Día de los Muertos/
Day of the Dead Celebration
Workshop, Performances, and Community Event hosted by Casa De Danza at The Fifth Dance
Hello everyone and welcome to the beautiful, colourful and warm world that our beloved Día de Muertos is. Most of you are probably aware of the Mexican tradition of honouring our dead. I remember when I was a little girl, every year my family would set up the Ofrenda at home and go to the cemetery at night to celebrate the return of our loved ones into the land of the living. It was for sure a bit scary the first couple of times when I was old enough to understand that a cemetery at night time was something to be feared. With time I learned that in many places the concept of death is something that we are taught to fear, but in our culture is not only accepted but celebrated. As I grew up, I couldn’t wait to go back and say hi to my grandpa, bring him beautiful flowers, pan de muerto and the rum that he used to love; not to mention I’d always get a delicious sugar cane juice for myself.
This year, it brings me great pleasure to announce the inaugural edition of Casa de Danza’s Day of Dead Celebration. Casa de Danza is our newest non-profit organization designed for the purpose of supporting the behind-the-scenes work of professional dance artists. This means, making it possible for dance artists to create art and live off their art. CDD is committed to celebrating the bodies that have been traditionally excluded and highlighting the different cultures that make Toronto the vibrant landscape it is, specifically, those of with Latino roots.
Join us for our first Season Opening Event and the beginning of Casa de Danza’s operations on November 1st 2024. Our First annual Día de Muertos is a free event that will include a Paper Marigold Making Workshop, Dance Performances by Latino artists, an Ofrenda, drinks + a community potluck. This event will serve as a fundraiser for Casa de Danza in which the proceeds will go directly to the artists performing at the event and provide funding for future Casa de Danza events and programming.
— Sarahí Cárdenas
PERFORMANCE DETAILS
Two pieces will be presented in the studio by choreographers Sofi Gudiño and Irma Villafuerte.
About Sofi
Sofi Gudiño is a dance artist and community organizer based in Toronto. Raised in flamenco and established in contemporary dance, Sofi’s work is marked by emotional intensity and choreographic risk. Gudiño began flamenco studies as a child at the Academy of Spanish Dance with Esmeralda Enrique, and has since continued in Spain with Úrsula López, Alicia Márquez, Pastora Galván, Lorena Franco and many others. In 2014, Sofi founded the Inamorata Dance Collective as a site to explore flamenco outside of its traditional presentations. As a choreographer, Gudiño has enjoyed residencies at The Toronto Dance Theatre and Dancemakers, with choreographic premieres including Nuit Blanche, Pride, and with their award nominated piece, Picaza, in Toronto Fringe. Sofi was nominated in the 2023 Johanna Performing Arts Prizes for their recognized impact on the field, and recently assumed the role of Festival Director at Dusk Dances.
About Irma
Irma Villafuerte is a Tkaronto based dance artist, educator, choreographer and first-generation daughter of refugees from Nahuat Territory Kuskatan, post-colonial El Salvador. Irma a co-founder of CinnaMoon Collective, a Toronto Arts Foundation 2021 Emerging Artist Finalist and a Dora Nominated artist for her co-created work "Surrendered Spirits". She’s had the honor to be part of festivals and performances across Turtle Island, Latinoamérica and the Caribbean with works by established and renown creators. She has led a journey nurturing her choreographic development through residencies with Dance Makers, TDT’s Emerging Voices, Kaeja D’dance KAIR and Aluna Theatre; currently developing her important dance work Xilopango to premiere 2025z As a Latin American woman, her passion for social justice and human rights, is the driving force for creation in Irma’s choreographic and performance work.
What is Día de Muertos?
Día de Muertos is a Mexican holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. It is like a family reunion—except dead ancestors are the guests of honour. Day of the Dead is a joyful time that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory. Families create ofrendas (Offerings) to honour their departed family members that have passed. Cemetery visits are also common on the last day as families will go to decorate the grave sites with Marigold flowers, gifts, and sugar skulls with the departed’s name on them. Overall, Day of the Dead is a rare holiday for celebrating death and life. It is unlike any holiday where mourning is exchanged for celebration.
What is an Ofrenda?
While the most recognizable aspects of Day of the Dead are the representations of skulls and skeletons, the tradition that holds the most meaning is the Ofrenda (Spanish for offering). The Ofrenda is what the whole celebration is about; it’s a collection of offerings dedicated to the person being honoured. A typical ofrenda is a simple concept. It consists of a set of items that will identify the person to whom it is dedicated along with staples of the celebration such as a pan de muerto, and marigold petals. The items that identify the person will include photographs, and personal items that belonged to them, but can also include food other than the traditional ones which the person in question particularly enjoyed. They will most commonly be built on a table which will be adorned with a tablecloth and tissue paper cut into patterns. For our community ofrenda, we invite you to bring photos of your loved ones who have passed, their favourite foods or even small pieces of art. As we continue to display our Ofrenda during the month of November, we invite you to share your stories and those of your loved ones.
What is the Paper Marigold Making Workshop?
In this workshop, we will join forces to make as many marigold flowers as we possibly can to help adorn the ofrenda that will be mounted at The Fifth. Marigolds are believed to be the pathways that guide the spirits to their ofrendas. The flower’s vibrant colours and scent attract the departed souls, as they return to feast on their favourite foods. They are called “Flor de Muerto” (Spanish for Flower of Dead) and they symbolize the beauty and fragility of life.
What is Casa de Danza?
Casa de Danza is a Toronto-based arts organization that supports the behind-the-scenes work of professional dance artists. Is committed to celebrating the bodies that have been traditionally excluded and highlighting the different cultures that make Toronto the vibrant landscape it is, specifically, those of with Latino roots.
When: Friday, November 1st 2024
Where: The Fifth Dance ⎥Main Studio at 366 Adelaide | Unit 120
Time: 6:00PM-LATE
Investment: Free Event
Themes & Symbols
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Celebration of life
While it may seem contradictory, the Day of the Dead is ultimately a celebration of life. It's a time to honour and remember deceased loved ones, celebrating their lives and the memories they left behind. Contrary to sombre mourning, the Day of the Dead often involves lightheartedness, humour, and joyful celebration. It's a time to remember the personalities and quirks of those who have passed away, joyfully celebrating their lives.
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Family & Community
Day of the Dead emphasizes the importance of family and community bonds. It's a time for families to come together, share stories, and memories, and support one another in coping with loss and navigating grief.
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Cultural Identity & Heritage
Day of the Dead is deeply rooted in Mexican culture and heritage. It serves as a reminder of the rich cultural traditions passed down through generations and reinforces a sense of identity and belonging. With some traditions coming from ancient Meso-American traditions and other ones from colonial Europe, it serves as a reminder of Mexico’s tapestry and history.
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Spirituality & Belief
Day of the Dead reflects the spiritual beliefs of many cultures, particularly those influenced by Mesoamerican traditions. It's a time to honour the souls of the departed and believes in their continued spiritual presence.
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Acceptance of Mortality
Rather than fearing death, Day of the Dead encourages acceptance and even embraces the idea of mortality as a natural part of life. This acceptance can lead to a deeper appreciation for the time we have with loved ones.
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Artistic Expression
Day of the Dead is characterized by vibrant artistic expression, including elaborate altars (ofrendas), colourful decorations, and intricate sugar skulls. This artistic aspect encourages creativity and serves as a way to express love and reverence for the deceased.
La Ofrenda
Each ofrenda in each household is different but at its root, it is the invitation to our loved ones who have passed to come back into the physical world to visit us, guide us and give us comfort. It is also a celebration of their life and an invitation for us who remain to remember their favourite things and what made them, them. All the ofrendas share different symbols, some rooted in ancient Meso-American traditions, some come from Spanish/European, and I can’t help to reflect on how deeply connected each altar is with our own histories and the journeys of each of our families.