Town Hall Luncheon. The Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAAACC) and Councilmember Wendy Greuel, (District 2) will discuss business opportunities and doing business at Los Angeles City Hall. $24 members, $40 non-members. RSVP by Feb. 8. Radisson Hotel, 3540 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (323) 292-1297 or info@glaaacc.org.
Valentine Showcase. The Classic Gents present an intimate evening of classic love songs by our late great crooners featuring the talents of Marvin Gaye, Gerald Levert, Luther Vandross, Lou Rawls, James Brown and Barry White portrayed by various local talents. Admission $30 – $50. Vintage Hollywood, 4000 Washington Blvd., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. (323) 461-1533 or sireentertainment.com.
Book Signing. James McBride author of “Color of Water,” will sign and discuss “Song Yet Sung.” Esowon Bookstore, 4331 Degnan Blvd, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. (323) 290-1048 or esowon.booksense.com
Single Awareness Day. Celebrate your freedom with fun loving singles and groove to the best in Anti-Valentine songs. Kitchen open till 1 a.m. Prizes for best getting dumped story, best and worst pick-up lines. The Little Rock, 5507 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana, 21+, No Cover. (818) 881-9833.
February 14-15
Play. Philadelphia Bluez, a play and compelling story written and producted by Syville Talbird, starring J. Patrick Wise and Sade Moore. Tickets: $30 to $35. Wilshire Ebell Theater, 4401 W. 8th St., Los Angeles. 2/14 – 7:30 p.m., 2/15 – 8 p.m. (310) 760-1263 or onecreativegenius.org.
February 14 – 27
Sabbatical Program. The California Wellness Foundation’s Sabbatical Program annually awards leaders of nonprofit organizations $35,000. Deadline for applications is February 27. Access applications at www.tcwf.org
February 16
Candidates Breakfast Forum. 2nd Supervisorial District candidates Bernard Parks and Mark Ridley Thomas will speak at a breakfast forum on issues relating to African American men and boys. Phillips Temple CME Church, 973 E. 43 St., Los Angeles. Parks will speak at 8:30 a.m., Breakfast at 9:30 a.m., Ridley-Thomas at 10:30 a.m. Event is free. (323) 514-4412 or (213) 761-3457.
Lecture. “The African Presence in Mexico.” Professor Toni-Mokjaetji Humber, (Ethnic and Women’s Studies, Cal. State Pomona), will discuss gaining a greater understanding about Africans in Mexico, or the “third root” of Mexico’s heritage. Free. AC Bilbrew Library, 150 E. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles. 2 p.m. (310) 538-3350, (310) 538-0059 or brc@gw.colapl.org.
Poetry Event. Breathe Belief Poetry presented by Famli Inc. and Breathe Belief. Starbucks Coffeehouse, 4371 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles. 2 – 4 p.m. (323) 864-2656, (323) 596-8656, or torrereese@yahoo.com.
Social Event. “Don’t Stop Tha Love,” an after Valentine’s Day activity with networking, socializing, no host bar, entertainment, and dancing. St. Agatha’s Hall, 2646 S. Mansfield Ave, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. to midnight. (323) 632-2403, (213) 446.7454, or plevents@sbcglobal.net
February 17
Roundtable Discussion. Lost Love, Lust and Lies: An Afrocentric Alternative. African American Cultural Center, 3018 W. 48th St., Los Angeles, 3 p.m. (323) 299-6124.
Spopken Funk. Come and see Malcolm Jamal Warner where enlightenment meets entertainment and poetry meets comedy. $15 Advance/$20 Door. ‘MBar,’ 1253 N. Vine St., Hollywood. (866) 212-3676.
February 18-21
Revival. Word Fest 2008 with guest speakers Rev. Drs. A. Louis Patterson (Houston) and Frank E. Ray (Tennessee). McCoy Memorial Baptist Church, 802 East 46th St. Los Angeles. 7 p.m. (323) 231-4271 or www.mccoymbc.com
February 20
Book signing. Meet the man who wrote the book on how to play basketball. NBA legend Oscar Robinson will sign his two books, The Big O: My Life, My Times, My Game, and The Art of Basketball. Eso Won Books, 4331 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park, Los Angeles. 7 p.m. (323) 290-1047.
February 21
Senior Recognition. 37th Senior Citizen Observance of African American History Month honoring the late Augustus Hawkins, 107 yr. old Ruth Williams and other seniors. Athens Park Auditorium, 12603 S. Athens Way, Los Angeles. For information and group transportation, call Joann Gaines (310) 603-3358.
Teacher Fair. Teacher Preparatory Workshop. A representative from LAUSD and another local school district will be present to discuss issues important to credential students attending the Teacher Job Fair on March 13th. Cal State Los Angeles, Salazar Hall E184. 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (323) 343-3237 or www.calstatela.edu/univ/calendar.
Boost Camp Forum. A positive link to a positive change in 2008 opening doors to greater opportunities in careers, business, leadership, and the community; food, prizes, free parking. BOOST CAMP Headquarters, 5155 W. Rosecrans Ave, Hawthorne. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. No cover charge, but RSVP requested. (310) 491-3417 or www.leadershipboostcamp.com.
Black History Lecture. Vincent L. Wimbush, Ph.D., professor of religion, Claremont Graduate University, and director, Institute for Signifying Scriptures will discuss “African Americans, Sacred Texts and the Quest for Social Power.” Cal. State University, Dominguez Hills, Loker Student Union Ballroom., 100 E. Victoria St., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. (310) 243-3050.
February 22
History class. Afrikan World Civilizations class, “How can you teach your children their history if you don’t know it yourself? Come to the first class, which is free, and you will experience an Afrikan world multi-media historical, cultural experience unlike anything you will ever experience in any university.” Dr Kwaku Person-Lynn. Kaos Studios, 4343 Leimert Blvd., Los Angeles. 7-9 p.m. (213) 368-4976
BET Honors. BET’s inaugural celebration of THE BET HONORS, an event celebrating the achievements of distinguished African American leaders in the fields of business, entertainment, social justice and philanthropy. This year’s honorees are Alicia Keys, Tyra Banks, Rep. Maxine Waters, Dr. Cornel West, Richard Parsons, and CEO Janice Bryant Howroyd.. 8 p.m. ET/PT. Please check cable listing for exact time in your area.
February 23
Health screening. Health professions will provide screenings for high blood pressure, diabetes, and anemia. Also, information on how to quit smoking, child immunizations, adolescent health issues, adult and elderly care, fitness, massage and safety. Activities for children, music and much more. Lincoln Memorial United Church of Christ, 4126 Arlington Ave., Los Angeles. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (323) 293-8535.
