Press Releases 2007

Day of the Dead Celebration

CONTACT: Janet Peterson, Marketing and Public Relations Director
TEL: (856) 825-6800, Ext. 108
FAX: (856) 825-2410
E-MAIL: jpeterson@wheatonarts.org

MILLVILLE, NJ – The Down Jersey Folklife Center at WheatonArts will host a “Day of the Dead Celebration,” October 28, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Event Center. This is a free event for visitors.

The event is in honor of one of the most important holidays of the Mexican community – the Day of the Dead. Families erect an altar and decorate it with items meant to appeal to the loved ones, sometimes strewing flower petals along a path from the street to the altar so as to guide the returning soul home. Decorations include not only offerings of flowers and food, but also things that remind the living of the departed: photographs, a diploma, an article of clothing. A favorite item is a “bread of the dead,” shaped like a body or a skeleton. Day of the Dead altars will be set up by the performing groups and by La Oaxaquena Restaurant in the Event Center.

The program schedule:

■ 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
  La Guelaguetza Dance Group from Bridgeton, NJ.  
  Performance will include traditional dances from  
  Oaxaca, Jalisco and Chiapas.

■  3:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Jennifer Ortiz and Jonatan Caballero from Vineland, NJ. Performance will include traditional dances from the region of Itsmo, Oaxaca.

■  A Dance Party for the audience with Master of Ceremony Ramon Hernandez.

■  4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Los Angeles de la Cumbia from Bridgeton, NJ

■  5:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Pedro Marroquin (Guitar) from Vineland, NJ

■  5:45 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Banda La Morena from Vineland, NJ. Their repertoire includes different Mexican music styles such as musica nortena, musica grupera and sonivera, baladas and rancheras.  

Authentic Mexican food will be provided for the audience by La Oaxaquena Restaurant located in Vineland, NJ. For information, call the Down Jersey Folklife Center at 856-825-6800 or 800-998-4552, extension 131 or 132, or visit www.wheatonarts.org.

WheatonArts strives to ensure the accessibility of its exhibitions, events and programs to all persons with disabilities. Provide two weeks notice for special accommodations. Patrons with hearing and speech disabilities may contact WheatonArts through the New Jersey Relay Service (TRS) 800-852-7899 or by dialing 711.

The DJFC is a division of Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Inc., a non-profit arts organization. The DJFC receives support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts; the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State; Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Bank of America and Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. The DJFC is further supported by residents and groups with an interest in the traditional art and culture of southern New Jersey.

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