Davis will participate in the Meso-American festivity of Dia de los Muertos with three different events that Davis Downtown, the Davis Cemetery and the University will all host.
On Oct. 31, the second annual Dia de los Muertos celebration will occur in the E Street Plaza from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Attendees can enjoy a Dia de los Muertos procession, dance performances and a community altar organized for the El Dia de los Muertos Celebration.
At 4 p.m. the El Dia de los Muertos procession will begin, starting from Tres Hermanas, located at 805 Second St., and ending at the E Street Plaza. Performers and costume wearers are encouraged to participate.
This year, Pamela Trokanski’s Dance Group will put on a flash mob performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
Additionally, Davis will also be celebrate the lives of the dead on Nov. 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Davis Cemetery, located at 820 Pole Line Road.
Davis will be celebrating the life of internationally departed scholar Jack Forbes in a celebration of his life and work through Dia de los Muertos. Jack Forbes was a Native American scholar who was responsible for the establishment of the Native American studies program at UC Davis.
Along with recitation of Forbes’ poetry, burial site blessings and speeches about his life and work, the event will also include elements from previous Dia de los Muertos events. There will be an altar viewing beginning at 11:30 a.m., joined by Mariachi Tramontin, Native Drumming and Flute Music, and Mexican hot chocolate will be served until 4 p.m.
Lastly, UC Davis will also be holding a Dia de los Muertos event, Nov. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m., on the first floor of Sproul Hall.
The event will be sponsored by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and Chicana/o Studies. Students will participate in the ritual ceremony with poetry readings and remembrances of the departed.
This Day of the Dead Altar and Celebration is dedicated to the life of poet and artist José Montoya, who passed away earlier this year, and students will recite his poetry at the event. Pan de Muerto, a traditional bread eaten this time of year, horchata and other drinks will be served as as refreshments.
