"Dia de los Muertos the traditional Mexican celebration of a family's dead ancestors has ballooned in popularity over the past two decades, especially in San Jose, where ofrendas and sugar skulls seem to be everywhere during October. But the festivities downtown may seem a little quieter this year. Organizers of Dia San Jose, a huge celebration that would pack Plaza de Cesar Chavez, announced in August that the event would not take place this year because of a lack of corporate sponsorship."
"The San Jose Multicultural Artists Guild's 28th annual event is also scaled back this year, but for an entirely different reason. Arlene Sagun, the longtime director of SJ MAG and the producer of the Dia de los Muertos event for more than 20 years, died in April at age 71. This year's altar exhibition on the fifth floor of the downtown MLK library, which opens Monday and runs through Nov. 1, is dedicated in her memory."
Dia de los Muertos celebrations have grown substantially in San Jose over the past two decades, with ofrendas and sugar skulls common across the city in October. Organizers canceled Dia San Jose at Plaza de Cesar Chavez this year because of a lack of corporate sponsorship, and financial factors appear likelier than political concerns given other recent Latino-focused celebrations. One 2024 sponsor, the Signia by Hilton hotel, went through foreclosure, and other large nonprofit events have faced sponsorship issues. The San Jose Multicultural Artists Guild reduced its programming after longtime director Arlene Sagun died; an altar exhibition at the downtown MLK library is dedicated to her memory and runs through Nov. 1 with an opening reception on Oct. 9.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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