Bare Hands, Inc. will celebrate Birmingham, Alabama’s 18th annual Dia de los Muertos (DDLM) celebration at Pepper Place from November 1 to 7.
Traditionally a very large gathering with music, food vendors and arts, this year's event has been altered to accommodate the many needs of our community without compromising the importance of the event. The heart of the festival will be honored with a large altar/art installation that will offer a chance to come together and grieve the many losses of 2020. The featured exhibit will be open to the public each night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. beginning Sunday, November 1 through Saturday, November 7.
With the support of sponsors and the community, the 2020 DDLM event is offered free to the public. Personal remembrances (ofrendas), the memorial roll call and other elements will be a part of the event. Large gatherings at the site are not encouraged this year, but rather an open environment for people to wander through the site at a convenient time to pay their respects. All recommended and required social distancing guidelines will be honored. Attendees may bring a photograph of a loved one to pin to Public Altar Memorial Wall and/or a battery-operated candle to place on the shared altar space. Pet owners may also bring a photograph of a beloved pet to place on the Pet Altar. Featured altars this year honor John Lewis, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Black Lives Mater and more.
On Friday November 6 and Saturday, November 7, DDLM will team up with Pepper Place and the City of Birmingham as they host Eat in the Streets on 29th St. S between 2nd Ave. S and 3rd Ave. S. On Friday night, there will be a showing of the film Coco, and Saturday will feature bands and DJs that will complement the atmosphere of DDLM.
Nightly Food Vendor Schedule:
November 1 - Los Valedores
November 2 - Taco Morro Loco
November 3 - Taco Boys
November 4 - Taco Boys
November 5 - Los Valedores
November 6 - Corazón Mexican Food + Eat in the Streets on 29th St S at Pepper Place + Aztec Dancing at 6:30 p.m. and a free screening of the movie Coco at 7:00 p.m.
November 7 - Corazón Mexican Food + Eat in the Streets on 29th St S at Pepper Place + the music of La Tropa Kumbiambera and Beats by Suaze and Mamalon Selector
Alcoholic beverages are not available at the event, but Pepper Place is part of the entertainment district so you can grab a drink to go from a local vendor before entering the site.
A selection of artist-created masks will be available for purchase during festival hours nightly at Pepper Place. 2020 mask artists include Janet Hopton-Jones, Kim Graham Smith, Wendy Walters, Linda Pilkerton, Christina Cenczyk, Ellie Strang, Chris Strang, Katie McNair İcimsoy and Tiffany Bence Meredith.
Dia de los Muertos is a celebration of remembrance and life that honors the lives of those loved and lost, while enjoying the unique customs of this cross-cultural event. Started in 2003, after a Day of the Dead-inspired installation at Bare Hands Gallery by artist Tracy Martin, the event has grown as community members have embraced the meaning behind the event, and come together to celebrate the lives of friends, family and even influential Birmingham residents such as noted civil rights photographer James “Spider” Martin and former restauranteur Guillermo Castro. Attendees are invited to bring their own personal remembrances of loved ones to display on the public altar.
Bare Hands Inc., is a mostly volunteer-run non-profit organization that offers free art outreach to underserved communities in the area. They strive to bridge cultural understanding through art and experiences. Dia de los Muertos is traditioanlly the organization's most important fundraiser. The festival has grown to be one of the largest Day of the Dead celebrations in the U.S., and highlights the vibrant cultural diversity of the Magic City.
For more information about the event or to volunteer, visit bhamdayofthedead.org. For more information on Pepper Place, check out pepperplace.com.