The Extincted Species altar at BanSUPrefill (Photo – Chris Peck)
Looking for a unique event that will interest and intrigue the young and old, as well as families, couples, and friends alike?
By Cheryl Auger
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a celebration of both life and death that originated in Mexico is traditionally celebrated November 1 & 2. Altars built for this celebration allow us to briefly reunite with the dead and to provide ofrendas or offerings to celebrate their lives. These ofrendas entice their souls to visit us on earth to hear the prayers and smell the food and enjoy the celebrations. The dead might be represented by photos or other facsimiles that reflect their physical likeness of their time on earth. The offerings can be favorite foods, or drinks, or flowers, or sentiments of appreciation. Throughout the altars you will see skulls or calaveras that are painted with upward facing smiles to laugh at death. You will also see marigolds that will help guide the dead souls to the ofrendas.
South Pasadena
Los Vecinos de South Pasadena (Photo – SouthPasadenaHomes.com)
If you are in South Pasadena there is a Dia de los Muertos Altar at the South Pasadena Library. South Pasadena resident Derek Vaughan helped Los Vecinos de South Pasadena create the altar to honor 3 Latin Americans who were instrumental in making our world more fair and just. The altar was built for Cruz Reynoso, a former American civil rights lawyer, Yolanda Margarita López an American painter, printmaker, educator, and film producer, and Vanessa Guillén, a 20-year-old U.S. Army soldier who originated from Zacatecas State in Mexico. The display is in the hallway to the left as you enter the library. The library is located at 1100 Oxley St in South Pasadena.
Pasadena
Jacob Maarse Florists’ altar (Photo – Cheryl Auger)
Sixteen businesses in the Pasadena Playhouse Village have built altars to honor those who have passed to the land of the dead. The altars are an easy walk through El Molino Ave and Arcade Lane between Colorado Blvd and Green Street and on Mentor between Boston Court and Colorado Blvd. They will be available to view until November 3.
Pasadena/Altadena
The Latino arts collective TA’YER in partnership with the Pasadena/Altadena Coalition of Transformative Leaders will present an exhibition and contest of miniature Day of the Dead altars, with music and traditional “calaveritas” (little skulls) poetry.
- PREPARATION OF ALTARS, SKELETON PAINTING, PAPER CUT-OUTS
Tuesday, Oct. 26 and Thursday, Oct. 28, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Flintridge Center- 236 Mountain St., Suite 117, Pasadena, CA 91103 - DAY OF THE DEAD ALTAR EXHIBIT & CONTEST, POETRY, MUSIC
Saturday, October 30 , 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Cabreras Mexican Restaurant, 655 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101
The collective is made-up of a diverse group of Latino immigrants, day-laborers, parents, workers and other community members.
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