Friday, October 30
Cirque De Los Muertos
Founded by Artist Foundation grant winner Julia Langenberg, Aerial Horizon is a company dedicated to bridging the gap “between the jaw-dropping stunts of contemporary circus and the emotive power of aerial dance.” Having recently drawn inspiration from the McNay’s Miró exhibition and collaborated with Opera San Antonio on “airborne arias and aerial bartending,” the troupe is poised to put a dramatic spin on Day of the Dead with its Cirque de los Muertos. Directed by Langenberg, the “celebration from beyond this world” showcases acts incorporating silks, lyra, rope, trapeze and cyr wheel.
$20-$25, 8pm Thu-Fri, Brick, 108 Blue Star, (210) 908-7816, aerial-horizon.com
Sunday/Monday, November 1/2
Día de los Muertos
Offering a reflective counterpoint to the ghosts, goblins and zombies that haunt Halloween, the pre-Columbian tradition of Día de los Muertos pokes fun at death with folkloric fanfare while celebrating the dearly departed with altars both reverent and whimsical. An increasingly popular observance in the Alamo City, Día de los Muertos takes shape this year in everything from readings and exhibits to concerts and fireworks. Moonlighting as Carnaval de los Muertos, the drummers and dancers of URBAN-15’s Carnaval de San Anto rise to the occasion by parading through Hemisfair Park dressed as skeletal characters reminiscent of La Catrina and others made famous by iconic Mexican illustrator José Guadalupe Posada (free, 7:30pm Sun, Instituto Cultural de México, 600 Hemisfair Plaza). Music and poetry combine in the heart of the West Side courtesy of the Esperanza’s kid-friendly affair featuring performances by Los Olvidados, Las Tesoros de San Antonio and Azul, and readings of literary ofrendas and calavera poems to be enjoyed with tamales, pan de muerto and hot chocolate (free, 3-9pm Sun, 816 S. Colorado St.). Touted as the “biggest and oldest Día de los Muertos celebration in San Antonio,” Centro Cultural Aztlán’s “Altares y Ofrendas” exhibit rounds up dozens of local artists for an eclectic installation of altars (adorned with marigolds, incense, keepsakes and food favored by lost loved ones), an “Avenida de los Artesanos” stocked with handcrafted wares, and a performance by Carnaval de los Muertos ($3 suggested donation, 6-9pm Mon, 1800 Fredericksburg Road). Encouraging attendees to “pray for the dead” and “fight like hell for the living,” Texas smoke shop Planet K rings in the holiday with a car and bicycle show, food trucks and face painting in Woodlawn Lake before lighting up the sky with fireworks.
Free, 6-9pm Mon, 1103 Cincinnati Ave, sacalaveras.com
Sunday, November 1
Las Animas de los Muertos (The Souls of the Dead)
Drawing inspiration from the Latin American tradition of el Día de los Muertos, this bilingual performance by Carolina Quiroga-Stultz honors the dearly departed by bringing their stories to life.
Free, 4pm, Sun., Instituto Cultural de Mexico, 600 Hemisfair Park, (210) 227-0123.
Sunday, November 1
Market Square's Dia de Los Muertos Festival
Celebrate Dia De Los Muertos with the One Man Militia Eddie Machete & the Boozers live at the Historic Market Square. Free family event with a Tribute to Loved Ones Passed Procession at 1pm, Boozers at 5pm, with children's activities, food booths, face paintings, & much more.
Free, 12pm, Sun., Market Square, 514 W Commerce St., (210) 207-8600, getcreativesanantonio.com
Sunday, November 1
Dia de Los Muertos Celebration
The San Antonio Community is invited to participate in Esperanza Peace and Justice Center’s Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration. This family friendly event will include a muertos procession to kick off the night, altars created by Buena Gente de Esperanza, live music by local bands, free food and more. Free, 3pm, Sun, Rinconcito de Esperanza, 816 Colorado St., (210) 228-0201,
esperanzacenter.org
Sunday, November 1
Dia de Los Muertos at Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center
Participate in art-making workshops, face-painting, a peace and remembrance procession, and visit community altars while enjoying pan de muerto y chocolate. Performances include the Guadalupe Dance Company and Academy, Grupo Ánimo, and Mariachi Guadalupe.
Free, 4pm, Sun., Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, 1300 Guadalupe St., (210) 351-7787, guadalupeculturalarts.org
Sunday, November 1
Dia de Los Muertos
Join in honor of those lost with music, poetry and a short procession to follow down South Brazos street after the commemoration.
Free, 7pm, Sun., Peace and Remembrance Mural, Corner of San Patricio and Trinity, (210) 226-7466.
Monday, November 2
8th Annual Dia de Los Muertos Fireworks Celebration
This is a free event for the city of San Antonio and a wonderful way for us to come together as a community to rejoice in the lives of loved ones passed. This event features numerous craft vendors with all their own homemade day of the dead arts and crafts, food trucks, face painters, live ice carving, build your own sugar skull booth for kids, family photo booth, food trucks, car show, bicycle show, balloon memorial release, and the largest show of fireworks in Texas! All proceeds directly benefit our local charities.
Free, 6pm, Mon., Woodlawn Lake Park, 1103 Cincinnati, (210) 859-0665, planetktexas.com
Monday, November 2
Noche de Muertos
Enjoy an evening celebrating the “night” of the dead with incredible classic Mexican flavors at the iconic and local favorite, El Mirador. The evening will be filled with flavors, sounds and colors along with a front yard Taquiza, including a Tequila and Mezcal bar as well as a full bar available for guests. Not to mention all of your favorite tacos including: al pastor, carne asada, pollo asado, mollejas tacos, tacos para los vegetarians tambien, charro beans and nopalito salsa.
$8, 6pm, Mon., El Mirador, 722 S St. Mary's St., (210) 225-9444
Monday, November 2
Carneval de Muertos
Imagine a moving altar of Muerto characters wearing vivid masks, large sugar calaveras heads and flowers–but dancing down the street. On November 1st and 2nd, URBAN-15’s Carnaval de San Anto will transform into Carnaval de los Muertos for a very special performance in honor of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
$3, 7:30pm, Mon., Centro Cultural Aztlan, 1800 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 736-1500, facebook.com
Thursday-Saturday, November 5-7
SAY Sí’s 9th Annual Muertitos Fest
SAY Sí will present its 9th annual Muertitos Fest, a 3-day family-focused Día de los Muertos festival which celebrates the tradition that ties our city to Mexico and commemorates the rich Mexican-American culture of San Antonio. Muertitos Fest is one of San Antonio’s most comprehensive Día de los Muertos celebrations providing an educational context to this important holiday, with three days of unique cultural happenings.
$35-$40, 7/6/7pm., SAY Sí, 1518 S. Alamo St. (210) 212-8666, facebook.com
