El Panteón de Sacramento 2022 Honors Lives Lost in the Pandemic

Sacramento, CA – The Latino Center of Art and Culture (LCAC) is kicking off its 13th Annual El Panteón de Sacramento (in honor of Day of the Dead) the last weekend in October. From Friday, October 28 to Sunday, October 30, the centuries-old tradition will be recognized on the grounds of the Latino Center of Art and Culture and feature the recreation of a candlelit Mexican cemetery and chapel accompanied by traditional memorials created by families and friends to honor those who have passed, tell the stories of their departed loved ones and enjoy live performances, entertainment, food, activities and culture for the entire family.

“El Panteón is not only a place of remembrance, but a joyous celebration of our loved ones,” said Carissa L. Gutiérrez, LCAC Executive Director. “COVID-19 wreaked havoc on a lot of families and individuals worldwide and this year’s event honors those lives lost and seeks to bring peace and closure during a celebration of those who have passed on.”

The three-day FREE event will feature colorful and eclectic ofrendas adorned with sugar skulls, food and drink once enjoyed by the departed, flowers and personal mementos. Bathed in the light of the moon during evening hours and filled with drifting fragrances of copal and cempasuchil, the bright marigolds considered the flowers of the dead, will help us remember those we lost.

“What does it mean to re-member?” asked Jorge Quintana, LCAC Director of Communications. “For our communities it means remembering the spirits of those who have been forgotten amidst a world of capitalism, war, police brutality and many other human struggles we face.”

Registration for the event is not required, but donations are encouraged. For those wanting to build an altar, serve as sponsor, become a vendor, volunteer for the event or have questions, email info@thelatinocenter.org. For more information about El Panteón de Sacramento visit the Latino Center of Art and Culture. Watch a video from one of our past events and make sure you follow LCAC on Facebook, as well as Instagram.

Additional Event Details:

13th El Panteón de Sacramento: De Raíces a Tradiciones

The Latino Center of Art & Culture 2700 Front St., Sacramento, CA 95818

Friday-Sunday, October 28-30, 2022

Friday – 5:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m.

Saturday – 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Media Availability:

• Families will be available throughout the event to discuss the process and experience of making their altars.
• A Master Chocolatier will also be on site and available for media interviews.
• LCAC spokespeople will be available on site including:
  • Carissa Gutiérrez, Executive Director, LCAC
  • Jorge Quintana, Director of Communications, LCAC
  • Maestro Vidal Beltran, Director of Folk and Traditional Art, LCAC
  • Alma Lopez, Board of Directors, LCAC
  • Candelaria Vargas, Board of Directors, LCAC

Festival activities/performances include:

• 40 community altares
• Dozens of artisanal vendors
• Traditional food, hot drinks, and baked goods
• Dance groups including:
  • Rincones de Mi Tierra
  • Victoria Dance
  • Nostalgias de Mexico
  • Palomas y Gavilanes
  • Judas de Pajakuaran
  • Los Kurtites de Calzonzin
  • Ballet de Santa Helena
  • Diablos de Juxtlahuaca, Oaxaca
  • Corazon de Hillsboro
  • Nuevo Amanecer
  • Lacustre Michoacan de Ocampo
  • Academy Lico Music
  • Los Nietos de Ahiran
  • Los Jaraneros

ABOUT DIA DE LOS MUERTOS:

Rooted in 3,000-year-old Aztec and Nahua cultural beliefs in the cyclical nature of life, Día de los Muertos is a contemporary Mexican festival during which the souls of the departed are believed to leave the world of the dead and reunite with their loved ones for a single evening. After building altars to share memories and activities the dead once enjoyed in life, participants come together to celebrate their lives with food, drink, music and dancing. Día de los Muertos recognizes death as a natural part of the human experience and honors the contributions ancestors have made to their families and to the community.

ABOUT LCAC:

Founded in 1972, the mission of the Latino Center of Art and Culture is to foster the artistic, economic and cultural development of Sacramento’s Latino community by presenting, exhibiting, and providing excellent artistic programs and services to Latino artists, Latino organizations and Latino families. In this way, we actively seek social justice for marginalized and underrepresented Sacramento communities. Learn more at https://thelatinocenter.org.

# # #