Celebrate Dia de los Muertos!

Today is Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead! Dia de los Muertos, which falls on November 2 every year, commemorates and celebrates the life of those who have died. This holiday is celebrated throughout many Latin American countries. Although this day has indigenous roots, it coincides with and is tied to All Saints Day, a Catholic holiday. Many families will visit gravesites, create home alters decorated with flowers, food, candles and pictures of their loved ones in honor of their deceased friend or family member.

For me, Dia de Los Muertos is filled with great memories of attending community events that not only celebrate my ancestors but also my culture. Decorating sugar skulls, making paper masks, and having my face painted like the kind pictured here are only some of the many ways that I celebrated this holiday as a child.

This holiday is all about celebrating the life that someone led. Throughout the country there are yearly events going on today, including ones taking place in San Francisco, Arizona, and Los Angeles, that commemorate this day, so if you're in the area I invite you to attend. And if not, feel free to learn more about my cultural heritage and take a moment to reflect on the lives of those who are important to you and those who have passed away.

Feminists Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock with Bike-Powered Eco Feminism Stage at Golden Gate Park Concert

More than 50,000 people flooded Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate park for "West Fest", a concert commemorating the 40th anniversary of Woodstock. The concert featured such legendary Woodstock original acts as Jefferson Starship, Country Joe McDonald, Ray Manzarek (from The Doors) and many more.

The California and San Francisco chapters of N.O.W. (National Organization for Women) concurrently ran a lower key, family-friendly stage in a nearby meadow. "Our eco-feminism bike-powered stage brings attention to the relationship between feminism and the earth," explains Mona Lisa Wallace, president of San Francisco N.O.W. Pamela Parker and the N.O.W. organization in collaboration with West Fest, Green Zone Productions and Rock the Bike presented a family friendly stage with world-class acts, an off-the-grid, eco-friendly bike-powered stage, amenities for children such as a napping tent, free facepainting, a crafting tent, and much more.

Aileen Hernandez, legendary feminist leader, spoke for N.O.W. in front of a crowd of more than fifty thousand. During the time of Woodstock she served as N.O.W.'s second president and on the first EEOC Commission. Artists performing include; Pamela Parker Band featuring the release of her latest CD “Beautiful Day,” Aradhana Silvermoon, *bernadette* featuring WomenROCK, Oona, Fossil Fool, Soul Medic, Michael Morrow & the 21stCenturians and starting the whole thing off were crowd drawing beats by the Druid Sisters' Tea Party "opening the space" with dancers and priestesses of the Temple of Isis.

Patty Bellasalma, President of the California chapter of NOW, spoke of the event, "We [N.O.W.] were born out of the Woodstock generation and it is a wonderful honor to take part in this truly joyful celebration of 40 amazing years for feminism."

photo courtesy of bitzi at flickr.com