The Guerreras de Luz (Warrior of the Light) Pico RIvera based, led by Adriana D. Pinto (kneeling with a crown of feathers)

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8th Dia de los Muertos event draws thousands

By Sergio Lopez, Jr.

Staff Writer

411whittier.com

WHITTIER – Thousands of the living roamed Uptown Whittier in celebration of the dead.
Dia de los Muertos is a tradition deep-seeded in Mexican culture. No, it is not Halloween and it differs from many customs dealing with death in that it does not involve mourning. In fact, the vibe is quite the opposite. Celebrating life and the life lived by those who are no longer with us is the name of the game and it is done with food, music, art, and, most importantly, family.
These essential entities were all present at the Eighth annual Dia de los Muertos Art and Music Festival in Uptown Whittier on Oct. 13, 2013.
Hosted by the popular Uptown shop Casita Del Pueblo, the festival was trained at benefiting the Whittier-based SKILLS Foundation. The aims of the foundation are “prevention enrichment and education,” said Executive Director Toni Banuelos. This organization is intended on improving the development of young children up to that of adolescents and their parents with programs like Friday Forum, Butterfly Buddies, Parenting Teens 101, the Club Orchard Dale After-School Program, and the SKILLS Technology and Career Exploration Academies. Banuelos projects that the SKILLS Foundation would net $2,000 in donations from the cultural event.

The day began at 10:30 a.m. with announcements and music. At the main stage, situated in the parking lot at the corner of Bright and Philadelphia, the show began at 11 a.m. and went until 4 p.m., showcasing numerous musical acts and dance groups including the Raks for Paws Dance Troupe, the Lone Ranger Smokers, the Jamun Dance Troupe, Rebels Uprising, The Drizz, Paso de Oro, Betty’s Mustatch, and Mexico 68. The main stage festivities then ended with a custom contest in which winners received prizes from Casita Del Pueblo. Four winners were chosen: Eddie from the Guerreras de Luz (Warriors of the Light), Leticia Salazar with her grandson Elijah Hernandez, and Alexa Cisneros, who at 5 years old was one of the youngest contestants.

On the streets, the atmosphere was one of music, visual art and good food. While a booming drum corps sounded at one side of Greenleaf and the thundering beat of the huehuetl (pronounced weh-weht) echoed from the other, vendors made their art, which ranged from decorative ceramic skulls to hand-painted vintage suitcases, available for purchase.
Cindy and Steven Proios, owners of Low and Dirty Apparel and Accessories, were visibly excited about the opening of their new storefront on the corner of Baily and Greenleaf scheduled for the first of next month and appreciated the opportunity to sell their one-of-a-kind merchandise at the event.
“We’ve received support from familiar locals and even new people,” said Steve Proios. Like other venders, they also held intimate ties with the Dia de los Muertos tradition.
“Growing up,” said Cindy Proios, “we were taught to pray for our family and to give praise to the dead.”
It is no secret that Dia de los Muertos is growing in appeal, especially among young people.
“I’m really glad that it’s becoming better known by young people,” said Whittier resident Adriana Rodriguez. Even people new to this Mexican tradition are submersing themselves in it as passionately as the most staunchest culturist.
“This is our opportunity to thumb our noses at death,” said Alice Gresto, a face-paint-sporting educator of Irish descent who was on her way to La Pescadora to meet with other educators. “Here we are,” she exclaimed, “having a good time and we will be back.”
It is a wonderful thing when passionate people take death and celebrate it by making it beautiful.
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