RSSDia de los Muertos-- Celebrating the circle of life
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Just a week ago, stacks of plain brown cardboard boxes sat in a shuttered storefront along Yakima Avenue.
By Saturday, those boxes, arranged into nearly 30 pyramid-like altars, will be covered with colorful cloths, tissue paper flowers, candles and framed pictures of loved ones who have died. The downtown display opens at noon at 317 E. Yakima Ave.
It's the Yakima Valley's way of celebrating one of Mexico's most cherished, and largest, celebrations: Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
The altars in the exhibition were created by organizations, businesses and individuals, including La Casa Hogar, the Yakima Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, Yakima Police Athletic League, Allied Arts of Yakima Valley and Davis and Eisenhower high schools, and representatives from the Filipino and Native American communities.
"What this is, it's really a combination of all the cultures who celebrate the cycle of life," exhibit coordinator Margaret Luera says, while standing in the downtown show space that is once again being donated by Mark Kirk, who owns the property.
"Because, death is universal," adds Luera.
Now in their fourth year, the altars on display range from the traditional -- bright yellow marigolds, sugar skulls, bottles of tequila -- to red, white and blue veteran memorials, to those that blend old customs with a local flavor. You will also be able to find altars around town, at places such as The Seasons, the downtown Yakima Library, Ron's Coin & Book and Plaza Socievole Winery.
The downtown altar exhibit is presented by the Yakima-Morelia Sister City Association. Luera, a member of the sister city organization, has been involved with the altar display since it began in 2005.
"The first year it was so much education," she says.
Rather than a somber period for mournful reflection, Day of the Dead -- celebrated Nov. 1-2 -- is a festive and spirited (sorry, had to do it) time to remember those who've passed on. Its cultural roots date back to the indigenous peoples of Mexico. After the Spanish arrived, the holiday was integrated into the Catholic calendar. It is in no way related to Halloween.
And while Day of the Dead imagery -- skull- and candle-adorned altars, La Catrina, dancing skeletons -- may seem macabre to some, it has worked its way into American pop culture.
Intricately designed Day of the Dead skulls are popular T-shirt (and tattoo) designs, make-your-own sugar skull kits are readily available on the Internet and chain retail stores like Target market Day of the Dead decorations.
"Now more people are embracing it," says Luera.
As in years past, the downtown altar display will include a community altar. Folks are invited to bring a photo or reminder of a loved one who has died to place on the altar. This year, there will also be an altar dedicated to pets.
Día de los Muertos events
WHAT: Fourth annual Día de los Muertos Altar Exhibit. A display of about 25 altars presented by the Yakima-Morelia Sister City Association.
WHEN: Noon to 7 p.m. Saturday through Nov. 2.
WHERE: Downtown at 317 E. Yakima Ave. (the former Hallmark store).
HOW MUCH: Free but donations will be accepted. Memory candles will be available for $3.
INFO: Visit http://ddlm08.tripod.com. Teachers interested in scheduling a school tour should e-mail Christina Pelayo at criccy1@hotmail.com.
WHAT: Luis Esteban Cruzaley Rojas of the Conservatorio de las Rosas in Morelia, Michoácan, will present a piano recital of works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Manuel M. Ponce.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
WHERE: Yakima Valley Community College's Kendall Hall auditorium, South 16th Avenue and Nob Hill Boulevard.
HOW MUCH: Free.
WHAT: The Seasons Brown Bag Concert Series featuring pianist Luis Esteban Cruzaley Rojas, and cellist José Luis Herrera, of the Conservatorio de las Rosas in Morelia,N: Noon to 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 31.
WHERE: The Seasons, 101 N. Naches Ave.
HOW MUCH: $5 for adults and free for students. Patrons are encouraged to bring a lunch.
WHAT: A Celebration of All Souls Concert with the Yakima Chamber Orchestra, Yakima Symphony Chorus and guest musicians from the Conservatorio de las Rosas in Morelia, Michoácan.
WHEN: 2 p.m. Nov. 2.
WHERE: The Seasons, 101 N. Naches Ave.
HOW MUCH: Tickets cost $20 and are available in advance by calling the Yakima Symphony Orchestra office at 248-1414. Tickets also available at the
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