Datebook for February 4, 2005

Friday, Feb. 4, 2005 | 8:32 a.m.

First Friday

Las Vegas' Arts District will host its monthly festival, First Friday, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. today. For maps of the district, go online to www.firstfriday-lasvegas.org/schedule.htm or visit The Funk House, 1228 S. Casino Center Blvd.

Valentine's Dance

A Valentine's Dance, featuring the Gene White Octet, will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St. Admission is $12 the day of the performance, $10 in advance. 229-6383.

Broadway workshops

Clark County Parks and Community Services presents Broadway workshops for children at the following times and days at the Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive. Children will be tutored in the crafts of singing, dancing and acting, ending with a short performance on the stage. Cost of each workshop is $8 per child:

10:15 a.m. to noon Saturday -- Ages 3 to 6.

12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Saturday -- Ages 6 to 9.

Klai Juba lecture

Architect Simon Velez will speak about bamboo construction techniques at 7 p.m. Wednesday at UNLV's Paul Sogg Architecture Building as part of the university's 2005 Klai Juba Lecture Series. Admission is free. 895-3031.

Storytelling

The City of Las Vegas presents free African storytelling at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Molasky Community School, 7801 W. Gilmore Ave., as part of African American History Month activities. 229-6297.

History month

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District will host the following activities this week as part of African American History Month. All activities are free:

Storytime with Aksis Ajabu -- 11 a.m. at the Las Vegas Library, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North, and at 1 p.m. at the Summerlin Library, 1771 Inner Circle Drive. Both events are Saturday.

100 Years of the Black Church in Las Vegas -- 4 p.m. Saturday, West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd.

Music, Songs and Stories of West Africa -- 11 a.m. Saturday, Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave.

Remembering the Freedoms -- 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd.

Spirits of the Cloth -- 6 p.m. Monday, Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd.

Author visit with Fred James Jackson -- 6 p.m. Wednesday, West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd.

Tell It! -- 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Laughlin Library, 2840 S. Needles Highway.

Short film festival

Boulder City will host the Dam Short Film Festival from today to Sunday at the American Legion Hall, 508 California Ave. Tickets are $4 for each 60- to 90-minute program. 293-2034.

Craft classes

The District will hold outdoor craft classes from noon to 1 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of the month starting Tuesday. This week's class centers on floral essence. Admission is free. 851-3082.

Tai chi classes

Free tai chi classes will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays at the District at Green Valley Ranch. 458-8855.

Book groups

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

Great Books Reading & Discussion Group -- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. 507-3427.

Mahogany Circle Book Club -- 11 a.m. Saturday, Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. 507-3427.

Murder in the Library -- 7 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave. 507-3646.

Rainbow Book Club -- 7 p.m. Wednesday, Rainbow Library, 3150 N. Buffalo Drive. 507-3711.

West Las Vegas Book Club Social Hour -- 7 p.m. Tuesday, West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd. 507-3982.