed this is what we need ...this kind of support for the artists," VanGundy said after the event. "The support and turnout for this event were outstanding. It was cool to watch everyone gather and celebrate. I was really blown away by the size of the crowd and the generous support of our sponsors.
Van Gundy said event planning started three months ago. It was the first time ACA had organized a Day of the Dead event.
It was free of charge and open to the public. For more information visit www.facebook.com/events/641248020853766.