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Courtesy Michael K. Anderson
All Souls Night
The Magic Smelt stilters and music-makers perform on the Duluth Public Library plaza during the All Souls Night festivities.
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Courtesy Michael K. Anderson
All Souls Night
Participants in the Duluth All Souls Night pose in painted faces with the giant Death puppet created by Mary Plaster, event organizer, and manipulated by her son, Zack Plaster.
With their skeleton costumes and white painted faces, the participants at All Souls Night in Duluth might look strange and dreadful to those unfamiliar with the event. But the aim is an upbeat and hopeful gathering.
“It’s a celebration of life and the time that we have,” says Mary Plaster, artistic director of All Souls Night. The event celebrates departed loved ones but also looks at ways to make things better in this life by addressing issues like homelessness, water quality and wolf hunting.
The Duluth event is loosely based on the Day of the Dead, a Mexican tradition. The focus on skeleton costumes and faces is also borrowed. Artful displays honor the lost loved ones. Some are there to mourn pets, and they might bring photos or dog treats.
Black clothing is encouraged, and makeup tables are available for those who wish to paint their faces.
Last year’s event drew between 300 and 400 people. “A lot of people are looking for a tradition different from Halloween,” Mary says. “This is more of a spiritual event.”
This is the sixth year for the event and its first time at Sacred Heart Music Center. Entertainment includes Ladyslipper Ethnic Dance and the Spin Collective’s fire dancing. The evening starts out with “the haunting cello dreams of Kathy McTavish.”
Kathy, a Duluth cellist, composer and multimedia artist, has worked with Mary on All Souls Night since it started. She performs what she terms “free improv” rather than specific songs. Kathy expects to be joined this year by guitarist Richie Townsend.
Some activities during the evening represent a bit of fun and irreverence. The “Funeral March for Rotten Ideas” is followed by dancing and then the burning of the rotten ideas written on paper.
“People come together for this swell parade,” Kathy says. “It’s just a fun community event.”
All Souls Night 2013 will be 6-8 p.m. November 2. Sacred Heart Music Center, 201 W. 4th St., Duluth. www.maryplaster.com.