RISE Westwood Campus - 3738 Morrison Rd, Denver, CO 80219
The first annual Mikailhuitl Festival is a traditional Day of the Dead feast/community celebration that honors the original dates celebrated by the Mexica. This event features a traditional Mexica ceremony, local art, food, live music, community activities, and more. This event will take place at the RISE Westwood campus in the new Plaza de Mexica painted by D3Arts co-founder and Westwood artist, Santiago Jaramillo. For this event, Santi will also be creating a special mural and altar that showcases original Mexica and Mixtec imagery representing the dead and corresponding symbols.
Westwood is a neighborhood in Southwest Denver that has a large Mexican-descent community that is fighting to preserve its cultural identity amidst all the change and transformation happening in Denver. We believe this celebration will help create a greater sense of community, help educate people on the origins of Day of Dead, and further connect the community with their ancestral roots.
Please join us in honoring our ancestors and decolonizing Dia de los Muertos by observing this ceremony and feast during the traditional time of the year that the Mexica/Aztecs would have. The Mikailhuitl Festival will consist of two parts, a community celebration on September 18th and a community feast on September 25th.
Westwood is a neighborhood in Southwest Denver that has a large Mexican-descent community that is fighting to preserve its cultural identity amidst all the change and transformation happening in Denver. We believe this celebration will help create a greater sense of community, help educate people on the origins of Day of Dead, and further connect the community with their ancestral roots.
Please join us in honoring our ancestors and decolonizing Dia de los Muertos by observing this ceremony and feast during the traditional time of the year that the Mexica/Aztecs would have. The Mikailhuitl Festival will consist of two parts, a community celebration on September 18th and a community feast on September 25th.
MIKAILHUITONTLI
(meek ah ill wee toh n tlee) "The small festival of the dead". September 18th, 2021 5pm-9pm We are excited to bring Grupo TRIBU from Mexico City to share indigenous Mexica music. They are a world renowned music group and this will be their first time performance in Denver,CO. We feel very fortunate to bring them to Westwood for all to enjoy. Traditional Mexica cuisine and drinks, featuring prehispanic ingredients and created by local community and professional chefs will be available for purchase. Traditional Mexica dance will lead the day long ceremony honoring our loved ones and ancestors. This event is free and open to all. To learn more about this community celebration on September 18th, see our program below. |
MIKAILHUITL
(meek ah ill wheat) "The festival of the dead". September 25th, 2021 6pm-9pm This community feast will include traditional Mexica food by local professional chefs as we honor our ancestors and celebrate D3Arts and the Westwood community. The Kalpulli Izkalli Aztek dance group will perform their traditional ceremonial dance. Izkalli, meaning resurgency is dedicated to new life and new beginnings. Michael Heralda is the artist and storyteller behind "Aztec Stories", who creates culturally educational, musical and interactive expereinces that help reconnect and create a new understanding of the culture of ancient Mexico and the indigenous Mexika (me-shee-ka)/Aztecs. We are honored to have both Kalpulli Izkalli and Michael Heralda join us for the first annual Mikailhuitl celebration in Westwood. |
TZOALLI
Youth "Amaranth Skull" Making Workshop
Join us for a FREE Youth Amaranth Skull Making Workshop on Friday, September 17 at Veggie Viernes. Make your own Amaranth Skull to take home and help us create some to place on the altar for the upcoming Mikailhuitl events held on September 18th and on September 25th. All materials will be provided along with Free snacks and drinks. To make sure we have enough supplies, please register using the link below.