2020 Life in Death Virtual Reunion 

In response to COVID-19, we are inviting our community to share their homebuilt ofrendas with us on November 1st and 2nd since the Life in Death Festival is canceled this year. Please use #LifeinDeathWinchester on social media to celebrate with us at Winchester Dondero Cultural Center.

In the Mexican tradition, families and other groups build beautiful ofrendas (altars), glowing with candlelight, that are covered with the food, drink, and other objects loved by the deceased while alive in order to lure them back for a visit. The ofrendas are elaborate works of art—beautiful, detailed and sometimes huge.

The Life in Death Festival is scheduled to resume on November 1st and 2nd, 2021 and will feature performances on stage each day with Mexican dance troupes and readings of “calaveras,” or “skulls,” which are poems, usually humorous, written “in memory” of people who are still alive. They treat the menace of death with good-natured humor and offer a chance to poke fun at prominent people. People may also participate in the Day of the Dead art exhibit. Artists are advised to learn Day of the Dead traditions which honor the dead, but also confront death itself, often with a humorous attitude. Meanwhile, dance, music, and humorous poetry remind us that death helps define life, and should not be feared.

Those interested may contact the Winchester Cultural Center at (702) 455-7340 
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General LID Event Information

Clark County Parks and Recreation presents “Life in Death: Day of the Dead,” a two-day festival featuring displays, an art exhibit, performances, craft sales and food vendors at Winchester Cultural Center and Park, 3130 S. McLeod Drive. The event will explore cultural traditions related to the Mexican holiday of El Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Admission to the festival is free.

The festival will feature “ofrendas,” or altars built by families and other groups in memory of deceased relatives or other beloved individuals. The ofrendas are elaborate works of art, detailed and sometimes large in size and will be displayed outdoors in Winchester Park. A prize of $500 will be awarded to three winners as selected by our community-based judges.

Performances in the park each day will feature Mexican dance troupes and readings of “calaveras,” or “skulls,” which are satirical poems written to commemorate people who are still alive. The poems treat the menace of death with good-natured humor and offer a chance to poke fun at prominent celebrity and political figures. Judges will award the calaveras winner's prizes. Traditional Mexican folkloric dance performances are also presented by well-known local groups and touring groups onstage.



The Winchester Cultural Center Gallery will host an exhibition of various artists celebrating the art of Day of the Dead and will feature the beauty that comes from such a unique event.

Authentic Mexican crafts will be offered for sale and a variety of food vendors will be on site, and free samples of special Day of the Dead bread made only once a year will be given out to festival attendees. Demonstrations of traditional embroidery, as well as children's activities and workshops on Day of the Dead bread-making and sugar/clay skull decoration, are offered free of charge.

Those interested in “Life in Death: Day of the Dead” can call Winchester Cultural Center at (702) 455-7340.

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