The director and designers behind Rubicon Theatre Company’s acclaimed environmental productions of Fiddler on the Roof and Man of La Mancha have reunited on an intimate, two-piano chamber version of the legendary Lerner and Loewe classic My Fair Lady. Based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion, the musical tells the story of Professor Henry Higgins, an arrogant and attractive phonetician who makes a wager that he can transform a “deliciously low” Cockney flower-seller (Eliza Doolittle) into an elegant lady by teaching her to speak more beautifully. The magnificent score includes “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “On the Street Where You Live,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” and “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face.” For Rubicon’s production, Director James O’Neil returns to the source material to explore the Shavian themes of class struggle, social reform and women’s rights.

The 17-member cast features Ovation and Indy Award-winner Joseph Fuqua as Henry Higgins, newcomer Kimberly Hessler as Eliza Doolittle, Rubicon veteran Rudolph Willrich as Colonel Pickering, Patrick DeSantis  as Alfred P. Doolittle, and Will Sevedge as Freddy Eynsford-Hill.
Sunday, Sunday, November 15.
Regular performance times and prices:
Wednesdays at 2 p.m. ($54) and 7 p.m. ($59) (Talkbacks following Wednesday evening shows except during previews)
Thursdays at 8 p.m. ($64)
Fridays at 8 p.m. ($54)
Saturdays at 2 p.m. ($64) and 8 p.m. ($64)
Sundays at 2 p.m. ($64)

On Sunday, November 1, the Museum of Ventura County hosts a free community celebration of music, dance, and crafts from 11am – 3pm for the whole family. Visitors can also see the artist-created altars, called ofrendas, on display throughout the museum, and have their faces painted calaveras–style for a small fee.  This annual celebration has become very popular at the Museum , highlighting the local traditions of Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos.

Entertainment includes performances by Ballet Folklórico Mestizo of Oxnard College, Ballet Folklórico de Bell Arts, and Danza Azteca Tonzatin as well as DATA (DeAnza Academy of Technology and the Arts) Mariachi.

Join the Ventura community in the sharing of thoughts and things at the Third Annual Really Really Free Market at Kellogg Park. Bring what you can, take what you need.

Members of the Westside and neighboring communities will participate in a true “gift economy” by sharing with neighbors unwanted stuff, games, talents, skills, services and entertainment. The mission is to give to others and receive the generous gifts others bring to give away. Absolutely, totally, really, really free!

On Sunday, November 8th, from 1-5pm community members will flock to Kellogg Park to share their goods and receive items from others. People can bring any usable items that they would like to give away and can take whatever they need – no barter, no trade, only free.

“This will be our third year hosting a Really Really Free Market in Ventura, and we are inspired every year by the energy at the event and the people that it benefits”, says event organizer, Ally Gialketsis. “Not only does the event bring people together in community and reduce the waste, it also supports members of our neighborhoods who do not have the means to buy new goods.”

In addition to physical items, people can share thoughts, ideas, skills, and knowledge at the event. There will be a wide variety of workshops for participants to take part in. People can learn how to knit or how to Timebank, about programs for military veterans and guerilla gardening. They can also participate in a collaborative art activity or host a workshop of their own! All are encouraged to bring a skill or bit of knowledge to share amongst neighbors and friends.  Community members interested in hosting a workshop or looking for more information about the event, should go on Facebook at Ventura Really Really Free Market 2015 or contact Ally at 216-4621.

CMH Auxiliary Gift shop will have a special sale October 14 & 15 “Books are Fun” in the CMH Lobby 147 N.Brent Street.  All are welcome to shop this sale.  Books make great holiday gifts.  And mark your calendars  for their Holiday Boutique November 5th and 6th.  All proceeds from Auxiliary Gift shop are donated back to Community Memorial Hospital.

The Auxiliary continues to take applications for new volunteers.  Many of their services have available openings on various days and times for volunteers .  Bookcart is one of those services.  This service provides donated magazines for visitors as well as patients.  And.  supports the gift shop by offering recycled books for sale there. Volunteering gives back to the community and provides much needed support to CMH, which is Ventura’s only nonprofit hospital.  Please stop by the Auxiliary front desk for more information and to pick up an application.

On Friday, October 16, from 1 to 2 p.m., Songster Juan D. Mendoza will visit the Ojai Library to deliver a concert titled “A Bitter-Sweet Taste of Saudade: Songs of Pleasant Sorrow from Brazil and Portugal.” Saudade is a Portuguese word—lacking a specific English equivalent—that refers to a feeling of nostalgia, loneliness, melancholia, and sadness that is at the same time joyful and pleasant. Mr. Mendoza has performed his solo concert elsewhere in Ventura County and is excited to bring his art to Ojai. He has performed at festivals and fairs as well as in bistros and cafés in Mexico. Through his music he seeks to create a distinctive atmosphere and mood that encapsulates the concept of saudade. This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, City Librarian, at  218-9146.

The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Ave. Hours of service are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.

A Salon Series is taking place at the Ojai Valley Green Coalition Resource Center located at 206 N. Signal St. . The final Salon for 2015 is Friday, October 16, 7 to 9 p.m. In this salon, the role, seen or unseen, that dirt plays will be discussed. So come and share – what’s the dirt on dirt?

A donation and beverage to share are appreciated, though not required. With limited seating, please arrive early. Full details available at ojaivalleygreencoalition.org.

The Ojai Photo Club welcomes Ventura photographer and musician, Chris Jensen, as its guest presenter for the month of October. His talk and slide show of images will take place on October 20, at 7:00 p.m. at Help of Ojai’s Kent Hall, 111 Santa Ana St.

Jensen will be addressing portrait photography. His images range from creative and often quirky compositions to masterful studies that reveal the sitter’s essence. He will discuss the primary and secondary elements of creating compelling portraits and he indicates, “First and foremost is lighting, lighting and lighting!”

Monthly presentations are part of the Ojai Photography Club’s community service and education outreach. Visitors are welcome to attend.

The Ojai Photography Club, which is devoted to education, inspiration, and camaraderie, meets on the third Tuesday of each month, February – November. Only members may submit images for review. For additional information please visit: www.ojaiphotoclub.com.

On Saturday, October 24, from 1 to 2 p.m., local author Nick Marinoff will visit the Ojai Library to talk about his book “Take a Loan off Your Shoulders: 14 Simple Tricks for Graduating Debt Free”, and to offer advice to help all future students and their families avoid the monetary mistakes associated with college enrollment.

The book details the steps Nick took to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university without owing a dime. With student loan debt having surpassed the trillion-dollar mark, Nick offers tips and advice to readers who wish to save on their educational endeavors and avoid the financial burdens of student loans.

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, City Librarian, at 218-9146.

The Oak Grove School Annual Open House & All-School Showcase, at 220 West Lomita, will take place on Saturday, November 7, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Discover the art of living and learning at Oak Grove School. View student work, enjoy student performances, find out more about our progressive college-preparatory high school, boarding program, junior high, elementary and early childhood programs. This event is for prospective families, current families and friends of Oak Grove School. The event is free and open to the community and will feature campus tours and open classrooms, entertainment and award-winning vegetarian fair, and complimentary family photos. For more information, visit www.oakgroveschool.org/openhouse.

Commercial and residential development plans, as well as updates on other civic issues such as proposed library plans, proposed residential growth management, and water shortage concerns, are on the agenda for the next meeting of the East Ventura Community Council.

The council represents those 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 October 15 meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church, 346 N. Kimball Road. The public is encouraged to attend and participate! Check the Facebook page for updated agenda items. For more information call 804-7558.