“It is not macabre, it is not horror, it is not Friday the 13th or anything like that.”

– George Cisneros, URBAN-15

Imagine a moving altar of Muerto characters wearing vivid masks, large sugar calaveras heads and flowers–but dancing down the street. Every November 1st and 2nd, URBAN-15’s Carnaval de San Anto transforms into Carnaval de los Muertos for a very special performance in honor of All Saints Day and All Souls Day. This annual performance ritual is a combination of traditional Mexican culture and URBAN-15’s Brazilian and Portugese dance and rhythms, resulting in a presentation that pays tribute to our passed loved ones.

Carnaval de los Muertos has been an annual URBAN-15 tradition since the early 1990s, when the ensemble would make visits to the Alamo Camposanto, San Fernando Cathedral, Main Plaza and San Fernando Cemeteries. In recent years, URBAN-15 has performed in Hemisfair’s Plaza México, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, the Instituto Cultural de México, and appeared for presentations at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, Market Square, Centro Cultural Aztlan, and the Rinconcito de Esperanza.

Carnaval de los Muertos is an organic altar with special costumes, choreography, and rhythms all designed and created by the URBAN-15 members themselves. We invite you to participate in this community tradition with us at one (or more!) of this year’s performances:

Friday, November 1st at 7pm: Elmendorf Lake Park (3700 W. Commerce 78207). FREE

Saturday, November 2nd at 6:45pm: Market Square (514 W. Commerce 78207). FREE

Saturday, November 2nd at 8:30pm: La Villita (418 Villita St 78205). FREE

Stay posted for more dates, times, and locations! In the meantime, check out a previous performance at Centro Cultural: