2 - One of the most spirited events in the Bay Area is the San Francisco Day of the Dead Procession and Festival of Altars, which invites guests to dress up in their favorite Dia de los Muertos garb, and walk through the historic streets of the Mission District. Each year more than 70 artists build elaborate installation altars that in the past have dealt with contemporary issues like health care, presidential election, and neighborhood violence.

2 guests are invited to dress up in calaca attire and partake in the traditional ceremonial blessing and enjoy musical performances, face painting, children's workshop, food and craft vendors.ĮNDS NOV.10 - Calling on the Spirits to Face the Future is SOMArts' annual Dia de los Muertos art group exhibition show. Self Help Graphics will also host a group art exhibition titled Memories That Never Die from Oct. 1- 39th annual Self Help Graphics Dia de los Muertos Celebration: During this Community Altar Night participants are invited to contribute to altars on display by placing special tokens of remembrance, and the night also includes poetry readings and pan de muerto. Also, Day of the Dead face paint is highly suggested! The evening should be a stellar one which includes music performances by Ceci Bastida, among others, Johnny Vatos Boingo Dance Party featuring former members of Oingo Boingo, a DJ set by Gil Cerezo of Kinky and much more. 2 - Eastside Luv, a beloved wine bar in the area, presents their 7th annual Dia De Los Dead hosted by the Culture Clash's Richard Montoya, Alexis De La Rocha of Beatmo & MorrisseyOke. Lucha VaVOOM will get in the ring alongside sexy ladies and stand-up comedy. 25-26 - What's scarier than kids dressing up as the Twilight cast? Mexican masked wrestlers.

25-NOV 1- Dia de los Muertos at La Placita Olvera: One of the oldest streets in Los Angeles and a popular Mexican marketplace is hosting a slew of events including Azteca dancers, mariachi music, children's workshops, community altars, art exhibits and more. Ultimately, the heart of Dia de los Muertos - for me, anyway - involves cherishing more time with my parents as they recall memories of grandparents that I never met while we clean their tombstones and place flowers and pan dulce atop. While I see Halloween as a time to dress up like characters in horror films, Day of the Dead for me is like going back in time in which I remember the past while also dressing up in traditional Mexican dresses and rebozos. We also celebrate with huge parties to give thanks to our own lives and those who are still around us. Couldn't be further from reality, as we rejoice the lives of those we love and who are no longer on Earth. Mainstream America, and the general public worldwide for that matter, have taken on this ancient Mexican tradition and repurposed it to include all the Day of the Dead staples (such as vigil processions to-and-from cemeteries), while also incorporating new customs such as hosting art exhibitions with a theme that corresponds to the holiday.īecause Day of the Dead, which takes place on November 2nd, follows Halloween, some people might conclude that Dia de los Muertos is an evil holiday in which Mexicans praise death. It's based on two principles in particular: One, it celebrates the lives of people who've passed away by luring them with gifts so they return to visit us and two, it's about reminiscing with friends and family, among brightly-colored decorations such as luminous marigolds, strands of hanging papel picado, and ornate calacas (spirited skeletons). For starters, Mexicans have been honoring Day of the Dead, (or All Souls Day and All Saints Day as it's also known by Catholics) for thousands of years. I know what you're thinking:'Sugar skulls and the birth of Christ? How can these two events possibly have anything in common?' This festive celebration combines my two favorite holidays: Halloween and Christmas. 26, 2012— - I live for Dia de los Muertos.

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