INCREDIBLE SUPPORT FOR BATH CARNIVAL 2020

Día de los Muertos returns to SouthGate Bath!

The colourful world of Mexico’s Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) returns to SouthGate Bath next month as the shopping centre has recommissioned Bath Carnival to provide an immersive installation throughout the month of October and a community parade for a second year running, on Thurs 31st Oct from 7pm.

A team of artists have been busy developing last year’s creative project which featured 20,000 individual marigolds adorning the walkways SouthGate, seven giant hand-made floral skulls and a collection of individually painted folk-art sculptures known in Mexican culture as ‘alebrijes’.

Stuart Matson, Bath Carnival organiser, said: “We are over the moon to be revisiting this project and to continue celebrating this fascinating and colourful culture. At Bath Carnival we are always looking for opportunities to shine the light on cultures and traditions from around the world, so we are really grateful to SouthGate for providing the space and support to do this on such a large scale.”

The highlight of the project will be the annual Día de lost Muertos parade, on Thursday 31 October. The free community event will start during the day with Mexican audio-visual artist, Pablo Villierezz, hosting drop-in workshops for children to create their own masks for the parade, while learning about the fascinating origins of the Mexican holiday.

At 19:00 audiences will be treated to live drumming, immersive walkabout acts and costumed dancers, before the parade sets off on its route to Komedia on Westgate Street.

The entertainment continues in Komedia for Bath Carnival’s ticketed fundraiser event, featuring 10-piece funk bands, live DJs, face-painting and prizes for best costume. All proceeds will go towards organising more creative workshops in the community during 2020.

Jenifer Bull, Marketing Manager SouthGate, Bath said: “This exciting collaboration with Bath Carnival allows SouthGate to be at the heart of the local community and brings life, soul and colour into the shopping centre during a quieter time of year. We hope to attract people from near and far with this beautiful art installation and awe-inspiring parade – not to be missed!”