A trip to Dreadful Things, 2226 Montana Avenue

My daughter and I finally made a trip to Dreadful Things. I'm kind of ashamed that it took me this long to get there, because this is my kind of place. The store is a really well done blend of Dia de los Muertos, carnival sideshow and freak attractions, natural oddities, gallery and jewelry. The only other place somewhat similar to Dreadful Things in El Paso is the decades-old Dave's Pawn Shop on South El Paso Street, but they really are two of a kind.

Dreadful Things had a very cool cabinet of curiosities that highlights the very colorful shop. There's something exciting to see around every corner and is well worth the trip to 2226 Montana Avenue.

Also, the prices at Dreadful Things are very reasonable...my daughter found an awesome steampunk necklace for only $12! Lots of local artists are represented at the gallery.

Check out Dreadful Things on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/dreadfulthings

 

Dreadful Things' cabinet of curiosities

Detail from Dreadful Things' cabinet of curiosities 

There are some really cool Dia de los Muertos animations on YouTube. Here are links to some of my favorites...

CGI Student Academy Award Gold Medal Winner Short Film HD: "Dia De Los Muertos" from Whoo Kazoo

¡Viva Calaca! Part 1

¡Viva Calaca! Part 2 - Pink Elephants on Parade

Hasta los Huesos

Dia de los Muertos

 

  

Dia de los Muertos

Calaverita

 The Book of Life Official Trailer

 

"The Book of Life" movie trailer & brief thoughts...

Well, it certainly seems appropriate that I'm looking forward to "The Book of Life," an animated film directed by Jorge Gutierrez and produced by Guillermo del Toro.  Dia de los Muertos is its primary inspiration! Here's a trailer for the movie, which opens on October 17. 

UPDATE: I was able to catch "The Book of Life" with my 13-year-old daughter on October 19 (my birthday). I have mixed opinions on the film. The animation is really beautiful, and the ways that many of the traditions of Dia de los Muertos are mixed into the film are really well done. However, I felt there were too many one-liners that were trying too hard to be clever. Very typical of animated movies for kids 7-12 years of age. Personally, I wish that the "tone" of the movie had been more like "The Corpse Bride"; more differentiation between the land of the living and the land of the dead. Really, if the whole Dia de los Muertos subplot was taken away, it's a classic story of two guys vying for the hand of a beautiful woman. Still, I'm happy I saw it, and it is a lot better than many other animated films out there. It really is a visual feast. I just didn't feel like I had seen anything REALLY special. 

Dia de los Muertos cakes at the Ranch Market

Saw these cakes and display at the Ranch Market on Yarbrough last week. They also had pan de muerto!

Dia de los Muertos signs at World Market

I saw these very cool Dia de los Muertos signs/posters at World Market. These ones weren't for sale, as they were for point-of-purchase. World Market also has some DDLM-inspired pieces, including items for the film "The Book of Life," which comes out on October 17.

The overwhelming majority of DDLM items in my personal collection are true folk art from Oaxaca and Veracruz. A lot of the items you'll find at stores are now made in Peru or China from molds. They may be hand-painted, but they tend to lack the individuality of items that are made by artisans in southern Mexico.

Dia de los Muertos events at Café Mayapan - 2014

Here's some information about this year's Dia de los Muertos events at Café Mayapan. The Mexican state that is being celebrated is this year is Oaxaca.

Dia de los Muertos events for 2014 are starting to become known here in El Paso!

Dia de los Muertos is just one month away! And here in El Paso, a really exciting new event is starting up thanks to the Borderland Friedas, Dos Lunas tequila and the Alamo Ballroom, 820 N. Raynor St. from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., November 1 & 2. Yours truly is really looking forward to attending this celebration!

 

  

Here's a press release, courtesy of the Borderland Fridas!

Day of the Dead Celebration at Alamo Ballroom 

El Paso – The Borderland Fridas are pleased to present their first annual Day of the Dead celebration entitled, “Mercado de los Muertos”, at the Alamo Ballroom 820 N. Raynor St., El Paso, Texas. 

 

The event will celebrate the lives of loved ones passed with altars, music, food and fabulous vendors selling Dia de los Muertos inspired artwork. The celebration will take place on Saturday and Sunday, November 1st event is free and the public is welcome to be a part this celebration. 

 

The Borderland Fridas is a group based out of El Paso, TX and Las Cruces, NM. The members have all been inspired at some time in our lives by the famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. They share a desire to inform the community about the vibrant Mexican culture and to educate the public through art events, cultural celebrations and craft workshops.  

 

Members of the Borderland Fridas were instrumental in building the wonderful Day of the Dead event in Mesilla, NM and now wish to bring the celebration to El Paso on a yearly basis. 

 

Besides the Borderland Fridas, the event is sponsored in part by Dos Lunas Tequila and The Alamo Ballroom.

 

http://theborderlandfridas.wix.com/home

 

Info on an altar building workshop from Frank Varela...October 11

Here's some info on an altar building workshop by Frank Varela

FREE EVENT! Join us for this wonderful lecture on the altares of Dia De Los Muertos, presented by Frank Varela... where you will learn the different components of an altare, and the symbolism behind them. You will also learn how to create a beautiful altare inexpensively, and using mostly items that you can find around your home.

ENTER OUR CONTEST: Help us create a beautiful array of altars in the cemetery on Dia de Los Muertos this year! All who attend either one of our FREE Altares Workshops will be eligible to set up their own altar during our Dia De Los Muertos Festival - Concordia Cemetery (Nov 1), for a chance to win a prize for best altar!

Join us!
Saturday, October 11th
108 E. San Antonio
1:00 pm

https://www.facebook.com/events/779485118781071/

Dia de los Muertos 2014 - Concordia Cemetery - El Paso

Here's information on events at Concordia Cemetery...

For more infomation, visit http://www.concordiacemetery.org/untitled2.html

or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DiaDeLosMuertosFestivalElPaso

Dia de los Muertos in Buena Vista, west El Paso, November 2, 2013

Artist Israel Armendariz works on the world's largest painted skull...made from the frame of a vintage VW Beetle!

 

Folklorico group Ceiba performs at the event...

Works by David Lyon Andersen, Buena Vista Dia de los Muertos, West El Paso, November 2, 2013

What a surprise I had when attending the Dia de los Muertos festivities in the little Buena Vista neighborhood tucked away in west El Paso...several paintings by my old friend David Lyon Andersen. I was Dave's assistant at the UTEP Department of Art from 1987 to 1989. I was a student at the university, and I helped him empty out lockers, paint moving gallery walls, hang shows...just about the best minimum wage job I could ever imagine...LOVED it. Plus, Dave is just a great guy!

I had not seen Dave since 1989 or 1990, and I've always been a huge admirer of his work. When I left my position at the art department, Dave graciously gave me one of his watercolors, which was of a mummified cat. It's hung in every apartment and house I've lived in since that time. Dave now calls Portland, Oregon his home, and it was absolutely GREAT to see him again for the first time in 23 years!

Anyway, Dave had a little show of some of his more recent works, and they are FAN-tastic. Would love to own one (I need to start saving my pennies). Here's a sampling!

--> Día de los Muertos Events in El Paso and Southern New Mexico, 2013Firstly, my apologies for not posting this sooner...I've been sorely neglecting this blog over the past few years, especially since other forms of social media have taken off and blogs have been in sort of a decline. Hopefully many of you will take part in several of the events here in the El Paso southwest this weekend.

My long-standing favorite event is Día de Muertos at Centro Mayapan, 2000 Texas. The celebration features traditional altars, calavera poems and a catrina contest. Dance company Comparza de Chinelos de Zapata will also perform. The event will be from 3 to 10 p.m., Saturday, November 2.

Día de los Muertos Festival at Concordia Cemetery. The Concordia Heritage Association and the Paso del Norte Paranormal Society are having their annual event from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday, November 2 at Concordia Cemetery, 3700 E. Yandell. Admission is $5, $1 for students, children, seniors and military. The event will have face painters, live music, storytelling and a ghost tour from 9 to 11 p.m. For more information, call 694-2317 or email help@ghosts915.com.

Downtown Día de los Muertos Celebration. This event is for the whole family, and will be held at the San Carlos Building, 501 Texas. Live music from Chuco Soul Project, Bella Fusion and DJ Onemanjazz, plus live art, card readings and fire dancers! Event starts at 5 p.m., Saturday, November 2. Admission is $5 at the door. Kids 5 and younger are free.

Buena Vista Día de los Muertos. This is one I’ve never attended, and I’m looking forward to. The celebration is all day Saturday, November 2, at 120 Courchesne. There will be altars, art picnic workshops and an exhibition by David Lyon Andersen. Iya Khan will perform from 9 a.m. to noon, and Ceiba will have a workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 619-886-1892 or email centroartisticobv@blogspot.com.

Día de los Muertos at the El Paso Museum of Art. Hands-on activities, storytelling and more from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, November 2. A candle-decorating workshop will also be held (Cost: $10 for non-members). A celebration featuring an ofrenda (altar) to artists who have passed, pan de muerto and chocolate will be offered. Admission is free. For information, call 532-1707 or visit elpasoartmuseum.org. Also at the museum is a special catrina art show called “Hermosos Huesos,” featuring the work of artist Wayne Hilton. The exhibit is currently open, and ends Wednesday, November 6.

Día de los Muertos Counterculture Festival, 3 p.m. to 1:45 a.m., Saturday, November 3 at Paulina’s Badlands Billiards, 77932 Franklin. Lots of performers at this event! Matachinez Guadalupanos, Folklorica Quetzalez, Bella Fusion (fire dancers) and ten bands, including Fixed Idea and Get the Honey. Costumes are encouraged! Admission is $5 at the door; kids 10 and younger are free! Call 269-6774 for more information.

Day of the Dancing Dead. Starting 5 p.m., Saturday, November 2. This downtown block party will be held on Mills Avenue between Kansas and Stanton. Food trucks, go-go dancers, stilt walkers, music and much more. General admission is $15; VIP admission is $30. Tickets available at the Network, 317 E. Mills.

Dia de los Muertos Celebration in Mesilla Plaza, Mesilla, New Mexico. This is another long-standing Día de los Muertos event, and runs all day Friday, November 1 through Sunday, November 3. Several altars will be displayer, and artists selling folk art, crafts and much more! Just off Mesilla Plaza, Café de Mesilla, 2051 Calle de Santiago is featuring a Día de los Muertos art exhibit and altar. For more info, email calaveracoalition@q.com.

Border Book Festival Foundation Día de los Muertos, Las Cruces, New Mexico. Based at Casa Camino Real, 314 South Tornillo Street in downtown Las Cruces. There will be a downtown procession at 5 p.m., Saturday Nov. 2 to San José Cemetery. Afterward, music, posole and refreshments.

A Dia de los Muertos slot machine? Believe it or not, I spotted this dollar-eater in Las Vegas this summer.

The Calavera Coalition invites businesses and groups to construct an altar for this year's Dia de los Muertos Celebration, November 2-4 in Old Mesilla Plaza. Altars can be for specific persons, groups, a cause or beloved pets, and may also serve as a venue for public information related to your organization. Overnight security will be provided, and all proceeds go to the Community of Hope. For information, email calaveracoalition@q.com or call 575-647-2639.

Info on 2012 Dia de los Muertos events here in the El Paso-Las Cruces area are starting to become available. Here's the ad from one of our favorites — Centro Mayapan! (Click on photo to see full image)

Dia de los Muertos items at the Busy Lady Gift Shop, 5034 Doniphan

Here's just a tiny sample of the wonderful assortment of Dia de los Muertos items at The Busy Lady Gift Shop, 5034 Doniphan on El Paso's westside. I'm pretty confident that the store has El Paso's best selection of Dia de los Muertos items in the area. Give them a visit or a call at 915-637-5168. The store is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM.

(Note: Unfortunately, The Busy Lady shut down in early 2012)

Feliz Dia de los Muertos, El Paso

Today, November 2, is Dia de los Muertos, or All Souls Day. Feast and drink with your loved ones who have passed.

Dia de los Muertos 2011 - Centro Mayapan - October 30, 2011

Folklorico dancers performing in the zapateado style of Veracruz, Mexico.

Ofrendas at Centro Mayapan

 Ofrenda for El Paso artist and sculptor Luis Jimenez

An ofrenda to legendary El Pasoan bandleader Don Tosti, creater of "Pachuco Boogie"

Son jarocho group Los Utrera's performance at Centro Mayapan...