ARTS NOTES

Friday, Sept. 22, 2006 | 7:32 a.m.

When J.K. Rowling's books were added to the American Library Association's list of challenged or banned books in the 1990s, they shared space with America's literary treasures.

Saturday marks the beginning of "Banned Books Week," and the library organization is asking Americans to read the popular Harry Potter series, as well as Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and J.D. Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye."

Read them already? There are hundreds more.

"We want people to know that even though it's 2006, resources are challenged every day and pulled from the shelves," says Carrie Gardner, member of the Office of Intellectual Freedom, which enforces access policies for the American Library Association. "Many people feel that their viewpoints on the world should dictate their library collections. Our concern is that it reduces the amount of information that Americans can access."

The Harry Potter books have sold 300 million copies and been credited with helping light fires under young readers. But they've been formally challenged - mostly by parents, never more than 600 times in a year. Still, those challenges mean the books have been pulled from the shelves in several districts, Gardner says.

A book moves from challenged to banned after the book's merits are put on trial. A school district or library board makes the decision.

The most challenged books last year: "It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health," Robie H. Harris' book for young people about puberty; "Forever" by Judy Blume; and "Catcher in the Rye."

The more popular a book, the more scrutiny it receives, Gardner says. Libraries were challenged in recent years to pull books on Saddam Hussein, even though they sat on library shelves for years.

So far this year, the Las Vegas Clark County Library District has had 14 challenges - mostly DVDs and other electronic media, says Karen Bramwell-Thomas, spokeswoman for the district.

To contribute to the weeklong celebration of literary freedom, the district will host a reading of banned books Thursday night at the Clark County Library Theater. Writer Jarret Keene, poet Danna Botwick, poet Anton Marco and UNLV sociology professor Kate Hausbeck will read selections from "To Kill A Mockingbird," "Lolita" "Of Mice and Men," "Farewell to Arms" and other books that have been challenged or banned over the years. Allen Lichtenstein, a lawyer from the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, will moderate.

"We usually have a pretty healthy turnout," says Suzanne Scott, performing arts center coordinator for the library district. "One year we got about 250."

Details: "You Can't Read That: An Evening With Banned Books"; 7 p.m. Thursday; Clark County Library Theater, 1401 E. Flamingo Road; free; 507-3400, www.lvccld.org, www.ala.org

Opera afloat

Russian soprano Viktoria Kurbatskay and Los Angeles soprano Demetra George will be featured in Nevada Opera Theatre's annual "Opera Festival" this weekend on the floating stage at Lake Las Vegas.

The festival, which includes Nevada Opera Theatre's chorus and orchestra, features selections from "La Traviata," "Turandot," "Tosca," "Madame Butterfly," "Carmen" and "Don Giovanni."

Kurbatskay debuted as Tosca in the company's production earlier this year in UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall. George performed as Violetta Valery in Nevada Opera Theatre's 2002 production of "La Traviata."

Las Vegas performers include Morton I. Hyson, Dan Quintana and Stephen Plummer.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Lake Las Vegas; free; 731-3370

"Laramie Project" opens season

Nevada Conservatory Theatre opens its fourth season tonight with "The Laramie Project" at UNLV's Black Box Theatre.

Created by Moises Kaufman and the Tectonic Theatre Project, the production is a result of 200 interviews with residents of Laramie, Wyo., following the brutal attack and death of Matthew Shepard, an openly gay 21-year-old.

Details: 8 tonight; performances continue through Sept. 30; Black Box Theatre, UNLV; $12; $10 for students, seniors and military; 895-2787

Group presents Latin folk dances

Mexico Vivo Dance Company will present Latin American folk dance this weekend with two performances at Winchester Cultural Center.

Known for rich costumes and authentic steps, the group led by Ixela Gutierrez will present dances from Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Spain.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod; $7; $5 for seniors; 455-7340.