Catrinas en mi Ciudad Cultural Art Exhibit in Denver, Colorado

 My husband and I enjoy opera and have been attending Opera Colorado's productions every year since we moved to Colorado in 2013. For the past few years, as subscribers, we have enjoyed being invited to a delicious brunch at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and watching a Sitzprobe rehearsal afterward. This year, we watched the sitzprobe of this season's first opera, Verdi's La Traviata. 

The term "sitzprobe" (seated rehearsal) originates from German and is believed to have originated in opera. The term refers to the first run-through of a performance in which both the singers and the orchestra perform together. Often, the sitzprobe is not performed on stage and does not use elements such as costumes, props, or scenery. Instead, the singers simply sit or stand and run through the music and dialogue in order with the orchestra attending and directed by the conductor. It is an interesting rehearsal to view, and we look forward to seeing the actual production.  

We were also excited to see a free exhibit at the Denver Center for Performing Arts, where the opera house is located, of "Catrinas en mi Ciudad." 

It was a month-long exhibit for "Dia de los Muertos -- Day of the Dead" celebrated by Mexico and other Latin cultures.  I knew a bit about Dia de Los Muertos from trips I took in the past, to both San Antonio, Texas, and Mexico, but this exhibit taught me much more.

The Catrinas en mi ciudad in Denver was an immersive, outdoor art exhibit inspired by Mexico's Día de Muertos, and featured larger-than-life art pieces by Ricardo Soltero, Cooperativa Jaen Cartonería, Colección Serpentina, and Osvaldo Ruelas Ramirez from Mexico. The exhibit also featured the work of Colorado Latino artists who, through their own art form and technique, shared some of Día de Muertos' most special traditions.

Please click on photo to enlarge to read the informational placard

Monumental papier-mache skeletons were on display.

A giant skeleton was hanging on the tiers of the parking garage! 

Please click on the photo to enlarge it to read the placard

Calaveras is the Spanish word for "Skulls", and there were many artistic ones on display--some very large ones that one could step inside to see their decorations.

Each of the individual hand-painted Cavaleras on display was by a different Latino artist, and each was a personal statement unique to its creator. Each told a story of who they are, where they come from, and how they place themselves in ancestral tradition. 

Please click on the photo to read the information on the placard

I liked the thought of the souls of the departed being alive for a day as a monarch butterfly! The monarchs’ migration arrival in Mexico usually occurs around November 1 and November 2, coinciding with Día De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.  Marigold flowers have a strong scent and are said to attract them, so they are often displayed together on "Ofrendas," which is an altar with different offerings displayed during the annual and traditionally Mexican Día de los Muertos celebration. An ofrenda, which may be quite large and elaborate, is usually created by the family members of a person who has died and is intended to welcome the deceased to the altar setting.

Please click on the photo  to enlarge to read the placard

According to Wikipedia, Aztec culture considered souls to continuously live and enter different realms after the body dies. This view of the Aztecs was eventually commingled with the Christian beliefs of "All Saints Day" and "All Souls Day," as cultures and religions merged.

One of the strongest and most recognizable symbols of  Day of the Dead celebrations is the tall female skeleton wearing a fancy hat with feathers, called La Catrina.

A woman performer dressed and wearing makeup as a La Catrina was scheduled to appear at this stage on the afternoon we visited the Denver Performing Arts Complex, but we were in the opera sitzprobe and missed her performance.

My favorite Catrina was this one on display at the far end of the performing arts complex!

She was stunning!

The exhibit's last day is November 2, 2025, and I hope my photos will allow you to enjoy this exhibit a bit longer and learn something new about this interesting holiday celebration.

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