Events in and around Ventura County and surrounding areas, including Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Somis, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Ojai, Camarillo, Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Barbara and Port Hueneme.
Find events in Ventura County and surrounding areas in this section, by category at this link and in the Events Calendar. Community events of broad public interest can be submitted at this link for possible inclusion in this section (at our discretion).
We encourage posting of other events, activities, fundraisers, classes, workshops, sales, shout-outs, etc. directly to the COMMUNITY FORUM section!
The Conejo Valley Community Concert and Jazz Bands present their Spring 2018 Concert at Lindero Canyon Middle School, 5844 Larboard Lane, Agoura Hills, on Sunday, March 4 at 4pm. Free admission. For more information, call 858.597.7361. ci.agoura-hills.ca.us
Opera by the Glass Presents a Thrilling Immersive Production of Donizetti’s Tragic Masterpiece, Anna Bolena, at the Museum of Ventura County on Friday, November 17, and Sunday, November 19, 2017
Artists collective Opera by the Glass will present its contemporary interpretation of Gaetano Donizetti’s historical masterpiece, Anna Bolena, sponsored by the Museum of Ventura County for two special performances on Friday, November 17 (8:00pm), and Sunday, November 19, 2017 (5:00pm).
Anna Bolena, a thrilling bel canto opera in two acts, recounts the final days of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of England's notorious King Henry VIII, once he had lost interest in her and ruthlessly moved on to Jane Seymour. The fast-paced immersive experience is staged in the museum’s exquisite Martin V. & Martha K. Smith Pavilion, which is punctuated with striking walls of glass and river rock. Anna Bolena features first-rate Ventura-based artists in collaboration with performers from outside the area who have appeared in regional, national, and international productions.
Anna Bolena is widely considered the strongest of Donizetti's three "Tudor queen" operas, noted for its inspired music and fully realized characters. Donizetti’s original opera was over 3 hours in duration. For this production, Opera by the Glass has carefully trimmed the work down to a more palatable 2-hour length. The high-quality production will be presented in its original Italian with English supertitles.
The Friday, November 17th performance of Anna Bolena starts at 8:00pm and the Sunday, November 19th performance starts at 5:00pm, running for 2 hours and 20 minutes (2 hours of performance + a 20-minute intermission). Seating is arranged to resemble a royal court with the performers activating the space for an immersive, intimate experience; complimentary wine and light refreshments will be available for those seated at tables. VIP “King” front row tables for 4 are $300, “Queen” tables for 4 are $250, “Court” tables for 4 are $150, and single seats behind the tables are $30. Adding seats to tables is not possible. Tickets are available for purchase in advance at bolena.bpt.me. Minimum age is 16.
The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street, Ventura. Plenty of street and metered parking is available near the venue. For additional information, visit the Facebook event page: https://oby.tg/FBAnnaEvEnt. Or direct questions to (805) 665-3651 / hello@operabytheglass.org. Opera by the Glass is also on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
More info:
Hana Chelberg is featured in the challenging role of “Anne Boleyn,” the ambitious, doomed Tudor queen, as she languishes in anxiety, confusion, and eventual madness while facing execution (remedial spoiler: she’s totally a goner). Dianna Burdick plays the conflicted “Jane Seymour,” who replaced Anne in the king’s affections. Luvi Avendano is “Lord Rochefort,” Anne’s brother, with whom she was accused of having an incestuous relationship. “Lord Percy,” Anne’s former love, is played by Alex Rodin Mendoza. Sally Rose Bates, as Anne’s page “Mark Smeaton,” and Ricardo Mota, as court official “Sir Hervey,” round out the cast.
Additional members of Henry’s treacherous court are characterized by an ever-present chorus of eavesdroppers and spies. Covers and ensemble members include Constance von Briesen-Kamm, Rosa Chang, Grace Kim, Rachel Labovitch, Jessie Missouri, and Esteban Pérez. The production also features a 14-piece live orchestra of area musicians.
Anna Bolena will be staged with a blend of traditional and modern aesthetics in the Museum of Ventura County’s Martin V. & Martha K. Smith Pavilion, a state of the art event space in the heart of historic downtown Ventura. Audience seating will be arranged around a theatrical “runway” in blatantly hierarchical, courtly fashion with tables configured by ticket price. The best seats, with the closest access to the performers, will go to those with the most power and influence (i.e., money). As they perform, players in sumptuous costumes will filter through the audience in the impressive space, offering an immersive experience as the action unfolds all around.
Anna Bolena is the first live performing arts production to be staged in the museum. While not entirely historically accurate, the production should appeal not only to diehard opera fans, but also to history buffs, political junkies, cultural adventurers, and music lovers seeking an accessible way to dip their toes into the often-pretentious world of opera.
In addition to serving as Artistic Director for Opera by the Glass, Zeffin Quinn Hollis also directs Anna Bolena. Timothy León is the Music Director and Conductor. Robert Chelberg is an Executive Consultant.
Opera by the Glass –
Launched in 2016, Opera by the Glass is a community of singers, directors, and musicians devoted to providing fantastic immersive opera experiences for contemporary audiences in non-traditional yet spectacular spaces in Ventura County and beyond. The concept is part of a new breed of intimate opera companies and grass roots arts organizations that strip away rigid performance paradigms to offer accessible and affordable opera in casual settings that are enjoyable and easy-to-follow by a wide audience. Anna Bolena is the second opera staged by Opera by the Glass. The organization’s sold-out inaugural production of Bellini’s The Sleepwalker (2016) met critical acclaim and enthusiastic local audiences last November.
The 10th annual Scott Medlock-Robby Krieger Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament Benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and 19th Hole Festivities are planned for Monday, August 28, 2017 at the North Ranch Country Club and All Star Rock & Roll Concert featuring Robby Krieger of The Doors and other rock legends is planned for Sunday, August 27 at 5:30pm at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu.
Internationally renowned Sports Artist Scott Medlock and the Legendary Guitarist for THE DOORS Robby Krieger are excited to host the event.
After completing play for the day, all golfers are invited to the 19th Hole Festivities for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres hosted by some of the best local restaurants, golf awards,
All proceeds from the event will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, one of the largest pediatric research hospitals in the world.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other deadly diseases. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, and food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.
To learn more and buy tickets to both events, visit www.TheMedlockKrieger.com
The Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center is hosting an Indoor Community Flea Market on Saturday, December 9, 2017 from 7am to 2pm at 27040 Malibu Hills Rd, Agoura Hills. Enjoy food trucks and up to 30 vendors showcasing antiques, jewelry, clothing and other household items. Call 818.880.2993 for more information. ahccc.org
ShelterLife is a nine-part documentary about Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS).
BINGE-WATCH all 9 Episodes This Summer!
Episodes 1 - 3 Saturday, July 15th, 2017, 8:00pm - 9:30pm
HERITAGE SQUARE - 715 South A. Street, Oxnard
Episodes 4 - 6 Saturday, July 22nd, 2017, 8:00pm - 9:30pm
CAMARILLO PREMIUM OUTLETS - 740 E. Ventura Blvd., Camarillo (Next to Chipotle.)
Episodes 7 - 9 Saturday, July 29th, 2017, 8:00pm - 9:30pm
SIMI VALLEY TOWN CENTER - 1555 Simi Town Center Way, Simi Valley
(Park near Marshall's. Event is next to Charming Charlies.)
NOTE: The VC Star reported in January 2018 that the Rotary Club of Simi Valley will no longer be hosting the annual fireworks show as it has done for the last 48 years. The city and park district both contribute to the annual show and a new host is being sought.
The Rotary Club of Simi Valley and co-sponsors City of Simi Valley and Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District are upping the ante this 2017 Independence Day by hosting a two day Stars and Stripes Festival on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4, 2017.
The festival opens on Monday, July 3rd from 3pm until 10pm with carnival rides and live music. Admission is $5 entry on Monday with ages 5 and under free. $20 carnival ride wristband is good for all day unlimited rides. Active military with ID free entry.
On Tuesday, July 4th, the festival continues from noon to 10pm and admission is free this day. $20 wristbands will be available for all day unlimited carnival rides. Pie eating contest at 1pm. Robert Singer's Performing Dogs at 2pm. Live music starts at 2:45pm. Flyover by vintage aircraft at 6pm. Fireworks at 9pm. Food vendors, food trucks, craft beers, wine garden and other vendors on hand.
Location: Rancho Santa Susana Community Park 5005 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley
Bring blanket and chairs, then dance and enjoy!
Visit starsandstripesfireworksfestival.org for more information.
The California Beer Festival (CBF) returns to Ventura County the weekend of September 15-17, 2017 at Mission Park in Ventura.
FOOD & BEER PAIRING
Friday, September 15, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Start your weekend off at CBF's Food & Beer Pairing Competition! Local Chefs pair with Local Breweries for an Exclusive Tasting Event! This VIP event includes unlimited access to samples of chef specials, carefully paired with a brewery and topped off with live music. Savor the memories made with the CBF Family with your (1) CBF souvenir pint glass! You must be 21 years of age or older to attend.
CRAFT BEER HEAVEN
Saturday, September 16, 12:30 – 5:00 pm
Saturday's Craft Beer Heaven is THE event for any new or seasoned craft beer enthusiast! Expand your mind and palate as you sample from over 85 craft beers on tap, live music, flavorful food and Bocce Ball! Ticket holders will receive access to Live Entertainment, Food available from vendors, (1) Souvenir glass, and Unlimited Access to 85 Craft Breweries to sample from!
SUNDAY FUNDAY
Sunday, September 17, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Revisit the park on Sunday for SUNDAY FUNDAY!
Bring the family, blankets, and chairs for Sunday Funday in the Park. This event will feature great food, Craft Beer, and an amazing Live Entertainment lineup! Space is very limited. Kids 12 and under are Free. There is NO beer sampling on Sunday, beer and food will be available for purchase.
Visit www.californiabeerfestival.com/cbf-ventura to learn more and buy tickets!
The SummerFest 3000 Meter Run will take place on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at the Ventura Unified School District facility at 255 W. Stanley Ave, Ventura. Fast out and back course along the Ventura-Ojai bike path starting at 8am. This is a friendly low key event to encourage our youth to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle. Entry fees kept at a minimum to encourage participation. Entry for kids is free. Race shirts and awards will not be given, however, the event will be timed and. elementary and middle school entrants will receive finishers' medals. All proceeds from this event go to the Ventura Education Partnership. Visit www.vendurance.com/events/upcoming-races to learn more and register.
We invite you to come celebrate 85 years of service to Ventura County at our upcoming Open House on Saturday, June 10, 2017 from 10am to 3pm! Get a behind the scenes peek at the facility, interact with animals, tour the kennels and clinic, meet the staff, and learn about our different volunteer opportunities.
A variety of local artists and crafts people will have one of a kind items available for sale. Bring the whole family to enjoy refreshments, participate in our scavenger hunt and learn more about how YOU can make a difference in the lives of animals in need!
Humane Educator, Dawn Reily, will have her assortment of critters, and our Humane Officers will be on hand to give you a look at the responsibilities and duties of protecting animals throughout the county.
Firefly Ceramics will have a booth and for or a $20 donation to benefit our new kennels, you can design your own tile to later become a permanent part of the structure.
What would a visit to a shelter be without the main attraction—the animals! We have a full house of critters available for adoption; you never know when you are going to meet your new best friends!
WHERE: Humane Society of Ventura County, 402 Bryant Street, Ojai
Here's the lineup of summer programs planned at the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center in Ojai in 2017. $3 for adults; $2 for age 5-12. Under 5 are free.
May 20 – 11:00am – Luzonica Birds of the World - Join Erin Koski, Director of Luzonica, as they share their love and conservation of all bird species. Luzonica will bring a variety of birds to share and show outside of the Visitor Center.
May 27 – 11:00am – Nature Walk with Julie Tumamait - Chumash Elder Julie Tumamait will teach and show local plants around Wheeler Gorge Campground. She will explain how to use native plants for food, medicine and with Chumash games.
June 10 – 11:00am – Hiking: Be Prepared - Dr. James Caballero will draw from over 20 years of local hiking to talk about practical hiking tips. These tips will help to keep you safe while on the trails and what to look for on the trails. Whether you are a seasoned hiker or new to the trails, you will benefit from the knowledge gained.
June 17 – 11:00am – Humane Society Surprise Program - Dawn Riley, Education Department of the Ventura County Human Society, will share her insight and experiences in this surprise presentation. She talk could cover a pesky cat or dog or maybe even a cockroach. Dawn is full of surprises and these programs are loved by all who attend.
June 24 – 11:00am – REI Takes the Mystery Out of…. - REI specialists will take the mystery out of backpacking in California’s Central Coast as we share our knowledge on how to enjoy this activity with your family. REI will cover backpacking essentials, including choosing a pack or child carrier, selecting proper clothing and the right footwear and food solutions for different age groups. No experience necessary.
July 1 – 11:00am – Reptiles with Southwestern Herpetological - Southwestern Herpetological Society will present live and impressive lizards and snakes and give advice on reptiles as pets along with being able to answer any questions you might have about reptiles.
July 8 – 11:00am – Saving the California Condor - What issues face this most endangered species and can they truly be returned to the wild to live on their own? A presentation and items displayed by members of the Friends of the California Condor.
July 15 – 11:00am – Volcanoes in Story and Science - Learn from gifted storyteller Richard Wade, scientist, artist and educator, the science of how volcanoes erupt and grow. He will also entertain children and adults with legends and lore. Volunteers make a model volcano erupt! Get a free piece of lava.
July 22 – 10:30am – Trees Are Tremendous - Discover the native and non-native trees that live in Wheeler Gorge on this short and very educational walk led by Los Padres National Forest Botanist Lloyd Simpson. The walk begins at the Visitor Center and continues into and around the campground before finished back at the Visitor Center. This is a Cub Scout Required Program.
July 22 – 1:00pm – Into the Woods - Gordie Hemphill, LPFA Ojai Chapter President, leads a program that covers forest trees and plants and how mankind and animals use them. See how mankind and animals depend on them. Reservations required (Wheeler@LPForest.org)
July 29 – 11:00am – Humane Society Surprise Program #2 - Dawn Riley, Education Department of the Ventura County Human Society, will share her second surprise presentation featuring our domesticated friends.
August 5 – 11:00am – Last Days of the Dinosaurs - Richard Wade, scientist, artist and educator will present a hands-on, fun-filled presentation about how dinosaurs lived and died, even the sounds they made. Hold a real meteorite and replicas of fossils. Appropriate for all ages.
August 12 – 11:00am – Earth Rocks! Geology - Discover from Jennifer Flittie how volcanoes, mountains, caves and geysers are formed. Learn how rocks and minerals are used in metal, glass, jewelry, and in building homes. Make a Moh’s scale of hardness kit. Start a rock and mineral kit. Reservations required (Wheeler@LPForest.org)
August 12 – 1:00pm – Into the Wild (Naturalists) - Join Alexa Hohensee as she covers in this program respecting and protecting wildlife in our local forest. You will also learn about birds and their flyways, venomous snakes, poisonous plants and how to identify them. You will learn about food chains and ecosystems and how humans have changed the balance of nature. *Reservations required, $3.00 fee to cover material costs. Reservations required Wheeler@LPForest.org)
August 19 – 11:00am – Strange & Exotic Critters - This hands-on experience lets you meet some unusual animals up-close and personal. Learn about the benefits of having pets, some special considerations for living with animals and meet some amazing ambassadors including the softest bunny ever, a hairless guinea pig, a boa constrictor, tarantula and a miniature chicken.
August 26 – 11:00am – Wonderful World of Bees - Scientists estimate that one-third of the world’s food crops and four-fifths of its flowering plants depend on some form of insect pollination, mainly by bees. Yet honeybees are native bees around the globe are declining in numbers. Discover the fascinating world of bees and its impact on the ecosystem. Join University of California entomologist Anna D. Howell in a talk about the wonderful world of bees.
September 2 – 11:00am – Amazing World of Bears - Kelley Swedlow, Wheeler Gorge Docent, will present information about our brown and black bears, and the many other types of bears found around the world.
September 9 – 11:00am – Rescuing Ocean Animals - Wildlife rescuer Ron Barrett, with the Channel Island Marine and Wildlife Institute, will present information and insights on sea lions, seals, otters and other animals found sick or injured. What you should do and not do when you find an animal stranded on the beach?
September 16 – 11:00am – Reptiles with Southwestern Herpetological - Southwestern Herpetological Society will present live and impressive lizards and snakes and give advice on reptiles as pets along with being able to answer any questions you might have about reptiles.
September 23 – 11:00am – Storytelling of the Chumash with Julie Tumamait - Chumash Elder Julie Tumamait will share stories of death and resurrection, stories still alive today with lessons reinforced by a look in the night skies or a walk in the wilderness. Particular sharing will be The Story of Anucwa and The Boys Who Turned to Geese. Hear stories of woodpecker, blue jay, coyote and others. Learn to look at plants and stones in different ways. Julie is an amazing and engaging storyteller.
Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center is located at 17017 Maricopa Highway, Ojai. Call (805) 640-9060 or visit lpforest.org/wheeler for more information.
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
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