DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATED TRADITION DATES TO PRE-COLUMBIAN MEXICO.Byline: Daily News People from throughout the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. area gathered Sunday to celebrate the souls of the dearly departed at Day of the Dead celebrations in Canoga Park and San Fernando San Fernando, city, Argentina San Fernando (săn fərnăn`dō), city (1991 pop. 144,761), Buenos Aires prov., E Argentina. It is a district administrative center in the Greater Buenos Aires area. . The Old Town Canoga Park area along Sherman Way was transformed by the colorful event featuring mariachi and salsa music Salsa music or "salsa" is a Latin music generic/umbrella term developed in New York City specifically during the 1970s that was used to describe mainly Afro-Cuban popular Latin dance music generally utilizing rhythms from Cuba, particularly son and guaracha. ; Aztec and flamenco dancing; a classic car show; international food; and special arts focusing on the fall celebration. ``It's such a wonderful way of showcasing the culture we have here in the San Fernando Valley and celebrating our heritage,'' said Ellen Lavoigne of Woodland Hills, who attended the Canoga Park celebration. ``I wouldn't miss it for the world.'' Day of the Dead has roots in pre-Columbian Mexico and the belief that souls of dead relatives return each year to visit. People erect altars with photographs of family members who have died. In San Fernando, residents gathered Sunday for a celebration at Brand Park that included art, food and crafts of Mexico, as well as mariachi music and dancing. The free Brand Park event was sponsored by CultuAztlan and the San Fernando Valley Latino Arts Council An arts council is a government or private, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts mainly by funding local artists, awarding prizes, and organizing events at home and abroad. , among other groups and individuals. It was held between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. While it may be touched at times with the macabre and notes of sadness, the overall tone of the Day of the Dead festivals is one of joy, focusing on the continuity of life. ``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.] is the Day of the Dead, but it's a celebration,'' said Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. City Councilman Dennis Zine, who helped sponsor the Canoga Park event. ``We've got beautiful weather and a great turnout of the community,'' he said. The Canoga festival, which has grown in popularity each year, was produced by Main Street Canoga Park, a community-based nonprofit corporation nonprofit corporation n. an organization incorporated under state laws and approved by both the state's Secretary of State and its taxing authority as operating for educational, charitable, social, religious, civic or humanitarian purposes. created to bring about economic revitalization of the area. The free festival was held along Sherman Way between Canoga and Jordan avenues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. A number of other special events linked to Day of the Dead were held in Los Angeles over the weekend, drawing thousands of people, including gatherings at Olvera Street and Self Help Graphic in East Los Angeles East Los Angeles, uninc. city (1990 pop. 126,379), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a residential suburb of Los Angeles, in an industrial area. It has a large Mexican-American population. There is a performing arts center and a cultural center. A junior college is there. , and the Festival de La Gente (Festival of the People) on Saturday along the Sixth Street Bridge, connecting Boyle Heights to the downtown area. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: D.M. Gomoliel pauses Sunday in Canoga Park at a memorial to his girlfriend Claudia Estrada, who died in a July car wreck. Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer |
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