17th annual Dia de los Muertos festival at Hollywood Forever Returns Oct.29

By Karen Ostlund

Hollywood Forever Cemetery and Mexican beer Estrella Jalisco will present the 17th annual Dia de los Muertos festival October 29th 2016:This year's theme: 

THE TREE OF LIFE – EL ÁRBOL DE LA VIDA

"The Tree Of Life"

Each year, Hollywood Forever Cemetery celebrates the rich heritage of Mexican Art and Culture as it relates to Día de Los Muertos (Day Of The Dead). This year's theme is THE TREE OF LIFE, and is inspired by ‘El Árbol de la Vida’, the sculptural traditions of Metepec and their evolution to include elements and themes taken from Día de Los Muertos. The inspiration, El Árbol de la Vida also represents the celebration of the Universal Tree of Life, a common central spiritual idea to many cultures and world religions, as we embrace the fact that we are all branches and leaves of one great Tree of Life. 

The sculpture for the tree was commissioned to the Soteno Family in Metepec.They were discovered by Diego Riviera and have over 100 years of craftsmanship and tradition.The tree took over 30 days to complete.

Luis Villanueva, Catherdral Art Exhibit curator

The historical roots of El Dia de Los Muertos celebration go back to the pre-Hispanic cultures of Meso-America of the indigenous people, especially the Nahua, and others native to Mexico more than 3000 years.

Indigenous people believed that the souls did not die, that they continued to live in Mictlan (Place of death) a special place for them to finally rest.
On the Day of the Dead, tradition holds that the dead return to earth to visit their living relatives. It is also believed that even if these relatives can’t see them, they can feel them.It’s a way to come to terms with our mortality and become aware of the cycle of life and death.
The hosts of the MainStage will be TV and radio personalities Fernanda Kelly and Kevin Ramirez.

The Ceremonial Altar Set-Up: Friday, October 28th, 2016 – 3pm onward

Location : 
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90038

Headliner Julieta Venegas

Artists on the Main Stage: Saturday, October 29th, 2016: 12pm until 12am

• JULIETA VENEGAS 
• BUYEPONGO
• ALEJANDRO Y MARIA LAURA
• MITRE
• MARIACHI FLOR DE TOLOACHE

Tango inspired songwriter Mitre will perform

• Dia de Los Muertos attire strongly encouraged – Come dressed in your finest Calaca apparel
• Spend an eventful day relaxing and watching the evening stars appear as the cemetery comes to life with joyful celebrations
• Enjoy fine Mexican cuisine and a wide spectrum of Day of the Dead arts and crafts available for purchase
• Plan ahead where to park and please carpool
• Pre-Purchase your tickets to avoid lines day of the event
• 
  

Peruvian pop duo Alejandro and Maria Laura

Event Features:

• A vibrant traditional procession in the home of Hollywood’s Immortals with traditional Aztec blessings and Regional Musical-Dance group dedications
• Musical performances by Grammy Award winning recording artists
• 100+ Altars created by members of the community to their ancestors and loved ones
• Hundreds of Aztec Ritual Dancers in full costume
• Four stages featuring music and theatrical performances
• An Art Exhibition in the Cathedral Mausoleum curated by Luis Villanueva
• A costume contest for the best dressed Calaca (skeleton)
• A children’s arts project area
• Arts and Crafts vendors
• Food vendors from around Los Angeles
• Presentation of Altar winners – The judges will select the best altar of each of the following categories: Theme of Event, Traditional Altar, Contemporary Altar – the best of each category wins $3,000

Schedule:October 29th 2016

Altar Exhibits

ALTAR EXHIBITS 12pm – 12am
Winners announced at 8:00pm at Main Stage

AZTEC DANCES & RITUALS 12pm – 12am
Aztec Circle on the Lake and also throughout the cemetery grounds

CHILDREN’S ART CENTER 12pm – 6pm
Arts & Crafts • Face Painting

PROCESSION
From main entrance to main stage 2:00pm – 2:30pm

COSTUME CONTEST 1pm – 7:30pm
Photo Booth – at reflecting pool north of Main Stage
Winner announced at 8:00pm at Main Stage

CATHEDRAL ART EXHIBIT 12pm – 12am
OFFICIAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Juan Jose Sorteno and Alfonso Soteno of Metepec MX
OTHER ARTISTS: Adriana Mateos ● Alfredo Davalos ● Antonio Alcantar ● Armando Lopez ● Arturo Martinez ● Erbey Villanueva ● Isabel Martinez ● Joe Alcala ● Luis Villanueva ● Mario Sibaja ● Milena Mortati ● Sergio Arau

EL MOSAICO STAGE 3:00pm – 9:00pm
DANCE
3:00pm Xocoyote Aztec Group
3:30pm Ballet CoCo
4:00pm Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles
4:30pm Folklor Cielo Y Tierra
5:00pm Mariachi Arcoiris De Los Angeles
5:30pm Ballet Folklorico Las Alazanas
6:00pm Danny Munoz- Cantante Internacional
6:30pm Pacifico Dance Company
7:00pm Grupo Folklorico Nanahuatzin
7:30pm Ballet Folkorico Aztlan de CSUN
8:00pm Ballet Folklorico Flor De Mayo
8:30pm Pacifico Dance Company

LA CATRINA STAGE 3:00pm – 9:00pm
MUSIC, THEATER & DANCE
3:00pm Tato Monraz – Singer
3:35pm Eli Presser – Puppeteer
3:55pm 3-19 Dance Art
4:15pm Gabriela Crowe – Singer
4:50pm Los Ángeles Theatre Academy – “El Fiestón de las Calaveras”
5:25pm Carlos Porcel “Nahuel” – Singer
6:00pm Tato Monraz – Singer
6:35pm Eli Presser – Puppeteer
6:55pm 3-19 Dance Art
7:15pm Gabriela Crowe – Singer
7:50pm Los Ángeles Theatre Academy – “El Fiestón de las Calaveras”
8:25pm Carlos Porcel “Nahuel”/Singer

EL FANDANGO EN SU ESPLENDOR STAGE 3:30pm – 12am
TRADITIONAL MUSIC FROM SOUTH EAST COAST OF MEXICO
4:00pm Ballet Xhanat
4:30pm Ballet Internacional De Guadalajara
5:00pm Marimba Tropical
5:30pm Proyecto E
6:00pm Along for the Ride
7:00pm Aqquarela
7:30pm Sin Color
8:00pm Ensamble son de Oaxaca
9:00pm Cuñao
10:00pm Betty Mustache
11:00pm Orquesta son Cache

MUERTE Y TRADICIÓN STAGE 2:30pm – 11:00pm
MAIN STAGE - MUSIC & DANCE PERFORMANCES
MC’s: Fernanda Kelly & Kevin Ramirez
2:30pm Aztec Blessing – Tonakakawitl
2:45pm Ballet Folklorico Tapatio de Oceanside
3:30pm Mariachi Flor De Toloache
4:30pm Mitre
5:30pm Alejandro y Maria Laura
6:30pm Pasion de Mi Tierra – The Tree of Life
7:00pm Buyepongo
8:00pm Announce Altar & Costume Winners
8:30pm Special Jenni Rivera Musical Tribute
9:00pm Tree of Life – Aztec Cermony
9:30pm Julieta Venegas

Mexican Beer Estrella Jalisco
 is Hollywood Forever
"Day Of The Dead" Presenting
Sponsor

Makeup sessions at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery

General Admission: $20 per person 
Children 8 years and under free until 4pm
Seniors 65 and over free until 4pm

Parking and more info: LADayofTheDead.com