Angelou to Speak Thursday in Irvine

She’s considered one of the great voices of contemporary literature.

Maya Angelou, who burst onto the national stage with the 1970 publication of her autobiographical “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” will speak at UC Irvine this week.

“An Evening with Maya Angelou” begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Bren Events Center at UCI, West Peltason Drive and Mesa Road.

As a poet, educator, historian, author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, Angelou is often described as a Renaissance woman. At Wake Forest University in North Carolina, where she holds a lifetime chair, the 71-year-old Angelou teaches philosophy, French and Spanish.

In 1993, she read her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at President Clinton’s inauguration, becoming the first poet to read at a presidential inauguration since Robert Frost 32 years earlier. In 1996, she was named UNICEF’s National Ambassador.

General admission: $12. For tickets, call (949) 824-5000. Information: (949) 824-5588.

Also Coming Up:

* Therese Weston will speak and sign “Practical Handbook to Your New Grandchild” at Borders Books & Music in the Block at Orange, 20 City Blvd. 2 p.m. today. (714) 385-1025.

* Nathan Englander will discuss his best-selling short-story collection, “For the Relief of Unbearable Urges,” at the Jewish Community Center of Orange County, 250 E. Baker St., Costa Mesa. Noon today. $10 for JCC members; $15 for nonmembers. (714) 755-0340.

* Robert Puff will discuss and sign “Anger Work: How to Express Your Anger and Still Be Kind” at Borders Books and Music, 1890 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. 3 p.m. today. (949) 631-8661.

* Jo-Ann Mapson, author of “The Wilder Sisters,” “Loving Chloe” and “Shadow Ranch,” will speak at a benefit for the Costa Mesa Library Foundation at the Costa Mesa Senior Center, 695 W. 19th St. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. $15. Reservations: (949) 650-4846.

* Raymond E. Feist will discuss and sign “Krondor: The Assassins” at Barnes & Noble in the Huntington Beach Mall, 7777 Edinger Ave. 7 p.m. Wednesday. (714) 897-6201.

* Riley St. James will sign “Deception in the Rainshadows” at Barnes & Noble in Metro Point, 901 S. Coast Drive, Costa Mesa. 7 p.m. Wednesday. (714) 444-0226.

* Guest author Sara Lewis will join the Women’s Fiction Reading Group for a discussion of her novel, “The Answer Is Yes,” at Barnes & Noble in the Marketplace, 13712 Jamboree Road, Irvine. 7 p.m. Wednesday. (714) 508-9707.

* Teresa Lust, author of “Pass the Polenta,” will be interviewed by Barbara DeMarco Barrett on “Writers on Writing” on KUCI (88.9 FM) in Irvine. 4 p.m. Thursday.

* Ben Marcus, author of “The Age of Wire and String,” will read and speak in Argyros Forum, Room 209, at Chapman University, 333 N. Glassell St., Orange. 8 p.m. Thursday. $2-$5. (714) 997-6812.

* Author-illustrator Jan Brett will discuss and sign “Gingerbread Baby” at Whale of a Tale Children’s Bookshoppe, 4199 Campus Drive, Irvine. 4 p.m. Thursday. (949) 854-8288.

* Rabbi David Baron, author of “Moses on Management,” will discuss 50 leadership lessons at Borders Books and Music, 1890 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa. 7 p.m. Thursday. (949) 631-8661.

* Marilyn Roy will discuss and sign “EyeRobics: How to Improve Your Vision” at Barnes & Noble in the Marketplace, 13712 Jamboree Road, Irvine. 7 p.m. Thursday. (714) 508-9797.

* Art Martin will discuss and sign “Your Body Is Talking: Are You Listening?” at Borders Books and Music, 429 Associated Road, Brea. 7 p.m. Friday. (714) 672-0120.

* Laura Doyle will sign “The Surrendered Wife: A Woman’s Spiritual Guide” at Barnes & Noble in Metro Pointe, 901 S. Coast Drive, Costa Mesa. 7 p.m. Friday. (714) 444-0226.

* Poet Robert Wynne will read at Barnes & Noble in the Huntington Beach Mall, 7777 Edinger Ave. 7 p.m. Saturday. (714) 897-8781.

* A used-book sale will be held at the Rancho Santa Margarita Library, 30902 La Promesa, Rancho Santa Margarita. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. (949) 459-5524.

* Barbara French, a creative writing instructor for the North Orange County Community College District, will speak at the National Writers Assn. luncheon meeting at the Claim Jumper Restaurant, 18050 Brookhurst, St., Fountain Valley. 10 a.m. Saturday. $18 for prepaid members; $10 for first-time guests. Reservations: (562) 431-795.

* William Gordon will deliver a slide lecture and sign “The Ultimate Hollywood Tour Book” at Barnes & Noble in the Irvine Spectrum, 31 Fortune Drive. 2 p.m. Saturday. (949) 453-1037.

* Kara Oh will discuss and sign “Men Made Easy” at Barnes & Noble in the Marketplace, 13712 Jamboree Road, Irvine. 7 p.m. Saturday. (714) 508-9707.

* Robert Puff will discuss and sign “Anger Work: How to Express Your Anger and Still Be Kind” at Borders Books and Music, 429 Associated Road, Brea. 7 p.m. Saturday. (714) 672-0120.

* David Koenig will sign “More Mouse Tales” at Borders Books and Music in the Block of Orange, 20 City Blvd. 3 p.m. Saturday. (714) 385-1025.

* Glynis McCants will sign “Glynis Has Your Number” at Barnes & Noble in Metro Pointe, 901 South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa. 2 p.m. Saturday. (714) 444-0226.

* Mariana Dengler will sign “Fiddlin’ Sam” and violinist Llynn Rogers will perform at Lorson’s Books and Prints, 116 W. Wilshire Ave., Fullerton. Noon Saturday. (714) 526-2523.

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Send information about book-related events at least 10 days before event to: Dennis McLellan, O.C. Books & Authors, Southern California Living, The Times, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Or e-mail to dennis.mclellan@latimes.com.