Los Angeles News
L.A. Celebrates Dia De Los Muertos
By Robert Meyers
Nov 4, 2012 - 1:49:32 PM

LOS ANGELES—On November 2, Downtown Los Angeles held it’s first Annual Dia de los Muertos celebration in Grand Park, an event hosting a wide variety of Latino Tradition to honor the dead and celebrate life.  The Celebration hosted live music, face painting and the traditional displaying of altars to honor dead ancestors. 

According to a press release from Grand Park Director Lucas Rivera, “We wanted to do something a bit different to celebrate this holiday by offering the community the opportunity to enjoy artistic interpretations of the traditional Dia de los Muertos altars.”

Rivera went on to state, “The beauty and flexibility of Grand Park lends itself to artistic expression and we are honored and proud to showcase some of Los Angeles’ most acknowledged artists and their creative interpretations.”

“Para los Abuelos y Abuelitas,” an altar by Ofelia Esparza, photo by Robert L. Meyers

Among the many talented artists who curated the displays is master altar maker Ofelia Esparza, known for her 30 years of Dia de los Muertos Altar installations. Her installation at this year’s Dia de Los Muertos, “Para los Abuelos y Abuelitas,” is dedicated to the grandparents who came to the United States to build a better life for their children and future generations.

The festivities also included musical performances by artists in a wide variety of genres with a Latino kick including; punk band Mariachi El Bronx; Latin reggae/ska fusion band Upground; and Trio Ellas, an all-female power trio mixing the tradition Mariachi classic romantic style with a contemporary twist.

Violinist, Suemy Gonzalez of Trio Ellas, photo by Robert L. Meyers