Tucson. November, 2014

Oh, just two typical residents of Tucson out for an evening stroll. Except that this night is the city’s annual All Souls Procession, and these characters are but two of many hundred revelers who don outfits based on the famous Mexican Day of the Dead skeletons. Tradition says that this is a happy and joyous celebration, remembering lost loved ones who are having a ball in the afterlife. But it made me teary to see parents walking the procession route, holding photos of their children who had died. (On a definitely happier note, I'd love to be in Tucson on this, the wedding day of my beloved friends Simon and David. Though I'd probably get teary there, too. Is it a coincidence that they chose to wed on this, the fifth anniversary of the SLS blog? Probably. Abrazos, amigos.)

Tucson. November, 2006

Smile. It’s the night of the All Souls Procession, Tucson’s annual extravaganza, held on the Sunday following All Souls Day (November 2.) Artists, musicians, fire jugglers, acrobats and just plain old folks turn out for this townwide parade. And that’s just where I am today as you read this. Happy to be back in this madness with my good, mad friends Simon and David. (For another look at the Procession’s 2006 fiery finale, click here.)

Tucson. November, 2014

On the Sunday after All Souls Day (November 2), Tucson unleashes its annual All Souls Procession. Snaking its was through the city after dark, accompanied by the sounds of mariachi, thousands of living souls pay homage to thousands of dead ones, parading with photos of their lost loved ones. Some dress in costumes. Many paint their faces to resemble the famous Mexican Day of the Dead skulls. The parade winds up at a stage set up in a huge field where videos of beating hearts, acrobats suspended from cranes, fire jugglers, Aztec dancers, singers, you name it perform this spectacular finale. At the close, a huge geodesic urn, filled with paper prayers and the names of the dead collected from the crowd, is ignited. No wonder it’s the city’s largest and most popular festival of the year. (To see the finale from the 2006 procession, click here.)

Tucson. November, 2006

Smile. It’s the night of the All Souls Procession, Tucson’s annual extravaganza, held on the Sunday following All Souls Day (November 2.) Artists, musicians, fire jugglers, acrobats and just plain old folks turn out for this townwide parade. And that’s just where I am today as you read this. Happy to be back in this madness with my good, mad friends Simon and David. (For another look at the Procession’s 2006 fiery finale, click here.)

Tucson. November, 2014

On the Sunday after All Souls Day (November 2), Tucson unleashes its annual All Souls Procession. Snaking its was through the city after dark, accompanied by the sounds of mariachi, thousands of living souls pay homage to thousands of dead ones, parading with photos of their lost loved ones. Some dress in costumes. Many paint their faces to resemble the famous Mexican Day of the Dead skulls. The parade winds up at a stage set up in a huge field where videos of beating hearts, acrobats suspended from cranes, fire jugglers, Aztec dancers, singers, you name it perform this spectacular finale. At the close, a huge geodesic urn, filled with paper prayers and the names of the dead collected from the crowd, is ignited. No wonder it’s the city’s largest and most popular festival of the year. (To see the finale from the 2006 procession, click here.)

Tucson. November, 2006

On the first Sunday following the Day of the Dead, Tucson puts on a big show. Costumes, lights, floats, altars, music, puppets, masks...artists of all kinds come together and parade through downtown in the city’s famed All Souls Procession. There are some who revere this tradition for its deeply spiritual connection to family and friends who have died. Others for the spectacle and circus atmosphere. And for some, it’s just an exciting night out. I’ve been a few times now, and nothing beats the memory of this end-of-show extravaganza put on by Flam Chen Pyrotechnic Theater, Tucson’s daredevil dance-meets-acrobatics fire performance group. Their flame-infused finale, complete with aerial artists and an intentions-filled cauldron that ignited above the crowd, forged a memorable blend of sacred and profane, and brought smoky closure to this annual madhouse of an evening.

Tucson. November, 2006

On the first Sunday following the Day of the Dead, Tucson puts on a big show. Costumes, lights, floats, altars, music, puppets, masks...artists of all kinds come together and parade through downtown in the city’s famed All Souls Procession. There are some who revere this tradition for its deeply spiritual connection to family and friends who have died. Others for the spectacle and circus atmosphere. And for some, it’s just an exciting night out. I’ve been a few times now, and nothing beats the memory of this end-of-show extravaganza put on by Flam Chen Pyrotechnic Theater, Tucson’s daredevil dance-meets-acrobatics fire performance group. Their flame-infused finale, complete with aerial artists and an intentions-filled cauldron that ignited above the crowd, forged a memorable blend of sacred and profane, and brought smoky closure to this annual madhouse of an evening.

Tucson. November 2, 2006

Today is All Souls Day. (Though the official Catholic name is “The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed.”) But if you happen to be in Mexico (or here in Southern Arizona), it’s known as the Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos. No surprise that Mexicans have more fun with the holiday than those stuffy European Western Christianity types do. Sugar skulls that laugh at death, candle-filled shrines in public spaces, personal altars filled with the departed’s favorite foods, covered with marigolds, with photos and other family memorabilia in more private locations. Whenever I’m in Tucson on this day, I love to come across the various ways that people here mark the occasion. Of course, the big occasion in Tucson is the annual All Souls’ Procession the Sunday after All Souls Day. I'm hoping to be there for this spectacular event again this year.

Tucson. November 2, 2006

I’m slated to be in Southern France today, so I’ll be calling All Souls’ Day, Le Jour des Morts. (Though the official Catholic name in English is “The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed.”) But if you happen to be in Mexico (or here in Southern Arizona), it’s known as the Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos. No surprise that Mexicans have more fun with the holiday than those stuffy European Western Christianity types do. Sugar skulls that laugh at death, candle-filled shrines in public spaces, personal altars filled with the departed’s favorite foods, covered with marigolds, with photos and other family memorabilia in more private locations. Whenever I’m in Tucson on this day, I love to come across the various ways that people here mark the occasion. Of course, the big occasion in Tucson is the annual All Souls’ Procession this coming Sunday. I’ll be thinking of it as our ship docks in Barcelona on that morning.

Tucson. November, 2015

One of the many Day of the Dead altars that pop up each year throughout the city. This one at the Mercado San Agustin not far from the home of my friends Simon and David. In fact, close enough to easily walk for a quick lunch of fish tacos, or to purchase spinach tortillas to bring home. Alas, this year I'll be working at my local Massachusetts polling place and unable to make my annual trip for Tucson's All Souls Procession. Maybe.

Tucson. January, 2004

My beloved friend Simon and I, posed (and I do mean posed) on land that Jay and I later owned. And then didn't. I've just booked another trip to see Simon and David (who took this photo) for Tucson's magical All Souls Procession in November. Visiting these good and welcoming friends is always a real treat for me: Both are artists, thinkers, kind souls themselves. So there are always beautiful things to look at, thoughtful conversations, terrific meals and plenty of coffee always available. Who could ask for anything more?

Watertown, MA. October, 2015

Today is All Souls Day, known in most Latin countries as the Day of the Dead. And while we Yankees don't do it up in quite the extravagant way that the Latinos do, there are a few imaginative touches you can find here north of the border. Like these three skeletons frolicking on a porch in a neighborhood near my home. (For my real Day of the Dead indulgence though, I head to Tucson and its All Souls Procession. Watch this space for upcoming photos from this year's procession.)

Tucson. November, 2015

At this year's All Souls Procession, there were a lot of people whose costumes incorporated colored lights. On hats, on dresses, even on the swinging hula-hoop brandished about by this young lady. I took her picture and this is what I got.

Tucson. November, 2006

Weasel and Bunnycakes, the devil cats, emerge for their own take on the town's annual All Souls Procession.

Tucson. November, 2015

It looks as though my working at the polls this November 8 will prevent me from visiting my friends Simon and David and walking down their hill to the All Souls Procession. Maybe a year off will allow me to figure out exactly what this group from last year's event was trying to convey.

Tucson. November, 2015

Another participant in this past autumn's All Souls Procession. This kid looks particularly bewildered. Or maybe just tired. Also, is that guacamole the poor child is covered with?

Tucson. November, 2015

Today is the shortest day of the year, the longest night of the year. Let's hope you're not spending any time after dark with this wedding couple. At first they may look scary. But as with most participants in the All Souls Procession, they're pretty friendly and welcoming. Though they could use a good meal or two.

Tucson. November, 2005

The enthusiasm and community spirit that fuel this city's annual All Souls Procession (the first Sunday following November 2, the Day of the Dead) bring thousands to the streets, marching, singing, dancing or just watching. There is a wonderful sense of madness in the air that night, an abandon that seems right at home here in this great city in the American Southwest. Somehow it's an energy one would be hard pressed to find in cooler New England climes.

Tucson. November, 2015

Two of the many participants we met at this year's All Souls Procession. The little girl was shy at first when I asked if I could take their picture. But, as you can see, she quickly acquiesced.