We are all just cosmic stardust…Embrace and rejoice in life & death’s ever-widening gyre.
Tonight, We All Die /
the Poetry of death & More
PUPPETRY, MUSIC & POETRY PERFORMANCES
DAY of the DEAD :: NOV 1, 2025 / 7-10:00pm
Curated by Gary Glazner, Guest Artist/Organizer
Come celebrate that “all things must end.” Tonight is the closing of the Decayging exhibition, and its also the birth of an evening of “The Poetry of Death,” creative reflections on the cyclical process of living life/dying death and how the two are one and the same.
join together in community to honor the dead…
…as the audience will experience well-loved poems including Emily Dickinson’s “Because I could not stop for Death.” Sing along with spirituals like, “I’ll Fly Away,” and blues like Reverand Gary Davis’ “Death Don't Have No Mercy.”
The event will start with a presentation by Puppet Artists, Wendy Madrigal and Alonso Galue in honor of “Dia de los Muertos,” (Day of the Dead).
Gary Glazner will lead the audience in a creation of an original Memento Mori poem. “Memento mori” is a Latin phrase that literally translates to “remember you must die.”
The musicians will accompany the performance of the newly created Memento Mori poem with singing, fiddle and guitar. This spontaneous improvisation may include call backs to the inspirational songs played at the start of the event. The “Dia de los Muertos,” puppets will join the improvisation and engage the audience; All are encouraged to dance to the poem.
cin, Gary, Luke, Wendy, Grant & Alonso will guide you through a communal death celebration.
PERFORMERS:
Gary Glazner is a poet/author & curator. He is the founder and Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Poetry Project - www.garyglazner.com
Cin Salach is a poet of page and stage, Illinois Arts Council recipient, four-time Ragdale fellow, and Emmy nominee - www.poemgrown.com
Luke Leisman is an astronomer, fiddle player and singer. He is the Associate Director for the Internship Network in the Mathematical Sciences.
Grant Kuchan is a novelist, guitar player and singer. He has been a member of Old Town School of Folk Music Jug Band Ensemble for the past 12 years.
Wendy Madrigal is a multifaceted artist who creates theater and spectacle that celebrates Mexican folk culture. Her storytelling through puppetry represents her Mexican-American roots.
Alonso Galue is a monumental painter, sculptural puppeteer and curator at Agitator Gallery, who promotes artist-led initiatives that challenge dominant narratives and amplify immigrant perspectives.