CALIFORNIO FIESTA DE RANCHO CAMULOS
April 19 | Piru
Dave Stamey, award-winning cowboy balladeer, will perform as part of a special concert at Rancho Camulos National Historic Landmark and Museum. The concert will highlight the 2024 Californio Fiesta de Rancho Camulos. This annual fundraiser for the 501(c)3 museum starts at 11 a.m. and ends around 3 p.m. It will also include an authentic Vaquero buffet and docent-led interpretive tours of the historic buildings and beautiful grounds. Step back in time for a unique experience…where the history, myth and romance of Old California still lingers. This is a partnership event with the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival. Museum information is available at ranchocamulos.org. The museum is located at 5164 East Telegraph Road, on Highway 126, 10 miles West of the I-5 near Piru. Tickets are $50 and available at cowboyfestival.org.
OJAI WORLD DANCE FESTIVAL
April 20 | Ojai
Join us for a magical evening of colorful and magnetic multicultural dance performances in a world-class amphitheater under the oaks in the beautiful valley of Ojai, California. Prepare to be delighted with top notch performances from highly acclaimed artists from around southern California. Join us as we celebrate diversity within the performing arts, support the work of local dance organizations, and elevate our society’s cultural fabric by honoring our world traditions. We are joined by many of southern California’s dedicated and celebrated dance troupes, including Alias Dance Company (hip-hop), Kritya Dance Company, the Bollywood Troupe of Dance Ojai and more. These artists are committed to their art and dance traditions and we are honored to celebrate these artists and their important cultural contributions to our communities. Saturday, April 20, 7-9 p.m. $10-$25. Libbey Bowl, 210 South Signal Street, Ojai, www.danceojai.org/ojaidancefestival.
PLEIN AIR PAINT OUT
April 20 | Ventura
Immerse yourself in vibrant art and culture, and discover your passion for art at the Plein Air Paint Out on Saturday, April 20, 1-4 p.m. The Buenaventura Art Association at Harbor Village Gallery and Gifts is hosting over 15 artists to create paintings of our beautiful Ventura Harbor. Join us this weekend to see art being made in real time along the Promenade of harborscapes, boats, plants and animals that call the harbor home. There will be artists throughout the village creating one-of-a-kind pieces that capture the beauty of the Ventura Harbor. The En Plein Air exhibit will be on display at the gallery following the event. Ventura Harbor Village, 1583 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, www.venturaharborvillage.com.
RISING FROM THE ASHES HOME TOUR
April 20 | Ventura
In December of 2017 the Thomas Fire ravaged the city of Ventura. The fire destroyed over 1,000 structures including many homes in Ventura. Many people have resiliently rebuilt their home on the site where it was destroyed. The Ventura County Library Foundation (VCLF), working with five homeowners who have rebuilt their homes, is inviting you to tour these residences on April 20. For further event information or questions, please contact events@vclibraryfoundation.org. A map of home tour locations will be provided a few days prior to the event. One $50 ticket will give you entrance to all five homes. We have staggered starting homes/times to reduce crowds. Tickets and more information available at www.vclibraryfoundation.org/events/.
A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER
Through April 21 | Thousand Oaks
When the low-born Monty Navarro finds out that he’s eighth in line for an earldom in the lofty D’Ysquith family, he figures his chances of outliving his predecessors are slight and sets off down a far more ghoulish path. Can he knock off his unsuspecting relatives without being caught and become the ninth Earl of Highhurst? And what of love? Because murder isn’t the only thing on Monty’s mind…. $20-22. Conejo Players Theatre, 351 South Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, 805.495.3715, conejoplayers.org.
NEW ART CITY THEATRE NEW WORKS FESTIVAL
April 25-28 | Ventura
Announcing four wonderful new plays selected for New Art City Theatre’s inaugural festival of new works. Don’t miss this multi-day celebration of never-before-seen theatre that will inspire, enlighten and enthrall. We hope you’ll join us April 25-28 at the Museum of Ventura County for a four-day celebration of creativity and storytelling. Experience a showcase of fresh, innovative plays by talented playwrights. Immerse yourself in a world of imagination and inspiration as we bring these new works to life. Don’t miss out on this FREE and exciting event where you can witness the birth of new theatrical masterpieces. See you there! Admission is free to all with a reservation. 100 East Main Street, Ventura, newartcitytheatre.org.
GORDON GOODWIN’S BIG PHAT BAND
April 27 | Thousand Oaks
Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, or simply The Big Phat Band, is an 18-piece jazz orchestra that combines the big band swing of the 1930s and 1940s with contemporary music such as funk and jazz fusion. The band is led by Gordon Goodwin, who arranges, composes and plays piano and saxophone with the band. Saturday, April 27, 7:30 p.m. $39-$49. Scherr Forum Theatre, Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, 805.449.2787, bapacthousandoaks.com.
HERBAL TOOLS FOR TUMULTUOUS TIMES
April 27 | Ojai
Herbalist-gardener-teacher Carol Wade of Ojai School of Herbal Studies will lead a workshop on using plants to cultivate a state of mental resilience and hope as we move through unsettling times. The emotions these times bring up for ourselves and our loved ones— insecurity, depression, anxiety and grief — can be overwhelming. A look outside our doorsteps reveals a world of possible tools and allies: plants in all their glory, natural light, breaths of fresh air, scents, colors and simple movements. Let’s explore them all at Carol’s amazing Earth Island Medicinal Herb Garden in the East End of the Ojai Valley! During a morning herb walk through the Garden, you’ll enjoy the beautiful vistas as you learn how to grow and care for some of the many herbal allies that live in the Garden. You’ll also learn the properties of plants that we’ll process in the afternoon hands-on workshop. We’ll use herbs we’ve gathered to make healing products to take home such as tea and an aromatherapy oil. The cost of the workshop is $75. Please bring $5 cash for materials. There is an option to buy a ticket for an additional $25 that includes a CEU certificate for licensed California Acupuncturists. Tickets and more information at herbwalks.com/event/herbal-tools-for-tumultuous-times-a-garden-workshop-with-carol-wade/.
HOWARD SCHOOL AUCTION GALA
April 27 | Carpinteria
You are invited to an evening celebrating community spirit and the nurturing environment that Howard School fosters for its students. The gala will be held at Lions Park starting at 5:30 p.m. Guests will indulge in an array of festivities, including a silent auction showcasing an enticing selection of items, an exciting live auction, dinner crafted by renowned chef Rossignol, and live music performed by the talented Cate School jazz combo. Fabulous activities such as the wine toss raffle and dessert dash will keep the atmosphere lively throughout the evening. Proceeds from the event will support important initiatives such as the construction of a new play structure, ensuring continued affordable tuition and supporting scholarships for students. To learn more about Howard School and to secure your tickets for the Auction Gala, visit TheHowardSchool.org.
A TRAIN
Through April 28 | Ventura
Told with humor, insight and a few choice expletives, this courageous play, based on a true story, follows a family as they learn to accept the unexpected and live in the moment, meeting the joys and hardships of raising a child with autism. The play is performed by Broadway veteran Annie Torsiglieri and was developed in the Launch Pad program at UCSB. Presented by the Rubicon Theatre Company. $30-$79.50. 1006 East Main Street, Ventura, 805.667.2900, www.rubicontheatre.org.
WINTER WHALE WATCHING
Through April 29 | Oxnard and Ventura
Hop on board for an Island Packers’ Winter Whale Watch excursion, with trips departing from Ventura Harbor. These waters off the coast of Ventura and Channel Islands Harbor are known for their marine mammal diversity, and you may get to see other species of marine mammals along with the migrating gray whales. Seals, sea lions and several species of dolphins along with occasional orca whale pods may also be seen on your trip. Fun for all ages! Island Packers, 1691 Spinnaker Drive, #105B, Ventura, 805.642.1393, islandpackers.com.
30 FOR 30
Through May 5 | Santa Paula
“30 Under 30” is a group exhibition showcasing art by 30 California artists between the ages of 18 and 29. Emanating from Berkeley to San Diego, all of the featured artists are current college students or recent graduates just starting their careers as painters, illustrators, photographers, filmmakers, ceramicists and more. Radically diverse in subject, style and media, these 30 works of art reflect a playful curiosity and refreshing experimentality not unexpected of a young group of artists. What is remarkable: their wisdom and boldness in embracing art as a means of examining the world — deconstructing histories, structures, and norms— to better understand and express themselves, and inspire others to do the same. Santa Paula Art Museum, 117 North 10th Street, Santa Paula, 805.525.5554, www.santapaulaartmuseum.org.
NICO HEYNING: WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE CALIFORNIA COAST
Through May 6 | Oxnard
Explore the California Coast through the lens of wildlife photographer Nico Heyning. Channel Islands Maritime Museum in beautiful Channel Islands Harbor will feature a special exhibit of the birds, marine mammals and other creatures that call the Golden State’s seashore and ocean environments home. Channel Islands Maritime Museum, 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard, 805.984.6260, www.cimmvc.org.
ON THE HORIZON
TOP CHEF YUMMIE DINNER
May 3 | Moorpark
A seven-course sit-down dinner prepared by some of the region’s most notable chefs, paired with award-winning wines and the 2023 “Best in Fest” craft brew, await guests at the 10th anniversary Top Chef Yummie Dinner, taking place on Friday, May 3, at Rancho de Las Palmas in Moorpark. Hosted for the seventh year by the Cassar Family, the intimate, reception-style event features a number of Ventura County’s top chefs, all of whom happen to be previous Yummie Culinary Competition winners from the Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food and Brew Festival. Attendees will experience a selection of exquisite menu items crafted exclusively for the occasion along with live music, a unique silent auction and wines from Summerland Winery and Flying H Wine. Retired Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean will once again serve as this year’s master of ceremonies. Proceeds from the dinner benefit Casa Pacifica, the largest nonprofit provider of children’s and adolescent mental health services in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. This year’s “Kentucky Derby” theme will delight the senses with décor and fashion, transporting guests to the pageantry of America’s most-watched thoroughbred horse race. Rancho Las Palmas, 3566 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark, winefoodandbrewfestival.com/yummie-dinner.
LIVINGSTON MEMORIAL GARDEN TOUR
May 5 | Camarillo
The spring tour of the Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice blends a variety of elements to create a truly delightful afternoon of fun and friendship. In addition to the five amazing gardens, the tour features art exhibits and demonstrations, a delightful garden-themed boutique, enticing raffle, live music and delicious refreshments. The event is held on Sunday, May 5, 12-4 p.m. Tickets are $30. All proceeds from the event directly support our most vulnerable neighbors — parents, grandparents, children and friends. Your support provides care, comfort, support, counseling and education to those facing a life-limiting illness or grieving the loss of a loved one — all without charge. Tickets and more information at www.lmvna.org/gardentour/.
