Item details
Date
October 30, 2022 10:00AM
Name
Día de los Muertos Festival
Description
10 a.m.–4 p.m. | FREE
All activities and performances are FREE and do not require tickets.
Museum admission tickets are not required on October 30.
Celebrate the culture of Mexico at the annual Día de los Muertos Festival! Experience dance, music, artist demonstrations, and poetry readings throughout the day.
ON-GOING IN THE NELSON-ATKINS BUILDING
Altar Installation | Kirkwood Hall, Plaza Level
On view October 28-November 7
Experience moments of reflection through symbols of earth, wind, fire and water alongside family portraits and milagros. The altar installation features our Abuela (Grandmother) at home, created in collaboration with local artists, students, the Mattie Rhodes Center and the Mexican Consulate in Kansas City. Add your own remembrance and take home a paper frame to decorate.
Welcome Table | Sculpture Hall, Plaza Level
Learn about traditional elements of Día de los Muertos altars thanks to the Mexican Consulate in Kansas City.
PERFORMANCES | Atkins Auditorium, Lobby Level
Los Bailadores de Kansas City | 10:30–11:15 a.m.
See dance performances of selected states of Mexico and intricately handmade clothing celebrating Mexican heritage.
Rose Marie’s Fiesta Mexicana | 12:30*–1:15 p.m.
Embrace Mexican culture through traditional styles of Mexican folkloric dance representing Mexico states of Michoacan and Nayarit, performed by students of all ages.
*Special welcoming remarks before 12:30 p.m. performance
El Grupo Folklorico Atotonilco | 2–2:45 p.m. & 3:30–4:15 p.m.
Enjoy traditional Mexican dances representing various states in Mexico performed by dancers of all ages.
PERFORMANCES | Bloch Building, Lobby Level
Calacas Procession | 10:45 a.m.
Mariachi Azteca from Guadalupe High School | 11:15–11:45 a.m.
Guadalupe Center Middle School Mariachi | 12:30–1 p.m.
Performances by students from the Art as Mentorship program | 2–2:30 & 3–3:30 p.m.
Photo Op with Calacas | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
ART MAKING, DEMONSTRATIONS & STORYTIMES
Art Activitiy
10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Rooms 1,2 & 3, Nelson-Atkins Building, Lobby Level
Decorate your own paper Día de los Muertos picture frame to take home.
Learn More
Noon–4 p.m. | Educator Resource Center, Nelson-Atkins Building, Lobby Level
View resources about printmaking, Mexican culture, and more.
Live Printing
10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Rockhill Room, Bloch Buildiing, Level 2
Pick up a free print by local artists led by Erick Felix fresh off the mobile printing press. While supplies last.
Demonstration
1–4 p.m. | Rockhill Room, Bloch Building, Level 2
Virginia Oropeza demonstrates traditional Mexican crafts.
Book Display and Paper Picture Frame Decorating
1–4 p.m. | Spencer Art Reference LIbrary, Bloch Building, Level 2
Enjoy a special book display and color a Día de los Muertos paper picture frame.
Preschool Storytime
10:30–11 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.–Noon | Noguchi Court, Bloch Building
Hear stories about Mexico presented by the Kansas City Public Library: Plaza Branch.
Readings
1–1:30 p.m. & 2–2:30 p.m. | Noguchi Court, Bloch Building
Latino writers from Missouri and Kansas read specially selected poetry.
MEXICAN FOOD FOR PURCHASE
11 a.m.–4 p.m. Prices vary.
Rozzelle Court Restaurant | Nelson-Atkins Building, Plaza Level
The Tamale Kitchen | Bloch Lobby, Lobby Level
Supports opportunities to the Hispanic community in the Northeast Kansas City area.
Panaderia de las Americas | Bloch Lobby, Plaza Level
Sugar skulls and special Día De Los Muertos bread. While supplies last.
Yoli Tortilleria | Nelson-Atkins Building, Rooms 4 & 5
Purchase fresh, quality, locally and seasonally sourced specialties reflecting the rich diversity in Mexican cuisine including mini burritos, esquites, chips and salsa, aguas frescas, and café de olla cold brew.
Thank You
Support for the festival is provided by Bank of America, Husch Blackwell, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Trustee Donor Advised Fund.
FREE parking in garage for museum members; $12 parking for nonmembers.
PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE