The Houston Botanic Garden recently hosted “Festival en el Jardin” or “Festival in the Garden” in preparation for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in collaboration with the Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA). The Houston Botanic Garden describes the event as a celebration of the past honoring future through music, dance, and visual arts.
The day was filled with performances by The Ermelinda Cuellar Jazz trio, The Ballet Folklorico and Mariachi Monarcas and once sunset hit the Houston skyline the garden Alcoves were transformed into a fashion runway with looks created by local Houston area artists inspired by the works of Jose Guadalupe Posada’s “La Catrina” (a catrina is an elegantly dressed skeleton), with makeup by award-winning curator and visual artist Lizbeth Ortiz.
Traditionally Dia de los Muertos is held on Nov. 1 and 2. It is a traditional Latin American holiday that honors and celebrates the lives of family and friends who have passed. The belief is that the loved ones and friends return home to their resting places to visit with loved ones and to treat themselves to thoughtful gifts, or ofriendas, left for them.
The day began in Pine Grove with The Ermelinda Cuellar Jazz trio treating incoming visitors to a 45 minute set of smooth Latin grooves that cooled visitors and passersby in the Houston heat. The band consisted of Anthony Caceres (bass), Greg Petito (guitar) and the wonderful Ermelinda Cuellar (vocals).
Food was provided by Taste My Flavias and picking up after the jazz band near the Welcome Pavilion was the vibrant Baile Folklorico, or Ballet Folklorico. was a beautiful representation of Mexican culture and all Latin culture as each performance had many different aspects from many regions and each dance was filled with both joy and historic tradition. The entire performance was expression of life, culture and spirit.
Next performing on the side of the Culinary Garden was The Mariachi Monarcas who harmonized the event into the evening. As the sun began to drift low, the Mariachi was just getting started as both lead vocalist voices were powerful in their delivery and the traditional Mexican songs delighted all that attended with many visitors even singing along.
Festival en el Jardin at The Houston Botanic Garden
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The Ermelinda Cuellar Jazz Trio performing in the Picnic Grove. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
The beginning of The Ballet Folklorico in the Welcome Pavillion. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Opening act of The Ballet Folklorico. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
A group of young dancers in The Ballet Folklorico. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
The event was beautiful and all the dresses were very detailed and intricate. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Boys and girls dancing in the Ballet Folklorico. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Little dancers in The Ballet Folklorico. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Traditional dresses worn by The Ballet Folklorico. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
A Oaxaxa cheese Quesadilla and a Watermelon-Peach-Rose fresh juice drink (Red) next to the Cucumber-Pear (Green) juice From the food truck Taste My Flavias at The Festival in The Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
The Beginning of the Ballet Folklorico second act. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Red shawls used in a dance by The Ballet Folklorico. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
A Trio of performers at The Ballet Folklorico. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Colorful pink accented dresses worn by The Ballet Folklorico. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Every dance was filled with tradition and joy as the Ballet Folklorico came to a close. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Mariachi Monarcas opening performance. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
The Mariachi Monarcas performing in the Pine Grove. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
MECA’s Fashion show kicked off in front of the Global Collection Garden as the sun set. Designs were done by local Houston area fashion designers inspired by the works of Jose Guadalupe Posada’s “La Catrina.” The fashion show had over 30 models. Every Catrina was beautifully put together and very intricate from their crowns and gowns to their makeup and glitter which really exemplified the whole evening in a well-crafted celebration of Mexican heritage and Dia de los Muertos. Hawks looking to volunteer or donate to MECA can find more info here.
Fashion show at The Houston Botanic Garden
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A young catrina at the fashion show in The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
There was over 30 models at the fashion show and all the dresses were made by local Houston designers. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
A catrina model on the runway in the Alcoves at The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
A strawberry catrina model stands in front of the Global Collection Garden in The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
A blue sugar skull designed catrina model in The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Catrina model with fan in The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
A skeleton limbed catrina model in The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Catrina model with heart & veins design in The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Group of three catrina models at The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Many of the models were also performers from earlier in the day at The Ballet Folklorico. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Another strawberry Catrina model in The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Catrina model in motion at The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
The evening was beautiful and many visitors stayed all day. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Originallly known as a satirical image the catrina is now synonymous with Dia de los Muertos. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
A neon purple colored catrina dress at The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
A light rose catrina model in The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Sunflower catrina model at The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
A black and white striped catrina model. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
This purple catrinas tree designed dress says "love yourself". Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Skeleton catrina model at The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
A festive fall catrina model at The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Catrina model with skulls and crosses at The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
A Houston Astros catrina model representing The Houston Astros during the 2022 postseason run. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
A vibrant catrina model at The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
A stunning monarch clad catrina model at The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
The work put into each design must have been a work of love as this beautiful monarch catrina closes out The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden . Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Ending of the fashion show at The Festival in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden. Photo by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
Featured image by Signal reporter Xavier Munoz.
