The community is invited to “honor the ancient ones” at El Centro de la Raza’s Día de los Muertos Opening Night tonight, November 1, from 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. at El Centro, 2524 16th Ave. S. Admission, dinner, and parking are all free.

Tonight’s event will include dinner served from 5:30 to 7, and the ofrenda (memorial) exhibit from 5 until 8:30. Ofrendas in the exhibit were made by groups including Ameyaltonal Danza Azteca, From Hiroshima to Hope, Infant Mortality Prevention Network, Las Poetas del Monton, Youth in Focus, and more.

The ofrenda exhibit will be open through November 15, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on weekdays, except for Thursdays, when the hours will be 12 noon to 8 p.m.

El Centro is hosting other Día de los Muertos events this month. On Thursday, November 8 from 6 – 7:30 p.m., there is a two-part work shop on “The Symbolism and History of La Calavera ‘Catrina'” by Araceli Jaime, and “Analysis of the Aztec and Mayan Calendars” by Esmael Lopez. The following Thursday, November 15, poet Raúl Sánchez will read in English and Spanish from his debut book, All Our Brown-Skinned Angels.

To RSVP or for more information, call 206-957-4605 or visit the El Centro Facebook page.