Artspeak Radio Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead

Artspeak Radio, Wednesday, October 30, 2024, 9am -10am CST, 90.1fm KKFI Kansas City Community Radio, streaming live audio www.kkfi.org

Producer/host Maria Vasquez Boyd welcomes Edgar Galicia, Jenny Mendez, and Sarah Hyde-Schmiedeler to the program.

JENNY MENDEZ, Director of Cultural Arts – Mattie Rhodes Día de los Muertos Calaca Parade First Friday November 1, 2024 6:00 – 10:00pm 1701 Jarboe, KCMO 64108
Experience our Calaca Light-Up Parade as we walk through the Westside neighborhood! Bring your family, friends, and neighbors. Don’t forget to dress up and bring photos of loved ones who passed. End the parade by stopping at our street festival for tasty food trucks, local vendors, and entertainment. Make your last stop with one more look at our ofrenda and art exhibit!
mattierhodes.org/dia-de-los-muertos-day-of-the-dead/

Mattie Rhodes Center is a nonprofit agency celebrating its 127th year of serving the Greater Kansas City community. We are committed to building a stronger city by working toward the vision of living in a vibrant community where all individuals and families are healthy, safe and have the resources to thrive.
Mattie Rhodes Center provides a holistic approach to individual and family well-being through social services, behavioral health counseling and the arts.
Our staff provides culturally competent programming in the following five areas:
1. Family Services & Support (behavioral health, family violence, in-school services, substance abuse)
2. Youth Development (youth development, supportive living)
3. Community Support (health and wellness, economic development)
4. Cultural Arts (arts education, exhibits and collections)
5. Emergency Assistance (food, rent and utilities assistance)
Mattie Rhodes is the only fully bilingual/bicultural, nationally accredited, and state-certified behavioral health care provider in the Greater Kansas City region.
Mission
Mattie Rhodes Center enriches the lives of individuals, families and communities in a respectful, multicultural environment.
Vision
We envision a vibrant community where individuals and families are healthy, safe and have the resources to thrive.

SARAH HYDE-SCHMIEDELER, Senior Manager, Community Programs at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art- A fall tradition for many Kansas City families, the Dia de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) festival commemorates the richness and beauty of Latin American cultures through art activities, entertainment, and traditional cuisine.
Additionally, every festival features an innovative altar installation created in collaboration with local artists, Mattie Rhodes Center, and community and school groups. The altar is on display several days prior to and after the Dia de los Muertos festival. Guests are invited to leave a tribute to a loved one who has passed away.
Altar Display | Kirkwood Hall | Oct. 21-Nov. 4 In the weeks ahead of the festival, we will install an altar display in Kirkwood Hall. The altar will feature traditional Día de los Muertos elements, including cartoneria style Calaca masks, flores de papel, and richly patterned sawdust rugs. Guests are invited to visit the altar and commemorate their loved ones who have passed on.

This year’s display is a collaborative project between the Mattie Rhodes Cultural Art Center, the Consulate of Mexico in Kansas City, and Guadalupe Centers High School Impact Academy as well as local artists, organizations, and students.

Performances
Grupo Folklorico Alma Tapatia & Grupo Folklorico Izcalli | 10:30 –11:15 am, Atkins Auditorium (lobby level)
Mariachi Fuego of Kansas City | 11:30 am—1:30 pm, Kirkwood Hall (level 1)
Group Folklorico Alma Tapatia | Noon–12:15 pm, 12:30–12:45, & 1–1:15 pm, Bloch Lobby
Grupo Folklorico MiSol De KC | Noon*–12:45 pm, Atkins Auditorium (lobby level)
Los Bailadores de Kansas City & Rose Marie of Rose Marie’s Fiesta Mexicana | 1:30–2:15 pm, Atkins Auditorium (lobby level)
Aztecs Folkloric dance group from Guadalupe Centers Elementary School & El Grupo Folklorico Atotonilco | 3–3:45 pm, Atkins Auditorium (lobby level)
Stranded in the City | 2:30–3 pm, 3:30–4 pm, Bloch Lobby
*Welcome remarks precede noon performance

Activities
Meet & Greet: Young Latino Professionals of Kansas City | 10 am-1 pm, Sculpture Hall (level 1) Learn about Día de los Muertos with members of this dynamic community organization.
Strolling Calacas | 10:30–11:30 am, Kirkwood Hall (level 1)
Snap a picture with women dressed in one-of-a-kind costumes and elaborate makeup and hair designs.
Artful Tales: Stories at the Museum | 11–11:45 am, Rockhill Room (level 2, Bloch Building) Preschoolers and their grownups are invited to enjoy stories and music celebrating the holiday.
Photo Op with La Calavera Catrina | noon–2 pm, Bloch Lobby From the annual KCK Día de los Muertos on Central Avenue.
Live Printing | 10:30 am–1 pm, classrooms 4 and 5 (lobby level) Viva La Tinta demonstrates printing and gives away one mini-print per person (while supplies last).
Puppet-making demonstration by local artists Sue Moreno and Taylor Gass | 11 am–1 pm, North Plaza Drive (or Bloch Lobby, in case of inclement weather)
Meet & Greet: Kansas City Current | 1-4 pm
Mask-making activity | 1–4 pm, classrooms 4 and 5 Make a Día de los Muertos mini paper Calaca mask.
Book display and mask-making activity | 1–4 pm, Spencer Art Reference Library (level 2) Enjoy a special book display and make a Día de los Muertos mini paper Calaca mask.
Traditional Mexican crafts demonstration by Virginia Oropeza | 1–4 pm, Rockhill Room (level 2, Bloch Building)
Calavera Crown Demonstration & Mexican cultural display | 1–4 pm, Educator Resource Center (lobby level) View a Día de los Muertos crown demonstration and book selections and resources about Mexican culture.
Mask-making activity | 10 am–4 pm, Lens 2, (level 2, Bloch Building) Make a Día de los Muertos mini paper Calaca mask.
Museum volunteer information table | 10 am-4 pm, Sculpture Hall (level 1)
Mi Tapete learning station | 10 am-4 pm, Native American Gallery (208) Discuss the patterns and symbols featured in Mi Tapete, a special museum workshop.
Dining
The Tamale Kitchen Food Truck | 11 am-3 pm, North Plaza Drive Serving fresh tamales, chicken tostadas and Mexican soft drinks. The Tamale Kitchen supports and provides opportunities for the Hispanic community of the Northeast Kansas City area.
La Hamburguesa Loca | 11 am-3 pm, North Plaza Drive Purchase unique Mexican-style burgers and more from this beloved Kansas City establishment.
Á la carte Mexican cuisine | (while supplies last) Bloch Building Lobby Purchase Mexican-inspired small plates.
Lunch | 11 am-2 pm Coffee and dessert | 2-4 pm Rozzelle Court Restaurant, Nelson-Atkins Building Enjoy Mexican inspired entrees and small plates. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian options are available.

The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art is located at 4525 Oak St. KCMO, www.nelson-atkins.org

EDGAR GALICIA, Executive Director Central Area Betterment Association, (CABA)
Day of the Dead/Día de Muertos On Central Avenue November 2nd, 2024
For GPS Locations use: 1120 Central Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66102
​CELEBRATION PROGRAM:
​Face Painting – 11:00am – 5:00pm
Food, Art, Ofrendas, Car Show – 12:00pm – 9:00pm
Live Entertainment – 2:00pm – 6:00pm
VIP Lounge – 2:00pm – 8:00pm
Walking Catrinas – 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Parade – 6:00pm – 7:30pm
All fun ends at 9:00pm
​ www.cabakck.org/dia-de-muertos

Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, particularly the Central and South regions, and by people of Mexican ancestry living in other places, especially the United States. It is acknowledged internationally in many other cultures.
The multi-day holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to ask for the wellbeing of and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey.

Prior to Spanish colonization in the 16th century, the celebration took place at the beginning of summer. Gradually, it was associated with October 31, November 1 and November 2 to coincide with the Western Christian triduum of “Allhallowtide”: All Saints’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day.
Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars called “Ofrendas”, honoring the deceased using “Calaveras”, Aztec marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.

Scholars trace the origins of the modern Mexican holiday to indigenous observances dating back hundreds of years and to an Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess “Mictecacihuatl” The holiday has spread throughout the world, being absorbed within other deep traditions for honoring the dead.
It has become a national symbol and as such is taught (for educational purposes) in the nation’s schools. In 2008, the tradition was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
​

Central Area Betterment Association, or CABA, is a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment is one where all members, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feels valued and respected. The CABA is committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for participation and advancement in all our areas of activities, programs, events as well as work facilities. The organization respects and values diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.
The CABA is committed to modeling diversity and inclusion for the entire community, and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all.
​To provide informed, authentic leadership for cultural equity, the CABA strives to:
See diversity, inclusion, and equity as connected to the CABA’s mission and critical to ensure the well-being of all members and the community it serves.
​
• Acknowledge and dismantle any inequities within its policies, systems, programs, and services, and continually update and report organization progress.
• Explore potential underlying, unquestioned assumptions that interfere with inclusiveness.
• Advocate for and support board-level thinking about how systemic inequities impact the organization’s work, and how best to address that in a way that is consistent with its mission.
• Help to challenge assumptions about what it takes to be a strong leader at the organization, and who is well-positioned to provide leadership.
• Practice and encourage transparent communication in all interactions.
• Commit time and resources to expand more diverse leadership within the CABA’s board, staff, committee, and advisory bodies.
• Lead with respect and tolerance. The CABA expects all members to embrace this notion and to express it in all interactions and through everyday practices.
• ​
The CABA abides by the following action items to help promote diversity and inclusion internally as well as in the community:
​
• Pursue cultural competency throughout the organization by creating substantive learning opportunities and formal, transparent policies.
• Generate and aggregate quantitative and qualitative research related to equity to make incremental, measurable progress toward the visibility of the CABA’s diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts. Once the content is curated it will be added to all public access venues so others can access it.
• Improve the CABA’s cultural leadership pipeline by creating and supporting programs and policies that foster leadership that reflects the diversity of the community.
• Pool resources and expand offerings for underrepresented members and the community in general by connecting with other organizations committed to diversity and inclusion efforts.
• Develop and present programs based on diversity, inclusion, and equity.
• Develop a system for being more intentional and conscious of bias during the hiring, promoting, or evaluating process. Train the CABA’s hiring team on equitable practices.
• Include a salary range with all public job descriptions.
• Advocate for public and private-sector policy that promotes diversity, inclusion, and equity. Challenge systems and policies that create inequity, oppression and disparity.”

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