Oak Cliff Cultural Center Celebrates Dia de los Muertos with Workshops and Festivities

City of Dallas sent this bulletin at 10/02/2013 05:59 PM CDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                        For more information contact:                                                                         October 2, 2013                                                                                          Gerardo M. Robles                                                                                                                          Cultural Programs Coordinator                                                                                                                        (214) 670-3688  

 

Oak Cliff Cultural Center Celebrates Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead

 with Workshops and Celebration

October 19 to 26 and November 1, 2013

 

DALLAS – The Oak Cliff Cultural Center honors those who have departed with workshops and a Dia de los Muertos celebration, as part of the Center’s Hispanic Heritage month festivities. The Center will hold workshops in making sugar skulls and skeletons on Saturday, October 19 and 26 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The workshops are free, but space is limited. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/event/8600830315. The workshops lead up to the Dia de los Muertos celebration on All Soul’s Day, Friday, November 1, 2013 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Festivities include live dance performances, a community alter and light refreshments. All activities take place at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center, 223 W. Jefferson Blvd, Dallas, 75208. Additional information is available by calling 214-670-3777 or at DallasCulture.org.

 

Community Altar and Workshops: Dallas artist Karla Arte leads the October 19th workshop in creating a Day of the Dead mask. Guadalupe Robles leads the October 26th workshop in decorating sugar skulls and creating their own calacas or skeleton. Community members are welcome to contribute their creations and photographs of passed loved ones (copies are preferred) to the 2nd Annual Community Altar, which will be on display at the entrance of the center.

 

Celebration and Altar Exhibit: On Friday, November 1st from 7PM - 9PM, Oak Cliff Cultural Center will celebrate Dia de los Muertos with performances by Alegre Ballet Folklorico and Cuicani In Xochitl. Day of the Dead bread will be provided by Panaderia Balderas as well as hot chocolate from Coco Andre. On display in the gallery will be Dia de Los Muertos Altar exhibit. Local artists will participate in the creation of various Dia de los Muertos altars.


Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a national holiday in Mexico and is celebrated throughout Latin America and in cultures throughout the world. Held on November 1 and 2 in conjunction with the Catholic traditions of All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day, it’s a day for family and friends to gather, visit the cemetery and remember, pray for and honor loved ones who have died. Celebrations vary by community and can range from parades and public events to the creation of alters and shrines honoring the deceased, which may be displayed homes or in cemeteries.


OAK CLIFF CULTURAL CENTER

The Oak Cliff Cultural Center is located in a historic storefront in the vibrant commercial district of Jefferson Avenue in Oak Cliff; the Oak Cliff Cultural Center opened its doors in August 2010. The facility was purchased and renovated by the City of Dallas through the 2003 Bond Program to function as a permanent City-owned arts center where residents and visitors of Oak Cliff could experience a variety of arts and cultural programs. The 5,000 sq. ft. storefront features a visual arts gallery and a dance studio/rehearsal space. The Oak Cliff Cultural Center is open Tuesday/Thursday, 3:00-9:00 p.m., Wednesday/Friday, 3:00-6:30p.m., and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.


DALLAS OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS

The City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) works to enhance the vitality of the City and the quality of life for all Dallas citizens by creating an environment wherein arts and cultural organizations can thrive so that people of all ages can enjoy opportunities for creative expressions and the celebration of our community’s multicultural heritage. Our mission is to establish a cultural system that ensures that ALL Dallas citizens and visitors have an opportunity to experience the finest in arts and culture. The OCA is advised by an 18-member Cultural Affairs Commission appointed by the Dallas City Council. The OCA manages the city’s Cultural Contracts, Community Artists and Public Art Programs; oversees six cultural centers including the Bath House Cultural Center, Latino Cultural Center, Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Oak Cliff Cultural Center, and South Dallas Cultural Center; and operates the city’s classical music radio station, WRR101.1FM. More information on the programs and services provided by the OCA can be found at www.dallasculture.org.

 

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