Following the successful launch of the Latino Virtual Museum in Second Life this past March, the Smithsonian Latino Center is hosting its first in-world public program to showcase Latino cultural heritage through a virtual Dia de los Muertos celebration. The Dia de los Muertos Festival takes place in Second Life from October 30 to November 2, 2009. As a special part of the festival, on November 1 in the virtual museum’s amphitheatre, participants can watch Lila Downs in concert at the 10th Annual “Dia de los Muertos” memorial celebration on the grounds of the historic Hollywood Forever cemetery in Los Angeles, which took place on October 24th. The concert will be rebroadcast and followed by an exclusive interview with Lila on Monday, November 2 .
The Dia de los Muertos Festival in the Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum will begin with a cemetery procession in the Placita that takes participants through a virtual Spirits Path, lined with marigolds. All-day activities include “building your own altar” and a learning altar demonstration for school groups. Special programming will include an All Souls Film Festival and 3D Crystal Skull Dance Party.
The Smithsonian Latino Center ensures Latino contributions to arts, sciences and the humanities are highlighted, understood and advanced through the development and support of public programs, scholarly research, museum collections and educational opportunities at the Smithsonian Institution and its affiliated organizations across the United States. For more information, visit www.latino.si.edu.