An evening of decadent delights, music, dancing, and art awaits you at the Museum of Ventura County’s Night of the Living, Day of the Dead celebration on Friday, November 2 from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. The Day of the Dead fundraiser is hosted by Las Contemporaneas, the museum’s Latina support group. It includes dinner by El Taco, dancing to the music of DJ Solo, no-host bar, artist-created and traditional altars, Day of the Dead adult crafts, and a silent auction of shadow box retablos created by local artists for the occasion. Reserved admission is $20, $15 for museum members, or $25 at the door. For reservations, call 805.653-0323 x 7.

The evening opens with a blessing ceremony by Roberto Vargas, and during the party guests can make silent auction bids on retablos created by artists including Dianne Bennett, Robert Bermudez, Christine Brennan, Ryan Carr, Michele Chapin, Richard Flores, Susan Gerrard, Porfirio Gutierrez, MB Hanrahan, Maribel Hernandez, Pete Ippel, Elana Kundell, Xavier Montes, Shelly Anne Moore, Cecilia Ortiz, Claudia Pardo, Amadeo Perez, Bob Privitt, Arturo Rivas, Ricardo Rodriguez, Susan Seaberry, Courtney Sprigg, Veronica Valadez, Carlos Valdivia, Naomi Valdivia, Andrea Vargas, and Hiroko Yoshimoto.

Traditional and artist-created altars by Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project, Pete Ippel, Susan Haverland, Laurie Johnson, and Courtney Sprigg will also be on display. Museum galleries remain open until 7:00 p.m. during the Friday celebration, and feature the exhibit Social Resurrection: Ceramics by Richard Flores. Altars and retablos will remain in the Pavilion for viewing through Sunday, November 4.

Observed in many parts of Mexico and Latin America, Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) honors the departed who are said to come back to walk among the living on November 1 and 2. It .is now popular in the United States among Latinos and non-Latinos alike. Humorous skulls (calaveras) and skeletons going about worldly business are the dominant symbols of the celebration, which has roots in pre-Columbian as well as Spanish religious beliefs.

The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Ventura. Hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission to the exhibitions is $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children 6-17, members and children under 6 are free. The first Sundays of every month are free general admission for the public. For more museum information go to www.venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.