El Dia de Los Muertos

Dia de Los Muertos is Spanish for “Day of the Dead”. It is a holiday celebrated by Latin Americans to pray for and remember friends and family members that have passed on. It is observed on November 1st in conjunction with the Catholic holiday, All Saints Day, on November 2nd.

The origin of this holiday traces back to Aztec mythology and it’s Queen of the Underworld: Mictecacihuatl. Queen Mictecacihuatl guards the bones of the departed while her husband, Mictlantecuhtli, rules over the afterlife. According to Aztec tradition after she was born she was sacrificed as an infant and thus is called the Lady of the Dead or Santa Muerte.

Some believe that on this day, it is easier for departed souls to visit the living. People visit cemeteries, make altars, give offerings of favorite items and food of their deceased to encourage their visits. In Mexico it is tradition to decorate with orange marigolds which are believed to attract souls to their offerings or ofrendas.

This tradition combines pre-hispanic rituals with Catholic rituals. It is common to see images of skulls incorporated with images of crosses or the crucifix. The indigenous cultures of Mexico often kept skulls as trophies as a symbol of life, death, and rebirth. This element has carried on to the modern day celebration of Dia de Los Muertos by way of sugar or chocolate skulls, skeleton figurines, pan de muerte and parades of people dressed as skeletons or calaveras.

There are many Dia de Los Muertos events in San Antonio. Here are some celebrations to check out:

First Friday for First-timers

Casbeers @ 1150 S Alamo St San Antonio, TX 78210

First Friday is a must in San Antonio. It is held on the first Friday of every month in the historical King William District. All of the art galleries along South Alamo Street are open, there’s lots of live music, street vendors with everything imaginable – always a great time to be had. If you haven’t been before, mark your calendars. The next one is October 2, 2009.

The most important thing you need to know about going to First Friday is that parking is hard to find so come early. There are two free parking lots on Durango Street but they fill up fast. Also try finding parking along the streets intersecting South Alamo Street. After you have parked your car, reward yourself with a margarita at Rosario’s at S. Alamo and S. St. Mary Street. Best margaritas in town and the only way to kick off a First Friday.

What to do next? Gallery hop of course! Make your way to Blue Star Arts Complex via Garcia Art Glass,the
Robert Hughes Gallery, El Sol Studios, and check out all the artisan stands lining Alamo Street as well.

I bet you’re hungry by now. Southtown has some great eats! We love Oloroso, Azuca, China Latina, Tito’s, and the food at Blue Star are all great eats! You also can’t pass up the gordita stands, a real San Antonio treat! You might want to think about eating early – the restaurants will get super-packed.

Now for the drinks! Beethoven Maennerchor is a longtime San Antonio tradition. The architect of our 1906 hotel, Leo M.J. Deilmann, was a member! Great place for some good German brews and live music too! Casbeers at the Church is also a great place for beers and music. They have a lovely outdoor patio that is perfect for people watching. Of course, Blue Star makes their very own beer, has a restaurant, and there are several art galleries at the complex.

Finish the night out at La Tuna on Probandt Street, the place will be hopping! They have a great biergarten, it’s a great place to meet up with friends, and a stone’s throw from the Blue Star Arts Complex. See you out there this Friday!

The Fairmount Hotel

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