Category: Cultural

Entries Now Open For 2019 Oxnard Salsa Festival’s “Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge”

OXNARD — Do you have a salsa recipe that everyone raves about? Here’s an opportunity to show off your creation by entering the “Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge,” taking place Sunday, July 28 during the 26th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival. The…

Museum of Ventura County update for June 5 — Concert at the Ag Friday + Munch Returns, First Friday and more!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Actual Reality opening reception this past Saturday. The turnout was fantastic! If you didn’t have the opportunity to see Carlos Grasso and Peter Fox’s exhibit, be sure to visit the Museum…

Hundreds expected to Flood Oxnard City Council Meeting on June 5 on Proposed City Budget; Residents, Community Leaders, and Public Employees to Call on Council to Save Oxnard’s Arts, Libraries, Jobs. Please see related stories

Slash and Burn Approach Outlined in Proposed Budget Will Close La Colonia Branch Library, Carnegie Art Museum, Performing Arts Center, and Layoff Dozens of City Employees; Residents Will Speak Out Against City’s Knee-Jerk Decision to Rectify Years of Financial Mismanagement…

Santa Paula Art Museum update for June 4 — Create a Family Art Project This Sunday, June 9 + Kids’ Summer Art Classes

SANTA PAULA ART MUSEUM JEANETTE COLE ART CENTER & COLE CREATIVITY CENTER The Santa Paula Art Museum’s first-ever Kids’ Art Fest was an absolute blast! Nearly 400 kids and parents joined us for the free, 4-hour event which featured art-making…

Marjorie Luke Theatre update for June 1 — Melissa Manchester in concert on Aug. 23

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Just Announced! Tickets exclusively available to YOU,  Luke Newsletter recipients! Get yours before they sell out! Click Here To Buy Tickets! Santa Barbara’s own Luke Mullen shares how experiences on The Luke stages…

July 13 — Bring the kids! Bring la familia, vecinos y amigos! ‘Growing Up in La Colonia: Boomer memories from Oxnard’s barrio’ authors presentation coming to La Colonia!

OXNARD — As part of the Guest Speaker Series, Oxnard Housing Authority Resident Service Department is honored to announce a special book reading and signing event in La Colonia area of Oxnard by authors, Margo Porras and Sandra Porras. Their…

July 13 — Artist Talk Series Presents Richard Bruland and Bebop Records and Fine Art

CAMARILLO — The Artist Talk series at Studio Channel Islands Art Center (SCIART) will present contemporary artist Richard Bruland, Saturday, July 13, sharing personal stories about his practice and career, and how a lifelong interest in music led to his…

July 13 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present ‘Guided Meditation in Chris Kallmyer: Ensemble’

SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Museum of Art will present “Guided Meditation in Chris Kallmyer: Ensemble” at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 13 at the 1130 State St., Mary Craig Auditorium, Santa Barbara. Gael Belden, educator with UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research…

July 20 — Ventura County Genealogical Society to present Free Family History Mini-Seminar

CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Genealogical Society will present a Free Family History Mini-Seminar on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at theCamarillo Library Community Room, 4101 Las Posas Road, Camarillo, CA 93010 PRESENTATIONS BY GENA PHILIBERT-ORTEGA: 1:00 P.M. “25 TIPS FOR RESEARCHING YOUR FEMALE ANCESTORS”…

July 26 — Oxnard Salsa Festival Friday Night Kick Off Concert Featuring Legendary Percussionist Pete Escovedo

OXNARD — To kick off a weekend of nonstop salsa and Latin entertainment, the Oxnard Salsa Festival will present a free general admission concert on Friday July 26 featuring legendary percussionist Pete Escovedo. Escovedo is known worldwide for his live…

July 27-28 — 26th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival

OXNARD — Groove to hot Latin sounds and indulge in spicy culinary flavors at the 26th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival. The festival, July 27 and 28, is a celebration of all things salsa–the food, music and dance. Festivities take place…

Bilingual report: Ventura County Health Care Agency Poised to Close its Budget Shortfall

VENTURA — Bill Foley, the Director of the Ventura County Health Care Agency, announced several initiatives designed to improve its financial performance in the new fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2019. “The performance improvement initiatives include several strategies designed…

Animal Sculptures at Oxnard Plaza Park

OXNARD – City of Oxnard Public Works and Cultural and Community Services Departments, in cooperation with Squire Foundation, are proud to announce a temporary exhibition of four animal sculptures at Plaza Park in Downtown Oxnard, Fifth and B Streets. A…

CSUCI student body president graduates to state politics

CAMARILLO — Three days after making his last speech as the student government president at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI), Class of 2019 graduate Atticus Reyes accepted a fellowship that takes him to the halls of the California State Capitol. Reyes, 22,…

Casa Pacifica Prepares for Biggest Fundraiser of the Year – The Award Winning Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival on June 2

CAMARILLO — Local nonprofit Casa Pacifica is gearing up for their biggest fundraiser of the year – their annual Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival. The Festival will be held on Sunday, June 2nd at CSU Channel Islands. Get your…

An important message from Carnegie Art Museum Cornerstones President — Other upcoming events

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Dear CAM Members, Donors, Artists, and Friends, Although the City of Oxnard must responsibly resolve a $9.2 million budget deficit projected for next fiscal year 2019-20, Carnegie Art Museum and its 501(c)3  nonprofit…

RISE Executive Director Retiring after 15 Years

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Jennifer (Jenny) Adams, Executive Director of RISE San Luis Obispo County, is retiring on June 28, 2019. She has worked in the field of gender-based violence for over 20 years, serving as Executive Director for…

CSUCI receives grant to support food program for students

CAMARILLO — Their earning power will increase once they receive their degrees, but while students are still attending CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI), they sometimes need help affording groceries. So, CSUCI launched the Basic Needs Program, which helps students with food…

Personal experiences from Vietnam veterans will take center stage on May 21 in Santa Maria

SANTA MARIA — Personal experiences from Vietnam veterans will take center stage inside the Pioneer Valley High School Performing Arts Center on May 21. More than 150 juniors who are taking U.S. History classes are expected to hear the presentation from…

Community Action Commission Presents Annual Champions Honor to Santa Ynez Chumash

Event Raised Close to $350,000 for Senior Meal Program. Art of Giving Back Fundraising Dinner and Presentation Featured Notable Fine Artist at Work SANTA BARBARA — At its annual awards dinner and presentation, Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County (CAC)…

State Debris Removal Officials Urge Cyclists to Use Caution When Using Canyons Roads in Recent Burn Areas

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — As the rainy season in Southern California tapers off and more cyclists are using the roads, officials with the Debris Removal Operations Center (DROC) in Calabasas are urging cyclists in areas affected by last November’s Woolsey and Hill…

Santa Paula Art Museum update for May 20 — ‘The Art of Travel’ Starts Wednesday! Plus, Medallas de Oro and Kids’ Art Fest

SANTA PAULA ART MUSEUM JEANETTE COLE ART CENTER & COLE CREATIVITY CENTER Here are the Museum’s top moments from the past week: Last week was the kind of week that really makes our museum mantra – “art creates community” –…

United Way of Ventura County’s Women United Luncheon Raises Funds and Inspires Single Mothers to Reach their Goals

VENTURA COUNTY — Nearly 300 people gathered on campus at Cal Lutheran University Friday, May 10th for United Way of Ventura County’s (UWVC) Women United 3rd Annual Luncheon, featuring acclaimed social psychologist and author Dr. Aida Hurtado. Dr. Aida Hurtado’s…

BSVC’s premier tournament raises more than $200,000 for Ventura County Youth

VENTURA COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC), the youth mentoring organization which facilitates more than 1,500 one-to-one relationships annually, hosted its 46th-annual Golf Classic on April 29 at The Saticoy Club in Somis, CA. Through sponsorships, donations, auctions and more, the tournament raised over…

CSUCI joins forces with Museum of Ventura County to digitize historical archives

CAMARILLO — Some CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) student researchers are going to spend their summer bringing Ventura County’s historical archives into the 21st century. A partnership forged between CSUCI and the Museum of Ventura County (MVC) means that three student…

Ventura County Civic Alliance update for May 15 — Welcome to Our Spring 2019 Livable Communities Newsletter!

Livable Communities Newsletter Vol. 13, No. 50 May 2019 Quick Links – See the Current State of the Region Report – Last Quarter’s Newsletter   Join us at the Ventura County Civic Alliance! Welcome to Our Spring 2019 Livable Communities Newsletter!  This…

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara update for May 14 — OPENING THURSDAY | James Benning: Quilts, Cigarettes & Dirt (Portraits of America)

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Opening this Week! Join us Thursday, May 16, 2019 from 6 – 9 pm for a reception celebrating the opening of new MCASB exhibition, James Benning: Quilts, Cigarettes & Dirt (Portraits of America). Plus,…

96th Annual Awards Celebration Gives United Way of Santa Barbara County an Opportunity to Recognize Community Heroes

SANTA BARBARA — United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) and its  partners from throughout the community gathered for the 96th Annual Awards Celebration May 8th at the Santa Barbara Hilton Beachfront Resort. Local volunteers, businesses, schools, and organizations were…

Santa Maria, Pioneer Valley high school business students recently attend ‘Defining Her Power’

SANTA MARIA — Santa Maria and Pioneer Valley High School business students recently attended “Defining Her Power,’’ a conference geared towards empowering and supporting women interested in pursuing businesses. The event, which was hosted by the Cal Poly Women in Business…

Bilingual commentary: Negative Americans

By David Magallanes • Guest contributor David Magallanes We Americans inhabit the “Land of the Free,” the “Land of Liberty” and the “Shining City on the Hill.” We live under halcyon skies and grow our food—and that of much of the…

Finalists Are Set for the 36th Annual California Strawberry Festival’s ‘Berry Blast Off’ Recipe Contest

OXNARD — Two finalists were selected during the semi-finals round of the 36th Annual California Strawberry Festival‘s “Berry Blast Off” Recipe Contest.” The finalists will now compete for top honors during the festival taking place at Strawberry Meadows of College…

Two Santa Maria High School FFA judging teams won state championships Saturday and will now represent the local area at the national level.

SANTA MARIA — Two Santa Maria High School FFA judging teams won state championships Saturday and will now represent the local area at the national level. Both the Milk Quality & Dairy Products and Poultry Judging teams dominated the state during…

UPDATE – Oxnard Cultural Arts Commission Announces Summer 2019-2020 Grant Rollout

OXNARD — The City’s Cultural Arts Commission is announcing the rollout of the 2019-2020 Arts in Public Places (AIPP) Cultural Arts Grant Process with the release of the annual request for proposals (RFP) in the summer of 2019. The previous release…

Fresh Strawberries Kick off the Summer Season in Oxnard with Fun Events for the Whole Family

OXNARD — With the California Strawberry Festival about to take center stage on May 18-19, the summer season is also right around the corner and Oxnard is ready to welcome visitors with its many special events taking place throughout the city.…

Santa Paula Art Museum update for May 6 — Bookmaking, Busy Weekend, Kids’ Classes, and Portraits Closing

SANTA PAULA ART MUSEUM JEANETTE COLE ART CENTER & COLE CREATIVITY CENTER Here are the Museum’s top moments from the past week: It was a very busy weekend for the Santa Paula Art Museum! On Thursday afternoon, currently featured artists…