San Diego Symphony Celebrates Día de los Muertos

In celebration of Día de los Muertos, the San Diego Symphony has created some exciting events for the whole community. Most notably this year, the San Diego Symphony takes this celebration indoors to Jacobs Music Center for the first time in over 4 years. The newly transformed venue with its newly configured seating arrangements, acoustical improvements and remodeled and renovated facilities provide a unique and unparalleled experience that set a new standard for performance art in the city for both audience and artist alike. 

"Join us in honoring loved ones and celebrating the vibrant traditions of Día de los Muertos with the San Diego Symphony! Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a deeply meaningful Mexican holiday that spans centuries, honoring the lives of those who have passed. Traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2, families and friends gather to build altars, or ofrendas, adorned with photos, candles, marigolds, and the favorite foods and belongings of those remembered, welcoming their spirits back for a joyous reunion." -Laura Reynolds, San Diego Symphony VP of Impact & Innovation

Kicking off the celebrations this past weekend was the inimitable Mariachi Los Camperos who took the stage at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park™ with a crowd of over 2000 in attendance. A San Diego favorite, this GRAMMY® Award-winning ensemble brought the sound of magical mariachi music with them as they played a collection of famous and endearing Spanish favorites that brought the crowd to their feet. Accompanying the musicians onstage were bailarinos from Grupo Folklórico Chiquina Palafox who brought the spirit of the dance. 

Mariachi Los Camperos with Grupo Folklórico Chiquina Palafox 


Audience Members 

Additionally, the San Diego Symphony is honored to present a community ofrenda, decorated by artist Maricruz Alvarado, which serves as a shared space to honor, remember, and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed. All in the community are invited to join the organization in a beautiful tradition of remembrance by placing a memento on the altar which will be displayed from October 28 to November 2 in the Box Office Lobby at Jacobs Music Center.  

Community Ofrenda at Jacobs Music Center 

Our family concert series take center stage on November 2 at 11:00 AM with Because A Symphony of Serendipity at Jacobs Music Center. Be inspired as you sing, dance, and read along with the orchestra in this energetic concert celebrating Día de los Muertos and the ways that we’re connected to and inspired by people across time. Featuring music by Latin-American composers and Jessie Montgomery’s score to Mo Willems and Amber Ren’s award-winning book Because, this concert is full of energy and surprises!  Accompanying this event is an original interactive artwork entitled Francisco, by Maricruz Alvardo, which will be on display in the Jacobs Music Center lower lobby north rotunda. Francisco, a papier mâché skull, was created in collaboration with artist Brian Gibson, for a Binational exhibition Tijuana-San Diego, "Border Blasters," and was recently exhibited at The Bonita Museum and Cultural Center.  

Francisco, by artist Maricruz Alvarado

Beyond the Día de los Muertos holiday, the San Diego Symphony is continuing to share important stories of our region through its Currents Series, starting withTres minutoson November 22 at 7:30 PM at Jacobs Music Center. This thought-provoking piece by composer Nicolás Lell Benavides and librettist Marella Martin Koch was inspired by a real program that reunites families separated by immigration policies at the U.S.-Mexico Border, but only for three minutes.  

Composer Nicolás Lell Benavides

Tickets for the Family Concert  Because A Symphony of Serendipity range from $29 to $52 and tickets for Tres minutos are standard pricing of $35; both on sale now atwww.SanDiegoSymphony.org.     

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