BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Events for families:

* Saturday: Orange County Black History Parade and Cultural Fair, downtown Santa Ana. As many as 10,000 people have turned out for the popular annual parade, says Wayne Snyder, a spokesman for its sponsor, the Mission With Benevolence (MWB) foundation, a nonprofit service organization in Santa Ana. Highlights this year include the New Buffalo Soldiers, an eight-man equestrian unit that salutes the nearly 180,000 black soldiers who served in the Union army during the Civil War; high school marching bands; drill teams; clowns, and Latin dance groups.

It starts at 10 a.m. at 10th Street and Broadway, travels south to Civic Center Drive, then west to the Santa Ana Stadium. FREE.

In the stadium from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Cultural Fair will offer soul food, arts and crafts booths and continuous entertainment by local bands, comedians and poets. A children’s section will feature African art and instruments and African storytelling from the Bowers Kidseum. Fair admission: $2. (714) 440-8943.

* Feb. 9-11: “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl,” Irvine Valley College Forum Theatre, 5550 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine. This 90-minute show, recommended for ages 12 and up, is based on an 1861 account of Harriet Ann Jacobs’ struggle for freedom. This production will tour local schools later this month and will be broadcast to several California schools and libraries via Pacific Bell’s Education First network.

Performances in IVC’s Forum Theatre are Feb. 9 and 10 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets: $8-$9. (714) 559-3333.

* Feb. 10-11: The Boys Choir of Harlem, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. The 8- to 18-year-old singers in this internationally known touring company have recorded with artists from Kathleen Battle to Peabo Bryson and James Ingram. Directed by their founder, Walter J. Turnbull, the Cerritos concert will feature a Gershwin medley, “Amazing Grace,” traditional African songs and selections from Mozart’s Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, punctuated by original choreography.

Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets: $20-$32. (800) 300-4345 or (310) 916-8500.

* Feb. 24: Children’s paper cutting workshop with artist Howard Marshall, City of Brea Gallery, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea. The intricate cut-paper masks created by this artist from Los Angeles have their roots in ancient Africa and are among 75 works by area artists on display in the gallery’s Contemporary African American Art exhibit (through March 1; see accompanying story). Marshall will introduce the art of paper cutting to visitors ages 6 through 12. 10:30 a.m. $10 ($5 for those who live, attend school or work in the city of Brea; ID required). Registration suggested. (714) 990-7735.

Artists from the exhibit will be available every Sunday between 1 and 3 p.m. in the gallery during Black History Month to discuss their work. Exhibit admission is $1; under 18, free. (714) 990-7730.

* Feb. 29-March 1: “Freedom Train,” the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd. Presented by Theatreworks USA, a troupe based in New York, this hourlong play with music traces the story of African American Harriet Tubman, one of the most famous figures in the pre-Civil War “Underground Railroad,” a series of safe houses and hiding places that helped some thousands of black Americans fleeing north to escape slavery. Recommended for youths aged 8 and up.

Feb. 29 at 10 a.m. and noon and March 1 at 10 a.m. Tickets: $8. “Freedom Train” is booked largely by school groups, but limited single tickets are available through Theatreworks (no tickets will be sold through the La Mirada box office). (800) 497-5007.