People often equate Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead sugar skulls with voodoo, devil worship and all things satanic. They miss the whole point – they’re skulls, and they’re made of sugar! How cool is that? And anyone can enjoy them, even if you don’t get the whole back story right: Day of the Dead is not about voodoo or devil worship, nothing even slightly satanic. Instead, Dia de los Muertos is a centuries-old Mexican tradition of celebrating the memories of our loved ones who have passed on and acknowledging that death is just a new beginning in our journey, not something of which to be afraid. (At least that’s what Hispanics tell their Satanphobic friends.)
But hey, let’s say you just wanna go with the sugar-plus-skulls-equals-fun aspect; take your kids to today’s Family Fun Workshop: Day of the Dead Sugar Skulls event at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. This is a parent/child session, where everybody gets their hands dirty making and decorating sugar skulls. (And, we’re guessing, maybe tasting a couple. If kids eat glue with no problem, sugar glue is gonna seem like a delicacy.) All the supplies are provided, along with workshop guides who can help with directions and even lend a hand on the more artistic aspects. When you’re done, take home your creation. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. One Hermann Circle Drive. For information, call 713-639-4629 or visit www.hmns.org. $30.
Wed., Oct. 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m., 2008
This article appears in Oct 9-15, 2008.