An afternoon of Kawaiisu storytelling, May 19

Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear Luther Girado and his sister Lucille Girado Hicks, the last fluent-speaking Kawaiisu Indians, tell stories and engage in discussion in Nuwä, the language of the Tehachapi Indian people. A similar event sold out last year, so make your reservation early.

The event, co-sponsored by the Tehachapi Heritage League and the Kawaiisu Language and Cultural Center, will feature Lucille and Luther telling traditional Kawaiisu stories, with English interpretation provided. Luther will be joined by his daughter, Julie Girado Turner, Jon Hammond, Brandi Greene Kendrick and others involved in an on-going project to save this highly endangered language.

This is a remarkable chance to experience a language that has been spoken in the Tehachapi area for more than 3,000 years, from Luther and Lucille, who didn't learn English until they started school in the Twin Oaks area of Kern County in the 1950s.

The storytelling session will be held on Sunday, May 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Downtown Tehachapi's beautiful and historic BeeKay Theatre. Older children are invited to attend this event to hear firsthand the stories that have been told to Tehachapi children for centuries. Seating is limited and this event is likely to sell out, so those interested are encouraged to purchase tickets promptly.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased at the Tehachapi Museum, 310 S. Green St., during opening hours of noon to 4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For credit card purchases by phone, leave a message at (661) 822-8152 and your call will be returned.