A list of the many Day of the Dead events happening this weekend in San Diego
By Brent E. Beltrán
Every year Mexicans celebrate their dead by honoring and remembering passed loved ones or people they may have admired on los días de los muertos, the Days of the Dead. November 1 is for honoring the children that have moved on from this mortal plane. November 2 is for remembering the adults.
How one honors those that are no longer here varies. The meaning does as well. Though it always comes down to remembering.
I asked some people I know, what does Día de los Muertos mean to you? Here are their responses and then a listing of Día de los Muertos celebrations throughout San Diego.
This year I am particularly excited that several major Día de los Muertos events are occurring in the neighborhoods I represent. Día de los Muertos celebrations teach history, culture and, most importantly, values that transcend generations.
– David Alvarez, District 8 Councilmember
Dia de los Muertos for me is a time to pause and reflect on those who through their love, example and friendship enabled me to get where I am and become the person I am; I try to honor their lives and memory by sustaining the political direction they helped shape. It’s also a time of joining with others in a community celebration of shared humanity regardless of differences, as death knows no ideological, partisan, ethnic or racial, class or gender boundaries.
– Isidro Ortiz, San Diego State University professor
Día de los Muertos reminds me about the shadows that walk amongst us—the traces of lives, loves, emotions that are denied us but that also, somehow, live on. It’s funny, today is the birthday of my friend, now long dead, Leon Lanzbom. So much joy, laughter, amazingness bound up in the memory of his smile, his music (best guitar-player I have ever known, and I have known many), his laughter. It is as if on Día de los Muertos he is back again—he along with my beloved abuela Ana Juarez di Nericcio, my long-lost boyhood friend Gerardo “Chore” Longoria, my father, William Nericcio. Somehow through the uncanny magic of this special day, these centuries-long rituals (that are so NOT Halloween), I am transported to a place where they live again and reminded of a future day, when I too will be one amongst the shadows.
– William Nericcio, San Diego State University MALAS Director
Dia de Los Muertos means two things to me; first, through Posada’s famous etching, La Catrina, I learned the absurdity of class and pretensions, we all die regardless of our status, wealth or lineage, and second through a night in a hillside cemetery in the little island of Janitizio in Michoacan, remembering those who have moved on, inviting them back to share our food and mescal while we sing and laugh until sunrise. Life can be absurd, but love transcends.
– David Favela, Border X Brewing
Día de los Muertos to me is a celebration of life, a time where my antepasados can come and visit and enjoy the essence of what they enjoyed during their time on earth. It’s a time for me to honor their contributions to life, in particular, my life.
– Josie Talamantez, Chicano Park co-founder
Puez… In my latest perspective, almost rastafari “ONE LOVE” that love hooks us up with the past, present and even the FUTURO… Muerto days like cempaxóchitl (marigolds) flowers blossoms our love to our familia and friends of more than memories but the reality of LIFE.
– Victor Ochoa, Chicano Park muralist
The spiritual world is very much alive and with us.
– Armando Nuñez, Barrio Logan gateway sign designer
A colorful month of cultura to honor, remember, and bring back those that have entered the spirit world, our love ones.
– Georgette Gomez, Environmental Health Coalition
After living in Mexico for so many years and every Day of the Dead going to the cemetery with my ex-wife, I just have a fond memory of all the families there, taking care of the graves, drinking and eating and the mariachis playing in the graveyards. We gringos look at the graveyards as a place of fear and trepidation, my years in Mexico taught me that the graveyard is an extended living room. Toys on the kids’ graves. Beer and tequila on abuelo’s grave, etc. Día de los Muertos means family to me. My wife Judith Benitez says, “It is the time for me to remember and praise the lives of my loved ones who have left us to the other side.”
– Mark Lane, Poppa’s House
To me, Dia de los Muertos celebrates the wisdom and warmth of our elders, those we have known and those we never knew, those who are here and those who have passed but remain with us. It reminds us that we too will leave this world but our love for our children and for the special students who have touched us will live on.
– Jorge Mariscal, UCSD’s Chicano/a~Latino/a Arts and Humanities Program Director
Día de los Muertos reflects an amazing cultural phenomenon inherent to indigenous people everywhere—and that is that we are all related “Mitakuye Oyasin.” Our relations with all living things in this plane of reality and with those in the spirit world are one and the same — each recognized with respect and appreciation. Día de los Muertos is about erasing the ultimate border. Sas!
– Mario Chacon, artist and curator of Acá Gallery
To honor our loved ones who have passed on and remember those wonderful moments people shared together. Dia de los Muertos is one example of how beautiful and dynamic our cultura is.
– Cesar Castañeda, owner Chicano Art Gallery
Dia de los Muertos to me is the opportunity for an individual to connect with their ancestors and community. As a celebration of life, to me that means embracing one another, on a higher spiritual level, transcending all borders and dimensions.
– Bob Hernandez, The Roots Factory
Día de los Muertos, a millennial tradition rooted in the indigenous heritage of Mexican people, has endured colonial rule and Manifest Destiny and now thrives as one of the most iconic celebrations of the Mexican communities on this side of the border. In recent years Día de los Muertos has also served as a form of protest by border communities to condemn the human toll of border militarization and to pay homage to the thousands of migrants who have perished as a result of draconian enforcement policies.
– Christian Ramirez, Human Rights Director for Alliance San Diego
This is my favorite time of the year, this tradition allows me to honor my grandmother’s life, to remember and celebrate her spirit. It takes dedication and time to create an ofrenda, I find this process to be healing and I am able to grieve at my own pace. Every year I look forward to my abuelita’s journey and I wonder if spiritually we both journey and not just her. It is also a great reminder to preserve and re-teach our traditions or they too will die.
– Patricia Aguayo, Radio Pulso del Barrio
The following Día de los Muertos events are taking place this Saturday and Sunday in various parts of San Diego. They are listed based on date and starting time. Saturday in Barrio Logan will be special with Barrio Art Crawl coinciding with Día de los Muertos.
Muertos Festival in Sherman Heights
November 1 – 10am-6pm – FREE
Sherman Heights Community Center, 2258 Island Ave.
Join us for San Diego’s most authentic and longest standing Día de los Muertos Celebration in the heart of Sherman Heights! Come embrace Mexican culture and experience a traditional celebration, honoring our departed loved ones. This fun-filled day begins with an official blessing of the community altars, followed by live performances, food, shopping, altar tours and Day of the Dead themed workshops.
Día de los Muertos Fiesta
November 1 – 12-3pm – FREE
Imperial Beach Library, 810 Imperial Beach Blvd.
Celebrate history, culture and heritage with an art exhibit by the Maryann Luera Collection, ballet folklorico, mariachi, sugar skull decorating, kids crafts and traditional refreshments.
Izcalli and the Jacob’s Center presents Día de los Muertos
November 1 – 12-8pm – FREE
Jacob’s Center, 404 Euclid Ave.
Featuring music by Grammy winners Quetzal, traditional native dances and altars, blessing by Kumeyaay Nation, lowrider car show, music, food, calavera face painting, performance by Teatro Izcalli and much more.
Old Town San Diego’s Día de los Muertos
November 1 – 12-9pm
Old Town San Diego
Old Town San Diego’s Día de los Muertos, is designed to celebrate the history, culture, and heritage of the region.
It is produced by Save Our Heritage Organisation. Through education, advocacy, and stewardship, SOHO’s mission is to preserve, promote, and support preservation of the architectural, cultural, and historical links and landmarks that contribute to the community identity, depth, and character of our region.
Old Town’s legacy has a predominance of Mexican, Spanish, and Native American, and as a general melting pot, makes it the best site in San Diego to hold this special and beloved celebration. Remember the Old Town San Diego’s Día de los Muertos is all about the history, culture, and heritage of the holiday. Please note it is not a street fair.
Día de los Muertos at NTC
November 1 – 1-8pm – FREE
NTC Arts & Culture District, 2640 Historic Decatur Rd.
See unique altars in numerous buildings, special exhibitions, hands on art making and live music!
CV Día de los Muertos
November 1 – 2-8pm – FREE
Memorial Park, 373 Park Way, Chula Vista
This 2nd Annual Day of the Dead Community Celebration features live music, face painting, papel picado making, carnival games and more.
Día de los Muertos
November 1 – 3pm – FREE
Casa Familiar Civic and Recreation Center, 212 W. Park Ave. San Ysidro
You’re invited to celebrate Día de los Muertos in San Ysidro where there will be food, mariachi and traditional Mexican chocolate and bread.
Day of the Dead Altar and Talk
November 1 – 4-5pm
New Americans Museum, 2825 Dewey Rd #102
Dr. Jose Guadalupe Flores will guide visitors through the altares iconography as he explains the tradition and meaning behind family altar making actively practiced throughout Mexico every year.
Día de los Muertos Celebration
November 1 – 4-10pm – FREE
Bread & Salt, 1955 Julian Ave.
Join Bread & Salt, Roots Factory and Radio Pulso del Barrio for their Día de los Muertos Celebration featuring live music by Goma, El Hijo de Diabla, and Pablo Alejandro and the Cali Dos. From 4-6pm there will be a youth art workshop lead by artist Aled the Wonderbread and live screen printing with Roots Factory.
Dia de los Muertos Art Crawl and Party at UNION
November 1 – 4-10pm – FREE
UNION – Barrio Logan, 2191 Main St.
UNION – Barrio Logan will be hosting food, drinks, a raffle, live art, open galleries and music for the Dia de los Muertos Barrio Art Crawl and Costume Party! Free live show by special guest performers Zombie Surf Camp. As always, UNION resident artists will be showcasing fashion design, furniture/woodworking design, jewelry design, handmade candles, custom glasses, leather goods, paintings, custom framing, paper goods/cards, on site tintype, a raffle, and more.
Día de los Muertos
November 1 – 4-10pm – FREE
Border X Brewing, 2181 Logan Ave.
Live art, kids corner with arts & crafts, face painting, food and beverages and more.
Día de los Muertos
November 1 – 5-7pm – FREE
Chicano Park (near the Mexican Revolution mural)
The Chicano Mexicano Prison Project and Unión del Barrio honor and remember their heroes, leaders and comrades with music, speakers and food.
In Loving Memory Art Show
November 1 – 5-10pm – FREE
Chicano Art Gallery, 2117 Logan Ave. #1
Over 30 artists are honoring the dead in this group art show.
2nd Annual “Dia De Los Muertos” Group Art Show
November 1 – 5-10pm – FREE
La Bodega, 2196 Logan Ave.
The 2nd annual Muertos show features over 50+ artists that have painted ceramic skulls, live music, community altars, face painting, food and much more!
19th Annual Día de los Muertos Festival
November 1 – 6-9pm – FREE
California Center for the Arts Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido
Featuring live entertainment by Mariachi Los Caballeros de San Diego, and guests are invited to participate by creating altars in honor of their loved ones. Candles will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring mementos, pictures, flowers, and other items for their altars. The festival will feature traditional Mexican fare, and guests will have the opportunity to decorate their own sugar skull and participate in other fun activities. Guests can also explore the rich history of Mexico at the Center’s museum exhibition, Colores de la Muerte.
8th Annual Día de los Muertos Group Art Show
November 1 – 6-10pm – FREE
El Pantera Tattoo, 950 S. 26th St.
Flying Panther Tattoo presents their 8th annual Día de los Muertos Group Art Show featuring over two dozen local artists. This exhibit is a preview of their second location opening in Barrio Logan.
ManRabbit and MH Art & Design Opening Reception
November 1 – 6-10pm – FREE
The Glashaus, 1815 Main St.
The artistic duo known as ManRabbit (Carla Naden + Lee Selman) will be unveiling new large format mixed media pieces consisting of paint, fabric, paper, and ink, mounted on wood, all resined to archival standards. Monica Hui Hekman’s (MH Art & Design) offers both linguistic and visual avenues, moving through a wide variety of materials in both 2 and 3 dimensions. A community altar honoring Día de los Muertos will also be installed.
Desayuno con los Muertos: Celebrating Our Departed
November 2 – 9-11am
Sherman Heights Community Center, 2258 Island Ave.
Join the Sherman Heights community for a breakfast to honor those that have passed away.
Old Town San Diego’s Día de los Muertos
November 2 – 12-9pm
Old Town San Diego
Old Town San Diego’s Día de los Muertos, is designed to celebrate the history, culture, and heritage of the region.
It is produced by Save Our Heritage Organisation. Through education, advocacy, and stewardship, SOHO’s mission is to preserve, promote, and support preservation of the architectural, cultural, and historical links and landmarks that contribute to the community identity, depth, and character of our region.
Old Town’s legacy has a predominance of Mexican, Spanish, and Native American, and as a general melting pot, makes it the best site in San Diego to hold this special and beloved celebration. Remember the Old Town San Diego’s Día de los Muertos is all about the history, culture, and heritage of the holiday. Please note it is not a street fair.
Día de los Muertos Procession
November 2 – 6-9pm – FREE
Sherman Heights Community Center, 2258 Island Ave.
The Historic Barrio District invites you to participate in the Annual Muertos Candlelight Procession from the Sherman Heights Community Center to the historic Chicano Park in Barrio Logan. Guests are encouraged to bring a candle and/or pictures of departed loved ones as the procession walks in their memory. The procession will stop at various residences in Sherman Heights to view family made altars. Dia de los Muertos facepainting and/or costumes highly encouraged! Gather at 6:00 PM at the Sherman Heights Community Center. Procession begins promptly at sundown.
Mariachi Champaña Nevin Día de Muertos
November 2 – 3pm – $25-$75
Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave.
The Mariachi Scholarship Foundation presents this concert to honor the dead.
The Roots Factory & Cumbia Cult Presents Día De Los Muertos 2014
November 2 – 8:30pm – $15 & 21+
Casbah San Diego, 2501 Kettner Blvd.
Check out the musical stylings of Chicano Batman, Viento Callejero, Buyepongo, LA DIABLA plus Dj Bob Green & DJ V-Rock at this special Día de los Muertos concert.
A map to Barrio Art Crawl‘s participating venues: