Day of the Dead celebrations get more elaborate each year. In Southern California alone, the events that mark the holiday have gone from DIY home altars to elaborate community-wide exhibits that pay homage to friends and family that have passed.
Live music performances, dance showcases, lectures, workshops, art shows, cooking classes, and book readings are now part of the festivities as well. Most of these are organized as free community events that allow the entire family to participate in the tradition.
Although Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 2nd, the celebrations have already begun. Here are a few of the 2012 Day of the Dead celebrations taking place in the greater Los Angeles area that will have you dancing, cooking and enjoying the tradition in more ways than one.
Friday, October 19th
6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Cooking Class with Chichen Itzá: Join Chef Gilberto Cetina of Chichen Itzá to learn how to prepare the traditional Mayan Dia de Los Muertos menu.
Cookingwithchichenitza.eventbrite.com
Friday, October 26th
6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Cooking Class with Taqueria Vista Hermosa: Join Chef Raul Morales of Taqueria Vista Hermosa to learn how to prepare a traditional Day of the Dead Menu from Michoacán.
Cookingwithvistahermosa.eventbrite.com
Saturday, October 27, 2012
noon – midnight
Hollywood Forever Cemetery 13th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration: As the largest celebration of its kind in California, the event will include a vibrant traditional procession with traditional Aztec blessings and Regional Musical-Dance group dedications, musical performances by Ozomatli, La Santa Cecilia, Very Be Careful, Las Cafeteras and Tribu, as well as the event’s traditional altar showcases.
Ladayofthedead.com
Sunday, October 28, 2012
11:00 am – 5:30pm
3rd Annual Rose Hills Dia de los Muertos Cultural Festival: The event will feature food trucks, arts & crafts, artisan vendros, art showcase, and live performances by folklorico group Tierra Blanca, Mariachi Trompetas de Mexico and Conjunto Los Pochos.
Dayofthedead-rosehills.com
Thursday, November 1st
3:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Historic Downtown San Pedro’s 6th Annual Dia de Los Muertos Festival: Enjoy art, culture, delicious cuisine and live entertainment by the Grammy Award winning Mariachi Divas. The festival will also include a Sacred Altar Exhibition, freshly prepared Latin American foods, handmade jewelry, clothing and other specialty items made by local artisans. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in costume and enter the Costume Contest or get their faces decoratively painted.
Sanpedrodayofthedead.com
Friday, November 2nd
7:00 p.m.-11:00p.m.
Al Borde’s Day of the Dead Music & Art Festival: This year, Al Borde will celebrate Day of the Dead with a psychedelic twist. Santoros, an indie rock band from Echo Park, Ca, has been summoned to entertain the crowd, which is usually in the hundreds and includes toddlers, teenagers, adults, and elders. Sponsored by El Clasificado, the Day of the Dead celebration will also include food, drinks, a DJ, and Day of the Dead knick-knacks for purchase.
Diadelosmuertosalborde.eventbrite.com
