Día de Los Muertos, a time when we welcome our ancestors with a celebration of life, is upon us. While this ancient Mesoamerican tradition is honored with public ritual on November 1 and 2, festivities and ceremony take place before in preparation for our loved ones' return. Gallery spaces have already transformed into vibrant ofrendas (altars) adorned with cempasuchil (marigolds) to guide the spirits way, while water and pan de muerto await them to quench their thirst from their journey to the land of the living. Here is round up of a few public events happening in the area in honor of Día de Los Muertos. If you want to suggest an event happening near you, let us know at news -at- kalw - dot- org.
SAN FRANCISCO
SOMArts
REMEMBRANCE AND RESISTANCE: DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS EXHIBITION
- Exhibition on view Friday, October 6-Thursday, November 9, 2017.
- Chosen by father and son curators René & Rio Yañez, this year’s theme, Remembrance, and Resistance emphasizes the importance of mourning in the context of resistance struggles.
- Listen to an interview with Rio Yañez on KALW's Crosscurrents tonight, Oct. 26, at 5 p.m.
La Galería de la Raza
ReclaMisión: A Community Día de los Muertos Celebration
- Thursday, November 2, 2017, 5:00 pm
- This year for Día de los Muertos celebration, Galería de la Raza will be joining other Calle 24 artists, organizations and community youth to share live performance and interactive art-making for all ages.
Mission Cultural Center
Exhibit (En El Cielo Como En La Tierra)
- October 10, 2017-November 17, 2017, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $2
- Celebration on November 2, 2017, $7
OAKLAND
The Unity Council
Unity Council's 22nd annual Dia de los Muertos in Fruitvale
- Sunday, October 29, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Fruitvale Village
- With a theme this year of "Life, Art, Oakland," the Unity Council's Día de los Muertos Festival was inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress by Congresswoman Barbara Lee as a “local legacy.”
Oakland Museum of California
Metamorphosis & Migration: Days of the Dead
- October 18, 2017–January 14, 2018
- This year, OMCA’s biennial Days of the Dead exhibition, is inspired by the lifecycle of the monarch butterfly. Known for its mass migration each winter, this butterfly’s journey spans several generations, all of whom follow the same routes their ancestors took.
- In Mexico, the returning monarchs also symbolize the returning souls of loved ones who have passed away.
SAN JOSE
San Jose Museum of Art
Day of the Dead Celebration, Sat., Oct. 28, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Celebrate the Day of the Dead with a full day of live entertainment, cultural demonstrations and an eclectic mix of art-making experiences.
- Decorate calaveras de azúcar (sugar skulls) and engage with your family and community at SJMA.
Calvary Cemetery
Día de los Muertos Traditional Celebration
- Oct 28th 11am-4pm
- Calvary Cemetery, in association with the Silicon Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, honors and remembers deceased family and friends and celebrates one of Mexico's traditional holidays reuniting and honoring beloved ancestors, family, and friends.