9th Annual Wish Night Gala Benefiting Make-A-Wish® Tri-Counties in Westlake Village on 2/23/18

Make-A-Wish® Tri-Counties will be hosting its 9th Annual Wish Night gala celebrating the power of a wish to inspire hope, strength and joy to courageous children battling life-threatening medical conditions. This year’s event will be held 5:30-10 p.m. on February 23, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency in Westlake Village.

A special program highlight is the opportunity for guests to personally help make wishes come true through Fund-A-Wish. The evening also features heartfelt wish stories, a plated dinner, a wine wall, live music and silent and live auctions.

Make-A-Wish® Tri-Counties has granted over 1,500 wishes for local children throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties since 1985. . For tickets and/or sponsorship information, visit tri-counties.wish.org.

"My Father's Dragon" Family Show at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza on Sat, January 20th

Embark on an adventure with My Father’s Dragon at the Bank of America Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Fred Kavli Theatre, Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.

Based on Ruth Stiles Gannett’s beloved, award-winning and best-selling Dragon trilogy, Enchantment Theatre Company’s My Father’s Dragon features talking animals, flying dragons and buried treasure! Elmer sets off on a daring adventure to rescue a baby dragon being held captive by the ferocious animals of Wild Island. With pluck and ingenuity Elmer makes his way to the island, outwits the wild animals and saves Boris, the dragon. But can they find their way back home? Using life-size puppets, expressive masks, magical scenic effects and original music, Enchantment brings to life this remarkable tale that reminds us all that we are never too young to make a difference.

The Enchantment Theatre Company awakens imaginations of every age with its whimsical telling of new and classic fables, myths and legends. For this production, they bring to vivid life a story that has been honored by Newbery and the American Library Association, named among the top 100 books for children by the School Library Journal, and is celebrating its 70th anniversary of publication in 2018. With “delightfully logical nonsense, appealing characters, and irrepressible humor,” (the New York Times), the production is a tale of derring-do and laughter, too. 

Single tickets are priced at $29-$19 with group discounts available. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, online at www.ticketmaster.com (or more specifically, THIS LINK) or through the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Box Office, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard. For more information call 805-449-ARTS (2787) or visit www.civicartsplaza.com.

Conejo Valley Community Concert & Jazz Bands Spring Concert on Sunday, March 4, 2018

The Conejo Valley Community Concert and Jazz Bands present their Spring 2018 Concert at Lindero Canyon Middle School, 5844 Larboard Lane, Agoura Hills, on Sunday, March 4 at 4pm. Free admission. For more information, call 858.597.7361. ci.agoura-hills.ca.us

Opera by the Glass Presents "Anna Bolena" at Museum of Ventura County on 11/17, 11/19

Opera by the Glass Presents a Thrilling Immersive Production of Donizetti’s Tragic Masterpiece, Anna Bolena, at the Museum of Ventura County on Friday, November 17, and Sunday, November 19, 2017

Artists collective Opera by the Glass will present its contemporary interpretation of Gaetano Donizetti’s historical masterpiece, Anna Bolena, sponsored by the Museum of Ventura County for two special performances on Friday, November 17 (8:00pm), and Sunday, November 19, 2017 (5:00pm).

Anna Bolena, a thrilling bel canto opera in two acts, recounts the final days of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of England's notorious King Henry VIII, once he had lost interest in her and ruthlessly moved on to Jane Seymour. The fast-paced immersive experience is staged in the museum’s exquisite Martin V. & Martha K. Smith Pavilion, which is punctuated with striking walls of glass and river rock. Anna Bolena features first-rate Ventura-based artists in collaboration with performers from outside the area who have appeared in regional, national, and international productions.

Anna Bolena is widely considered the strongest of Donizetti's three "Tudor queen" operas, noted for its inspired music and fully realized characters. Donizetti’s original opera was over 3 hours in duration. For this production, Opera by the Glass has carefully trimmed the work down to a more palatable 2-hour length. The high-quality production will be presented in its original Italian with English supertitles.

The Friday, November 17th performance of Anna Bolena starts at 8:00pm and the Sunday, November 19th performance starts at 5:00pm, running for 2 hours and 20 minutes (2 hours of performance + a 20-minute intermission). Seating is arranged to resemble a royal court with the performers activating the space for an immersive, intimate experience; complimentary wine and light refreshments will be available for those seated at tables. VIP “King” front row tables for 4 are $300, “Queen” tables for 4 are $250, “Court” tables for 4 are $150, and single seats behind the tables are $30. Adding seats to tables is not possible. Tickets are available for purchase in advance at bolena.bpt.me. Minimum age is 16.

The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street, Ventura. Plenty of street and metered parking is available near the venue. For additional information, visit the Facebook event page: https://oby.tg/FBAnnaEvEnt. Or direct questions to (805) 665-3651 / hello@operabytheglass.org. Opera by the Glass is also on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

More info:

Hana Chelberg is featured in the challenging role of “Anne Boleyn,” the ambitious, doomed Tudor queen, as she languishes in anxiety, confusion, and eventual madness while facing execution (remedial spoiler: she’s totally a goner). Dianna Burdick plays the conflicted “Jane Seymour,” who replaced Anne in the king’s affections. Luvi Avendano is “Lord Rochefort,” Anne’s brother, with whom she was accused of having an incestuous relationship. “Lord Percy,” Anne’s former love, is played by Alex Rodin Mendoza. Sally Rose Bates, as Anne’s page “Mark Smeaton,” and Ricardo Mota, as court official “Sir Hervey,” round out the cast.

Additional members of Henry’s treacherous court are characterized by an ever-present chorus of eavesdroppers and spies. Covers and ensemble members include Constance von Briesen-Kamm, Rosa Chang, Grace Kim, Rachel Labovitch, Jessie Missouri, and Esteban Pérez. The production also features a 14-piece live orchestra of area musicians.

Anna Bolena will be staged with a blend of traditional and modern aesthetics in the Museum of Ventura County’s Martin V. & Martha K. Smith Pavilion, a state of the art event space in the heart of historic downtown Ventura. Audience seating will be arranged around a theatrical “runway” in blatantly hierarchical, courtly fashion with tables configured by ticket price. The best seats, with the closest access to the performers, will go to those with the most power and influence (i.e., money). As they perform, players in sumptuous costumes will filter through the audience in the impressive space, offering an immersive experience as the action unfolds all around.

Anna Bolena is the first live performing arts production to be staged in the museum. While not entirely historically accurate, the production should appeal not only to diehard opera fans, but also to history buffs, political junkies, cultural adventurers, and music lovers seeking an accessible way to dip their toes into the often-pretentious world of opera.

In addition to serving as Artistic Director for Opera by the Glass, Zeffin Quinn Hollis also directs Anna Bolena. Timothy León is the Music Director and Conductor. Robert Chelberg is an Executive Consultant.

Opera by the Glass –
Launched in 2016, Opera by the Glass is a community of singers, directors, and musicians devoted to providing fantastic immersive opera experiences for contemporary audiences in non-traditional yet spectacular spaces in Ventura County and beyond. The concept is part of a new breed of intimate opera companies and grass roots arts organizations that strip away rigid performance paradigms to offer accessible and affordable opera in casual settings that are enjoyable and easy-to-follow by a wide audience. Anna Bolena is the second opera staged by Opera by the Glass. The organization’s sold-out inaugural production of Bellini’s The Sleepwalker (2016) met critical acclaim and enthusiastic local audiences last November.

10th Annual Scott Medlock-Robby Krieger Celebrity Golf Tourney and All Star Rock Concert on August 27-28, 2017

The 10th annual Scott Medlock-Robby Krieger Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament Benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and 19th Hole Festivities are planned for Monday, August 28, 2017 at the North Ranch Country Club and All Star Rock & Roll Concert featuring Robby Krieger of The Doors and other rock legends is planned for Sunday, August 27 at 5:30pm at Saddlerock Ranch in Malibu.

Internationally renowned Sports Artist Scott Medlock and the Legendary Guitarist for THE DOORS Robby Krieger are excited to host the event.

After completing play for the day, all golfers are invited to the 19th Hole Festivities for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres hosted by some of the best local restaurants, golf awards,

All proceeds from the event will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, one of the largest pediatric research hospitals in the world. 

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other deadly diseases. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, and food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. 

To learn more and buy tickets to both events, visit www.TheMedlockKrieger.com 

Indoor Community Flea Market at Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center on 12/9/17

The Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center is hosting an Indoor Community Flea Market on Saturday, December 9, 2017 from 7am to 2pm at 27040 Malibu Hills Rd, Agoura Hills. Enjoy food trucks and up to 30 vendors showcasing antiques, jewelry, clothing and other household items. Call 818.880.2993 for more information. ahccc.org

Ventura County Animal Services to Host Movie Nights Under the Stars 7/15, 22, 29

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ShelterLife is a nine-part documentary about Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS).

BINGE-WATCH all 9 Episodes This Summer!

Episodes 1 - 3 Saturday, July 15th, 2017, 8:00pm - 9:30pm

HERITAGE SQUARE - 715 South A. Street, Oxnard

Episodes 4 - 6 Saturday, July 22nd, 2017, 8:00pm - 9:30pm

CAMARILLO PREMIUM OUTLETS - 740 E. Ventura Blvd., Camarillo (Next to Chipotle.)

Episodes 7 - 9 Saturday, July 29th, 2017, 8:00pm - 9:30pm

SIMI VALLEY TOWN CENTER - 1555 Simi Town Center Way, Simi Valley

(Park near Marshall's. Event is next to Charming Charlies.)

vcas.us/ShelterLife

Stars and Stripes Fireworks Festival in Simi Valley July 3rd and 4th, 2017

NOTE: The VC Star reported in January 2018 that the Rotary Club of Simi Valley will no longer be hosting the annual fireworks show as it has done for the last 48 years.  The city and park district both contribute to the annual show and a new host is being sought.

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The Rotary Club of Simi Valley and co-sponsors City of Simi Valley and Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District are upping the ante this 2017 Independence Day by hosting a two day Stars and Stripes Festival on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4, 2017.

The festival opens on Monday, July 3rd from 3pm until 10pm with carnival rides and live music. Admission is $5 entry on Monday with ages 5 and under free. $20 carnival ride wristband is good for all day unlimited rides. Active military with ID free entry.

On Tuesday, July 4th, the festival continues from noon to 10pm and admission is free this day. $20 wristbands will be available for all day unlimited carnival rides. Pie eating contest at 1pm. Robert Singer's Performing Dogs at 2pm. Live music starts at 2:45pm. Flyover by vintage aircraft at 6pm. Fireworks at 9pm. Food vendors, food trucks, craft beers, wine garden and other vendors on hand.

Location: Rancho Santa Susana Community Park 5005 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley

Bring blanket and chairs, then dance and enjoy!

Visit starsandstripesfireworksfestival.org for more information.

2017 California Beer Festival in Ventura the Weekend of September 15-17

The California Beer Festival (CBF) returns to Ventura County the weekend of September 15-17, 2017 at Mission Park in Ventura.

FOOD & BEER PAIRING
Friday, September 15, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Start your weekend off at CBF's Food & Beer Pairing Competition! Local Chefs pair with Local Breweries for an Exclusive Tasting Event!  This VIP event includes unlimited access to samples of chef specials, carefully paired with a brewery and topped off with live music.  Savor the memories made with the CBF Family with your (1) CBF souvenir pint glass! You must be 21 years of age or older to attend.

CRAFT BEER HEAVEN
Saturday, September 16, 12:30 – 5:00 pm

Saturday's Craft Beer Heaven is THE event for any new or seasoned craft beer enthusiast! Expand your mind and palate as you sample from over 85 craft beers on tap, live music, flavorful food and Bocce Ball!  Ticket holders will receive access to Live Entertainment, Food available from vendors, (1) Souvenir glass, and Unlimited Access to 85 Craft Breweries to sample from!

SUNDAY FUNDAY
Sunday, September 17, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Revisit the park on Sunday for SUNDAY FUNDAY!

Bring the family, blankets, and chairs for Sunday Funday in the Park. This event will feature great food, Craft Beer, and an amazing Live Entertainment lineup!  Space is very limited. Kids 12 and under are Free. There is NO beer sampling on Sunday, beer and food will be available for purchase.

Visit www.californiabeerfestival.com/cbf-ventura to learn more and buy tickets!

SummerFest 3000 Meter Run in Ventura on Saturday, June 3, 2017

The SummerFest 3000 Meter Run will take place on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at the Ventura Unified School District facility at 255 W. Stanley Ave, Ventura. Fast out and back course along the Ventura-Ojai bike path starting at 8am. This is a friendly low key event to encourage our youth to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle. Entry fees kept at a minimum to encourage participation. Entry for kids is free. Race shirts and awards will not be given, however, the event will be timed and. elementary and middle school entrants will receive finishers' medals. All proceeds from this event go to the Ventura Education Partnership. Visit www.vendurance.com/events/upcoming-races to learn more and register.