Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers

Joy – Netflix
4 out of 4 palm trees

“Joy” shares the extraordinary true story of the brilliant British team that was responsible for the birth of the world’s first in vitro fertilization (IVF) baby, Louise Joy Brown, in 1978. Biologist Robert “Bob” Edwards (James Norton) was the lead scientist on the project and first hired young nurse and embryologist Jean Purdy (Thomasin McKenzie) as his lab manager at Cambridge in May 1968. Robert was determined to help women who were unable to give birth to their own children and worked with Jean for 10 years, overcoming tremendous obstacles to achieve their visionary dream to actually create a ‘test-tube-baby’.

Surgeon Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy) was the obstetrician for the team, having unique skills in women’s reproductive surgery compared to what was the norm at the time. He used what was referred to as key-hole surgery, laparoscopy, to operate on women instead of making large incisions in the abdomen. Patrick had attempted artificial insemination by placing sperm inside the Fallopian tube, but it hadn’t been successful. Bob believed that the key would be to fertilize the eggs with the sperm outside the body in the lab and then place the fertilized egg back inside.

They all knew that such science was unheard of, and would be scrutinized and chastised by the Church, the state, and the world but they believed that making mothers from childless women would be more strongly supported in the end. The team started working together in January 1969 in a lab at Kershaw’s Hospital in Oldham, where Patrick was a surgeon and had arranged for them to used an old part of the hospital for their research. Twelve women volunteered to be part of the research and were required to have regular hormone injections.

Once news got out to the press, many women contacted the team pleading for the opportunity to bare a child. Fighting the fight for reproductive medicine for women proved to be more difficult than anticipated. Jean was not only told not to go to her church, her own mother told her she was not welcome while doing such research. Jean didn’t quit and actually had something to personally gain as she suffered from endometriosis, which Patrick had done pioneering work to correct.

In August 1970, Bob was finally successful at fertilization, creating seventeen cells in one embryo outside the uterus. In February 1971, the team went to the Medical Research Council to obtain funding and support for their research, but were denied due to the council’s prejudice against women and the team’s controversial new scientific discoveries. They were not deterred, though as they continued they encountered much more negative press from popular newspapers like the Daily Mirror and BBC television. Luckily, they finally had a major breakthrough when one of the women name Rachel actually tested positive on her pregnancy test.

Unfortunately it ended up being and ectopic pregnancy so Rachel would not be able to bring the baby to term, but then another woman named Lauren tested positive. Lauren ended up having a miscarriage to they went back and reviewed their specimens and processes discovering that the fluid they used in mixing the egg and sperm was the problem. This meant that it could actually work with a different fluid, but Jean’s mom became terminally ill and she left the project to take care of her. Jean later discovered that the project fold a few months after she left.

Several years later when Jean’s mother passed, Patrick attended the funeral and Jean shared what she thought had caused them to fail. They got Bob, got back to work and finally succeeded, changing the world forever with the first IVF birth of Louise Joy Brown on July 25, 1978.

Runtime: 1h 55m

by Shirley Lorraine

Mystery is afoot on Santa Paula Stage

To lend layers of intrigue to high farce comedy, the Santa Paula Theater Center now offers Baskerville by Ken Ludwig to finish out their 2024 season.  Ably directed by Taylor Kasch, Baskerville is a slightly wonky adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes mystery Hound of the Baskervilles.

The famous detective Sherlock Holmes, aided by his trusty sidekick, Dr. Watson, take on a case involving a mysterious death, a creepy old mansion, howling dogs and a large cast of oddball characters. Plot and subpolots abound as the two work on unraveling the knots of deceit.

The delightful twist in this mystery is the supporting cast, that of four actors playing numerous roles, frequently changing costumes, wigs and accents. They are wonderful to watch as they add detail and often outrageously silly antics in contrast to the somewhat staid demeanors of Holmes and Watson.

Tom Hall embodies the very picture of the stately Holmes in every way. Dr. Watson, played by Donnie DD Stroud, is suitably awkward at times, playing a near perfect second banana role. The two together somehow manage to play it straight while the four actors create pictures for the audience of Holmes’ thoughts and ruminations.

A creative setting that enables the scenes to evolve from Holmes’ office, to streets, to foggy moors without moving any furniture is a marvel in itself.  Background projections assist the audience in following the rapid action.

The four actors are played by Victoria McGee, Erin Dehorta, Julie Fergus and Cynthia Killion. All are a whirlwind of activity throughout. Each one of them gives a performance to remember with opportunities to improvise as needed. Lots of talent on the Santa Paula stage.

Costuming is clever and simple, allowing the characters to invite the audience in on the jokes their personas display.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself. A few performances are already sold out. Perhaps invite friends and relatives in for the Thanksgiving holiday to join you at a performance for dessert of the best kind – no calories, quite satifying and lots of laugh-filled hi-jinks.

This play is one that could easily be seen several times without catching all the nuances within. Subtle but meaningful actions such as the characters that appear and change as a painting in a window are touches that add to the overall tone of the staging.

Following this production, the Santa Paula Theater Center will be gearing up for a new season of action, with a line-up of staging sure to intrigue and enrich you. Catch this one now.  And don’t forget that season tickets (to any of our wonderful Ventura County theaters) is a wonderful holiday gift for your friends and loved ones.

Baskerville continues through December 15, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. www.santapaulatheatercenter.org or (805)525-4645.

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
Lee – Prime Video

Lee Miller (Kate Winslet) enjoyed her life as a model, but left it behind for what she said she did best – drinking, having sex and taking pictures saying that life was meant to be lived and have fun. In 1938 Lee was in Mougins, France and spent her days at a french villa with a group of friends where she met Roland Penrose (Alexander Skarsgard) and started a romantic relationship. Roland invited her to return to England with him which she opted for instead of returning to Paris with her friends.

In 1940, Lee was living in London with Roland, and though the war was going on in Europe she felt far away from it. Roland was an artist and conscientious objector and was hired to develop camouflage techniques for the war effort. Lee went to Vogue’s London office and asked Audrey Withers for a job as a photographer, but was initially told there was nothing available. This frustrated Lee as she felt it her part in serving the war effort, but shortly after did get the job.

Roland shared with Lee that he had heard that their friends in Paris were going into hiding due to the Nazi occupation, with several of the even joining the resistance, though Lee didn’t know that at the time. Shortly after, the Blitz began in London and the Vogue office was bombed, but sustained minimal damage. Audrey was even more committed to using Vogue as the platform to encourage women to do their part sot support the war effort.

The men were sent to fight in the war, leaving Audrey and Lee to publish Vogue issues with content that best suited them. Months went by as bombs rained down continuously, but Lee went on capturing the war from a woman’s point of view. She caught the eye of Life Magazine photojournalist and war correspondent David Scherman (Andy Samberg), who sought her out and they immediately teamed up together. Lee wanted to highlight women serving near the front lines.

Lee wanted to go to the front lines and realized she would never get authorization from England, but she was American so requested to be a U.S. War correspondent, which she was gladly granted. It was 1944 and Lee was sent to Normandy, France where she was immediately told that women weren’t allowed in press briefing so she dressed as a man and attended the meeting but was caught. Though she was told women could not be in combat, she was eventually sent to the front lines where she met up with David. Lee photographed many autocracies of war in Europe and when Paris was liberated in 1944 she was able to find several of her friends who survived.

In 1945, Lee went with David to the German Border to try to solve the mystery of where thousands of people had disappeared after being taken away on trains. They traveled several months and hundreds of miles throughout Germany and began to witness the true horrors of war saying “once you’ve scene it, you can never unsee it.“ It was during this time that she took her iconic photo of herself posing defiantly in Hitler’s private bathtub.

Unfortunately, Vogue decided the images were too graphic and didn’t print them but wanted to preserve them for history and sent them to New York hoping the American Vogue would print them, which they did in 1945. Today Lee Miller is regarded as one of the greatest war correspondents of our time. Her photographs of the concentration camps remain among the most significant images ever captured of the Holocaust. Winslet thoroughly embodies the essence of Miller in this intimate portrayal and Samberg is stellar in one of his rare non-comedic roles.

Runtime: 1h 57m

by Shirley Lorraine

Conejo Revives Pajama Game With Zest

Enjoy taking a trip down memory lane? Longing for the sheer fun and frivolity of the musicals we grew up on? Join the fun by attending The Pajama Game, now playing at the Conejo Players Theater through December 1.

The award-winning Broadway musical opened in 1955 to rave reviews. It won Tony awards for best musical and best choreography, marking the beginning of a long and prestigious career for dancer/choreographer Bob Fosse. The story, by George Abbott and Richard Bissell, is a musical adaptation of Bissell’s 1953 book, 7 ½ cents. Music and lyrics were penned by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. Many will instantly recognize such tunes as Hey There (You With the Stars in Your Eyes), Steam Heat, and Hernando’s Hideaway, to name a few.

In 2006 The Pajama Game again hit Broadway stages and garnered the Best Revival of a Musical award. Some may remember the 1957 film starring Doris Day.

Brendan Lynch stars as Sid, a newly hired supervisor for the Sleep-Tite pajama factory. He aims to assist the workers obtain a 7 ½ cent an hour wage hike. He did not figure on falling for the Union’s grievance committee leader, Babe, played by Jordyn Crowley Watts. Dissension in the factory leads to a confrontation which challenges the couple, as well as others.

With a Union strike imminent, plans must be made to turn the situation around. The good guys prevail with much singing and dancing along the way. Romance is restored. Happy ending.

The entire cast, directed by Devery Holmes, is solid throughout. Both Lynch and Watts display their voices and characters with confident clarity. Jeremy Richter as factory boss Hines sings and dances his way to success with finesse. A tap dancing, heartfelt duet with secretary Mabel (Madison Bales) is a standout number. Jordi Klingman plays a Richard Kind reminiscent character whose antics are a comedy highlight. Perky Kris Bramson portrays Gladys, secretary to the big boss Mr. Hasler, played with bluster by Conejo veteran Gary Saxer in this performance. The role is shared with Jay Weber.

Creative and spirited choreography by Miriam Durrie-Kirsch plays beautifully to the era, the skills of the 20-member cast, and the sheer enthusiasm of it all. The well-known Steam Heat dance sequence opening the second act is fresh and embodies the Fosse influence with many signature moves. Well done, ladies!

Costuming by Beth Eslick and Elena Mills is detailed, colorful and adds to the overall picture with style. The multi-piece, often dual-sided, movable set panels allow rapid scene changes, Often the cast is choreographed to assist for smooth transitions.

Donations of all types are being accepted for those affected by the Mountain Fire. New PJ’s, gift cards, cash and more all welcome. Contact the theater or bring to the performance you attend.

The Pajama Game runs through December 1 with performances Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. and Thursday Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. www.conejoplayers.org

by Shirley Lorraine

Conejo Revives Pajama Game With Zest

Enjoy taking a trip down memory lane? Longing for the sheer fun and frivolity of the musicals we grew up on? Join the fun by attending The Pajama Game, now playing at the Conejo Players Theater through December 1.

The award-winning Broadway musical opened in 1955 to rave reviews. It won Tony awards for best musical and best choreography, marking the beginning of a long and prestigious career for dancer/choreographer Bob Fosse. The story, by George Abbott and Richard Bissell, is a musical adaptation of Bissell’s 1953 book, 7 ½ cents. Music and lyrics were penned by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. Many will instantly recognize such tunes as Hey There (You With the Stars in Your Eyes), Steam Heat, and Hernando’s Hideaway, to name a few.

In 2006 The Pajama Game again hit Broadway stages and garnered the Best Revival of a Musical award. Some may remember the 1957 film starring Doris Day.

Brendan Lynch stars as Sid, a newly hired supervisor for the Sleep-Tite pajama factory. He aims to assist the workers obtain a 7 ½ cent an hour wage hike. He did not figure on falling for the Union’s grievance committee leader, Babe, played by Jordyn Crowley Watts. Dissension in the factory leads to a confrontation which challenges the couple, as well as others.

With a Union strike imminent, plans must be made to turn the situation around. The good guys prevail with much singing and dancing along the way. Romance is restored. Happy ending.

The entire cast, directed by Devery Holmes, is solid throughout. Both Lynch and Watts display their voices and characters with confident clarity. Jeremy Richter as factory boss Hines sings and dances his way to success with finesse. A tap dancing, heartfelt duet with secretary Mabel (Madison Bales) is a standout number. Jordi Klingman plays a Richard Kind reminiscent character whose antics are a comedy highlight. Perky Kris Bramson portrays Gladys, secretary to the big boss Mr. Hasler, played with bluster by Conejo veteran Gary Saxer in this performance. The role is shared with Jay Weber.

Creative and spirited choreography by Miriam Durrie-Kirsch plays beautifully to the era, the skills of the 20-member cast, and the sheer enthusiasm of it all. The well-known Steam Heat dance sequence opening the second act is fresh and embodies the Fosse influence with many signature moves. Well done, ladies!

Costuming by Beth Eslick and Elena Mills is detailed, colorful and adds to the overall picture with style. The multi-piece, often dual-sided, movable set panels allow rapid scene changes, Often the cast is choreographed to assist for smooth transitions.

Donations of all types are being accepted for those affected by the Mountain Fire. New PJ’s, gift cards, cash and more all welcome. Contact the theater or bring to the performance you attend.

The Pajama Game runs through December 1 with performances Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. and Thursday Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. www.conejoplayers.org

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

We’re fully into fall and with it one’s inability to decide whether to dress warmly or not. My go to solution is always layers, where I either end up with a couple items tied around my waist, or they’re forgotten and left behind on the back of a chair. It’s never easy deciding how to dress for live music when the stage is outdoors such as at Margarita Villa and Tony’s Pizzeria, but luckily, they do provide those heat lamps where you’ll typically find me basking in their warmth.

Mid November tends to be a little slower with no large events (indoors or out), as people start to gear up for the holidays. One unofficial holiday is Friendsgiving where you celebrate with friends rather than family. Around town several venues provide live music the Wednesday before Thanksgiving giving you a chance to preemptively decompress so you’re ready to face the family the next day. A number of venues already provide live music on Wednesdays but a few are stepping up such as Tony’s Pizzeria with Johnny Knows No One, Duke’s with Erik Lemaire and TD Lind & the Aviators will play Ojai Valley Brewery. You find more in the next issue of the Breeze.

Meanwhile, the Rubicon Theater helps to ring in the holidays on Saturday, November 16, with a concert featuring Golden Globe Award winner Amanda McBroom (The Rose) as she celebrates her first ever holiday album Wintersong. You’ll enjoy such holiday favorites as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” Dan Fogelberg’s “Just Auld Lang Syne” and a number of originals. You can find out more and secure your tickets at RubiconTheatre.org.

If you love to dance, and by dance, I mean real dancing such as the foxtrot, waltz, swing, salsa, etc…, then I hope you’re aware of a little gem here in Ventura called the House of Dance located on Bunsen Avenue (off Victoria by the Buenaventura Golf Course). Not only do they provide classes, but the Channel Cities Jazz Club holds a monthly Sunday afternoon session with a live band. This month they’re featuring The Groovin’ Easy Big Band on Sunday afternoon, November 17 (Donations $15 non-members; $10 for members). For more information about House of Dance go to pmhouseofdance.com.

Quick Notes: Leonid & Friends perform a tribute to the band Chicago at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Friday, November 15; Kimberly Ford returns to the Grape featuring the music of Joni Mitchell in Dreamland on Saturday, November 16; Ventura Theater has Caifances for two nights on Saturday, November 16 and Sunday, November 17; Sitting on Stacy opens for the Expendables at the Ventura Music Hall on Friday, November 22; and Fido plays Bombay’s on Saturday, November 23.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

For more listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com

Aqua Beachfront Bar (Crowne Plaza)
450 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Wednesdays: Big Adventure Duo

Boatyard Pub
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Music 6-9; except Thurs 4-9
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery (4 pm ); Bluegrass Jam (6:30 pm)
Fri 11/15: Epitome of Dreams
Sat 11/16: Déjà vu Three
Fri 11/22: Mack and D
Sat 11/23: Karen Eden and the Bad Apples

Bombay Bar and Grill
143 S. California St., Ventura
Thursdays: Ventura Blues Night
Sun 11/17: Heart and Soul
Sat 11/23: Fido
Sun 11/24: Shawn Jones

Café Fiore
66 California St., Ventura
Wed 11/13: Donna Butler
Fri 11/15: Instone
Wed 11/20: Fabulous Hangovers
Fri 11/22: High Revival
Sat 11/23: Cinnamon Whiskey

Cantara Cellars
126 Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 11/15: Whiskey Business
Sat 11/16: Stone Soul
Fri 11/22: Caliente 805
Sat 11/23: Brandon Ragan Project

Copper Blues
591 Collection Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 11/15: The Moon Jays
Sat 11/16: Caliente Band 805
Fri 11/22: Channel Groove
Sat 11/23: Living Loving Led

Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai
Fri 11/15: Jess Bush, Tod Weidner, Jacob Cole
Sun 11/17: Par Avion
Wed 11/20: AJJ, Sewerbitch
Fri 11/22: Little Wings

Duke’s Beach Grill
1124 S. Seaward Ave., Ventura
Sat 11/16: VIP
Sat 11/23: Red Rhythm

Feros Ferio Winery
310 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Wednesdays: Hump Day Jams
Sun 11/10: Two Tossers (3:30 pm); Raynes (7 pm)

Four Brix
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
Fri 11/15: Inna Rude Mood
Sun 11/17: Mack and D
Fri 11/22: Colette Lovejoy Band

Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Fri 11/15: Breaking Bored
Sat 11/16: The Renegades
Fri 11/22: Doc Rogers Band
Sat 11/23: Monsters of Pop, Ooo Wee Ooos

The Grape
2733 E. Main St., Ventura
Tuesdays: The Gratitude Jazz Jam
Wed 11/13: TD Lind and the Aviators
Thurs 11/14: Josh Brown’s Blakey Sextet
Fri 11/15: Kait Dunton & Co.
Sat 11/16: Jeff Dale (2p); Dreamland feat. Kimberly Ford (8p)
Wed 11/20: Morganfield Burnett, Katie Skene
Thurs 11/21: Kristina Aglinz Band
Fri 11/22: SicNarf
Sat 11/23: RJ Mischo & Friends (2p); CTRL+Z (8p)

House of Dance
3007 Bunsen Ave., Ventura
Sun 11/17: The Groovin’ Easy Big Band

Keynote
10245 Telephone Rd., Ventura
Thursdays: Open Mic
Fri 11/15: Steph’s Rockin’ Roadshow
Fri 11/22: 33 Thunder
Sat 11/23: Wildside

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Fri 11/15: Dylan Cunningham
Sat 11/16: Dead & Kickin’
Sun 11/17: Boom Duo
Fri 11/22: Adrian Floy & THC
Sat 11/23: Heavy Rotation

Lester Family Cellars
4522 Market St., Ventura
Sat 11/16: Teresa Russell

Lucky Fool’s Pub
75 E. High St., Moorpark
Sat 11/23: Doc & Pete

Magnavino Cellars
961 Rice Ave., Oxnard
Fri 11/15: Decadent Decades
Sat 11/16: Adam & Sam (2p); Ignition (7p)
Sun 11/17: Doc Rogers
Fri 11/22: Midlife Crisis
Sat 11/23: Teresa Russell

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Sat 11/16: Caifances
Sun 11/17: Caifances
Tues 11/19: Lucero
Fri 11/22: Alex Fernandez Jr and Majo Aguilar
Tues 11/26: Nekromantix, NIIS

Manhattan
5800 Santa Rosa Rd., Camarillo
Wed 11/13: Mary White
Fri 11/15: Tony Maddox
Sat 11/16: Jeanne Tatum Trio
Sun 11/17: Robert Van
Wed 11/20: Robert Van
Thurs 11/21: Sinatra Tribute
Fri 11/22: Jeanne Tatum Trio
Sat 11/23: Otis Hayes Trio
Sun 11/24: Robert Van

Margarita Villa
1567 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Fri 11/15: Colette Lovejoy Band
Sat 11/16: Operation 90s
Sun 11/17: Los Amigos
Fri 11/22: Keyth Garcia
Sat 11/23: Crosscut 805
Sun 11/24: CRV

Mrs. Olson’s
2800 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sat 11/16: Shaky Feelin’
Sun 11/17: Teresa Russell
Fri 11/22: Kyle Smith

Namba
47 S. Oak St., Ventura
Fri 11/22: The Listening Room
Sat 11/23: Whole Hog

Ojai Underground Exchange
616 Pearl St., Ojai
Thurs 11/21: Ray Bonneville & Richie Lawrence

Ojai Valley Brewing
307 Bryant St., Ojai
Sat 11/23: Nautical Thrust

Onyx Bistro
2390 Las Posas Rd., Camarillo
Fri 11/15: Jack Keough
Sat 11/16: Vinny Berry
Fri 11/22: Ray Jaurique Trio

Oxnard Performing Arts Center
800 Hobson Way, Oxnard
Fri 11/15: Leonid & Friends
Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
2209 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Tuesdays: Danny D

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri & Sat 7:30 pm; Sundays 2 pm
Fri 11/15: Cinnamon Whiskey
Sat 11/16: On Tap
Fri 11/22: CRV
Sat 11/23: Vinyl Gypsies

Ric’s
2500 Las Posas Rd., Camarillo
Tuesdays: Tour Support

Rubicon Theatre
1006 Main St., Ventura
Sat 11/16: Amanda McBroom

Sam’s Place
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Fri 11/22: Razzberry Jam Band

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Fri 11/15: Lowered Expectations

Seaward Brewing
1920 Goodyear Ave., Ventura
Sun 11/24: Teresa Russell

The Shores
1031 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Wednesdays: Jake McClelland
Fri 11/15: Whiskey Stone
Sat 11/16: Lil Bit of Everything
Fri 11/22: Funkosaurus Rex
Sat 11/23: Pull the Trigger

The Sportsman
4426 Central Ave., Camarillo
Sun 11/24: Swing Shift

Strey Cellars
951 N. Rice Ave., Oxnard
Sat 11/16: Vinyl Gypsies
Sun 11/17: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 11/23: Mirage, unplugged
Sun 11/24: Caught Red Handed

Taqueria Jalisco Restaurant
4275 Tierra Rejada Rd., Moorpark
Tuesdays and Fridays: Jim Friery

Tony’s Pizzeria
186 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Fri 11/15: Wildside Rain
Sun 11/17: Wildside Rain

Topa Institute
9739 N. Ojai Rd., Ojai
Sat 11/23: Mary Lattimore with Walt McClements

Topa Topa Brewing
4880 Colt St., Ventura
Sun 11/24: Trivle Omdobble
Tues 11/26: Ventura Music James

Topa Topa Brewing
104 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Fri 11/15: Gianna Bella
Sat 11/23: Trevor Beld Jimenez and Land n Sea

Twist on Main
454 E. Main St., Ventura
Sat 11/16: Cyamak Ashtiani (1p); Joe Delia (4p); Brandywine Buskers (8p)
Sun 11/17: Will Dickerson (1p); Ginsu x Sterosity (5p)
Sat 11/23: Charlotte Dickson (1p); Morrison Drive (4p); Shaky Feelin’ (8p)
Sun 11/24: Ronda Ray (1p); Hot Roux (5p)

Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunter, Lowered Expectations
Wed 11/13: Up Country
Fri 11/15: Heart and Soul
Wed 11/20: Tribal Me

Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Fri 11/15: Letters to Cleo, Party Nails
Sun 11/17: Mad Caddies, Authority Zero, Belvedere
Fri 11/22: The Expendables, Sitting on Stacy
Sat 11/23: Big Head Todd and the Monsters

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Fri 7 pm; Sat 2 pm; Sun 2 pm
Fri 11/15: Bobby, Finn & Dave
Sat 11/16: Mack and D
Sun 11/17: Miss Bix & the Nervous Tix
Fri 11/22: Steve and Sally Williams
Sat 11/23: San Roque Trio
Sun 11/24: Delta by the Beach

1901 Speakeasy
740 S. B St., Oxnard
Fri 11/22: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
My Old Ass – Prime Video

When talking about her life, Elliott (Maisy Stella) expressed not wanting to get stuck being a third generation cranberry farmer in her hometown of 300 people, and was looking forward to moving to Toronto for the exciting life of the city and going to school. “My Old Ass” puts a fresh spin on a familiar story line where due to some cosmic event 18 year old Elliott comes into contact with her future 39 year old self (Aubrey Plaza) and has a transformative experience altering her direction in life and the relationships with her friends and family.

Elliott decided for her 18^th birthday she wanted a camp out with her best friends Ro and Ruthie before she left at the end of summer. They got a bag of hallucinogenic mushrooms, which none of them had taken before, and then set out in their small boat for Maude Island to setup camp, make some tea and see what happens. Ro said she felt like grooving and danced off into the woods and Ruthie fell motionless off the log she was laying on, but Elliott said she wasn’t feeling anything.

Suddenly someone sitting next to her said “that’s because you don’t tolerate drugs well” starling her. Elliott questioned if the person worked for her dad, or if she was god, but she said “No” to those and replied “I’m you, 39 year old you”. Elliott said that wasn’t possible, pointing out the slight gap in Older Elliott’s front teeth. Older Elliott responded that she needed to wear her retainer. To prove she was really Older Elliott she lifted up her shirt to reveal a scar on her chest she got from an injury when she was young the Elliott definitely recognized.

Elliott asked Older Elliott to share something from the future that could later make them rich, but Older Elliott was concerned about the implications of changing the past. Elliott asked Older Elliott to at least share one thing from her future, and though initially pausing told Elliott to avoid anyone with the name Chad. Elliott didn’t know anyone with the name Chad at the time and was gay and had only dated women. Older Elliott told Elliott that she needed to be nicer to her mom and pay more attention to her brothers, and that she should spend more time with the family.

Elliott went to the river alone to skinny dip and cool off. Suddenly a guy’s head popped up from under the water right in front of her and told her his name was Chad (Percy Hynes White). Elliott panicked and on her phone found a new contact “MY OLD ASS”, so sent a text saying “I met Chad.” and shockingly received a text telling her “Don’t go there”. Older Elliott reminded Elliott to spend time with the family and started giving Elliott regular advice on things happening in her life.

Older Elliott told Elliott to not have sex with him, though she continued to spend time with Chad. Then Elliott and Chad met up again at the river and Chad asked Elliott for her to take him for a ride in his boat. She said the boat wasn’t working and Chad offered to fix it. Chad was very charming and nice, and their chemistry grew every time they were around each other. They spent the day on her boat together playing like children, eventually ending up seeking shelter from a storm and actually having sex, though it was the first time Elliott had ever been with a guy.

When Elliott got Older Elliot appeared from behind a tree and when Elliott pushed Older Elliott to explain why she needed to stay away from Chad, Older Elliott told her Chad dies and she experiences more heartache than imaginable. Now Elliott had to choose what to do with what she knew about her future and whether or not to risk the definite outcome of broken heart with Chad.

Plaza’s sharp wit and performance as the wisecracking Older Elliott is thoroughly entertaining.

Runtime: 1h 29m

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
Woman of the Hour – Netflix

“Woman of the Hour” is based on a true story about struggling actress Sheryl Bradshaw (Anna Kendrick) who got involved with serial killer Rodney Alcala (Daniel Zovatto) after meeting on the popular 70s TV game show “The Dating Game”. For years Alcala crimes had been reported to law enforcement by survivors and other private citizens without consequence. Anna Kendrick also directed the movie and created a great portrayal of the culture of sexism and misogyny in the 70s.

Alcala would pose a photographer looking for vulnerable young women and would lure them out to remote areas for photo shoots then strangle or suffocate them, bring them back to life through CPR and then rape and kill them. In 1977 Alcala was visited by the police at the Los Angeles Times where he worked as a photographer, who questioned him but were fooled by his charisma.

Most of the auditions Sheryl went on wanted her to do nude scenes and talked down to her for refusing. Sheryl was contacted by her agent who had booked her a no-audition guest spot on “The Dating Game” TV show in 1978. Sheryl felt it was beneath her but knew the show could give her some much needed exposure and boost her visibility in Hollywood.

Sheryl had to read pre-written questions from cue cards, but they were very sexist in nature. The makeup artist encouraged Sheryl to be herself, as she wasn’t on a sitcom or would be around to be reprimanded, so Sheryl made her own questions for the second part of the show. Things flowed much better and Sheryl was a hit with the audience. She chose number three, but was warned by number two to watch out for him when he hugged her before leaving.

While they were filming the show, a woman in the audience recognized Alcala and fled the station, knocking over some studio equipment as she left. She had been at a beach party Alcala attended where a good friend of hers was murdered. She knew something was off about Alcala and felt guilty for leaving early. She had even given the police a description, but when she tried to tell her boyfriend he questioned her saying that if she wasn’t absolutely sure she shouldn’t say anything.

She reported to a network security guard that she thought number three was the man that raped and murdered her friend, asking to speak to an executive. She was left in an office and told she would be meeting with series producer George Elliot, but George was actually the janitor and while waiting in the office for George the show ended and Alcala had left. Later her boyfriend apologized and went with her to the police department, but the detective she saw just blew her off.

Sheryl and Alcala won a trip to Carmel, so after the show they went to dinner to learn more about each other. He made her feel uncomfortable and she tried to end the dinner, but he walked out with her. Alcala asked for her number but she gave him a wrong number and when he confronted her she said she was not going anywhere with him. As Sheryl turned to walk away, Alcala mentioned bashing her head in under his breath. She headed to her car but he followed her and caught her before she could get in but some guys came out the door so he walked away.

On February 14, 1979, a teenage runaway escaped Rodney Alcala by asking him to keep the encounter a secret. While awaiting trial he was released on bail. Once freed he murdered a 21 year old woman and a 12 year old girl. Alcala was rearrested in 1979. Only then did the authorities begin to uncover the scope of his crimes. He was eventually convicted of the murders of seven women and girls. Some authorities estimate that the true number of victims to be as high as 130.

Runtime: 1h 29m