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Orange County Prepares for Black History Month

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The 21st annual Orange County Black History Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday in Santa Ana, kicking off Black History Month festivities in cities, colleges and communities throughout the county.

This year’s parade theme is “Unity Through Diversity.” The event will feature celebrities and people of various cultures wearing historical and traditional dresses and performing in marching bands, drill teams, equestrian units and groups of clowns. Scouts also will participate.

The parade will head south on Broadway from Washington Avenue, turn west onto Civic Center Drive and end at Flower Street, the site of a cultural fair beginning at 11 a.m. The fair will feature “Kidslane,” food and clothing, gifts and vendors.

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The Mission With Benevolence Foundation and the city of Santa Ana are among those sponsoring the event. For more information, call (714) 571-4200.

Other activities include:

* Opening ceremonies for Black History Month events at Chapman University, 11 a.m. Monday in the AF Patio on campus, 1 University Drive, Orange. Information: (714) 997-6815.

* African American arts and artifacts will be on display at Fullerton College’s Cadena Patio on Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 321 E. Chapman Ave. Information: (714) 992-7000.

* An African American cultural celebration will take place with storytellers and Yama Yama dancers at the Cadena Patio at Fullerton College on Feb. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 321 E. Chapman Ave. Information: (714) 992-7000.

* “A Joyful Noise: Celebration of African American Arts and Entertainment,” a benefit concert, will be held Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Hall of Chapman University, 1 University Drive, Orange. A reception will follow. Information: (714) 997-6815.

* An African arts festival will be held Feb. 20 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the AF walkway at Chapman University, 1 University Drive, Orange. Various vendors will display African works. Information: (714) 997-6815.

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* An African heritage festival, celebrating the achievements of African Americans, will be held Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cypress College. The event, featuring vendors with cultural artifacts and foods, local radio stations and prizes, will take place under the piazza by the administration building of the campus, 9200 Valley View St., Cypress. Information: (714) 484-7000.

* Members of the Lula Washington Contemporary Dance Foundation will perform “An African Dance Spectacular” on Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. in the Studio Theater of Cypress College, 9200 Valley View St. Information: (714) 484-7000.

* A presentation and lecture by Robert Manuel on the “Influences of African Music and Dance in American Culture” will be held Feb. 27 at the Fullerton College student center from 12 to 1:30 p.m., 321 E. Chapman Ave. Information: (714) 992-7000.

* “The Meeting: A Conversation Between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King,” a production by Adelane Hunter, director of “Louie and Ophelia,” will be held at Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. in the Studio Theater at Cypress College, 9200 Valley View St. Information: (714) 484-7000.

* “From Rags to Riches,” a musical production featuring pianist Cecil Lytle from the Thurgood Marshall College at UC San Diego, will be held March 1 at 1 p.m. in Room 304 in the Fine Arts Recital Hall of Cypress College, 9200 Valley View St. Information: (714) 484-7000.

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