MECA: Day of the Dead Festival

HOUSTON, TX. (MECA) -This October 28th and 29th, MECA proudly presents MECA Day of the Dead Festival: Honoring our Past, Celebrating Our Future. Día de los Muertos is a traditional Latin American holiday that honors and celebrates the lives of family and friends who have gone before us. Different countries celebrate Día de los Muertos in their own unique way. The common theme that runs through the two-day celebration, traditionally held November 1st and 2nd, is the belief that the dead return home, visit loved ones, and feast on their favorite foods. A playful mockery of death and a reaffirmation of life are demonstrated through music, dance, theatre, and visual arts.

MECA Day of the Dead Festival is held at MECA's colorful, art-filled campus located at the nationally recognized historic Dow School in Houston's Old Sixth Ward.

Performances by: Houston Balalaika Society, Gabriella 'La Tempestad' and Del Espadín Baile Español, The Jive Sisters, Ambassadors International Folkloric Ballet, Second Generation Dance Company, Kuumba House Dance Theatre, Sirrom School of Dance, Michelle Brangwen Dance Ensemble 'Living Altar', Vantress Tillman as Tina Turner, Cleola Williams and Wilford Davis, Colombian Folkloric Dance Troupe, Trio Guadalajara, Sister Sister, Lucy Salazar the female Elvis, Mariachi MECA and MECA Intermediate Mariachi, MECA Ballet Folklórico – Adult and Youth Groups, Grupo Vital, Sabor Mexico Ballet Folklorico.

Fray Roberto Lentz, OFM - participant Visual Art Exhibit
Commit for Life Blood Drive:
Commit for life by donating blood to the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center on Saturday, October 28, 2006 from 11:00 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. A donor coach will be located outside the festival.

What: Day of the Dead Festival

When: Saturday, October 28, 2006 (11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.)
Sunday, October 29, 2006 (11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

Where: MECA - 1900 Kane
Houston, Texas 77007

Admission: Free and Open to the Public
Rain or Shine

Sponsored by:
CenterPoint Energy, Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, Cultural Arts Council of Houston/Harris County, Houston Chronicle, La Voz, La Vibra, United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast, H.E.B., SAM's, Budweiser, Texas Rodco Waco, Inc., Arturo DeLeon, Panaderia El Bolillo, Marshall Middle School, Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center (as of 10/01/2006)
For more information please visit MECA's website at www.meca-houston.org.