CSUN Department of Chicana/o Studies and MeChA to Host Dia de los Muertos Celebrations
Media Contact: Alondra Ponce, alondra.ponce.432@my.csun.edu, or Javier Rojas, javier.rojas@csun.edu, (818)-677-2130
California State University, Northridge’s Department of Chicana/o Studies, Chicano House and MeCHhA de CSUN are hosting a Dia de los Muertos celebration, “Miccaihutl,” for the university and local community to honor lost loved ones on Saturday, Nov. 1, on campus
The celebration will take place from 3 to 10 p.m. at the Chicano House, located north of the University Library on the west side of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge.
“It’s a celebration, a cultural event with spiritual dimensions that invites the community, beyond Chicana/o and Latino community, to connect with ancestors,” said Sandra de la Loza, Chicana/o Studies professor and one of the curators of the event. “It’s really about our interconnection with our community, not only with human ancestors but the cosmos.”
The celebration will be filled with art creation and galleries, community workshops, altars, face painting, food, live music, vendors and dancing. Food and vendors will be present from 3 to 4 p.m.
In collaboration with the Department of Art and Design, various art workshops will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Attendees can expect an education class, as well learning about the meanings behind the cultural pieces.
Participants can add to the Meixcanoytl Altar, an altar rooted from Aztec culture, to honor their loved ones, from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.
From 5:30 to 6 p.m., a procession will take place, followed by multiple performances from live bands.
From 7 to 7:30 p.m., El Rio, a Latin American band whose lyrics are connected to the native colleagues and draw from Latin American folklore, will perform. The following El Rio, Ballet Folklorico Aztlan de CSUN and Mariachi Aztlan will perform from 7:45 to 8:15 p.m. Vlasics Band will perform from 8:30 to 9 p.m., and will end with ska band, El Rudo Skunk, from 9:15 to 9:45 p.m.
“This is the largest student organized event on campus and there are activities for everyone. It is very family and community oriented,” de la Loza said. “This is a rare opportunity for student groups, faculty and staff to come together and enjoy entertainment, participate in workshops and be in a really vibrant community space.”
In addition to the “Miccaihuitl,” multiple Dia de los Muertos events have taken place across the campus this week.
A Dia de lo Muertos altar has been placed in the University Library lobby and will be on display through Nov. 7. The CSUN community is invited to add onto and visit the altar.
A community altar and Cartonería workshops are also taking place in the CSUN Art Galleries. The altar will be on display through Nov. 11 and can be visited by anyone in the community.
All programs are supported by the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies, the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication, the Department of Art and Design, and the University Library.
The post CSUN Department of Chicana/o Studies and MeChA to Host Dia de los Muertos Celebrations first appeared on CSUN Newsroom.