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	Vol.7, No 35, October 28, 1999
	Students bring life to 'Day of Dead' on campus By Johnna Walker Daily Forty-Niner Salsa dancers, tribal drummers and a rock band will bring life to Cal State Long Beach on Tuesday as Latin Americans celebrate their deceased ancestors in the tradition of Dia de los Muertos. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Puvungna, the plot of land that runs parallel to Bellflower Boulevard and intersects State University Drive. A procession to the University Student Union will be held after the ceremony at Puvungna. The remainder of the celebration will take place at the Student Union. Farm workers will be the focus of the event this year. Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers, a labor union for farm workers, is slated to speak. "It's a reminder for all of us to be aware of the farm workers who have lost their lives [doing dangerous farm work]," said Pablo Alvarez, a Chicano and Latino studies major and event planner for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Resource Center. An American-Indian group playing tribal drums, salsa dancers and a rock band called Wozani will bring music and entertainment to the event. "Wozani are going to tie the night up well, socially, politically, and culturally," said La Raza representative Margarita Valenzuela. "It's a celebration of remembering historical roots," said Suzie Zepeda, a member of La Raza Student Association. "It's a time for remembering our culture, and looking at the way it is now." The purpose of Dia de los Muertos, a Spanish phrase meaning "Day of the Dead," is to honor those who have died, Zepeda said. "Every family celebrates it differently -- sometimes it's a celebration of life," Valenzuela said. When Valenzuela visited Mexico shortly after her grandfather's death, her family prepared food and took it to her grandfather's grave on the night of the celebration, she said. For the past 30 years, La Raza has held an event to celebrate Dia de los Muertos and for CSULB students to learn about the tradition, Valenzuela said. This year, the festivities will emphasize the remembrance of ancestors. "La Raza wanted to change it this year, because it's not always a sad day," Valenzuela said. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Resource Center will co-sponsor the event this year.		Volunteer service stressed at fair   Students bring life to 'Day of the Dead' on campus   Chemical alarms officials   CSULB science professors awarded research grant   Nursing department to take over O.C. clinic   CSULB mentors help create difference   L.B. teacher inspires students, wins award   Long Beach Airport to offer flights to Las Vegas Gray strikes out   Faculty unions help all employees   Deaf drivers should not lose privilege to drive Alumna creates old-style treats   Scary tales drift through campus   Video picks feature 'Halloween'   Movie pleases despite problems Volleyball team welcomes foes behind orange curtain   Runners hope to advance past conference finals   One coach's loss creates another's opportunity   Soccer team's last hurrah Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.