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Day of the Dead Puerto Vallarta
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
DAY OF THE DEAD
Most people who are not from Mexico, think the Day of the Dead is a day full of sadness, freight, and other horrible feelings. It is not; Day of the Dead is a beautiful ritual that is performed happily and lovingly, to remember all the loved relatives and friends that are no longer with us, through festivals and lively celebrations. Assured that the dead would be insulted by mourning or sadness, Day of the Dead celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed in life. On Day of the Dead, the dead are also a part of the community, awakened from their eternal sleep to share celebrations with their loved ones.
Although Day of the Dead is usually a private holiday celebrated among family members, for example, Cemetery in the 5th of December Colonia is the site of traditional Day of the Dead observance for private celebrations, it is also a celebration of the whole town, and therefore Asociación Vallarta Centro prepares an Annual Día de Los Muertos Festival, a celebration that promises to be magnificent. This celebration includes the display of conventional altars and Catrinas, pan de muerto tastings (a sweetened soft bread, often decorated with bone-like pieces, that’s traditionally baked during the days leading up to El Día de los Muertos), and other traditional Day of the Dead activities. It also includes folklore dancing dedicated to the dead, a parade, singing, dancing, Mariachi music, and a firework display. All in all, besides enjoying the natural beauty of Puerto Vallarta, it’s beach, sun, water activities, and tourist attractions, you will also be able to enjoy its cultural side through the famous Day of the Dead, one of the most important celebrations in the whole of Mexico.
OCTOBER 31 :: The souls of those that were killed or died of unnatural causes are remembered.
NOVEMBER 1 :: The souls of the children are honored with special designs in the altars, using the color white on flowers and candles
NOVEMBER 2 :: The souls of the adults are remembered. Schools and some offices and businesses are closed in Puerto Vallarta.
These are the days when art, religion, life, death, sadness and humor all come together in bright colors, tears and music. The dead are visited (or visit) and the living take the time to decorate and elaborate the past. The afterlife opens to the present. The graves are cleaned. The souls are refreshed.
The City of Puerto Vallarta is also sponsoring an altar competition with the entrants to be displayed on November 1 & 2 at the City Square at the Presidencia.
Display of Altars and parade starting at the Malecon heading to the Rio Cuale Municipal Market, ending with a folk festival with Charros, Catrina contest and fireworks.
The festival will also include a film festival, a food tasting and a series of concerts, folkloric ballet and a presentation of a series of photos on the theme of death, as it is viewed by popular Mexican culture.
Organizers will also try to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the number of Catrinas in one place, the playful visualization of death was made famous by Jose Guadalupe Posada, and has received notoriety across the US and Canada as of recently.
When: October 27th – November 2nd, 2015
Place: Malecon and Municipal Market
Watch this short video about DAY OF THE DEAD.
(left : Jose Guadalupe Posada’s original ‘La Calavera Catrina,’ circa 1910. Jose Guadalupe Posada’s original “La Calavera Catrina,” circa 1910. credit: Courtesy Mexican Museum)
La Calavera Catrina (‘Dapper Skeleton’, ‘Elegant Skull’) is a 1910–1913 zinc etching by famous Mexican printmaker, cartoon illustrator and lithographer José Guadalupe Posada. The image depicts a female skeleton dressed only in a hat befitting the upper class outfit of a European of her time. Her chapeau en attende is related to French and European styles of the early 20th century. She is offered as a satirical portrait of those Mexican natives who, Posada felt, were aspiring to adopt European aristocratic traditions in the pre-revolutionary era. She in particular has become an icon of the Mexican Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
Catrina has come to symbolize not only El Día de los Muertos and the Mexican willingness to laugh at death itself, but originally catrina was an elegant or well-dressed woman, so it refers to rich people. Death brings this neutralizing force; everyone is equal in the end. Sometimes people have to be reminded.
Many shops in Puerto Vallarta sell various versions of Catrina. Some wonderful examples of her can be found at Galeria Indigena. (See more on the Gallery HERE)
And Colecktika and Peyote People. Both the same owners, both have contemporary Mexican Folk Art that will make you look a some very old traditions in a whole new way. Colecktika has more fine art – while Peyote People has a variety of affordable arts and crafts.
One of their specialties is art by the Huichol Indians. Deep in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Western Mexico live the Huichol Indians. Very little is known about the exact origins of the Huichol, but today they are clinging to a set of customs and beliefs that make them one of the best preserved Pre-Columbian tribes in the Western Hemisphere.
“Since 1997 we have been traveling up to the ancient Huichol Indian Ceremonial Center of San Andres Cohamiata where we have followed a number of Huichol families through their daily lives and have documented the ceremonies that set them apart from the rest of the world. Through this web site we will give you a never before seen look into the Huichol Indian ceremonial cycle and will be marketing their art for the money they need to host their traditional rituals and ceremonies.”
Peyote People is a fair trade co-operative based in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico that provides most of the carvings to our artists as well as new iridescent glass beads that are imported exclusively by us into Mexico for our artists to use in their art. We have been recognized by the Huichol Indian Traditional Government of San Andres Cohamaita for not only promoting their artwork but also for our commitment to the preservation of their customs and traditions through what we call CULTURAL AUTHENTICITY:
“Cultural Authenticity may be an invisible quality but it is what separates the ‘urban’ Huichol from those who actually live in the Sierra and are actively involved in the preservation of their cultures traditions.”
Puerto Vallarta Mardis Gras
The glitter and glow of the 2015 Mardi Gras season has officially begun. The OFFICIAL city-sponsored glittery, bead-hurling parade hits the streets on Tuesday night, February 17th. 20,000 spectators and dozens of crowd-wowing entries are anticipated to revel in the fun along the world-famous malecon to ‘Old Town’. Puerto Vallarta Mardi Gras is our time as we come together to celebrate and showcase our diversity. facebook.com/events/593705484040374/
The parade will start just south of the Sheraton (across from the Municipal Stadium) and will travel south along the malecon, through “Old Town” to Olas Altas.
Mardi Gras is a time for celebration and to show the city’s diversity. It is an occasion that unites the advanced with the conventional, the straight with the gay, gratification with religion, and the adolescent with the old. 20,000 spectators enjoyed last year’s parade which featured dozens of crowd-wowing entries. With your continued support, we anticipate even more participation this year.
ACT II’s Voice of Vallarta contestants will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshalls and kick-off the 3.5 kilometer route. Non-profit organizations are able to participate for free and businesses can take part for a nominal $200 peso entry fee. This year, we are offering a $5,000 peso cash prize to the most inventive parade entry so it is time to get creative.
El brillo y el resplandor de la temporada 2015 del carnaval Mardi Gras han comenzado oficialmente. El brillante, desfile de perlas OFICIALMENTE patrocinado por la ciudad sale a la calle la noche del martes, 17 de febrero. 20.000 espectadores y docenas de entradas de multitudes-espectaculares se anticipan para deleitarse con la diversión a lo largo del malecón de fama mundial para “Viejo Vallarta “. El Desfile de Carnaval Mardi Gras es nuestro momento de brillar como nos reunimos para celebrar y mostrar nuestra diversidad.
November is Gay Gay Gay in Puerto Vallarta!
THOUSANDS will flock to Puerto Vallarta in November to catch some Latin Fever! What is know known as Vallarta Fever, will happen 21 – 25 Nov 2012.
Vallarta Fever is the ONLY fever party that includes Club Mañana and the
famous White Party of Puerto Vallarta.
The Rocky Horror Show opens live, on stage at The Palm on Halloween at midnight!
Best Restaurant Puerto Vallarta – Cafe des Artistes
In a century-old home on the hill overlooking the Malecon in the heart
of Puerto Vallarta, Cafe des Artistes not only offers fine dining at its
most elegant, but has also earned a distinguished reputation as one of
the best Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta and Mexico. For 20 years, Chef Thierry Blouet has set the standard for exquisite dining in PV. And he continues to raise the bar of excellence!
Blouet’s immense energy and enthusiasm for excellence is
reflected in his cuisine, which highlights both his own intuitive
ability to prepare mouth-watering dishes and a uniquely personal gift:
an intense sense of art and beauty.
The daily menu offers an interesting combination of choices including
the innovative bistro menu, where three courses are served for one very reasonable
price. In addition, over 350 labels (YES! 350!) of fine wines and other aperitifs
are available in a relaxed atmosphere where the service is always
personal and professional.
First, lets look at the building and the rooms and the views! With artful décor in its outdoor and indoor settings, I have seen this restaurant grow and expand plenty over the last 10 years since I have been coming here. The outdoor
partition makes for a very intimate and lush ambiance, with lighted
trees covering almost every inch of the ground, dangling white orchards
that occasionally drop in your lap, and violinists that treat you to a
private song. Try the flower pot salad and the prawn and seasonal pumpkin cream
soup.
The interior has several different rooms, each with its own unique feel. And you can choose to dine in the signature Cafe des Artistes restaurant with it’s many intimate rooms, the Pyote Lounge or the amazing and intimate Thierry Blouet Cocina de Autor, an intimate 40 seat venue,
includes a demonstration kitchen. There, at one seating each evening, he
serves a prix-fixe chef’s signature wine-pairing menu. For after dinner
entertainment, he has converted another dimly lit space into a private
Cognac and Cigar Room with a piano bar. You will be AMAZED at the food you
With the momentum of the vanguard and the renovation P’yote Lounge
arrives to Café des Artistes. A new concept of artistic origins and
ancestries created under the inspiration of the artistic communion of
the famous designer Cristina Cobalin and Studio 3.14.
His name comes from indigenous shamanic traditions of healing and
spiritual, with a ritual that starts from the crop and ends as a tool
for the soul and the body. Hicuri is “the window through which man comes
in contact with the universe.”
Every corner of our new P’yote Lounge is an expression of life and
art huichol, from its structure and furniture to the mystical snack
menu, centerpieces and mezcal that wrap you in a ritual of pleasure.From crafted drinks to mouth watering tapas and to share plates, it’s a perfect way to start your evening.
Within, it is worth mentioning that P´yote Lounge customers will be
able to transport to the Huichol world to appreciate the masterpiece
that houses, “Tatei Aramara”, muse for the creation of the most
beautiful waterfront of Mexico, the waterfront of Puerto Vallarta.
Thierry Blouet, chef owner of Café des Artistes, was – as they say – born to the business. His
paternal grandfather, Max Blouet, spent 30 years as General Manager of
the ultra-elegant George V in Paris. Chef Blouet was born in Puerto
Rico, in 1964, and his French parents educated him in France and Mexico
where haute cuisine is an integral ingredient of the good life.
An extremely visual chef, his dishes are sensual compositions. In
addition to colors that enliven the visual, there’s a harmony of aromas
that tempt the nostrils, subtle textures that excite the mouth feel and
concentrated flavors that enhance the taste. No one will argue with you; this is the best and most romantic restaurant in all of Puerto Vallarta. They have too many awards to name here, but just read the reviews. Four and Five stars from everyone.
In addition to his own business, Blouet, who is also a member of the
Académie Culinaire de France, brings together chefs from France, Mexico,
Canada and the United States to share and enrich their cooking
techniques while maintaining traditionally high standards. He also
devotes himself to promoting important cultural and “foodie” fiestas in
Puerto Vallarta and Mexico.
CAFE DES ARTISTES
Make your reservation today for an
evening of pure indulgence!
Located in the heart of the art gallery district.
NOVEMBER 8-18th, 2012 FESTIVAL GOURMET
“The Gourmet Tradition of Puerto Vallarta” becomes a reality on the
“Festival Gourmet 2012″, event which flood of celebration and allegory
to the “Grupo Café des Artistes”. As every year, Chef Thierry and his
team await the arrival of Chef invited to work together in the culinary
creations that come to the tables of the guests at the Gourmet Festival.
For 10 days, during the “Festival gourmet”, the festive spirit is mixed
with the aromas, colors and flavors, leading to each dish a unique
dining experience.
In Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay there are few long-awaited and
memorable events, the Vallartenses and visitors stand waiting. It is
part of the region’s history from conception of the festival in the
hands of Chef Thierry Blouet of Café des Artistes, Heinz Reize and Chef
Roland Menetrey and is an excellent gastronomy window, where every year
discusses important issues of current gastronomy area, such as
biodiversity, identity and sustainability in the kitchen.
So then, verbena, wining and dining make their way to events, that no one who has good taste, can miss.
It is important to note that most events require reservations and
prepayment. For sales and information make contact: 2223228, ext 120.
This “Gourmet Festival 2012″ is for all our guests, we hope to
experience the joy and ecstasy of taste in the “Gourmet Tradition of
Puerto Vallarta”: Café des Artistes!
