by Janine Hill

Have you ever thought of celebrating the Day of the Dead but been unable to get to Mexico? This year, you only have to go as far as downtown Nambour.

The Day of the Dead honours departed ancestors. It originated in Mexico but is celebrated across Latin America on 1 and 2 November. It is like a family reunion – except ancestors are the guests of honour.

And now, Dance Art Etc, a creative hub next to Small Change Espresso in Currie Street, will host a Day of the Dead festival on Saturday, 28 October, from 5pm.

Traditions include building an altar at home, leaving offerings such as food or flowers for the dead at the altar or graveyard, feasting, music, parades, and making decorative skulls and skeletons.

Belinda Light, who opened Dance Art ETC with her sister Isabella Scarcella and Hana Nataprawira earlier this year, said Day of the Dead was something they wanted to share with others.

"The Day of the Dead is the first big event we've participated in, our first festival," she said.

"We celebrate this ourselves. It's that celebration of life and death, of departed ancestors.

"It's part of my upbringing, acknowledging the family members that have passed on in a way that doesn't bring sadness. It's about fun and remembering them."

The Day of the Dead Festival will include music from The Mad Mariarchi and locals Las Senoritas, face painting (think sugar skulls), craft activities, a traditional alter to admire, lots of latin dance music and more.

Senors and senioritas are invited to dress up in keeping with the theme of the day.

Tickets for the Day of the Dead at Dance Art Etc are $55 each or reduced to $50 for bookings as a couple or $39 if in groups of four or more. Kids come free. Go to www.eventbrite.com.au and search "Day of the Dead Festival."