All Saints Day Concert And Cultural Fest Features Joe Craven

DIXON, CA — Day of the Dead, All Saints Day, Halloween; they’re often used as if they are interchangeable, however they differ very much. The Barn and Pantry in Dixon has set out to create a cultural learning experience festival, in hopes of bringing appreciation and understanding while bringing the community together.

“I have been guilty of lacking clarification between the holidays, all the while being afraid to ask from fear of seeming culturally insensitive,” says Lindsey Hickman, owner of The Barn and Pantry. “However I hope to use of space to create a whole community gathering place where everyone feels welcome and represented, so this felt like a fantastic first step in that.”

Dias de los Muertos is celebrated Oct. 31 through Nov. 2, with a different focus each day. It starts with All Hallows Eve (Halloween), All Souls Day, a day to celebrate the spiritual bond between people on Earth and all saints who have gone on to Heaven, then All Souls Day, a day to pray for the souls of those who have passed away but may be stuck in purgatory.

Various Spanish-speaking communities throughout Mexico boast elaborate public altars, or ofrendas, so The Barn and Pantry has invited many local community members to create a gallery of them to showcase inside of their building.

The altars are a temporary way for families to honor their loved ones and provide them what they need on their journey. They are colorful collections of photos of the deceased, along with items that belonged to them to serve as mementos. Each ofrenda also includes the four elements: water, wind, earth and fire. Water is left in a pitcher in order for the spirits to quench their thirst, paper banners represent the wind, earth is represented by food, often in the form of bread and candles are often left in the form of a cross to represent the cardinal directions, so the spirits can find their way.

In order to bring this educational experience to fruition, Hickman brought in some of her business friends to help execute the vision. Justina Salinas of Araceli Farm sponsored the event, and Liz Romero of Yolo Hospice has joined to create a beautiful ofrenda.

“The Day of the Dead is a great opportunity for us to celebrate Hispanic culture,” explains Salinas, “It’s our way of honoring and acknowledging people that are integral to our farm and the agricultural industry, all the while continuing to provide our community with unique experiences.”

Festivities begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1 with tours of the altars, a space for children to create their own papel picados (traditional banners), get your face painted with a tradition sugar skull style by a local artist, and enjoy Spanish folk music by Anne Whitehurst livens up the crowd. Enjoy traditional Mexican fare by Matt Andrews of Food and Familia, plus special beer selections by Yolo Brewing. The main musical act, Joe Craven and the Sometimers, will take the stage around 6:30pm for a concert they’ve titled Grateful Day of the Dead.

This event is costumes encouraged, families welcome, no cover charge, however, donations for the bands are suggested.