Day of the Dead

It is considered a very important holiday by many Filipinos (next in importance to Christmas and Holy Week), and additional days are normally given as special non-working holidays (only November 1 is a regular holiday).
. Playing card games, eating, drinking, singing, and dancing are common activities inside the cemetery, apparently to cope with boredom. Years reflect the year in which the awards were presented, for music released in the previous year. Since its supposed to be about spending time with dead relatives, families usually camp in cemeteries – with some choosing to spend a night or two near their relatives' tombs. World. Tombs are cleaned or repainted, candles are lit, and flowers are offered. Traditional Pop.

It is seen as an opportunity to be with the departed and is done in a somewhat more solemn way. Spoken. In the Philippines, it is called Araw ng mga Patay (literally, Day of the Dead) or Undas and has more of a "family reunion" atmosphere. Surround Sound. In some parts of the country, children in costumes roam the streets, asking passersby for a "calaverita", a small gift of money; they don't knock on people's doors. Rock. Other special foods for Día de Muertos includes pan de muerto (bread of the dead), a sweet egg bread made in many shapes, from plain rounds to skulls and rabbits. Reggae.

Sugar skulls, inscribed with the names of the recipient on the forehead, are often eaten by a relative or friend. Rap. A common symbol of the holiday is the skull (colloquially called calavera), which celebrants represent in masks, called calacas (colloquial term for "skeleton"). R&B. Theatrical presentations of Don Juan Tenorio by José Zorrilla (1817–1893) are also traditional on this day. Production and engineering. Newspapers dedicate calaveras to public figures, with cartoons of skeletons in the style of José Guadalupe Posada. Pop.

This custom originated in the 18th-19th century, after a newspaper published a poem narrating a dream of a cemetery in the future, "and all of us were dead", proceeding to "read" the tombstones. Polka. Those gifted like to write "calaveras" – short poems mocking epitaphs of friends. Packaging and notes. Government offices usually have at least a small altar, as this holiday is seen as a valuable part of the mexican heritage. New Age. Public schools at all levels build altars with offerings, usually omitting the religious symbols. Music Video.

Traditionally, families may spend some time around the altar telling stories about the deceased relatives as well as spend time praying. Musical Show. These altars usually have the Christian Cross, statues or pictures of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pictures of deceased relatives and other persons, flowers such as marigolds, and many, many candles. Latin. Some families do build altars or small shrines in their homes. Jazz. In some parts of Mexico, such as the towns of Mixquic, Pátzcuaro and Janitzio, people spend all night beside the graves of their relatives. Historical.

Some people believe the spirits of the deceased eat the spirit of the food, so even though they eat the food from the ofrendas after the festivity, they think it lacks nutritional value. Gospel. Ofrendas are also put in homes, usually with foods and beverages dedicated to the deceased. Folk. Families will also offer trinkets or the deceased's favorite candies on the grave. Film/TV/Media. These include wreaths of an orange marigold (also referred to as Flor de Muerto, the "flower of the dead", in Spanish, or zempoalxochitl, (twenty-flower) in Nahuatl, a term that has been carried into modern Mexican Spanish as cempazúchil), which are thought to attract the souls of the dead toward the offerings; toys, brought for dead children (los angelitos, or little angels); and bottles of tequila, mezcal, pulque or atole for adults. Disco.

Wealthier families build altars in their homes, but most simply visit the cemeteries where their loved ones are buried and decorate their graves with ofrendas, or offerings. Dance. During the period of October 31 and November 2 families usually clean and decorate the graves. Country. Plans for the festival are made throughout the year, including gathering the goods that will be offered to the dead. Composing and arranging. The souls of children are believed to return first on November 1, with adult spirits following on November 2. Comedy.

Indigenous people of the Americas often would outwardly adopt the European rituals, while maintaining their original native beliefs. Classical. This is an example of syncretism or the blending of a significant event from two different cultural traditions. Children's. The Spanish combined their custom of All Souls' Day with the similar Mesoamerican festival, creating the Día de los Muertos, The Day of the Dead. Blues. All Saints' Day is the day after Halloween, which was in turn based on the earlier pagan ritual of Samhain, the Celtic day and feast of the dead. Alternative.

When the Spanish Conquistadors arrived in America in the 15th century they were appalled at the indigenous pagan practices, and in an attempt to convert the locals to Roman Catholicism moved the popular festival to the beginning of November to coincide with the Catholic All Saints and All Souls days. Béla Fleck has been nominated in more categories than any other musician, namely country, pop, jazz, bluegrass, classical, folk, and spoken word, as well as composition and arranging. The festivities were dedicated to the celebration of children and the lives of dead relatives. Christopher Cross (Grammy Awards of 1981) and Norah Jones (Grammy Awards of 2003) are the only artists to receive the "Big Four" (Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist) in a single ceremony. Festivities were presided over by the goddess Mictecacihuatl, known as the "Lady of the Dead". The most Grammys won in a single night is eight -- a record shared by Michael Jackson (1984), and Carlos Santana (2000). The festival which was to become Día de Muertos fell on the ninth month of the Aztec Solar Calendar, near the start of August, and was celebrated for the entire month. Conductor Sir Georg Solti holds the record for most Grammys won, having won a total of thirty-eight awards before his death in 1997.

It was common practice to keep skulls as trophies and display them during rituals to symbolize death and rebirth. Soul and R&B legend Aretha Franklin has won 11 awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, including 8 consecutive (and the first 8 ever awarded) awards in the category:. Rituals celebrating the lives of dead ancestors had been performed by these Mesoamerican civilizations for at least 3,000 years. Legendary Opera Diva Leontyne Price has won 18 awards. The origins of the celebration of The Day of the Dead in Mexico can be traced back to the indigenous peoples of the Americas, such as the Aztec, Maya, Purepecha, Nahual and Totonac. Session drummer Hal Blaine played on six consecutive records which won Record of the Year:. . Metheny, as of the 2004 Grammy Awards, holds the record for Grammy wins in the most different categories:.

In Mexico, despite the morbid subject matter, this holiday is celebrated joyfully, and though it occurs at the same time as Halloween, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day, the mood of The Day of the Dead is much lighter, with the emphasis on celebrating and honoring the lives of the deceased, rather than fearing evil or malevolent spirits. Pat Metheny and the Pat Metheny Group have won 16 Grammys in total, including six consecutive awards for six consecutive albums. It is a public holiday in Brazil, and a large number of people celebrate it there typically by visiting cemeteries and churches, taking flowers, lighting candles, and praying. . This time is especially notable in Mexico where it is primarily viewed as a public Mexican holiday, and it is also celebrated in communities in the United States with large populations of Mexican-Americans, the Philippines and to a lesser extent elsewhere in some countries of Latin America. The Grammys are currently broadcast on CBS. The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos, Día de los Difuntos or, simply, Día de Muertos in Spanish) is a Catholic celebration of the memory of deceased ancestors that is celebrated on November 1 (All Saints) and November 2 (All Souls). So, for example, John Lennon & Yoko Ono's album Double Fantasy was released in November, 1980, a month-and-a-half too late to qualify for the 1981 Grammys, and thus eligible for the 1982 awards (it eventually won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year).

“A Crack Between the Worlds.” Commonwealth 122 (1995) : 13-16. Unlike the Academy Awards, for which the eligibility period begins January 1, the eligibility period for the Grammys begins October 1, which results in September being considered the Christmas sales period for the music industry (in which artists generally release big albums to qualify for the next year's Grammy). Roy, Ann. Of the "big three" music awards shows, the Grammys are the highest rated. < http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/history/ >. In fact, many artists who are placed in high regard, artistically, by many fans and critics (such as Elvis Presley, Mariah Carey, Garth Brooks, Pink Floyd, Kenny Rogers, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, ) have been awarded very few Grammys. 1 Nov 2004. Hence, the Grammys are not taken seriously by some musicians and music fans.

Day of the Dead – History. Some feel that because Grammy voters tend to vote conservatively, and are marketed to by record companies, the most widely-recognized Grammys tend to go to either well-established artists or those being hyped by the recording industry. Miller, Carlos. The awards ceremony features performances by prominent artists, and some of the more prominent Grammys are presented in a widely-viewed televised ceremony. Catholic 62 (1997) : 50. The awards are named for the trophy which the winner receives - a small gilded statuette of a gramophone, handcrafted by Billings Artworks. “Death Takes a Holiday.” U.S. Like the Oscars, the Grammys, which currently have 108 categories within 30 genres of music (such as pop, gospel, and rap), are voted upon by peers - voting members of the Recording Academy - rather than being based upon popularity (as with the AMAs) or sales and chart achievements (the BMAs).

Garcia-Rivera, Alex. However, the Grammys, usually held in February, (last of what are considered the "big three" music awards shows, including the BMA and AMA shows) are considered the approximate equivalent to the Oscars, in the music world. Catholic 66 (2001) : 38-41. The Grammy Awards (originally the Gramophone Awards), presented by the Recording Academy (an association of Americans professionally involved in the recorded music industry) for outstanding achievements in the recording industry, is one of four major music awards shows held annually in the United States (the Billboard Music Awards, the American Music Awards, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, make up the rest). “Death Takes A Holiday.” U.S. Best Contemporary World Music Album. Conklin, Paul. Best Traditional World Music Album.

Great Britain: The Bath Press, 1991. Best World Music Album. The Skeleton at the Feast: The Day of the Dead in Mexico. Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Sayer, Chloe. Best Spoken Comedy Album. Carmichael, Elizabeth. Best Spoken Word Album.

“The Day of the Dead, Halloween, and the Quest for Mexican National Identity.” Journal of American Folklore 442 (1998) : 359-80. Best Surround Sound Album. Brandes, Stanley. Best Rock Album. In it, the dead live in a world of their own, resembling the one they had in life. Best Rock Song. The 2005 film Corpse Bride was also influenced by this holiday. Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental.

In this movie, poor farmer Macario meets Death himself, and receives a gift from him. Best Metal Performance. The renowned Mexican motion picture Macario starts on this day. Best Hard Rock Performance. However this Day of the Dead draws upon Celtic mythology in reference to the calendar. Best Rock Instrumental Performance. In the novel The Grey King by Susan Cooper, a rhyme states that Will Stanton's quest will begin "On the day of the dead, when the year too dies". Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

This scene is inaccurate, since Puerto Rico, the place where the scene is set, does not celebrate el Día de los Muertos. Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo. The film Assassins, starring Sylvester Stallone and Antonio Banderas, has a scene that takes place during a Día de los Muertos procession. Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. The climax of the 1996 motion picture The Crow: City of Angels takes place during the Day of the Dead. Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. The finale of the second season of Dead Like Me revolves around and includes the myths of this day, such that the reapers (death) appear as they did in life. Best Reggae Album.

Barbara Hambly's novel Days Of The Dead (2003) sets its climax on this day in 1835. Best Rap Album. The climax of the motion picture Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) is set amidst a parade that day. Best Rap Song. The 1998 Babylon 5 episode "Day of the Dead" is centered around an alien tradition with a more literal interpretation of the Mexican holiday's "returning spirits". Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Backdrop to an episode from Season 1 of Carnivàle.. Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

The intended title for the game was "Deeds of the Dead". Best Male Rap Solo Performance. The main character is named "Manny Calavera", and is an skeleton in a formal suit. Best Female Rap Solo Performance. The 1998 Tim Schafer computer adventure game "Grim Fandango" is set on this day in the land of the dead and includes many allusions to the celebration, as well as other aspects of Mexican folklore. Best Rap Solo Performance. The climax of the animated film The Halloween Tree (1993) occurs after an explanation of the Day of the Dead. Best Rap Performance.

The motion picture Bound by Honor (1993) uses the Day of the Dead to emphasize and to illustrate some of its plot points. Best Contemporary R&B Album. In the play A Streetcar Named Desire (1947) by Tennessee Williams the Mexican woman selling 'Flores para los muertos' is a symbol of the way death seems to haunt the character of Blanche DuBois. Best R&B Album. The novel Under the Volcano (1947) by Malcolm Lowry takes place in on this day in a fictionalized Cuernavaca, Morelos. Best R&B Song. Best Rhythm & Blues Recording.

Best Urban/Alternative Performance. Best R&B Instrumental Performance. Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance. Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

Best R&B Solo Vocal Performance, Male or Female. Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Remixer of the Year, Non-Classical.

Producer of the Year, Classical. Producer of the Year, Non-Classical. Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical. Best Engineered Recording - Special or Novel Effects.

Best Engineered Album, Classical. Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. Best Pop Instrumental Album. Best Pop Vocal Album.

Best Contemporary Song. Best Pop Instrumental Performance with Vocal Coloring. Best Pop Instrumental Performance. Best Performance by an Orchestra or Instrumentalist with Orchestra - Primarily Not Jazz or for Dancing.

Best Performance by an Orchestra - for Dancing. Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. Best Contemporary Performance by a Chorus. Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Best Contemporary (R&R) Solo Vocal Performance - Male or Female. Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Best Instrumental Performance.

Best Performance by a Vocal Group or Chorus. Best Performance by a Chorus. Best Performance by a Vocal Group. Best Vocal Performance, Male.

Best Vocal Performance, Female. Best Polka Album. Best Album Notes - Classical. Best Album Notes.

Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package. Best Recording Package. Best Album Cover, Photography. Best Album Cover, Graphic Arts.

Best Album Cover - Other Than Classical. Best Album Cover - Classical. Best Album Cover. Best New Age Album.

Video of the Year. Best Performance Music Video. Best Concept Music Video. Best Long Form Music Video.

Best Short Form Music Video. Best Sound Track Album or Recording of Original Cast From a Motion Picture or Television. Best Musical Show Album. Best Salsa/Merengue Album.

Best Merengue Album. Best Salsa Album. Best Tejano Album. Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album.

Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album. Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album. Best Latin Pop Album. Best Latin Recording.

Best Latin Jazz Album. Best Contemporary Jazz Album. Best Jazz Vocal Album. Best Original Jazz Composition.

Best Jazz Fusion Performance. Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group. Best Jazz Instrumental Solo.

Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group. Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Male. Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female. Best Historical Album.

Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album. Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album. Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album.

Best Rock Gospel Album. Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. Best Inspirational Performance. Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group, Choir or Chorus.

Best Soul Gospel Performance, Male or Female. Best Soul Gospel Performance, Male. Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female. Best Soul Gospel Performance, Contemporary.

Best Soul Gospel Performance, Traditional. Best Soul Gospel Performance. Best Gospel Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group, Choir or Chorus. Best Gospel Vocal Performance, Male.

Best Gospel Vocal Performance, Female. Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary. Best Gospel Performance, Traditional. Best Gospel Performance.

Best Hawaiian Music Album. Best Native American Music Album. Best Contemporary Folk Album. Best Traditional Folk Album.

Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording. Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media (previously in the "composing and arranging" field). Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media (previously in the "composing and arranging" field). Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.

Best Disco Recording. Best Electronic/Dance Album. Best Dance Recording (previously in "Pop"). Best New Country & Western Artist.

Best Bluegrass Album. Best Country Album. Best Country Song. Best Country & Western Single.

Best Country & Western Recording. Best Country Instrumental Performance. Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Best Country Performance, Duo or Group - Vocal or Instrumental. Best Male Country Vocal Performance. Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices.

Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s). Best Instrumental Arrangement. Best Arrangement. Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media (now in the "film/TV/media" field).

Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media (now in the "Film/TV/Media" field). Best Instrumental Composition. Best Spoken Comedy Album. Best Comedy Album.

Best New Classical Artist. Best Classical Crossover Album. Best Classical Album. Best Classical Contemporary Composition.

Best Chamber Music Performance. Best Small Ensemble Performance (with or without conductor). Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without orchestra). Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with orchestra).

Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist or Soloists (with or without orchestra). Best Choral Performance. Best Opera Recording. Best Classical Performance, Operatic or Choral.

Best Classical Vocal Performance. Best Orchestral Performance. Best Spoken Word Album for Children. Best Musical Album for Children.

Best Album for Children. Best Contemporary Blues Album. Best Traditional Blues Album. Best Alternative Music Album.

Grammy Trustees Award. Grammy Tech Award. Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Grammy Legend Award.

Grammy Hall of Fame. Best New Artist. Song of the Year. Album of the Year.

Record of the Year. 1988 - Aretha. 1986 - "Freeway of Love". 1982 - "Hold On, I'm Comin'".

1975 - "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing". 1974 - "Master of Eyes". 1973 - Young, Gifted, and Black. 1972 - "Bridge Over Troubled Water".

1971 - "Don't Play That Song". 1970 - "Share Your Love With Me". 1969 - "Chain of Fools". 1968 - "Respect".

1971 Simon & Garfunkel - "Bridge Over Troubled Water". 1970 5th Dimension - "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In". Robinson". 1969 Simon & Garfunkel - "Mrs.

1968 5th Dimension - "Up, Up and Away". 1967 Frank Sinatra - "Strangers in the Night". 1966 Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass - "A Taste of Honey". Best New Age Album (2004).

Best Jazz Instrumental Solo (2001). Best Rock Instrumental Performance (1999). Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Individual or Group (1998, 2000). Best Contemporary Jazz Performance/Album (1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2003).

Best Instrumental Composition (1991). Best Jazz Fusion Performance (1983, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1990).