VENTURA — This July, the City of Ventura proudly joins communities across the country in celebrating the 40th anniversary of National Park and Recreation Month. This year’s theme, “Build Together, Play Together,” shines a spotlight on the vital role that local parks, open spaces, and recreational programs play in creating a strong, healthy, and connected community.
Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 4 PM to 6 PM
$5 SPAM Members • $10 Non-members
Join us for the premiere of “Celebrating Nature: Paintings by Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore,” a vibrant exhibition that showcases the wild and breathtaking spirit of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The show kicks off with a premiere party on Saturday, July 12. Mingle with the artists, enjoy light refreshments, and be among the first to view (and purchase!) stunning original artworks.
The exhibit features 42 original paintings by artists Robin Angelides, Ruth Askren, Liz Blum, Steve Brown, John von Buelow, Larry Deeds, Jessica Falcone, Karen Fedderson, Susan Flanigan, Marian Fortunati, Barbara Freund, Carole Garland, Russell Hunziker, Virginia Kamhi, Nora Koerber, Timothy Kitz, Monica List, Nathan Mellott, Jane Mick, Rachel Sylvers, Bonnie Taylor, Laura Wambsgans, and Sharon Weaver.
“Celebrating Nature” will be on view from July 12 to November 9, 2025.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to celebrate our amazing 2025 Art Award Recipients! You will be able to ascend the iconic tile staircase in the heart of Santa Barbara to the Arts Terrace at Paseo Nuevo, in your most mythical and legendary look.
We will begin The 2025 Art Awards celebration with a reception at the museum followed by a short award ceremony in the Center Stage Theater, and an al fresco buffet dinner and open bar. Guests will have early access to new limited editions, silent auction, as well as after hours access to the museum and the wildly popular and critically acclaimed community exhibition Arte del Pueblo.
Purchase Tickets Here
Thanks to a student-led sports-waste recycling program, Gauchos and visiting community members can recycle their old sports gear in the drop-off bin at the Rec Cen.
Read more about the program
VENTURA — In celebration of Summer and its 57th Anniversary last month, Island Packers, the official concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park, is expanding its non-landing schedule to include Summer Whale Watching excursions from June – mid-September, 2025 to view some truly extraordinary, magnificent mammals.
With DJ Javier’s upcoming exhibition approaching dive into this amazing article about the artist behind the “cartoonish figures, bright colors, and catchy phrases.”
Join us for an unforgettable evening Sept. 25) as we celebrate the 50th anniversary
of El Concilio Family Services recognizing our legacy of empowering families, bridging communities, and creating brighter futures through citizenship, immigration services and youth leadership development. And recognizing the outstanding Latino Leadership Honorees for 2025.
The Downtown Oxnard Improvement Association presents “Re-Dial: In Memoriam of the Payphone,” a one-night-only art reception on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 519 South C St. from 6 pm – 9 pm.
This free public event celebrates the imaginative spirit of 11 local artists who reimagined abandoned payphones throughout downtown, turning relics of the past into striking works of street art.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures is pleased to announce the appointment of Dorothy Largay andPatricia MacFarlane as the new Co-chairs of the Arts & Lectures Council, a leadership group of dedicated volunteers who support the organization’s mission to educate, entertain and inspire through world-class cultural and artistic programming. Largay officially assumed her role as Co-Chair with incumbents Richard Janssen and Kath Lavidge on January 1, 2025. Patricia MacFarlane will begin her tenure on July 1, 2025. Lavidge and Janssen, who served in a leadership capacity for more than seven years, including through the COVID-19 pandemic, will remain key advisors on the Council.
In July we will be screening three films on consecutive Mondays starting with WHEN FALL IS COMING on July 7, a French mystery thriller. On July 14 a Special Screening of AMERICAN AGITATOR, the Fred Ross story, an American independent film with a Q/A post screening. And on July 21 THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND, a British comedy. Screening August 4 will be NYTimes Critics’ Pick, CAUGHT BY THE TIDES, from Chinese auteur, Jia Zhang-ke.
LOMPOC — History lovers and cultural enthusiasts, don’t miss your chance to get up close and personal with one of California’s most storied regions! Long before Lompoc became known for its colorful murals and lush wine country, it was part of a vast territory (over 7,000 square miles!) inhabited by the Chumash people. These Indigenous communities thrived along California’s Central Coast for thousands of years, leaving behind a legacy of art, innovation, and resilience.
The Chumash were skilled artisans, engineers, and seafarers whose traditions and innovations continue to inspire today. Here’s how you can immerse yourself in their incredible history and culture while visiting Lompoc and its surrounding areas.
In the spirit of community and creativity, we warmly invite you to join us tomorrow for the Arte Del Pueblo Assembly, a gathering where artists and art lovers can connect, support one another, and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Come together in this open forum to reflect on the state of contemporary art today, share your voice, and uplift each other’s visions. Let’s build bridges through mindful conversation and collective inspiration.
Your presence and perspective matter, see you there!
LOMPOC — Ready to make this summer unforgettablke? Lompoc is calling! From flower fields to fine wine, skydives to sunsets, this Central Coast gem is full of sunny advenfures. Whether your’re planning a weekend escape or a season-long staycation, this summer bucket list will help you squeeze every drop of fun of your Lompoc days.
Let’s dive in!
SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula proudly hosted its first independent State of the City event on June 12, 2025, marking a departure from previous joint events traditionally held with the Chamber of Commerce. With more than 176 guests in attendance, the evening was a vibrant celebration of community, progress, and civic engagement, and by all accounts, a resounding success.
Held at the Ventura County Agriculture Museum, the evening began with a festive outdoor reception featuring live folklórico dancing by Proyecto Esperanza, musical performances by local group Chucumite, and hors d’oeuvres provided by local favorites including Flight 126, El Capricho, Mr. Shrimp, and Parque 1055. The community came together to enjoy food, music, and connection before moving indoors for formal remarks and presentations.
SANTA BARBARA — The Music Academy of the West is thrilled to announce that Min Joo Yi has been selected as the winner of the 2025 Solo Piano Concerto Competition, held on June 20 at Hahn Hall as part of the Music Academy’s 2025 Summer Music Festival & School.
Min Joo Yi captivated the audience and a panel of judges with a commanding interpretation of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37, earning the opportunity to perform as part of the Santa Barbara Symphony’s Beethoven Piano Concerto Marathon on Saturday, January 17, 2026 — the first concert in a two-concert weekend showcasing all five of Beethoven’s piano concertos, each performed by a winner of an international piano competition. In addition to this prestigious performance opportunity, the winner receives a $2,500 award from the Music Academy.
VENTURA — The Ventura Improv Company (VIC), making audiences laugh with made-up-on-the-spot comedy since 1989, is happily at home at NAMBA Performing Arts Space these days.
Closing the theater space in 2017 and losing long-time Artistic Director Gary Best in 2023 were two challenges that almost silenced the group permanently. But then, not wanting to end the run just yet, Judy Gottlieb stepped in.
“We already had a new home at NAMBA,” says Gottlieb, a long-time performer and current Artistic Director of the VIC. “Our monthly shows continue to draw audiences, and our drop-in improv workshops started to grow. I felt like it wasn’t time to quit.”
Saturday, August 16
3 – 8 p.m.
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street., Ventura
Diego Huerta, the resident photographer behind the Enfoque exhibition and internationally acclaimed for documenting Indigenous communities throughout the Americas, leads this outdoor portrait workshop at Surfer’s Point. Designed for intermediate to advanced photographers ages 16 and up, the 60–90 minute session focuses on using natural light, flash, and strobe to create compelling portraiture.
?Participants must bring a DSLR or mirrorless camera, tripod, filters, lenses, and lighting gear. Be prepared to navigate uneven terrain and embrace changing weather conditions—this workshop runs rain or shine. Dinner is included after the session. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn from a master in the field. Cost: $250 non-members, 15% off members. Register HERE.
VENTURA — The City of Ventura is thrilled to officially open Marina Park’s new playground, delivering a modern and thoughtfully designed play space for the Pierpont Bay community and surrounding areas.
Local dignitaries, City staff, project partners, and community members gathered on Tuesday, June 24, for a celebratory ribbon-cutting to commemorate this exciting milestone.
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L), the Central Coast’s premier arts presenting organization, announces its 2025-2026 season of live events. Series subscriptions go on sale Wednesday, June 18 at 10 a.m. Single tickets go on sale Tuesday, August 19 at 10 a.m. UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) offers a wide range of phenomenal cultural and artistic experiences in 2025-2026 – 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. The 2025-2026 season includes an exciting mix of returning friends, rising stars and new discoveries. This upcoming season is particularly rich in premieres, debuts and works commissioned by Arts & Lectures.
Arte Del Pueblo is now on view until July 27th!
Thank you to everyone that came to the opening reception. We really enjoyed spending time with you all and celebrating these amazing artists together.
Make sure to come visit us before the exhibition is over… And keep an eye out for upcoming events surrounding Arte Del Pueblo!
See what’s up next, join the VMF volunteer party, and get your Summer tickets! OTTMAR LIEBERT Friday, June 27 at 7:00 PM The Majestic Ventura Theater Information & Tickets Prepare for an unforgettable evening as 5-time GRAMMYnominee Ottmar Liebert brings…
On Monday, June 16, we present NYTimes Crirtics’ Pick, SANTOSH screening at 3:30pm and 6:30pm. “As well as working rivetingly as a procedural thriller and a psychological study, Santosh has a hard, documentary-like edge, exploring Indian social phenomena with intense analytical focus.”
Mehrabian, who served as the fourth engineering dean at UCSB from 1983-1990, was responsible for major growth and advancement of the relatively young college during his tenure.
On view now through July 6, 2025
Anne Ward grew up in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles, wanting to be an artist. She was always painting and drawing and was given her first set of oil paints by her Aunt Peg at age 13. After completing a degree in history at UCLA, Ward went to work as an assistant to the director on films like “Wyatt Earp” and “French Kiss.” While working in France, Anne discovered the thrill of painting outdoors and returned home fully devoted to the pursuit of painting.
VMF’s Songcraft Summer Camp
July 14-18, 2025
Ages 12-19
Ojai Underground
This five-day immersive summer camp introduces students to the creative and professional world of the music business. Each day focuses on a different aspect of being an artist—from songwriting and performance to branding and production. Students will collaborate, create original music, explore recording techniques, build stage presence, and leave with real-world tools to share their voice with the world. The week culminates in a live performance.
Learn More
NOW OPEN – Picturing the Past: How Photography Tells Our Stories
How do we truly know what happened in the past? History is a collection of stories—interwoven, evolving, and shaped by the evidence left behind. Photographs are one of the many tools that help us understand the past, capturing faces, places, and moments frozen in time. But do they always tell the full story?
This engaging exhibition explores the power of photography to record our history. Through images, artifacts, and interactive displays, visitors will discover how historians use photographs to uncover hidden narratives, challenge assumptions, and bring history to life. Join us in exploring the early history of photography in Ventura County, how photos shape our understanding of the past, and how the photos we take today tell tomorrow’s story. More information HERE!
The COSMOS project, with data collected by the James Webb Space Telescope, consists of all the imaging and a catalog of nearly 800,000 galaxies spanning nearly all of cosmic time.
THOUSAND OAKS — The 69th Annual Conejo Valley Days (CVD) will offer nine days of family fun from June 19 through June 29 (dark, June 23 and 24) at Conejo Creek Park South (23 Freeway/Janss Rd. exit) in Thousand Oaks. Festival goers can enjoy carnival rides, country music, line dancing, kids’ crafts and artisan booths.
Kastl Amusements will operate over 15 rides plus midway games for all ages. A longtime fixture at CVD, the Thousand Oaks Elks Club will serve tri-tip sandwiches and other favorites. Specialty Italian, Mexican and Asian fusion foods will also be available.
Community events return with family fun, live music and special guests OXNARD — Long days, warm nights and community vibes are back at The Collection at RiverPark! The summer event lineup is packed with exciting experiences for all ages, from…
Picturing the Past, How Photography Tells Our Stories invites you to reflect on how we come to understand history. Photographs are among the many tools we use to piece together the past—capturing faces, places, and fleeting moments. But do they tell the whole story? This exhibition explores the evolving, interwoven nature of historical narratives and the role of photography in shaping what we remember.
VENTURA — A decade of healing, hope, and resilience was celebrated under the stars on May 29th, as the Ventura County Family Justice Center Foundation (VCFJC Foundation) set a new fundraising record at its annual Voices of Hope celebration. This year’s theme, Celebrating a Decade of Camp Hope, raised $305,827 to support Camp HOPE along with a generous surprise $75,000 from Ventura County Credit Union to celebrate their 75th anniversary. VCFJC Foundation was one of 10 organizations selected to receive this generous donation. During the celebration three community leaders were honored for their contributions to family justice in Ventura County – Greg Totten, Dr.Graal Diaz and Reins of H.O.P.E. The event brought together over 230 community members, leaders, and supporters for an evening filled with purpose, celebration, and camp-themed fun.
First Thursday Food Trucks at Plaza Park — Over a dozen trucks, Electronic Dance Music, shopping — and food starts at 5PM! Lineup:
New downtown Music Education Center will expand access to music education, foster year-round artistic innovation, and serve as a cultural anchor in Santa Barbara—strengthening community connection and shaping the future of the performing arts.
La Marcha Sound
This past Friday, we wrapped up the 4th Annual Palomazo Music Series with an unforgettable performance by La Marcha. It was truly epic—filled with incredible conversations, heartfelt stories, and even a little dancing! Huge thanks to everyone who came out and helped make this final Palomazo so special.
Juneteenth in Santa Barbara County: Gather, Reflect, Celebrate
Discover local Juneteenth events that commemorate history and celebrate Black culture.
Click to find events happening near you and be part of the celebration.
OXNARD — The educational tall ship Mystic Whaler was honored to have welcomed graduating seniors from the Oxnard Union High School District to Mystic Whaler for a Class of 2025 portrait. The students arrived in their graduation finery and posed for a variety of photos to celebrate the graduates of 2025. Accompanying them, and proudly standing beside them, was OUHSD Superintendent Dr. Tom McCoy.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Opening Act: The Barrelhouse Wailers
Friday, July 25th at 6:00 PM
The Ventura College Sportsplex Stadium
West Campus Way, Ventura, CA
New research shows that, globally, men and women tend to use the ocean in different ways, with implications for how marine spaces are used and valued.
Kids’ Art Fest
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Sunday, June 1, 2025, from 11 AM to 3 PM
Free for all ages
We’re kicking off a summer of creative fun with Kids’ Art Fest on Sunday, June 1! This free, outdoor celebration is packed with hands-on art activities for all ages, plus face painting, giant bubbles, live art demos, yummy food vendors*, community performances, and more.
Don’t miss folklórico and mariachi performances by young artists from Oxnard’s Inlakech Cultural Arts Center from 12 PM to 1 PM. Kids’ Art Fest 2025 is sponsored by Calavo Growers, Brianne McGrath, and Rotary Club of Santa Paula.
*The cost of food is not included, but everything else is!
The dance company has represented the college throughout the community performing for civic and school events as a way of celebrating the cultural and artistic traditions of México. The group takes pride in educating audiences about the music, dances, and traditions that have existed for generations and offers programs that demonstrate discipline and dedication, combined with a love of performing before appreciative audiences. As a unit, the Mestizo Folklórico Dance Com[any aims to transmit the elegance, joyfulness, and vibrancy of Mexico’s culture to their audiences.
