Día de los Muertos and more events for October 10 - 12

October at the Oakland Museum of California: A new exhibition opened at OMCA this Wednesday, October 8, honoring the Mesoamerican and Californian traditions of Días de los Muertos.

"Songs and Sorrows." Días de los Muertos 20th Anniversary marks two decades of OMCA exhibitions devoted to the evolution of this tradition. Spanning three galleries and including immersive new installations, "Songs and Sorrows" offers many ways to revel in the history of this celebration.

The 20th anniversary of the exhibition at OMCA will explore the tradition from its pre-Hispanic origins to its present expressions in California. Pre-Hispanic funerary artifacts, Mexican folk art, contemporary art, and installations will convey the iconic imagery and the aesthetic and spiritual qualities of this festival.
Friday, October 1, 7 - 8 p.m. Opening Artist Ritual for "Días de los Muertos"

For more information: http://museumca.org/   

SOMArts' 15th annual Día de los Muertos exhibition, "Visions at Twilight." Each year, more than 80 Bay Area artists from diverse cultural backgrounds acknowledge the cycles of life and death in the Day of the Dead exhibition at SOMArts. Through their installations and altars, they look at local and global issues, ranging from the deeply personal to the political and emphasize viewer interaction.

This year the exhibition pays special attention to cycles of change and the loss of people and culture being felt in the Bay Area now.

More information about the exhibition & accompanying events: http://www.somarts.org/visionsattwilight
Tickets are $15 each. Opening this Friday, October 10, 6–9 p.m.

Yerba Buena Night. This free outdoor arts festival includes more than 40 performances on five stages throughout Jessie Square, Yerba Buena Lane, the Yerba Buena Center of the Arts and Annie Street Plaza. The event kicks off with the Yerba Buena Alliance Art Walk at 4 p.m., during which galleries and institutions will be free; area restaurants and bars will offer discounts. 4-10 p.m. Saturday. Check website for schedule and locations. http://ybnight.org.

Litquake. The biggest literary festival in San Francisco celebrates its 15th anniversary with a quinceanera at 7 p.m. Friday at Z Space, 450 Florida St. (tickets: $15). Then, the nine-day affair kicks into high gear, with some 30 events around the area on Saturday alone. Through Oct. 18; check website for schedule. www.litquake.org.

Flourish Oakland. Oakland Art Murmur’s annual fundraising party-auction presents works by emerging and mid-career artists as well, chosen from member galleries and donated by the artists themselves. There will also be live music from the Oakland Manouche Project and cameos by Oakland Ballet dancers. 6-10 p.m. $75. Saturday. Classic Cars West, 411 26th St., Oakland. http://bit.ly/1rG9vV4.