Last year I wanted to go but was overwhelmed by the thought of the drive. This happens a lot to me in LA, I think about driving downtown or to Pasadena and then I think about facing the traffic – will it be worth it?
But this year I was determined brave the journey to experience this annual event. I roped in six others and with military planning and hand drawn maps we headed to the Day of the Dead celebrations in Hollywood – and it was most definitely worth the effort.
The Day of the Dead is a Mexican festival to honour and celebrate of the lives of the deceased. The celebration in Los Angeles is one of the bigger ones outside of Mexico. It was one of the most original and vibrant events I have ever seen. I loved the Mexican iconography and I was very moved to see the beautiful altars that had been created to celebrate heroes and family members.
The main stage
Two family members created an altar of all the things their lost ones had loved.
one of the altars
As we left the road was blocked by this car – I am not sure he will be quite so pleased he made the effort. (no one was seriously hurt)
I went to see these guys perform and they are GREAT… So I’m passing along the word…
Coyolxauhqui Dia de Los Muertos Ceremony:
Sat. Nov. 8, 2008 4-9PM, Morgan Park, 4100 Baldwin Park Blvd. Baldwin Park CA 91706. Corner of Ramona & Balwin Park.
Come together to celebrate our passed family and friends. There will be Alters, Dancing, and Cultura… This event is for the whole family. Dia de Los Muertos attire strongly encouraged – Come dressed in your finest Calaca apparel!
Please share this with all your family and friends… Hope to see you there
Ometeotl
An Aztec poem declares:
“The giver of life mock of us
only a dream we chase
oh my friends
our hearth trust
But he really mock of us
but with emotion we enjoy
in the green things and in the paintings
The giver of life make us live
he knows, he rules
how we, the men, will die
nobody, nobody, nobody
really lives on earth.”
http://www.myspace.com/aztecdancer