1 Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Parade & Festivities

It’s not Halloween, but costumes and spirits of dead people are involved. Mexico’s age-old Dia de los Muertos celebration honors those who have gone before us with colorful decorated altars, family gatherings and two days of remembrance (Nov. 1-2), and here in Mazatlan, a public party with Pacifico girls and lots of cerveza. The traditional Callejoneada de Muertos, a procession through the streets to visit altars set up in private homes, is a joyous, flamboyant parade with live banda, costumed dancers and donkeys pulling carts carrying kegs of beer, distributed freely to those following in its wake. And did someone say fireworks? It’s an incredible event that’s hard to imagine; a good time is definitely had by all, whether you’re part of the parade or just sitting on the sidelines. It ostensibly “starts” at 7:30 p.m., but I’d reserve a table at your favorite Plaza Machado restaurant, grab some friends and get there earlier. Centro Historico. Free.

6 Gocoo Taiko

If you’ve never heard of Taiko drumming, read no further: go to www.gocco.dc, or type “Gocoo” on YouTube.com and watch this amazing 11-member band of traditional Taiko drummers do their thing. The big – and I mean BIG – wooden Taiko drums are played (beaten?) passionately, to put it mildly, and every performance is a choreographed dance show as well as an amazing high-energy musical experience, guaranteed to send chills down your spine. Made from a single piece of wood, or an entire tree trunk, some Taiko drums are as big as, or bigger, than the drummers themselves. Combined with the high tension of the drum heads, the result is a dynamic, elastic sound, unrivaled in the music world. The world-famous performance group stops in Mazatlan as part of a 20-concert, 10-country tour. Kudos to whoever booked them! Free. 8 p.m. at Glorieta Sanchez Taboada (the cliff diver plaza on the malecon / Paseo Claussen near Olas Altas).

21 & 22 The Barber of Seville

Love and humor mingle as Count Almaviva and Figaro attempt to woo the young Rosina in this classic Italian 18th Century opera. Directed by Raul Rico, accompanied by the Sinaloa Symphony, the Angela Peralta Choir and the Muira Flamenco Company, the Sinaloa Opera Company presents two shows. 8 p.m. at the Angela Peralta Theater. Tickets, info: 985-4242, Vivace Productions, Belisario Dominguez #2513, Centro, or theater box office.

7 First Fridays Artwalk / Camino de Arte

Stroll the streets of Old Mazatlan, see artists in their workshops and studios, and peek inside some of the restored colonials, too, during the premiere First Fridays Artwalk of 2008. Free maps of participating galleries and studios are at hotels, restaurants and local stores (or online at www.artwalkmazatlan.com), or just start at the Plaza Machado and look for balloons and banners (and other folks with maps in hand). The diverse group of participating artists includes painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, fabric art, jewelry and more, and you’ll see works in progress as well as finished pieces for sale. The second annual event features 21 sites with 35 participating artists. Free. 4-8 p.m. the first Friday of every month, November to May.

1-30 Mazatlan Cultural Festival

Get ready, get set, go! This more than-a-month-long festival features world-class music, dance, theater and more from around the world, at sites all over Centro Historico. There’s nary a day this month you won’t find something happening. Mira: Cuban ballet and modern dance (Nov. 7, 19), classical music (Nov. 1, 16), the popular Cuban nueva trova composer, singer and guitarist Pablo Milanes (Nov. 7), Chinese music and dance (Nov. 11) ballet from Mazatlan’s own world-famous ballet school (Nov. 10) and modern dance from the equally renowned local troupe, Delfos (Nov. 26). These are just some of the events this month – and the fun continues into December, through the 20th. Many events are free, held on big outdoor stages with full sound and lighting systems. Look for booths in Plaza Machado to buy tickets; prices vary. Info: www.culturamazatlan.com.mx, Cultura office at Calle Miguel Aleman #203, or the Angela Peralta Theater box office.

Save the date!

Friends of Mexico Christmas & Anniversary Party

A favorite for almost 10 years, this FOM event brings the community together for a night of fun and merriment – all for a good cause, as proceeds benefit the group’s school projects. An open bar, Mexican Christmas Buffet, live music, traditional foklorico performance and door prizes guarantee an evening to remember. Tickets are $250 pesos per person, and space is limited, so you might want to buy your ticket now. Friday, Dec. 19, from 7-11 p.m. at Los Zarapes Restaurant in the Golden Zone. Get tickets at the FOM meeting Nov. 11 (9 a.m. at Vineyard Church, Golden Zone), by calling Susie Stenson (913-3384) or Patty Neal (985-5983) or at www.friendsofmexicoac.org.