Itinerary / Day of the Dead

Dia de los Muertos has its origins in pre-Columbian times, when relatives of a loved one who had died would build an altar to the gods, adorned with mementos of the deceased. After the Spanish arrived in America, because these ancient practices were consistent with the Catholic All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2), the two traditions merged. It is this hybrid holiday, actually a joyous celebration of life after death, that continues to thrive in Mexico and in the U.S., where altar-making is an art form practiced by many Chicano artists.

Thursday

The Museum of Latin American Art kicks off a weekend of Day of the Dead activities with “Dia de los Muertos: East L.A. Style,” a slide lecture and discussion with Self Help Graphics director Tomas Benitez about the history of the holiday and how it is celebrated today. A screening of Charles Eames’ 1950 documentary “Dia de los Muertos “ will follow. 7 to 9 p.m. $5 members, $8 nonmembers.

Also at the museum this weekend: “El Dia de los Muertos para Ninos” is a crafts workshop for children from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, $5 members, $8 nonmembers. For adults, there’s “Shrine Anything,” an altar-making workshop and sangria party, 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday. Bring a few images or photos of someone special who has died. $10 members, $15 nonmembers. On Sunday, there will be a community altar-building project outside the museum, noon to 4 p.m., free. 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach, (562) 437-1689.

Saturday

UCLA’s Armand Hammer Museum begins its celebration at 11 a.m. with a children’s concert, “Dia de los Muertos: Sounds From Ancient Mexico,” during which Martin Espino will demonstrate how to play ancient Aztec bamboo panpipes. At noon, children can listen to storyteller Sylvia Velasquez Lawrence as she presents “Dia de los Muertos: The Dancing Skeleton and Other Cuentos,” a program of classic Mexican folk stories. There are crafts programs for children at 1 p.m. At 2 p.m., Mariachi UCLA will perform a “Dia de los Muertos Mariachi Concert.” 10899 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 443-7000. Events are free.

In East Los Angeles, Self Help Graphics’ annual celebration is dedicated to the memory of Sister Karen Boccalero, founding director of the community-based visual arts centers. The day begins at 1 p.m. with a prayer at Sister Karen’s grave site at Calvary Cemetery (Whittier Boulevard at Downey Road) followed by a procession led by Aztec dancers to Self Help Graphics. From 2:30 to 10 p.m., there will be ceremonial dance, a blessing, music and spoken-word entertainment, traditional foods for sale and the “Dia de los Muertos” exhibit featuring more than 125 artists. 2:30-10 p.m. 3802 Cesar E. Chavez Ave., (213) 881-6444. A new gallery in Casa de Sousa on Olvera Street will be dedicated to Sister Karen Sunday at 6 p.m. 19 W. Olvera St., (213) 881-6444.

The East Los Angeles Library’s Chicano Resource Center will have an Aztec blessing at noon, followed by children’s crafts, face painting and refreshments. Artists will present their works after 1 p.m. Free. 4801 3rd St., (213) 264-0155.

View a Day of the Dead altar honoring departed friends contributed by the community of Pico Rivera at the Pico Rivera Centre for the Arts, 9200 Mines Ave., (562) 801-4300. At 6 p.m., there will be a screening of “Macario” (1960), a Mexican film, followed by the classic “Black Orpheus” (1959). Free.

Sunday

CultuAztlan and the San Fernando Valley Latino Arts Council are sponsoring a Day of the Dead festival at the historic Andres Pico Adobe House with musical entertainment, fine arts and crafts exhibits, a community altar, Aztec dancers, food booths, face painting and mask making for kids. 10940 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (818) 892-9490 or (818) 344-7017.