Celebrations Planned for Cinco de Mayo

Mariachis, folklorico dancing, Mexican food and pin~atas will highlight many of the Cinco de Mayo celebrations scheduled today through Monday. The activities are free unless otherwise specified.

* Universal CityWalk will hold family-themed activities, including live performances by Los Comperos, the Gary Jones Puppet Theatre, the Charros de San Fernando children’s rope troupe and Martin Espino’s interactive children’s music, from noon to 5 p.m. today and Sunday at Universal Center Drive, Universal City. Free, but parking is $6. Information: (818) 622-4455.

* Catholic Charities will hold “La Fiesta,” featuring live music, games and food for children and their families from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Guadalupe Community Center, 21600 Hart St., Canoga Park. Admission is $1 general, 50 cents for children. Information: (818) 340-2050.

* Juvenil Tenochtitlan, a mariachi group composed of teens from Sylmar, and Folklorico de Mexico, a youth dance troupe, will perform at the Encino Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at 17400 Victory Blvd. Information: (818) 705-2345.

* Aztec dances, music and an art sale featuring paintings and crafts created by Chicano and Chicana artists will be presented at Mission College’s Cinco de Mayo celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at the college quad, 13356 Eldridge Ave., Sylmar. Also at the college, Maria Reza, administrator for Los Angeles Unified School District, will discuss why Cinco de Mayo is celebrated at 1:15 p.m. Information: (818) 364-7600.

Cinco de Mayo festivities will be included with lunch offered by the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council Nutritional Program to seniors 60 and older. Music, pin~atas and other activities to commemorate the day will begin at 11:30 a.m. Monday at a variety of sites. There is a suggested donation of $1.50. For more information, call the nutrition program office at (818) 781-3300.

* Bernardi Multipurpose Senior Center, 6514 Sylmar Ave., Van Nuys.

* Casa Panorama, 14550 Osborne St., Panorama City.

* Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Senior Center, 5040 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks.

* Sylmar Recreation Center, 13109 Borden Ave.

* Nikkei Village, 9557 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima.

* East Valley Multipurpose Senior Center, 11640 Hesby St., North Hollywood.

* San Fernando Senior Center, 208 Park Ave.

* Las Palmas Recreation Center, 505 S. Huntington St., San Fernando.

* Northeast Valley Multipurpose Senior Center, 11300 Glenoaks Blvd., Pacoima.

* Valley Storefront, Jewish Family Service, 12821 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood.

* Trinity Presbyterian Church, 11960 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood.

* Simpson Apartments, 7541 Simpson Ave., North Hollywood.

* Mid-Valley Senior Center, 14450 Valerio St., Van Nuys.

* Sunland Senior Center, 8640 Fenwick St., Sunland.