Getting Ready To Celebrate The Day Of The Dead

Get ready for a fiesta! November 2nd is Dia de los Muertos - The Day Of The Dead.I recently visited Self Help Graphics Inc, a non-profit that nurtures and supports emerging Latino artists, in East L.A. to get all the fiesta information straight from La Jefe, Evonne Gallardo, Executive Director of Self Help Graphics & Art, home of the longest running Dia de los Muertos celebration in the U.S., 37 years and counting!

Evonne Gallardo and her dad Frank

 "Even though Dia de los Muertos falls on a Tuesday this year, we will see about six to eight thousand people at the celebration on November 2nd. We moved the celebration to East L.A.'s Civic Center in 2009 because it just outgrew Self Help Graphics. Everyone is welcome and whole families participate. Felipe Esparza will join us this year. With this year's theme we are celebrating the Mexican Bi-Centennial with "Revolucion Sin Fronteras - Revolution Without Borders".

Art from Vyal One's Aerosol Art Workshop

 The celebration consists of four major components every year.
Friday night is opening night of "Better  Better to Die on My Feet" Self Help Graphics & Art's Dia de los Muertos Exhibition Curated by Karla Diaz and Mario Ybarra Jr. of Slanguage Studio Opening reception: Friday, October 29, 2010, 7-9...

 Saturday is Noche de Ofrendas, the community altar celebration led by premier altar-maker and community resident, Ofelia Esparza and assisted by Xavier Esparza, Denise Esparza-Carrillo and Rosanna Esparza Ahrens, participants are invited to contribute their offerings to the community altar for display throughout our DIa De Los Muertos festivities.

Sunday the fiesta moves to Gallery ChimMaya for the opening reception of "Muertos De Risa" A Vintage Day of the Dead Works from Self Help Graphics & Art's Collection. This is the yearly opportunity to purchase amazing art work from Latino artists! 

And Tuesday from 5 to 11 is the official procession and celebration at the East Los Angeles Civic Center, featuring community altars honoring the dead, music, food and craft vendors and a children's art workshop

Viva East L.A.!
Click the link to Self Help Graphics to get all the information on their website and to support their mission!