By the time gates opened at 5 p.m., the line of eager students and their family members stretched from the entrance of the Quarry Amphitheater, through the parking lot, and to the edge of the Quarry Plaza’s entrance. Incense smoke wafted through the crowd and marigold petals lined the walkway as people trickled in. For some, it was their first year attending a Día de Los Muertos celebration, for others, this was but one of countless years. 

At the center of the stage, the ofrenda was illuminated with bright stage lights, covered in sugar skulls and pan de muerto. Community members brought photos of their loved ones to help them find their way from the land of the dead back to their family members.

El Centro, UC Santa Cruz Chicanx and Latinx Resource Center and the main organizer of this event, Director Xiomara Lopez believes the turnout that night captures the sense of community that Día de los Muertos celebrates. 

“Our goal for this event is to really cultivate a space where students can honor their loved ones, and for them to see their culture represented on our campus in such an amplified way — this has really become like a community, campus-wide event,” Lopez said. “It’s actually, I would say, the largest cultural celebration on our campus, and I feel like we’ve achieved that.”

Student volunteers and staff serving pan dulce, tamales, and refreshments to attendees. All the food, provided in collaboration with Cowell Coffee Shop, was given to attendees for free.

Adorned in La Catrina makeup, two performers from Mariachi Eterno take center stage in a duet violin performance.

With UCSC being a Hispanic Serving Institution, this event is one way the university provides support and engagement for all members of the Hispanic community, students, families and other identifying members. The event had English and Spanish speakers throughout the entirety of the celebration, providing inclusivity and accessibility to all of the audience members. 

The event opened with an Indigenous Danza Azteca and prayer by White Hawk Indian Council for Children, otherwise known as Iztatutli, where members performed different dances, each with different meanings in honoring past loved ones. This transitioned into members from the crowd joining in saying the names of those who have passed and after repeated “presente,” reuniting them with their loved ones.

Under the Quarry Amphitheater’s colorful lights, dancers from Iztatutli danza and prayer. The group, based in Watsonville, works to engage youth in Indigenous practices and dance. 

After the prayer, the performances began, with Grupo Folklórico Los Mejicas presenting a set of Mexican folklórico dances, composed of the traditional Nayarit Mestizo and Veracruz choreographies, accompanied by Mariachi Eterno, who performed their own set after. The Los Mejicas performers danced under bright stage lights with flowing, colorful skirts, vibrant headpieces and smiles beaming on their faces. 

Camila Mier, the co-Director of Los Mejicas, shared her experience in “pin pointing” or choreographing the group, and how she shows her love for the events they get invited to through her choreography.  

“I’ve choreographed for the past three years for Día de Los Muertos. So I love putting on the show for the audience,” Mier said. “I want to make something different each year. Last year, I tried to tell a little story with our dancers, this year I think it’s more just about the fun in it.”

Slide 1: Camila Mier, co-Director, in a Nayarit Folklórico dress.

Slide 2: (left to right) Adrianna Fabian, Elizabeth Yepez, and Kaitlyn Larrondo in Veracruz Folklórico dresses.

Jessica Ruiz, co-Director and vihuelist of Mariachi Eterno, spoke of her excitement and energy when performing. 

“I think having this outlet here on campus is really great,” Ruiz said. “It’s definitely something special, kind of just like performing. It’s something for the culture, you know, and to have support with other people here who are celebrating with us.”

After the performances by Los Mejicas and Mariachi Eterno, Arianna, who was addressed by first name only, shared her poem about sharing her birthday with the celebration of death. The following is an excerpt from her poem, which she performed while switching between English and Spanish: 

“all of my life i have been prepared that if death were to come get me 

i would and

it would be okay.

i understood

and 

i understand that it is the cycle of life

but most importantly on my birthday now i get to start to cherish and remember

those who I have loved

porque aún estoy aquí manteniendo vivas sus memorias

Y aunque a veces se sienta raro celebrar un año más de vida en este día, me allegro

que pueda celebrar a la muerte igualmente”