“Ladies’ Night” will be at the Topping Room at the EP Foster Library. The event is on Saturday, August 6th from 8-11pm. “Ladies’ Night” will be a night of celebrating femininity in whatever form that takes whether gendered or non-binary. This will be a space for all. These terms, ladies and femininity are completely open to your interpretation. The festivities will include an awesome lineup of female fronted bands, an array of artists who identify as female, sweet treats to keep you going through the night and temporary tattoos designed by local artists. And there will be some face painting.

by Sheli Ellsworth

Once again, the Cabrillo Music Theatre brings brilliance and beauty to the stage with the production of The Little Mermaid. The Hans Christian Anderson story that became a Disney classic is the ultimate undersea adventure. The Broadway musical will be playing at the Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks until Sunday, July 24.

The story of Ariel, a disenchanted mermaid who wants to become human, is set against a sea of blues, greens and purples that move and change with the undulating characters who swim though its depths suspended on wires. The staging for this musical is superb. The music and lighting move in a sublime harmony that actually lulls the audience to a place under the sea. Opening night’s enthusiastic crowd confirmed that director Larry Raben has hit the magic seashell out of the park and gave the production a standing ovation.

Lawrence Cummings as Sebastian the crab brings a fun quirky energy to the part as well as a skilled voice that quickly makes him an audience favorite. Debbie Prutsman as Ursula the undersea witch is convincingly disgusting. When the slimy Ursula starts to wrap her tentacles around Ariel, everyone in the audience scoots back in their seat a little—glancing toward the theatre’s exits.

Alison Bagli has performed the role of Ariel before and was a natural choice for the redheaded mermaid. Bagli’s mermaid moves with grace and her clear voice keeps the part fresh throughout the lengthy performance. Handsome New Yorker, Conor Guzman, who plays Prince Eric, is also a writer and director as well as a convincing prince.

The Cabillo’s Little Mermaid has something for everyone:  Flotsam and Jetsam, electrified sea snakes on hover scooters; Chef Louis, a big man in the seafood industry; Flounder in yellow knee-high Converse shoes who has a secret crush; Scuttle the slightly scattered seagull and many other sea creatures, maids and ladies in waiting.

The Little Mermaid runs through Sunday July 24 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. Call 800.745.3000 or go to www.cabrillomusictheatre.com for ticket info.

Every summer, theatre professionals and enthusiastic audiences from Southern California converge in Ojai Valley to participate in the development of new plays for the American theatre. Under the direction of Artistic Director/Producer Robert Egan, carefully selected playwrights from all over the world join together for an intensive two-week, in-residence workshop program that culminates in OPC’s popular public workshop series – known as the “OPC Summer New Works Festival.”

In addition to the presentation of new play workshops, prominent artists from the theatre community appear in engaging public forums for an exchange of ideas on a range of cultural and artistic subjects in the “Intersections Series.” The Ojai Playwrights Conference is also committed to nurturing the writing talents of Southern California youth.

The Ojai Playwrights Conference (OPC), one of the most acclaimed new play developmental programs in the country, announces its 19th season with an exceptional program of playwrights, new play workshops and special performance events from August 7 through 14.

The OPC Summer New Works Festival will feature eleven events over five days with established and up-and-coming playwrights. Seating is limited for the OPC Summer New Works Festival, and tickets ($30) may be purchased online at www.ojaiplays.org.

The Ojai Art Center Literary Branch and Ojai International City of Peace Founders Group invite you to write and submit your Dream for Peace. This is the second annual 75-word Peace Essay Contest, open to all ages. Each essay – prose or poem – will be read and judged for originality and clarity. The deadline for submission is August 10th. On September 17th, in the Ojai Art Center’s Gallery Room, 13 essayists will be honored to read their selected essays at a reception open to the public. Copies of the essays will be displayed in the Art Center’s lobby for International Peace Day (September 21st). Send your essay with $5 and your contact information to: Ojai Art Center Essay Contest, 113 S Montgomery, Ojai

Explore fascinating private collections in the Ojai Valley Museum’s newest exhibition. From Italian motorcycles to vintage bicycles and skateboards, ViewMaster reels to mid-century souvenir paintings, you are invited to view an eclectic group of collections. Why does one person collect insecticide sprayers and another decorative eggs? Beer steins, movie costumes, Depression glass, Caucasian Mountain rugs, and Frank Sinatra memorabilia round out the treasures on display. The exhibit will be on view through September 25

The Ojai Valley Museum is located at 130 W. Ojai Avenue in Ojai. Free parking is available behind the museum, off Blanche Street. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday noon to 4 pm. Group or school tours available by appointment.

For more information, call the museum at 640-1390, ext. 201, email [email protected], or visit the museum website at OjaiValleyMuseum.org.

Events 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.

DBSA Ventura, the local chapter of the Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) hosts two regular, confidential, peer-led, self-help support groups in the County. Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bible Fellowship Church at 6950 Ralston Street in Room 301 of Building 300. Email [email protected], visit facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or call 253-3289 for more information. 1p.m. to 3p.m. at the New Visions Center on the first and third Saturdays of the month. At 1065 E. Main. Email [email protected], visit facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or 746-3106 for more information.

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

July 21: East Ventura Community Council. A representative from the Ventura Police Department will present an update on crime and safety in the area. Darren Kettle of the Ventura County Transportation Commission will talk about the state of our transportation system and the mobility challenges the county faces. The council represents residents who live east of Victoria Avenue. Books in good condition are always accepted by San Buenaventura Friends of the Library, and are very much appreciated.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church, 346 N. Kimball Road. The public is encouraged to attend and participate. Ask questions! Voice concerns! Help our community keep improving! For more information call 804-7558.

July 27: An afternoon of jazz and Broadway at the Oxnard Public Library, 251 S. A Street at 1 p.m. featuring the singing of Vivien Mason accompanied by piano, bass and drums. You’ll enjoy the old beautiful melodies from composers such as George Gershwin and Richard Rogers and her special composition “At the Library”. Free admission.

August 1,15: The Ventura County Philatelic Society will have their Stamp trading and camaraderie. Admission and parking are free. Located at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Road, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Come for a great evening. Contact: [email protected] or 805-320-1601

August 2:  Mended Hearts of Ventura Group meets the first Tuesday each month at the

Community Memorial Hospital – 8th floor from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Come share if you have had heart surgery or stent implant. They have excellent speakers, leading Cardiologists, Nutritionists,

Dietitians, etc. from our area who give excellent information. Contact: Richard Hatcher 644-2733

August 7: The 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will be open for docent-led tours from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. accompanied by period music in the parlor and upstairs library landing. Admission is free. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood streets in Ventura. For information please call 642-3345 or visit the website at www.dudleyhouse.org.

August 12: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution August luncheon meeting will feature the program ” Colonial Pewter “, presented by Chapter member Eric Stassforth.  Will take place at 11:30 am in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant.  All SAR & DAR Compatriots, friends,  and visitors are welcome to join us.  The cost for lunch is $20.  For additional information or for assistance in determining your possible Revolutionary War genealogical roots, please call Bill Bays 650-3036 or Robert Taylor 216-7992.  For information regarding SAR membership and chapter activities,  please visit http://pattonpatriots.org.

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)