Where to celebrate Day of the Dead in Salem
As Americans wrap up their Halloween weekend celebrations, households around the world are preparing to honor a tradition that dates back to the Aztec empire in Mexico.
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a time for families to honor their departed family members and loved ones. Altars, known as ofrendas, are carefully set up either at cemeteries or at home. They are decorated with candles, sugar skulls, paper flowers and garlands. Photos of loved ones are framed and their favorite meals and drinks are left out in offering in hopes that their spirits will be encouraged to visit and celebrate.
Traditionally, Nov. 1 is dedicated to those who died young while Nov. 2 is the day to remember adults.
In Mexico, the holiday is celebrated with large and colorful parades and festivals. Different regions in Mexico may add their own traditions to the holiday with different flowers or elements.
While smaller in scale, the Hispanic community in Salem will honor the holiday at some community events.
City of Salem
Throughout October, community members contributed to a community ofrenda set up at the Salem Public Library.
As of Friday, the community basket featured photos of famous writers and poets alongside loving notes to community members' loved ones. "Dedicated to Ruth" reads one note on a bottle of Dr. Pepper.
A collection box will be available at the Greeter Desk inside the front doors of the library until the end of the holiday.
On Nov. 2 the community is invited to a "fast-paced evening of fun." The library will host a Lotería night. The traditional game is similar to bingo. Game tables with several versions of the game will be available and winners will receive different prizes. Snacks will be available for everyone.
The event is free and open to the public and will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. Because the library closes at 7 p.m., players will need to be on the Plaza level by 7 p.m.
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CAPACES Leadership Institute
The CAPACES Leadership Institute is hosting their own Day of the Dead event. It is an evening of social gathering, art and celebration through storytelling. There will be free food and drinks, live performances, raffles and a community altar.
Established as an independent nonprofit in 2011 and based in Woodburn, the CAPACES Leadership Institute focuses on strengthening the capacity and political consciousness of individuals and community in hopes of eliminating social disparities. It has sponsored several programs dedicated to training and supporting leaders in the Latino community in the Willamette Valley.
The CAPACES' Day of the Dead event will feature people like Arturo Sarmiento Linares, a Mexican-born poet and host of the program "Hispanidades," which aired for several years on KMUZ Community Radio. He is currently the director of Radio Poder 98.3 FM KTUP.
Gemanereida, a 16-year-old Salem resident, will be performing at the event. She also has performed at the Oregon State Fair.
Several other dancers and singers will also be performing.
More details are available on CAPACES' Facebook page including the link to RSVP to the event.
The celebration will be hosted at Chemeketa Community College Agricultural Hub Building No. 60 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
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Casa de la Cultura Tlanese
Casa de la Cultura Tlanese has been dedicated to teaching and sharing traditional Mexican dance to the local community for several years.
They've been featured at the World Beat Festival since its inception and the local nonprofit celebrated its 17th year earlier this year.
At this year's World Beat Festival, COO and co-founder Paola Sumoza Maciel spoke about the origins of the organization and about her excitement to continue bringing her traditions to the local community.
On Nov. 5, the organization will host a Day of the Dead celebration featuring dancers and performers from across the state.
Community members will be encouraged to contribute to a community ofrenda and enjoy raffles and music.
Gemanereida also will sing at this event.
In addition to performances from Casa de la Cultura Tlanese, other dance companies will travel for the event. Ballet Folklorico Academy will be performing for the third time. The dance company is based in the Portland area and is dedicated to sharing dances from Sinaloa and Jalisco. Dancers are 4 to 16 years old.
Raíces de Oregón, a Eugene-based nonprofit, also will be performing traditional dances, and dance group Iurhiri Jimbani will perform traditional Purépecha dances, an Indigenous community from Michoacán.
The event will be at McKay High School from noon to 6 p.m. on Nov. 5.
Dianne Lugo covers equity and social justice issues for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at dlugo@gannett.com or on Twitter @DianneLugo
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Day of the Dead: Where to celebrate Dia de los Muertos in Salem, Ore.
