Learn about the Day of the Dead, a beautiful (not scary!) Mexican tradition of honoring one's ancestors in conjunction with All Saints Day. Leonel Rosario, proprietor of Mariachi de Oro Mexican Grill, will share his experiences of building family ofrendas, making tamales, and other unique customs which welcome the souls of loved ones. You'll decorate your own sugar skull, a popular candy during this annual holiday.

Donation to GO ART! is $5/person, $12/family (10% off for GO ART! members). Sign-ups are appreciated by 10/26 at www.goart.org/glow-traditions; walk-ins also welcome up to 40 participants.

This event is presented by GLOW Traditions at GO ART! and Mariachi de Oro, as part of GO ART!’s Culture Connects series. These programs are supported by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the NYS Legislature, and Orleans and Genesee County legislatures.

Donation: $5/person, $12/family.

Sign-ups appreciated at www.goart.org/glow-traditions by October 26

Walk-ins welcome, limit 40.

For more info contact folkarts@goart.org or 585-343-9313

Seymour Place, 201 East Main Street, Batavia, New York 14020-2205

Tel: 585-343-9313 Email: info@goart.org Website: www.goart.org

Day of the Dead, or “Día de Los Muertos” is a Mexican festival that combines All Soul's & All Saint’s Day with the indigenous custom of honoring deceased loved ones. Beautiful altars (ofrendas) in homes feature candles, wild marigolds, fruit, stacks of tortillas, tamales, chocolate, and big loaves of pan de muerto, bread of the dead. While each region of Mexico has its unique celebrations, the tradition holds that the gates of heaven open at midnight on October 31 and the spirits of all deceased children (angelitos) reunite with their families to enjoy offerings of toys and candies. The spirits of adults are believed to visit the following night, taking in the ofrenda’s food, flowers, incense, cigarettes and shots of mescal through their strong scents. November 2 is often welcomed with an all- night, candlelit vigil in the cemetery, and continuing through the day. Families gather to clean and repaint tombs, share food, play cards, enjoy local bands and reminisce about their loved ones.