For the fifth consecutive year La Calaca (The Skeleton) Festival is taking place in the picturesque colonial central Mexico town of San Miguel de Allende, beginning Oct. 28 and ending on Nov. 2, the Day of the Dead.
The fest includes — besides the traditional offerings — performances, processions, workshops, conferences in both English and Spanish and other art manifestations that involve death and its relationship to life.
Most of the events will take place at the Obraje Cultural Center which boasts indoor and outdoor theaters, as well as a chapel.
This year the festival will honor famous popular Mexican iconic composers Juan Gabriel and José Alfredo Jiménez in an extravagant fiesta to be hosted by international DJs.
A special feature will be a set designed by international photographer Spencer Tunick, who will be doing at least one of his famous photography shoots with nude subjects. Tunick has made San Miguel de Allende his summer residence.
Returning this year will be sculptor Robert Bose’s “Balloon Chain,” an ephemeral work made with helium balloons, as well as the “Pyramid of the Dead,” a community made altar made of 60 tin niches individually decorated by a local artist.
The event was announced Thursday by festival founder and organizer Klaudia Oliver as well as Spencer Tunick, Favianna Rodriguez, Jesus Alexandre and Jesús Valenzuela, all of them proponents of the concept of making San Miguel de Allende “a place of peace and art.”
There will also be shorts selected from the Guanajuato International Film Festival, a pool party in thermal waters called Hot Springs Pool Party and an enormous array of events.
A complete guide of La Calaca Festival as well other Day of the Dead activities is available at the Tourist Council offices right across the street from the main plaza.
For more info can be found online.
