A&E Agenda: Día de los Muertos, ‘The Great Dictator,’ and more
Carbondale Arts/Courtesy photo
Día de los Muertos in Carbondale
Carbondale Arts celebrates its 20th year of organizing Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on its First Friday. The event, from 5-9 p.m., includes live music, performances, and a procession beginning at 6 p.m. through downtown Carbondale, beginning at Third Street Center and ending at Fourth and Main streets.
Oddly, the pandemic gave this event an unanticipated elevation, through the creation of a massive community ofrenda (altar) on the front porch of The Launchpad, as well as a large raised stage for musical and dance performances. Since then, each year community participation has increased, with several organizations — and individuals — coming together.
“Día de los Muertos is a beautiful community event in every sense of the word. Carbondale Arts creates the container for anyone who is interested to come together and contribute their own special part – Anglo and Latine community alike. The result is magic,” said Carbondale Arts Executive Director Jamie Abbott.
Today, Fourth Street will be closed for volunteers to decorate and prepare for the evening. The community is invited to contribute to the community ofrenda or create a personalized one in Chacos Park beginning at noon on Friday. Several Main Street businesses will be setting up ofrendas in their spaces as well to enhance the tangibility of collective healing and honoring.
Paco Nevarez-Burgueno, instructor of the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Folklórico program, considers different aspects and regions of Mexican culture in each year’s costume motifs for the dancers.
“Every year after we’ve finished our great Carbondale Día de Muertos Celebration, my mind starts thinking about next year: What region from Mexico will we feature, what costumes we have or need to be designed, how many students, music, lighting? All the details,” he said. “And as always, it is only in Carbondale where we can celebrate as one community our Mexican culture and traditions.”
Additional performances take place throughout the evening by Mezcla Socials Dance, Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra, and drumming led by Gabriela Mejia. Several new pieces have been added to the procession created by Livier Cruz Guerrero, Anjanette Garcia, Estela Lopez, students from the Aspen Music Festival and School, Annie Bell and GSES students, with contributions from Garfield County libraries.
Visit carbondalearts.com for more information.
Día de los Muertos and Crafting at the Library
Celebrate the Day of the Dead with hands-on arts and crafts at Pitkin County Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Participants of all ages are invited to create traditional altars and decorative skulls while learning about the holiday’s cultural significance and customs. Free.
Additionally, the library hosts its first Saturday of the month from 3-5 p.m. in the Library Lab. Contact jade.fiskaa@pitkincounty.com for additional details.
Library Cinema: ‘The Great Dictator’
This weekend, Pitkin County Library screens “The Great Dictator,” which stirred condemnation of German and Italian dictators Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, respectively, as well as fascism, antisemitism, and the Nazis. When it was released in 1940, the U.S. was still neutral during those early days of World War II. Charlie Chaplin plays both leading roles: a ruthless fascist dictator and a persecuted Jewish barber. Having been the only Hollywood filmmaker to continue to make silent films well into the period of sound films, Chaplin made this his first true sound film. Screenings at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with an additional 2:30 p.m. screening on Saturday. $10.
More info: pitcolib.org
Arte en Español at Aspen Art Museum
Celebrate Día de los Muertos at Aspen Art Museum 1-5 p.m. on Sunday with free family activities, including all-ages workshops, face painting, a community lunch by Domingo Sausage Co., treats from Louis Swiss Bakery, family portraits by Summit Photo and Film, Latin dance performances by Cumbre Flow, Mezcla Socials Dance, and Ramona Chingona, music by mariachi band Los Reyes de Jalisco, sugar skull decoration, marigold making, and a complimentary margarita or beer for adults. You can bring a personal item to contribute to the altar on the rooftop or make one during the event. RSVP for lunch: education@aspenartmuseum.org or 970-925-8050.
And, don’t forget about Aspen Art Museum’s free Drop-in Art School. It takes place every Tuesday from 3-5 p.m., and all ages are welcome. Educators plan hands-on art activities related to exhibitions on view and delve deeper into the themes and methods of exhibiting artists.
More info: aspenartmuseum.org
Weaving Workshop
MOLLIE Aspen hosts a weaving workshop from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday for $50. Michaela Carpenter teaches the fundamentals of weaving using a pin frame loom. More info: mollieaspen.com
Tour of ‘Bauhaus Typography at 100’
The Bayer Center offers free tours of its current exhibition, “Bauhaus Typography at 100,” Saturdays from 3-4 p.m.
First exhibited in San Francisco at Letterform Archive, it explores the school’s unique legacy in graphic design and typography through artifacts of its own making — its books, magazines, course materials, product catalogs, stationery, promotional fliers, and other ephemera — as well as objects created by its many students and teachers before and after the time of the school. The exhibition draws a throughline from the Bauhaus’s iconic style to the shape of typography today.
More info: thebayercenter.org
Indie Showcase: ‘EMILIA PÉREZ’
At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aspen Film Isis Theatre screens “EMILIA PÉREZ,” which, through liberating song and dance and bold visuals, follows the journey of four remarkable women in Mexico, each pursuing their own happiness. The fearsome cartel leader Emilia (Karla Sofía Gascón) enlists Rita (Zoe Saldaña), an unappreciated lawyer stuck in a dead-end job, to help fake her death so that Emilia can finally live authentically as her true self. $16 general admission; free for Aspen Film members.
More info: aspenfilm.org
Art at the Library: Paint Like Bob Ross
After watching a Bob Ross “The Joy of Painting” video, teens and adults can try their hand on a smaller canvas with acrylic paint. This free event, from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, is not a class but rather an exploration after watching the video. Free; snacks and tea are served.
More info: pitcolib.org
Recap of the Challenge Aspen Sole Mates races Oct. 26 in Ibiza, Spain
Since 2003, Challenge Aspen Sole Mates teams have raised essential funds for Challenge Aspen’s programs. The racers commit to training for 20 weeks and fundraise a goal amount to provide scholarships, adaptive equipment, advocacy, continuing education, mentorship, and more for Challenge Aspen participants. This year, the team hit the trail in Ibiza, Spain, on Oct. 26. The Solemates raised $176,700 in 2024, and some racers are still completing their fundraising commitments.
The 48K began during a lightning storm and torrential downpour. The trail required a lot of technical climbs and descents, and the weather made the trail conditions difficult at every distance, but all 38 Solemates racers finished their races.
Kelly Vaughn took second Overall Female in 48K, Oliver Bacharach took third Overall in 48K, Donna Miller (48K) and Katie Grange (28K) earned first in their age groups.
More info: challengeaspen.org
