The Project Humanities series is back for its second semester, aiming to illustrate the interactions between humanities and human endeavors through activities, programs and events.
“The major focus is to bring the humanities to the public — make the public aware — and celebrate it,” said Mirna Lattouf, lecturer in the School of Letters and Sciences. “We are trying to show the diversity of contributions in Arizona through the Humanities — specifically Music.”
Thursday night’s Project Humanities event featured the Zarco Guerrero Family Chicano Musical Group, with Mexican Mask Maker, Zarco, performing at the Civic Space Park at the Downtown campus.
The Zarco Guerrero Family Chicano Musical Group has been around since the early ‘80s, said Carmen Guerrero, the main singer and guitarist of the multi-instrumental dancing, singing duo.
Her musical partner, Zarco Guerrero, an internationally acclaimed mask maker, performs a skit for every one of his masks.
His characters range from “The Smoker,” a man who has been smoking since elementary school, to a woman in a skirt and shawl who tells the story of La Llorona, a famous Mexican legend of a woman who kills her children by drowning them in her attempt to be with the man she loves.
Thursday night’s show was focused on El Día de Los Muertos, The Day of the Dead, and included original songs such as “If I Die Tomorrow,” and a song of La Llorona to go along with the skit.
Carmen Guerrero said this particular show was put together because “Life needs to be celebrated.”
The show is meant to be uplifting and inspiring, to celebrate the dead instead of mourning them and to celebrate life, she said.
The Guerreros also promote multi-cultural appreciation, family values and unity through their concerts, which are performed at schools, conferences and festivals around the community.
The Guerreros are promoted as being different from other local artists, because they do more than entertain; they also educate their audience on the history and origins of their music.
According to the Guerrero family, they have “embarked on a musical journey,” a journey that Project Humanities has brought to ASU.
Reach the reporter at jasmine.barta@asu.edu
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