Going Together in Black History Month

To Sangana, which means “Let’s go together” in one Swahili dialect, is the official name of Sunday’s ninth annual Black History Festival at Loyola-Marymount--a free afternoon devoted to black culture, both African and American. It and the First Black Film Festival across town make up a duo of events ideal for family participation in this Black History Month.

Sponsored by the Black Students Assn. of Loyola-Marymount, Black History Festival festivities will include music, crafts and food, with St. Roberts Auditorium (7101 W. 80th St., Westchester) turned into an African marketplace with wall murals, tapestries, clothing and jewelry for sale. Nonstop entertainment will include jazz groups, gospel choirs and a poetry reading by David Adwin Brown. Outside the hall, food vendors will be cooking both traditional West African and contemporary American fare. Admission is free. Hours are 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Information: (213) 642-3501.

The First Black Film Festival will screen 10 films in two days at the Little Theater, Pasadena Civic Auditorium (300 E. Green St., Pasadena). Today’s offerings are “To Sir With Love,” starring Sidney Poitier, at noon, “Scott Joplin” at 1:45 p.m., “Busting Loose” at 3:30 p.m., “Judge Horton and the Scotsboro Boys” at 5:15 p.m. and “The Color Purple” at 6:50 p.m. Sunday’s schedule is “A Raisin in the Sun” at noon, “The Greatest” (Muhammad Ali’s story) at 2:25 p.m., “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” at 4:15 p.m., “Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling” at 5:30 p.m. and “A Soldier’s Story” at 7:15 p.m. One-day passes are $8 for adults; $5 for children younger than 12. Most films are suitable for children; families may come and go throughout the day to see whichever films interest them. The program is sponsored by the City of Pasadena Recreation and Community Center. Information: (818) 798-0865.

OUTDOORS

Whale Watch From Shore--From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Sunday, a naturalist will be on hand at Point Dume State Reserve to help visitors sight migrating Pacific Grey Whales from shore, and to talk about marine life in general. You may borrow the park’s spotting scope, but bring binoculars if you have them. This free program continues weekends through April 12. All meetings are at Point Dume except the Feb. 28th program, which meets at Leo Carrillo State Beach. Point Dume State Reserve is in Malibu. Take Westward Beach Road off Pacific Coast Highway and drive to the end. Information: (818) 888-3770.

FILM

Ruby Slipper Award Winners--Today at 1 p.m. the Los Angeles-based Children’s Film and Television Center will screen the Center’s picks for best films of the year. Being screened in a 90-minute program: “Frog and Toad Are Friends,” based on the award-winning books by Arnold Lobel; “The Boy and The Snow Goose,” concerning the friendship between a child and the migrating bird he helps care for; “Lilith Summer,” about a young girl’s relationship with an old woman; Oscar-winner “Molly’s Pilgrim,” the story of a Soviet immigrant’s adjustment to a New York school. The Reading Is Fundamental organization will give a free book to all children attending today’s show. The screenings will take place at the Four Star Theater, 5112 Wilshire Blvd. Admission is $2. Information: (213) 743-8632.

SPECIAL EVENT

Science Equipment Sale--Chemistry beakers, prisms, lenses, motors, computer and electronic equipment and much, much more will be on sale today--all at bargain prices--in a fund raiser for the Youth Science Center, which offers extra-curricular science programs to school-aged children in Orange County. All items have been donated by local businesses. There’ll also be some pet supplies such as cages and aquariums. The sale begins at 9:30 a.m. at Golden Hill Elementary School (732 Barris Drive, Fullerton) and runs until 2 p.m., but best pickings are early. Admission is free. Information: (714) 526-1690.