Charlotte’s first ever Catrina contest to take place for Dia de los Muertos
Dia de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, will host the first ever Catrina contest in Charlotte this Saturday, Oct. 29 — and it’s ok if you’re not sure what that is yet.
The celebration is a two-day holiday on Nov. 1 and 2 that originated in central and southern Mexico to remember loved ones who have passed away. The belief is the deceased would prefer people to dance, drink and party instead of cry and mourn for them.
“Dia de Los Muertos celebrates the continuance of life, family relationships, community solidarity, allows people to talk about and even find humor, in death,” said Rosalia Torres-Weiner, artist and founder of the Charlotte version of the celebration, on a recent Facebook post about the event.
Here’s what you can expect from the festivities this Saturday:
No cover, sugar skull face painting and plenty of bebida alcohólica.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and it’s free to the public. Once you enter the LaCa Projects building, you’ll see two tables with artists painting sugar skull designs for a small fee (cash only). There will also be sugar skulls created by Johnson & Wales students for kids to decorate for free. Food will be served from Que Onda Tacos + Tequila, Tres Amigos, Las Delicias Bakery and the Student Bakery and Pastry Latino Club at Johnson & Wales University. Pair that with an adult beverage because siempre.
Candle lighting ceremony and moment of remembrance.
Yours truly will be hosting the main event and introducing Torres-Weiner for a moment of silence to honor those who have left us.
Live musical performances.
Guitarist Lara Americo, whose first EP “She/They” comes out on Nov. 17 and is available for pre-order, cellist Victoria Yepes McLaughlin and flutist Patty McLaughlin will perform “La Llorona,” a traditional Mexican folk song, among other tunes. Next up will be the sugar-skull-wearing dance troupe, Alma del la Luna. Daniel Arrendondo and his wife will el tango de la muerte. Just kidding. They will still be alive at the end of the show, thankfully.
The Catrina contest.
This first time event in Charlotte will feature people dressed in dapper and glamorous outfits with a skull face (otherwise called a calavera). Participants will be vying for first place, and I’ve heard people already trash talking about who’s going to have the bigger hat or most flamboyant outfit.
For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Details
Dia de los Muertos on Saturday, Oct. 29. Doors open at 6 p.m. LaCa Projects, 1429 Bryant St., Charlotte, NC 28208. No cover or tickets.
Photos: Rosalia Torres-Weiner
This story was originally published October 27, 2016 at 1:00 AM with the headline "Charlotte’s first ever Catrina contest to take place for Dia de los Muertos."