The 26th annual La Raza Cultural Days celebration will take place on the University of California, Davis, campus Monday, May 1, through Saturday, May 6. With the theme "Liberation Through Love, Hope and Struggle" unifying the weeklong celebration, the cultural days aim to foster awareness and understanding of the history and culture of Chicanos and Latinos in the United States and the Americas. Among the events of the La Raza cultural days will be noon festivities on the Quad, lectures, live music and the annual family festival, known as a "tardeada." La Raza days will conclude on Saturday, May 6, with the annual tardeada. The festival, to be held on the Quad and the Memorial Union patio area, begins with a 9 a.m. run. The festival gets into full swing at 11 a.m. and includes folkloric dancing, traditional foods, a health fair, live music, mariachi and Caribbean bands, and a car exhibit. A "noche de cultura" -- an evening of performing arts -- will wrap up the day, with performances by such groups as Shades of Brown, Folklorico Latino and Teatro Para La Gente. During the week preceding the family festival, among the highlights of the events to be held on the UC Davis campus are: • A music performance and food sale of Mexican and Latin American foods. Noon Monday, May 1, on the Quad • A Chicano/Latino Information Forum, featuring speakers discussing immigration, affirmative action and Proposition 187. 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, MU II • A talk and discussion about crossing cultural boundaries. Noon Wednesday, May 3, MU II •A discussion of U.S. policies towards the Caribbean region. 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, MU II • Aztec dance performance and BBQ -- carne asada -- lunch fund-raiser. Noon Thursday, May 4, on the Quad • A lecture on women in the Chicano movement. 7 p.m. Thursday, May 4, MU II • Cinco de Mayo celebration, featuring performances by Danzantes del Alma Folklorico Noon Friday, May 5, on the Quad • Salsa performance by the Bay Area salsa band Avance. 8 p.m. Friday, May 5, MU patio For more information, call the cultural days information line at (916) 752-4936.