The Friends of Las Cruces Museums would like to thank Jose Tena for a wonderful evening

November 1 was Día de los Muertos and Jose Tena had set up a community alter in the Branigan Cultural Center for all to see and enjoy … and, if they participated, make a spiritual connection with loved ones long departed.
We wanted a special day for our Friends and invited you to a reception at the Branigan November 29 to see the simple, yet elaborate (if that’s possible) alter, and watch a Folklorico dance demonstration by Sr. Tena’s class.
Jose told us about Día de los Muertos, its history and background. He explained the symbolism and what the altar represented, telling us how people place photos, trinkets known to the deceased, and their favorite foods. The day represents a memorial to a loved one, a time to reflect on that person’s life and how well they were and still are loved.
Meanwhile, the Ballet Folklorico de la Tierra del Encanto was rehearsing. After our tour of the altar, we found places along the perimeter of the Branigan’s Shannon Room. Jose explained when the former library had been renovated as the cultural center, a dance floor had been laid in the room. Between the subflooring and the polished, hardwood we see is a layer of rubber cushioning, giving dances a surface on which to dance without injury to knees and ankles. And what dances!
Dressed in rehearsal costumes … not the fancy performance costumes we’re used to seeing, the Folklorico delighted us with a half dozen dances.
We also heard the story of Sr. Tena’s storage building, built behind of and larger than his house. There he keeps the wonderful performance costumes of 18 of Mexico’s states. Each state has its own folk dances and dress. We also learned the cost of these costumes has been the contribution of the Tena family to the dance community … in other words, Jose and his wife have born the cost of most of the costumes themselves. If you are interested in donating to his very worthy dance troop please make the checks payable to: Ballet Folklorico de la Tierra del Encanto. Checks should be mailed to Jose Tena, 1627 Winton Circle, Las Cruces, NM 88007.
If you missed the Foundation’s Día de los Muertos reception, you missed a good time. So … mark your calendar. November 19 is our private tour of the Abraham Lincoln: Self-Made In America exhibit opening the next day at the Branigan. You’ll not want to miss this evening of history and congeniality.
The Foundation will also conduct a brief but essential Annual Meeting on the 19th and we’ll have some tantalizing delicacies on our reception table for you.

The Foundation for Las Cruces Museums cordially invites the Friends of Las Cruces Museums to our Annual Meeting. We will have a friends-only private preview of the exhibit Abraham Lincoln: Self-made in America as well as a lecture by Dr. Dwight Pitcaithley. The business meeting will follow.

Branigan Cultural Center

Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.

Dessert and beverages will be served.

RSVP by November 12, 2009 to Sue Van Frank
575-993-4760