Switchback’s Day of the Dead Show 2006

By Brenda Winslow

On October 28, fans from several states gathered for the fifth annual Switchback Día de los Muertos Show at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, Ill. The nightclub’s side bar room had been transformed into a magical space to honor loved ones departed from this world. To the left of the stage, the focal point of the room was a homemade ofrenda, or traditional three-tiered altar, decorated with sugar skulls, votives, and brightly colored cloths. Members of the audience were encouraged to place a photo of a loved one or a piece of paper with a name and memory written on it on the altar. Festive papel picado – colored tissue paper with elaborate cut-out designs – was hung against the black curtain at the back of the stage, and the traditional día de los muertos flower, the marigold, lent its orange cheer to every corner. Skulls and skeletons, symbolizing death and rebirth, grinned benignly around the candlelit room. Eat your heart out, Jerry Garcia!

El Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday (with pre-Christian Aztec roots) to honor and celebrate loves ones who have died. At this time of year, the veil between the worlds are thin, so deceased friends and relatives can come close for a visit. Families build ofrendas decked with photos of their dead and candles to guide the spirits to the altar, which also bears offerings of their favorite food and drink. A trip to the cemetery for a nighttime vigil around the family gravesite completes the celebration. The holiday encourages us to embrace death instead of fearing it, and this positive attitude has allowed it to spread among other cultures.

First on the stage was Melissa McClelland, accompanied by her husband, Luke Doucet. Melissa’s sweet voice and lyrics – make that, not so sweet lyrics, which was wonderful! – charmed the audience. Visit Melissa’s MySpace here and watch her beautifully shot videos, which just enhance her great songwriting. The rich tones coming from Luke’s stunning white electric guitar was just a taste of what we would hear from him later that night.

Next, Switchback took the stage. Switchback fans were not disappointed! With only standing room left, FitzGerald’s was jumping with people clapping, screaming, and dancing. Marty and Brian played mixed the usual crowd-pleasing originals with some rare tunes.

Luke returned, this time supported by Melissa, and we got to hear him croon his way through a host of different musical styles, each handled expertly and uniquely complemented by that incredible guitar. A lot of the songs Luke performed were the fruit of a bad break-up, which resides squarely in the neighborhood of art now that Luke met and married Melissa. They made a great team and were as lovely and friendly off stage as they were on.

Finally, Switchback asked Luke to join them on stage for a few fantastic numbers. Fans would not let them leave until a great encore capped off the night!

If there were any dead sleeping - they were certainly woken up for dancing and drinking that night! Adios -- see you next year!

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A favorite event among Switchback fans, some of the success and popularity of the Day of the Dead show is due in part to Switchback fans and friends who prepare these decorations for the space. This year, H.T. Trochelman crafted the beautiful, hollow wooden tiers for the altar. Mary Anne Duve (better known in the Switchback family as Switchback Rose) once again delighted our taste buds with a new, orange zest-perfumed recipe of her pan de los muertos rolls (bread of the dead!). The collection of calaveras (sugar skulls) on the altar grows as more are added every year, and all but one have been hand-painted by Marty McCormack and Anne de Courtenay. Anne, Marty, Shawn and Jen also helped to make this year’s crop of hand-painted skull magnets. Thanks to everyone who helped set up and make the event extra special this year!