Enlarge An altar to Mexican masked wrestler El Santo, by Jose Vazquez and son. Photo by James Willamor.

Posted: November 4th, 2009 James Willamor

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Twirling dresses, stomping boots, and decorative skulls marked the Día
de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead festival at Levine Museum of
the New South, 200 E 7th St., on Nov. 1.

Día de los Muertos is a traditionally Mexican holiday that seeks to honor the dead through celebration. Children decorated sugar skulls and created costumes, and the Latin Heritage Dance Company performed.

A popular tradition of Día de los Muertos is the creation of alters for relatives or loved ones. Alters often feature photos of the deceased, flowers, and ofrendas, or “offerings,” in the form of food and drink. Several alters were on display throughout the Levine museum, and visitors were encouraged to vote for their favorite.

One of the most popular altars was for El Santo, a famous Mexican masked wrestler and entertainer. The display featured a Mexican wrestling mask, model wresting ring, and biography of El Santo. Jose Vazquez and his son created the tribute to El Santo, whom Vazquez calls a “hero to all of Mexico.”

Another altar, by Alexis Seven, was created to honor all of her family’s former pets. Paintings of cats and dogs were surrounded by ofrendas of kibble and cat toys.

Día de los Muertos brought together Latin Americans and many other families wanting to learn more about the holiday as well.

The free Levine Museum event also featured samplings of traditional
holiday bread called pan do muerto, and champurrado – a hot, thick
drink made with hominy flour, milk, and vanilla.

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