San Antonio’s largest Día de los Muertos celebration, Muertos Fest at Hemisfair, is again with an expanded lineup and a musical tribute to Grammy-winning conjunto legend Flaco Jiménez. The star-studded free live performance kicks off Friday night, October 24, as a part of the pageant’s rising weekend choices.
Held in downtown San Antonio from October 24-26, the thirteenth annual pageant is acknowledged as the most important Día de los Muertos pageant within the U.S. The occasion attracts greater than 100,000 attendees yearly and has earned acclaim from nationwide publications like USA At this time and Nationwide Geographic.
The weekend opens October 24 at 5 pm, when guests can discover greater than 80 ofrendas embellished with calaveras (skulls), marigolds, pan de muerto (a candy bread of the useless), and private gadgets honoring the lives of the dearly departed. The quiet hours shall be reflective and sensory-friendly, earlier than the tribute kicks off at 8 pm.
Tejano Conjunto Pageant founder Juan Tejeda, with assist from musician Max Baca, curated a lineup of Tejano greats, together with David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos, Santiago Jiménez Jr., Dwayne Verheyden, Stefani Montiel, Patsy Torres, Rubén Ramos, Rick Treviño, Rebecca Valadez, Jesse Borrego, Lisa Morales, Laura Denisse y los Brillantes, Nune Rubio, and extra. Baca’s Los Texmaniacs will function the home band.
“Flaco Jiménez will not be solely a San Antonio treasure, however a world icon whose artistry has transcended borders,” stated Jim Mendiola, Muertos Fest inventive director, by way of a launch. “It’s an honor for Muertos Fest to pay tribute to him on this particular method, surrounded by the group, music, and traditions he helped elevate.”
On Saturday, October 25, and Sunday, October 26, the pageant presents back-to-back performances, with greater than 50 acts unfold throughout 5 levels. Highlights embody Erick y Su Grupo Massore, La Doña, The Final Bandoleros, Gabriella, El Dusty & the Homies, Piñata Protest, and The Tiarras. Festivalgoers can count on music, dance, poetry, and extra from morning to nighttime, with Saturday working 10 am–11 pm and Sunday 12 pm–9 pm.
In the course of the weekend, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico San Antonio may also debut a pop-up Day of the Useless bookstore, providing books and cultural programming all through the weekend. Among the many returning pageant favorites would be the fashionable youngsters’s space, the curated Muertos Mercado, hands-on workshops, and DJ experiences from Nicho Sonido: Música for Grieving and Therapeutic and the SoundCream Airstream.
This yr’s processions — Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 3 pm — will honor Jiménez, San Antonio arts educator Mary Cantu, and the Queens of Tejano Music: Lydia Mendoza, Laura Canales, and Selena Quintanilla-Pérez.
“Muertos Fest at Hemisfair is among the most significant and provoking occasions held annually in our group,” stated Justin Rodriguez, Bexar County Commissioner Precinct 2, by way of a press release. “The residents of Bexar County invite everybody from all through our area and our nation to hitch us as we pay tribute to our family members with respect and dignity in celebrationof our tradition and our individuals.”
Pageant hours, actions, and knowledge on easy methods to contribute to the group altar could be discovered on-line. KSAT-12 may also be airing a two-hour prime-time particular on October 29 for individuals who do not wish to courageous the crowds.
