More than thirty local artists are contributing altars to the Denver Art Society's celebration of the dead; this is the DAS's first juried exhibition, judged by Hector Munoz. The fun starts at 11 a.m. today, November 1, but the official opening reception will start at 7 p.m. Friday, November 2, with the Aztec Dancers, food, face painting, pinatas and live music. Guests are encouraged to wear skeleton attire. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door; all proceeds will go toward children's art classes. For tickets and more information, visit the Denver Art Society website.

Pirate: Contemporary Art has been honoring this holiday since 1983. This year's exhibit, which runs through November 11, will feature work juried by Maruca Salazar, recently named head of the Museo de las Americas, including "Our Lady of Temporality," by Brandon Maldonado. And every Saturday, Pirate will offering workshops, including sand-painting with Debra Sanders and Calavera mask-making. The official reception will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, November 2, and will include the local Aztec Dancers, a candlelight procession and pinatas. Admission to all events is free; for more information, visit the Pirate website.

The last Studio 12 Día de los Muertos exhibit won a Best of Denver award as Best Curated Exhibition. This year's exhibit, which opened October 5, will have a second reception from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, November 2. The show includes art by Amber Lovelace, Brandon Maldonado, Fonda McDonough, George Rivera, Rai Briata, Rob Yancey and curator Carlos Fresquez, as well as altars by Laurie Zuckerman and Maruca Salazar; limited edition signed prints of Brandon Maldonado's "Gringo Souvenir" will be available for purchase during the show's run. Admission to all events is free. For more information, visit the Studio 12 website.