Several Events Celebrate Cultural Diversity in Arts and Words

A lecture April 14 on “Living in a Multicultural Society” will kick off a four-day series of events in Irvine and Santa Ana, part of an effort organized by the Smithsonian Institution to promote cultural diversity in 10 California cities.

The following events will be held at the Irvine Civic Center, One Civic Center Plaza:

* April 14: “Living in a Multicultural Society: Thriving on Differences,” a lecture by King-Kok Cheung of the UCLA department of English. 7 p.m. Free with ticket.

* April 15: “Ethnic Imagery in the Landscape of Commerce: 1690-1990,” a lecture on stereotypical images of minorities in advertising, by Fath Davis Ruffins of the National Museum of American History. 7 p.m. $5.

* April 17: “The Country of Dreams and Dust: Los Angeles at the End of the 20th Century,” readings of poems about multiculturalism by Russell Leong of UCLA’s Asian American Studies Center. 4 p.m. $5.

* April 17: A lecture on Native American and Western art, by Andrew Connors of the National Museum of American Art. 7 p.m. $5.

* April 17: “Stories From Around the World,” folk tales from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas, told by Karen Rae Kraut. 2 p.m. $5.

The following will take place at Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, 2002 Main St., Santa Ana:

* April 16: “Art of Annoyance: Graffiti and Rap Improving Our Cities,” a discussion of painting and music as agents for change, led by Connors and by Charles Bojorquez, an artist from Los Angeles. 1 p.m. $5.

* April 16: “Saints to Lowriders: The Hispanic Traditional Arts Revival,” a lecture by Connors on the revitalization of traditional Latino arts and crafts and their reinterpretation by contemporary artists. 3 p.m. $5.

* April 16: A performance by Fiesta Ballet Folklorico, a troupe based in Santa Ana. 7 p.m. $5.

Tickets to all events are available in advance at the Irvine Civic Center in the Community Services Department. Tickets at the door will be subject to availability. Information: (714) 724-6610 or (714) 567-3695.

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