Mexico is preparing this weekend to honor one of its most beloved and meaningful traditions: the Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos — a celebration that captures the country’s deep and poetic connection between life and death.

Across the nation, from vibrant cities to quiet rural communities, families are setting up ofrendas, or home altars, adorned with marigolds, candles, sugar skulls, incense, and photographs of those who have passed. The golden glow of cempasúchil flowers — symbols of remembrance and love — will light the way through streets, plazas, and cemeteries, as Mexico opens its doors to welcome the spirits of its ancestors back home.

The creative team and cast of Mexodus are building a special Ofrenda (altar) in the lobby of the Minetta Lane Theatre, featuring photos of their loved ones and personal tributes that reflect the show’s central themes of heritage, migration, and resilience.

Starting Tuesday, October 28, audiences attending the final performances will also be invited to participate by adding the names of their own loved ones to the display — transforming the theater into a space of remembrance, unity, and shared storytelling.

The Ofrenda will be on view through the closing performance, aligning perfectly with Día de Muertos traditions and offering a poetic conclusion to Mexodus’s celebrated New York engagement.

What: Mexodus Ofrenda — Día de Muertos Celebration
Where: Minetta Lane Theatre (18 Minetta Lane, New York, NY)
When: October 28  – display will be live in the lobby.

For over 20 years, the AAACNA Studies Center in the Dr. Martin Luther King Library in San José has played host to a spectacular Dia de Muertos ofrenda exhibit titled the “Art of Remembrance.”

The Center’s librarian and director Kathryn Blackmer Reyes commented that surrounding this remarkable display of over 20 altars and dozens of alebrijes and crafted miniatures, the loss earlier this year of the project’s coordinator and fund-developer Arlene Segun, is palpable.

Arlene’s daughter, Valerie Sagun, installed an ofrenda including a video on her mom’s 28 years overseeing the huge annual Calenda and Day of the Dead Festival that brought together a culturally diverse community to celebrate their loved ones and friends who have passed on. Arlene also was a drummer in the ensemble TABIA, and director of the San José Multicultural Artists’ Guild, the exhibit’s main sponsor through the years.

Also impacting the annual Dia de Muertos activities was the recent passing of philanthropist Alcario Castellanos, whose foundation was a significant funder of Hispanic educational and community programs.

Rita Herrera and her husband Joel, Chairman of the State G.I. Forum, installed a large ofrenda in his memory.  Alcario was a long-time member of the local G.I. Forum and his wife Carmen worked for the San José City College administration.

Phillis Carrasco and Rick Moreno, who were significant “Art of Remembrance” installation artists since the first year and are now resting in peace,  were honored with ofrendas created by family and friends. Pieces of their art remain part of a permanent DDLM collection in the AAACNA Studies Center, including the spectacular 20-foot Rey Calaca standing in the foyer of the library.

Children and adults find comfort and joy in the celebratory traditions of the Mexican holiday Día de Muertos. “Art of Remembrance” exhibits always welcome entries from professional artists, family groups, and community. For many, it is the first time.

Oscar Pimienta, whose children Jasmine and Max,  are dancers with Folklórico Nacional Mexicano de Elena Robles, spent hours collaborating with other parents on a group altar. “This is new for our family,” he said. “I didn’t have it growing up and it feels good to share our family with my own kids; to learn more about our heritage.”

Art of Remembrance Ofrenda Exhibit will be open through November 4, 2025, in the AAACNA Studies Center, 5th Floor, of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library 150 E San Fernando St. San José

The play follows a recently departed soul named Alejandro who has just arrived in Mictlán, the land of the dead, on the eve of el Día de los Muertos. But la Muerte notices that something is different about this soul’s arrival—he can’t remember anything about his past. 

Meanwhile, los muertitos—the dead—can’t wait to get back to the land of the living to visit their loved ones. But the portal to the other land is blocked, and they discover that one of them is holding them back! To cross in time for the holiday, los muertitos have to help Alejandro resolve his unfinished business. Otherwise, they might be stuck until next year… 

Director Rodrigo García says, “La Muerte Baila is a poignant story of love and forgiveness that shows us how we can overcome challenges in life—or death—with a helping hand from those around us. This ravishing play devised by Rebecca Martinez and the Milagro Theatre ensemble  uses levity and humor to remind us that laughter is a powerful medicine para el corazón.” 

La Muerte Baila invites audiences to connect with the play in meaningful and unique ways. This year, we’re asking our community members to share photos of their dearly departed so that we may honor their memory at the show. The participatory aspect of the play begins with activities in the lobby beforehand, in which audiences continue the tradition of honoring their lost loved ones. Throughout the play’s comedic twists and turns, the characters interact directly with the audience, running through the audience and joking with them. The audience participates in Alejandro’s healing process by sharing things they’d miss from Earth in the afterlife, culminating in an invocation honoring those who have left us. The overall effect is complex – funny yet simultaneously personal, poignant, and introspective.

La Muerte Baila unites the talents of dozens of San José-based artists, musicians, and performers. Within our brilliant cast, we’re excited to have local activist and well-known artist, Ugho Badú. As the actors bring the story to life, the incredible musicians, which consists of Russell Rodriguez, Lolis Garcia, and Claudio Vega, play Son Jarocho music, which often includes call and responses, improvisation, and is accompanied by zapateados. Influenced by Spanish, Indigenous, and African cultures, the vibrant blend of rhythms and melodies transports the audience into another world. The talent goes further as the costume designs are from Veracruz. The amount of detail within the embroidery is simply extraordinary. The vivid scenery is inspired by El árbol de la vida – The Tree of Life – as well as modern art. Come for the story and talent, stay for the beautiful visuals and music.

You can see La Muerte Baila live and in person, October 9-19, at the Mexican Heritage Plaza  Theater. Tickets are $10 to $40, on sale now at www.teatrovision.org/lamuertebaila or (408)  294-6621. La Muerte Baila is directed by Rodrigo García and features music direction by Russell Rodriguez.

Join us on Friday, September 19^th, from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm as we open the doors to the 39^th annual Día de Muertos exhibition: A Celebration of Remembrance.Opening night is a special moment to gather at the Museum, honor our loved ones, and be among the first to experience the ofrendas created by local artists and Mexican regions like Guerrero, Puebla, and the State of Mexico traditions.

If you’re on Facebook, let us know if you plan on attending by clicking GOING on our event.

After you’ve seen the exhibition, step into the Courtyard and continue your Día de Muertos journey with an immersive installation designed and curated by the youth artists of Yollocalli Arts Reach. This installation features vibrant original artwork inspired by traditional nicho boxes. Make your visit complete by stopping at the community ofrenda, where you’re invited to leave a note, drawing, or memory in honor of a loved one. Together, we’ll create a beautiful collective tribute.

Photo by Mary J. Andrade

Sept. 17, 2021- Nov. 22, 2021

The Mexic-Arte Museum is beyond proud to announce the recent acquisition of the The Mary J. Andrade Passion for Life, Day of the Dead in Mexico Photography Collection.

Mary J. Andrade is a prominent figure in the study of Day of the Dead and has documented the celebration in different states of the Mexican Republic from 1987 to 2016.

Mary J. Andrade, Cultural Advisor for the Disney Pixar Oscar Winning Movie “Coco,” began researching Day of the Dead in 1987 in Janitzio, Michoacan. Since then, Mary has covered a different state of the Mexican Republic each year, gathering information and taking photographs of the celebration of this pre-Hispanic tradition known as Day of the Dead, a tradition that has evolved through the centuries and has become an integral part of the Mexican spirit and culture.

The exhibit features photographs of various areas of Mexico and  how this age-old tradition is celebrated in distinct communities.