Rubicon Theatre Company presents the gender-bending romantic comedy Twelfth Night or What You Will, performed by the students of the Education Department’s Fearless Shakespeare Intensive, adapted and directed by Rubicon’s first company member and critically acclaimed actor Joseph Fuqua.

This hilarious tale of role reversal, unrequited love and mistaken identity receives a darkly romantic, goth-inspired reimagining by Fuqua and Dramaturg Dr. Jonathan Drahos. Twelfth Night or What You Will plays for only four performances when it opens on July 29.

Twelfth Night takes place in the fantastical land of Illyria. Twin siblings Viola and Sebastian are shipwrecked off the coast, each believing the other is dead. Nothing is what it seems in this strange place as Viola disguises herself as a man in order to be in Duke Orsino’s charge. The Duke is deeply infatuated with Olivia, a noblewoman in mourning. Posing as a man named Cesario, Viola on the Duke’s command woos Olivia on his behalf, only to have Olivia fall in love with the man Viola portrays. To make matters more difficult, Viola finds herself falling in love with the Duke. Adding to the confusion is Feste the Clown, the drunken Sir Toby Belch, the foolish Aquecheek, the arrogant Malvolio, and Sebastian, Viola’s presumed drowned brother. In the end, a madcap but bittersweet chain of events lead to startling revelations, confessions of the heart and authentic self-actualization.

Fearless Shakespeare is a three-week intensive that allows students ages 16-23 to work with industry experts as they immerse themselves in script analysis, scansion, verse work and character development. Students form a tight company of actors to bring one of the Bard’s greatest masterpieces to the Rubicon stage.

A weekend of public performances on July 29, 30 and 33. Part of the summer Education youth programs, this year marks the 15th anniversary of the Education program under the direction of Brian McDonald with Fearless Shakespeare in its eighth year.

For tickets and further information  and times call 667.2900 or www.rubicontheatre.org.

Come and celebrate with Project Understanding at their new location at 2734 Johnson Dr. on Thursday, July 7 from 5pm – 7pm. The program begins promptly at 5:30pm followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Meet local dignitaries including County Supervisor Steve Bennett. Meet Project Understanding staff and Board of Directors.

Learn about their programs and how to get involved.

Take a tour of the Food Pantry, First Step Center, Tutoring Office, Homeless to Home (H2H) and Administrative Offices.

The event sponsors are  Jersey Mikes Subs, Ventura Rental Party Center, Cupcakes Sweets for You, Papa John’s Pizza – Camarillo, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Charkey Graphics.

Help to remove non-native plants and restore this beautiful Ventura natural area.

Resource Conservation Partners (RCP), is a local non-profit organization whose purpose is to restore, conserve, protect, and monitor our natural resources. Help RCP and our community to restore the Ventura Harbor Ecological Reserve, to its native habitat. Most of the natural wetland areas of southern California have been lost to urbanization.

This site provides important habitat for many native plants and animal species. Unfortunately several non-native plants have become established at the site and have degraded the habitat. We’re working to remove non-native plants, such as ice plant. Please join us in removing ice plant, planting seeds and restoring this beautiful natural area. Please join us in helping our environment, and protecting this important resource for our community!

All tools and supplies will be provided. Volunteers are required to wear long pants and closed toed shoes, must be comfortable using rakes and shovels, and be able to kneel, bend, lift, and carry heavy plant material.

The event will be Saturday, July 16 at 9 AM – 12 PM off of 1400 Spinnaker Dr. in the Harbor. Please park on Angler Court across the street from where the gate is. The south side of the street (nearest to the gate) is posted as a No Parking zone. Please do not park there as you may be ticketed.

This is also a wonderful opportunity to see the three beautiful ponds if you haven’t yet.

7/6 Wednesday @ 6pm\Repurpose an old book into a new piece of art.  Bring an old book and your imagination. Local artist Ron Smith will be leading this workshop. Some materials will be supplied but feel free to bring special items for your altered book.

Storytime: Short Stories 7/8 Friday @ 12pm Storytime? For grownups? That’s right! Bring a brown bag lunch and have someone read to you just like old times! Stories will be read from a selection of short stories with a new theme every month.

Spocabulary  7/13 & 27 Wednesdays @ 6:30pm This poetry performance and writing workshop with an open mic is geared towards high school and college students but all are welcome. Specific emphasis is on SLAM Poetry. Presented by Phil Taggart and Aaron Gardner.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art  Puja & Piety: Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist Art from the Indian Subcontinent

7/15 Friday @ 12pm Presented by the Docent Council of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the Community Speakers program features lectures written and delivered by docents. Enjoy some art on your lunch break!

Spanish Conversation Group 7/30 Saturday @ 10:30am in the Rentfrow Room Are you learning Spanish but need some practice speaking? Join this informal group to chat and practice your Español! Bring your own coffee!

Children’s Events

Early Literacy Class                                                                                                                 7/ 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, & 27
Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10:30am  A great way to introduce your child to early literacy and the library. Join us every week for stories, poems, music, movement, a simple craft, and fun!

Crafternoon
7/7, 14, & 28
Thursdays 3:30 pm
Get your craft on in the afternoon. This summer’s crafternoons are themed to this year’s Summer Reading theme: Read for the Win!

Paws for Reading
7/2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 Saturdays Noon- 1 pm

Read aloud to a registered service dog (sign-up required)

Students from Rubicon Theatre Company will be staring in what is sure to be a “master-peach” of a production – a delightfully offbeat musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved book James and the Giant Peach, JR. Featuring music and lyrics by Tony nominated songwriters Justin Paul and Benj Pasek, and book by Timothy Allen and directed and choreographed by Carolanne Marano, with Musical Direction by Miriam Arichea.

James and the Giant Peach JR. is the fantastical tale of a boy, his insect friends, and their amazing journey across the ocean on a giant piece of fruit. In the story, a young orphaned child finds a loving family in a most peculiar way. Together they discover that while we are all born into a family, we also make a family of our own.

James and the Giant Peach, JR. features a joyous musical score, puppets, and a cast of 24 elementary and high school students ranging in age from 8 to 15. The production is perfect for families and recommends for children ages 2 to 15.

James and the Giant Peach JR. runs July 7, 8, 9 and 10 at 7:00 p.m. and July 9 and 10 at 2:00 p.m. at 1006 E Main St. Advance tickets sales are $15 for kids ages 2 to 12 and $20 for those 13 or older. (Tickets are $5 more at the door.) To purchase by phone, call the Rubicon Box Office 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 7 days a week at  667-2900. To purchase tickets online, go to www.rubicontheatre.org.

by Ana Baker

Free admission stage show, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. First Sunday of every month.  Old Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc. Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. For more Information call 517-1131.

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club meets every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill. Ballroom, swing, Latin, mixers and line dancing. Members $10, non-members $12, first time dancers are free. Call Rick at 415-8842 for more information.

July 7: Eat, Meet, greet and shop at one of Ventura’s best networking events the Ladies Luncheon. 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wyndham Garden Pierpont Inn Pavilion Room 550 Sanjon Road. Doors open at 11:15 a.m. $27 register or $30 at the door. Sit-down luncheon buffet. Wear your red, white and blue! Register at [email protected].

July 8: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution luncheon will feature the program ” The History of the Sons of the American Revolution “, presented by Chapter member Robert Taylor.  The luncheon event will take place at 11:30 a.m., Friday, in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant, 1295 S. Victoria Ave.    The cost for lunch is $20 per person.  For additional information http://pattonpatriots.org.

July 9: “Social Media Sites” will be the topic for the Ventura Beginners PC Group on Saturday, in the third floor lounge of Cypress Place Independent Living, 1220 Cypress Lane. A workshop on Word will also be held. The group meets 9:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.  The public is invited.  For more information 648-1368.

July 9: The Ventura County Library System will be participating in a special event coming up at the Ventura County Fairgrounds on Saturday. The Golden Future 50+ Senior Expo will last from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., and during this time library staff will be creating library cards and giving tips and demonstrations on using the library’s electronic resources.

July 10: The Annual Ed Hunt Rehab Point Project Picnic is Sunday at Oxnard Beach Park, 1601 S Harbor Blvd. The picnic is at 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This is the 24th year of the Rehab Project Picnic. Ed Hunt began the picnic 24 years when the pathway for wheelchairs was completed and benches and tables were completed down in the sand area of the ocean.  The picnic’s donations provide resources to maintain the Ed Hunt trail down to the ocean for those who are wheel chair bound.

The day will consist of kite flying, a train to give rides to children, music, dancing, games, raffles, and vendors giving out information and resources on everything from A to Z., barbequed hot dogs, hamburgers, water and watermelon.

July 12: Former Disney marketing director, Martin Cooper will speak at the Ventura County Writers Club at 7 p.m. During his career, Martin Cooper not only answered to Mr. Walt Disney himself, but also to Hugh Hefner. For ten years, Cooper was in charge of all public relations and communications for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, and the Oscars. The event at Pleasant Valley Senior Center, 1605 E. Burnley St. in Camarillo, is free and open to the public. Call Sheli Ellsworth 499-3490 with any questions.

July 14: Quality of Life Ventura is an organization of residents who are concerned about improving the community’s quality of life presently affected by unmanaged homeless vagrancy. Thursday, at 7 p.m., located at 1500 Palma Dr.  Call for more info 701-2999

July 16: The third annual Coppers & Choppers open house event will take place at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department’s Air Unit which is located at the Camarillo airport.  The free event is a unique opportunity for the general public to interact with a wide variety of the specialized units which support the Sheriff’s Department. The familiar yellow and blue helicopters operated by the Department will be on display.  The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.  Lunch and fun activities for the kids will be provided.

July 17: The Ventura and Santa Barbara County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) will meet Sunday, in the Campus Student Center of Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road. The regular meeting starts at noon and at 11 a.m. there will be an informal workshop where a topic on clocks or watches will be demonstrated and discussed. There will be a mart where items will be for sale followed by lunch and an informational meeting and a program.

July 18: CA Zeta Chi parliamentarians will meet at 7 p.m. and will feature a lesson by Sharon Hillbrant titled “How to Delay, More Was Than One!” Main Street Restaurant and Steakhouse, 3159 E. Main St.  Those wishing to eat should arrive at 6 p.m. Non-members are welcome.  Membership is $25 per year.  For information, contact Sharon Hillbrant 479-6738.

July 20,21: Community Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop will be having a fun sale. Masquerade   Look for all the jewelry items, accessories and eclectic items located in CMH front Lobby 147 North Brent St.  Sale will be held 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  While shopping, consider filling out an application to become a volunteer. There are many Auxiliary services looking for volunteers.  Weekdays (daytime and evening) and Saturday (daytime) opportunities have openings.

July 22: Like to play acoustic music? Songmakers.org welcomes all lovers of acoustic music, instrumentalists, singers, and singer/songwriters of all levels. Join in a free song circle at the Bell Arts Factory Community Room, 432 N. Ventura Ave. 4th Friday of each month from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.   Listeners welcome! Info: Mike Wittlin, 750-8281

July 23,24: The 2016 4th Annual Tequila & Taco Music Festival is moving to Plaza Park, 651 E. Thompson Blvd. Saturday and Sunday, for the biggest yearly event that combines two of everyone’s favorite things, Top-Shelf Tequila and Gourmet Street Tacos. The new larger venue will have more room to showcase more Craft Tequilas, more tacos, and of course, more great music.. 11a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. Premiere 2-Day Passes: $60. Saturday’s ‘Tequila Experience’: $40. General Admission (both days): $10. 628-9588.