Community members are invited to dance, laugh and sing the night away at an upcoming Day of the Dead dance at St. Barnabas Church.
The church is hosting a Dia de los Muertos dance on Saturday, Oct. 22 starting at 6:30 p.m. The night’s entertainment includes Mexican dancers from the Caudillos del Sur dance troupe, the a cappella soul quartet What It Is and the blues band The Syndicate.
“We have decided on something which brings different cultures together so we are doing Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead,” she said. “It’s just a chance to have a party and have fun. It’s also a fundraiser.”
The St. Barnabas Latina women’s group, the Esperanza project, will be cooking up free fiesta food for the bash. The night’s festivities also include a chance to contribute photos and flowers to the typical Altar for the Dead.
“Everyone is invited to make an altar, to bring photos of family members or loved ones who have passed away. It’s an act of remembrance, an act of acknowledging our love for those who have gone ahead of us. It’s a party, not a solemn affair at all, but it’s based on the Mexican tradition of mocking death, rather than being overwhelmed with it, and celebrating life.”
The event includes a raffle and door prizes, as well as a special prize for the best Catrina (Day of the Dead) costume.
“People are welcome to dress up in whatever they want,” Smith said. “If there’s people that really know what the Catrina is – the Grim Reaper is a woman in Mexico, so if people want to do that that’s welcome. Come as you are. Be ready to dance, laugh and sing and have a great time.”
All proceeds will go toward two new parish projects, including the creation of a meditation garden in the church courtyard.
“It is accessible to the whole neighbourhood,” she said. “We are planning to build a quiet place for people to sit, with a little bench. They can come in and pray or be quiet and medicate.”
Money is also being raised to help establish a new no-barrier community choir.
“It’s not a church choir, it’s a neighbourhood community choir, which is open to everybody that breathes. If you can breathe, you’re in the choir; if you have a pulse, you’re in,” Smith said. “What this choir director does, she has three choirs in Vancouver, she gets everybody from every ability and walk of life involved. It’s beautiful. We need a little bit of funds to kick that off the ground.”
Tickets are $25, or $10 for seniors, children and people on low incomes and available at the hall. St. Barnabas Community Hall is at 1010 Fifth Ave.
