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El Día de los Muertos: Call for Vendors

Murals / Los Murales

Murals depicting the Day of the Dead have a strong history throughout Latin America, highlighted by the works of Diego Rivera and José Guadalupe Posada, the creator of the iconic Catrina figure. Finding inspiration in these artists, students in grades sixth to twelfth will create 2-D murals on canvas that may portray any aspect of El Día de los Muertos. Los Murales will be completed off site and will be returned to Cheekwood and hung in the Frist Learning Center.

Help your students develop cultural awareness, encourage class unity and participation, and display the talent and enthusiasm of your students to over 4,000 event visitors through this interactive and fun competition!

Los Murales Display Application

Altars

One of the most important aspects of El Día de los Muertos is the creation of a memorial altar for the departed, known as an ofrenda. All across Mexico and beyond, families honor their ancestors by creating altars decorated with items that the deceased enjoyed in life. Learn more about this tradition as you tour the creative ofrendas designed by local groups and organizations.

We are seeking community partners to create altar displays to be shown during the El Día de los Muertos festival. Altar displays are a great opportunity for community organizations to represent themselves and to celebrate their ancestors in the tradition of El Día de los Muertos.

Altar Application

Entertainment Application

We are excited to feature and promote entertainers during our El Día de los Muertos event! As always, we will work to produce a high-quality event that educates our visitors and seek entertainment that reflects diverse cultural traditions.

Entertainment Application

Food Vendor Application

We feature and promote a variety of food vendors in our El Día de los Muertos marketplace! As always, we will work to produce a high-quality event that educates our visitors and seek food vendors that have quality merchandise and unique items to complement and enhance the spirit of the festival.

Food Vendor Application

Vendor Application

We feature and promote a variety of vendors in our El Día de los Muertos marketplace! As always, we will work to produce a high-quality event that educates our visitors and seek retail vendors that have quality merchandise and unique items to complement and enhance the spirit of the festival.

Vendor Application

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El Día de los Muertos 2023

Cheekwood brings the traditions of Mexico and Latin America to Nashville during the 24th annual El Día de los Muertos festival

that includes traditional music and dance, vibrant art activities, and authentic cuisine. Visitors will learn about the culture of their Latin American neighbors while exploring beautiful altar displays and shopping in the marketplace.

*Due to limited parking and timed tickets, school groups coming on buses will not be allowed.

Schedule of Events

Saturday, October 28

Entertainment

Main Stage
10 – 10:30 AM | Bilingual Song and Storytime with Senora Rachel
11 – 11:50 AM | Rachel Rodriguez
12:30 – 1:20 PM | Canción: Flowers Of Spanish Song (with the Nashville Opera)
2 – 3:20 PM | AB Band

FLC Courtyard (Dance Performances):
10:30 – 10:50 AM | Aztec Dancers
12 – 12:30 PM | Folklore Iyali
1:30 – 2 PM | Glencliff Ballet Folklorico
3:30 – 4 PM | Aztec Dancers

Food Vendors

Beer Garden
Little Cancun on the Go

Parking Lot B
Caracasville
Delicias Colombianas RR
Nelly’s Peruvian Sweets
The Inka Trailer
Maria’s Snacks
Sieté Luminarias

FLC Courtyard
Amor y Churros
Conexion Americas

Art & Good Vendors

Bows by Nici
Bisutería Nashville
La Casa Azul
Cheekwood
Cindy David Designs
Happy Phantom
Najah Cuidado Artesanal
Nina’s Colores
Skulls & Roses
The Llama House
Valentina Harper
Vera Art

Sunday, October 29

Entertainment

Main Stage
11 – 11:50 AM | Rosa Rodriguez
12:30 – 1:20 PM | Duo Sudeste
2 – 3:20 PM | Luna Morena and Serenatta

FLC Courtyard (Dance Performances)
10:15 – 10:45 AM | Aztec Dancers
12 – 12:30 PM | Mi Cielito Lindo
1:30 – 2 PM | Baila
3:30 – 4 PM | Aztec Dancers

Food Vendors

Beer Garden
MOREMPANADAS

Parking Lot B
Caracasville
Nelly’s Peruvian Sweets
The Inka Trailer
Maria’s Snacks
Sieté Luminarias
Delicias Colombianas RR

FLC Courtyard
Amor y Churros
Panecito Kale

Art & Good Vendors

Bows by Nici
Bisutería Nashville
La Casa Azul
Cheekwood
Cindy David Designs
Happy Phantom
Najah Cuidado Artesanal
Nina’s Colores
Skulls & Roses
The Llama House
Valentina Harper
Vera Art

Murals / Los Murales

Murals depicting the Day of the Dead have a strong history throughout Latin America, highlighted by the works of Diego Rivera and José Guadalupe Posada, the creator of the iconic Catrina figure. Finding inspiration in these artists, students from local middle and high schools will create large-scale works which will hang in the Great Hall.

Participating Schools

Buckhorn High School
Culleoka Spanish Club
Cane Ridge High School Visual Arts
McMurray Middle School
Hume Fogg
St. Cecilia Academy Spanish Club
Summit High School – National Art Honors Society
Stratford STEM Magnet High School

Meigs Academic Middle
Nolensville High School – Los Caballeros
East Nashville Middle School
USN – Lucha Group
USN – International Club
Shelbyville Spanish Club
Glencliff High School International Club

Altars

Participating Organizations

Alvéole
FUTURO, Inc.
International Club USN
KIPP Nashville
MLK Spanish Honor Society

MNPD Family Intervention Program
Mundito Spanish
Paragon Mills Elementary
Shelbyville Spanish Club
Voces de Nashville

Cheekwood is grateful for the support and guidance of the

El Día de los Muertos Advisory Committee:

Maricruz Flores, Cheekwood Volunteer
David Julseth, Belmont University
Luisa Mattos da Costa, Vanderbilt Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies
Claudia Nielson, Catholic Charities
Rachel Rodriguez, Performer and Entrepreneur
Arcelia Vasquez, USN
Ofelia Vázquez, La Mision ConArte
Jose Vera, Artist
Suzy Vera, Cheekwood Volunteer

Reserve Tickets

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Saturday Sounds at Cheekwood

Outdoor music starts at Cheekwood with the magic of Saturday Sounds…

a day filled with exceptional musical performances by the region’s top bands, delectable offerings from the city’s favorite food trucks, and spirited libations.

Musical Performances

April 6

Rebecca Frazier and Hit & Run | 11 AM – 1 PM
Bluegrass flat-picking guitar virtuoso and vocalist with high energy five-piece band

Tim Gartland | 11 AM – 1 PM
Blues harmonica master performing electric Chicago Blues with his dynamic four-piece band

April 13 | 12 – 2 PM

Denny Jiosa
World renowned guitarist performing electrifying jazz rock with his sensational band

April 20: Dogs and Dogwoods | 12 – 2 PM

Charles Treadway Organ Trio
Hammond organ maestro performing jazz, funk, and soul with his 3-piece band

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Sunday Jazz at Cheekwood

On Sundays, virtuosic jazz quartets made up of Nashville Musicians Association members make mastery look easy.

First-class players who have performed with giants in jazz and world music delve into styles ranging from straight-ahead swing and syncopated Latin rhythms to smooth jazz, bebop, and more. Grab a picnic table or bring a blanket and kick back to enjoy a perfect day.

Musical Performances

March 31 | 12 – 2 PM

Les Sabler
A dynamic force in modern jazz guitar with his powerhouse quartet

April 7 | 12 – 2 PM

Jacob Jezioro Quartet
Top-tier bassist performing contemporary jazz with an exceptional quartet

April 14 | 12 – 2 PM

Lisa Stewart
Traditional jazz vocalist performing with Nashville’s finest and most sought-after musicians

April 21 | 12 – 2 PM

Chester Thompson
Legendary drummer performing iconic contemporary jazz tunes with an all-star quartet

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Piano in the Mansion

Chris Walters is a coveted keyboard maestro, celebrated performer, and highly sought-after session artist. His mesmerizing talent has graced stages worldwide, sharing the spotlight with music luminaries, solidifying his place as a preeminent name in the world of music.

The Cheekwood Mansion’s exquisite Steinway piano has a rich history. Originally a wedding gift from Leslie Cheek, Jr.’s mother, Mabel Cheek, to Leslie and Mary Tyler in 1939, this instrument is a true gem, signed by Theodore E. Steinway with a heartfelt inscription. The piano returned to the Drawing Room in 2017, where it has been meticulously maintained and tuned regularly. With nearly perfect original keytops, it’s in superb playing condition, ensuring a captivating musical experience that transports you to a bygone era of elegance and artistry. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to revel in the timeless beauty of music in a truly historic setting.

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Piano in the Mansion

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