Life, Memory and Collective Healing

What is Noche de altares? 

Noche de Altares is a celebration dedicated to the continuance of life, preserving the memories of loved ones who have passed and holding space for our community to heal. 

Traditional Dia de los Muertos night celebrations take place all over the world every year. Inspired by other cities' events, Noche de Altares Milwaukee was established. We work in partnership with local schools, organizations and community members in order to craft an evening of remembrance, peace and healing for the lives of children, adults and pets who we've lost to the spirit world. Education lies at the heart of this celebration, we seek to raise understanding of this sacred tradition, in hopes that it may assist people throughout their own personal healing process.

For one evening, on November 2nd, the day Dia de los Muertos is traditionally celebrated-the community is invited to build an altar/ofrenda outdoors along a closed off street. Throughout the evening there will be performances, spoken word, music, food, a night hike sponsored by the Urban Ecology Center and the opportunity to build small altars/ofrendas along the Hank Aaron State Trail. For the kids, we will have an eco-friendly altar/ofrenda build, hot cocoa, cider and story telling around a fire pit, an 'angelitxs' area will be honoring children who have passed and Playworks Wisconsin will be facilitating game playing all night! Most importantly this is an evening that encourages and supports the opportunity for people to connect with their cultura and community!

The model that inspired this event has been taking place in Santa Ana, California since 2002, folks from El Centro Cultural de Mexico have been organizing this special evening for and by the community. 

e are in partnership with Escuela Verde, Urban Ecolgy Center, Proyeto Bembe, and Playworks, WI.

LINEUP\PERFORMANCES!! We have an evening FILLED with musica and dance!!
6:30PM-6:40PM Community Azteca dancers
6:45-7:00PM Proyecto Bembe, youth drumming ensemble
7:10PM-7:30PM Mary Alduen of Escuela la Familia Alduen Chicago, mini bombazo
7:40PM-7:55pm Milwaz Talleres, Son Jarocho
8:00PM-8:50PM Theyguanas, Latin fusion regga