Day of Volunteer for Fèt Gede at The New Orleans Healing Center

ABOUT THE EVENT:

What: Day of the Dead/Fet Gede (Pronounced: Fet Gehdeh)

When: Saturday, November 1st, 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm

Where: New Orleans Healing Center, 2372 St Claude Ave, corner of St Roch. The event will take place in the Grand Hall.

A Celebration of the Dead

For 44 years, La Source Ancienne Ounfo, a New Orleans-based Vodou society, has celebrated the Day of the Dead/Fet Gede with an annual Vodou ceremony. The celebration offers a comforting reminder that our Dead are not gone, and we can honor and visit with them as a community. In turn, our memory of them keeps their spirits alive and present.

The event coincides with the Mexican Days of the Dead, which occur at the end of October and the beginning of November, when the veil between the living and the dead is believed to be most diffuse. During this time, the Dead return to visit the living. This tradition also aligns with Fet Gede, the festival for the Gede, a family of Haitian Vodou spirits who are the patrons of the Dead.

About the Gede Spirits

The Gede is a family of Haitian Vodou spirits who are the patrons of the Dead. The entire month of November is dedicated to their celebrations in Haiti, though they are especially honored during the first few days of the month. Gede is a trickster who stands at the crossroads between life and death. Described as cocky, crude, and often embarrassing, he is the patron of death, sex, and regeneration. However, he is also the patron of young children and a great healer in life-or-death situations. His colors are purple, black, and white. He is often depicted wearing a top hat and tails or gravedigger's garb and sunglasses, sometimes with only one lens.

Event Schedule & Activities

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Happy Hour

All Evening:

• Dead/Ancestor Altars: Various artists, including Sallie Ann Glassman, Edna Fuentes, Divine Prince Ty Emmeca, and others, will present altars. Attendees are encouraged to bring photos or mementos of their deceased loved ones for the main altar.
• Art Installation: Visit the "Flying Spirits" art installation by Edouard Duval-Carrie in the pocket park.
• Market: The Day of the Dead/Fet Gede market will feature various community vendors.

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Ceremony by Sallie Ann Glassman and initiated members of La Source Ancienne Ounfo and master drummers in the Grand Hall.

• Dress Code: Attendees are asked to wear white with purple head scarves or purple and black, which are the colors of the Gede.
• Offerings: Please bring an offering for the Gede or your ancestors. The Gede enjoy items such as rum, cigars, top hats, flatbreads, peppers, and Day of the Dead figurines.

10:00 pm - 10:30 pm: Procession to feed the Dead, say prayers from various traditions, and pass a flame.

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Why We Honor Our Ancestors

Standing behind each of us is a long line of ancestors who continue to love and guide us. By honoring the Dead, we embrace the meaning of our own lives and create space for future generations. The New Orleans Healing Center and its businesses will be illuminated for the occasion, offering a new way to experience the space

What we are looking for?

The New Orleans Healing Center (NOHC) is looking for energetic and reliable volunteers to support our annual Fèt Gede celebration on Saturday, November 1, 2025. Fèt Gede is a vibrant Haitian Day of the Dead festival honoring ancestors, celebrating life, and uplifting community healing. Volunteers will play a vital role in bringing the event to life by assisting with set-up, decorating, bar support, and break-down at the end of the night.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist with event set-up, including arranging tables, chairs, and decorations
• Help decorate the venue in alignment with Fèt Gede themes and colors
• Support bar staff with serving (21+ only), replenishing supplies, and keeping the bar area clean
• Greet and engage guests as needed during the event
• Participate in event break-down and clean-up after the celebration

Qualifications:

• Dependable and ready to lend a hand where needed
• Positive attitude and willingness to work as part of a team
• Comfortable in a lively, high-energy community setting
• Must be 21+ to assist with bar support

Time Commitment:

• Saturday, November 1, 2025
• Shifts available in the afternoon for set-up, evening during the event, and late evening for break-down
• Volunteers may choose one shift or stay for the full event

Benefits:

• Be part of a meaningful and joyful Haitian cultural celebration
• Hands-on event experience with set-up, décor, and hospitality
• Connect with community members, artists, and organizers
• Celebrate together and enjoy the energy of Fèt Gede!

How to Apply:

Email Jj at NOHC (admin@nohc.org) by October 10, 2025 to sign up. Please indicate which shift(s) you are available for (set-up, event/bar, break-down, or all).