Tag: Celebraciones de la Gente

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces / Museum of Northern Arizona among finalists named for 2024 Viola Awards by Creative Flagstaff

FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff Nuestras Raices & the Museum of Northern Arizona: 20th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente has been selected as a 2024 Viola Awards Finalists for the Excellence in Collaboration category by Creative Flagstaff.

The winners of the category will be announced on March 23, 2024 at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Flagstaff.

The 20th anniversary annual Celebraciones de la Gente — Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead festival was held Oct. 21, 22 at the Museum of Northern Arizona.

The event, a partnership between Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Museum of Northern Arizona, featured the return of the the ever-popular InTlanextli Tlacopan Aztec Fire Dancers, Ballet Folklorico de Colores — Flagstaff, El Charro Bohemia, sugar skull and other workshops, and the display of nearly two dozen ofrendas/altars in the historic Jaime Golightly Courtyard.

19th annual Celebraciones de la Gente receives media coverage

As preparations begin for the 20th annual Celebraciones de la Gente at the Museum of Northern Arizona in October 2023, local media interviewed and photographed members of partner organization Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, museum officials, performers and participants during the recent celebration held on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 29, 30 at the museum. See links to coverage below.

The event was preceded by a “Celebraciones” concert, held on Oct. 28, presented by the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, the Museum of Northern Arizona and in partnership with Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces.

Oct. 28 — Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra and the Museum of Northern Arizona/Flagstaff Nuestras Raíses present ‘Celebraciones’ concert

The Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to highlight the culture of the traditional Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos with our concert, “Celebraciones!” in collaboration with the Museum of Northern Arizona/Flagstaff Nuestras Raíses’ “Celebraciones de la Gente” from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, 2022.

Joining us for this spectacular celebration of Mexican music and composers will be Flagstaff’s own Ballet Folklorico de Colores, presenting a traditional Mexican folk dance to José Moncayo’s classic Huapango.

Community celebrates in-person return of Celebraciones de la Gente

Celebraciones de la Gente, the annual Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead celebration, returned to the Museum of Northern Arizona on Oct. 23-24 with an appreciative crowd who strolled around the historic Jaime Golightly Courtyard to view family ofrendas / altars, view workshops on creating ofrendas, a presentation honoring the more than 400 people who died due to COVID-19 in Coconino County, dance performances by Ballet Folklorico de Colores — Flagstaff and music by Mariachi Tradición de México from Tucson and Los Alambrados Flagstaff.

The 18th annual event, which was hosted by the Museum of Northern Arizona, in partnership with Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, was presented virtually in 2020 due the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Turning of the seasons at the Museum of Northern Arizona

Message from Mary –

Fall is in the air and the oak and aspen trees around the museum are turning gorgeous colors. This is the time of year when we would normally be preparing for Celebraciones, but of course we are not able to have such a large gathering this year. Instead, we’re celebrating Dia de los Muertos with two beautiful community ofrendas. One is in the museum building courtesy of Flagstaff Nuestras Raices and the other in our Colton Community Garden. I hope you’ll come see them.

As the colder weather and shorter days bring us inside, the museum offers many experiences to enjoy indoors, whether by signing up for the Docent Training program, embarking on a virtual trip through the Grand Canyon with geologist Wayne Ranney, or coming to visit the museum. The staff and I look forward to seeing you at MNA, online or in person.

Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona

Oct. 26-27 — 16th annual Celebraciones de la Gente to be held Oct. 26-27 at the Museum of Northern Arizona

  FLAGSTAFF — Celebrate cultural traditions at the 16th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente, a lively Day of the Dead festival. Rooted in community, this weekend-long event is presented in partnership with Flagstaff’s Nuestras Raíces. Don’t miss fine art and…

Visitors enjoy cultural performances, lectures on first day of 2017 Celebraciones de la Gente

  Photos by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2017 From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — A record number of families lined up to take part in a sugar skull workshop before heading to attend dance, musical performances and cultural lectures during…

Community honors memories of families, friends with inspiring closing ceremony at 2017 Celebraciones de la Gente

  Photos by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2017 From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — A rousing performance by NAU Mar y Sol and the always moving blessing of the ofrendas closing ceremony highlighted the final day of the 14th annual…

Celebraciones de la Gente returns to the Museum of Northern Arizona on Oct. 21-22

Member Preview will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20 FLAGSTAFF — Celebrate Mexican cultural traditions at the 14th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente, a lively Day of the Dead festival. Rooted in community, this weekend-long event is presented…

The lighting of the ofrendas greet museum members during 2016 Celebraciones de la Gente reception

  From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — It is always a special feeling when Museum of Northern Arizona members walk in the Jaime Major Golightly Historic Courtyard to view the flickering of hundreds of candles during the opening night reception of Celebraciones de la…

Cultural performances, lectures and activities greet visitors on first day of 2016 Celebraciones de la Gente

  From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Amid unseasonable warm weather, the 2016 Celebraciones de la Gente got to an auspicious start with families lining up to take part in a sugar skull workshop before heading to attend dance and…

Region celebrates second day of 2016 Celebraciones de la Gente

  From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Children, and their parents, began the day decorating sugar skulls with activities progressing to musical and dance performances and educational programs during the second day of the 2016 Celebraciones de la Gente. The sugar…

Northern Arizona community honors memories of families with closing ceremony at 2016 Celebraciones de la Gente

  From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — All good things must come to an end and so it was for the 13th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, presented on Oct. 23, 2016 by the Museum of Northern Arizona and Flagstaff Nuestras…

Celebraciones de la Gente returns for lively Day of the Dead celebration on Oct. 22, 23

Member preview to be held Oct. 21, with inaugural evening showing of altars starting at 5 p.m. Oct. 22.  FLAGSTAFF — It’s Lucky 13 for Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces, which presents its 13th annual Celebraciones de la Gente from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.…

Celebraciones de la Gente 2015 comes to a festive conclusion

FLAGSTAFF — The 12th annual Celebraciones de la Gente came to a festive and fitting conclusion on Sunday Oct. 25 with the traditional blessing of the ofrendas / altars by In Tlanextli Tlacopan Aztec Fire Dancers, music by Mariachi Mexico Antiguo and the…

12th annual Celebraciones de la Gente opens to the public on Oct. 24 for two-day celebration of Día de los Muertos

FLAGSTAFF — Final preparations were completed by Friday afternoon with the hanging of strings of papel picado and the adornment of nearly two dozen altars at the Museum of Northern Arizona as Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces prepared for the 12th annual Celebraciones de…

Sunset Magazine lists Celebraciones as one its its ‘“The West’s best Day of the Dead celebrations’

Sunset Magazine included Celebraciones de la Gente in Flagstaff as one of its “The West’s best Day of the Dead celebrations.” “The festival features the usual handicrafts, altars, and music, but with a hint of the Old West, thanks to the…

Tickets available for annual Celebraciones de la Gente raffle

  Tickets ($10 each) are now available for the annual Celebraciones de la Gente raffle presented by Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces. The raffle will be held on Sunday, Oct. 25 during the 12th annual Celebraciones de la Gente / Día de los…

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces prepares for Sugar Skull workshops

FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces has begun preparations for its annual Sugar Skull workshops on Oct. 24-25 at the Museum of Northern Arizona and Nov. 1 at the Snowdrift Art Space in Winslow. The group has already created an estimated 100…

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces to present sugar skull-making workshop on Oct. 2 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Cultural Center

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will present a sugar skull-making workshop as part of its monthly First Friday art event at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Cultural Center, 224 S. Kendrick St., Flagstaff. Participants will learn…

Region welcomes 11th annual Celebraciones de la Gente at the Museum of Northern Arizona

From AmigosNAZ staff reports It was a weekend filled with music, entertainment, and, most importantly, reverence for those who have gone before us as Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Museum of Northern Arizona partnered for the 11th annual Celebraciones de…

Tickets available for annual Celebraciones de la Gente raffle

Tickets ($10 each) are now available for the annual Celebraciones de la Gente raffle presented by Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces. The raffle will be held on Sunday, Oct. 26 during the 11th annual Celebraciones de la Gente / Día de los Muertos…

Northern Arizona community honors heritage with altars, closing ceremony at Celebraciones de la Gente

From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — The day began with a sugar skull-making workshop and progressed to musical and dance performances and educational programs, concluding with the moving closing ceremonies at the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, presented on Oct.…

Capturing the spirit of 2013 Celebraciones de la Gente

From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — From the creation of family altars, and a last-minute courtyard wide Oaxaca-style cemetery scene, to the moving closing ceremonies including the blessing of the altars, members of the Museum of Northern Arizona and the public…

Musical, educational programs highlight opening day for public at Celebraciones de la Gente

From AmigosNAZ staff reports FLAGSTAFF — Musical and dance performances, lectures, along with arts and crafts demonstrations highlighted the opening day for the public at the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, presented on Oct. 26, 2013 by the Museum…

Community enjoys opening night at 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente

AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Despite of some last-minute excitement regarding an under-renovation courtyard, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces and the Museum of Northern Arizona successfully celebrated opening night for museum members of the 10th anniversary of Celebraciones de la Gente on Oct.…

Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces gets ready for 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente starting Oct. 25

AmigosNAZ staff report FLAGSTAFF — Members of Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will be busy late this week setting up their family altars / ofrendas, stringing papel picado and getting everything ready for the 10th annual Celebraciones de la Gente, which will begin…