It's time to start getting ready for this year's Día de los Muertos celebrations.
Observed on Nov. 2, Día De Los Muertos celebrates friends and family members who have died with festivals, altars, calaveras, visits to graves, food and music, as well as other harvest rituals from Central Mexican indigenous cultures.
In most regions of Mexico, Nov. 1, Dia de los Inocentes (Day of the Innocents), honors deceased children and infants. Deceased adults are honored Nov. 2.
We know there's a lot going on here in San Antonio, so we want to make it easy for you. Here's a list of events we have so far. Please feel free to e-mail us more to
news@nowcastsa.org, and we'll include them.
Are you building your own altar? Have photos or video you want to share of any of the celebrations? Send them our way, and we'll publish them on our site.
Here's what we've got so far:
Saturday, Oct.23
Join American Indians in Texas and Proyecto Locos at San Antonio’s newest cultural tradition, Noche de Recuerdos. The first annual Noche de Recuerdos will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Woodlawn Lake Casting Pool, across from the main Woodlawn Lake, next to the Berta Almaguer Dance Studio, 138 S. Josephine Tobin Drive. Illuminated floating altars and other artistic creations honor beloved ancestors and friends who have passed on. Inspired by the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco During the Native-American Season of Remembrance, the event will feature drumming, native dancing and poetry. Free and open to the public. Information: kellerrihnstudio@yahoo.com; (210) 287-8706.
October 23 through November 2
Market Square will host "
Los Altares del Mercado," a public display of altars created by children from local schools as well as local merchants from Market Square. The altars will be on display from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Nov. 2. Information:
www.sanantonio.gov/dtops.
October 28 through Nov. 4
Young artists from South San Antonio High School will display their Día de los Muertos creations at La Villita’s Bolivar Hall from
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The work of the young artists will be judged for creativity and content. An awards ceremony will be held at noon Oct. 29 in Plaza Nacional. The artwork will also be available for purchase in the La Villita shops and galleries from Nov. 1-4. Information:
www.sanantonio.gov/dtops.
Friday, Oct. 29
Worldwide Languages and Communication dba Instituto Panamericano's second annual Day of the Dead celebration will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 243 W. Sunset Road. This year’s event will feature a community altar, calavera face painting, live music, poetry, folk art for kids, Loteria de Muertos with prizes, taco truck, costume and dance, traditional homemade atole and pan de muerto, work by local artists and vendors. Free and open to the public. Information: (210) 805-8844; Facebook event.
Sunday, Oct. 31
Día de los Muertos celebrations at Market Square and historic La Villita will feature food, arts and crafts, music, plus live entertainment. The event begins in Market Square from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a drum and dance procession by Las Monas at noon. Activities will also occur in La Villita from
noon to 6 p.m. with a drum and dance procession at 2 p.m. Both celebrations are free and open to the public. Information:
www.sanantonio.gov/dtops.
Monday, Nov. 1
A
reading of Calaveras from
La Voz and a viewing of community altares will begin at
7 p.m. at
Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, 922 San Pedro Ave. Pan de muerto y cafecito will be provided. Would you like to setup an altar?
Community Altar setup dates are Thursday, Oct. 28 and Friday, Oct. 29. Space is limited. Call (210) 228-0201 for information.
Freetail Brewing Co. will have their famous
La Muerta on draught beginning Nov. 1. A bottle release will be held at
11:30 a.m. Nov. 6. La Muerta is brewed each year for Día de los Muertos in honor of departed friends and family. A big, lush Imperial Stout, La Muerta is full of roast, smoke and chocolate flavors from an array of specialty malts that go into this garnet-black beer. Freetail is located at 4035 N. Loop 1604 W., Suite 105 (outside Loop 1604 next to the windmill). Hours: 4 p.m. to midnight Mondays, 11:30 a.m. to midnight (or later) Tuesday through Saturday, noon to midnight Sundays. Information: 395-4974,
www.freetailbrewing.com.
Tuesday, Nov. 2
Join San Anto Cultural Arts this year in collaboration with P.E.A.C.E. Initiative, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, San Jacinto Senior Housing and Inner City Development for "Dia de los Muertos" from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Procession begins at 6:45 p.m. on the corner of San Patricio and Trinity. Face painting begins prior at 6 p.m. A reception will be held at 7:15 p.m. at San Jacinto Home and will continue at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. Performances by Bianca Sapet and Snake Medicine. If you'd like to participate, volunteer or help in anyway, please give us a call or just show up. Information: (210) 226-7466, e-mail nina@sananto.org or visit www.sananto.org.
Rene Roberts' Día De Los Muertos Ball, an adult social dance party fundraiser benefiting Jump Start Performance Company and the San Antonio Aids Foundation, will begin at 7 p.m. at Jumpstart Theatre in the Blue Star Complex, 108 Blue Star. Special entertainment by local talent and special guest Erica Andrews. Guests are asked to arrive in Dia de Los Muertos related costume. Tickets: $50 table seating, $25 general seating, $100 table seats in front row. Reservations: (210) 227-5867.
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with artists, family, and friends from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the César Chavez Building, 824 S. Brazos St. (across the street from the Guadalupe Theater on the corner of Guadalupe and South Brazos streets). The evening begins with the annual Día de los Muertos Parade in front of San Anto Cultural Arts' "Peace and Remembrance mural" and culminates at Guadalupe and South Brazos streets. The evening closes with a performance by the Guadalupe Dance Company. During the opening reception, Ray Santisteban will create an installation work that celebrates memories, family and life. There will also be a community altar. Members of the community are invited to bring mementos of loved ones to add. Each memento will be labeled with the owner's information for retrieval after the event. Information: www.guadalupeculturalarts.org.
A Dia de Los Muertos Celebration with an open jam session will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Conjunto Heritage Taller, 725 S. Presa St. Free and open to the public, come help remember all those Conjunto musicians that have passed away. Bring your lawn chair and your instrument for the open jam. Food and drinks available.
Nov. 2-6
Kimberly Rumfelt creates an
installation altar and invites
Southwest School of Art and Craft community participation. The installation represents the school’s history and the image is of St. Angela Merici, founder of the Order of Ursuline. Viewing hours:
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Copper Kitchen Dining Room, 300 Augusta (Ursuline Campus). Information: Teri Aguilar, (210) 224-1848.
Nov. 2-12
Since 1977,
Centro Cultural Aztlan, 1800 Frederickburg Road, Suite 103, has opened its doors to tourists and residents to take part in the biggest and oldest
Dia de los Muertos Celebration paying tribute to this ancient tradition. This year, 18 of San Antonio’s most talented and credentialed artists will create a Dia de los Muertos experience unlike any before. The exhibit opens with a reception for the artists from
6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2. Enjoy Pan de muerto, ponche de frutas, and other treats as you visit with friends.The
Urban 15 dance troupe will perform. Shop for special Dia de los Muertos creations by local artists and artisans and visit the outdoor stage with special performances and music from NYA (
Network for Young Artists) from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Suggested donation: $3. Altars will be on exhibit
through Nov. 12. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and on weekends by appointment. Information: (210) 432-1896;
www.centroculturalaztlan.50megs.com/.
Nov. 2-30
Jesus Moron, “Master of Negative Art” will display “Dia de los Muertos” paintings, calaveras and an altar dedicated to Clariza Emma Villarreal through Nov. 30 at Capilla San Gabriel, 1610 Saenz. Opening reception: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Nov. 2. Gallery hours by appointment. Call (210) 627-9134.
The opening night of SAY Sí's
Muertitos Fest Fiesta will be held from
7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at
SAY Sí, 1518 S. Alamo. A spirited celebration featuring iconic apparitions. Feast on Mexican regional delicacies and enjoy live music as you preview the student artisan work and altars. Play Lotería (Mexican Bingo) with local celebrity callers and be the first to purchase our speciality folk art and other great items. Tickets: $25. Information: (210) 212-8666.
Friday, Nov. 5
SAY Sí's
Muertitos Fest First Friday celebration will be held from
6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at
SAY Sí, 1518 S. Alamo. Enjoy the exhibits, altars, live musical and dance performances, festive food, artisan booths and hourly surprises. Free and open to the public. Information: (210) 212-8666.
First Friday Tasting celebrating
Dia de los Muertos will be held from
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at
Pig Liquors, 1017 S. Presa St. Tequila tasting, tamales tasting and a live performance by San Antonio artist, Terry Ybanez.
Four local bands come together in Southtown to pay homage to Dia de los Muertos, a cultural spectacle regarded as one of the city’s most celebrated holidays. Each band taking part in the event will be playing a different venue in Southtown at a different time, so fans can follow a map from one venue to another, making it possible to see every band live. Artslam! Crew, Supher, Prae & French, MOSAIC youth group, and Mas Rudas are creating custom altars honoring deceased musicians who have inspired the four bands participating in Mapa de los Muertos. One altar will be on display at each one of the four venues.
- 7 p.m. – The Heroine at The Pedicab Bar & Grill, 415 E. Cevallos. Performance by The Heroine; Altar art by Art Slam! Doors open at 6 p.m.; show begins at 7 p.m. No cover, 21+; Red Bull drink specials featured
- 8 p.m. – Bombasta at Joe Blue’s at the Blue Star Complex, 1421 S. Alamo. Performance by Bombasta; Altar art by Supher Praey and French. Doors open at 5 p.m.; show begins at 8 p.m. No cover, all ages welcome.
- 9 p.m. – Sexto Sol at Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, 116 Blue Star. Performance by Sexto Sol; Altar art by MOSAIC. Doors open at 5 p.m.; show begins at 9 p.m. No cover, all ages welcome
- 10:30 p.m. - Brownout at Casbeers at the Church, 1150 S. Alamo. Performance by Brownout; Altar art by Mas Rudas. Doors open at 5 p.m.; show begins at 10:20 p.m. No cover, 21+; Red Bull drink specials featured
Saturday, Nov. 6
SAY Sí's
Muertitos Fest Family Day will be held from
noon to 3 p.m. at
SAY Sí, 1518 S. Alamo. Enjoy continuous musical and dance performances. Get hands-on with various family folk art workshops and demonstrations and shop for treasures. Free and open to the public. Information: (210) 212-8666.
Photos courtesy of San Anto Cultural Arts on Facebook.
