Seven Ways
to get your Day of the Dead on…
According to Robert Burns, Scottish poet who penned the 28-stanza verse Halloween, the evening is, ”thought to be a night when witches, devils, and other mischief-making beings are all abroad on their baneful midnight errands.” If you are in Manhattan Beach, it’s about thirty-something housewives dressing as scantily as possible whilst clasping potent potables in red solo cups. Not my favorite thing.
Halloween is so passé. I’m tired of it. People that start posting images on social media beginning October 1st about the insatiable need to celebrate this macabre holiday need to wake up and smell the aztec marigolds. It’s all about Día de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead for those of you that live in Southern California and indescribably still don’t habla español. And, there are some great ways to celebrate in our neck of the haunted woods. So, shake those calaveras, and make your ofrendas. It’s time to party like you are Mictecacihuatl.
Here are Seven Ways to get your Day of the Dead on:
Hard Day of the Dead, L.A. State Historic Park - This music festival has been revived after spending the last couple of years in Pamona Fairplex. This is an electronic dance music festival that fully embraces the cultural roots of its namesake, and pay homage its Mexican heritage and the celebration of Día de Muertos with inspired decor, local artists, live musicians and mariachis, and flavorful cuisine. 21+ only. Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
El Pueblo, Olvera Street, Downtown - Ponder altars in the plaza of El Pueblo at this local incarnation of DDM. Expect plenty of festive wares from the mercados on Olvera Street, along with children’s crafts in the morning and a candlelight cortege each night. Ghost in for some face painting, mariachi bands, Aztec dancers and switchblade combs. 125 Paseo De La Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hollywood Forever Cemetery - As Halloween parties blow up across the southland, L.A.’s most frolicsome celebration of the dead shakes out at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The annual DDM festival elicits thousands of gaudy costumed attendees to the marble town, which is transformed into an aztec marigold-covered, music-and-dance–filled celebration. Sugar skulls and calacas cover the vibrant ofrendas to the deceased, while Aztec dancers, local bands, face painters haunt this epic venue. 6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Old Pasadena Day of the Dead - Take a self-guided tour of both traditional and contemporary interpretations of altars lovingly created to honor and celebrate the spirits of the dearly departed. Also, live music from Marimba Tropical and free calavera face painting frighten the mood. Throughout Old Pasadena, CA 91105
Día de los Muertos Community Procession, Cypress Park - The Procession will start at the Cypress Park Branch Library and end at the Los Angeles River Center & Gardens. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. sharp and is about a mile in length. Wear comfy shoes and bring a torch. Out of respect for the more traditional nuances of the Día de Muertos, no Halloween costumes are allowed, so put away your sexy whatever outfits (you know who you are).
Día De Los Muertos, Morrissey L.A. Show After Hours Dance Party - What would be more fitting for a Mexican-inspired holiday than a Morrissey-themed dance party? Obviously nothing. So put on that brooding and repining mask and go sulk your night away. Mal's Bar, 2331 South Hill Street,Los Angeles, CA 90007
Grenache Wars, Unlimited Wine Tasting - Come participate in an battle of epic proportions: Santa Barbara vs. Paso Robles. Revelers get to sip and select their favorites. Unlimited tasting, and unlimited grilled cheese and panini presses. Some wineries involved are: Tercero, Jaffurs, Tablas Creek, and many more. La Brea Bakery Cafe, 468 South La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Bonus - Think about the loved ones you have lost, and keep their memories close.