La Carpa Calavera

“On Nov. 1 and 2, the Mexican nation celebrates the Day of the Dead, a traditional time to catch up with dead ancestors and friends. Families invite the spirits of the dead into their homes and visit cemeteries bearing gifts of flowers, candy, alcohol and tobacco (apparently, the dead like to have a good time). Rather than a funereal occasion, El Dia de los Muertos is treated as a festival, a time to honor the dead by throwing them a party.

Las Carpas were traditional Mexican tent shows that resembled something between Vaudeville and American traveling circuses. Focused less on animals and freak shows and more on singing, dancing, acrobatics and outrageous costumes, Las Carpas entertained many audiences in Meso-America before their demise in the mid-20th century.”

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