Delving into the Day of the Dead

CLOVIS - You've probably heard of the Mexican holiday The Day of the Dead. But there might be more to it than what you've seen in movies or heard about through pop culture.

The Day of the Dead is a three-day annual celebration from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 where families honor and remember their deceased relatives, while presenting prayers and offerings in their memory, often in the form of small skulls made from sugar.

If you want to learn more, you can join 12-year-old Vita Flores on a musical adventure this weekend as she explores the true meaning of the holiday through dance and song with the help of a colorful cast of characters.

This Sunday, the Clovis Cultural Arts Series presents "Sugar Skulls! A Dia de Los Muertos Adventure" by Mexico Beyond Mariachi of Columbia Artists. This is the Arts Series' second show of the year.

"Its a story of a young girl, a tween, who is questioning where she comes from when most of her life she's lived in this country," said producer Peter Bogdanos. "It's about how its important to hold on to these traditions. She questions who she is and what values she wants to carry on."

"Sugar Skulls!" features music by the multicultural ensemble Mexico Beyond Mariachi, while actors, dancers and puppeteers delve into cultural significance of the Day of the Dead. Along the way you'll meet Flores' ancestors, a sad sorceress, a trickster and talking skeletons.

"It has great cultural significance to our Hispanic community and due to the movie 'Coco' almost everyone can be involved now for the Day of the Dead," said Christy Mendoza, the cultural arts director for Clovis Community College.

Mendoza said she had noticed an increase in popularity for the holiday in recent years, especially in connection to Halloween, and decided it would be a great show to bring to Clovis through the Arts Series partnership with Popejoy Hall in Albuquerque.

"It's a very colorful show and it will have something for everybody," Mendoza said. "The sheer artistry on stage will attract older children and adults and fascinate the younger ones. They'll learn about the traditions of Mexico culture and art."

Mexico Beyond Mariachi is based out of New York and is on a 30-city, 13 state cross-country tour this fall. The creation of "Sugar Skulls!" was funded by a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $20,000 for the production.

Bogdanos said the goal of the production is to expose people to Mexican culture and traditions and let them live on through the play and music.