SANTA BARBARA — The nation’s premier Mexican folk dance company, Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles, will hold three free public performances in Santa Barbara County October 13-15, 2023. The performances are a part of ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! (Viva), a program dedicated to sharing the rich cultural heritage of Latin America to Santa Barbara County students and community members.
Category: Entertainment
Oct. 13 — OPAC presents “TALKING NARDCORE”: 40 years of punk music in Ventura County
OXNARD — To celebrate the County of Ventura’s 150th Anniversary, OPAC is honored to present “Talking Nardcore” on Friday, October 13 at 6 pm at the Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.
This rare storytelling event will chronicle 40 years of punk music in our community through a legendary panel of guest speakers. Guests will also enjoy a live DJ set prior to the panel, which will be followed by a performance by Out of Trust.
Panelists include representatives from:
Aggression • Ill Repute • Dr. Know • Stalag 13 • Dead Heat • The Missing 23rd
Burning Dog • In Control Annihilation Time • Omega Point • It’s Alive Fanzine
BYO Records • 185 Miles South Podcast • Salzer’s Records
Oct. 18 — Bilingual report – Celebrate recent food policy wins and connect with peers at this year’s farmer gathering in Santa Ynez2023 Central Coast Farmer Gathering
Looking for ways to make your voice heard and effect change in our food system? Join us at the 2023 Central Coast Farmer Gathering to contribute thought leadership on food policies for 2024 and beyond. Learn about available program resources and opportunities available to food producers at the county and state levels. Connect with other farmers, ranchers, and food producers during the networking dinner prepared by Chef Melissa of Clean Slate Wine Bar. The menu will feature, as we continuously commit to, locally sourced ingredients.
Through Oct. 22 — Teatro de las Américas presents Romantic comedy ‘Stage Kiss’
Theatrikos brings the romantic comedy Stage Kiss to the Flagstaff stage. A kiss is not just a kiss in this whirlwind knockabout farce. When two actors with a history are thrown together as leads in a 1930s romantic comedy, they quickly lose touch with reality.
“This play is so much fun for the cast, as they get to play both real-life actors and characters in a play-within-a-play. When the actors really enjoy doing a play, the audience enjoys it, too. You can expect to have a rollicking good time at the theatre,” said director Stan Sutherland.
Through Oct. 22 — Moorpark College Piques Audience Curiosity with ‘The Curious Savage’
MOORPARK — The Curious Savage is coming to The Moorpark College Performing Arts Center Mainstage Oct. 12-22. This uproarious 1950s comedy set in The Cloisters Sanitorium in Massachusetts follows the story of a flamboyant widow who is forcibly admitted to the sanatorium by her greedy stepchildren when she refuses to hand over her sizable inheritance.
“This play was very ahead of its time in terms of its message and structure,” said director and Theatre Arts faculty Suzanne Fagan. “It’s hysterical, and yet, by the end of the play, you’re blown away by the social commentary surrounding mental health, stigma, and family that’s been woven in throughout the story.”
Oct. 22 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present ‘Día de los Muertos’ Free Family Day
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara Museum of Art will present a “Día de los Muertos” Free Family Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22 at 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.
For the 34th year, the Museum honors the Mexican tradition of remembering the dead with a display of altars created by students in the Museum’s outreach programs and community groups. Día de los Muertos inspired art activities for all ages will be offered on the Front Terrace and in the Family Resource Center. New this year, end the event at 3:45 pm with a procession down State Street to the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) with Latinx Indigenous immigrant community members and traditional dances and music from the Mixtec and Zapotec region of Oaxaca.
For the procession, costumed participation (Catarinas, Calaveras, and skull or skeleton and human and animal inspired designs) is encouraged.
Through Oct. 22 — Student-Directed Play Opens at Cal Lutheran ‘The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza’
THOUSAND OAKS — The California Lutheran University Theatre and Dance Department presents “The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza,”written by Don Zolidis, in the Cal Lutheran Black Box Studio Theatre in Thousand Oaks, CA, from Oct. 18 to 22. Theatre Arts student Brayden Galante is the director of this all-student production.
“The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza” tells the story of two bickering narrators who attempt to share the most famous stories of Greek mythology. As the play progresses the narrators try their best to remain reliable. They re-create the story of Pandora’s box and put their own twist on Cronus and the Titans. Other famous myths in the play include Icarus, and Jason and the Argonauts. The play culminates in a heart-pounding, five-minute, two-actor version of “The Iliad.” “Greek Mythology Olympiaganza,” which includes audience participation, is funny and absurd.
Through Oct. 24 — World-Renowned Voyaging Canoe Hokule’a Heads To Ventura As Part of Southern California Planned Visits
MONTEREY — Legendary Hawaiian canoe H?k?le?a, revered for reviving the lost art of Polynesian voyaging and navigation, is currently docked in the picturesque coastal city of Monterey, California. The traditional double-hulled canoe has been sailing from Southeast Alaska down the Pacific Coast since June, 2023, when the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) launched the Moananui?kea Voyage and began its four-year circumnavigation of the Pacific. H?k?le?a is set to make several stops in Southern California as part of this historic journey including Ventura, Marina Del Rey, Newport, Dana Point, and San Diego where the public will have an opportunity to learn about the storied history of this canoe and the environmental and cultural mission of this voyage.
Oct. 24 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present ‘Self-Portrait En La Cherry: In Conversation with Artist Narsiso Martinez’
SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Museum of Art will present “Self-Portrait En La Cherry: In Conversation with Artist Narsiso Martinez” at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24 at SBMA’s Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.
In conjunction with the exhibition Inside/Outside, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art is pleased to welcome back Narsiso Martinez for a public presentation. Martinez takes the produce boxes from grocery stores and paints portraits of the agricultural laborers many of whom are undocumented and subjected to terrible working conditions. These poignant images bring to the fore all the unseen labor that supports agribusiness and come from his experience as a worker in the fields up and down the West Coast.
Oct. 25 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents ‘Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends’
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Turn it Out with Tiler Peck & Friends on Wednesday, October 25 at 8:00 p.m. at The Granada Theatre. Award-winning New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck embraces the role of director for Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends, turning up the heat with an innovative, handpicked repertoire by some of today’s most exciting choreographers. The virtuosic program includes Thousandth Orange, set to live music composed by Pulitzer Prize-winner Caroline Shaw; an electric pas de deux choreographed by Alonzo King; a collaboration with tap star and Santa Barbara favorite Michelle Dorrance; and a dynamic finale reflecting Peck’s creative partnership with choreographer William Forsythe, set to music by James Blake.
Oct. 25 — The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard to hold annual Trick or Treat event
OXNARD — On Wednesday, October 25th The Collection at RiverPark invites princesses, pirates and pumpkins of all ages to collect fang-tastic treats at The Collection at RiverPark’s annual trick-or-treat event.
Reservations are required to ensure our merchants can prepare for all superheroes and goblins.
Be sure to bring your Trick-or-Treat bag to collect all your fun treats!
Registration is now open on Eventbrite
Oct. 26 — Plática with Manuel Unzueta at Santa Barbara City College
SANTA BARBARA — A Plática with Maestro Manuel Unzueta hosted by ¡Raíces: First Year and Beyond! will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26 at Santa Barbara City College.
Internationally acclaimed artist Manuel Unzueta will discuss his career as a muralist, educator, and community activist by highlighting the “Metamorphosis of Reality” mural he painted on Santa Barbara City College’s East Campus Center building in 1976 with SBCC students.
Oct. 27 — 5th Annual Witches Paddle Brings Together Witches & Warlocks At Ventura Harbor Village
VENTURA — Calling all witches and warlocks to glide on your broomsticks along the waters of Ventura Harbor Village for this festive annual Ventura Harbor Witches Paddle on Friday, October 27 starting at 4 pm. Bring your own paddle board or kayak or rent from Ventura Boat Rentals (while supplies last) in Ventura Harbor Village, dress in witchiest garb and float in the Halloween spirit!
Now in its fifth year, the Ventura Harbor Witches Paddle attracts people from miles around to partake in the festive spooktacular paddle. It was the vision of two ladies, Susan Stuart and Christie Moorhouse, to gather friends to dress up and paddle as Halloween witches along the water. What started as a smaller group, now attracts upwards of 60-80 witches and warlocks and many more spectators and photographers to capture the witches in flight.
Oct. 28 — Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project to present Día de Muertos — In Concert
Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) would like to cordially invite you to join us on Saturday, October 28th, 2023, for an evening where we honor our ancestors through the ancient indigenous Mexican celebration of Dia de los Muertos that celebrates death as part of the cycle of life. The evening will feature performances by Ópera Mixe and Ballet Folklórico Nueva Antequera, as well as a selection of artisanal vendors, free community altars, and more!
Oct. 28 — Theatre of Shadows postponed, but a haunted wharf prevals
OXNARD — OPAC and The Elite Theatre Company encountered several obstacles over the last few weeks that made producing a professional, terrifying and visionary event a challenge. In lieu of a substandard experience, the organizations have decided to postpone their haunted house, dubbed the Theatre of Shadows, until 2024. This year, however, Halloween aficionados can enjoy an “Outdoor Haunted Experience and Trunk-or-Treat” on Saturday, October 28th from 4-7 pm at Fisherman’s Wharf at the Channel Islands Harbor.
Oct. 28 – Bilingual report — Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project to present Día de Muertos — In Concert
OXNARD — Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) invites the public to attend its Day of the Dead concert celebration in collaboration with Oxnard College on October 28, 2023, from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. We are incredibly honored to be able to host this fantastic event in person for the first time in a few years! Joining us tonight is the incredibly talented Ópera Mixe, an ensemble made up of María Reyna and Joaquín Garzón, as we commemorate the indigenous celebration of death as part of the cycle of life.
Oct. 28 — SBMA Parallel Stories/Reading and Discussion with Award-Winning Author Eileen Myles
Oct. 30 — Julieta Venegas to peform at the Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center
OXNARD — Julieta Venegas to peform at the Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center on Monday, Oct. 30, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard.Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show at 8 p.m.
Venegas is one of the greatest exponents of Latin pop music. Composer, singer and Mexican musician, she has established herself as a Latin reference worldwide.
Her great versatility and talent have led her to perform in biggest stages and festivals worldwide, obtaining the recognition of Gold and Platinum Disc in countries such as Mexico, USA, Italy, Argentina, Brazil and Spain.
Nov. 1 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present Manderling Quartet
SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Museum of Art will present the Manderling Quartet at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1 at SBMA’s Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.
The Mandelring Quartet, founded in 1983, is the winner of major competitions, including ARD’s International Music Competition and the Premio Paolo Borciani. They are frequent performers at international musical centers and leading festivals such as the Schwarzenberg and Hohensems Schubertiades, the Lower Rhine Music Festival, and the Ludwigsburg Castle Festival. The ensemble was Quartet-in-Residence for the 2020/21 season in the Circulo de Bellas Artes in Madrid.
Nov. 1 — Inlakech Cultural Arts Center and Garcia Mortuary to present 42nd annual ‘Dia de Los Muertos Monarch Butterfly Celebration’ in Oxnard
OXNARD — The Inlakech Cultural Arts Center and Garcia Mortuary will present the 42nd annual “Dia de Los Muertos Monarch Butterfly Celebration” from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Masonic Cemetery, 2242 E. Pleasant Valley, Oxnard.
A FREE Family Event.
The event includes ofrendas / altars honoring the dead, guest speakers, entertainment by Luzma Espinoza, Danza Tonantzin and California State University Channel Islands’ Teatro Dept.’s “El Gran Fandango de la Muerte.”
Call 805-469-9303 for more information.
Nov. 2 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Eddie Ndopu delivering a public lecture titled Sipping Dom Perignon Through a Straw: Reimagining Success as a Disabled Achiever
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents disability rights advocate Eddie Ndopu delivering a FREE public lecture titled Sipping Dom Perignon Through a Straw: Reimagining Success as a Disabled Achiever on Thursday, November 2 at UCSB Campbell Hall. Called “one of the most powerful disabled people on the planet” by TIME magazine, Eddie Ndopu is an award-winning global humanitarian and disability justice advocate. Diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at age 2 and given only five years to live, he has gone on to become a beacon of hope and possibility for people with disabilities around the world. His debut memoir, Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw, captures his effervescent, indefatigable spirit. As a UN Global Changemaker, Ndopu actively demands equity for the most marginalized segments of global society and is a vital voice at the intersection of disability, sustainability and how we can best work together to make meaningful change for our planet’s future. Attend the event and receive a free copy of Ndopu’s new book.
Nov. 2 — Oxnard College to present Día de los Muertos celebration
OXNARD — Oxnard College will present a Día de los Muertos celebration from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2 at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Building, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard.
A FREE Family Event!
Sponsored by The Port of Hueneme, Oxnard College, the Inlakech Cultural Arts Center, Vida Newspaper and the League of United Latin American Citizens.
Nov. 4 — The 42nd annual ‘Día de los Muertos — The Grand Fandango De La Muerte’ to be held in Camarillo
CAMARILLO — The 42nd annual “Día de los Muertos — The Grand Fandango De La Muerte” celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 4 at Conejo Mountain Funeral Home, Memorial Park & Crematory at 2052 Howard Road, Camarillo.
The event is FREE to the public.
Presented by Conejo Mountain and the Inlakech Cultural Arts Center in Oxnard, the event will feature, 50 vendors, ofrendas-altar- art exhibitions, lowrider car showcase, art workshops for the community, Prizes for the best depiction of the spirit of the dead, and cultural performances by performing artists, including Caliente 805, In Stone, and the Inlakech singers. CSUCI students will be performing a theatrical production called “El Gran Fandango de La Muerte.”
Danza Azteca Tonantzin will lead a ceremonial procession honoring those buried at the cemetery with the public participating in the spiritual walk. Guest and relatives will be encouraged to adorn their burial plots with food, prayer and love.
Nov. 4 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents David Sedaris at the Arlington Theatre
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents David Sedarison Saturday, November 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre. One of today’s most observant writers addressing the human condition, satirist and bestselling author David Sedaris returns with his acerbic humor, social commentary and outlandish stories. Cutting through cultural euphemisms and political correctness, he delights audiences with twists of humor and perspicacity as he shares both published stories and works-in-progress. Stick around after the event for one of Sedaris’ legendary book signings.
David Sedaris on storytelling, humor and chatting with strangers (Jimmy Kimmel Live)
Nov. 4 — Casa De Vida to celebrate 18th Anniversary in Ventura
Nov. 5 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Kristin Chenoweth’s For the Girls at The Granada Theatre
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth on Sunday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m. at The Granada Theatre. In this rollicking cabaret-style revue, Chenoweth presents an evening of unforgettable songs made famous by her heroes and friends. The Tony and Emmy award-winning actress pays tribute to the great women singers who have inspired her with classics like Doris Day’s “When I Fall In Love,” Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were,” Peggy Lee’s “I’m a Woman” and Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” With her charming and conspiratorial style, Chenoweth cultivates a warm and intimate atmosphere, telling stories and joking with her band and backup singers. “For the Girls… exudes the snuggly promise of a slumber party” (The New York Times).
Nov. 5 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present ‘Sketching Ideas’: Writing’s Visuality in Chinese Flower-and-Bird Painting
SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present ‘Sketching Ideas’: Writing’s Visuality in Chinese Flower-and-Bird Painting Lecture by Peter Sturman, Professor, Department of History of Art and Architecture, UC Santa Barbara at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5 at SBMA’s Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.
Xieyi, “the writing or sketching of ideas,” refers to a particularly free-form mode of painting in China that showcases the artist’s virtuosity wielding a quick-moving brush to capture vibrant and seemingly spontaneous images. Forefronting the dynamic potential of the brush, the technique naturally calls to mind the art of calligraphy, especially the dynamic cursive script, but Xiyu’s association with the art of writing goes far deeper than surface appearances. Spontaneity implies naturalness and authenticity, even spiritual transcendence. Moreover, for scholar-official painters, Xiyu’s linkage to calligraphy offered an essential bridge between image-making and literary expression.
Through Nov. 8 — Wildling Museum of Art and Nature in Solvang announces the return of its Annual Fall Online Auction
SOLVANG — The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature (www.wildlingmuseum.org) announces the return of its Annual Fall Online Auction. Online bidding goes live on Oct. 30th and closes on November 8th at 4 p.m.
Featuring more than 60 remarkable items, all proceeds will raise needed funds in support of the Wildling’s programs and exhibitions. With relaxing getaways, unique fine jewelry and art, local wines, and dining experiences, it’s the perfect way to shop and support the Wildling’s many exhibits and offerings.
Nov. 9 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents ‘American Railroad by Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens’ at The Granada Theatre
SANTA BARBARA – UCSB Arts & Lectures presents American Railroad by Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens on Thursday, November 9 at 8:00 p.m. at The Granada Theatre. Under the leadership of 2023 Pulitzer Prize-winner Rhiannon Giddens, the genre-defying Silkroad Ensemble embarks on a new initiative that amplifies the untold stories of African American, Chinese, Indigenous, Irish and other communities in the creation of North America’s railroads. Chinese traditional music on the suona and pipa is contrasted with the fiddle and banjo of Black musical traditions, and their Indigenous and Celtic counterparts. These cultural intersections reveal a thread of commonality despite their varied origins, and remind us of the intricately rich American story.
Nov. 14 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants with Robin Wall Kimmerer
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures announces two exciting new additions to the 2023-2024 season: Mustafa Suleyman, author of The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-first Century’s Greatest Dilemma on Thursday, October 5 and Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants on November 14.
Nov. 15 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer featuring Rakesh Chaurasia performing music from their 2023 album As We Speak
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer with Rakesh Chaurasia on Wednesday, November 15 at 8 p.m. at UCSB Campbell Hall. Tabla and bansuri meet acoustic bass and banjo in this musical adventure. On their new album, As We Speak, this one-of-a-kind quartet made up of musicians Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia combines the cerebral complexity of Indian ragas with the gut-level groove of a funky bass line. In concert, they fulfill the promise of the album’s title with brilliant performances that strike an exquisite balance between compositional rigor and conversational improvisation.
Nov. 16 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Adam Grant in a public conversation titled Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Adam Grant in conversation on Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things on Thursday, November 16 at 7:30 p.m. at The Arlington Theatre. In this paradigm-shifting conversation, organizational psychologist and Penn Wharton School of Business professor Adam Grant offers a new framework for raising aspirations and exceeding expectations. Grant is the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and Originals. His new book, Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things, explores how to build the skills and structures to achieve greater things, and how to create opportunities for those who have been overlooked. We can all improve at improving – and when opportunity doesn’t knock, there are ways to build a door.
Nov. 16 — UCSB Arts & Lectures Just Announced: Tennis champion and entrepreneur Maria Sharapova to moderate Adam Grant’s conversation on Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents a conversation with Adam Grant on Thursday, November 16 at 7:30 p.m. at The Arlington Theatre. In this paradigm-shifting conversation, organizational psychologist and Penn Wharton School of Business professor Adam Grant offers a new framework for raising aspirations and exceeding expectations from his new book Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things (just released on Oct 24, 2023).
Nov. 17 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Daniil Trifonov at Campbell Hall
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Daniil Trifonov in recital on Friday, November 17 at 7 p.m. at UCSB Campbell Hall. Precise, imaginative, tender and above all thrilling, Daniil Trifonov has earned a reputation as the must-hear pianist of the 21st century. Equally adept at discovering new possibilities in mid-18th century works as he is scaling the heights of Beethoven’s majestic “Hammerklavier” sonata, Trifonov combines dazzling technique with depth of feeling and extraordinary musicality.
Through Nov. 18 — CSU Channel Islands Performing Arts presents ‘The Lightning Thief’
CAMARILLO — Percy Jackson is just 12 years old and faced with pursuing a villain across the United States to retrieve the original weapon of mass destruction – the lightning bolt of the Greek god Zeus.
The public is invited to join in on the adventures of the young hero in the CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Performing Arts department’s musical production of “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical.”
Nov. 19 — SBMA Presents William Wegman and an Introduction to His Art
Through Nov. 19 — Cal Lutheran Presents Radium Girls
THOUSAND OAKS — The California Lutheran Theatre and Dance Department is presenting its production of Radium Girls, a play by D.W. Gregory based on a book of the same name by Kate Moore. Performances will be in the Preus-Brandt Forum on the Cal Lutheran campus in Thousand Oaks and will be directed by drama professor Kenneth Gardner.
Radium Girls is set in Orange, New Jersey, during the 1920’s when the radioactive element radium was common in the products of daily life. The main character is Grace, a 14-year-old girl who gets a job at a watch factory that uses radium-based paint to make its products glow in the dark. Grace falls ill with radium poisoning; she and other workers who get sick sue their employer, raising awareness of their plight as they fight for justice.
Nov. 20 — Mariposa Series returns to the Music Academy
The Music Academy presents the Mariposa Series: three concerts welcoming our community to Hahn Hall this fall.
Launched in 2022, these homecoming concerts bring Music Academy alumni, teaching artists, and our community to Miraflores for an intimate recital experience.
Post-concert receptions offered to meet the artists, including an introduction to new Music Academy President & CEO Shauna Quill.
Nov. 30 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Audra McDonald in Concert at Campbell Hall
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Audra McDonald in Concert on Thursday, November 30 at 7 p.m. at UCSB Campbell Hall. The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards and an Emmy, Audra McDonald is as stunningly eloquent in song as she is acting a role. She’s been named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people and received a National Medal of Arts for “her rich, soulful voice [that] continues to take her audiences to new heights.” Enjoy an intimate evening with a national treasure as McDonald performs works from Broadway, the Great American Songbook and more.
Dec. 1 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Seong-Jin Cho, piano, at Campbell Hall
SANTA BARBARA – UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Seong-Jin Cho on Friday, December 1 at 7 p.m. at UCSB Campbell Hall. Pianist Seong-Jin Cho returns with an eclectic program demonstrating his remarkable range and subtle approach to the repertoire. Cho captured the world’s attention in 2015 when his flawless performances earned First Prize at the Chopin International Competition in Warsaw. His thoughtful yet assertive style drives an impressive natural sense of balance. His latest solo album, The Handel Project, was released in February 2023.
Dec. 3 — Trinity Church Camarillo is presenting its ‘Christmas Craft Fair’
CAMARILLO — Trinity Church Camarillo is presenting its “Christmas Craft Fair” fro 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 at 2304 Antonio Ave, Camarillo.
We are hosting this Craft Fair/ Tree Lighting as an inexpensive way to spend an afternoon for all! Booths are free for artists, crafters, vendors with a 10 percent donation to MEAL SHARE CAMARILLO recommendation from anything sold.
Dec. 7 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present Edo Pop: Woodblock Prints and Popular Culture in Premodern Japan
With their crisp outlines, unmodulated colors, and surprising vantage points, Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e) from the 18th and 19th centuries seem as fresh and captivating today as when they were produced. Sensuality, fashion, decadent entertainments and urban pastimes all reflect the popular tastes of young sophisticates in the premodern era. Matthew Welch will provide an overview of the social milieu of Japan’s “floating world” and the artists who immortalized it through their prints. He will also discuss several contemporary artists whose works reference the ukiyo-e tradition.
Through Dec. 10 — Events Highlights at Cal Lutheran
Dec. 10 — Ventura Music Festival — Holiday harmonies coming soon!
Dec. 14 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present Prof. Caroline Arruda speaking about ‘Making Art and Living the Authentic Life’
In conjunction with the SBMA exhibition Inside/Outside(on view until February 18), Prof. Caroline Arruda will give a talk that combines philosophy with art to think about how artists show us what a life well lived might look like. Contemporary culture sees artists as being authentic because many pursue their creative goals above all else, sacrificing family or a stable life to realize their dreams. While few of us doggedly pursue our goals with this intensity, artists still do have something to teach the rest of us about living authentically and living well.
15 de diciembre — Bilingual report — Teatro de las Américas — ‘Nuri’, corto cinematográfico de nuestro Taller de Cine
Dec. 15 — ‘Three Cheers For The Holidays’ – New Art City Theatre’s Song, Dance & Comedy Celebration in Thousand Oaks
THOUSAND OAKS — Heart-warming holiday songs, laughs for all, and world-class tap-dancing are part of New Art City Theatre’s “Three Cheers for the Holidays,” on Friday, December 15 at the Scherr Forum Theatre in Thousand Oaks. Award-winning veterans of Broadway and London’s West End, David Burnham (Wicked, Light in the Piazza), Beverly Ward (Anastasia, Epic Proportions) and Kirby Ward (Show Boat, Crazy For You) perform their special brand of cheer for a holiday celebration for the whole family. A silent auction will precede the 7:30 p.m. performance to benefit the New Art City Theatre, a Ventura-based pioneering theatre company dedicated to the development of new theatrical works.
Dec. 20 — One805 to host Alan Parsons and Friends Birthday Tribute Concert at the Lobero Theatre Benefiting Local First Responders
One805 will host a tribute concert in honor of Alan Parsons’ 75th Birthday to raise funds for Santa Barbara County First Responders on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at the Lobero Theatre (33 E Canon Perdido St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101).
The lineup includes Alan Parsons OBE, Michael McDonald, Al Stewart, Joe Bonamassa, Terry Sylvester (The Hollies), David Pack (Ambrosia), magicians Stetson and Bill Cook, as well as special guests in an all-star musical and magical tribute concert to Alan on his 75th birthday.
Dec. 21, 22 — First United Methodist Church of Santa Barbara to present 32nd Annual Living Nativity
SANTA BARBARA — First United Methodist Church of Santa Barbara will present its 32nd Annual Living Nativity at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, 22 at 305 E Anapamu St (at Garden), Santa Barbara.
Once again the congregation of the First United Methodist Church presents its beautiful Seasonal gift to the community by staging a silent re-creation of the Holy Night. Under a redwood tree and adjacent to the church, a grassy area is transformed into a humble wooden stable, complete with a serene Mary, Joseph and tiny baby Jesus asleep in the manger. Three majestic kings stand by with their gifts to the Holy Child, attentive angels appear nearby, and lowly shepherds tend to their flocks. Live camels, donkey, sheep and goats surround the manger taking in the wonder of it all.
Explore Lompoc — The Four Best Places To Watch a Sunset on the Central Coast in Lompoc California Off Of Scenic California Highway 1
Santa Paula Art Museum Presents Mary Neville’s ‘Field Trip: 30 Days at a Higher Elevation’
The Santa Paula Art Museum presents “Field Trip: 30 Days at a Higher Elevation,” a solo exhibition by Ojai mixed media artist Mary Neville. Featuring all-new abstract paintings and works on paper, “Field Trip” tells the story of Neville’s recent, month-long artist residency at Ghost Ranch in northern New Mexico, once home to legendary artist Georgia O’Keeffe. Meet artist Mary Neville during the exhibit premiere on Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission to the premiere reception is $5 for SPAM members and $10 for non-members. Wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres will be served. “Field Trip: 30 Days at a Higher Elevation” will be on view at the Santa Paula Art Museum from January 14, 2023, to May 7, 2023. Many of the artworks will be available for purchase.
Every GIFT to MVC brings people together!
During this holiday season, we have been asking our community to tell us their favorite highlight from the Museum. Elena Brokaw, The Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director of the Museum of Ventura County, recently shared her favorite MVC highlight and her son added his emphatic favorite as well.
We would love to hear what you love about the Museum. Please consider enhancing the cultural life of our region with your support for our exhibits, collections, and programs. You can donate by clicking on the button below. Please be sure to note your favorite MVC highlight on the donation page.
Museum of Ventura County presents Las Posadas Dec. 17 at Agriculture Museum, Santa Paula. See other events here
Las Posadas
?Saturday, December 17th from 6-8pm
at the Agriculture Museum
Free
Las Posadas (The Inns in Spanish) is a Latinx traditional holiday that commemorates the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of lodging and a safe refuge for Mary to give birth to Jesus. After nine days of searching for lodging (Las Posadas are celebrated December 16th through 24th, representing the nine days), an Innkeeper gave Mary and Joseph shelter in a stable as there was no room at the inns.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Recording Latinx Dance Histories’ and more events, news
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) celebrated 13th annual Bags, Bling & Bubbly champagne luncheon
… During the lunch program, BBSVC CEO Danica Selvaggio shared the importance of youth mentoring in Ventura County, and the impact the agency has had on the community. Big & Little Sisters of The Year 2022 for Ventura County and California Statewide, Karyn and Marcie, shared their story of their long and happy mentoring relationship while sharing photos from the lifetime of their match.
All proceeds from the Bags, Bling & Bubbly champagne luncheon went towards providing the financial support BBSVC needs to help serve youth in Ventura County schools and the greater community.
UCSB Arts & Lectures announces Viva el Arte de Santa Barbara FREE public performances return to Santa Barbara County for Jan.- May 2023
SANTA BARBARA — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! (Viva) is back in 2023 for the first time since 2020! Since its establishment as a free community arts program in 2006, Viva has brought together people of diverse backgrounds from across Santa Barbara County to celebrate the music and dance of Latin America. The program, which has been on hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, returns in 2023 with FREE performances and community outreach events from four stellar ensembles, including Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar (Jan. 13-15), Grandeza Mexicana (Mar. 17-19), Tres Souls (Apr. 14-16), and Las Cafeteras (May 19-21).
“At Arts & Lectures, we are thrilled to resume the exciting and deeply rooted ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! program at multiple locations throughout the region,” says Miller McCune Executive Director Celesta M. Billeci. “These free community events wouldn’t be possible without our partners The Marjorie Luke Theatre, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, and the Isla Vista School Parent Teacher Association, and the many community coordinators and volunteers. From Carpinteria and Santa Barbara to Isla Vista, Lompoc, Guadalupe and New Cuyama, people will again enjoy the best ensembles from Latin America and the rich traditions they represent.”
Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. Spreading Holiday Cheer with Annual Toy Distribution
Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. will continue its annual holiday tradition to distribute toys to its pediatric patients during this year’s holiday season. This year Clinicas plans on distributing approximately 4,500 toys for its patients.
The holidays can be an especially difficult time for families in need and Clinicas is happy to help support the community. This annual tradition is very meaningful to Clinicas because it offers staff an opportunity to not only thank patients but also help create joy and contributes to patients’ health and well-being.
Bilingual report — Metrolink’s Tips for Holiday Train Travel with Kids
Traveling with children is an adventure in itself, so this holiday season Metrolink is sharing a few tips for smooth travel with children on our trains.
Plan where you’ll go in advance. There are many holiday event destinations accessible by Metrolink trains. The EXPLORE page on our website shares many of this season’s best. Pro tip: Metrolink has free and convenient connections to many transit agencies throughout our service area, including L.A. Metro, making it easy to travel car-free.
Purchase tickets with ease. Download the Metrolink mobile app to a smart phone to easily access routes, schedules, fares and stress-free purchases all in the palm of your hand. Pro tip: up to three kids ride free on weekends with a paying adult, and with the Weekend Day Pass, the adult fare is just $10 all day, anywhere we go.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Centering LBTQ+ Women, Nonbinary Health’ and more news, events
UCSB — The Current — ‘Extending the Spectrum’ and more news, events
Channel Islands Maritime Museum Announces Book Launch and Celebration for Newest Literary Work from Author and Tribal Elder Alan Salazar on Feb. 4
The Channel Islands Maritime Museum (CIMM) is delighted to announce that it will be hosting a celebration and book launch on Saturday, February 4, 2023, for the new book Coyote Saves Hawk by local author and tribal elder Alan Salazar “Puchuk Ya?ia?c.”
Coyote Rescues Hawk is based on a Chumash story dating back at least 300 years. Mr. Salazar brings humor and insights from twenty-five years of experience in bringing back the traditional Chumash canoe culture to a tale sure to delight readers of all ages. Mr. Salazar will be on hand for storytelling and book signing, followed by time for questions and answers from the audience.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Liking’ is Believing’ and more news, events
Museum of Ventura County — Will you join us this holiday season?
UCSB — The Current — ‘A Legacy of Research’ and more news, events
Rebozo Festival awards $20,000 to selected recipients
The Rebozo Festival Inc. is pleased to announce that grants of up to $20,000 were awarded to qualified non-profit organizations that focus on the cultural, social and/or educational needs of the Ventura County community.
The 2023 Rebozo Festival Inc. grantees are Amino Theatre Company and Parents Against Santa Susana Lab-PSSFL (Fiscal Sponsor: Physicians for Social Responsibility, LA Chapter). The grantees will be honored at the 19th annual Rebozo Festival on Sunday, May 21, 2023 at the Camarillo Ranch.
UCSB — The Current — ‘A Changing Sea Floor’ and more news, events
Ventura County Civic Alliance Holiday Reception on Dec. 15. Register Now!
Museum of Ventura County — Limited time to help keep your Museum free for all!
CSUCI’s ‘De Colores’ Winter Concert (Dec. 2, 4, ) celebrates the sounds of cultures around the world
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI)’s winter concert— “De Colores, A Cultural Celebration of Choral Music”— will sweep the audience around the world with musical selections from Mexico to South Korea to East Africa to Great Britain and more.?
?“I have had so much fun programming musical selections that reflect a wide range of cultures and their languages,” said the director of the Channel Islands University Chorus, KuanFen Liu, who holds a doctorate in Musical Arts (DMA). “We have had native speakers come in to teach us diction and pronunciation to make sure we are honoring the languages as best we can.”?
Embrace The True Spirit & Sparkle of the Holiday Season With ‘Out of This World’ Seaside Experiences At Ventura Harbor Village
Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit seaside at Ventura Harbor Village, located off California Highway 101, where friends and family from near and far, are invited to add sun and sparkle this season. Trade in snow for sand and snow boots for flip flops – it’s time to enjoy another iconic event lineup at this stunning destination situated along the waterfront in Ventura. The Harbor is truly a “must SEA” spot this time of year.
Ventura Harbor is mustering up more holiday magic than ever with ocean-inspired decorations in a color palette of twinkling blue, aqua, and green beachy hues. On display for all to see are spiraling sea pearls, a scenic “SEAsons Greetings” photo op, whimsical holiday trees, vibrant wreaths, and other festive décor that reflects off the glistening marina waters. Seasonal décor can be enjoyed from now through the New Year!
Visitors are encouraged to take a seaside stroll to enjoy the lights and stop in for quality food on a cozy covered patio – a perfect way to entertain and spend quality time with loved ones. Following a relaxing meal, explore the Harbor Village for one-of-a-kind gifts. Ventura’s locally-owned shops and art galleries have everything from handmade treasures to fun stocking stuffers.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Gallery ‘Game Day’ and more news, events
Celebrate the Magic of The Holidays With A Seasonal Sojourn To Lompoc, On Scenic California Highway 1
Just in time for the holidays, step into relaxing, small town holiday charm with a weekend getaway in Lompoc!
Celebrate the season with an activity calendar of family-friendly activities, specialty retail shopping, or go wine tasting at one of 30+ local wine tasting venues. After the fun, kick back for a relaxing evening at one of our comfy hotels.
Below is the destination’s holiday happenings for the entire family:
Museum of Ventura County — Fall Freebie Festivities!
For this reflective exhibit, MVC will partner with the RAD Foundation and the artist Julie Dahl-Nicolle to showcase 100 floral mixed media canvas paintings. This exhibit dives into the loss brought by COVID-19; of loved ones and what could have been. During the opening of the exhibit, guests can participate in hanging their clouties (piece of cloth tied to a tree branch)– an homage to the Irish Rag Tree tradition. Click here to learn more.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Where Songs Begin’ and more news, events
Santa Paula Art Museum — My Home/My Land Community Outreach Project
Produced in partnership with House Farm Workers! and funded by California Humanities
Art About Agriculture also offers a glimpse into My Home/My Land, a community outreach project presented by the Santa Paula Art Museum in partnership with local nonprofit House Farm Workers! and funded by a grant from California Humanities.
My Home/My Land invites our local farmworker community to contribute their voices and art to the Art About Agriculture exhibition. In recent months, SPAM educators hosted workshops at farmworker housing sites in Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru. Families shared their connections to the agricultural landscape through art projects designed to capture individual symbolism and meaning.
UCSB — ‘The Current’ — An ‘Amazing’ Result and more news, events
Island Packers Announces Holiday Cruises for 2022 Parade of Lights, Harbor Lights, Holiday Parties & Seasonal Whale Watching
Just in time for the holidays, Island Packers, the official boat concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park, with daily departures to the Channel Islands from Ventura Harbor Village, will be offering seasonal cruises for family and friends, as well as group functions. Ventura Harbor Holiday Cruises and Whale Watching trips are splendid ways to celebrate the winter season. (Masks are optional). An array of holiday options include the following:
UCSB — The Current — ‘A Needle in a Coastal Haystack’ and more news, events
Elibet Valencia Muñoz & Sean Rendineo join the board of TO Arts
Day of the Dead / Día de los Muertos returns to the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Nov. 5
OPAC celebrates the return of its annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration which will be held this year on Saturday, November 5th from 4 to 10 pm at the Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center. Admission is free and open to the public. The event will once again recognize Araw Ng Mga Patay, a Filipino holiday during which people pay homage to their deceased family members and loved ones by visiting their burial sites and making offerings such as food, flowers and prayers.
Guests will enjoy:
Opening remarks from The Mexican Consulate and Oxnard’s Mayor
Aztec Blessing and Ceremonial Dance by Kalpulli Huitzilin Ihuan Xochitl
Displays by local artists Checkos, BlotCamp, Erendira, CreationsByLoops, Carlos Heredia, Veggiecide, Melina Dominguez, Ambzy
Free Dia de los Muertos printmaking by SketchCrow and OPAC’s Teen Art Program students
Performances by Poets Jesus + Sarahi Noyola, Chinas Niñas, Chinas Oaxaqueñas, Ballet Folklorico Mestizo of Oxnard College, Los Chinelos, Grupo Folklorico Fusión Mexicano, Los Diablitos
Community altars
Music provided by Radio Lazer DJs and local musicians
Family-friendly activities including face painting, a storytime corner, arts & crafts, complimentary photo booth, etc
Food representing cultures that celebrate Dia de los Muertos, including Filipino, Mexican and more
Vendors specializing in artesanias, crafts, and more!
November @ SPAM: Art About Agriculture, Gorgeous Gourds, and More
The 14th Annual Art About Agriculture Exhibition
Saturday, November 12, 2022, from 4 PM to 6 PM
$5 SPAM Members • $10 Non-members
Art About Agriculture, the popular, group exhibition presented annually by the Ag Art Alliance, returns November 12, 2022, through March 5, 2023! Now in its fourteenth year, Art About Agriculture promotes awareness of agriculture by exploring its many facets through art—from workers to water, from machinery to fields, to the food that goes on our plates.
UCSB — The Current — ‘A Renewed Focus’ and more news, events
Museum of Ventura County — What’s New in November
Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal with Joe Sohm, Thur., November 3rd from 6:30-8pm
Joe Sohm (“America’s Photo-Historian”) has been published more than 500,000 times in publications that include the National Geographic, Time, Newsweek, New York and L.A. Times, Washington Post and featured on CNN, ABC, PBS, and the History Channel. He served as President Clinton’s photographer for the D.N.C and his work is featured in Ronald Reagan’s book The Great Communicator. Join host Ivor Davis for a riveting discussion with Sohm about his work as one of the nation’s greatest political photographers of our time.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Audiovisual Avant-Garde’ and more news, events
Social Justice Fund for Ventura County Saticoy event update
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Conejo Valley — Our Biggest Gala Yet
Our success is only made possible by YOU. Because of your support, whether you donated, volunteered, attended, or spread the word about our 2022 Gala, we were able to host our most successful event ever. Together we raised $684,000 for our community’s youth! As you know, putting this event together is no small feat, and we’ve already begun planning next year’s… and we have a date! The 21st Annual Stand Up For Kids Gala will be held on
Saturday, September 9th 2023.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Captured in Time’ and more news, events
Teatro de las Américas — FAITH, obra de un acto VIDEO | Jimmie… ¡Último fin de semana!
Cherie Nedderman Collection of California Art goes on display for the first time at CSUCI
The California art collection of beloved Camarillo nurse Cherie Nedderman will be on display for the first time beginning with a reception on Oct. 27 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the John Spoor Broome Library Art Gallery at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI).
“The Cherie Nedderman Collection of California Art at CSUCI: Impressions and Dialogues” consists of 20 paintings from a 58-piece collection of “en plein air” or “outdoor” paintings of Southern California done between 1890 and the late 1960s. The paintings, which covered the walls of Nedderman’s hillside Camarillo home, featured frame after frame of sycamore trees, tumbling waves and rolling green hills.
A Spook-Tacular Lineup of Halloween Happenings At Ventura Harbor Village
Listen up, it’s not just hocus pocus! Ventura Harbor Village is getting into the spooky spirit by brewing up a variety of fall festivities for visitors this Halloween. There is no better place to be than seaside as it casts a magical spell.
This spook-tacular destination invites guests from near and far to stop in for some enchanting entertainment. The real treat is complimentary community events for costumed kids, pets and parents who wish to celebrate the season in costume.
Festively decorated with local pumpkins, skeletons, and a myriad of scenic marina photo ops, Ventura Harbor is pulling out all the stops for Halloween weekend, made possible by partner, Underwood Family Farms.
Santa Paula Art Museum — Introducing Jem and Gabriel, upcoming events
We’re delighted to introduce Jem Morris and Gabriel Islas as the newest additions to the Santa Paula Art Museum team! As Museum Educator, Jem Morris is leading SPAM’s ArtSPARK school tour program, monthly Free Family Days, our busy partnership with Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley, and much more.
Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Chipping Starting Soon for Carp-Summerland Fire District, Commissioners Needed, Domestic Violence Awareness Month and More
A big thanks to the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District for offering free chipping service again, starting November 7th, 2022. This is a great way to increase the defensible space around your property and your neighbors.
They will be starting the chipping in Summerland, and working East through the District. Residents are free to put piles of brush (non-fibrous, chippable material) in an easily accessible area for our contractor to chip. You can keep the chips if you would like, or we will haul them away. Please specify in your email if you would like to keep the chips. d.fawcett@csfd.net
UCSB — The Current — ‘When Every Drop Counts’ and more news
New Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room Opens Seaside In Ventura Harbor Village
Just in time for Fall, the new Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room in Ventura Harbor Village is giving wine lovers a reason to toast the coast. Owned and operated by the Conway family of Santa Barbara/Ventura County, this modern wine tasting room is sure to be a popular spot with 15 different wines of interesting and unusual blends of reds and whites, each produced in small batch production. Along with their friendly and knowledgeable tasting room hosts, daily tastings offer a selection of both Conway and Deep Sea wines offering something for all palates. https://www.conwayfamilywines.com/Santa-Barbara-Tasting-Room/Ventura-Tasting-Room
Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room, along with the Conway siblings John, Tom, Gillian, and Sally, have created a relaxed atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating in the picturesque Ventura Harbor setting.
Santa Paula Art Museum — Weekend Sorted
Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 1 PM and 2 PM
Included with regular museum admission
Free for SPAM members and students
Don’t miss this singular opportunity to experience Hiroko Yoshimoto’s New Works exhibition featuring Blue Marble Art Collective with Yoshimoto and W. Scott Miles as your gallery guides! On Saturday, October 8, the two Ventura artists will lead 45-minute tours of their shared exhibit at 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM. Reservations are not required.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Determined to Learn’ and more news
Museum of Ventura County — Hey pumpkin! Spice up your life at the Museum
MVC Insider is back with a new season covering everything Ventura County, including The St. Francis Dam Disaster, speakeasy owner Sally Stanford, our notorious three-headed goat, and so much more.
Tune in every Friday at 9am on Facebook to learn more about your county’s hidden histories and enduring legacies.
Rona Barrett Foundation Annual Fundraiser is Back on Oct. 9 with Love, Italian Style at The Sunstone Villa
The Rona Barrett Foundation’s annual benefit event is set for a stunning new location after a three-year hiatus. Guests are invited to celebrate in style while supporting vulnerable seniors, at Love, Italian Style, hosted at the Sunstone Winery Villa in Santa Ynez from 4 p.m. to 7:30 pm on Sunday, October 9.
“We’re discovering our community is more eager than ever to join together around the important things in life, and ready to get out from behind our screens to do so in style,” said Tony Morris, Executive Director. “We’re grateful to our sponsors, volunteers and auction donors for setting the stage for Love Italian Style to be a great success.”
United Way of Ventura County — Compassion + Results
Dear Friends,
Fall is officially here and it’s hard to believe that 2023 is just around the corner. As we celebrate 77 years of Uniting Ventura County, I am so proud of how your local United Way has responded throughout these challenging times, but our support is only possible because of the continued generosity of our community. It’s your generosity that powers the programs serving those in need and changing lives. Lives like John, a U.S. Air Force veteran. Please read his testimonial.
“With only social security, and no family to fall back on, I began a search for a place I could settle down in. The money I had on hand didn’t last long and then the pandemic hit. At this point, I didn’t have a place to call home and I started living in my car. I connected with United Way and they gave me a sense of hope in the real possibility of finding somewhere to live. They helped me find a place in a senior living apartment complex. They also helped with furniture, bedding, dishes, and utensils. The compassion and care they showed gave me confidence that things would work out. I feel fortunate because of their efforts.”
Santa Paula Art Museum — October @ SPAM: Spooky Figure Drawing, Dia de los Muertos, and More!
Free Family Day
Sunday, October 2, 2022, from 12 PM to 3 PM
Free for all ages
October promises to be scary fun at the Santa Paula Art Museum! First up: Free Family Day on Sunday, October 2. Longtime Santa Paula art teacher and crafting queen Mariann Romero will be leading the activities inside SPAM’s Cole Creativity Center. Create fun, fall-themed crafts, including pinecone wall hangings and scarecrow bookmarks. Admission is free, all are welcome, and all materials are provided.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Delight in the Arts’ and more news
Bilingual report — Celebrate Oxnard’s Diversity at Free Multicultural Festival on Oct. 1
Join the community in celebrating Oxnard’s cultural diversity at the 25th Annual Multicultural Festival on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Plaza Park (500 S. C St.). The event is free and open to the public.
The Multicultural Festival features a variety of fun, educational activities, entertainment and exhibits for all ages. Activities include:
Musical performances by Caliente805 Band, Kaylanie Barrera, DJG-Cut (A Female Vibe), and more!
Bilingual report — Ventura County Selects New Arts and Culture Manager
The County of Ventura’s Executive Office has selected David Yoshitomi as the new Arts and Culture Manager to lead countywide arts, culture, and economic vitality efforts.
“Arts and culture are a fundamental thread of our community’s fabric and contribute greatly to our economic vibrancy and quality of life,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisors Matt LaVere. “We are thrilled that David will help lead the County in this area. Our Board created this new position in May this year, and I deeply appreciate Supervisor Carmen Ramirez’s dedication to building support for arts and cultural efforts in Ventura County, making it possible to create this position.”
“We are grateful to welcome David Yoshitomi to the County as his 15-year track record of cultivating community connections around arts and culture will contribute greatly to preserving and promoting the rich culture, traditions, and community bonds that bring our local economy to life,” said County Executive Officer Dr. Sevet Johnson.
Guest contribution — Take The Ultimate Fall Trip To Lompoc On Scenic California Highway 1
With cooler temperatures on the way, fall is the ideal season for a road trip to Lompoc! Sip award-winning wines from Sta. Rita Valley wineries, warm up with a pumpkin latte in one of our cozy coffee shops, take a lazy drive on our scenic country roads or relax at Jalama beach, catch a rocket launch from Vandenberg SFB, and stay at one of our comfy hotels!
Whether you visit for a week or a weekend, the comfortable weather conditions clear the way for outdoor activities like these:
Jest Improv’s Diversity Scholarship now available
Jest Improv, a local LGBTQIA+ (and ally) comedy improv school, that meets out of the Diversity Collective in Ventura, has announced its Jest Improv’s Diversity Scholarship now available.
We want to do our part in reaching out to our community to help give financial assistance to those who want to pursue their comedy aspirations but don’t normally get the chance to.
If you have wanted to try comedy but feel that opportunity has been out of reach, we encourage you to apply.
Click the link down below to apply now!
Ventura County Arts Council — La Colonia Youth Mural Program and Future Leaders of America Unveil Mental Health Awareness Mural, Employee Art Show Winners, Free Online Trainings
Big things are coming to The Collection this fall
Summer may be coming to an end, but The Collection at RiverPark is keeping the fun going right into fall. In the coming months, The Collection at RiverPark is offering tons of excitement for visitors with two free concerts, several grand openings, a 5K walk and more.
“Fall is full of big plans here at The Collection,” said Marketing Director Jill Almonia. “In addition to all of the amazing shopping, dining and entertainment experiences we offer year-round, we’ve got lots of excellent events coming up this season — plus several incredible new businesses getting ready to open their doors.”
The Collection’s popular concert series, Rock the Collection, continues this fall with two more free events for all ages. On Sept. 28, The Long Run, an Eagles tribute band, will get everyone singing along to classic favorites. And on Oct. 19, Bruno and the Hooligans, a Bruno Mars tribute band, will be playing crowd pleasers all evening. Grab some lawn chairs and takeout, and head over to the grass at Collection Park to join the party. The music starts at 6:30 p.m.
Museum of Ventura County — Fresh new offerings coming right up!
The 8th Annual Labor Day Vintage Tractor Fair
Monday, September 5th from 11am-2pm
The 8th Annual Labor Day Vintage Tractor Fair was a major (and sizzling hot) success with over a thousand attendees. Thank you for coming to your Museum to celebrate our agricultural heritage, our community, and this important holiday for all. We hope to see you next year.
Port of Hueneme DOCK TALK – Banana Festival is coming (Sept. 24)!
IT’S GONNA BE BANANAS ON SEPTEMBER 24, 10am-6pm!
Get ready for the tastes and sounds of Ports near and far. We’ve also added an Oldies By the Sea Car Show as you enter on Market Street. Keep an eye on performer lineup and other announcements through the Banana Festival website and social media.
Follow the Port Banana Festival social media:
Instagram | Facebook
Santa Paula Art Museum — September @ SPAM: John Galan’s “Remedios,” Free Family Day, and More!
John Galan’s Remedios (Remedies)
Saturday, September 17, 2022, from 4 PM to 6 PM
$5 Members • $10 Non-members
Meet artist John Galan at the premiere of his solo exhibition, Remedios (Remedies), on Saturday, September 17. With artworks rich in symbolism and vibrant hues inspired by his Mexican heritage, Galan’s exhibit is an honest exploration of the connections between health, healing, nature, and tradition. Remedios will be on view September 17, 2022, to January 8, 2023.
10th Annual Heroes of Hospice of Santa Barbara on Sept. 22 Honors Local Heroes
After two years of virtual events, Hospice of Santa Barbara’s (HSB) Heroes of Hospice (HOH) is back in person and will be honoring local heroes on Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 11:00 am – 1:30 pm at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort’s Plaza del Sol.
HSB’s Heroes of Hospice Luncheon honors the people and organizations that bring compassion and care, at all levels, to those in need in and near the Santa Barbara community. Throughout these past two years, the demand for HSB’s services has been growing. Fundraisers like HOH allow the organization to reach our community members struggling with grief or life-threatening illness, free of charge.
This year, Heroes of Hospice What Matters Most will be honoring Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics with the MEDICAL HERO AWARD, Santa Barbara High School with the PARTNERSHIP HERO AWARD and Hospice of Santa Barbara Bereavement Staff with the STAFF HERO AWARD. The event will include a welcome reception, silent auction, lunch and the award presentation.
UCSB — The Current — ‘Romeo and Juliet, Our Contemporaries’ and more news
Bilingual report — Metrolink Offers $10 Holiday Pass on Labor Day
As Metrolink’s Summer of Adventure winds down, travelers looking for deals can take advantage of the $10 Holiday Pass this Labor Day. Metrolink encourages everyone to take the train during the long holiday weekend to avoid traffic congestion, save on high gas prices, and to help the Southern California environment.
The $10 Holiday Pass provides unlimited rides throughout the Metrolink train system on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5. More information can be found here.
On Saturday and Sunday of the holiday weekend, riders can also save with Metrolink’s $10 Weekend Day Pass that provides unlimited rides throughout the system on the day of purchase. As always, kids 17 and under ride free on weekends with a paying adult. More information about the Weekend Day Pass can be found here.
Santa Paula Art Museum — Online Auction Closes Saturday, Aug. 27!
Our Online Fine Art Auction Fundraiser Closes Saturday, August 27, at 4 PM PDT
SPAM’S Twelfth Annual Fine Art Auction Fundraiser ends this weekend! The auction will close one item every minute starting at 4:00 PM PDT on Saturday, August 27.
Not sure where you’ll be when the auction closes? You can place an absentee max bid now! Simply enter the highest value you would wish to bid on an item and click “Place Bid.” Bidsquare will bid incrementally on your behalf according to our preset bid increments until your max bid has been surpassed.
Redesigned cocktail bar Oak & Iron brings ‘liquid hospitality’ to Thousand Oaks
Stepping into a cocktail bar can be an intimidating experience for many people. Not so at Oak & Iron, a craft cocktail lounge in Thousand Oaks that prides itself on making high-end cocktails accessible and fun, said Director of Operations Oliver Clowes
The bar recently reopened after being forced to suspend on-site services during the pandemic and has since undergone a major redesign, including an updated floor plan, furniture, and décor. Now, Oak & Iron is back with a whole new look – and mission, Clowes said.
“We’re looking at how to produce liquid hospitality,” he said. “We look for the best spirit we can possibly put in our recipes, the best ingredients, the most creative combinations, all served with a smile. We want people to feel this is a place they can come and enjoy a great cocktail, but it doesn’t feel too pompous.”
Museum of Ventura County — Did somebody say “free”?
Museum of Ventura County — You’re invited: Go wild for a new multimedia exhibit!
Museum of Ventura County — One weekend, two much fun
Santa Paula Art Museum — Bidding Has Begun!
Studio Channel Islands Art Center Announces 2022 Medici Award Honoree
Studio Channel Islands Art Center (SCIART) has announced Rachel Resnik Miles as the recipient of the 2022 Medici Award, the highest recognition presented by SCIART. Each year SCIART’s board of directors selects an honoree whose support has been exceptional and transformative for the organization. This year’s award will be presented as part of the annual Art à la Mode gala, Oct. 8, at the Los Posas Country Club, Camarillo. Art à la Mode celebrates the creative community of Studio Channel Islands and those who champion the arts in our county. Sponsorship opportunities, program tributes and ticket information are available at https://studiochannelislands.org/gala/
Santa Paula Art Museum — Art Auction Preview This Saturday, Aug. 13, other upcoming events
The Twelfth Annual Fine Art Auction Fundraiser
Preview Reception at SPAM’s Cole Creativity Center:
Saturday, August 13, 2022, from 4 PM to 6 PM
Free admission
Online bidding opens Saturday, August 13, and closes Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 4 PM PDT
The Santa Paula Art Museum’s Twelfth Annual Fine Art Auction Fundraiser starts Saturday, August 13! We’re kicking it off with a special, in-person preview reception at the Museum on Saturday, August 13, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Admission is free and reservations are not required.
All bidding will take place online on Bidsquare.com. Bidding opens Saturday, August 13, and closes Saturday, August 27, at 4:00 p.m. PDT. This year’s auction includes artworks by Jessie Arms Botke, Cornelis Botke, Douglas Shively, Manuel Valencia, Linda Brown, Lynn Hanson, Debra Holladay, Norman Kirk, George Lockwood, Lisa Skyheart Marshall, Gina Niebergall, Susan Petty, Gail Pidduck, Dan Schultz, Jules Smith, and Andrea Vargas. All proceeds benefit the Santa Paula Art Museum. Preregister to bid on Bidsquare today!
Teatro de las Americas — ¡Roma al final de la vía en YouTube!
Es un gran gusto compartir el video de nuestro montaje de Roma al final de la vida. Gracias a su autor, Daniel Serrano, por permitirnos publicar esta documentación.
It is a pleasure to share with you the video of Roma at the End of the Line at Teatro de las Américas. Thanks to the author of the play, Daniel Serrano for letting us make this video available to the public.
¡Disfrútenlo!
Enjoy!
Port of Hueneme Announces Return of Much-Anticipated Banana Festival
It is time to go bananas at the Port of Hueneme when it opens its port to the public for the 12th annual Banana Festival on Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Roaring back after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this family-friendly festival promises to provide the community with a fun-filled day of entertainment, banana-themed food and drinks, harbor boat rides, land tours of the Port, vendor booths, activities, and more. The Banana Festival is free and is open to the public and will highlight the various contributions and positive impact the Port has made locally, regionally, and across the world.
Port of Hueneme — DOCK TALK – Port News and Events – You’re Invited!
Salute Summer With Ventura Harbor Village’s News Seaside Movie Nights In August 20222 Showcase Seas-Themed Flicks By Disney & Pixar
Seaside Movie Nights, new to the Ventura Harbor Village’s waterfront scene this summer, bring visitors from near and far to experience the magic of cinema under the stars. Each movie night will feature Disney and Pixar’s award-winning sea-themed films visitors can watch on a big inflatable screen along the waterfront in Ventura.
Grab blankets and chairs and celebrate the endless, summertime fun by the sea with the new outdoor Seaside Movie Nights on Saturday, August 20th and Saturday, August 27th at 7:45 PM at Ventura Harbor Village lawn!
Guests are encouraged to arrive early for music, stunning sunsets, and a variety of options for food, drinks, and sweets at Ventura Harbor Village restaurants and eateries. Warm clothes and outdoor movie essentials available at Ventura Harbor Village retailers including Barefoot Boutique, Casa de Regalos, Anja’s Boutique, and Ventura Swimwear – or cozy up with socks from Lost in Socks. Throughout summer, outdoor enthusiasts can also enjoy live steel drums and DJs performing on weekends through Labor Day on Ventura Harbor Village’s promenade.
Ventura County Arts Council — We Need Your Help! Tell the City of Ventura that you support our new arts center!
We need you, our local arts and culture community, to express your support to the City of Ventura for Haven Ventura to be awarded a Cannabis Business Permit. If awarded the permit, Haven will donate the adjoining suite next door to its proposed retail cannabis establishment in perpetuity, and pay for all renovations to the proposed arts center.
Community support is essential! Tell the City of Ventura how valuable an arts center will be!
This arts center will be administered by Ventura County Arts Council for the benefit of our whole community. It will be a vibrant space for artists, arts organizations and residents to collaborate and enjoy exhibitions, workshops and events!
Museum of Ventura County — We’re going to have so much fun
Teatro de las Américas — Roma al final de la vía
UCSB — The Current — ‘New Plays Promise Laughs and Substance’ and more news
Santa Paula Art Museum — Please RSVP by July 15 for ArtWalk at the Ranch on July 24
Sunday, July 24, 2022
2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Free admission
Our friends at Cummings Ranch are hosting an ArtWalk at the Ranch to support local artists and the Santa Paula Art Museum!
On Sunday, July 24, stroll through the ranch’s stunning Zen garden as you browse and shop creations from a dozen local artist vendors. Enjoy the ranch views, light refreshments, and live music by Grammy award-winner Billy Vera and his band Billy Vera & The Beaters.
Admission to the event is free and includes two free drink tickets. The venue is a private garden and space is limited, so we request that attendees RSVP by July 15. We further ask that only adults attend.
Please RSVP to Cummings Ranch:
debraleecummings@gmail.com
Artist vendors include: Alden, Heidi Bradbury, Julieanne Case, Stephen Cummings, Janice Dickenson, Nate Pidduck, Anette Power, Katrin Rush, Paul Starbard, Teresa St. Clare, Pam Strautman, and Debbie Zimmeran.
DOCK TALK: Banana Festival coming in Sept – and more!
Port Achieves Highest Scores for Green Marine Certification – This month, the Port of Hueneme earned a certification from Green Marine—the leading international environmental certification program for the maritime transportation industry — that demonstrates a tradition of leading the way towards becoming a cleaner and more environmentally sustainable port. READ MORE
Museum of Ventura County — We deeply appreciate you
Santa Paula Art Museum — July @ SPAM: Hiroko Yoshimoto, ArtWalk at the Ranch and more events
Saturday, July 16, 2022, from 4 PM to 6 PM
$5 SPAM members • $10 Non-members
Meet artists Hiroko Yoshimoto, Katherine Chang Liu, W. Scott Miles, and Tori Tasch at the Santa Paula Art Museum for the premiere of their new exhibition! Yoshimoto’s newest works represent the Ventura artist’s continued work on her long-running Biodiversity series, as well as her recent embrace of silverpoint medium. Works by Blue Marble Art Collective (Yoshimoto, Liu, Miles, and Tasch) are also featured, including the group’s large-scale installation, Impending Storms.
The premiere reception will include a special musical performance by Karen Pecht. Wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Reservations are not required.
Summer Is Calling: Find Your Seaside At Ventura Harbor Village, Where Sun, Sand And Sea Meet To Create A Perfect Coastal Getaway
The chemistry of sun, sand and sea converge for “Find Your Seaside” – this year’s summer theme at Ventura Harbor Village. From summer music series to magical moments on the water, new photo opps and tasty summer themed treats, this postcard-perfect destination makes for an ideal midweek or weekend daycation or getaway. What’s more, admission and parking are complimentary all summer long! Situated on a spectacular stretch of prime Pacific coastline, this California “go to” escape is worth the drive.
On tap for summer by the sea is a new pop-up photo experience awaiting guests to shoot and post designed by California artist Alexis Andra, and celebration of the “805” for KHAY’s 100.7 FM 805 Day on August 5, 2022 at tthe seashore. See more below as Ventura Harbor Village shares a Top 2022 Summer Bucket List picks that will give sun-seekers from near and far something to “wave” about. See you seaside!
UCSB — The Current — ‘A Remarkable Impact’ and more news
Museum of Ventura County — What’s hot this summer? Your Museum
This Week at the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara
Artist Talk | Lum Art Magazine Conversations | DJ Javier & Ryan P. Cruz
Thursday, June 23 | 5:30-6:30 PM
MCASB, 653 Paseo Nuevo
Join us for a FREE talk with artist DJ Javier and writer Ryan P. Cruz, as they discuss breaking through the noise in visual art and journalism, respectively, and the cultural contexts that have informed their work. Two Santa Barbara natives, both under 31, Javier and Cruz are part of the new crop of creatives that are helping to shape contemporary culture in the area.
This talk is inspired by the feature “Ba’hala ‘na: DJ Javier” published in the latest Lum Art Magazine, and written by Cruz, Lum Arts Writing Fellow.
Debra Herrick, Lum Editor-in-Chief, will moderate.
Teatro de las Américas — Roma al final de la via / Rome At The End Of The Line opening this weekend
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara presents variety of events on June 16, 23, 24 and through Aug. 21
PRIDE! Date Night
Thursday, June 16, 6:00-8:00 PM
MCASB, 653 Paseo Nuevo
Join us for a date night for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies in honor of pride month! Grab someone special and head downtown for a night out featuring art, drinks, and special discounts to Downtown Santa Barbara restaurants and bars. Enjoy a drink with us, make your own pride flag, and more! A walkthrough of the current exhibition will take place at 7 PM led by Alexandra Terry, Chief Curator.
Santa Paula Art Museum — Learn From the Masters
Lessons from the Masters (Ages 16+) [ONLINE]
Tuesday, June 14, 21, 28, 2022, from 6 PM to 7:30 PM
$50 for three sessions
Online-only
What makes a masterpiece? How do historic artists continue to inflluence contemporary art, and what makes their art so timeless? Join veteran landscape painter Sharon Weaver online to learn the secrets of some of her favorite landscape masters, including Jessie Arms Botke, Marion Kavanagh Wachtel, and Edgar Payne.
Take to The Great Outdoors & Discover Amazing Summer Events & Activities As Part Of ‘A Space To Explore’ Summer Getaway To Lompoc
With Summer just around the corner, Explore Lompoc invites visitors to explore the great outdoors as part of a “Space to Explore” Summary Getaway and reveals the destination’s top amazing and events and activities perfect for the budget-conscious traveler. www.ExploreLompoc.com
Plan your trip to Lompoc and Book Your Hotel for your next visit!
UCSB — The Current — ‘Together Again’ and more news
10th Annual Ventura County Farm Day Seeks Sponsors
UCSB Arts & Lectures announces its 2022-2023 season featuring more than 45 events
UCSB Arts & Lectures, the Central Coast’s premier arts presenting organization, proudly announces its 2022-2023 season, featuring more than 45 engaging new events. Included are 12 Santa Barbara debuts, three new series and four commissioned performances.
UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) offers a wide range of phenomenal cultural and artistic experiences in 2022-2023 – from fascinating talks by today’s thought leaders to command performances by some of the world’s premier dance companies, actors and musicians – at venues from UCSB to downtown Santa Barbara and beyond. Additional events, including performances, films and public lectures, will be announced throughout the season. In particular, look for another exciting season of Speaking with Pico and more thought leaders in the Race to Justice series.
Museum of Ventura County — What’s new? Everything
Museum of Ventura County — Your donation to MVC makes a real difference
he Museum of Ventura County and the Agriculture Museum are poised to move into a new era of exhibits, programs, and education, and we need your support to do so.
As a community, we are in an exciting time, a time when coming together in-person safely is happening again. In the coming weeks and months, your Museums in Ventura and Santa Paula will be presenting compelling new programming and events.
We are proud of the recent impact made during closures and limited openings, and excited about where we are headed, with your help:
?
Admission is now FREE at both locations and will continue to be, with your support
Increased focus on enrichment activities for children and families
New exhibits in every gallery at the Ventura location, beginning in May/June
MVC Education Programs now present education tours in-person or virtually
The MVC 3rd campus – venturamuseum.org – will continue to offer new content regularly, including videos, articles, blogs, puzzles, and over a thousand new digitized photos in 2022
Thank you for your support of MVC throughout these trying times. We are counting on you as we enter this next exciting chapter in the life of our region’s pre-eminent cultural institution. It is only through your sustaining generosity that we can continue to provide the relevant, stimulating, thought-provoking, inspiring, and compelling programming that nourishes this community.
UCSB — The Current — ‘A Planetary Sisterhood’ and more news
Museum of Ventura County — We are deeply grateful for you
United Way of Ventura County — Brenna Whitaker & Band Confirmed for Spirit Awards Gala!
Museum of Ventura County — Fascinating new events at the Museum
VUSD Districtwide Student Art Show – Opening Reception
June 2nd from 5-8pm at the Museum of Ventura County
Free
This juried art show will highlight our incredibly talented high school, middle school and elementary school student artists. In total, over 50 works by high school students have been selected from hundreds of submitted pieces: including watercolors, photography, acrylic paintings, mixed media, and pencil drawings.