Day of the Dead 2015 Artscape, Wychwood Barns

Day of the Dead 2015
Artscape, Wychwood Barns 

Toronto, Ontario.- For the seventh consecutive year, Día de los Muertos Collective, in partnership with Casa Maíz, are hosting the Celebration of the Day of the Dead, at Artscape, Wychwood Barns. 

This unique Mexican celebration –which was declared part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco, in 2003– is a ritual, and a cultural expression that involves a series of different events; from sacred to festive, from religious to pagan. This year: offerings, processions, food, Aztec dance, Aboriginal hand drum songs, brass band and a wide variety of Mexican music, are just some of the performances that the audience will enjoy and participate in. All of this extravaganza, surrounded in a mist of mourning and melancholy with a touch of joy –quite common in this season–, with the smell of incense and mum flowers.

Also, Tlacuatzin –a son huasteco trio straight from Veracruz– will be performing its contagious and deeply rooted music from the exuberant Huasteca region. The brass band will lead a procession all around Wychwood Barns, re-creating an actual Mexican funerary march, with the participants becoming mourners, heading slowly to the cemetery. 
“We believe in tradition as a way to preserve our identity and strengthen self-esteem, which is essential to thrive in a new culture”, said Jesus Mora, Artistic Director of the Day of the Dead Collective. This celebration belongs to those interested in understanding and preserving our traditions, and their participation is very welcome. The collective uses traditional methods to organize this celebration, reaching out to the community in order to get as many people as possible engaged in the process of financing and landing the ideas expressed collectively. 
From its humble origins in Jesus Mora’s studio – where less than 50 people attended in its first incarnation– Artscape Wychwood Barns received over 2,000 people in 2014. The ongoing efforts and achievements have garnered the support of the Ontario Arts Council  and the Toronto Arts Council. The support also recognizes the quality of the event, its objectives, and the participation of the community, artists, sponsors, vendors and, of course, the volunteers. 
The Day of the Dead Celebration will be held on Saturday October 31, 2015, from 4:00 to 10:00 PM at Artscape, Wychwood Barns (601 Christie; South of St. Clair, North of Davenport). Admission is free and the celebration is suitable for all ages.
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The Día de Los Muertos Collective is a nonprofit organization that coordinates the efforts of Toronto's Mexican community to bring a celebration that honours the dead, delights the living, promotes artistic creation and fosters community development through tradition.  
25 Benson Ave, Toronto, On M6C46G / (647) 518-62-23 / www.diadelosmuertosto.org
Casa Maíz, is the cultural centre of the Latin American community in Toronto, where visual art, poetry, dance, performing arts and music make their home. We are dedicated to foster the love for our culture both in adults and in children so as to strengthen our roots along with a sense of identity and belonging in Canadian society.  
1280 Finch Ave. W # 204, Toronto, On M3J3K6 / (647) 777-0177 /
 http://www.casamaiz.org