Dress up for a Mexican-themed ‘Day of the Dead’ festival at HQ

Acts on the stage include DJ Gio Ricca, Los Tacos and Brett Aitken

IT’S time to get those costumes out of the cupboard, because the most deadly party of the year is here. HQ restaurant is the spot to enjoy this weekend’s fun Don Julio Day of the Dead event from 7pm to 3am on Saturday. For one night only partygoers will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in this ancient Mexican tradition as HQ transforms itself into a night of the living dead. This festive Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) themed celebration comes courtsesy of Don Julio.

If you’re dead-keen on getting there early, there’ll be cocktails and Mexican tapas for you to enjoy. The courtyard will be open, and there’ll be an outdoor dancefloor to get the blood pumping and the party going. When the night grows older, the festivities will move inside. Acts on the turntables and stage in the courtyard include DJ Gio Ricca, live band Los Tacos, as well as Chris De Vos. Inside you can listen to Gren Forte, Ron Rowley and Brett Aitken. Make-up artists will also ensure everyone is geared to the theme.

Dia de los Muertos will also be staged in Joburg and Durban, as the holiday is acknowledged across different countries, paying homage to the dead. The free entry experience promises to be a fun-filled fiesta with instant prizes up for grabs and face painting on the nights.

Originally, the most celebrated holiday by the Mexicans, day of the dead is a day in which families honour the dead. Traditions connected include building altars called ofrendas, honouring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds and fave foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with the gifts.

“It has become a growing tradition for South African’s to celebrate Halloween, and we saw it befitting to introduce Day of the Dead festival. We encourage the public to join in by dressing up,” says Vongani Chinkanda of Diageo Reserve Brands. - Staff writer

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