2025 Camarillo Community Band Summer Concerts in the Park on Thursdays, July 10 to July 31

The Camarillo Community Band's 2025 Summer Concert Series is planned at Constitution Park, Carmen Drive at Paseo Camarillo on July 10, 17, 24 and 31.

Performances will start at 7:00pm (and end at approximately 8:30 pm). Free admission. Bring chairs, blankets and picnic dinners while enjoying the show.

Presented by the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Parks District, the 2025 conductors are:

• Bob Hackett, Music Director at Agoura High School (July 10),

• Zach Borquez, Music Director, Oak Park High School (July 17),

• Anne Fruehling, retired middle school Music Director (July 24).     

• Kirk Raymond, founder of the Camarillo Community Band (July 31).

camarillocommunityband.com

Topanga Banjo-Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival on Sunday, May 18, 2025

The Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest & Folk Festival will take place on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas, starting at 9 a.m. Contests begin at 9 a.m. Performances begin at noon. Other activities to include music and dance competitions, jamming, workshops, food trucks, artisan booths and much more.

Learn more and purchase tickets at www.topangabanjofiddle.org

39th Annual I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival at Santa Barbara Mission May 24-26, 2025

The I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival will be back over Memorial Day Weekend 2025, May 24-26. at the Old Mission Santa Barbara, 2100 Laguna Street. Festival hours are 10am to 6pm.

Madonnari, or street painters, transform the Santa Barbara Mission plaza each year over Memorial Day weekend using pastels on pavement to create over 100 vibrant and colorful, large scale images. The event is produced by the Children’s Creative Project.

There will also be live music and food available for purchase.

Pets are not allowed (other than service animals).

Learn more at www.imadonnarifestival.com.

Tiny Porch Concerts Summer Series May through August at Peter Strauss Ranch in Agoura

The Tiny Porch Concert Summer Music Series is a series of four outdoor concerts held every summer at the iconic Peter Strauss Ranch Theatre in the Santa Monica Mountains in Agoura Hills. There is one show per month, with the first show this year being Sunday, May 11th (Mother's Day). This series is a must for any music lover that appreciates high quality, original live music where artists travel from all over the country to perform at our music series.

The National Park Service, the Santa Monica Mountains Fund, Tiny Porch Concerts, our VIPS and our sponsors have worked hard over the years to establish a special community to not only have these wonderful shows but also to help preserve and improve upon the park for future generations. Peter Strauss Ranch is a unique theatre with a rich history of entertaining. Our community plans to keep it that way!

If you like the series and want to support but are not a sponsor or VIP donor, you can still help. There are donation boxes at every show, or you can donate by clicking on the “Donate” button at the bottom of our ticketing page. And of course, we are always looking for volunteers to help with each production. Tiny Porch Concerts is a non-profit 501c3 dedicated to the artists and the local National Parks that hold our concerts. All proceeds are donated to the Santa Monica Mountains Fund.

Our Mission: Tiny Porch Concerts is a non-profit 501c organization dedicated to the arts and preserving the Santa Monica Mountains. Net proceeds for each show go to the artists and the Santa Monica Mountains Fund which contributes directly to the local National Parks.

Tiny Porch Concerts Presents Our 2025 Summer Concert Series!

May 11th Dustbowl Revival with Special Guest Jordan Bush and The Packrats

June 22nd The Watson Twins with Special Guest Kimmi Bitter

July 13th Hot Buttered Rum with Special Guest The Doohickeys

Aug 10th Cristina Vane with Special Guest J. B. Barton

More information and tickets available at www.tinyporchconcerts.com.

2025 Scandinavian Festival at Cal Lutheran in Thousand Oaks on April 5-6

Quite possibly one of my top 5 favorite desserts on earth, Aebleskiver.

The largest Nordic festival in Southern California will return to California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks April 5-6, 2025

This 51st iteration of the Scandinavian Festival will celebrate the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Sami people from the Arctic regions of Scandinavia. The festival will run from 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday, with music, dancing, food, crafts, demonstrations (food and Nordic crafts), vendors and activities for people of all ages in Kingsmen Park.

The festival will offer a games area for competitive activities, including Viking chess, a strategy game from the Middle Ages. People also can play Dala horse croquet and the ancient Viking game of kubb. Children and adults can also paint a wooden Viking ship, decorate head wreaths with flowers and ribbon and dance around the maypole. There will also be performances at the Children’s Stage and the Main Stage most of the day, featuring fantastic performers and musicians.

In the Nordic Country Crafts Tent, children can make free craft souvenirs representing each Scandinavian nation and earn a reward for collecting passport stickers from each activity.

Festivalgoers can wander through an authentic Scandinavian encampment and a Sami siidastallan, or community gathering. They can ask a rune reader for advice, trace their family trees with the help of genealogy experts and buy Scandinavian handicrafts. Aebleskivers, Viking dogs, Swedish meatballs and other favorites will be available in the food court.

Tickets are $20 at the gate. Early bird tickets available for $15 through February 28 at scandinavianfest.org. Kids 12 and under are free of charge, accompanied by adult.

The campus is located at 60 W. Olsen Road.

Ladyface Mountain Film Festival in Agoura Hills February 6-8

The Inaugural Ladyface Mountain Film Festival is planned for Thursday, February 6th through Saturday, February 8th. Some activities are free of charge; others require the purchase of tickets.

Opening day activities on the 6th include a free community hike to the top of Ladyface Mountain at 9:30 a.m., a kid-friendly community events and screening of Tiny Tree Concert and performance by film’s subject from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Agoura Library, film screenings at Regancy Agoura at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., and party at Sunrose California Eatery at 8 p.m.

Friday activities include film screenings all day at Regency Agoura, starting at 11 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., followed by a Filmmaker Networking Mixer at 9p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott.

Saturday features Agoura and beyond and student short screenings at the Agoura Hills Rec & Event Center from 10 a.m. to noon, dedicated documentary breakout rooms and art show with lunch at the Rec & Event Center from noon to 2:30 p.m., film screenings at Regency Agoura from 3-7:30 p.m., and closing reception with beer and wine at Whizin Market Square from 8-9:30 p.m.

Learn more and buy tickets at ladyfacefilmfestival.com.

(POSTPONED TO 2026) 25th Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering in Malibu on April 12-13, 2025

The 25th Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering has been postponed to 2026 due to the after effects of the Broad, Franklin, and Palisades Fires. The 2026 event will take place in April, and additional information regarding the event will be posted by the City of Malibu in late 2025.

25th Annual Chumash Day Powwow and Intertribal Gathering in Malibu on Saturday/Sunday, April 12-13, 2025

The Chumash Day Powwow celebrates Native Americans from all over the country, representing hundreds of tribes who will gather at Malibu Bluffs Park. This is a non-competitive powwow. Food trucks, craft vendors, tribal ceremonies and dances will be a part of the event on both days. Admission is free. Hours 10am to 6pm.

Offsite parking only at 23575 Civic Center Way and for ADA, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road. Free shuttle rides to Malibu Bluffs Park.

Event is located at Malibu Bluffs Park, 24250 Pacific Coast Highway.

For more event information call (310) 317-1364 or visit www.malibucity.org/chumashday.

Inaugural Conejo Valley Comedy Festival Planned for February 21 and 22, 2025

The Conejo Valley Comedy Festival announce its first-ever event, set to bring two days packed with comedy, connection, and community to the Conejo Valley. This unique festival, designed for comedy fans of all ages, will take place on Friday, Feb 21st and will run through Saturday, Feb 22nd, 2025. It promises something for everyone—whether you’re enjoying a day out with the family or looking for an evening of laughter with friends.

Festival Overview

Friday, Feb 21st: Tarantula Hill Brewing Company

6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Kick off the festivities at Tarantula Hill Brewing in Thousand Oaks, where comedy takes center stage. Enjoy a dynamic showcase of stand-up comedians, improv teams, and sketch performers in a vibrant, lively setting. Grab a drink, soak in the laughs, and set the tone for a weekend of non-stop entertainment.

Saturday, February 22nd: Conejo Players Theater

10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

● Daytime (10 AM - 2 PM): Comedy for All Ages Start the day with family-friendly fun! From interactive workshops to performances tailored for kids and adults alike, this session is all about inclusive laughter. Bring the whole family and explore the joy of comedy together.

● Main Event (2 PM - 10 PM): Headliners and Spotlight Acts The heart of the festival unfolds in the afternoon and evening. Experience the best of stand-up, improv, and curated performances from top-tier talent. From emerging stars to seasoned headliners, the Main Event delivers comedy’s finest straight to the Conejo Valley.

Who’s Invited?

● Families (10 AM - 2 PM): Bring the kids for a morning of hands-on comedy activities, kid-friendly shows, and a unique experience for all ages.

● Comedy Fans & Adults (2 PM - 10 PM): As the afternoon turns to evening, the event focuses on adult-oriented comedy, perfect for date nights or outings with friends, providing laughs well into the night.

Festival Highlights

● Local Talent Showcase: Discover up-and-coming comedians from the Conejo Valley area as they bring their unique styles to the stage.

● Interactive Comedy Workshops: Dive into the world of comedy with workshops that bring audiences and performers together in a hands-on experience.

● Diverse Comedy Styles: Experience everything from stand-up to sketch and improv, showcasing a wide range of comedic expression.

● Community Spirit: Join friends, neighbors, and fellow comedy lovers in a day dedicated to connection and laughter.

Our Mission

The Conejo Valley Comedy Festival is more than just a comedy event; it’s a celebration of community through the joy of laughter. With activities for all ages, this event fosters local connections, showcases regional talent, and provides a space where everyone can come together to share in a positive, joy-filled experience.

About

The Conejo Valley Comedy Festival is a community-centered event with a simple mission: to bring people together through the universal power of comedy. From family-friendly shows in the morning to adult-centered acts in the evening, this festival offers a diverse array of entertainment for everyone in the Conejo Valley.

Join us for the First Annual Conejo Valley Comedy Festival—a day of laughter, connection, and community. Let’s make it a day to remember!

Learn more at www.conejovalleycomedyfest.com or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/conejovalleycomedyfest

18th Annual Simi Community Christmas Creche Exhibit on December 6-8, 2024

International Creche Exhibit & Music Performances

The 18th Annual Simi Community Christmas will take place this year Friday, December 6th through Sunday, December 8th, 2024 from 5:30 pm to 9 pm on Friday, 6-8:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday, featuring International Creche Exhibit and Music Performances.

Simi Community Christmas is an admission-free, inter-faith, three-day event featuring nativity displays from around the world and nearly 20 performances by local choirs, musicians, dancers as well as performances by our local schools.

Event will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sinaloa Stake Center, North Foyer, 480 Sinaloa Road, Simi Valley.

Visit www.simicommunitychristmas.com for more information.

EVENT LINEUP:
Friday, December 6, 2024
5:30 p.m.     Hillside Middle School Choir
6:00 p.m.     Valley View Middle School Choir
6:30 p.m.     Elaine Litster - Harp
7:00 p.m.     Sinaloa Middle School Choir
7:30 p.m.     The Sedgwick Sisters
8:00 p.m.     Royal High School
8:30 p.m.     The Ae Family

Saturday, December 7, 2024
6:00 p.m. Looking Back - Band

6:30 p.m. Laura Bylund - Piano

7:00 p.m. ChannelAire Chorus

7:30 p.m. Simi Valley Community Orchestra and Choir

8:00 p.m. Paige Peel - Soloist
 
Sunday, December 8, 2024
6:00 p.m.     Seventh-day Adventist Children's Choir and Bell Choir
6:30 p.m.     Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Children and Youth Choir
7:00 p.m.     Temple B'Nai Emet Choir
7:30 p.m.     Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Choir

8:00 p.m. St. Rose of Lima Children’s Choir & St. Rose of Lima Master Chorale

Art Comes Alive Event at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum on November 9-10, 2024

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum announces the return of its highly anticipated Art Comes Alive event, taking place on November 9 & 10, 2024 from 12:00 - 4:00 PM

At Art Comes Alive, you'll stroll through the museum's world class galleries and meet a colorful cast of characters who have stepped right off the canvas (or boat decks) to share their stories, both real and imagined.

Actors will bring to life characters from the museum's renowned maritime art collection allowing visitors of all ages to interact with historical figures, both real and imagined. Characters like Edward Marple, famed boat model maker or infamous lady pirate, Anne Bonny will be sharing their stories allowing attendees to engage a side of the museum not seen on a traditional docent tour.

In addition, attendees can explore games (with prizes!), take pictures at the themed photo stations, kids can try on the costumes and all can participate in family friendly fun and adventure.

Ticket Information

Tickets for Art Comes Alive are available for purchase online or at the door. Discounts are available for museum members, seniors, military families, and for those who purchase their tickets in advance at www.cimmvc.org. The museum is located at 3900 Bluefin Circle in Oxnard.