HOLIDAYS AT THE COLLECTION
Nov. 16 – Dec. 24 | Oxnard
The Collection at RiverPark has more than a month of festive activities planned for the holiday season. It all begins on Wednesday, Nov. 16, with the Tree Lighting Celebration at Collection Park. Other “gifts” for the community to enjoy include arts and crafts with holiday characters at the Peppermint Kids Club, a Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt, Letters to Santa, photo opportunities with Ol’ St. Nick for children, families and even pets and plenty of delightful decorations to enjoy all around. And of course, you’ll have no trouble scratching off your shopping list at The Collection’s many fine stores, and re-energizing at eateries of all kinds to satisfy every appetite. Enjoy this feast for the eyes, ears and senses all season long at The Collection. 2751 Park View Court, Oxnard, 805.278.9500, thecollectionrp.com.
SPEAKING MOVEMENT DANCE CONCERT
Nov. 18-19 | Moorpark
Speaking Movement celebrates the continued navigation of our human experience through the medium of movement. Proudly presented to you by the Moorpark College Dance Department under the direction of Beth Megill, this evening of dance showcases the creative voices of our MC dance students and faculty in a visceral performance that is guaranteed to move you. Performances on Friday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $12-15. Main stage of the Performing Arts Center on the Moorpark College campus, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark, 805.378.1485 or moorparkcollege.edu/pac.
SPOTLIGHT ON STYLE
Nov. 19 | Westlake Village
One of Ventura County’s longest running fashion charity events returns to the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village as the Casa Pacifica Angels and hosts Susan and Ken Bauer present the 21st annual Casa Pacifica Angels Spotlight on Style Fashion Show on Saturday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. A chic midday affair, Spotlight on Style will feature a runway fashion show showcasing selections from the collections of top designers, lunch and unique boutique shopping experiences to appeal to a wide range of tastes. Proceeds support Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families’ programs and services that give hope to children and youth struggling with mental and behavioral health challenges. Philanthropists and Casa Pacifica Angels Lori Silvey and Maureen Turley-Gutierrez will return as the 2022 event co-chairs. Spotlight on Style opens with a champagne reception as guests peruse a variety of boutiques offering unique accessories, clothing and gifts. A specially curated online auction, opening Nov. 16, will feature an array of entertainment packages and personal pampering offerings. Tickets start at $175. Four Seasons Westlake Village, 2 Dole Drive, Westlake Village. For tickets and more information, visit www.casapacifica.org/news/events/spotlight_on_style.
NEW WEST SYMPHONY: ODE TO JOY
Nov. 19-20 | Camarillo and Thousand Oaks
Long known as a work calling for humanity to unite as “brothers,” Beethoven’s mighty Ninth Symphony has stirred whole societies to lofty ideals since its premiere in 1824. Los Angeles-based composer Reena Esmail epitomizes the many facets of being and having a sister in her radiant work that joins Western Classical Music and Hindustani Classical Music traditions, bringing to the fore the talents of Hindustani soprano Saili Oak. The California Lutheran University Choir and Pepperdine University Concert Choir join Oak and other leading vocal soloists under the direction of Michael Christie for this program included Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Esmail’s Meri Sakhi Ki Avaaz (My Sister’s Voice). Tickets $30-$120. Saturday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. at the Fred Kavli Theatre at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks. Sunday, Nov. 20, 3 p.m. at the Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center, Camarillo. Tickets and more information by calling 805.497.5800 or visiting newwestsymphony.org.
ELF THE MUSICAL
Nov. 25 – Dec. 18 | Ojai
Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. To spread Christmas cheer among those in need, Ojai ACT invites audience members to bring canned goods to donate to Help of Ojai. $10-$25. Ojai ACT, 113 South Montgomery Street, Ojai, 805.640.8797, ojaiact.org.
2022 VENTURA BODYSURFING CLASSIC
Nov. 26 | Ventura
The Ventura Bodysurfing Classic is the flagship event for the South Jetty Swells Bodysurfing Association. This event will be held at the south jetty of the Ventura Harbor. The Ventura Bodysurfing Classic will be the final event of the California Bodysurf Tour. The event is well known for providing powerful north west winter swells and cold water. The event takes place 7 a.m.-3 p.m. with check in at 6:30 a.m. An awards dinner will follow the event after it ends at 3 p.m.; location to be determined. $20-$80. 1583 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, www.southjettyswells.com.
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’
Nov. 30 – Dec. 18 | Ventura
It’s 1930s Harlem, and the joint is jumpin’! Nightclubs like the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom are the playgrounds of high society, and dive bars on Lenox Avenue pulse with piano players banging out new tunes that are a wild mix of raucous, rowdy and mournful. At home on the keyboard is Thomas “Fats” Waller – the big-hearted, bigger-than-life impresario and international jazz pianist who helped create and define American swing. Ain’t Misbehavin’ is a musical tribute to Waller’s passion for pleasure and play. The revue features a five-person, triple-threat cast performing hit songs like “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Your Feet’s Too Big,” “Black and Blue,” “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Right Myself a Letter,” “The Jitterbug Waltz” and the title song. Tickets start at $39.50. Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 East Main Street, Ventura, 805.667.2900, www.rubicontheatre.org.
CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM
Nov. 25 – Dec. 24 | Moorpark
Underwood Family Farm’s autumn celebrations give way to winter delights with a variety of holiday decor and activities to make the season bright. Lights, ornaments, presents and other trimmings deck the animal center, playgrounds and farmstand, to enchant attendees of all ages and provide ample opportunities for festive photos. Holiday arts and crafts, fun games like the cookie toss and ring a tree, duck racing, sleigh rides with draft horses and even a decorated train will help put everyone in the holiday spirit. Find a Christmas tree to take home while picking your own fresh produce in the fields. Kids can enjoy visits with Santa on weekends through Dec. 18, and his reindeer will make special appearances Dec. 10-11 and Dec. 17-18. There’s even more in store, so dash away to this family-friendly, farm-fresh festival of Yuletide cheer this season! $10-$14; free for children under 2. Discounts for military, veterans, emergency first responders and seniors. 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark and 5696 East Los Angeles Avenue, Somis. underwoodfamilyfarms.com.
SIERRA NORTHERN HOLIDAY TRAIN
Nov. 26 | Ventura County
The Sunburst Train and Sierra Northern Railway, in partnership with our community, will continue the tradition of traveling through the Santa Clara River Valley making stops during the night to collect unwrapped toys for donation. Our friend Santa will ride the train and get off at each stop and, with assistance from his helpers, pass out goodies to the kids. The train’s first stop will be in Ventura at the pedestrian crossing 2,000 feet east of Montgomery Avenue at 6:20 p.m., then arrive at Saticoy Depot at 7 p.m. Stops at the Santa Paula Depot and Fillmore across from the Fire Station will follow. Each stop lasts approximately 30 minutes. Greet Kris Kringle during his journey by rail through Ventura County…and make spirits brighter for others by bringing a new, unwrapped toy for him to deliver where it’s needed most. For full schedule and locations, please visit www.sunbursttrain.com/spirit-of-the-holidays.
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS
Through Dec. 18 | Santa Paula
All aboard! The exotic Orient Express is hurtling down the tracks… to a murder! Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express hits SPTC’s stage with a train full of suspects and an alibi for each one. Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is filled to capacity, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. Isolated, with a killer on the loose, Detective Hercule Poirot must identify the murderer – before he or she decides to strike again. Ken Ludwig’s clever adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery boasts all the glamour, intrigue, and suspense of Dame Agatha’s celebrated novel, with a healthy dose of humor to quicken the pace. SPTC audiences are in for a suspenseful, thrilling ride aboard the legendary Orient Express! Don’t go off the rails – hop on board today! $22-$24. Santa Paula Theater Center, 125 South Seventh Street, Santa Paula, 805.525.4645, www.santapaulatheatercenter.org.
RESILIENCE: ART OF THE CHANNEL ISLANDS
Through Dec. 19 | Oxnard
This exhibition will explore how creatives are inspired by the natural world. Five award-winning local artists, Joe Adams, Holly Woolson, Linda Legman, Genie Thomsen, and Christina Altfeld, will use unique mediums to explore the flora and fauna of the Channel Islands. Resilience: Art of the Channel Islands will be the CIMM’s largest temporary exhibition to date. Through printmaking, painting, drawing, and ceramics, artists will capture the extraordinary diversity of the many species that call the Channel Islands home. Reflecting on the unique conditions and challenges of island life, this exhibit will also provide a special educational opportunity for guests of all ages. By exploring natural history and stunning biodiversity, from the ancient pygmy mammoth to the Channel Islands Fox, Resilience: Art of the Channel Islands strives to express the true miracles of these legendary islands. Channel Islands Maritime Museum, 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard, 805.984.6260, cimmvc.org.
14TH ANNUAL ART ABOUT AGRICULTURE
Through March 5 | Santa Paula
The 14th Annual Art About Agriculture exhibition features 62 fresh works of art by 60 exceptional artists. Art About Agriculture is a group show presented annually by the Ag Art Alliance, a collective formed in 2007 by Santa Paula artists John Nichols and Gail Pidduck. The purpose of the exhibit is to promote 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. In addition, John Galan’s Remedios (Remedies), combining the universal archetypes of the lungs, brain and heart with symbolic imagery from contemporary Chicanx culture and cuisine, continues through Jan. 8. Two great exhibits not to be missed! Santa Paula Art Museum, 117 North 10th Street, Santa Paula, 805.525.5554, www.santapaulaartmuseum.org.
ON THE HORIZON
CHRISTMAS MAGIC!
Dec. 2-11 | Moorpark
A joyful holiday celebration with music and theater, filled with the sounds and stories of the season! High Street Arts Center’s annual show features teen and adult cast members from seasons and productions past returning to the stage to sing your favorite holiday songs and share the stories behind them. Performances take place at 7 p.m. on Fridays, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. $23-$25. High Street Arts Center, 45 East High Street, Moorpark, 805.529.8700, highstreetartscenter.com.
WINTER FAIRE
Dec. 3-4 | Thousand Oaks
A group of people are stranded in an airport during the holidays. Will they complain or will they summon up their holiday spirit? They will gather together and give the gift of stories to each other while the weather calms down and the flight crews find a way to make their visit more comfortable. And the Winter Faire is a menu, not only of the snacks – but of the stories – they’re sharing. Tuck in to a fine feast! $18. All performances take place at 1 p.m. Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, 805.381.2747, www.hillcrestarts.com.
