Encinitas Friends of the Arts and the city of Encinitas are getting ready for the sixth annual Encinitas Dia de los Muertos also known as Day of the Dead.
A time when families gather to honor and remember deceased loved ones, Dia de los Muertos is a significant Latino cultural celebration. The free festival takes place on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, 12 to 4 p.m. at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive, Encinitas,
Dia de los Muertos will feature a variety of performances and will be emceed by Mano a Mano Foundation Program Director Beatriz Villarreal.
The event commences with Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear making welcoming remarks. Performances begin with Danza Azteca Misión San Luis Rey blessing the Ofrenda with ancient traditional dances. This will be followed by Mariachi estrellas de Chula Vista, Ballet Folklorico Rancho Buena Vista High School, Mariachi Del Mar and Danza Alegre. The festival ends with singer Chuy “El Chente” Moreno performing songs from the film, “Coco,” with dancing by Ballet Folklorico de San Dieguito and the public.
Festival activities include skull face painting, tissue flowers and sugar skull workshops, a Day of the Dead art exhibit by Oak Crest Middle School students, a selfie station with ladies dressed as “Catrinas,” and opportunity drawings for laptop computers and more.
Outdoor festivities include a low rider car show by the Callejeros de Encinitas Car Club, artist demonstrations, vendors, and food trucks with options ranging from ice cream to tamales.
A Community Ofrenda — or remembrance altar — will feature a replica of the Surfing Madonna by artist Mark Patterson. “Having the Surfing Madonna in the Ofrenda makes this a uniquely Encinitas event,” said Encinitas Arts Program Administrator Jim Gilliam. All are invited to honor the memory of a loved one or friend by contributing a photograph or non-valuable remembrance to the Ofrenda.
For a schedule of events, or for more information, please visit: www.encinitasarts.org, or call (760) 633-2746.
