Black History Events in Los Angeles

Though Los Angeles is known as "the Entertainment Capital of the World", it can be costly to attend events in the city-especially if you have a large family.

This is where your local library may come in handy. Many city and county libraries recognize February as Black History Month with family-friendly events at little or no cost. Not only are they fun but educational as well.

Here are a few sponsored by the L.A.County Public Library -

On the Eastside

On Tuesday, February 3 at 6:00 p.m., Michael McCarty will be at the Sunkist Library for storytelling. All ages are welcome. The address is 840 North Puente Ave. La Puente , CA 91746. For more information, contact Catherine Seneris at (626)960-2707.

On Saturday, February 21 at 2:00p.m, the Montebello Library will have various activities the whole family can enjoy. They are located at 1550 W. Beverly Blvd. Montebello , CA 90640-3993. For more information, contact Vicki Delson at (323)722-6551.

Central

On Wednesday, February 4 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., City Terrace Library will celebrate Black History month with a special story time and art activity. The address is 4025 E. City Terrace Dr. Los Angeles , CA 90063-1297. For more information, please call Gabriela Torres at (323) 261-0295.

On the Westside

On Saturday, February 7 at 2:00 p.m., the Culver City Julian Dixon Library will celebrate Black History Month with the storytelling troupe We Tell Stories in a presentation titled, The Spirit of Black Folklore, interactive African and African American plays. The address is 4975 Overland Ave in Culver City, CA 90230-4299. For more information, contact Joan Mead at (310)559-1676.

Southwest

On Saturday, February 21 at 2:00 p.m., Celebrate Black History Month with historical speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr., delivered by Dr. Dennis M. Brown. This event will take place at the East Rancho Dominguez Library. The address is 4205 E. Compton Blvd. East Rancho Dominguez, CA 90221-3664. For more information, contact Betty Marlow at (310) 632-6193.

On the Northwest

On Monday, February 2 at 6:30 p.m., the Newhall Library will host "We Shall Overcome" a musical chronicling events in African American history featuring recording artist Makinto. The address is 22704 W. Ninth St. Newhall, CA 91321-2808. For more information, contact Paula Hock at (661) 259-0750.

For adults who like a different type of entertainment, here are a few plays that will run in the month of February.

* On February 8 at 3:00 p.m., "The Making of a Mulatto" will premiere at the Sunset Gardner Stages. A one woman show performed by Juliette Fairley about an Afro American G.I. and a French woman who meet and marry during the aftermath of World War 2 in France Additional performances on Feb. 22, March 1, March 8 and March 22.The cost is $15 and the address is 1501 N. Gardner St. Los Angeles, CA 90010. For more information, contact Lyn Keller at (323) 957-4652.

* From now until March 1, "Southern Girls" will run at the Ruby Theater at the Santa Monica Complex 6476 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90038.Shows start at 8:00p.m.and the charge is $20. For more information, contact Barika Croom at (310) 339-6001. Southern Girls follows six Birmingham women from childhood (circa 1952) through middle age

*Catch Tony-Award winning actress, Leslie Uggams in Stormy Weather, a musical based on entertainment legend Lena Horne at the Pasadena Playhouse until February 28. For more information, call the Pasadena Playhouse direct at (626) 356-7529.