Libbey Bowl and Libbey Park in Ojai

Libbey Bowl and Libbey Park are located in the heart of Ojai near the corner of Ojai Avenue and Signal Street. Libbey Bowl was originally built in 1957 and has been used for the annual Ojai Music Festival, Storytelling Festival, Ojai Day event, holiday celebrations and many other community events through the years. Beginning in 2008, the bowl was renovated and in 2011 was reopened with a new look and design. It accommodates 1,300 people. Learn more about Libbey Bowl at www.libbeybowl.org.

Both Libbey Bowl and Libbey Park are named after Ojai's greatest benefactor, Edward Libbey, a glass manufacturer from Toledo, Ohio. Libbey donated the park to the city in 1917. In front of the park is a shaded pergola along the main "arcade" section of Downtown Ojai.

The park contains a community playground that was designed and built with the help of over 500 volunteers in 2015. It contains a beautiful new play structure and other features that leapfrog what used to be a fairly outdated play area to one of the nicest ones in Ventura County. Visit THIS POST for more information.

This is a photo of the OLD play structure that was replaced in October 2015.

This is a photo of the OLD play structure that was replaced in October 2015.

The new playground!

The new playground!

There are also plenty of benches and seating areas, restrooms, shade trees and tennis courts at Libbey Park. Learn more on the City of Ojai website at www.ojairec.com/460/Libbey-Park.

The Canyon Club - Agoura Hills

Looking for some of the top music acts of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s nearby in an intimate setting with a great dinner?  Visit the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills!

Tickets vary in price based on the artist and reserved seating requires dinner reservations.  Unreserved seats typically require a two drink minimum.

The dinner menu includes grilled ribeye, filet mignon, salmon, lasagna and more, with a variety of mouth watering starters, salads, sides and desserts. 

Performers have included Kansas, Styx, Cheap Trick, Berlin, Peter Frampton, Blues Traveler, Boys II Men, Hootie and the Blowfish, Pat Benatar, Bonnie Tyler, Don Rickles, Davy Jones of the Monkees, The Smothers Brothers, B-52s, Air Supply, Rick Springfield, John Hiatt, Frankie Valle, Leon Russell, Jonny Lang, Foreigner and more.

Visit wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com/canyon-agoura-hills for schedules, ticket sales, menu and other information. Located at 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills.

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One of the most recognizable features of the Canyon Club...the blue star thingys hanging from the ceiling.

Conejo Players Theatre in Thousand Oaks

The Conejo Players is a community based theatre arts group that has entertained local residents since 1958.  It is a volunteer based non-profit organization that hosts six productions each year, as well as several productions geared towards kids.

The 185 seat Conejo Players Theatre is located at 351 South Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks, just south of the 101 near the Los Robles Greens entrance.  Phone is 805.495.3715.  www.conejoplayers.org

Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University

The Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University, located in the heart of the campus at 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, showcases musicians, performers and artists from around the world at its Raitt Recital Hall (fits roughly 100 people), Smothers Theatre (500 attendees), Helen E. Lindhurst Theatre and the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art.

There is a wide range of great acts and artists, covering blues, country, classical, jazz, gospel, soloists, ensembles, acrobats, jugglers, classic rockers, a kids' theater series, art exhibits and numerous student productions.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.arts.pepperdine.edu or call 310.506.4522.

Note: Following a generous estate commitment from Pepperdine University Board member Lisa Smith Wengler, the University dedicated the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts on November 7, 2013.

New West Symphony - Thousand Oaks

The New West Symphony performs at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, and the 695-seat Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center in Camarillo.

The New West Symphony is a 501(c)3 non-profit governed by a 50-member board of directors. The annual concert program features the great symphonic repertoire of the 19th through 21st centuries.

For more information, visit www.newwestsymphony.org.

Oxnard Performing Arts Center

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The Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center has over 1,600 seats in a theater that showcases local theater, dance, music and other programs.

Since opening in March 1968, the center has hosted thousands of performances reaching over three million people. Outstanding Broadway musicals, prominent guest speakers and musical acts and plays have all graced the center's stage.

In 1996, the center was completely refurbished after serving its first 28 years as the Oxnard Civic Auditorium.

More information at www.theopac.org.

Bank of America Performing Arts Center Thousand Oaks

The Bank of America Performing Arts Center (BAPAC) Thousand Oaks (formerly the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza) is one of the largest performing arts centers between Los Angeles and San Francisco at over 200,000 square feet.

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The City of Thousand Oaks Cultural Affairs Department oversees theatre productions for the BAPAC, which encompasses two theatres – the 1,800-seat Fred Kavli Theatre and the 394-seat Janet and Ray Scherr Forum Theatre.

The performing arts center combines outstanding arts and entertainment with state-of-the-art technology and acoustics. Over 300,000 patrons and 50,000 children attend more than 400 performances annually. The BAPAC Thousand Oaks is funded through a unique public/private partnership between the City of Thousand Oaks and the Alliance for the Arts. It opened in 1994.

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza

There is something for everyone at this venue....musicals, cabaret, Broadway musicals, dance, concerts, big bands, the New West Symphony, ballet, plays, well known speakers and events for the kids. In front of the plaza is the Mary and Richard Carpenter plaza park.

Next door to the Plaza is The Lakes of Thousand Oaks, a great place to grab a bite to eat, do some shopping and enjoy the lakes and playground on the property.

Between 1926 and 1968 this location housed the 170 acre Goebel's Lion Farm (later called Jungleland), where many of the famous wild animals in Hollywood pictures lived.  There were elephants, lions, tigers, hippos, you name it.  Leo, the MGM lion, Mr. Ed the Talking Horse, and Getta, Tarzan's chimpanzee all lived there at some point.  Jungleland was a major draw in its day that played a large role in making Thousand Oaks what it is today.

A photo of Jungleland after it closed in 1969 (Image courtesy of Conejo Through the Lens, Thousand Oaks Library).

A photo of Jungleland after it closed in 1969 (Image courtesy of Conejo Through the Lens, Thousand Oaks Library).

The BAPAC is located at 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard (take the 101 East, left on Rancho exit, right on T.O. Blvd, and turn right into parking structure at Dallas Drive).  Visit bapacthousandoaks.com for more information or call 805.449.2787.

It takes good luck and timing for a novice photographer like me to capture the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza while driving south on the 101 freeway.

It takes good luck and timing for a novice photographer like me to capture the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza while driving south on the 101 freeway.

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Santa Barbara Bowl

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The Santa Barbara Bowl, located at 1122 N. Milpas Street, Santa Barbara, was originally built in 1936 and today with its capacity of nearly 4,600 people (4,974 for general admission standing) is the largest outdoor amphitheater in Santa Barbara County.

The Bowl is a beautiful outdoor setting with views of the ocean and the city. It offers top notch acts on a year-round basis and has great acoustics!

The parking lot utilized by the Bowl for patrons is located at Santa Barbara High School, less than 200 yards away from the venue. A short climb beside stone masonry walls through a beautiful glen with old oak trees leads to the amphitheater.

For more information and to buy tickets visit www.sbbowl.com or call 805.962.7411.

Nice views from the Santa Barbara Bowl too!

Nice views from the Santa Barbara Bowl too!

Majestic Ventura Theater in Downtown Ventura

The Majestic Ventura Theatre offers a 1920's Mission Style Architecture ambiance - you can see and feel close to the band from practically anywhere in the theater. All genres of music. 1200 capacity venue with multiple full bars, ballroom and occasional dinner shows. The theater is located at 26 S. Chestnut Ave., Ventura.  For more information, visit www.venturatheater.net or call 805.653.0721.

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King Trivia Live Pub Quiz Games at Locations Throughout Ventura County

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King Trivia Live Pub Quiz hosts trivia games in pubs and restaurants all around Southern California. The games are free to play at designated venues, including the following areas local to Ventura County and nearby areas:

  • Institution Ale Co. in Camarillo

  • Mouthful Eatery in Thousand Oaks

  • BL Dancehall and Saloon in Agoura Hills

  • Poseidon Brewing Company in Ventura

  • Seaward Brewing in Ventura

  • Social Tap Pub & Grill in Ventura

  • The Garage in Ventura

For more information, visit www.kingtrivia.com.

Painting with a Twist in Camarillo

Painting with a Twist is located at 2298 E. Ventura Boulevard in Old Town Camarillo (at the intersection of Arneill), next to the El Rey Cantina.

Painting with a Twist provides customers with paint, a canvas and brushes that lead to a fun evening with friends and a finished piece of art.  And yes, you receive professional instruction to create your work of art as well as access to wine.

For updates, visit paintingwithatwist.com/camarillo.