Living Vancouver Canada: Mexican Day of the Dead - Decorations for Altars in Vancouver and Surrey Events

Catrina, Diego Rivera and Frida

Day of the Dead is the Indigenous Festivity dedicated to the Dead in Mexico. It was proclaimed in 2003 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
The celebration of the Day of the Dead begins in some parts of Mexico on the last days of October where November 1st and 2nd are the most important.
Families celebrate the return of the souls of the loved ones who have died in different ways by lighting some candles at home to remember them or visiting them in the cemetery, cleaning the tombs and bringing them flowers and music . People also set altars dedicated to the loved ones who have died, the altar is decorated with skulls, alfeñique , cempasuchil (marygold) flowers, fruits and food.

La Sirena Folk Art - A Mexican Art-crafts store in Vancouver

Day of the Dead "Calavera" skull - Vancouver La Sirena Folk Art store

La Sirena Folk Art a store in Vancouver that specializes in Mexican art has a beautiful collection of Day of the Dead art-crafts to set an altar. You can find beautiful decorated "paper mache" skulls, "papel picado", and also different clay art-crafts that are traditional of this celebration.
La Sirena Folk Art
324 W. Hastings St, between Cambie and Richards St., Vancouver, B.C.
Phone: 604-568-5465
Hours: Mon-Fri: 10:00 am-6:00 pm Sat: 11:00 am-6:00 pm

Day of the Dead Clay figurines - Vancouver Store La Sirena Folk Art

Day of the Dead altar at La Sirena Folk Art in Vancouver

Dona Cata Mexican Foods Restaurant in Vancouver

Day of the Dead altar by Dona Cata Mexican Restaurant in Vancouver

Come and Celebrate Day of the Dead in Vancouver at Dona Cata Mexican Foods Restaurant. They have a special for Day of the Dead celebration from October 28th. to November 4th. that includes specialities from Morelos, the Mexican state where the owners are from:

Tamales de Frjol y mole verde / Stuffed bean tamales with a delicious green mole sauce slathered on top.... Yummy! I am looking forward to try this one......
Dulce de Calabaza / This is a very traditional dessert for this celebration in Mexico prepared with pumpkin cooked with "piloncillo", cinnamon and spices.
Arroz con Leche / Rice pudding

The restaurant also set a Day of the Dead altar in honor of Doña Cata their grandmother.

Dona Cata Mexican Restaurant in Vancouver

-Click this picture to print - Dona Cata Restaurant in Vancouver - Day of the Dead coupon valid for two free tacos-

Locarno Celebrates Saints and Souls

Vancouver Latin Band Locarno w/ lead band Tom Landa performing at CBC Canada Live

Information from the Radio3 CBC website

Locarno is the new Latin project of Juno award winning musician and Paperboy’s frontman Tom Landa. The music, like him, is part Mexican but with strong doses of Cuban Son, Folk Music, Pop and Funk. There are threads of Son Jarocho and Salsa but the songs are more edgy and contemporary than that. The music could be compared to Manu Chao, Ozomatli or Rodrigo and Gabriela but although there are similarities it is truly original and a new flavour in the Latin music genre.

"Locarno Celebrates Saints and Souls" show 7:30 pm doors 6:30 pm

Friday Oct. 28 CBC Studio 40 700 Hamilton Street, Vancouver

This is a Free show but you must reserve seats to attend.

Send an email to Rsvp.radio@cbc.ca and put "Locarno" in the subject line. Seating is limited
Locarno music is great. Listen to the new album "Una Mas y Ya Nos Vamos"

Day of the Dead Altar Exhibition at Our Lady of Sorrows

Day of the Dead Altars Exhibition at Our Lady Of Sorrows Parish in Vancouver

Day of the Dead Altars exhibition at Our Lady of Sorrows parish in Vancouver. Invitation to everybody who want to set a traditional Day of the Dead altar Sunday Oct. 30 from 7:00 am to 11:00 am.
The exhibition will take place from Sunday Oct. 30 11:00 am until next day in the evening. Please contact Arcelia Vega 604-438-7933 or Father Juan Luis Carvajal 604-254-0691 if you want to participate.

Day of the Dead Altar at Holy Rosary Cathedral

Day of the Dead altar at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Vancouver

Holy Rosary Cathedral
646 Richards St.
Vancouver, B.C.

Day of the Dead in Vancouver at W2 Media Cafe

Mexico Vivo folk group will be participating at Day of the Dead celebration in W2Media Cafe Vancouver

Celebrate "Dia de los Muertos", or "Day of the Dead" the Mexican way: Nov/04/2011 W2 Media Cafe, 111-West Hastings. Vancouver. 6:00 PM. - 9:00 PM.

With the special presentation of : Mexico Vivo Folkoore Dance Group performing Prehispanic and Folklore Dances from Differet Regions of Mexico. Mexican songs by El Mexi-Catracho, Art by Arisai and Carmen K,. Organized by Casa Meshiko Vancouver.

Day of the Dead in Vancouver at W2Media Cafe

"Pan de Muerto" at Los Guerreros Mexican Foods in Vancouver

"Pan de Muerto" Mexican Day of the Dead bread at Los Guerreros Mexican Foods in Vancouver

Information from Los Guerreros Mexican Foods:
Pan de Muerto on sale now at Los Guerreros Mexican Foods.
What is Pan de Muerto? The pan de muerto (Spanish for Bread of the dead) (also called pan de muerto) is a type of bread traditionally baked in Mexico during the weeks leading up to Dia de los Muertos, which is celebrated on November 1 and 2. It is a sweetened soft bread shaped like a bun. Often decorated with bone-like pieces. Pan de Muerto is eaten for months before the official celebration of Dia de Muertos. In Oaxaca, pan de muerto is the same bread that is usually baked, but with additional decorations. As part of the celebration, loved ones eat pan de muerto as well as the relatives favourite foods. The bones represent the lost one (difunto or difunta) and there is normally a baked tear drop on the bread to represent sorrow. The bones in a circle portray the circle of life.

Los Guerreros Mexican Foods
102-3317 Kingsway
Vancouver, B.C. V5R 5K6
(604) 451-7850

All Souls at Mountain View Cemetery

All Souls celebration at Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver includes traditional Mexican altars called here Personal Shrines and Illuminated Memorials and a Mexican Sugar Skulls Workshop.

The following information was taken from the Mountain View Cemetery website.

Thursday, October 20th at 8pm

Creating Personal Shrines and Memorials
The orientation will be followed by a talk and planning workshop with Artist Marina Szijarto, for those interested in creating more elaborate personal memorials and shrines. No Registration Necessary

Saturday October 22, from 1-4pm

Sugar Skulls Workshop
The popular sugar skulls workshop returns Saturday October 22, 1-4pm. The cost for materials is $5. This workshop fills up fast. Registration closes on Friday, October 20th at Noon

Sunday October 23, from 1– 4

Illuminated Memorials
Participants will need to bring photographs, text and other significant mementos that can be photo copied for use in ephemeral, candle lit memorials. The cost for materials is $5 payable at the door. Registration closes on Friday, October 20th at Noon

To ensure a spot for October 22nd or 23rd, please register at 604.325.2646 or email at mountain.view@vancouver.ca

All events take place at Celebration Hall - 5445 Fraser St. at 39th Ave.

* if you are interested in getting involved, but are unable to attend the orientation, please leave a message for Paula at the cemetery 604.325.2646

Parade of Lost Souls Festival

Mexican Sugar Skulls in Parade of Lost Souls Festival in Vancouver poster

"Parade of Lost Souls" Festival in Vancouver is not a Mexican Day of the Dead celebration, but it is pretty obvious that has some of the most important and typical Mexican elements, like the decorated skulls "calaveras", celebration of the dead, etc. This is a two-week festival of workshops from October 18 to 23rd. and a parade on October 29. The parade on Oct. 29 starts at Britannia Oval and continue along the streets of Commercial Dr. from 5pm to 9pm.

Mariachi Los Dorados celebrating "Day of the Dead" at NUBA Restaurant

Vancouver Mariachi Band "Los Dorados"

Mariachi Los Dorados celebrating "Día de Muertos" at Nuba Restaurant.
Date: Friday , October 28 - Sunday, October 30, 2011 19:00 hrs.
a great and unique experience, enjoy the celebration of "Dia de Muertos" at NUBA restaurant located at:

The Waldorf Hotel
1489 East Hastings
604-253-7141

Dinner for the Dead at The Waldorf Hotel

Dinner for the Dead at The Waldorf Hotel

Information from the Waldorf Hotel website:

Preceding our massive Halloween parties on Friday October 28 and Saturday October 29, the Waldorf summons you to feast with your dearly departed in the age old Día de los Muertos ceremony. Attendees are requested to bring a picture or personal item of a departed one that they would like to remember and place it at the Altar of the Dead. A three-course Oaxacan meal—created by Ernesto Kut Gomez and Cesar de la Parra—with a Mezcal apertif and canapes will be served first for the dead and then for the rememberers. Artists Emilio Rojas, Guadalupe Martinez and Matias Armendaris will perform and lead you through an interactive ritual for the dead. Following the ritual there will be live mariachi entertainment. Come celebrate, feast and remember with joy. Expect the transcendent.

Arrival time 7pm. Please be prompt.
$55 (Gratuity included)
$75 (Gratuity and admission into Halloween at the Waldorf that evening included)

Mexican Day of the Dead and Revolution celebration at Surrey Museum

Vancouver based Mexico Vivo Folklore and Salsa

Mexican Day of the Dead will also be celebrated at the Surrey Museum. Vancouver folk ballet "Mexico Vivo Folklore and Salsa" and Vancouver Mariachi Band "Mariachi Los Dorados" will be performing traditional dances and music of the famous and traditional Mexican Day of Dead and Mexican Revolution celebrations.

The following information was taken from the Surrey Museum website:
Mexican Cultural Fiesta
Enjoy traditional dances by Mexico Vivo and hear live mariachi music. Learn to make papel picado to decorate your home the Mexican way, make a simple piñata or try other Latin American crafts.

Saturday, November 26
1:00pm-3:00pm
All ages, by donation

Other events also at the Surrey Museum are as follow:

Armchair Travellers: Mexican Days of the Dead
Join a local travel expert to marvel at photos of Mexico’s fascinating Day of the Dead festival in Michoacan province. See what Mexico offers beyond the beaches and resorts. Pre-registration recommended.

Saturday, November 26

3:00pm-4:00pm

All ages, by donation

Thinking Caps Club: Mexican Days of the Dead

Learn about these fascinating family holidays from Mexico and find out what those skeletons mean as you tour the Days of the Dead exhibit. Then make a sugar skull to take home for your own ofrenda! Please pre-register

1 session $6.50 (7-12yrs)

Tuesday, November 22

4:00pm-5:00pm

4261882

For more information visit the Surrey Museum site.