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COMMUNITY WRAP

FREE ADMISSION

Jazz trio ends season at Henderson campus

Walt Blanton will lead an all-star jazz trio in a program of new works and familiar jazz standards at 7:30 p.m. May 4 at the Community College of Southern Nevada, 700 College Drive, Henderson.

The program, which will take place in Building C, Room 133, ends the Spring 2007 Cultural Series at the campus.

Admission is free. There will be a reception following the event.

To get to the Henderson campus, travel south on U.S. 95 to College Drive, and turn north for two blocks.

For more information about this or other cultural events at the Henderson campus, call 651-3000.

SOCIAL ISSUES EXAMINED

Arts center showcases

Latin American films

Two acclaimed Latin American films that examine contemporary social issues, gang violence and drug trafficking, will be shown on successive Saturdays in May at the West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd.

Each begins at 3 p.m. Admission is free, but is restricted to people age 18 and older. Call 229-4800 for details.

On May 5, "City of God" shows what life is like in Rio de Janeiro's most notorious slum.

Life is cheap and expendable, with gangs of young boys, some no older than 9 years old, roaming the streets. One young man, however, is able to use his talent as a photographer to not only capture the devastation, but to escape it.

Catalina Sandrino Moreno earned an Academy Award nomination as best actress for her portrayal of a young drug mule in "Maria Full of Grace," which will be shown on May 12.

Desperate and destitute, Maria is a pregnant 17-year-old who carries heroin pellets from Colombia to New York City.

LUNCH AVAILABLE

Mother's Day concert showcases standards

The Walt Boenig Big Band returns to the Reed Whipple Cultural Center for the annual Mayor's Mother's Day Concert on May 13.

The orchestra takes the stage at 2 p.m. to play favorite standards from the past.

Admission is free, but ticket reservations are required, and there is a limit of four tickets per person.

A pre-concert, catered lunch will be offered at noon. Tickets are $15 per person and include a corsage and priority seating for the concert. Call 229-2321 for reservations.

Boenig is a longtime Las Vegas trombonist who leads several musical groups. His big band plays a repertoire that spans decades, from "In the Mood" and "Swing, Swing, Swing" to "All That Jazz."

The cultural center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North, is operated by the Performing Arts Division of the city of Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services.

TWO-DAY FESTIVAL

North Las Vegas plans Tastes and Tunes

The city of North Las Vegas will present its fifth annual Tastes and Tunes Festival, a two-day event featuring an eclectic lineup of music and ethnic cuisine, May 4-5.

The festival kicks off from 5 to 11 p.m. May 4 in front of City Hall, 2200 Civic Center Drive.

The celebration continues from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. May 5. Admission is free.

This year's event will bring back the Mexican Village, showcasing Cinco de Mayo festivities, arts and crafts vendors, and musical performances.

USA-sanctioned boxing and a carnival by Royal West Amusements also are planned.

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