Drama, humor pervades Day of Dead tradition

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The answers to these, and other questions less biblical, can be found in "El Día de los Muertos," the Latin Ballet of Virginia's lively artistic interpretation of the traditional, Aztec-based Mexican festival, the Day of the Dead.

The dancers set up an elaborate and authentic looking altar, featuring candles, photos of loved ones, sugar skulls, marigolds and other traditional decorations. This forms the background for such lovely rituals as "Iluminemos el Camino" ("Let Us Light the Path") in which elements of African movement combine with a modern interpretation of a candlelight vigil -- substituting glowing pods of light which the women palm gracefully -- and an enticing percussive score.

In one of the most dramatic -- and at the same time humorous -- sections, a young woman who is stalked by the figure of death rejects death's bold advances, at one point even struggling with the death figure. Eventually succumbing, she must finish weaving her own shroud before climbing into a wooden casket -- where, sitting up in the casket (at times chatting with a nun), she is soon surrounded by friends and family members who have letters for her to deliver to previously departed loved ones.

This scene, "Amaranta's Tango with Death," is inspired by Gabriel Garcia Márquez's "One Hundred Years of Solitude," and ushers in the colorful and highly energetic first-act closer, "Fiesta de las Buenas Nuevas" or "The Good News Party."

Death later faces an internal struggle. When sent to take away an infant, the death figure agonizes and procrastinates, and finally moves in to take the child, only to return her to the unsuspecting arms of the young mother. How clever is that; to make us feel sympathy for death! Two drinking buddies have an amusing encounter with death when one, wearing an enormous sombrero, keeps seeing the figure lurking in the background, only to have her disappear when his friend looks that way.

The finale is a brightly colored, musically vibrant celebration for the company members and the children's company combined. It is made all the livelier for the bold dancing from company members Lawanda Raines Giunti, William Sterling Walker and artistic director Ana Ines King. Frances Wessells, credited as a guest artist and "the Pioneer of Dance in Richmond," donned a colorful ruffled outfit, bared her midriff and took a turn at shaking her body.

Did I mention that Wessells is 90 years young?

The rhythms are Latin, and most of the lyrics are in Spanish. Program notes briefly explain some of the less familiar and more ambiguous scenes, but it is more than possible to follow the story line -- although perhaps less literally -- without them. "El Día de los Muertos" is a Latin Ballet of Virginia tradition that is a triple threat -- educational, entertaining and enjoyable.

Julinda Lewis is a dancer, teacher and writer living in eastern Henrico County. She can be contacted at .