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SOCIETY
THURSDAY · OCTOBER 25, 2012 LA JOLLA VILLAGE NEWS
A Symphony of Ling and Lang
Starry, starry nights
with Vincent Andrunas
Above: Dave and Phyllis Snyder (gala co-chairs), Mayor Jerry Sanders and Rana Sampson (honorary chairs), Mitch Woodbury (gala co-chair)
Above: Ron and Sook Hansen, David Copley, Sheryl and Harvey White
Above: Katie Oliver, Alison Maloof, Annie Dugger, Stephany Higgins, Star Hughes (all are chairs of the San Diego Symphony Sweethearts)
Above: Nuvi Mehta, Kyle Ballarta, Kathy Paulin, Parker Harris
Left: Hunter and Katie Oliver, Bonnie Wright, Rob Hixson, Elaine Dill, Rudy Ruiz-Velasco Right: Kate Spiro, Barbara Kjos, Ingrid Hibben, Kelly Kjos
Dragon dancers from the Lucky Lion dance group performed on the sidewalk outside Symphony Hall, welcoming guests to the San Diego Symphony’s Opus 2012 gala. The Chinese calendar says it’s 4710, and the Year of the Dragon. The event’s theme honored Chinese pianist Lang Lang, star performer in the classical concert at the celebration’s core. The New York Times called the flamboyant 30-year-old “the hottest artist on the classical music planet.” He currently resides in New York, but in his native China he’s considered a symbol of the youth and future of the country and an inspiration to the 40 million classical piano students there. Greatly talented, he performs with leading orchestras around the world. Jeanne Jones, Lael and Jay Kovtun, Don Breitenberg
ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF OLD TOWN CELEBRATE DAY OF THE DEAD AT FIESTA DE REYES NOV. 1 THROUGH 4 Above: Jared Trombetta and Sarah Daost, Ralph and Briana Chaney, Annie Schrader, Russel Pogue
Old Town’s Fiesta de Reyes hosts a free four-day celebration commemorating “Dia de los Muertos” from Nov.1 and 4 featuring live music, folklorico dance, face paintings, crafts for children and a tour of more than 15 altars. Between now and Sunday, Nov. 4, visitors to Fiesta de Reyes can see one of the most extensive Day of the Dead decor on display, including two 11-foot catrinas dressed as a bride and groom and five life-sized catrina skeletons. The altar also showcases two huge four-foot-tall calaveras (skulls), and a custom painted canvas depicting the Virgin of Guadalupe along with other traditional altar offerings. Not to be confused with Halloween, Dia de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday that focuses on gatherings of family and friends to celebrate loved ones that have passed. The Fiesta de Reyes restaurants, Barra Barra Saloon and Casa de Reyes, will offer special Dia de los Muertos menu and specialty drinks featuring items such as enchiladas de pollo con mole poblano and sweet pineapple tamalito with cinnamon ice cream.Altars are on display in many of the stores at Fiesta de Reyes and the surrounding museums and state park shops. This event is part of the Old Town San Diego’s Day of the
Dead celebration, produced by Save Our Heritage Organiza- specialty stores open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For tion (SOHO). More than 30 local businesses, museums and more information call (619) 297-3100 or visit community organizations have created the traditional Mex- www.oldtownmexicanfood.com. ican altars and ofrendas (offerings to the dead). SOHO presents the two-day event, now in its third year. Music, traditional poetry readings and more will accompany the Old Town San Diego’s Day of the Dead celebration, along with a candlelight procession from Old Town San Diego State Historic Park to El Campo Santo Cemetery at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2. After the procession, guests are invited to after parties around Old Town. Fiesta de Reyes will host an after party will ensue featuring stilt walkers in skull face paint and a performance by Luis Max & Blue Moon from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Visitors may visit all of the Old Town altars using a free self-guided tour map, available online at www.sddayofthedead.org. Fiesta de Reyes is located within Old Town San Diego State Historic Park at Wallace and Calhoun streets, a oneblock stroll from the Old Town Trolley Station. Free parking is available in the Caltrans parking lot all day on weekends. In addition to two dining establishments -- Casa de Reyes and Barra Barra Saloon – Fiesta de Reyes boasts 18