Community Event:  Día de Los Muertos to Come Alive at Islander Middle School on November 2^nd!

 IMS Students Invite All Mercer Islanders to Celebrate Mexican Holiday with Music, Art and Mexican Food

MERCER ISLAND, WA, OCTOBER 12, 2007--  Students in Mrs.
Anderson's Eighth grade Spanish classes invite the entire Mercer Island community to share the experience of the Oaxacan celebration of Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in a multi-faceted and multi sensory approach that integrates fine art, music and Mexican food, thanks to grants from the Mercer Island Schools Foundation, the Mercer Island Community Fund and the Islander Middle School PTSA.



During October, corresponding with the traditional Mexican Día de Los Muertos Festival, eighth grade Spanish students work with Artist-In-Residence Jose Orantes to create "tapetes" or sand paintings, a culturally-specific art form in which paintings are created on sand using powdered tempera paint. 

This art and cultural enrichment program enhances IMS’ existing curriculum and culminates with this community celebration on Friday, November 2nd.

El Día de los Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday that originated with the ancient Aztecs and is celebrated all throughout Mexico but its form varies depending on the region of the country and the degree of urbanization.   However, the commonality among all the celebrations is that it is a happy time when families remember those that have passed away and the continuity of life. IMS students invite the entire Mercer Island community to join them from 6PM-8PM in

the IMS Library as the students' completed sand paintings will be unveiled.  Attendees will hear the music of La Banda Gozona (www.bandagozona.org) specializing in the music from the various regions of Oaxaca.  Tamales from El Sombrero restaurant will be available for purchase to add even more authenticity to the program.

For more information or to volunteer please contact Eighth Grade Spanish Teacher, Mrs. Anderson at
Allison_anderson@misd.wednet.edu (206-230-6188) or Sandy Glass at sandyglass@hotmail.com (206-275-0054).