Category: Events

Sept. 28 — Join the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros 5k Stampede!

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) invites community members to participate in the Vaqueros 5k Stampede on September 28, 2024, starting at 9 a.m. PDT. This exciting event offers a unique opportunity to support the SBCC Vaqueros Athletic Trust, with all proceeds dedicated to enhancing athletic programs and facilities.

The event welcomes runners and walkers of all ages, making it a perfect family-friendly activity. Join us for a fun-filled day of fitness, community spirit, and supporting SBCC athletics! The course starts at the world famous La Playa Stadium track. Thank you to event sponsors UCLA Health and Jordano’s. 

Oct. 1 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents the Grammy Award-winning instrumental collective Snarky Puppy at the Arlington Theatre

SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Snarky Puppy on Tuesday, October 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre. Rousing solos set amidst a deep rolling groove will give the audience plenty to shout about as this powerhouse ensemble shows what has made them a festival favorite worldwide. Known for forging a new path through the thickets of the music industry, Snarky Puppy has earned a reputation as one of the hardest working and most sophisticated proponents of jazz and funk. Dueling drummers and a rotating roster of elite soloists keep the rhythmic fires burning whenever these imaginative musicians come to town.

Oct. 2 — District 216 presenting Christopher Solomon’s ‘Salvia Divinorum – The Misunderstood Healer,’ more events

Description: Join Somatic Salvia Guide, Christopher Solomon, for an informative and in-depth lecture about the powerful and often misunderstood plant medicine, Salvia Divinorum. Learn how he uses Salvia with his somatic therapy clients, how you can use Salvia as a pragmatic tool for healing, meditation, and exploring the deep realms of your psyche. This presentation will give you an understanding of how to work with low doses of the plant for therapeutic purposes.

Oct. 4 — UCSB Arts & Lectures and Ojai Music Festival present Olivier Messiaen’s HARAWI, an American Modern Opera Company (AMOC*) production at Campbell Hall

SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Olivier Messiaen’s HARAWI produced in collaboration with Ojai Music Festival on Friday, October 4 at 8 p.m. at Campbell Hall. HARAWI, an American Modern Opera Company (AMOC*) production, realizes Olivier Messiaen’s deeply-affecting song cycle for voice and piano in a newly physicalized and dramatized version directed by Zack Winokur that features acclaimed soprano, Julia Bullock; pianist Conor Hanick; and dancers Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber. 

Through Oct. 4 — Bilingual report — Tibetan monks return to Allan Hancock College to create sand mandala

Over a period of five days, the monks will create an elaborate sand mandala by hand with tools and skills that have been passed down for centuries. The monks will be creating the “Buddha of Compassion” sand mandala, which symbolizes loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity. 

Oct. 5 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents education technology pioneer Salman Khan at the Arlington Theatre

SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Salman Khan, Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That’s a Good Thing) on Saturday, October 5 at 4 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre. The visionary behind educational nonprofit Khan Academy, Salman Khan seeks to remove the barriers to education that leave over 600 million children lacking basic math and reading skills. His free, world-class curriculum – available to anyone, anywhere – has made a massive impact, with its videos reaching over a billion views. Now, Khan is using the power of AI to make education even more accessible. With the introduction of the revolutionary Khanmigo, he’s giving every student around the world an AI-powered personal tutor that The Washington Post calls “the best model we have for how to develop and implement AI for the public good.” Author of the new book Brave New Words, Khan offers a uniquely prescient and practical look into how we can use AI to enhance HI: “human intelligence, human potential and human purpose.”

Oct. 6 — The Global Truth Center in Westlake Village hosts Holiday Gift Boutique

The beautiful Water Court Complex will be filled with a multitude of vendors featuring unique jewelry, delectable desserts, handcrafted wreaths, candles, jams, ceramics, art & home decor, and more. Adding an international flair, an array of handmade creations from Uganda courtesy of The Greater Contribution will also be among the items available for purchase. 

Oct. 7 — Oxnard Film Society to present screening of ‘CLOSE YOUR EYES (Cerrar los ojos)’

Set in contemporary Madrid, an aging filmmaker named Miguel Garay is called upon to recount his memories of working on his final and still unfinished film, “The Farewell Gaze.” During its production, the lead actor and Miguel’s close friend, Julio Arenas, disappeared without a trace, leaving in his wake a mystery that would haunt the lives of everyone associated with the film. Miguel never directed another project, instead living a quiet life as a writer by the coast. He remained reluctant to unravel the mystery surrounding Julio until approached by an investigative television program reviving the case decades later. With careful reflection, he reconnects with the film’s crew, former lovers, and Julio’s daughter, seeking closure for the disappearance and what it meant for all of their lives. From Master Director Victor Erice.

Oct. 8 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents a special double bill Mavis Staples and The War and Treaty at the Arlington Theatre

SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Mavis Staples and The War and Treaty on Tuesday, October 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Arlington Theatre. A chart-topping soul/gospel/R&B pioneer, civil rights icon, National Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement recipient and Kennedy Center honoree, Mavis Staples delivers roof-raising performances with youthful vigor and commanding maturity. Called “one of America’s defining voices of freedom and peace” by NPR, she marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., performed at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration and sang in Barack Obama’s White House. Combining traditional folk, country, R&B and spirituals into a dynamic blend that’s all their own, The War and Treaty (Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter) were the first Black artists ever nominated for Duo of the Year by the Country Music Association. Taking the stage separately, Staples and The War and Treaty promise an unforgettable evening of deep soul and heart-wrenching gospel passion.

Oct. 10 — Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC)’s 4th Annual Awards Celebration to highlight Ventura County Community Development Corp.’s 23rd year

 “VCCDC will recognize the contributions made by four individuals and one organization who are committed to improving the lives of families and individuals through investment of time, resources, and advocacy, thereby underscoring community engagement, visionary leadership, and lifetime of excellence,” said Executive Director Bertha Garcia. “Named after individuals who contributed immensely to VCCDC’s beginnings, our awards recognize the impact they and others have made that help create over 3,400 new homeowners and helped preserve homeownership since 2001.” 

Oct. 10 — CLU School of Management to present From ‘Chords to Cords: How to Build a Career with a Love for Music,’ other events

We are excited to invite John Maier, CEO at Bose Professional to be our next guest in our Forward Together webinar series.

Discover how Maier turned his passion for music and the gear used to create, record, perform and broadcast it into a career in business. More recently, he has led the carveout of Bose Professional from Bose Corporation and will discuss the unique challenges of separating a division from an established business and re-branding that business. 

Maier will be taking questions in a session that will be moderated by Gerhard Apfelthaler, dean of the School of Management. Everyone is welcome to join the conversation.

Registration is required. Registered participants will be sent information about joining the Zoom webinar.

Oct. 10 — CLU School of Management to present ‘AI in the Workplace: Navigating Challenges and Embracing Opportunities’

 “As AI is adopted across industries for automation, decision-making and data-driven insights, we will see growth rates that very few sectors have ever seen,” said Gerhard Apfelthaler, dean of the School of Management at Cal Lutheran. “By 2030, the global AI market is expected to expand to $1.3 trillion.”

Oct. 12 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents the London Philharmonic Orchestra at The Granada Theatre

SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents the London Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday, October 12 at 7 p.m. at the Granada Theatre. Uniquely groundbreaking and exhilarating to watch, the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) has been recognized as one of the world’s great orchestras since its founding in 1932. Heard by millions on the soundtracks for The Lord of the Rings and other films, the ensemble performs a rare Santa Barbara concert with violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja.

Oct. 12 — Pipiripau to present 2nd annual Panteón Fest

OXNARD — Pipiripau is proud to announce the 2nd annual Panteón Fest, taking place on Saturday, October 12, 2024, in the heart of Downtown Oxnard. This vibrant celebration of Día de los Muertos brings together community, culture, and tradition for a day filled with live performances, art, and festivities.

Panteón Fest will run from 12:00pm to 9:00pm, offering a unique 9-hour experience that highlights the rich cultural heritage of Mexico. The event will feature a procession, Aztec dancers, live music, dances from different regions of Mexico, a theatrical play, face painting, craft vendors, a Catrin and Catrina contest, altars, and much more.

Oct. 13 — Bilingual report — Rooted Santa Barbara County Presents Plant-Powered Fall Festival

SANTA BARBARA — Rooted Santa Barbara County presents Rooted in Community, the second annual bilingual plant-powered fall festival on Sunday, Oct. 13 from 2-7 pm at the Community Arts Workshop, 631 Garden Street in Santa Barbara. Featuring a food court, live music, story-telling, art projects, trivia, giveaways, and a “Chopped”-like competition, the event celebrates the role of plant-centered nutrition in equipping our community with more health-care options. Attendees can enjoy this event in either English or Spanish, thanks to simultaneous interpretation by Bridging Voices-Uniendo Voces.

Oct. 13 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present ‘Mary Cassatt’s Alterity and her Radical Modernism’

Owing to her American passport, identity as an upper-class woman, family money, and her identification with the Impressionist group in Paris, Mary Cassatt’s choice of subjects, and the style of both her painting and intaglio printmaking were singular. The lecture will focus on the radical monstrosity of her so-called “mother and child” pictures, and the technical virtuosity and indirection of her intaglio prints.

Oct. 14 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents An Evening with Yotam Ottolenghi at The Granada Theatre

SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents An Evening with Yotam Ottolenghi on Monday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m. at The Granada Theatre. Spend a delicious evening with world-renowned chef Yotam Ottolenghi as he discusses his new book, Comfort, and prepares one of his dishes live on stage.

Oct. 15 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Fight Night by Ontroerend Goed at Campbell Hall

SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Fight Night by Ontroerend Goed on Tuesday, October 15 at 8 p.m. at Campbell Hall. In the leadup to the 2024 presidential election, innovative Belgian theater company Ontroerend Goed offers a fun and thought-provoking night of interactive theater. A critically-acclaimed hit of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Fight Night puts digital voting devices – and the fate of its candidates – into the hands of the audience. With no political ideology or mention of politics, this production is a sharp, impartial and completely entertaining analysis of how democracy works. Make your vote count!

Oct. 16 — District 216 presenting Off-Site Ventech Panel feat. District216’s Jacob Tell – ‘Altered Horizons: The Business of Psychedelics’ and more upcoming events

WEDNESDAY: Off-Site Ventech Panel feat. District216’s Jacob Tell – “Altered Horizons: The Business of Psychedelics” Ventech hosts the region’s top business and technology events. They bring together veteran business leaders and experts to host events designed to educate, inform and…

Oct. 17 — Family Service Agency presents 33rd Annual Senior Expo of Santa Barbara

The long-running Senior Expo of Santa Barbara is back again in 2024, occurring in Mid-October this year.
Expect this year’s Expo to provide the same exciting array of health screenings, flu shots, exhibits, and fun activities for seniors and those who care for them.

With free packing and $5 admission, the Senior Expo is still the best ticket in town for Santa Barbara’s seniors and caregivers.

Oct. 18 — Aviation Career Day for Ventura County High School and Middle School Students

VENTURA COUNTY — For the first time since the pandemic, we are excited to announce the much-awaited return of Aviation Career Day for Ventura County High School and Middle School Students on Friday, Oct. 18, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Camarillo Airport.

This event aims to introduce students to the world of aviation and aerospace and provide them with a glimpse of the exciting STEM-related careers available in this field.

Oct. 19 — CLU School of Management to preset Management Masterclasses: Refresh, Revitalize, Reconnect

Homecoming is the perfect time to reconnect with old friends and reignite your professional spark. The School of Management is proud to invite you to “Management Masterclasses: Refresh, Revitalize, Reconnect”. Split into three short sessions, join one or join them all to sharpen your skills and stay ahead of the curve in AI, Marketing, and Talent Management.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 19th to expect a morning packed with engaging Management Masterclasses led by industry professionals.

This interactive format offers the chance to learn from the best, ask questions, and network with professors and fellow alumni. Don’t miss this Homecoming activity – register at the link above today and take your career to the next level!

Oct. 19 — Bilingual report — ‘Unite to Light the Night’ fundraiser + light art festival, community showcase to be held in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA — I am excited to share that Unite to Light the Night  is returning to The Community Arts Workshop in Santa Barbara for its third year in support of Unite to Light’s mission: to bring light and power to people living without electricity. 

Join us for an exciting community-focused fundraiser and light art exhibition featuring 40 diverse artists, each presenting their unique creations that celebrate the transformative power of light. 

Oct. 19 — Halloween Fun At Simi Valley YMCA’s Fall Festival & Trunk-Or-Treat

SIMI VALLEY — The Simi Valley Family YMCA is hosting its annual Fall Festival and Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, October 19 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The Simi YMCA is at 3200 Cochran St.

The festival features over 20 fall and Halloween-themed decorated car trunks where YMCA childcare staff pass out candy. A pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating, carnival games and crafts, inflatables, glitter tattoos and a petting zoo are also part of the fun. A haunted hallway is from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (kid-friendly version) and 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (spookier version). Visitors are encouraged to dress up in Halloween costumes.

Oct. 20 — 35th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration at SBMA and MCASB

SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) presents a free family day in celebration of Día de los Muertos on Sunday, Oct. 20, 11 am – 4 pm, in the Museum’s Front Terrace, Family Resource Center, and galleries. For the 35th year, the Museum honors the Mexican tradition of remembering the dead with a variety of family festivities include altar displays, art activities, live music, and dance performances. For the second year, a Day of the Dead Calenda, or procession, will travel from SBMA to the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB).Admission to the family event and to both museums is free.

Oct. 20 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents the Queen of Mariachi, Aida Cuevas at the Arlington Theatre

SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Aida Cuevas, Canta a Juan Gabriel 40 años después on Sunday, October 20 at 7 p.m. at The Arlington Theatre. A Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning icon of Mexican music, Aida Cuevas is beloved for her devotion to traditional mariachi and for her mastery of its demanding vocal forms. An impassioned performer with a striking voice that evokes life’s greatest joys and most profound longings, Cuevas was the first female singer of the genre to win both Grammy and Latin Grammy awards. In her return to Santa Barbara, the “Queen of Ranchera Music” will lead a mariachi spectacular celebrating her late mentor and friend, pop legend Juan Gabriel.

Oct. 22 — Ventura County Community Development Corp. — Access a low-interest personal loan, classes, financial coaching and more

Are you ready to take charge of your financial future? With VCCDC’s Advancing Communities Program, you can access a low-interest personal loan of up to $2,500 and gain essential financial management skills! We believe that everyone deserves the chance to thrive, and that’s why our newest program aims to provide a pathway to empowerment. Our program, made possible with funding from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, includes free personalized coaching and workshops designed to elevate your financial knowledge and confidence. Join a community of like-minded individuals, learn from experts, and unlock the tools you need to create a brighter financial future. It’s time to invest in yourself!

Oct. 22 — Ventura County Civic Alliance announces ‘Future of the Region Conference’ in Camarillo

Building on the research in the Civic Alliance’s 2023 State of the Region Report, this Future of the Region conference explores the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence and how it will shape our region.

Oct. 22 — Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) — Access a low-interest personal loan, classes, financial coaching and more

Are you ready to take charge of your financial future? With VCCDC’s Advancing Communities Program, you can access a low-interest personal loan of up to $2,500 and gain essential financial management skills! Plus if you make your payments on time and you complete the required classes and financial coaching, interest paid, will be refunded at the end of the loan term!

Oct. 23 — Spooky Fun Awaits at The Collection: Join Us for a Family-Friendly Halloween Extravaganza!

OXNARD — Prepare for a bewitching experience at The Collection at RiverPark’s annual Trick-or-Treat event! On Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 5-7 p.m., children of all ages are invited to join in the Halloween festivities, sponsored once again by Dignity Health Medical Group — Ventura County and Dignity Health Medical Network.

This year, The Collection will be more magical than ever as our merchants and storefronts transform into a haunted wonderland. With dazzling decorations and ghoulishly delightful costumes, our shopping center will offer a thrilling experience as trick-or-treaters make their way from store to store, collecting candy and enjoying the Halloween spirit. Bring your little monsters, witches, and superheroes to enjoy a night of trick-or-treating fun and spooky surprises!

Oct. 24 — Ventura County Taxpayers Foundation — 2nd Annual Taxpayer Dinner is Next Week!

About the Ventura County Taxpayers Foundation

The Ventura County Taxpayer’s Foundation (VCTF) is a non-partisan 501(C)(3) organization emphasizing issues that affect Ventura County. Empowering Taxpayers, Building Trust, and Safeguarding Resources.

Oct. 25 — Bilingual report — Allan Hancock College’s Boyd Concert Hall hosing four concerts in September/October

SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College’s Boyd Concert Hall will be filled with music over the coming weeks as the college hosts multiple concerts in September and October.  

All scheduled concerts will be open to the public and include talented students from the college’s music program. 

Oct. 25 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents An Evening with Percival Everett

SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents An Evening with Percival Everett on Friday, October 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Campbell Hall.Percival Everett is one of the most prolific and innovative writers of our time. The author of more than 30 books, including novels, poetry and short story collections, he has won numerous awards and been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. His most recent novel, James, a retelling of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of a very different, highly literate version of the fugitive slave Jim, is currently a finalist for the National Book Award and shortlisted for the Booker Prize. In 2024, American Fiction, the film based on Everett’s 2001 novel Erasure, won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. With sharp observations and biting wit, Everett explores race, politics, gender and family from a uniquely contemporary American perspective.

Oct. 26 — Tall Ship Mystic Whaler Celebrates Halloween and the Parade of Frights

OXNARD — The 110’ schooner Mystic Whaler will be celebrating Halloween and the Channel Islands Harbor Parade of Frights event on Saturday, October 26.
The community is invited to bring their little ghosts, goblins, and witches to trick-or-treat at Mystic Whaler’s dock from 4:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Then at 6:30 p.m., Mystic Whaler will begin boarding for the Viewing Party for the Parade of Frights. This is a ticketed event. Tickets are available at https://www.centralcoastoceanadventures.org/special-events. (All proceeds from ticket sales go towards Mystic Whaler’s educational programs for local youth). Guests will view the Parade of Frights from Mystic Whaler’s deck while they enjoy hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages. This is a non-sailing event.

Through Oct. 27 — Ventura Harbor Village unveils Fall lineup of events, entertainment

VENTURA — Embrace the autumn magic at Ventura Harbor Village with its dazzling lineup of October events. From Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations to spirited Halloween festivities, the Village promises a spook-tacular season of sun-kissed fun by the sea.

Located on the stunning Pacific coastline, Ventura Harbor Village is a must-visit destination. With its serene backdrop of yachts, vibrant sunsets, ocean breezes, and a variety of watersports, plus seafood spots, waterfront wine tastings, craft cocktails, and chic-y/beach-y/boutique-y shopping, there’s something for everyone. venturaharborvillage.com/events

Oct. 29 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Yung Pueblo in Conversation with Pico Iyer at Campbell Hall

SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Yung Pueblo in Conversation with Pico Iyer on Tuesday, October 29 at 7:30 p.m. at UCSB Campbell Hall. Yung Pueblo – pen name of Diego Perez – is an author and poet whose focus on self-knowledge and radical self-acceptance has made him a source of inspiration and wisdom to millions. He is the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of Lighter as well as the Inward Trilogy, a collection of three bestselling books of poetry including Inward, Clarity & Connection and the final installment, 2023’s The Way Forward.

Oct. 30 — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Malian guitar sensation Habib Koité with Aly Keïta and Lamine Cissokho performing Mandé Sila at UCSB Campbell Hall

SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Mandé Sila: Habib Koité, Aly Keïta and Lamine Cissokho on Wednesday, October 30 at 8 p.m. at UCSB Campbell Hall. Named the biggest pop star of the West African nation of Mali by Rolling Stone, Habib Koité’s sophisticated acoustic guitar technique brings the pentatonic tuning of the griot’s traditional kora to the slashing solos of classic rock. Koité’s soulful voice and magnetic personality have made him an international star of contemporary world music and inspired collaborations with the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Eric Bibb. In this all-star ensemble, two other standard bearers of West African musical traditions join Koité: kora player Lamine Cissokho and balafon master Aly Keïta.