UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures: Fourth annual Dance with the Dead is Oct. 24
(Oct. 16, 2014) -- Texans need look no further than their own history to find a score of heroes, villains, kooks and quacks. With a tapestry of fascinating, infamous and notorious people adding their unique stories to Texas' past, Halloween will get interesting at the Institute of Texan Cultures with the fourth annual Dance with the Dead event on Oct. 24.
The Halloween celebration and costume contest featuring famous dead Texans will be 8 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Oct. 24 at the Institute of Texan Cultures. Last year, participants dressed as aviatrix Bessie Coleman and Navy Cross recipient Doris Miller, who told their stories and took home honors.
"We've had a phenomenal time putting this event together each year," said event coordinator Elizabeth Collette. "Not only do we have a night of entertainment ahead, but we get to hear some great stories from partygoers who've sought out the little nooks and crannies of Texas history to find amazing, insane and disreputable characters from our state's past."
The dance floor will be filled with the likes of the Barrow gang, Buddy Holly, Selena, Marvin Zindler and others. The Stan Wayne Band will play a variety of musical styles guaranteed to keep the floor packed with revelers.
Among the evening's activities, ghost tours of the museum are on the schedule. Home to the horse-drawn Castroville hearse and other artifacts, there are claims the Institute of Texan Cultures is haunted.
Brad Klinge and Kris Ratliff, previously on the Discovery Channel's "Ghost Lab," will offer briefings on the paranormal happenings purported to occur at the museum. Museum floor manager Willie Mendez and public safety officer Troy Simchak, who have also investigated paranormal reports, will lead tours of the museum's "hotspots."
"We can't necessarily say the ITC is haunted," said Mendez, "but we've had guests and employees mention some pretty curious things."
Different from previous years, the 2014 dance has sold tables and incorporated silent auction items into the event. There will be a cash bar and heavy hors d'oeuvres.
Returning for another year will be an art slam, with artists assembled by Robert Wilkins, who painted the image for this year's event poster. The artists will have the span of the evening to prepare pieces based on the Dance with the Dead theme. Past renderings have included a variety of Dia de los Muertos and musical motifs. In addition Wilkens, along with Raul Servin, who painted a previous dance poster, have curated the museum's Dia de los Muertos art display.
"When cultures intersect, we see an evolution of traditions," said Lupita Barrera, the museum's director of education and interpretation. "We've blended the themes of Halloween and El Dia de los Muertos into a single event. We have the opportunity to enjoy the museum, the music and the company of Texas legends long past."
Dance with the Dead tickets are $25 ($20 for museum members), and a ghost tour can be added for an additional $10 ($5 for museum members). The Institute of Texan Cultures is on the UTSA HemisFair Park Campus, 801 E. César E. Chávez Blvd., a short distance from the Alamo and the River Walk.
------------------------------
To order tickets, call 210-458-2300 or visit the UTSA Giving website.
Connect online with UTSA on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
Events
Aproduction of the Gudalupe Cultural Arts Center, Rio Bravo showcases the vibrant music and dance traditions of the Texas-Mexico border region. Featuring the Guadalupe Dance Company and Mariachi Azteca de América, the performances will be filmed live both nights, courtesy of UTSA's College of Liberal and Fine Arts.
UTSA Downtown CampusCheer on our Roadrunners as they face Houston Christian University. Featuring a special halftime show with Ballet Folklórico Sol de San Antonio and Mariachi Los Paisanos performing with the Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band.
AlamodomePubMed is an essential database for anyone conducting biomedical or health-related research. This workshop will teach attendees how to navigate this free resource effectively and locate peer-reviewed articles using basic & advanced search features, MeSH subject headings, and Boolean operators.
Virtual EventIn this workshop, we will review the basic concept of metadata and how it can influence digital projects, particularly those that include images like exhibits and mapping. Through the lens of preserving cultural heritage, you will learn about some of the more popular types of metadata schema and participate in a hands-on Dublin Core cataloging exercise.
CEDISH Co-Lab 3.02.38, 3rd Floor, John Peace LibraryMariachi Los Paisanos & Mariachi Juviniles will perform. Free and open to the public.
UTSA Recital HallAre you looking for a job/internship? Connect with over 60+ employers to learn more about their job/internship opportunities. All students and classifications are welcome to attend.
HEB BallroomsJoin UTSA Libraries and Museums to learn more about the publishing discounts available for UTSA researchers. Current agreements include Elsevier, Cambridge University Press, Springer Open, and more. Please bring your questions and feedback for the library as we continue to pursue partnerships with publishers to reduce costs for our researchers.
Virtual Event