For Immediate Release:
The 33rd Annual All Souls Procession Weekend
Friday November 5 – Sunday November 6, 2022
Downtown Tucson AZ
From its humble beginnings in 1990 with about 40 artists and friends in Tucson —thru to today— 33 years later—The event has become synonymous with Tucson and the vibrant arts community that thrives in Northern Sonora. Now serving over 150,000 unduplicated participants- annually- in a massive, transparent and powerful public ceremony of remembrance and compassion..
As the event has grown it has become an entire weekend of events preceded by 8 weeks of organized, free, community workshops, events, concerts, performance art, altar building, and more.
Many Mouths One Stomach-the non profit, organizing body – has gone to great lengths to preserve the community spirit of the event- relying on public grants, local businesses, large and small private donations paired with the tenacity and determination to produce an event whose intentions and actions transcend any financial exchange or monetary goals… The event at its deepest core- is free to participate in… MMOS also creates funding for individual artists and groups to engage the theme, share their creations and further their craft and public production skills. It is —by simple means-Art for the sake of Art in the very public, civic sphere.
More importantly the primary function of MMOS is to play the role of Responsible Party- where in all of the civic event costs, permits, insurance, waste removal, barricading security, traffic control and a myriad of other administrative responsibilities become the tasks necessary to set the stage for this magnanimous public ceremony to occur.
It is both intangible and visceral, sacred and profane, somber and celebratory, painful and loving…and your ticket to get in —is your time…
The event spends very little on advertising and marketing and has relied on the quality of programming and word of mouth to grow to the size it has… An event today with a budget between $150,000-$250,000, depending on the year—we spend a mere $4000-5000 on advertising and promotion..
The event has a life of its own- creating a pilgrimage to Tucson every fall – drawing participants, new and initiated – from all corners of the planet.
The event has also become an economic boon for the City of Tucson and Pima County…generating over $27M in economic impacts from mere 6 figure spend from a group of dedicated and inspired artists- a testimony to the worth of grass roots, public art…
Some of the thousands of testimonials and stores we receive every year:
Our son was heartbroken. At the age of 5 he had to know how it felt to lose someone he loved. We decided to write Diana a letter and send it off, so it can be burned and she would get the message. He asks me now ‘when do we get to send Diana a letter?’….this is something I intend to do each and every year. It has helped my son cope with his loss and grief. It has helped me help him to understand. Thank you for having this and letting us be a part of it.
— Jamie LeeAnn
My beautiful children…were killed in a car accident in 2009. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss them with all of my heart. They were the kindest, most loving, most amazing people I have ever met and I can’t believe they’ve been gone for over five years. I’m so grateful to be able to honor them by walking in this year’s All Souls Procession.
— Amy Pasterak
The All Souls Procession is unique to Tucson. Spiritual, an outpouring of artistic talent, devotional, and a community festival all together in one magical night. But it doesn’t happen by magic. Time, talent and a little money, too, make it happen. Support Many Mouths One Stomach so we can keep the Procession going as long as we have family and friends to honor and remember.
— (former)Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild
The Procession is both therapeutic and healing. In our culture, we are very afraid of pain, and we do this thing where we try to avoid it and pretend its not there. This is a great way to help deal with it. It helps people feel like they aren’t alone in the depths of pain and loss.
— Dr. Karen McIntrye, Therapist
All of it is beautiful, but the most beautiful thing of all, to me, is that it is created by ordinary people, just like you and me, who come together to do this thing every year. We are ordinary people, but by coming together in this way, with a common heart and a common goal, we create something absolutely extraordinary. And to me, that is the most beautiful thing of all about the Tucson All Souls Procession.
— C. Meade
Full Length Documentary Many Bones, One Heart
https://vimeo.com/716130508/e653ef8a83
Press Contacts: Nadia Hagen uberhagen@manymouths.org 520-312-1448 or Paul Weir techdirector@manymouths.org 520-272-9041
Primary Sponsoring Organizations: Rio Nuevo, Visit Tucson, AZ Commission on the Arts, Arts Foundation of Southern AZ, The Mercado District, and many more found here:
https://allsoulsprocession.org/our-sponsors/
Here is a breakdown of the event weekend featuring a diverse range of local and international talent:
All Souls Procession 2022 Events IOS Mobile app ANDROID Moblie app
October thru Nov. All Souls Community Workshops
Red Herring Puppet Company – Mask Workshops
Oct. 11, 12 14 1-4pm FREE Tucson Mall- Upper level between Many’s and Forever 21 https://www.redherringpuppets.com/
Xerocraft Workshops
Thursdays LED Workshop October 13th, 20th, 27th, Nov 3rd 5-8pm $10 Suggested Donation -all materials provided
Saturdays Open Build-out October 15th, 22nd, 29th 1-6pm
Some Materials Provided – Guidance and some storage for Group projects 101 W. 6th St. #111 http://xerocraft.com/
Obon Workshops w Odaiko Sonora TBA https://tucsontaiko.org/
The All Souls Mausoleum Oct. 18 thru November 6 -open nightly 6pm-10pm
Community Altar by Jose’ Duran, Ancestor’s Project and access to the URN
MSA Annex 267 South Avenida del Convento Tucson, AZ 85745
https://allsoulsprocession.org/projects
Nov. 5 Procession of Little Angels 4-7pm Armory Park
Art activities and a pint-sized Procession for families.
Stories That Soar, Red Herring Puppet Co., St. Philip’s Compline Choir
https://www.facebook.com/events/1004757756853113
Nov. 4-8- Journey Thru Grief Installation sunrise to sunset
Activities & Land Art along the Santa Cruz Riverwalk https://allsoulsprocession.org/projects
Dance of the Dead Concert TICKET LINK
Nov. 4 w/March Fourth , KULULULU, Arts Caravan, doors at 6 pm
Nov. 5 Porangui / Shylah Ray , Cacao Ceremony and Ancestral Liberation
w/Ricky Abud doors at 5 pm
Nov. 6 After Party w/ Santa Pachita and Casa de Los Muertos DJs
TICKETS https://flamchen.com/events doors at 7:30 pm-(post finale)1 wrist band–2 VENUES to check out post event–Just down the street
The long standing & super fun Mercado San Agustin party begins at 4 pm
Nov. 6 The 33rd All Souls Procession and Ceremony 4pm Gather on Grande Avenue and Speedway Blvd 6pm Start – walk to MSA Annex Porangui/ Odaiko Sonora/ Flam Chenhttp://www.allsoulsprocession.org
