]
Given that it has grown in size and scope every year, the organizing initiative for the event remarkably remains small. “It comes out of a group of five people,” says Rudy Cordova, owner of Calacas. “Without the professional background of being a promoter, without the big corporations pitching in with their dollars, it's still one of the best ventures in the city that we have and that we're proud of.” As a cultural staple of the city, this year's Day of the Dead celebration will take place starting from 1 p.m. until its finale at 10 p.m.
“We will have entertainment all throughout the day,” Cordova adds. “Every hour we have something planned. We have an Aztec dancer ceremony. We are going to have a procession with La Catrina on stilts, so she's going to be a big attraction.” Music also plays a major part. In-house musicians that have emerged from El Centro will be performing such as Los Santaneros and Son del Centro. Bay-Area cumbia band Tokeson is the closing act on the bill and with Santa Ana's Mexican Cultural Center on a long-term quest for ownership of their own building, they will keep the fundraising after party going at Rancho de Mendoza on Fourth Street.
There are no competitions or grand prizes awarded to anyone in the community who construct altars typically adorned with photographs of the deceased, sugar skulls, and marigold flowers. “We try to keep it grassroots here and built by our community,” Cordova says of trying to keep the spirit of the tradition pure. But as the event gains traction not just in Santa Ana, but across the United States, Noche de Altares remains an open invitation to all.
“Different cultures all really relate with Day of the Dead,” he adds. “It's something that we are really happy to share.”
Gabriel San Román is from Anacrime. He’s a journalist, subversive historian and the tallest Mexican in OC. He also once stood falsely accused of writing articles on Turkish politics in exchange for free food from DönerG’s!