Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Spinning plates

That's what I'm doing right now, spinning plates. If you count getting ready for this year's All Souls Procession, I have FOUR part-time to full-time jobs. But I wouldn't have it any other way. For this year, Odaiko Sonora (The taiko group I play with) is teaming up with Ensphere, one of Tucson's most fabulous alt-trip-rock bands for the finale of the All Souls Procession. That's right, the FINALE. We are playing taiko with a rock band with fire all around us. Where the enormous urn is burned (Download the Official Prayer Form to place in the urn, designed by AZ artist Daniel Martin Diaz.) with great spectacle and pomp. We will be wearing crazy costumes featuring the color blue since that is this year's color.

So let me explain.
First, if you don't know about All Souls, go look at the ASP/MMOS website. It's too late at night and too lengthy to explain it here easily or better than the ASP/MMOS website. Secondly, it's is one of the prime reasons to visit Tucson in  November. (Besides the Open Studio Tour of course, one of my other main jobs!) It's difficult to explain ASP, but it is intense, spiritual, theatrical, and artistic all rolled into one. It's not a parade. It's a procession of people honoring the Dead. And it's HUGE....last year had about  20,000 people. That's right folks, 20,000+ people. And no one was hurt. It's family-friendly! How cool is that??

How does this relate to art? If I have to explain, then you need to open your eyes and ears! (And get a huge clue!!) This event started as one artist honoring the passing of her father in 1990 with a group of like-minded individuals. It was performance art and has remained performance art on a huge scale.
So if you are in Tucson in November, join me in the procession! It will change your life.
~reb

The burning of the giant urn, courtesy of the MMOS website.

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