They have passed on but their souls are close by, legend and folklore say, closer on this day than any other … El Día de Los Muertos. A time for remembrance and celebration marked this year by a bi-cultural procession of light, music and food on Nov. 1.
La Luz Center, the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art and the Sonoma Community Center have come together to plan a free community event that spans three distinct venues.
The festivities begin at noon at La Luz Center, with a showing of altars and sugar skulls created by local residents and other organizations including Nuestra Voz, Boys & Girls Club, Teen Center, and Banco de Sonoma. There will be beverages and sweets, until 4 p.m.
From 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. the scene shifts to the Sonoma Museum of Modern Art, at 551 Broadway for viewing of an alter built by local artists. The Carlos Herrera Band will perform.
A procession lead by the musicians, along a path lit by glowing luminaria, then leads to the Sonoma Community Center for a 5 p.m. reception. Greeting guests will be a community altar on the center’s lawn.
The framework for the large alter sculpture was crafted by local artist Jim Callahan. The public is invited to make personal offerings and additions to the altar, as it grows in shape and spirit throughout the evening. Atop the steel-ribbed structure will be a fire, like the flame of a communal candle which will be ceremoniously lit to kick off the festivities.
An ancient custom rooted in South America, El Día de Los Meurtos is based on the belief that the souls of the dead can visit their relatives in this world. Thus they are greeted with flowers, favorite foods, trinkets and other personal offerings.
The afternoon’s nonprofit partners will host the free Andrews Hall reception until 7 p.m. Kathy Swett, community center executive director, said the goal of the partnership was to link events Valley-wide while being completely inclusive.
“The three organizations are extremely pleased we were able to collaborate,” said Swett, “It feels very rich from the cultural aspect.”
The reception includes music, appetizers, Sonoma Valley wines and the unveiling of an indoor art installation, an altar titled “Building the Bridge.”
As envisioned by artist and author Noris Binet, the work will be created over the weekend by a group of 30 artists, a collective of women representing many cultures and ethnic backgrounds.
[nggallery id=119]
