Artober concludes with El Dia de los Muertos celebration

Artober — a monthlong celebration of the arts — comes to a festive conclusion on Wednesday with Davis Downtown’s observance of El Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The Mexican holiday brings together families and friends to remember and celebrate the lives of those who have died.

A community altar will be built at 11:30 a.m. by artists and volunteers on the E Street Plaza, in the 200 block of E Street. Residents are invited to decorate it with traditional sugar skulls, photos of lost loved ones, candles, sentimental artifacts and bread and fruit.

Participants are invited to dress in traditional skeleton costumes or other appropriate and authentic garb.

A 4:30 p.m. procession from Tres Hermanas, 805 Second St. — which will serve Mexican hot chocolate all day — to the E Street Plaza will call attention to the celebration.

This week’s activities include:

* Sunday, 2-3 p.m.: Voice of the Wood family Halloween show featuring spooky, kooky shenanigans, skits and stories at the Davis Art Center, 1919 F St. Audience participation is encouraged. $6 per person  ($5 for those in costume).

* Sunday, 3:15-4:15 p.m.: After the show, Voice of the Wood will host a mask-decorating event in honor of Artober. Paperboard skull masks and myriad supplies will be on hand for fun and creativity. Free to participate, $2-$3 suggested donation for materials.

* Monday, 7:30-8:30 p.m.: Author Tim Palmer presents his book, “California Glaciers,” at The Avid Reader, 617 Second St.

* Monday, 8 p.m.: “In Conversation with Steve Wozniak,” moderated by Enrique Lavernia, dean of the UC Davis College of Engineering, at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. A Silicon Valley icon and philanthropist for more than 30 years, Wozniak has been dedicated to a vision of making technology functionally and financially accessible.

* Tuesday, 7 p.m.: “Style Isn’t Dead,” a dance performance by the UCD folklorico group Danzantes del Alma, and Day of the Dead-themed activities at French Cuff Consignment, 130 G St.

* Wednesday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.: El Dia de Los Muertos celebration, E Street Plaza in the 200 block of E Street downtown.

* Wednesday, 2-4:30 p.m.: Costumed kids ages 10 and younger are invited to trick-or-treat on downtown’s “Treat Trail.”

* Wednesday, 8 p.m.: “Macbeth: The Radio Play” presented by the Davis Shakespeare Ensemble at the UCD Arboretum Gazebo. The ensemble is inspired by the format of 1930s radio plays, featuring unusual live sound effects and an original score by Richard Chowenhill. Tickets are $15 general, $12 for students/seniors and $10 for children 12 and under, available online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/273872.