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Bienvenidos! As Old Man Winter (with his wife, Old Woman Winter) blows Arctic air in our general direction, we peel off the wrappings of a new year and see what 2007 has in store for us. So today we look toward the future and hope the new year brings peace and prosperity to our families and our world. But as important as the future is, remembering the past is essential if we are to understand our present.
Here at Olvera-Street.com we have awoken from our cybernation to offer you this newsletter, updating our seasonal quests, including the final celebrations of the season, Las Posades and Three Kings Day. The annual Las Posadas candlelight procession sees the Olvera Street merchants leading a large group in song with traditional hymns and holiday songs in English and Spanish. Later, the Three Kings Day will be celebrated on January 6, 2007.
All this and more, all month on Olvera Street, the birthplace of Los Angeles. Bookmark our *See L.A* link as a reference, and come see us at Olvera Street.
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What’s Happening on
Olvera Street!
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La Virgen De Guadalupe Event at Olvera Street
December 11 - 12
The Dark Virgin, Patron of Mexico and the Americas, served as a bridge between our indigenous and Spanish roots. The native Mexicans identified the dark Virgin who spoke in Náhuatl with the goddess Tonantzin and celebrated her with indigenous rites within the framework of the Catholic Church.
Olvera Street found children dressed-up in authentic costumes all day and night as they made their way to the church at and throughout the Olvera Street festivities.
To learn more about the history of
“La Virgen De Guadalupe,” click here
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LAS POSADAS
Nightly Procession Portrays the Holy Family’s Journey to Bethlehem
December 16 -24, 2006, 7:30 pm nightly
Entertainment begins at 6:00 pm
The Olvera Street Merchants will hold their annual Las Posadas festivities December 16 through December 24. The event offers free seasonal entertainment each evening with the traditional candlelight procession starting at the historic Avila Adobe. The nightly procession runs through Olvera Street with the Merchants leading the group singing traditional hymns and holiday songs in English and Spanish. Free champurrado (a Mexican hot beverage) and pan dulce (sweet bread) is served, and there are festive piñatas for the children.
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Las Posadas has been celebrated on Olvera Street since the 1930s. In Spanish, las posadas means “inns” or “shelters,” and represents the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem and their search for shelter. For nine nights in December the procession stops at different shops on Olvera Street, each one representing a posada where the group asks to stay. Many of the founding Olvera Street merchant families continue to preserve this wonderful and beloved holiday tradition, sharing the joy of the season with their children and grandchildren.
To learn more about the history visit Las Posadas
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Mexican Cultural Institute's Christmas Sale With
Lalo Alcaraz
Mexican Cultural Institute's Last Minute Christmas Sale was held December 23, 2006
Lalo Lopez signed his Full Color "2007 La Cucaracha Calendar" in his only downtown L.A. Appearance. Also on at the gallery show were: "Bravo: Tortilla Art & Other Work by Joe Bravo" featuring fine art, prints, and t-shirts, and the Mexican Cultural Institute's La Tiendita Sale, with posters, prints, Mexican crafts, books, and fine art prints.
At: Mexican Cultural Institute's Downstairs Gallery in Olvera Street
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What’s New In January
Olvera Street
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‘LOS TRES REYES’
TO BE CELEBRATED ON OLVERA STREET
The Epiphany is Portrayed with the Arrival of the Three Kings in Bethlehem
The Olvera Street Merchants will hold their annual Fiesta de Los Tres Reyes on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007 celebrating the Three Kings’ visit to Bethlehem shortly after the birth of Christ. The event centers on the traditional candlelight procession depicting the Epiphany of the Magi which begins at 6:30 p.m. at the historic Avila Adobe. Everyone is invited to join Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar as they journey along Olvera Street to the Plaza area of El Pueblo Historical Monument where there will be a short theatrical presentation.
Following the colorful procession, complimentary champurrado (Mexican hot chocolate) and Rosca de Reyes will be served. Rosca de Reyes is a delicious Mexican bread with a replica of the Infant Jesus baked inside. There will be prizes awarded to people who find this special hidden doll. Los Tres Reyes has been celebrated by the Merchants of Olvera Street for many years and signifies the ending of yet another successful holiday season. It is always celebrated on the twelfth day after Dec. 25, symbolizing the end of the twelve days of Christmas.
Olvera Street is part of El Pueblo Historical Monument and is located between Main and Alameda Streets in downtown Los Angeles. Public parking is available at nearby lots on Main, Los Angeles and Alameda Streets. Public transportation is also available via the Metrolink, MTA rail and bus service to Union Station. For more information on Los Tres Reyes please call (213) 625-7074 or (213) 485-8372.
To learn more about the history visit Los Tres Reyes
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Supporting
Our Community
“Events Around Town”
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Downtown Art Walk
The Downtown Art Walk is a monthly, self-guided tour of the art exhibition venues in Downtown Los Angeles, which includes commercial art galleries, public museums, non-profit spaces, and grassroots arts venues.
Next Art Walk: Thursday, January. 11, 2007
Free to the public!
For more information:
213-842-8574, www.downtownartwalk.com
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Somebody’s Children
News About Our World Update
Iraq War
At Olvera-Street.com, the spirit of giving, understanding, compassion,
and support goes far beyond our doors.
 As of October 20, 2006, according to a CNN count: “There have been 3,021 coalition deaths, 2,786 Americans, two Australians, 119 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, six Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 32 Italians, one Kazakh, one Latvian, 17 Poles, two Romanians, two Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians in the war in Iraq.
The list below is the names of the soldiers, Marines, airmen, sailors and Coast Guardsmen whose deaths have been reported by their country's governments. The list also includes seven employees of the U.S. Defense Department. At least 21,077 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon.”
That is 154 more deaths and more than 1,304 U.S. troops that have been wounded since last month.
 That is a total of 1,771 more deaths since the original 1250 deaths we honored at Olvera Street for the 2004 Dia De Los Muertos. Note, May 1 was the three year anniversary when President Bush announced “Mission Accomplished!” and the end of hostilities in Iraq.
You can view casualties in the war in Afghanistan and examine U.S. war casualties dating back to the Revolutionary War.” at the CNN web site.
The “Altar of the Iraq War” was created on October 28, 2004 to honor and respect the memories and lives of all those who have died. NOTE: It does not count the estimated 100,000-200,000 Iraqi deaths, including women and children.
* (The "Altar of the Iraq War" honoring the dead was created by six artists and does not necessarily reflect the thoughts of the Olvera Street merchants or El Pueblo Historic Monument.)
We send our love to them, their families, and dear friends. The “Altar of the Iraq War” will be re-created at this year’s “El Amor Eterno” Dia De Los Muertos Juried Exhibition at El Pueblo Gallery.
The altar will dedicated to their memories so they won’t be forgotten,
true to the meaning and spirit of íDa De Los Muertos!
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What’s Happening on
Olvera Street!
Mailbox to Heaven”
created by Ginette Rondeau
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“Mailbox to Heaven”
If you know someone who died in the Iraq War and would like to share your story in honor of his or her memory, please submit it to
webmaster@Olvera-Street.com
Just make sure you write “Stories to Share”
in the subject line of your email.
To write a private letter to a beloved one,
visit: www.MailboxToHeaven.com
The Mailbox to Heaven was be featured at the
Pico House Gallery
for the Annual Dia De Los Muertos Juried Exhibition, October 28 - November 26, 2006
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Recent History on
Olvera Street
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Ginette Rondeau, curator of the annual
Día De Los Muertos Juried Art Exhibition,
was proud to present
“Viva El Amor Eterno”
The Pico House Gallery
424 North Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(Adjacent to Olvera Street by the Placita)
October 28 - November 26, 2006
The exhibition was filled with heartfelt works of all types of mediums: paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, and installations. The gallery highlighted both traditional and contemporary works.
To learn more about Dia De Los Muertos, click here!
Featured Artists: Adam Loera, Al Herion, Annamarie Sandoval, Bonjunnie Comostiles, Carla Jessica Garcia, Carmen Alcázar, Cyndi Hidalgo-Knies, Debbie De La Cruz, Elvira Benitez, Ernie Herrera, Frances Loera, Gabriella Quintero, Geri Aida Hess, Ginette Rondeau, Irma Tapia, John Trausch, Juliane Backmann, Julie Soto, Marcus Loera, Margaret & Richard Beltran, Mathew Loera, Miguel Angel Bracamontes, Ofelia Esparza, Oscar Loera Jr., Patricia Lazalde, Raul Pizarro, Samantha Bracamontes, Temoc, and Tony de Carlo
Judges: Virginia Fields, Curator for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Oscar Garza, Editor-in-Chief, Ciudad Magazine
Ginette Rondeau, Curator. Co-Sponsored by: www.ibiz360.com, The Olvera Street Merchant’s Association and www.debraannedavis.com
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“Te Queiro Siempre”
I Will Love You Always
© 2006 Ginette Rondeau
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“Viva El Amor Eterno”
“I do not fear death
as I know those who have died before me
will welcome me with their loving embrace.
My senses will be awakened by the sweetness
of the Dia De Los Muertos yearly celebration.
I shall be remembered for eternity,
as my decedents will be preparing
and adorning their altars in my honor
and for other beloved.
There will be a sense of excitement
as they will be creating my favorite foods,
bringing me gifts that my soul has inspired
as they welcome me back.
At my altar,
there will be the lovely aroma of the copal,
and a glass of water that will quench my thirst
when I arrive from my long journey.
The salt and sweets will remind me of
the bitterness and sweetness of life.
I will see my family spending the day
lovingly cleaning my grave
and adorning it with zempasúchil (marigolds),
baby breath, candles and more.
There will be great day of
laughter, music, and poetry.
I yearn to hear their stories of my life
that they will tell their children
so they may know who I am.
Yes, it will be a joyous occasion
as I will be reunited
with my dear family and friends!
Thank you, gracias.
I know I will not be forgotten.
As your memories of me will continue
from generation to generation.
- Ginette Rondeau
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Dia De Los Muertos Festival
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The Olvera Street Merchants held their annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration from October 18 through November 2 at El Pueblo Historical Monument, home of world famous Olvera Street. The following festivities were free to the public:
- Children’s workshops included mask and necklace making and will provide students with a history of this colorful and beloved Mexican celebration. A piñata breaking took place each day following the workshops. Workshops were designed for School Groups.
- Muertos’ Festival. Visitors enjoyed face painting, street theater performances, strolling mariachi bands, Aztec dancers, puppets, ballet folklorico, piñatas and other fun family activities.
- The candlelight Novenaria procession was held nightly on Olvera Street. This traditional pre-Columbian procession evoked special memories of deceased loved ones with colorful pageantry and indigenous blessings. Following each procession, free pan de muerto (sweet bread) and champurrado (a Mexican hot beverage) was served.
- The Dia de Los Muertos community altars (las ofrendas) and Merchant family altars were on display outdoors in the Plaza area and in the various shops on Olvera Street for everyone to view and reflect upon.
- The art exhibit “Viva El Amor Eterno” was in the historic Pico House Gallery. This exhibition was filled with paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs highlighting both traditional and contemporary works.
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Got Gas?
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As a public service we at Olvera-Street.com want to help you find the least painfully-expensive gas in your area. To find out the best gas prices around, click here!
If you have any other suggestions for links that our community can either learn or benefit from such as scholarships, community programs, et cetera, please submit them to us.
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 I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.
~Charles Dickens
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May all your wishes and dreams come true.
We hope you will have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!
Feliz Navidad!
John Trausch, Editor & Ginette Rondeau, Director
For comments or suggests about www.Olvera-Street.com
please contact our webmaster@ibiz360.com
Olvera-Street.com web site is created by:
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