Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is an under appreciated treasure of a holiday, turning the memories of lost loved ones into a celebration of their legacies and their continuing presence in our lives. This fall, Yavapai College’s Jim & Lee Performing Arts Center offers a vibrant and moving spectacle worthy of the holiday and those it remembers. Join us for Eternamente: a Día de los Muertos Spectacular, Friday October 4, at 7 p.m., at the Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center on Yavapai College’s Prescott Campus.

An homage to Mexico’s rich cultural heritage, Eternamente blends graceful traditional dance with vibrant storytelling that also tips a hat to the great Mexican singers of yesteryear, such as Vicente Fernandez, Pedro Infante, Lucha Villa, and more. Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande present a celebration of life, with lively music and dance, beautiful costumes, and a virtual altar to those we have lost. 

Eternamente transcends mere spectacle; it is a portal into the heart of us all, where every twirl and note will become a tribute to the beauty of remembrance. Join this unforgettable fiesta, where tradition and spectacle converge, and the spirit of Día de los Muertos is celebrated “eternamente.” Who knows? La Muerte herself may make an appearance!

The Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center accompanies Eternamente with a program of interactive events designed to bring the spirit of Día de los Muertos into the community. A Skull Painting Contest, Saturday September 28, from 10 a.m. to noon, invites kids and adults alike to create the colorful totems in the J&LLPAC’s adjacent sculpture garden.

On performance day, the J&LLPAC invites families to set up Día de los Muertos Family Altars in the sculpture garden, beginning at 4 p.m. on October 4. Food trucks will be on hand to provide delicious seasonal fare until showtime. The event is free, but advanced registration is required and space is limited to one altar per household.

The fun continues after the performance with a Tequila Tasting Afterglow. Join us for tequila, with chips and salsa at 8:30 p.m. ($15 per person.)

Tickets for Eternamente start at $29, with $10 Youth tickets available. The Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center Ticket Office is located on Yavapai College’s Prescott Campus, 1100 E. Sheldon Street, and is open Tuesday – Wednesday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Thursday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. For reservations, registration for the Skull Painting, Family Altar or Tequila Tasting events, please call: (928) 776-2000 or visit: www.ycpac.com.