Dia de Muertos Candlelight Ceremony and Reception

Monday November 2 * 8pm * Free / donations * RSVP

The public is invited to Rhizome for an indoor candlelight ceremony hosted by Mexican American installation artist Laura Irene on Monday, November 2nd at 8pm.

An altar will be constructed in which the public can bring a photo or object of their loved ones to place on the altar during this evening. The public is invited to join us for this safe, thoughtful and communal experience. This night of remembrance and community is meant to create a much-needed space as we continue to process our continued loss especially for the people of Palestine as a genocide is taking place before our eyes, the loss of human lives every day is erasing lifelines of entire families and has been for the past 77 years. This year we want to acknowledge and remember all of the people that are being taken and stolen by ICE - while not dead this is a loss for our communities and families across the country but especially in DC we are under extra terror everyday. The altar will be dedicated to them and Palestine and for everyone who has lost a loved one in their life. You do not have to know someone that has passed on to participate, as your presence will be welcome as support. Loss is defined not just as in death, all types of losses need healing. You can speak or not speak; you can bring a photo or a poem whatever you like. At the end of the ceremony there will be Mexican hot chocolate and pastries.

In addition, the walls will be transformed into a space for writing the names of those who have passed away as a way to remember our loved ones and the names of those that society aims to have forgotten including those who have been murdered by police in 2025 to include those whose deaths continue to empower marginalized communities in North America. The physical writing down of names is a powerful exercise in itself...

*Social responsibility is a must, all are welcome that do not impose an unsafe environment for others, please consider your accountability for your community.

Day of the Dead signifies a time in which communities come together to remember their loved ones – the ways in which that is done varies across traditional lines. To an uneducated public, it has become synonymous with Mexico seen only as candied skulls and skeleton painted faces that is often confused with an offensive Halloween costume. Not only is it experienced differently across Mexico, but it is also celebrated throughout Latin America dating back to pre-colonization. This exhibit aims to reclaim this holiday that has been gentrified, repackaged as décor, and sold in party stores across the USA. Our culture, identity and experiences are not for sale. This exhibit encourages the Rhizome community to discern, contemplate, mourn, and remember in order to process, heal and contribute at one’s comfort level.