ARTSPEAK RADIO celebrates Dia de los Muertos!

Maria welcomes Chato Villalobos, Miquel Morales, Rodolfo Marron, Maria Chaurand and Tim York live in the studio to share their Dia de los Muertos stories, memories, and music. Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated in central and southern Mexico during November 1 & 2. Even though this coincides with the Catholic holiday called All Soul's & All Saint’s Day, the indigenous people have combined this with their own ancient beliefs of honoring their deceased loved ones. They believe that the gates of heaven are opened and the spirits of all deceased children (angelicas) friends and family members are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 1 and November 2, the spirits come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them. Many families create beautiful altars (ofrendas) in their home. They are decorated with candles, buckets of flowers (wild marigolds called cempasuchil & bright red cock's combs) mounds of fruit, peanuts, plates of mole, stacks of tortillas and big Day-of-the-Dead breads called pan de muerto. The altar needs to have lots of food, bottles of soda, hot cocoa and water for the weary spirits. Toys and candies are left for the angelitos, Nov.…