An exhibit called "Art, Activism, Access: 40 Years of Ethnic Studies at UCLA" will be displayed through June 13 at the university's Fowler Museum. The firing of professor Angela Davis in 1969, the tent city erected in support of South African divestment in the 1980s, the Chicano Studies hunger strike of 1993 — for 40 years UCLA has played a role in the nation's ongoing struggle with diversity, access and inclusion. In the late 1960s amid a nation divided, UCLA faculty, students, staff and the community urged the administration to institute Ethnic Studies on campus. In 1969, Chancellor Charles E. Young established four centers: the American Indian Studies Center, Asian American Studies Center, Bunche Center for African American Studies, and the Chicano Studies Research Center. The exhibit showcases the efforts and archives of these centers, exploring their roles in voicing some of the issues of underrepresented communities in the fabric of American life. This display of murals, graphic art, films, ephemera and photographs aims to capture key moments in history.
Author Frank Catalano is offering an acting workshop called "I Can Do That — Getting Your Acting Career Started," hosted by the School of Theatre of the University of Southern California, that began April 28 and will run through June 2, 7 p.m. In the course, Catalano will discuss acting as both a creative art and business. As a playwright, Catalano's works have been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Hawaii and Dayton, Ohio. He has also written and performed in animated television series and feature films including "Digimon Digital Monsters," "The Adventures of Dynamo Duck," "Robotech" and "Ugly Betty." Catalano conducts seminars on acting and writing nationwide.
Shriner's Hospitals for Children will present the 2010 Rhythm on the Vine concert series, May through December, at South Coast Winery in Temecula. Proceeds benefit medical care for kids, 18 years and younger, at no cost to the patient or family. On May 14, Shriner's will present Stephanie Mills, featuring Najee in concert. Mills is a Grammy- and American Music Award-winning R&B performer and Broadway star who will be complemented by Najee's NAACP Image Award-winning contemporary jazz instrumentals.
Big league baseball is back, and Metro will offer Dodger Stadium Express bus service from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to Dodger Stadium throughout the regular 2010 baseball season under a grant from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC). The grant — $300,000 — will be used to offset the cost of fares for passengers with a Dodgers ticket. Service will be provided starting 90 minutes before games begin and will end 45 minutes after games finish.
A new exhibition titled "Stranger's Luggage," consisting of six vinyl reproductions of oil and encaustic paintings, will be on display at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) until July 25. Located in Terminal 3 in the baggage claim for public view, the art by Juanita Meneses puts a spotlight on the experience of travel, and particularly on the selection of objects people feel compelled to carry while in transit. Almost like self portraits, Meneses' imagery reveals how objects can identify and aid the public as it moves through the transformative experience of travel. By removing these objects from their usual domestic context, Meneses' artworks provide an opportunity to contemplate conventional, personal objects as they travel through the public sphere. The purpose of the Airport Arts Exhibition Program at LAX and LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT) is to educate and entertain the traveling public, while emphasizing a cultural experience highlighting what makes Los Angeles memorable and interesting.
Artist Glynnis Reed's work will be featured in a group art exhibition called "Ten+One: Personal Expression," opening April 9, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Watts Labor Community Action Committee Cecil Fergerson Gallery, 10950 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles. Reed will show work from her "Elements of Love" series that has never been exhibited. The exhibit will run through May 30, with a closing reception May 28, 6 to 9 p.m.
The California African American Museum's "7+FIG Showcase" exhibition will take place from 12 to 4 p.m. on weekdays through June 11. The exhibition will include the work of 23 members from the California Artist Coalition of Los Angeles. It is at Ernst & Young Plaza, 735 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles.
The University of Manners, where kids learn how to behave properly, takes place Wednesdays, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at 6560 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles. Admission is $20.
Afro-Caribbean dance classes with dance ethnologist Kimberly Miguel Mullen are held on Wednesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Crenshaw Yoga and Dance, 5426 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, and on Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice. There is live drumming, and the class is for all levels.
The Inglewood Improv features sketch improvisation shows, stand-up comedians and improv performer open-mic showcases with audience participation Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. The Improv also provides weekly acting classes for youths ages 12 through 17, as well as adults. The Improv is at 2519 Manchester Blvd., Inglewood.
Registration is under way for the 2010 season of weekend excursions to Camp Seely in the San Bernardino mountains. The trips give families and other residents an opportunity to experience two days of outdoor activities, including hiking and other exploring, spending time with nature, or just relaxing. Indoor activities will also be available. Outings will be offered in 2010 on the weekends of March 13 to 14; April 17 to 18; May 15 to 16; June 5 to 6; Sept. 11 to 12; and Oct. 16 to 17. There are fees involved that cover the cost of meals as well as a heated sleeping cabin for each group and many activities.
"Master Your Mind for Success in 2010" is the theme of the Goal Achiever's Workshops that will be held Wednesdays, 7 to 9 p.m., and Saturdays, 8:30 to 10 a.m., at the House of RA, 7823 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles.
KRST Unity Center of Spirituality will sponsor African-centered activities and programs including empowerment sessions, black gnostic studies, and more, Sundays at 10:30 a.m. The center is at 7825 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles.
The Annenberg Foundation and National Geographic magazine has announced the March 27 opening of the exhibit "Water: Our Thirsty World." The exhibit coincides with the release of National Geographic's April 2010 issue on the state of the world's fresh water. Imagery by a selection of National Geographic photographers will examine the local and global challenges of our planet's dwindling fresh water resources. The exhibit will run until June 13. Free general admission.
CoActive Content will present the world premiere of "The King of the Desert (El Rey del Desierto) A Boy, A Barrio, A Dream..." on May 5, 8 p.m., at the Chaplin Stage at the El Centro Theatre, 804 N. El Centro Ave., Hollywood. The play depicts a Mexican American boy's journey of self-discovery through adulthood and the realization of his dreams. Performances will take place on Thursdays and Fridays, May 6 through June 11, 8 p.m. General admission is $15. Tickets for students, seniors and guild members are $10. Parking will be available for $5 at the intersection of North Gower Street and Waring Avenue at a Paramount Pictures garage, within a five-minute walk of the theater. Street parking is also available in the vicinity.
For the eighth year, the South Coast Air Quality Management District's annual "Mow Down Air Pollution" program will give Southern California residents the opportunity to save money and help reduce air pollution by exchanging a working gasoline-powered lawn mower for a new electric mower at a discounted price.
This year's program will have 9,380 electric mowers available for only $100 to $165, depending on which of the four models a consumer chooses.
This year, residents will have four models to choose from:
• Neuton CE 5.4 (24V, 14-inch cutting width) $100 (retail price: $399).
• Neuton CE 6.4 (36V, 19-inch cutting width) $165 (retail price: $499).
• Black & Decker CMM1200 (24V, 19-inch cutting width) $100 (retail price: $349).
• Black & Decker CM 1936 (36V, 19-inch cutting width) $165 (retail price: $449).
AQMD will host 11 events across the Southland on Saturdays between May 8 and July 24. Residents living within AQMD's four-county jurisdiction must show proof of residency and can register for any event regardless of where they reside in the region.
To participate, residents must preregister for the mower of their choice at www.aqmd.gov or by calling (888) 425-6247.
All events will take place on Saturdays, starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 1 p.m., except the Palm Desert event, which will end at noon.
The Department of Public Works Bureau of Sanitation announced April 29 that the City of Los Angeles will host several used tire collection events that will allow city residents to clean up and eliminate used tires from their homes.
The used tire collection events promote the residential recycling of waste tires, saves renewable resources, and reduces the number of waste tires going to landfills.
Below are the dates, times and locations for free collection events:
• May 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., West Valley District Yard, 8840 Vanalden Ave., Northridge.
• May 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., North Central District Yard, 452 N. San Fernando Road, Los Angeles.
• June 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., South Los Angeles District Yard, 786 S. Mission Road, Los Angeles.
• June 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Harbor District Yard, 1400 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro.
• June 26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., West Los Angeles District Yard, 2027 Stoner Ave., Los Angeles.
Cuban American rapper Pitbull is gearing up for his "Mr. Worldwide's Carnaval" tour with promoter AEG Live. On May 26, Pitbull visits the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Tickets are on sale now.
Learn public speaking skills (English). Free. Free parking at 3rd Street entrance.
"Lectures and discussions about art, the environment, economics, cultural history, and more"
The City of Inglewood will host its 62nd annual Memorial Day Celebration May 31, 11 a.m., in front of the Memorial Obelisk Monument at Inglewood City Hall South Mall, 1 Manchester Blvd., Inglewood. The city's commemorative ceremonies will celebrate the lives of war heroes from the city of Inglewood and will pay tribute to the men and women currently serving in the armed forces. Local and community-based organizations will take part in the ceremonies. All are invited to join the event.
The Museum of African American Art will showcase new photography by Camilo Cruz in the exhibit "Inside White Space: Portraits of Black and Brown Power in the Institution" through Aug. 29. The museum is on the third floor of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 4005 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles. Exhibit hours will be Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission to the museum is free.
Singers and wanna-be singers are invited to "Step Up to the Mic" at open Karaoke Saturdays taking place June 26, July 17 and Aug. 28, 3 to 7 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall of Grace United Methodist Church, 4112 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles. Refreshments are available for purchase at each event and entry donations are $3 per person or $5 for a family of four. Children under 5 years old get free admission.
Los Angeles Country Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich invites the public to the 13th annual veterans' event, "Remembering Our Veterans and their Families, Past, Present and Future," May 29, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Arcadia County Park, 405 S. Santa Anita Ave., Arcadia. The event will feature skydivers, World War II fighter planes, food booths, live music, immunizations, health screenings, employment information, veterans' benefit information and more. Bring a duplicate of a military photo to be placed on the "Wall of Remembrance." Admission is free.
Kindergarten through second-grade students are invited to participate in Cabrillo Marine Aquarium's Science Education Afternoons (SEA) Club on four consecutive Wednesdays — May 27, June 2, June 9 and June 16 — from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Participants will have the chance to explore the local marine environment. Students will use microscopes and learn about the relationship between humans and the ocean. Activities might include a trek to the tidepools of Cabrillo Beach, watching crabs scurry and investigating the "marvels" of mud. The cost is $30 ($27 for Friends of the Marine Aquarium members) and includes a SEA Club T-shirt. Financial assistance is available. Preregistration is required. The aquarium is at 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro.
World music group Huayucaltia (pronounced why-you-cal-tee-ah), will take part in the 2010 Ford Theatre Summer Series on May 29, 7 p.m., with a special night of music and brotherhood as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. Audiences will have the opportunity to experience Huayucaltia's approach in taking musical elements from Latin America (Andean, Afro-Peruvian, Meso-American and Jarocho) and fusing them with jazz, rock and classical to create a new world beat sound evoking a connection to the immigrant experience in the United States.
Jazz at the Playhouse, produced by the Pasadena Jazz Institute, will take place May 28 to 30, with a free jazz preshow performed in The Engemann Family Courtyard at 7 p.m. each day by students from the institute. The first event, "Bond and other Spy Classics," will take place May 28, 8 p.m. It will feature more than 21 classic spy themes performed by the Pasadena Jazz Orchestra, including themes from the "Pink Panther," "Austin Powers" and "James Bond." On May 29 at 8 p.m., "Bird with Strings," featuring alto saxophonist Charlie Parker's recording "Charlie Parker with Strings" will be performed live with members of the Pasadena Symphony and saxophone player Lanny Morgan. On May 30 at 8 p.m., "An Evening of Gershwin" will take place featuring Grammy Award winner Bill Cunliffe and his trio of backing vocalists singing Gershwin classics, including "I Got Rhythm," "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "Embraceable You."
"Tonight Show" bandleader Kevin Eubanks will perform in a free concert with Los Angeles Unified School District music students June 6, 2 p.m., at the Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Student combos from seven LAUSD schools will perform jazz standards, classics and contemporary tunes they have been working on throughout the year with guidance from the institute's jazz educators. The finale will feature Eubanks with the LAUSD All-City Jazz Ensemble, comprised of young jazz musicians across the district.
"Ovations," a musical revue featuring song, dance and dialogue by the students of Blair IB School, will take place June 4 and 5, 8 p.m., and June 6, 3 p.m. This year's show will include songs from the Tony Award-winning musicals "Chicago" and "Little Shop of Horrors." It will also highlight musical numbers such as "Beat It" by Michael Jackson, "O Saya" from the film "Slumdog Millionaire," and a Latin dance number choreographed by "Dancing with the Stars" choreographer Christian Perry.
Gospel artist Kirk Franklin will discuss his new book, "A Plan for Overcoming Life's Obstacles," May 28, 7 p.m., at Eso Won Bookstore, 4331 Degnan Blvd., Los Angeles. On public forums such as "The Oprah Winfrey Show," Franklin has discussed his struggles with sex addiction and pornography and the toll they took on his marriage and his relationship with God.
Options for Your Business Operations: That's what the non-profit VEDC hopes to offer to visitors to the organization's 6th Annual "Where's the Money? Access to Capital Business Expo." Small business owners and would-be entrepreneurs who are thinking of starting their own enterprises will find a loan pavilion with financial-services consultants ready with information and willing to sit down for one-on-one meetings at the upcoming expo. There will also be workshops on a number of subjects, including Sources of Unconventional Financing and What it Takes to Qualify; Poised for Growth — Recovering From the Recession; Using Online Marketing to Attract More Customers; Repairing Credit — the Real Story; and Creating a Financial Plan and Enjoying Life Within Boundaries. Breakfast and lunch will also be provided. The cost for the whole package is $10 — and it s free for anyone who registers at vedc.org on the Internet and enters the discount code GarmentC. The event is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 12 at the Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown at 711 Hope Street. Call (213) 488-3599 or visit vedc.org for more information on the upcoming expo or other events or services offered by the VEDC.
Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB), Free, 12 noon to 1 p.m.
Weekly meeting by non-profit organization dedicated to helping people improve their public-speaking skills. Free.
"Lectures and discussions about art, the environment, economics, cultural history, and more" Free. 12 noon
Residents Organizing Committee, 6 p.m., Free
Food and live performances by various blues bands Presented by the Los Feliz Lion's Club 347 E. 1st Street in Little Tokyo $10/proceeds benefit various charitable efforts. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Los Angeles Community Action Network (LACAN), Free, 6 p.m.
Learn public speaking skills (English), Free, (Free parking at 3rd Street entrance), 7 p.m. to 9.m.
$22 with lunch
