The Buena Drumline performs its championship-winning piece ‘The Web We Weave.’ Photo by Damien Masterson.

by Amy Brown

Summer Elliott joined Buena High School’s Winter Drumline in 2017 as a freshman, and today he is one of its four Captains, playing the marimba, and serving as Front Ensemble Captain. “Even at the beginning of my first season, I knew that one day I wanted to be a captain, and this year that dream came true,” says Elliott.

Other dreams were recently realized for the entire group, fresh back from their championship first place win in the San Bernardino Southern California Percussion Alliance (SCPA) Championship finals competition. The 34-member Drumline competed against 49 Southern California schools at what is the largest percussion competition in the western United States. And they had the chance to perform their exciting, award-winning piece “The Web We Weave” one last time on their home turf at the Buena High School gym on April 30th to a large and enthusiastic crowd.

The Drumline’s Percussion Director Paul Curci, a Buena alum from 2003, shares that the last time the group won first place in the SCPA competition, he was a sophomore back in 2001. According to Curci, this year the Drumline has the fewest seniors of any year, so this season was expected to be a ‘rebuilding’ period, and the whole team, and especially the underclassmen, really stepped up. “This is an incredibly talented group of young people, with real drive,” says Curci. “It says really good things about Buena’s future.” Buena’s Drumline has been competing in championships every year. “The SCPA is one of the most competitive areas for this in the world. That is not hyperbole—it’s an actual statement. To advance to finals, which is the upper echelon of the groups, is an honor in and of itself,” he says.

Creating a championship, precision Drumline takes a profound level of talent, combined with commitment and hard work. Their season begins in early January and continues through April. Each week there were eight hours of scheduled rehearsals, and in addition to these mandatory hours, members were expected to put in their own practice time, outside of rehearsal. “The students’ work ethic is one of clearest factors that stands out, the entire team shows up to put in the work to see their vision, they know what that process is,” says Curci. “They take advantage of every moment to see that vision through. They come with their game face on, so to speak.” Curci shares that while it is a somewhat clichéd phrase, that it truly does ‘take a village’ for a group like this to succeed at this level. The Buena Music Association support, parents’ participation in the grueling work and performance schedules, and the drive and commitment of the musicians themselves all blended together for the winning formula.

“While it may be a huge commitment and exhausting at times, the hours that we put in build musical skills, friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime,” says Elliott.

The musicians play from memory.

by Richard Newsham

Think music that takes classical masterpieces “off the beaten track” to reveal beauty with a new edge as the Lithuanian string ensemble known as NICO (for New Ideas Chamber Orchestra) turns 13 under the baton of its charismatic young composer Gediminas Gelgotas. The players–solo and group award winners of many international competitions–have appeared at the world’s leading venues while their albums and concert recordings ride the radio air waves of Europe.

And now NICO makes its U.S. debut in Ventura on Friday, May 10, at 8 p.m. as part of the Ventura Music Festival’s 25th season at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center. The musicians play from memory, mixing classical with new music idioms and non-traditional techniques for a glorious and sublime fusion of sound that is captivating younger and new audiences for classical music wherever they go. Their concerts are a grooving postmodern jukebox featuring a newer generation of Baltic, British and German composers dedicated to reimagining the classics (Mozart, Vivaldi) to make them new and exploring myth and mystic visionaries (Hildegard von Bingen, St. Teresa of Avila, Goethe and Lithuania’s M.K. Čiurlionis) as pathways to compelling contemporary music full of color, dramatic melody and elemental peace.

Zilah Mendoza is one of the stars of Women Beyond Borders.

Rubicon Theatre Company continues the 2019 “Coming of Age” season with the World Premiere of Women Beyond Borders, a play inspired by and loosely based on the remarkable journey of Lorraine Serena and a dynamic group of California-based artists who founded the non-profit Women Beyond Borders (WBB).

Determined to “make art as if the world matters,” Serena and associates fell upon the idea of box as metaphor: hope chest, treasure chest, womb, coffin, etc. They replicated miniature wooden boxes no bigger than a human heart and sent them to curators and friends in other countries with the goal of encouraging dialogue, collaboration and community among women and honoring creativity. The founders of WBB were astonished at what came back to them – eloquent expressions of the enormous depth and variety, but also the universality, of women’s experiences throughout the world. The boxes were accompanied by equally astonishing artists’ statements, in the form of letters, poems and stories asking about transcending barriers: geographical, social, racial, economic, emotional, gender-related, spiritual, etc. The play interweaves the journey of the organization and the artist’s statements. Actors (including Tony, Obie and Emmy Award-Winners) will rotate weekly and the script will be read at music stands in the style of Love, Loss and What I Wore or The Vagina Monologues. Jenny Sullivan directs.

Rubicon Theatre Company, Ventura’s Downtown Cultural District
1006 E. Main St.
Box Office (for single and group tickets): 805.667.2900

Ticket Range: $20 – $55 ($150 for opening night including post-show party at Water’s Edge
Previews: $20-$40
Prices above do not include a $4 ticket service fee
Discounts Available for Groups of 10+
Discounts for Seniors 65 and over, Students, Teachers and active Military available

Outstanding women in business honored. Photo by Nicole Wise Photography

On a beautiful Spring day in mid-April, The Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO VC) honored nine outstanding women in business and leadership at its 20th Annual BRAVO Awards luncheon. With Camarillo’s picturesque Serra Center serving as the backdrop, honorees were awarded for their achievements in industries that include solar energy storage, cybersecurity, health and fitness, retail, law, construction, and the nonprofit sectors.

A packed room of close to 200 business owners, community leaders and active members of the business community, celebrated this year’s theme, Women Elevated! Celebrating the fearless pursuit of success. Compelling videos told each honoree’s story of success which was followed with the presentation of beautifully artistic awards.

2019 BRAVO Honorees

• Woman Business Owner of the Year – Catherine Von Burg, SimpliPhi Power, Oxnard
• Innovator of the Year – Michelle Wilner, VIRTIS, Newbury Park
• Rising Star of the Year – Breanne Cochran, The Vent Human Performance Center, Ventura
• Community Advocate of the Year – Christina Shaffer, The Law Office of Christina Shaffer, Thousand Oaks
• Education Advocate of the Year – Lisa Barreto, Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation, Ventura
• Young Woman Entrepreneur of the Year – Alison Kenis, Sugar Lab Bake Shop, Ventura
• NAWBO-VC Member of the Year – Brenda Terzian, Doug Terzian Construction, Camarillo
• Leadership in Public Policy Award – Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, 19th District and Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, Berkhemer Clayton Inc.

BRAVO 2019 is the signature event of NAWBO Ventura County and would not be possible without the generous support of its sponsors and partners, including Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Montecito Bank & Trust, Meyers, Widders, Gibson, Jones and Feingold, LLP, Southern California Edison, and BNY Mellon Wealth Management, among many other supporters.

Learn more at www.nawbovc.org.

CAPS Media is hitting the streets.

The CAPS Media Crew captured the annual Ventura Unified School District Festival of Talent extravaganza at Ventura High School. The entertaining evening featured more than twenty acts including two hold-your-breath aerial acrobats suspended from the ceiling. The core of the CAPS crew are student interns in the CAPS/El Camino High School media program (ECTV.) Proceeds from the Festival of Talent support innovative classroom grants through the VEP Grants program.

Recently Producers of television and radio programs gathered at the CAPS Media Center to share ideas, resources and interests at the first in a series of producer caucus meetings. In addition to interacting with like-minded media producers, the lively and productive discussion included an open exchange of best practices, tips on production and ideas to inform the direction of CAPS Media for 2019.

CAPS Media is hitting the streets with the Ventura Police Department to produce a series of community awareness and information projects including a series of traffic safety videos. The series, hosted by Dave Curtis, a motor officer with Ventura PD, was recorded in the CAPS studio and on Ventura Avenue, Loma Vista and a residential neighborhood to provide drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists with valuable “rules of the road.”

Recently CAPS Media recorded a very special evening of Songs and Stories by legendary local musician Chris Hillman at the Museum of Ventura County. The intimate concert was in conjunction with the museum’s exhibit of Hillman’s fascinating memorabilia: Time Between. Hillman is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and one of the creative forces behind The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers and other seminal groups. The Hillman concert is airing on CAPS Media channel 6 on Wednesday, April 10 at 9:00 PM, Thursday, April 11 at 4:00 PM, Friday April 12, at 8:00 PM, and Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 3:00 PM. The recording is part of an on-going series of collaborations between the museum and CAPS Media.

Are you a leader or a member of a faith-based organization in Ventura? If so, consider having your weekly services air on CAPS Media. It’s easy to do. To learn more send a note to [email protected] or give us a call at 805.658.0500.

If you have a story to tell or a message or information you want to share, you can join the growing CAPS Media community of producers. Drop by the CAPS Media Center on the first Thursday of the month and learn how to become a producer and be part of our community of enthusiastic and engaged talent. The informal orientation class on the first Thursday will provide all the information you need. You’ll discover that for a low annual membership fee you will receive hands-on instruction in videography, video editing, radio production (additional fee required) and more. You will have access to CAPS Media’s state-of-the-art facilities including video cameras, editing systems, the fully equipped television and radio studios. Don’t miss out. All the information is online at capsmedia.org where you can register for the orientation or classes. Or you can call 805-658-0500 to get complete information.

A pretty place even if you don’t golf.

The Ventura Police Community Foundation and Aera Energy, LLC proudly present the 22nd Annual PAL Golf Tournament, June 7, at 8:00 am at Olivas Links Golf Course located at 3750 Olivas Park Drive in Ventura. Proceeds raised at the tournament help to support afterschool programs for local youth. The $145 donation per player includes: green fees and cart, gift bag, awards ceremony and lunch.

PAL was founded back in 1997 with a primary goal to provide at-risk youth with meaningful recreation, educational, and cultural programs designed to keep youth away from the influence of gangs, drugs, violence and delinquent behaviors. Today, PAL now operating as the Ventura Police Community Foundation, plays an important role in Ventura’s Program Enrichment for After-school Kids (PEAK) and After-School Enrichment and Safety (ASES) Programs. These programs are a partnership between PAL, Ventura’s Parks, Recreation and Community Partnership Department and the Ventura Unified School District. The programs proudly serve over 630 youth each day in a safe and supportive environment.

“It is the support of the sponsors, contributors, golfers, and volunteers who help to make this tournament and the Ventura Police Community Foundation a success. While we have many long-time sponsors, I want to mention the long-standing support of our Title Sponsor – Aera Energy, LLC. Aera has been a major sup­porter of PAL and the annual golf tournament since 1997,” said Police Chief Ken Corney. “Over the years, Aera’s support has included the offset of startup costs for the program and much needed equipment. Aera donated funds to purchase a van to provide transportation for area children and donated funds to build and equip a fitness area at the Westpark Community Center so that our local youth can be active in a safe environment.”

The mission of the Ventura Police Community Foundation is to foster and support programs and initiatives that strengthen a safe community and enhance the quality of life in Ventura. The Foundation supports public safety improvements, community partnerships and youth programs. The goal is to strengthen partnerships between citizens of our community, including youth and schools, business members and police in the City of Ventura.

Mark your calendars for one of the biggest events in Ventura County.

On April 27^th -28^th prepare to be entertained and amazed by what can only be imagined as the “Renaissance of Railroading.”  Experience Steam Railfest 2019.  Free admission and only 30 minutes from Ventura!  This festival is a celebration of steam power, railroading, antique tractors, vehicles & engines, vintage wares & oddities, unique performances, early transportation and culture mixed with a bit of Steampunk fun.  There will be live steam locomotive train rides, Orchard Bluegrass Band, a Fillmore Citrus Packing House Tour & Caboose Ride Adventure, Dr. Solar’s Gypsy Wagon Medicine Man Show, antique carousel rides, car show, creative vendors and artisans, unique exhibits, model train displays, movie props, live entertainment, food, wine tasting and more!  There is no other family festival quite like this one.  So mark your calendars for one of the biggest events in Ventura County’s little historic town of Fillmore.

On April 26^th, enjoy Fillmore & Western’s Steam Railfest pre-party aboard the “Beer, Wine & Blues” train.  Offering beer tasting from Wolf Creek Brewery and wine + hard cider tasting from Reyes Winery.  Appetizers are available for pairing and can be purchased while onboard.  Passengers also have the opportunity to dance and mingle in vintage Pullman dining cars & outdoor flat cars (if weather permits) while a live band performs into the night.

There are weekend scenic, murder mystery, holiday and special event train adventures to choose from all year long.  It’s a step back in time riding on vintage passenger and dining cars through the scenic Santa Clara River Valley (aka Heritage Valley).  Not more then 30 – 40 minutes from Ventura off Hwy 126.”

Visit fwry.com for tickets ands information or call 805-524-2546

Groups of 25 or more can get 10% off most excursions.