Workshops already in progress to prepare items for Day of the Dead celebrations throughout the region
By Frank X. Moraga / Amigos805
Soon the aroma of marigolds and copal incense will waft through the air, beckoning spirits to cross over the thin veil between life and death.
Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead is upon us with a growing number of celebrations planned for the 805 region.
It is a time for Hispanic families to prepare their ofrendas / altars — collect the photos of the dearly departed, make sugar skulls, create some of their loved one’s favorite food and drinks and then light the candles in preparation for the departeds’ arrival on Nov. 1.
Camarillo
One of the biggest celebrations in Ventura County will be held at held at Conejo Mountain Funeral Home, Memorial Park and Crematory in Camarillo.
The Día de Los Muertos Celebration takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 and will feature music, food, ofrendas, arts and crafts, a vintage car show, a muerto art exhibit, face painting and free prizes.
In preparation for the event, a series of Saturday workshops has been held since Sept. 27 and will continue through Oct. 27 at the Senior Center, 126 Amelia Court, Oxnard.
Call 805-890-2193 for more information.
Oxnard
The Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard will present Día de los Muertos as part of its Free Family Day from 11 a.m.to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 at 424 S. C St., Oxnard.
The event includes festive face painting, an art workshop, lotería necklaces, retablos, decorating sugar skulls, ofrendas, traditional sweets and the showing of the film “Calling Home the Dead.”
The event is free, with no reservations required. Visit http://www.carnegieam.org/free-family-day1.html for more information.
Ventura
The Museum of Ventura County’s Las Contemporaneas will present its annual “Night of the Living, Day of the Dead” celebration, featuring artist-created ofrendas, adult crafts, food and live music, from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 at 100 E. Main St., Ventura.
The museum will then hold a Day of the Dead Community Celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2 as part of its Free First Sunday program. The event includes traditional music and dance performances, crafts on the Plaza for the whole family and access to galleries and featured exhibits.
Visit http://venturamuseum.org/event/day-of-the-dead-weekend-events/ for more information.
Santa Barbara
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art will begin the celebration early with its 24th annual Free Family Day — Día de los Muertos program from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26 at 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. The event includes a variety of family festivities in the galleries and back plaza including music and dance performances, art-making activities, bilingual storytelling, a special display of altars created by school and community groups, and traditional refreshments.
Visit http://www.sbma.net/programs/events.web#dia for more information.
San Luis Obispo
The Día de los Muertos “Day of the Dead” Celebration and Procession will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 at San Luis Obispo’s Historic Mission Plaza. The celebration features traditional musicians, poets, Aztec and Folklorico Dancers, arts and crafts, Mexican food, and more culminating in an auction of handmade works inspired by Dia de Los Muertos. The SLO Museum of Art will also host a free, fun Family Day in conjunction with the event. All materials to decorate traditional sugar skulls and make colorful papel picados / traditional cut paper banners will be providid by artist teachers. Hosted by Wilshire Hospice, in collaboration with SLO Mission Church de Tolosa and SLO Museum of Art. Visit www.wilshirehcs.org or email dod@wilshirehcs.org or call 805-547-7025, ext. 25 for more information.
Santa Maria
The Día de los Muertos “Day of the Dead” Cultural Celebration will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2 at the Veterans’ Memorial Community Center, 313 W. Tunnell St., Santa Maria. free, family-friendly events will include youth activities, dance performances, live music, food and vendor booths, altar displays, and more. Anyone can submit an application to create an altar in memory of a deceased loved one. Altars are free to create but a completed application is required.
Altar and vendor applications are available at the Recreation and Parks Department, 615 South McClelland St.
Questions may be directed to the Recreation and Parks Department, 925-0951, ext. 260.