San Juan Cosala will stage a special Day of the Dead ceremony on Friday, November 2.
The event will be offered in memory of Teo Mixtli Xicualli, the “Mermaid Goddess” of Lake Chapala.
The ceremony will begin on the malecon of the lakeshore village at 1 p.m. and feature pre-Hispanic dancing, a traditional ritual ceremony and offerings in the form of tiny pre-Hispanic pots containing messages from the people of San Juan Cosala and their wishes for future generations.
The offerings having been spilled into the lake, all will adjourn to Restaurante Viva Mexico from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. for an exhibition of paintings by local artists, a Dia de los Muertos traditional altar and a special Day of the Dead menu of mole pipian, tamales, atole, pan de muertos and special drinks. The ticket price for the fun and the food is just 100 pesos.While you’re there you’ll surely see the new mural in progress on the outside of the restaurant. Painted by local artist Isidro Xilotl Xilonxochitl, the mural represents the inside of the restaurant and incorporates the portraits of actual customers and friends of restaurant owner Agustin Vazquez Calvario. The general public can be supporters of this interesting project by donating a minimum of 500 pesos to have their portraits painted among the 90 that will fill the picture. There are still about 50 spaces left.
A portion of the proceeds from the mural will go to the young soccer league and to the weekly food-pantry program, and will, of course pay for the artist and his expenses. Reserve your space in the mural or your good time at the event on November 2 by calling Vazquez at (387) 761-1058 or (cel.) 333-156-2245.