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Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Petaluma CA

By Cynthia Larsen

Real Estate Broker/Owner CalBRE# 01433049

October 22, 2010 05:43 PM

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and in areas rich with Hispanic populations such as Sonoma County. This holiday is a cultural ritual to honor those we love that have passed before us.

Traditions include building altars honoring the deceased using their favorite foods and beverage. Another tradition is to decorate sugar cubes to look like tiny skulls.

Dia de los Muertos is officially celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. In many communities in Sonoma County, this celebration has grown into a cross-cultural event.

In Petaluma, the celebration of Dia de los Muertos is quite popular. The Petaluma Arts Center is the venue for their 10th annual celebration in the gallery through November 7th.

Latino artists from all over the Bay Area have their exhibits on display with this years theme, Rio de las Vidas (River of Lives). The theme acknowledges the celebration of death as a part of life.

To some who are not familiar with Dia de los Muertos, you may be surprised that this celebration is very colorful and joyful. Artists portay death with affection and humor in a whimsical fashion. Come check out this community event at:

Petaluma Arts Center
230 Lakeville Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
Thursday - Mondays, Noon to 4:00PM
Admission: Free, but a $5 donation would be appreciated

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Simon Mills

Mills Realty - Toluca Lake, CA

I'm always up for a celebration, but this one has always struck me as strange.

Oct 22, 2010 06:09 PM

George Bennett

Inactive - Port Orford, OR

Inactive Principal Broker, GRI

Thanks for the overview. I had heard the name of this holiday but I was unaware of its place in the culture, beliefs, and in the art of Mexico.

Oct 22, 2010 06:18 PM

TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN

Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

I have not heard of this celebration. We have a large Latino population here. I will need to check it out and expand my cultural horizon...

Oct 23, 2010 12:11 AM

Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA

Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD

301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

It maybe bizarre...but this celebration has to do with a connection of long lost loved ones. .and in Mexico , they are very passionate about it. .great post!

Oct 23, 2010 01:19 AM

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Simon - I first heard about this celebration 5 years ago. I loved the idea because here in America we don't celebrate our loved ones that have passed. What a great idea for everyone to do this on the same day, to have that sort of camaraderie ... a party of sorts.

George - I'm still learning about it, this was the first year I have been a part of the celebration.

Michael - Yes, I would think that this holiday would be huge in your area.

Fernando - I can sense the passion here ... and I don't think it is bizarre, I think it's great. Americans have such a hard time with death, I like the idea of celebrating our loved ones instead of being sad.

Oct 23, 2010 01:46 AM

Donne Knudsen

Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA

CalState Realty Services

Cynthia - Sounds like a great event. Ventura & Los Angeles county also have a lot of hispanic cities that go all out for this celebration. You've inspired me. Think I'll do some local "day of the dead" blogging. Have a wonderful weekend Cynthia. :)

Oct 23, 2010 06:43 AM

Ray Saenz

Exit Realty Laredo - Laredo, TX

Homes for Sale in Laredo, TX - Texas, Realtor

Cynthia,
Dia de los muertos :) not bad eh ? :) seems that you are getting the point on all of this, keep the great work and I'll be back to review it again !

Oct 23, 2010 12:41 PM

Malcolm Johnston

Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON

Trenton Real Estate

It's always interesting to see how other cultures are a lot more in tune with all the things that have gone before than our western culture is.

Oct 24, 2010 10:56 AM

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Donne - you should, go for it!

Ray - not bad at all! You even have a little canadian there at the end ... eh? I have grown to love this holiday.

Malcolm - the more I learn about other cultures, the more our Western culture seems so "head-in-the-sand" backward.

Oct 24, 2010 11:14 AM

Tish Lloyd

BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC

Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Just saw a wonderful feature of this while watching a cooking show with my granddaughters Saturday. They were very interested in how this works and thought it might be a fun thing to do for Granddaddy.

Oct 24, 2010 12:44 PM

Anonymous

Marjorie Helm

Mil gracias, Cynthia, for your sweet bird's eye view of El Dia de los Muertos, Petaluma 2010. We are so glad that you visited our Arts Center! Now in our 10th year, our celebration offers the opportunity for all of us to remember, in community loved ones who have died. Our goal also has been to build bridges between communities on our city.

Please don't hesitate to contact any of our co-coordinators if we can provide more information. Our FaceBook page (El Dia de los Muertos Petaluma) or website www.PetalumaArtsCenter.org can also provide more details.

To see altars and art all around town you may download our Art and Altar Walk Card!

We'd love to have you with us in Petaluma for our celebration!

~Margie

Oct 24, 2010 02:47 PM

#11

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Tish - oh, I think that would be so wonderful!

Margie - THANK YOU for your permission to download your altar card! I visited your center on Friday for the first time and thought it was wonderful. I was exceptionally touched by the altar for the children of Petaluma. I plan to return soon. Thanks again!

Oct 24, 2010 05:10 PM

Joshua Zargari

MJ Decorators Workshop LI staging and home decorating - Lynbrook, NY

MJ Decorators Workshop

Thank you Cynthia!

Oct 25, 2010 09:23 AM

Sharon Alters

Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL

Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Cynthia, you may know this, but All Hallow's Eve is an Anglican time of remembrance for our lost loved ones and it is where the name for Halloween comes from. Originally the day was intended for remembering and honoring our dead loved ones, but it has morphed into something entirely different. Sounds like the Spanish people have kept the integrity of their celebration.

Oct 25, 2010 04:26 PM

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Joshua - thanks for stopping by!

Sharon - I stumbled across All Hallows Eve when I was doing research! There is also All Saints Day (Nov 1st) and All Souls Day (Nov 2nd) that are Catholic holidays.

Oct 26, 2010 01:25 AM