Dia De Los Muertos

This is a photo taken of me this past weekend during a performance that I did downtown for the Procession of the Little Angels. I performed on Saturday for this event. There was an all night vigil to honor our ancestors that have passed. This is the first year, of the 17 years that Tucson has honored this celebration, to have a day specifically for kids. It is the first attempt at making this holiday a weekend celebration, instead of just one day. Friday night there was an event called the Dance of the Dead for performers from all over as well as some local artists to express themselves. There were amazing musicians, artists, acrobats, stilters and dancers. Then Saturday we had workshops in the park to teach kids how to play with poi, hula hoop and I taught some staff spinning and baton twirling. Kids ages 3-18 were there to play and learn and express themselves. After the workshops all the kids paraded around downtown and then came back to a raging fire show in front of the library. After that we had a kids glow toy jam. Oh man it was the cutest thing in the world! Tucson's first kid rave. There were camera crews for the local news and newspapers. Sunday was the main event... everyone gathers downtown around sunset and a massive parade of thousands of people in costume, dressed as the dead, grace the streets of downtown Tucson. They paraded with drums and fire toys for about an hour and then finish at the railroad tracks where they are greeted by all the fire performers. It was truly an event to remember. I performed with Elemental artistry and it was our first opportunity to be a part of the big event. It really was spectacular!