River of Lives

POSTER LAYOUT: Jennifer Hartwig 2010
OC T . 1 ~ N O V . 7
www.PetalumaArtsCenter.org
ART DESIGN: Paul Seely
R i ver of Lives
Welcome/Bienvenidos to El Día de los Muertos
Petaluma 2010
On behalf of the El Día de los Muertos, Petaluma
Organizing Committee, we welcome you to Petaluma’s
10th annual observance of El Día de los Muertos
Petaluma or Day of the Dead.
Celebrated on November 1st and 2nd in Latin America and South America, El Día de
los Muertos is a ritual time to honor loved ones who have died and to acknowledge
death as a part of life.
In Petaluma, as in many communities, El Día de los Muertos Petaluma has grown into
cross-cultural sharing that offers a unique partnership between and among cultures.
El Día de los Muertos Petaluma 2010 is our 10th year of highlighting the arts and
culture of Latin and South America with community events that occur between
October 1 and November 2. Elements of El Día de los Muertos have become
meaningful to people from many cultural backgrounds.
The observance of El Día de los Muertos provides a multicultural perspective on life
and death. Death is portrayed with affection and humor by artists and crafts workers.
El Día de los Muertos is a joyful, colorful and whimsical celebration.
For our 10th celebration and our 3rd year in the Petaluma Arts Center, we have the
opportunity to exhibit the works of Latino artists from across the Bay Area. Our theme,
Río de las Vidas / River of Lives welcomes and appreciates loved ones who have gone
before us.
Many warm thanks to our Curator and Exhibition Coordinator Israel Escudero for his
work on this exhibition!
With this exhibition we also lovingly remember and acknowledge 2009 Exhibition
Curator Reuben Godinez who died quite suddenly last year.
We hope that you join us in our observance and in all these festive events. We hope
that you enjoy this opportunity to experience a celebration of Latino culture and our
shared humanity. Most events are free and all are open to the public. Donations to
support the events are always appreciated.
We appreciate the work of the dedicated volunteers who have made this celebration
possible and the contributions of many community groups, organizations, and
businesses, without whom these events would not occur.
In particular, we are grateful to our brochure team: Jennifer Hartwig, Paul Seely, Kirk
Klingbiel, Rosa Sanchez, Randy and Guadalupe Tausch of Colors of Spanish and
Israel Escudero for creating this lovely way to tell the story of El Día de los Muertos,
Petaluma 2010.
We look forward to seeing you between September 30 and November 7.
Marjorie Helm, Israel Escudero, Abraham Solar and Gloria McCallister
El Día de los Muertos, Petaluma 2010 Co-Coordinators
El Día de los Muertos Petaluma 2010 Committee: Dick Allen, Sherri Brungart,
Ines Castillejos, Janie Castles, Doug Cisney, Lisa Diamond, Terry Ehret, Israel
Escudero, Peggy Floren, Teresa Froschl, Margo Gallagher, Tracy Gentry, Ortensia
González, Jennifer Hartwig, Margie Helm, Holly Jaramillo, Lorna Johnson, Kate
Keaton, Kirk Klingbiel, Beatriz Lagos, Kat Lilith, Juanita Martin, Susana Martin,
Gloria McCallister, Maureen McGuigan, Carmel Olson, Susan Ortiz, Carlos Patrick,
Joe Peer, Ron Pérez, Emilia Quintas, Rosa Sánchez, Elizabeth Schleth, Adriana Smith,
Sparky Smith, Kirsten Simone-Smith, Abraham Solar, Juan Carlos Solorio, Carolina
E. Swartz, Guadalupe Tausch, Randy Tausch, Christine Vasquez, Georgina Warmouth,
Drew Washer, Terri Wickwire and Jackie Yurth.
Generous underwriting provided by: Community Foundation Sonoma County, The
Redwood Community Health Coalition, Petaluma Health Care District, St. Joseph’s
Health System, Wells Fargo Bank, Petaluma Arts Council, Poets and Writers, Inc.
through a grant from the James Irvine Foundation, The Sitting Room Cotati, CloverStornetta Farms, Rich Johnson Golden Land Realty and Petaluma Chapter of Realtors.
Sponsors Include: The Redwood Community Health Coalition, The Petaluma Arts
Council, the Latino Peace Officer’s Association, Mujeres Unidas of Sonoma County,
Santa Rosa Junior College, Aqus Café, Hospice of Petaluma, Heebe Jeebes, the
Mail Depot, G&G Market, Press Democrat Celebrate Community Program and the
Petaluma Library.
In kind contributions provided by: Lunchero Santa Cruz, Juliana Navarro/Maya
Productions, Petaluma Market, Chalet Florist, St.Vincent de Paul Church, Lorna
Johnson Design, Pandrake Productions, Memories From The Hart, Minute Man Press,
Colors of Spanish, Peter Pérez Design, Staples, Trader Joes, Tres Hombres, Grupo
Gitano, Don Poncho's and Whole Foods.
Many thanks to the Art Council Staff and Board especially Vicky Kumpfer, Marya
Glass, Jonna Ramey and Nick Van Krijdt.
The Día de los Muertos, Petaluma 2010 commitee
would like to offer a special wish of gratitude to
Margie Helm, Abraham Solar and Teresa Froschl
for beginning Petaluma's observance 10 years
ago and for continuing on and fostering its
growth since
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Music and Dance
Music and Mexican food will be on hand for the Opening Celebration, Sunday,
October 10, 1-4 at St. Vincent de Paul Church Square. We will be welcomed by the
St. Vincent de Paul Aztec Dance Group performing traditional rituals and blessings
from the pre- Hispanic era. The danzas are blessings and prayer for the event as well
as for the Latino community, in whom the group hopes to foster cultural pride. This is
their fifth year performing for El Día de los Muertos, Petaluma.
We will be entertained by the Ballet Folkloric Paquiyollotzin performing traditional
dances from throughout Mexico.
Also performing at the Opening Event is the very lively Windsor Bloco, a drum and
dance corps from Windsor Middle School. Windsor Bloco is a teen-driven organization
comprised of 10-19 year olds who learn the art of drumming and dancing in the
Brazilian style. Bloco's are organizations in the Brazilian Carnaval tradition that are
dedicated to enlivening the life of the community through music, dance, and education.
Windsor Bloco also instills a sense of cultural pride. This program is open to all youth.
Boys and girls of all ethnic backgrounds and economic status are welcome.
Sponsored by the Redwood Community Health Coalition, our 10th Annual
Opening Event will also include a Bi-National Health Fair as a part of Health
Week of the Americas.
Saturday, October 30 at 6:00 p.m., Mariachi Santa Rosa, Grupo Coyolxauqui,
Ballet Folkloric Paquiyollotzin and Windsor Bloco will lead our traditional candle-lit
procession with giant puppets through Petaluma arriving at the Petaluma Arts Center,
230 Lakeville Street at Washington Ave. for performances and a mercado. Food,
beverages and folk art will be available for sale.
Saturday, October 30 from 2- 4 p.m. at the Petaluma Library there will be a
performance of Aztec Dance by the group Danza Mexica Ohtli Yoliliztli. Danza
Mexica Ohtli Yoliliztli was founded in Santa Rosa, Ca. on June 6th, 2009 for the
advancement and preservation of the Mexican culture through Aztec Dance. The
members are inter-generational ranging in age from 9-50 and are dedicated to building
a community based on the spiritual ideas of the ancient Mexicas. Teaching and learning
the rituals and philosophies of Ancient Anahuac, Danza Mexica Ohtli Yolilitzli is
actively engaged with a broad community to promote cultural pride and awareness.
Petaluma Library, 100 Fairgrounds Drive.
Sponsored by The Friends of the Petaluma Library.
¡Viva El Dia de los Muertos, Petaluma!
Thank You
Joe Peer and Thom
Butler for their generous
contribution to
El Día de los Muertos
Petaluma, 2010.
Poetry
Poesía del Recuerdo (Poetry of Remembrance) is an evening of Bilingual Poetry
hosted by poet Juanita Martin with featured readers Jabez Churchill, Terry Ehret,
Geri Digiorno, Gary Silva and Gwynn O’Gara at the Petaluma Arts Center on
Friday, October 22, 5:15-8:45 p.m. Also featured will be an Open Mic community
reading and a potluck dinner. This year’s event will also include a reading of teen and
children’s poems.
Poetry of Remembrance Program 2010 Chair/Host Juanita J. Martin is a
published and award-winning poet, performance artist, freelance writer, and poet
teacher. She’s active in Redwood Writers, Ina Coolbrith Circle, and Marin Poetry
Center. Her accomplishments include Sonoma County Library Slam Champion 20052006, 2007 as host, headliner poet in the Extreme Clean Comedy Tour Sacramento
2006, Sacramento Juneteenth Festival performer 2009 & 2010, and Teen Poetry
Slam host- Sonoma County Book Festival 2010. Juanita has served as advocate for
the literary arts, featured reader, and host/mc of numerous open mike events all over
Sonoma County. She produces her own monthly open mike event called UniverSoul
at Barking Dog Roasters in Boyes Springs, Ca. Her poetry appears in journals such as
Blue Collar Review, Soma Literary Review, and Rattlesnake Review.
Terry Ehret is a poet, teacher, and founder of the innovative publishing collective,
Sixteen Rivers Press. As Sonoma County poet laureate 2004-2006, she visited
classrooms, writing groups, classes, and senior residences all across the county. She
has organized the poetry program at the annual Sonoma County Book Festival, the
Favorite Poems Community Reading at SRJC, and the Poetry for Tolerance Project
for Sonoma County Youth. She has also hosted bilingual workshops and readings,
including the Poetry on the Bus project and launched "The Sonoma County Writers"
Guide, an on-line community bulletin board for local writers. She has four collections
of poetry, Suspensions, Lost Body, Translations from the Human Language, and
Lucky Break. Terry has hosted the Poetry of Remembrance for El Día de los
Muertos, Petaluma for six years.
Geri Digiorno, Past Poet Laureate for Sonoma County, is a visual artist as well
as the founder and director of the Petaluma Poetry Walk. Her most recent book of
poems is White Lipstick (Red Hen Press, 2005). Other publishing credits include Tap
Dancing, a chapbook from Norton Coker Press, Cyanonis, and poems in North Coast
Review, Tomcat Tight, Women's Voices, Paterson Review, The Noe Valley Voice,
and the Haight Ashbury Literary Journal. Geri Digiorno has taught poetry and collage
classes at Paterson NJ at Passaic County Community College, Sebastopol Center for
the Arts, and COTS, a homeless shelter in Petaluma. A recent chapbook, Roseta Mary,
was published in 2007 by Dpress.
Jabez Churchill was born in California and educated in Argentina and the U.S. He
has worked as a mariner and charter skipper, a teacher of Spanish at Santa Rosa Junior
College and a creative writing teacher with the California Poets in the Schools. He's
been writing poetry since 1975 and has published four books: "Songs of Seasons"
and "Controlled Burn", and most recently "Sleeping With Ghosts"/"Durmiendo con
Fantasmas" and "The Veil" by Kulupi Press. Jabez's poem "Adonde Vas" was selected
for the bilingual Poetry on the Bus project, along with those of three of his students.
These appear on County Transit buses.
Armando Garcia-Dàvila refers to himself as a “blue collar poet.” From 2002-2004,
he served as the poet laureate of Healdsburg and continues to give readings at cafés,
bookstores, libraries, and radio stations along with presentations at elementary, middle,
and high schools. Garcia-Dàvila’s short stories and poems are a monthly feature in La
Voz bilingual newspaper and can be found at libraries and various newsstands in 12
Northern California counties. In addition to organizing and leading “poetry slams,”
Garcia-Dàvila gives seminars at colleges and universities, and has volunteered with
inmates of San Quentin State Penitentiary in a program designed to assist them in their
rehabilitation. Armando is currently at work on short stories and reminiscences of his
Catholic grammar school days with twin brother Fernando.
Gary Silva is a bilingual poet who often reads and writes poetry in English and
Spanish. He graduated from Carmel High School and received his AA Degree from
Monterey Peninsula College. He transferred to Cal State University, Fresno, majoring
in English. It is here that he met well known contemporary, poet Phillip Levine, who
inspired him to write poetry. Gary has a MFA from UC Irvine. He has taught classes
at high schools in Merced, Fresno, and Seaside. He also taught at Merced Community
College. Gary has taught English at Napa Valley College for almost 20 years before
retiring in 2008. Gary has been published in numerous magazines such as Poetry
Review and Poetic Voices. Gary Silva was Poet Laureate of Napa County from 20082010.
Gwynn O’Gara is the current Sonoma County Poet Laureate,
2009-2011. Gwynn is a Sebastopol poet known for her
celebration of natural imagery and the exploration of
interpersonal relationships through poetry. Gwynn O’Gara is
the author of Snake Woman Poems, Fixer Upper, and Winter
at Green Haven. Her work has appeared in numerous journals
such as Imaginari, The Sow’s Ear Poetry Review, Yellow
Silk, The Dickens, Haight Ashbury Literary Journal, Galley
Sail Review, and So Luminous the Wildflowers, a book of
California poetry published by Tebot Bach. She has worked
with adult students through the Writing Sampler, sponsored
by the Sebastopol Center for the Arts. She currently teaches
creative writing through the Sitting Room and California
Poets in the Schools Program.
Culinary Arts
In honor of our 10th Anniversary and to highlight the traditional culinary arts of
Mexico, on Friday, Oct 15 from 6-10 we offer A Taste of Mexico: A Mole and
Tamale Contest and Wine Tasting. Due to the growing appreciation in our region for
El Dia de los Muertos and Latin culture, it is time to add a food and wine event to our
celebration.
This evening of wine and food tasting at the Petaluma Arts Center will showcase foods
traditional to El Día de los Muertos and wine of Mexican heritage.
A fundraiser for the Petaluma Arts Center, A Taste of Mexico will feature traditional
moles and tamales created by chefs and home cooks from our region. Also featured
will be the wine of Latino-owned wineries. Celebrity judges and attendees will help
select the winning mole and tamale in six different categories. $25 Admission. 230
Lakeville at E. Washington Blvd.
ArtsLive!
ArtsLive! is a dramatic arts and arts demonstration program that leads into the
celebration of El Día de los Muertos Petaluma 2010.
This year we are offering Pocho in the House: The Bicultural Adventures of a
Mexican-American Thursday, Sept 30- Saturday, October 2, 7:30. Written by
Joe Peer and directed by Thom Butler this is a personal multimedia tour through life
growing up in the sometimes strange, sometimes amusing, always interesting reality
of a Mexican-American in contemporary California. Petaluma Arts Center 230
Lakeville at E. Washington. Tickets through Brown Paper Tickets: $12
www.brownpapertickets.com
In addition, on Sunday October 3 from 4-6 we offer a workshop on Altar Making
with the opportunity to see an altar created by the Quintas family of Oaxaca. Learn
to create an Ofrenda or altar, the heart of the celebration of El Día de los Muertos.
Join the Quintas family to learn the traditional parts of the altar and ways to honor,
through altar making, loved ones who have died. Also featured will be flower making
and a showing of the film La Ofrenda. Petaluma Arts Center 230 Lakeville at E.
Washington.
Fine and Folk Art Exhibitions
Beginning September 30 you will be able to find fine and folk art with influences from
Latin and South America and El Día de los Muertos all around town!
In addition to the exhibition of art created by Latino artists from our region at the
Petaluma Arts Center Río de las Vidas / River of Lives, October 1- November 7, there
will be exhibits at Pelican Gallery, Boomerang Gallery, the Mail Depot and Aqus
Café.
Artist’s Receptions will occur on the following dates:
Saturday, October 9
Friday, October 16
Thursday, October 21
Saturday, October 23
Pelican Gallery
Petaluma Arts Center
Boomerang Gallery
Mail Depot
Aqus Café
4:00-7:00p.m.
6:30-9:30p.m.
7:00-9:00p.m.
6:30-9:00p.m.
7:00-9:00p.m.
A Mercado at the Arts Center
Folk art from San Miguel de Allende will be featured in the Mercado at the Petaluma
Arts Center from September 30 - November 7. Thanks to Drew Washer of Heebee
Jeebe for bringing us a wonderful array and a stunning Mercado. Please plan to visit
and enjoy this whimsical and beautiful folk art from the heart of Mexico, San Miguel
de Allende.
Media Sponsors:
Family Workshops
We have expanded our Family Workshops for El Día de los Muertos, Petaluma 2010.
Saturday, October 9. Student Art Project Workshop (K – 12) Families are welcome
to join us at the Petaluma Arts Center from 11- 1 p.m. Your child will create a portrait
of a loved one who has died. Parents please accompany your young children. Petaluma
Arts Center, 230 Lakeville at E. Washington Blvd. Cost $10 - Space is limited;
register with Colors of Spanish at 707.782.1084.
Saturday, October 16 from 1-4, Colors of Spanish invites you to attend an
Introduction to El Día de los Muertos. This family-oriented event will introduce you
to a multi-cultural celebration which is gaining such popularity here within our own
communities! Explore beyond the familiar images of this commemorative event as you
and your family learn about the history and some of the interesting traditions celebrated
in many parts of Latin America. Colors of Spanish, 55 Maria Drive.
Saturday, October 23, 2:00-5:00 pm, a workshop on Decorating Traditional Sugar
Skulls will be presented by Abraham Solar, Latino Pastoral Director for St. Vincent
de Paul Church at the Farmer’s Market. The time from October 31 to November 2 in
Latin American cultures is the time to remember departed loved ones. It is a joyous and
playful time when death is mocked while loved ones are honored. Everyone is invited
to decorate sugar skulls at the Farmer’s Market. Also featured will be a cake walk,
flower making, and other traditional activities for the whole family.
Walnut Park on the Corner of Pet. Blvd South & D St.
A Story time for Preschoolers in Spanish and in English will be presented by
Children's Librarian Carmel Olson. Lively stories, songs and poetry for ages 2-5 yrs.
and their caregivers are invited to be a part of this time on Saturday, October 30,
10:30 am at the Petaluma Library, 100 Fairgrounds Drive.
The Day of the Dead
The Day of the Dead is a
traditional Latin American holiday
that combines pre-Columbian
festivals and indigenous traditions
with European rituals for
honoring the dead. It is celebrated
every year at the same time as
Halloween and the Christian holy
days of All Saints Day and All
Souls Day (November 1 and 2).
El Día de los Muertos is not a
sad time, but instead, a time of
remembering and rejoicing.
The townspeople dress up as
ghouls, mummies and skeletons
and parade through the town
carrying an open coffin. The
“corpse” within smiles as it is
carried through the narrow streets
of town. The local vendors toss
oranges inside as the procession
makes its way past their markets.
Lucky “corpses” can also catch
flowers, fruits and candies.
In homes, families arrange
“ofrendas” or altars. Tables are
covered with flowers, fruits,
vegetables, bread, candy, candles,
incense, statues of saints, photos of
the deceased. A sheet or
strings of paper cutouts
represent the sky.
Skeletons and skulls
are found everywhere.
In some places, sugar
skulls are treats for
children during El Día de
los Muertos, sometimes with
names written on them.
Pictures of deceased
family members are
added to the altar. In
the late afternoon,
special all-night
burning candles are lit—it is time to remember the departed—
the old ones, their parents and grandparents.
The observance of El Dia de los Muertos provides a unique
perspective on death and dying and is rooted in a multicultural
perspective. For many Latin Americans, the celebration
of the Day of the Dead is part of the cycle of life with
the dead joining the world of the living. The holiday
of El Dia de los Muertos adheres to age-old traditions
that link the living and the dead both through
community and family-based celebrations. The spirits
of the dead are believed to return to their families and
communities once a year during the celebration to
renew the bonds of kinship, friendship and devotion.
The dead are greeted by the family as one would
greet a far-away visiting relative. They are fed
their favorite foods, given presents of cigarettes,
liquor, clothing, tools and special mementos they
treasured when they were living. It is a time of
family reunion for both the living and the dead,
with families gathering to celebrate the return of
their loved ones. This is also a time for festivities
and a reunion that is neither somber nor macabre.
The returning dead do not bring the fear of death
with them, but instead come as spirit visitors from
another world that is very much like the world of the
living.
Death appears to lack solemn meaning to many Latin
Americans. It has come all too easily to them, and
frequents their homes and the lives of their loved ones.
The Day of the Dead symbolizes a philosophy and
attitude towards life; as they celebrate life, they
celebrate death. They are one and the same. Death
is viewed it not as a termination of life, but as a
metamorphosis into eternity.
The celebration of the Day of the Dead in
the United States maintains traditions that
are rooted in a legacy of obligations and
family practices retaining a continuity
of remembrance from generation to
generation. At a moment in our history
when we need it the most, El Dia de los
Muertos honors our common humanity with
humor, bright colors and community celebration.