Día de Muertos, the annual day of the dead that honors those that have passed, returns this Saturday (Nov. 1). These events offer participatory experiences for attendees at Woodland's TANA (Taller Arte del Nuevo Amanecer) and on campus at Sproul Courtyard and the Mondavi Center. They include several ofrendas, or altars, that honor loved ones through written notes and photography. Get in the spirit and learn more about each free opportunity below:
UC Davis School of Law
Thursday, October 30
King Hall - Student Lounge, Noon
Members of the UC Davis School of Law will be honoring loved ones who have passed, while cherishing the love and memories they left behind. They invite Aggies to submit photos of their loved ones using the QR code in this flier. Free pan dulce and coffee will be provided.
UC Davis Department of Spanish and Portuguese
Thursday, Oct. 30, 7 - 8 p.m.
Sproul Courtyard
Join the departments for a reading of calveritas (satirical poems) with prizes, free pan de muerto, drinks and ceremony. Participants are encouraged to honor their departed loved ones by adding a photo to the altar.
TANA’s Annual Día de Muertos Celebration
Saturday, Nov. 1, 4 – 7 p.m.
Join the TANA community for their annual Día de Muertos Celebration, a vibrant gathering honoring the memory of ancestors and loved ones. This year’s celebration will feature communal ofrendas in the main gallery, a danzante blessing and performance, and lively danza and mariachi performances. Families are invited to take part in Día de Muertos themed crafts, including hands-on ink block printing and festive face painting for all ages. Throughout the evening, attendees can also watch live silkscreen printing by TANA participants, interns, and local artists, and enjoy a special exhibit of themed artwork by Woodland High School students.
A limited-edition print, "Nostalgic Flight," signed by artist Stan Padilla and produced through TANA’s Special Editions Program, will be on sale. This edition of 60 is available for $250, with proceeds supporting the Royal Chicano Air Force’s annual Día de Muertos observance at St. Mary’s Cemetery, La Raza Galeria Posada and TANA’s community programming.
Here’s how TANA describes their event: "Share in the memory and spirit of this sacred tradition. We look forward to celebrating with you!
TANA is located at 1224 Lemen Ave, Woodland, CA 95776.
Visit the ofrenda at Mondavi Center
Starting Wednesday, Oct. 29 and all week
Celebrate Día de Muertos by paying tribute to a loved one, or just view and take a moment for yourself at the ofrenda, or altar, at Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts.
In what has become an annual tradition, visitors are welcome to visit the lobby 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Wednesday, Oct. 29 through Oct. 31, and through the weekend if attending a performance.
This year, they are working with ofrenda builder Melissa Moreno, a Davis resident, and Terezita Romo with La Raza Galeria Posada.
Campus and community members may add photos or notes to the ofrenda to honor their own departed loved ones when the lobby is open, according to Ruth Rosenberg, director of Arts Education and Artist Engagement at the Mondavi Center.
Stick around Saturday night for the ticketed presentation of Hasta La Muerte, a spellbinding performance that intertwines the themes of life and death, inspired by the Indigenous and Mexican traditions of Día de los Muertos.