Día de los Muertos, better known as Day of the Dead, isn’t a Halloween-related event, even though it may sound like it. Rather, the holiday — which originated in Mexico — is an upbeat celebration (despite the melancholy of death), in which family and friends gather to remember deceased loved ones. During this day, it is believed that the dead can come closer to the living. Of course, let’s hope they don’t come too close — that’d just be scary … but I digress. At the Day of the Dead Festival of Souls, presented by Latin American Coalition and Levine Museum of the New South, those attending can enjoy authentic food and a variety of entertainment, including dancing, art/altar displays, crafts — like decorating a sugar skull with colorful icing and sequins — and more. For more information, visit www.latinamericancoalition.org. Free. 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th St. 704-333-1887. www.museumofthenewsouth.org.
This article appears in Oct 27 – Nov 2, 2009.
