LA RAZA CULTURAL DAYS

With Black Family Week waiting in the wings, La Raza Cultural Days come to an end today and Saturday (May 13 and 14):

• Latin Dance 101 — Instruction in a different dance every year. The punta is the dance for 2011. 4-6 p.m. today (May 13), Main Lounge, Tercero Residential Area.

• Cuauhtémoc Run — 5-kilometer or 10-kilometer, run or walk, around the arboretum. 7 a.m. Saturday (May 14), starting near the Music Building, behind Mrak Hall.

• La Gran Tardeada — Including a children’s fair and health fair, entertainment and food. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday (May 14), Quad.

Earlier coverage

This year’s Black Family Week, starting Sunday, May 15, features the Eritean Culture Show, Apollo Night, Black Men Appreciation and a show by sista docta: “Performing Black Feminisms.”

And, last but not least, Black Family Day: Saturday, May 21.

The entire program is directed toward the 2011 theme: “Transcendence: Raising Black Consciousness.”

Here are some of the highlights:

• Gospel Extravaganza — Choirs, praise dancers and spoken word artists, presented by Black Campus Ministries. Admission $10, with 25 percent of the proceeds going to the 1000 Wells Project. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 15, AGR Hall, Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center.

• Eritrean Cultural Show — The Eritrean Student Association presents this seventh annual show, performance, dance and refreshments. 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 16, International House, 10 College Park, Davis.

• Colorism: A Workshop for Womyn of Any Color — An in-depth discussion on colorism as it affects “womyn” of different cultures and societies, including your experiences. The organizers said the program will offer strategies for overcoming and resisting this insidious form of internalized oppression. Noon Tuesday, May 17, 3201 Hart Hall.

• Black Men’s Appreciation — Entertainment, dinner and an awards ceremony, honoring black men on campus who are making a difference. Sponsored by the Nigerian Student Association, the Black Student Union and the National Council of Negro Women. By invitation only. 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, Technocultural Studies Building (formerly the Art Annex).

• Get Off the Fence: A Critical Analysis of the Black Family — Poet Ise Lyfe hosts this workshop on the image of the black family in America. Noon Wednesday, May 18, Technocultural Studies Building (formerly the Art Annex).

• sista docta: Performing Black Feminisms — Omi Osun Joni L. Jones, associate professor and director of the John L. Warfield Center for African and African American Studies at the University of Texas, Austin, is sista docta — offering a personal commentary on being an African American woman professor at a predominately European American academic institution. 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, 1001 Giedt Hall. Women’s Resources and Research Center

• Visiting Africa: Destination Ghana — About Ghana and UC study abroad opportunities in that country. With Professor Moradewun Adejunmobi of the Department of African-American and African Studies, and students who have been to Ghana as study abroad participants. Noon Thursday, May 19, 192 Young Hall.

• Is Everyone Stupid? — Ise Lyfe presents this play, in which he fuses spoken word performances with personal stories, photographs from the media, statistics and archival documents to challenge the mass acceptance of cultural norms and manifestations. The play centers on the black family, specifically on the perils that plague certain communities which inhibit them from upward social mobility. Free admission, with donations welcome. 6 p.m. Thursday, May 19, Wyatt Pavilion Theatre.

• Apollo Night — Student talent show. Be part of the audience, for a $3 donation. Be part of the show, for a $10 entry fee, for a chance at a $100 grand prize, and gift cards for first through third places. Interested in performing? Contact Nnenna Amuchie, ncamuchie@ucdavis.edu, or Victor Johnson, vicjohnson@ucdavis.edu. 7 p.m. Friday, May 20, 1002 Giedt Hall.

• Black Family Day — The 41st annual, featuring entertainment by Dom Kennedy, and alumnus and Def Jam poet Dahlak, and your favorite campus performers! The day also includes an interview skills workshop, arts and crafts vendors, food booths and children’s fair. Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, May 21, Quad.

• Wine and Jazz Social — Hosted by the African American and African Alumni Association. Admission $7; must be 21 or older to attend. 3-5 p.m. Saturday, May 21, Griffin Lounge, Memorial Union.

More information, including the complete schedule. Free admission to all events, unless otherwise noted. Note: The History of Stepping program has been canceled; it had been scheduled for May 16.