In the land of make-believe, nobody does Halloween like L.A. (sorry, NYC, you're a close second). Sure, there are all the parties and the costume parades, not to mention house decorations taken to the next level. However, one of the most intriguing and surreal events doesn't actually celebrate Halloween at all, but the day after: Dia de los Muertos in Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1 (also known as All Saints Day) and November 2 (All Souls Day). It is a traditional Mexican holiday to pray for and remember those who have passed in the previous year. Family members and loved ones create altars with pictures and sweets and flowers, and anything that is a reminder of them.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery (final resting place to such celebrities as Cecil B. DeMille, Jane Mansfield, Joey Ramone, and Rudolf Valentino), hosts the Dia de los Muertos in L.A. People set up altars along the walkways and Mexican bands play in multiple areas around the grounds. There is an art exhibition in the mausoleum and vendors of traditional Mexican food (and Margaritas!).
Most of the photos I took are without flash--to capture the haunting atmosphere and appreciate the lighting and candles. I didn't have a tri-pod so some of the pictures are blurred.
The altars.
This one was really blurry, but it is the "Rainbow Bridge". Anybody who has lost a beloved pet has probably heard of this. There is a picture of a cat in the foreground and at the top of the rainbow are toy kitties.
Trippy. This was at the entrance to the mausoleum. The lights kept changing color and it was a slow exposure--I was curious to how it would come out in a photo.
This is part of the art exhibit inside the mausoleum--I love the crypts with names and dates on them.
One of the bands playing in the mausoleum. The light colors kept changing here too. I love the person in the middle of the stage--looks like a spirit.
This is an altar and candles floating in a pond outside a different mausoleum.
One of the party costumes.
Speaking of parties...we started the night out with ghoulish cocktails at my friend Sherri's house. She made a Pomegranate Martini with worms.
And a Classic Martini with eyeballs (radish stuffed with blue cheese and olive).
Of course, it's not a cocktail without a themed cocktail napkin! Included also, a side of burrata mixed with sun-dried tomatoes.
Happy Halloween!!! Feliz Dia de los Muertos!
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