Aztec dancers to perform during 'Day of Dead' at state museum

The public is invited to celebrate El Dia de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, with crafts, food, dances, stories, video, lecture and songs for the family from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Nevada State Museum

This year's feature program is the Aztec Dancers, Grupo Tlaloc, with presentations at 1 and 3 p.m. Visitors can relax and enjoy food and beverages outside in Loftin Park.

"Day of the Dead is a multicultural celebration of life through death," said Deborah Stevenson, the museum's curator of education. "In this wholesome family holiday, participants learn to deal with death in a healthy way by celebrating the lives of dear ones that have passed away. The holiday has become very popular in recent years and is celebrated in schools, homes, community centers and museums in all 50 states."

Stevenson explained the significance of the day. "Day of the Dead is a very tender holiday where relatives remember and honor deceased loved ones with great warmth, affection and respect. Special exhibits, called ofrendas, are set up with a display of memorabilia from a departed loved one. This may include a photo of the person, samples of their favorite foods, symbols of activities they loved and bright yellow flowers. A typical bread, called pan de muerto, is abundantly displayed during the festival. Sugar skulls are decorated, and fancy paper cutouts add color to the tables," she said.

Crafts during the celebration will include sugar skulls (calaveras de azucar), fancy paper designs (papel picado), folkloric figurines and paper flowers. Bilingual volunteers will be available to assist people of all ages.

Sponsors include the Nevada Appeal, Latino Parent Association, Galvan Family, Aztec Bakery (Panaderia Azteca), Claudia Servin, Miriam Torres, Miriam Silis, Metzonali, Grupo Tlaloc, Mirabel, Claudia Aguilar, Video Centro, Carson City Library and Friends of the Nevada State Museum.

The Nevada State Museum is at 600 N. Carson St. Admission is $8 for adults, and free for museum members and children 17 and under. For more information, contact dstevenson@nevadaculture.org or 775-687-4810, Ext. 237.