 Honoring the One's Who Have Gone
THE DAY
OF THE DEAD
 Día de los Muertos - The Day of the Dead - It sounds so full of mystery, so dark and mystical. But the annual celebration is actually one of Mexico's most colorful events when dead relatives, both young and old, are said to return to the mortal world for two days to visit loved ones and catch up on old times.
Spirits coming down and walking among the living, sampling earthly treats and joining in the festival - it sounds like a merry version of our Halloween holiday. But in reality, the tradition is rooted in both Hispanic history and in the ancient American world of the Olmec and Maya, the Azrec and Toltec - from America's pre-European past. It is a tradition both indegenous and post Hispanic, a marriage of ancient rite and the Christian All Saints Day celebration of the Catholic Church.
In Oaxaca City, the mixing of Pre-Hispanic and Catholic cultural and religious traditions make for a colorful and magical occasion. Local markets burst with prepatory activities, bakers light the midnight oil to prepare loaves of the special "pan de muertos" (bread of the dead), and playful skeleton imagery dominates storefronts and artisan themes.
 The festival formally begins on October 31st, many families pay honor to their ancestors or deceased loved-ones with the careful and sometimes elaborate construction of an in-house altar. The offerings consist of flowers, food and drinks, candles, photos of the deceased, and incense such as copal. While the occasion is at times solemn, it is also tinged with joyful anticipation and even humor.
Texas has long maintained a close tie with Mexico and especially with the Day of the Dead tradition. From largely Hispanic communities along the border to even museums and art galleries in the state's larger cities, the Day of the Dead tradition has been kept alive and is widely celebrated.
This October, Port Isabel will once again host its “Los Colores de Muerto!” Day of the Dead celebration. However, in addition to the traditional decorations, music and treats, Port Isabel will be adding a few modern activities to the event.
Honoring ther past and celebrating the future is the credo for MECA, and the Day of the Dead celebration this year will be help Oct 29-30.
Families may enjoy special performances from area schools Oct 20-Nov17. Exhibits will run throughout, with the big gala falling on October 18th. The Fiesta offers food, beverages and live music.
This annual celebration of one of Mexico’s most important holidays involves an afternoon of storytelling, art activities, and traditional Mexican dance, music, and food at the Modern Art Museum.
In Dallas, Joanne Bondy at Ciudad D.F. has given that Tex-Mex crazed city what it has never had: a modern Mexican restaurant that showcases the extraordinary regional food cultures of those states south of our border,” John Mariani wrote when he selected Ciudad as one of Esquire’s best new restaurants back in 2000, partly - because of this unique celebration.
Oct. 23, This ancient festivity from Mexico, celebrating ancestry and the cycle of life, is observed with altar exhibits, music and traditional food. Event is open 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Special event admission.
Oct. 27 -- In recent years the Dia de los Muertos had become an increasingly popular observance all over Mexico, and has been observed in Castroville for many years by the candle lighting of the Castroville cemetery. In many cases, mixing up the celebration with Halloween, we have strayed far from the real meaning of this essentially indigenous event.
Come spend the day learning about and enjoying activities surrounding El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. This free two-day event will be held at Mission San José from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on October 30 and 31st.
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