Free Tour Provides a Look at Powwow Tradition

Calvert R. Codynah of the Comanche tribe will take visitors Saturday on a backstage tour of the Indian Pow Wow at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. He’ll also give an overview of the history and significance of the powwow.

Those interested in the free tour should meet inside the west entrance ticket booth near the picnic area by 4 p.m. General admission is $6 for adults. Kids age 5 and younger get in free. The annual event, the largest powwow in California, features drums, specialty dances, arts and crafts, and American Indian food.

“Dances are performed not to satisfy audiences,” Smith said, “but to assure the continuation of ancient customs, to honor deities and each other, to associate with friends and kin, and to affirm an Indian identity.”

The tour is sponsored by the Orange County chapter of the National Conference for Community and Justice. The fairgrounds is at Fair Drive and the Costa Mesa Freeway.

Special Events

* Temple Beth Emet of Anaheim will host an open house event from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday. Prospective members and those interested in tours will have an opportunity to meet temple staff and officers and learn about educational and High Holy Day programs. The gift shop will also be open. An additional open house will be from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 9. On Friday, the temple will conduct its Outdoor Under-the-Stars Sabbath Dinner and Evening Worship beginning at 6:30. Reservations are requested. The temple is at 1770 W. Cerritos Ave. (714) 772-4720.

* Congregation B’nai Israel will hold an open house from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 9 to introduce the public to the synagogue’s programs and services. Representatives from the synagogue’s religious school, preschool and board of directors will meet prospective members and answer questions.

The synagogue will present, as a prelude to its Sept. 8 Selichot services, a program titled “Qualities of Mercy: A True Story of Forgiveness” with Peter and Linda Biehl. The Biehls will discuss their involvement in South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission proceedings and their commitment to helping black South Africans after the killing of their daughter, Amy, in 1993.

An 18-minute film clip from the Academy Award-nominated documentary “Long Night’s Journey into Day” will be shown. Amy Biehl’s story is one of those featured in the film. The program will begin at 9 p.m. at the conservative synagogue, 2111 Bryan Ave. Parking is free, and light refreshments will be served afterward. Reservations are required. (714) 730-9693.

* The Jewish Community Center of Orange County will host “Aloha Day: An Open House Adventure” on Sunday in Costa Mesa. The annual event features a preview of fall programs, plus entertainment, demonstrations, and games and crafts for kids. Judaic gifts and used books will be available for sale. Exotic tropical drinks can be sampled, and a prize will be a cruise to the Mexican Riviera. Highlights include a fashion show, Hawaiian-themed variety show and performances by Russian musicians. Fall class previews and demonstrations include a mini-Yiddish class, fabric flower workshop and Israeli folk dance session. There will be exhibits about the center’s programs, including opportunities for singles, adults and seniors, plus information about the preschool, Jewish day camp, sports leagues and after-school care programs. Admission is free. Box lunches are available for a small fee. The center is at 250 E. Baker St. (714) 755-0340 or https://www.jccoc.org.

* “A Celebration of Color,” an art exhibition featuring works by Raphael Abecassis, will be open from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Monday at Beth Jacob Congregation in Irvine. Abecassis is a world-renowned Sephardi-Israeli artist who has developed a style combining Jewish symbols, Sephardic motifs and modern composition for works celebrating color. Abecassis’ artwork, which includes original paintings, serigraphs and 3-D decoupages, also will be available for purchase. Beth Jacob Congregation meets at 3900 Michelson Drive. (949) 786-5230.

* Israeli social worker Yaffa Cohen, director of the Social Welfare Department in Kiryat Malachi, Israel, will be the guest speaker at a brunch program Thursday at 10 a.m., at a home in Newport Beach. Her talk, “Women United in Solidarity for Israel,” is sponsored by the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation of Orange County. Cohen will discuss from an Israeli perspective what it is like to live in Israel today and provide an update on Mother to Another, a program for Israeli children whose lives have been shattered by abuse, violence and neglect. The event is free. (714) 755-5555, Ext. 226.

Music

As part of a grand finale to the third annual Jazz and the Human Spirit music series, jazz artist Fred Katz will present a cello concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Congregational Church of Fullerton. Katz will be joined by keyboardist Ron Kobayashi. Katz played the cello for many years in the Chico Hamilton Orchestra. Katz went on to become a studio player, record executive and respected jazz teacher. Kobayashi is best known for his work with the Ron Kobayashi Trio. The event will also feature poetry readings and a jazz discussion. Tickets are $3. The church is at 845 N. Euclid Ave. in Fullerton. Along with great jazz music. (714) 526-2662.

* Two new children’s choirs, open to those in grades one through eight, are forming at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Corona del Mar. There will be a parent meeting on organization and registration at 11:30 a.m. Sunday in the parish center. Rehearsals will be from 4 to 6:15 p.m. beginning next month. Choir membership responsibilities include the opportunity to help lead worship services. The church is at 3233 Pacific View Drive. (949) 644-0463.

Education

* John Riel and Andrew Lawson will present a lecture series Sept. 8 at Woodbridge Community Church on religion and the meaning of life. Topics include: What is the origin of life? What about morality? What is my destiny? Focusing on major world religions and atheism, they will explore the logic and details of each. The lectures will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church, 5000 Barranca Parkway. (949) 552-1101.

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Religious event notices of countywide interest may be sent to Gena Pasillas at The Times’ Orange County edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. They also may be faxed to (714) 966-7711 or sent by e-mail to gena.pasillas@latimes.com.