Datebook for Feb. 27, 2004

Friday, Feb. 27, 2004 | 8:19 a.m.

'Lebowski' festival

Imperial Palace will host "Lebowski Fest West," an homage to Coen Brothers' 1998 movie, "The Big Lebowski," at 8 p.m. today. The film will be screened, and at least one cast member will attend. Admission is free. 794-3114.

Fund-raiser

CCSN's Cultural Diversity Scholarship Fund-raising Committee and the International House of Blues Foundation will host the ninth annual "Educational Taste of Excellence: Wine Tasting, Spirits and Jazz Scholarship Fund-Raiser" at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Palace Station Hotel Ballroom. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door, and evening attire is required. 651-4440.

Noted author

Celebrated author Fern Schumer Chapman will discuss her book, "Motherland: Beyond the Holocaust -- A Daughter's Journey to Reclaim the Past," at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Temple Beth Sholom at 10700 Havenwood Lane, and at 7 p.m. Thursday at West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd. For the first event, call 804-1333; for the second event, call 734-7323.

'Urbania'

The Winchester Cultural Center continues its "Out of the Celluloid Closet" series of gay-themed films with "Urbania" at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at 3130 S. McLeod Drive. Tuesday's showing is close-captioned for the hearing impaired. Admission is $3 for each showing. 455-7340.

Documentary

The documentary "Ralph Ellison: An American Journey" will be shown at 3 p.m. Saturday at West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd., as part of African-American History Month. Admission is free. 229-4800.

History Month

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District is sponsoring the following programs throughout the city to celebrate February, African-American History Month:

5 p.m. today -- Middle School Poetry Slam, featuring competitive readings of poetry and prose, West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd.

8 p.m. Saturday -- "Having Our Say," a theatrical evening highlighting the birth of black freedom and the rise of the black middle class in America, West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd.

2 p.m. Sunday -- "Lifelines/Mixed Media," an artistic tribute and performance dedicated to local Las Vegans who have inspired the community, West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd.

Book groups

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District offers the following book discussion groups at area libraries this week:

Spanish Language Book Discussion Group -- 6 p.m. Monday, Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. 507-3606.

Spring Valley Book Discussion Group -- 7 p.m. Thursday, Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd. 507-3830.

Acting workshops

The New City Theatre, 2900 Patrick Lane, is offering free acting workshops for those over the age of 18 from 1-3 p.m. every Saturday. 547-1228.