All Souls Procession Weekend

The Procession had its beginnings in 1990 with a ritualistic performance piece created by local artist Susan Johnson, who was grieving the passing of her father. Inspired by Mexico's Dia de los Mu***os holiday, Johnson felt she should honor her father in celebration and creativity. The performance was very well received and many artists were inspired to continue growing the Procession into its mod

ern incarnation. Today we find ourselves organizing close to 100,000 participants on the streets of downtown Tucson for a two-mile long human-powered procession that ends with the Finale, during which we burn a large Urn filled with the hopes, offerings, and wishes for those who have passed. Inside the event are myriads of installation art, altars, performers, and creatives of all kinds collaborating for almost half the year to prepare their offerings to this amazing event. The day before the All Souls Procession, the Procession of Little Angels (PoLA) is held. It's a child-sized, child-inspired event to remember those who have been lost in a child's way. PoLA includes arts tables, wing-painting, children's performances, community altars, and a children's Procession. Many Mouths One Stomach (www.manymouths.org), a non-profit arts collective based in Tucson, AZ, is the organizing body for the All Souls Procession, and serves as a vehicle for working artists to collaborate, create, and inspire the public through Festal Culture. "Festal Culture" refers to the expression and fulfillment of core human needs through public celebration, ceremony, and ritual.