Dia de los Muertos Comes to Life at 24th STreet Theatre by M.R. Hunter

For well over a decade, Debbie Devine and her husband, Jay McAdams of 24^th STreet Theatre have been making the Day of the Dead come to life at their theater. Located Downtown, near USC, just off the 10-Freeway, Dia de los Muertos is one of their annual events that literally stops traffic with its free block party featuring live music with this year being headlined by Louie Cruz Beltran and his Latin Jazz Orchestra. While the theater is open to the public, the main attractions are in the parking lot across the street with food vendors, face painting in the traditional calaveras makeup, (black-ringed eyes set in a white face), and arts and crafts featuring bright flowers (luminarias) and painted sugar skulls.

One of the most popular activities is the graveyard where visitors can paint on a cross to memorialize loved ones. Meeting McAdams in preparation for this event, he described how the community comes together in this special day of remembrance. He recalled one year in particular when he saw a couple sit down beside gang members working on a cross of their own. The couple painted a memorial to their child while the gang members made a tribute to their friend who had been shot earlier that year. Neither party disturbed the other. McAdams says both were able to share and experience their grief in a creative but respectful way. The graveyard becomes a colorful backdrop to the festivities and is a favorite of the event.

Artistic Director, Devine realized there was a need for this holiday to be observed in their neighborhood when as she was striking a set on Oct. 31, she saw how much the streets came to life. At first, 24^th STreet Theatre recognized Halloween with the traditional spooky psychics, candy and costumes until she realized the holiday that needed to being recognized was actually Dia de los Muertos, and soon a tradition at the theater was born. All these years later, families from all over the area come to celebrate and take part in the free festivities which keeps growing and drawing a bigger crowd and notable performers each year.

Make Dia de los Muertos extra memorable by being a part of a tradition at 24^th STreet Theatre.

Sunday, Nov. 2 from 6 – 10 p.m.
24th STreet Theatre
1117 West 24th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 745-6516 or www.24thstreet.org
Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/24thST
Follow us on Twitter: @24thST
Hashtag: #24thDDLM
ADMISSION: FREE

Vince’s Spaghetti Ontario, CA, 2014 by Charles Phoenix

The spaghetti of our lives! My fave is served at Vince's in my hometown of Ontario, CA. Vince's is the world's largest spaghetti restaurant. Homespun and family run, since 1945. Talk about hometown pride! I've been enjoying the spaghetti dining experience there for as long as I can remember.

Eyestrology: Happy Birthday Scorpio!

For the month of 10/22/14-11/22/14

Happy birthday to these celebrity October Scorpions: Christopher Lloyd (10/22), Ryan Reynolds (10/23), Kevin Kline (10/24), Katy Perry (10/25), Seth MacFarlane (10/26), Kelly Osbourne (10/27), Bill Gates (10/28), Gabrielle Union (10/29), Henry Winkler (10/30), Willow Smith (10/31)

Celebrity November Scorpions: Anthony Kiedis (11/1), Nelly (11/2), Roseanne (11/3), Sean Diddy Combs (11/4), Kris Jenner (11/5), Sally Field (11/6), Lorde (11/7), Gordon Ramsay (11/8), Eric Dane (11/9), Tracy Morgan (11/10), Leonardo DiCaprio (11/11), Anne Hathaway (11/12), Whoopi Goldberg (11/13), Josh Duhamel (11/14), Jonny Lee Miller (11/15), Lisa Bonet (11/16), Rachel McAdams (11/17), Owen Wilson (11/18), Jodie Foster (11/19), Joe Biden (11/20), Goldie Hawn (11/21), Scarlett Johansson (11/22)

Following Mercury's Retrograde, most signs will be very active professionally and socially. This is a good time to prioritize goals and readjust plans. Don't be surprised by flashes of insight or light bulb moments that can suddenly illuminate a problem with a handy solution. Dreams or omens can be fortuitous now so long as we pay attention. Earth and Water signs will enjoy bouts of good luck while Air and Fire should be focused on creating their own luck. This can be a very prosperous period with a bit of tenacity. Be willing to work hard and see great results!

Theme Building, LAX, 1961 by Charles Phoenix

The Theme Building rocks my world, always and without fail. Nothing reaches out and says, "Yooou've arriiived" in Los Angeles quite like this iconic, sci-fi styled superstar.

In 1961, it gracefully landed on earth as the centerpiece and crowning touch of the ultra modern jet-age expansion of LAX.  Much more than just an airport accessory, the space age structure houses a non-revolving, but helluva-view restaurant, and up top there's an observation deck with an even better view. Who knew?