ANCIENT FESTIVAL CELEBRATION FULL OF LIFE FOR DAY OF THE DEAD.Byline: SUSAN ABRAM Staff Writer CANOGA PARK -- On a day that honors the dead, a historic district came to life Sunday. The annual Dia de los Muertos Día de los Muer·tos n. See Day of the Dead. [Spanish : día, day + de, of + los, the + muertos, pl. of muerto, dead.] celebration beckoned thousands for hip- shaking dances, aromatic foods and whimsical crafts inspired by Mexico's enduring traditions. Blocks along Sherman Way were shut down as Aztec dancers rattled by in a procession of feathers and shells, while folklorico dancers performed for an enthusiastic crowd inside the Madrid Theatre. ``I like learning about other people's beliefs,'' said Woodland Hills resident Faith Devine as she took a break to eat a vegetarian tamale Tamale (təmä`lē), town (1984 pop. 136,828), capital of the Northern Region, N Ghana. It is a road junction and agricultural trade and education center. . It was the sixth Dia de los Muertos event celebrated in Canoga Park's old downtown, where the 1920s-era Madrid Theatre -- which once featured silent pictures -- still sits. Dia de los Muertos began in pre-Columbian Mexico and stems from the belief that the souls of the dead return each year to visit and be entertained by their relatives. Those beliefs are not far from Devine's own, she said. ``In my own spiritual path, death is just another step in the process of evolution,'' the 67-year-old woman said. ``Death for me is not a big deal.'' Each year on Nov. 2 in Mexico, altars erected in homes and in cemeteries are decked with foods and hobby items once enjoyed by the deceased. Gold marigold marigold, any plant of the genus Tagetes of the family Asteraceae (aster family), mostly Central and South American herbs cultivated elsewhere as garden flowers. The two common species of marigold, both annuals, are distinguished as African, or Aztec (T. flowers, symbols of the departed, line the walkway and encircle en·cir·cle tr.v. en·cir·cled, en·cir·cling, en·cir·cles 1. To form a circle around; surround. See Synonyms at surround. 2. To move or go around completely; make a circuit of. the altars or ofrendas. Dia de los Muertos is said to be one of the most photographed celebrations in the world. This year's collection of ofrendas on Sherman Way focused on heroes, both in the art world and recent events. Copies of poetry encircled en·cir·cle tr.v. en·cir·cled, en·cir·cling, en·cir·cles 1. To form a circle around; surround. See Synonyms at surround. 2. To move or go around completely; make a circuit of. photographs of Spain's beloved Federico Garcia Lorca Gar·cí·a Lor·ca , Federico 1898-1936. Spanish poet and playwright. Considered Spain's leading modern poet for works such as Lament for the Death of a Bullfighter (1935) and Poet in New York . Paint brushes were spread before a portrait of Vincent Van Gogh. Crocodile hunter Steve Irwin
Stephen Robert Irwin (February 22, 1962 – September 4, 2006), known simply as Steve Irwin and nicknamed "The Crocodile Hunter , who died this year on Sept. 4 after being struck by a stingray's spine while he filmed a show, was immortalized with a photograph, a rubber crocodile toy and a small aquarium. Also remembered -- with pictures and poems -- were the five firefighters who perished in the recent Esperanza Fire. Dozens of chalk artists blended colors together onto the pavement, creating dancing skeletons that have come to symbolize the tradition. The last painted words by the vibrant Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, ``Viva la Vida,'' or long live life, appeared on T-shirts, book bags and even refrigerator magnets. Chalk artist Anthony Rico came to the event with a black-and-white copy of a photograph of his grandmother, Adela Valencia Vasquez, a pretty young woman with thick dark hair and lively eyes who died in her 30s, 12 years after giving birth to Rico's father. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. a lot about her, but I feel closer to her by doing this,'' said the pensive pen·sive adj. 1. Deeply, often wistfully or dreamily thoughtful. 2. Suggestive or expressive of melancholy thoughtfulness. artist who had just finished the top half of his grandmother's face before resting. susan.abram(at)dailynews.com (818) 713-3664 CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) Jesse Silva creates chalk art along Sherman Way during the Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, celebration on Sunday in Canoga Park. (2) In Canoga Park, Lucy Garcia dances in her colorful Aztec attire during a Dia de los Muertos celebration, honoring the dead and the continuity of life. Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer |
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