Because we haven’t yet done so, we are taking this opportunity to say: “Just how cool was ‘Coco,’ anyway?”
Pixar’s 2017 animated film about a Mexican boy’s journey to the Land of the Dead won both an Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature. And the music was amazing, as well (“Remember Me” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song). This weekend, the score from the film will be performed by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, and Saturday, Nov. 2, at Pikes Peak Center. Tickets, $37-$75 (kids are free on Friday), are at csphilharmonic.org.
But that’s just the tip of the Dia de los Muertos iceberg. Here are some other events across the Front Range that are being held to mark the Mexican holiday that celebrates friends and family members who have died.
Art District on Santa Fe
The Art District on Santa Fe’s First Friday Art Walk is always a huge, festive affair, but on Friday night, the district will host a massive Dia de los Muertos block party with events at multiple museums and businesses. Stop by the Museo de las Americas for a costume contest, ofrendas (altars), sugar skulls, hot chocolate, pan de muerto (bread traditionally baked during Dia de los Muertos), face-painting and performances. Visitors can shop at a marketplace filled with local artisans, hear live music and check out “Altar’d Continuum: Resistance and Empowerment,” the show currently on display at Museu de las Americas. The museum’s Dia de los Muertos festivities include a procession through the art district that begins at 7:30 p.m. at the corner of Santa Fe Drive and West 2nd Avenue. Free. 4-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at 861 Santa Fe Drive, Denver; museo.org. 303-607-9761, museo.org.
Not far away, the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council is also participating in First Friday festivities with pan de muerto (bread of the dead), face-painting and a piñata at the CHAC Gallery, along with traditional Aztec dancers who will lead a procession through the district. The gallery encourages people to bring 3-by-5 photos of loved ones who have passed for a “Nosotros Familia” community ofrenda. While you’re there, check out two current exhibitions: “La Llorona: Weeping Woman of the Southwest” and “El Dia de los Muertos.” Free. 6-9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at CHAC Gallery, 222 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, 303-571-0440, chacgallery.org.
Su Teatro will host Altares Vivos: Amor Eterno, a Dia de los Muertos carnival with giant altars — feel free to bring pictures and items to remember loved ones — and live performances in the theater’s “Campo Santo (Mexican-style cemetery) while marigolds, candles and smoke mark your path,” according to Su Teatro. There also will be pan de muerto, games for kids, sugar skull-decorating, face-painting and more. Free. 4-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, 303-296-0219, suteatro.org.
Fiesta de Los Muertos on South Pearl Street
Looking for another Dia de los Muertos art walk? Head to South Pearl Street, where galleries, shops and restaurants will host events and altars and you’ll find an abundance of art, music, food, dance, vendors and face-painting. Second Star to the Right Books will host a non-fiction Dia de los Muertos storytime from 4 to 5 p.m., and you can make your own altar at 5 Green Boxes, take a salsa lesson in the driveway of Leo’s Automotive, and cap off the evening with tacos and $3 Pacificos at Una Mas Taqueria. Free. 4-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, in the 1400-1500 block of South Pearl Street, southpearlstreet.com.
Pirate: Contemporary Art
Celebrate the Day of the Dead with a reception at Pirate Art with Aztec Dancers and piñatas, a candlelight procession and fire dancers. Free. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1. Show of altars and student art through Nov. 3. pirateartonline.org/dod
Denver Botanic Gardens
Head to Denver Botanic Gardens on Nov. 2 for an entire day of Dia de los Muertos festivities, including screenings of Disney’s “Coco” (at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.), along with ofrendas (altars), face-painting, kids’ crafts, Mexican folk dancing and mariachi bands. Included with admission to the gardens, which run $9-$12.50 or free for members. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver, 720-865-3500, botanicgardens.org.
Altas at Hi-Dive
On Saturday night, Hi-Dive on South Broadway will host a Dia de los Muertos party with three bands, an altar and a procession. On the bill: Denver bands Altas (instrumental/electronic post-rock), Plume Varia (dream/indie-pop) and Los Mocochetes, a Chicano band that plays “protest music that you can dance to,” according to the band’s Facebook page. Each band’s set will “represent these stages of death celebrated during Dia de los Muertos: The End of Life, The Reflection of Life (and) The Celebration of Life,” according to Hi-Dive. We suggest snagging tickets ahead of time for this 21-and-up event. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 day-of (if available). 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway, Denver, 303-733-0230, hi-dive.com.
Day of the Dead 5K
If you prefer to celebrate any and all holidays with a little physical fitness, the Day of the Dead 5K on Sunday is right up your alley. After completing the timed course through Washington Park, runners and walkers will get a finisher’s medal and shirt and can hang around for a vendor village, food and drinks. Registration is $30. 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at Washington Park, 701 S Franklin St. coloradorunnerevents.com/DDLM.
Longmont’s Dia de los Muertos celebration
Billed as the state’s largest Day of the Dead celebration, Longmont’s celebrations on Saturday, Nov. 2, are now being held downtown, a switch from years past. The Family Fiesta, from 2 to 6 p.m., includes live music, dancing, sugar skull decorating, traditional food, altars, crafts, face painting and more. Can’t find a spot to park? There’s a free shuttle from the Longmont Museum available. (Check out its exhibit of altars, up through Nov. 4, while you’re there waiting for a ride.) After the party, stick around for a procession of giant puppets made by local artists (6:15-7 p.m.). And later that evening, kick up your heels at the Catrina Ball, sponsored by the Firehouse Art Center and held at the Dickens Opera House. The Family Fiesta and gigantes procession — all held in downtown Longmont, around 4th Avenue and Kimbark Street — are free. The museum is at 400 Quail Road. Cost for the Catrina Ball is $15, which includes drinks, food, music and altar exhibition. Tickets at dickensoperahouse.com.
