October 26, 2009
Friday: Day of the Dead Dance Party at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

The crowd enjoying a band during Art After 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC)
Hispanic Heritage Month may be over, but Philly has much more to offer throughout the year.
The Day of the Dead (observed on November 1st) is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Latinos living in the United States. Though it’s not the most upbeat holiday, the day focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have passed away, often with elaborate feasts.
On Friday, October 30, the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Art After 5 presents a special evening of music in celebration of Hispanic heritage. The Day of the Dead Dance Party will feature Brooklyn-based party band Cumbiagra, whose music celebrates the lively cumbia form of music that started in Colombia in the 50’s, slowly spreading to Mexico, Peru and Argentina and eventually worldwide.
While you’re enjoying the vibrant sounds of the band, the Day of the Dead event will also include spooky art tours, face painting, costume contest and fortune tellers.
If you wake up the next day feeling inspired, make sure to stop by Xochitl’s and try their Dia de los Muertos menu. The four-course prix-fixe dinner for just $35 per person has become an annual tradition thanks to Chef Dionicio Jimenez.
Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Art After 5 [Official Site]


No Comments Yet
Leave a comment