Hollywood’s Everything Space: Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Los Angeles is filled with everything spaces. What is an everything space, you might ask? To me, it is a place that had an original intention of what it was going to be, but took on other roles, added new features, and became more. Take the Santa Monica Pier, for example. Designed originally as a funfair, it now holds concerts, shows, films, yoga classes and attracts tourists and locals alike. The place I consider to be an everything space in Hollywood is the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

A Cemetery

Hollywood Forever Cemetery, at 6000 Santa Monica Bvd., sits behind Paramount Studios between Van Ness and Gower Streets. In fact, the land Paramount is on was originally part of Hollywood Forever. Don’t worry, Paramount Studios isn’t haunted, but Raleigh Studios across the street definitely is.

I digress….

Founded in 1899, Hollywood Forever is still a functioning cemetery today. Its fifty acres serves as the final resting place of countless celebrities, from those who heralded the early years of stage and screen to rockers who created new genres of music. For that comprehensive list click here.

An Events Space

The Hollywood Forever Cemetery additionally is home to annual events, movie screenings and concerts.

LA Day of the Dead/Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos

The smell of copal lilts on the wind, the sound of rattles with each step, bright marigolds and paper monarch butterflies carpet the ground. These are the sights and sounds at one of my favorite events in Los Angeles, the annual Día de Los Muertos festival at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Ofrendas

This celebration features all-day music, performances, and ofrendas honoring loved ones spread across the vast property. The added allure of this event is that Los Angeles is one of the most creative communities in the world. Here creativity is taken to new levels. Altars/Ofrendas, ranging from the traditional remembrance of family to tributes to celebrities who are no longer amongst the living, to all manner of social-political commentary are more like art installations in a gallery.

I recommend going early to wander the grounds to see all of the art close up before the sun sets. It is difficult to see all of the detailed work put into each ofrenda in the dark.

Costume

Dressing up is another avenue for Angelenos to display their creativity. It is awe-inspiring to see Angelenos with special effects skills, lucky people who can raid costume departments for Victorian dresses, or people talented enough to make their own elaborate creations. (See gallery above for examples.)

For the history of Día del los Muertos at Hollywood Forever and photos from past celebrations, please go to their website. 

Hours, cost, and other information

• Website: LA Day of the Dead
• Where: Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd.
• Ages: All Ages
• Food: Yup, bring cash in case vendors do not take card
• Cost: $25 in advance
• Other information: This can be an all-day affair. Daytime altar viewing, tons of stands to eat local food, shopping, and all-day music.

An Outdoor Movie Theater

Yet another way for people to show their creativity in this everything space is at the Cinespia photo booth. You may see people who have dressed according to the movie’s theme while you wait to get in. People really dress up for these events. This is not a photo booth where you cram into a tiny space with a pair of plastic glasses and a feather boa. This is more like a movie set. See examples here. Of course, dressing up is not a prerequisite for attending.

Another Cinespia surprise is that you never know who will introduce the film.

Hours, cost, and other information

• Website: http://cinespia.org/
• Cost: $18 plus fees. If you want to park at the event, there is a range in cost. It can be between $12-$20, depending on how close the lot is to the event.
• Food: You will need to bring your own
• Ages: All
• Good for: Groups, movie buffs, and people who find any time to dress in costume.
• Other info: Cinespia also shows films throughout the year at Los Angeles’ historic movie houses and LA State Historic Park.

[Getting there] Hollywood Forever is on the 204/704 bus line or walkable from the 257 or Metro Red Line stop on Santa Monica and Western. I recommend a rideshare service like Lyft or Uber, as parking is hard to find within a decent walking distance and extra costs for events.

I hope this post introduced you to a new, everything space in Hollywood and perhaps see a cemetery in a different light.

Next up, I will continue with venues to see a concert or perhaps skip and wait for the band to play somewhere else.