Caption: Kiri Langseth-Schmidt in costume for the 2008 All Souls Night. (Photo by Michael Anderson)The second annual All Souls Night in Duluth will be held the evening of Friday, Nov. 6 at the Depot Great Hall, 506 W. Michigan St. The event is inter-generational and a freewill donation is suggested.
The holiday focuses on gatherings of friends and family who remember and pray for loved ones and others who have passed on. This event honors ancestors through art and festivities of old and new world traditions, especially the Mexican Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), celebrations of life through the acknowledgment of death.
Public participation is encouraged. Altar-building is Sunday, Nov. 1 at the Depot at 1 p.m. Many people find this a profound way to honor relatives, friends, celebrities or even social justice issues and include photos, favorite foods, small objects, flowers, and candles. The theme displays are creative and have included: financial meltdown, environmental anguish and homelessness. Participants may express whatever weighs heavy on their hearts.
Exhibits of the altars will be open for viewing Monday through Friday 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Doors open for the All Souls Night event Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Depot Great Hall. The public is invited and encouraged to wear black, dress up as skeletons, and volunteer to carry large puppets and join music making. At 7 p.m. a procession will march around the downtown public library (which is across the street from the Depot) and gather to see the Spin Collective fire dancers. The parade includes a Funeral March for Rotten Ideas section to put to rest “bad ideas.”
This event is organized and sponsored by artist Mary Plaster (www.maryplaster.com), The Depot, and the Duluth Playhouse.
