~click on flier for bigger version ~ Image: Deadly Stylish by Diane Gamboa, 2009

I remember last years Dia de los Muertos. I got my face painted, got a kiss from Leo Limon, ate tamales, rocked out to the bands on stage and hung out with Viki D. and P-3000 through-out the night. I can’t wait to see what this years celebration will bring. That’s why I’m excited about the workshops because it’s like a count down to the big night on Nov. 1 and 2. These workshops are kick ass because you spend an afternoon creating art, something I suck at because the calavera I painted looked like crap. Any who, the workshops are on Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m. and they’re always a lot of fun. So check self helps site for UP TO DATE INFO and what’s going on and mark your calender. No one does Dia de los Muertos like SHG. I wonder how many M.J. altars I’ll see ??
Also if anyone is interested in helping out as a volunteer, click on the link and sign up. Volunteers are part of the magic that help DOD happen.

Here’s the rest of the info straight from the website. As you may have noticed I also lifted the flier from the site too 🙂

Self Help Graphics & Art welcomes the community to its 36th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration on Monday, November 2nd, 2009. To better accommodate the thousands of visitors who attend the landmark event, Self Help Graphics & Art will hold this year’s celebration at the East Los Angeles Civic Center. The location will provide visitors with free easy access parking, restrooms and greater space for vendors and activities.

The event will feature children’s art workshops, art and crafts vendors, elaborate altars, as well as delicious local food. Guests will also enjoy a day of the dead fashion walk, live music from top local performers including Conjunto Los Pochos, Killsonic, L’Esprit d’Afrique, Ollin, La Santa Cecilia and surprise special guests. One of the highlights of the celebration includes a traditional public procession featuring people of all ages in colorful calavera face paint and attire.

This year’s commemorative print was created by vanguard artist Diane Gamboa who continues to feed off the urban landscape and its underground makings to fill her creative palette. Diane is known for her Hit and Run Paper Fashion, the Pin Up series, her Unpopular Cultureseries of photographs and related images and concepts, her ongoing Day of the Dead couture style, and Bruja-Ha objects. Gamboa is also serving as curator of the Deadly Stylish art exhibition featuring works by William J. Acedo, William Borges, Ofelia Esparza, Simone Gad, Angie Skull Garcia, Jessica Gudiel, Theresa Hernandez, Edgar Ibarra, Pola Lopez, Rigo Maldonado, Sandra Vista, Dawn Wirth, and Jaime aka Germs Zacarias. The exhibition will run from November 1-November 28, 2009 at Self Help Graphics & Art at 3802 Cesar Chavez Avenue.

Self Help Graphics will kick off the celebration with a series of FREE art workshops in October featuring courses on papel picado, luminarias and mascaras. Workshops will conclude with the construction of a community altar during the Noche de Ofrenda celebration on October 24, 2009 at 6 p.m. at Self Help’s Cesar Chavez Avenue location. This year’s event is sponsored in part by the Walt Disney Company, with support from Los Angeles County Supervisor, Gloria Molina, Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, Los Angeles County Libraries, Los Angeles County Internal Services Department, Ex-Voto Design, Hit + Run, La Morenita, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Sticky Rick’s.

DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION: Nov. 2nd 2009, 5-11 p.m. East Los Angeles Civic Center 4801 E. 3rd Street, LA 90022 (on the corner of 3rd Street & Mednik) PROCESSION: 4 p.m. Gathering at the Virgen Mural on Mednik at Cesar Chavez Avenue

DEADLY STYLISH EXHIBITION: November 1-November 28, 2009 Opening Reception: November 1, 2009 5-7 PM Artist Talk: November 21, 2009 2-4 PM Self Help Graphics & Art 3802 Cesar Chavez Avenue, East Los Angeles, CA 90063

ARTS & CRAFTS WORKSHOPS: Throughout October 2009 NOCHE DE OFRENDA: October 24th, 2009, 6-9 p.m. Self Help Graphics & Art 3802 Cesar Chavez Avenue, East Los Angeles, CA 90063

Schedule of workshops

• October 3, 10, 17, 2009 – Saturday Community Workshops
  Flores de Papel/ Paper Flower Making , 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  Come learn the tradition of creating handcrafted paper flowers with Master Altar Maker, Ofelia Esparza and the Esparza Family. Many of the flowers you create will be used for the community altar which is one of the yearly traditions at Self Help Graphic’s Dia De Los Muertos Celebration each November 2. There will be paper flowers to take home too. You can make small and big flowers of multiple colors. This workshop is open to all ages. No experience is necessary.

  Paper Mache Mask, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  Learn to create your very own calavera mask with artist, Dewey Tafoya. Dewey made plaster forms for you to build your paper mask on, which makes the classic Paper Mache calaca-look easy to achieve. Create your mask on one Saturday, let it dry for a week, then come back the following Saturday to paint and glitter it! Making masks is a two-part process, be sure to make time in your schedule for 2 Saturdays. Small kids will need help with mask making—they should bring a parent, older sister or brother to assist them.

  Dia De Los Muertos Mascara Decorating 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  Join crafter, Becky Cortez to decorate a one-dimensional, calaca mascara (mask) created by a SHG artist and printed on card stock. This workshop is challenging for young and old, because there are different materials for you to select from for personalizing your mascara. They each come out beautifully unique! We encourage you to wear the mascara you created and decorated to Self Help Graphic’s Dia de los Muertos procession on November 2!

  Papel Picado 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  A guest artist will teach the basics of papel picado using some simple cutting techniques and a template. Create traditional Day of the Dead designed cut-outs that you can use to display as panels and banners. This papel picado workshop is best suited to students who can use scissors and can follow a template. Some of these paper picado panels will be displayed as part of the community altar at Self Help Graphic’s Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration, some will be for your Dia de los Muertos altar at home too. Parents are encouraged to attend classes with their child.

  
  Luminarias 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  Come to the world premiere of Theresa Hernandez’ Day of the Dead themed luminaria making workshop. With simple materials, paints and calaca inspired decor, create a beautiful hand-made luminaria that you can prominently place at your home for beckoning los espiritos. Luminarias are made from paper bags, weighted down with sand and are illuminated from within by a lit candle and traditionally line walk ways and paths. More recently, they are becoming a traditional addition to a Day of Dead altar for guiding the spirits to the treats that await them. Theresa Hernandez is a long time Self Help Graphics artist with an extensive background in printing. This is a fun and easy craft for all ages.
  
  

  October 24 , 2009 – Noche de Ofrenda
  7 :00 p.m – 9:00 p.m.
  We will conclude our day of workshops with the construction of our large community Altar in Self Help Graphics Salon, lead by premier altar maker and community resident, Ofelia Esparza. Guest and workshop participants will be invited to participate in this inspirational and important art of traditional altar making by placing their own offerings into the altar construction.

  Community Altar Construction & Blessing followed by coffee, pan and chocolate reception.