16 minute read
Happenings
Happenings includes community events, meetings, classes, resources, needs and Arts Listings. To submit an item for inclusion email to: happenings@vcreporter.com
THURSDAY
CONTAGION! “THE BLACK DEATH IN THE
LATE MIDDLE AGES” | 7-8:30 p.m. The COVID19 pandemic renewed interest in the global history of infectious diseases. This year’s lecture History Lecture Series presented by Cal Lutheran History Department faculty and other experts focuses on different periods in world history when societies faced pandemics and their consequences. In the first lecture, assistant professor of history Samuel Claussen, Ph.D., will address the bubonic plague and its impact on the late Middle Ages, from the 14th to the 16th centuries. The pandemic resulted in cultural and economic crises and transformed medieval European society and culture. Admission is free, but registration is required at bit.ly/3j2S2oh.
FRIDAY
BUSINESS AT BREAKFAST | 8 a.m. This online meeting will discuss key business updates for Camarillo and Oxnard with staff members from the City of Camarillo’s planning department and economic development offices of Camarillo and the city of Oxnard. Hosted by the West Ventura County Business Alliance. Register online at: https://bit.ly/38PSZeW
CONCERT FOR THE CATS | 5 p.m. This benefit concert raising funds for America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College brings Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter John Ondrasik to the local stage for a one time performance. Proceeds from the show will fund the finishing touches on a new, larger habitat for the two large Bengal tigers, Neil and Karma, who live at the Moorpark College facility. General Admission (assigned seating) tickets are $65, lawn seating is $55. VIP tickets are $125 for a pre-show meet and greet and photo op with Ondrasik, a zoo tour with animal interactions and more. VCCCD students with ID and kids 15 and under are $25. Tickets available online at: https://bit.ly/3tnOcLf website. Moorpark College Campus Quad, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark. Zoo.moorparkcollege.edu
TEEN FALL ART PROGRAM | 6-9 p.m.,
Fridays, Sept. 10 - Dec. 17. This fun program for ages 13 to 18 is taught by professional artists Gabriel Islas and Jem Morris. Skills in technique and concept development will be highlighted along with exploring what it means to be an artist. Students will create their own artwork, with support as needed and instruction in a variety of mediums. $400 (payment plan allowed and scholarships available). All materials provided. (Other classes offered for all ages, check website for details). Vita Art Center, 28 W. Main Street, Ventura. https://www.vitaartcenter.com/ new-products/teen-art-program
FORUM TO EXAMINE CRITICAL RACE THEORY
| 7 p.m. via Zoom. This online community forum will examine the myths and truths of Critical Race Theory. Critics say it is anti-American, others say it supports critical thinking skills key for a strong democracy. CRT is an academic discipline that has recently become a hot button issue sparking protests and state laws banning it from the classroom. During this forum two educators will define CRT and discuss its place in classrooms and why it’s important. Presenters are Dr. Theresa Montaño, a professor Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies, Cal State Northridge, and Guadalupe Carrasco Cardona, an ethnic studies, social studies and journalism educator for 21 years, currently at the Roybal Learning Center in Los Angeles and an adjunct lecturer at California State University Long Beach. The forum is part of the Chalice Community Forum program of Chalice Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Conejo Valley and is co-sponsored by Clergy and Laity United for Economic JusticeVentura County. Register online for Zoom link at: forum.chaliceuu.org. For information, contact Randall Edwards by e-mail at forum@chaliceuu. org or through the church office at (805) 498-9548. www.chaliceuu.org.
ARTS UNDER THE STARS | 5-10 p.m. The annual fundraising gala dinner, auction and concert benefiting the High Street Arts Center in Moorpark is back with Mark Wood and the Parrot Head Band, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band that actually opened for Buffett. Proceeds benefit the arts center. A portion of the evening will be dedicated to raising funds for the Ventura County Fire Department Widows and Orphans Fund. Cocktails and silent action start at 5 p.m, dinner is served at 6 p.m. with the live auction kicking off at 7 p.m. Concert starts at 8 p.m. $95 per ticket, available online at: https://bit.ly/3hbIozx High Street Arts Center, 45 E. High Street, Moorpark.
SATURDAY
12TH ANNUAL VENTURA ART AND STREET PAINTING FESTIVAL | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.,
Sept. 11-12. This popular festival returns to the Ventura Harbor Village. FREE admission and FREE parking. Come stroll the dozens of amazing chalk paintings from talented street artists while shopping, dining and enjoying the harbor sights. Some proceeds from the festival will benefit FOOD Share of Ventura County and Boys and Girls Club of Ventura County. Keep an eye out for the curated boat scene painted by Lorelle Miller, inspired by Ventura’s coast. Another favorite artist is Rod Tyron, with 34 years of chalk art making around the world including Hong King, Dubai and Egypt. Families - don’t miss the Children’s Chalk Area where you can purchase a street space and chalk for the whole family to get involved in art making. For more information, please visit www. venturaartfestival.com or view their Instagram @ venturaartandstpainting. Ventura Harbor Village, 1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, CA.
INTRO TO JEWELRY DESIGN AND METALSMITHING | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.,
Saturdays through Oct. 16. This six session class is limited to six students and will explore the basics of metalsmithing through jewelry making. Learn the basics of sawing, filing and soldering and explore stamping, hammering and finishing. Students will complete the course with finished pieces, and a solid foundation in metalsmithing. $210, 6 sessions, all materials are included. The class is held outdoors. Registration is online at www.vitaartcenter.com. Vita Art Center, 28 W. Main Street, Ventura.
ARTISAN MARKET | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Enjoy exploring and finding a unique must have from vendors with handmade jewelry, candles, home decor and more. At the Park View Court, The Collection, 2751 Parkview Ct., Oxnard.
PET FAIR ADOPTION EVENT | 11 a.m. - 3
p.m. Sept. 11-12. Pet Food Express is hosting its annual pet fair and adoption event virtually all month long in September and in person on Sept. 11-12 at certain locations. Animal Hope and Wellness, local non-profit organization will be managing the adoption event bringing over 10 dogs, puppies, cats and kittens and sometimes unique species like doves and pigeons. Pet Food Express, 1330 N Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks.
THE CAPOEIRA RODA | 7 p.m., every second Friday, starting Sept. 10. Like music? Like to dance? Want to have fun? Try Capoeira. This Brazilian martial art is wildly popular and sometimes involved inverted kicks with hands on the ground. Some learn with Capoeira Batuque Ventura at the Bell Arts Factory, Community Room, 432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura. https://www.facebook.com/capoeiraventura/
SUNDAY
PAC IN BOOTS | 12-4 p.m. A fundraising event for the Ventura Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee (PAC). An annual event to support the work of the lobbying arm of the Ventura Chamber, with a goal of “driving a more prosperous, safe and clean Ventura.” Enjoy live music, BBQ, and games. Hosted at Atmore Ranch, directions provided prior to event with ticket purchase. $75 per person. $150 for a family. Register online at: www.Venturachamber.com/PACinBoots
MONDAY
OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE FALL SESSION | 4 and 8 week sessions
start today. California State University, Channel Islands offers unique university level courses taught by faculty and experts for adults 50 and over. Offerings include wine making throughout the world, the music tradition of Cuba, how oceans shape our planet and California in American Popular Culture. See the list of courses and register by visiting go.csuci.edu/OLLI.
TUESDAY
UPDATE ON ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
RESEARCH | 4-5 p.m. via Zoom. Learn about risk factors and current research on ways to modify risk factors along with current FDA treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease. Current clinical trial results will also be discussed. Facilitated by Monica R. Moore, MSG, Community Health Program Manager at the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research at University of California, Los Angeles. FREE. Register online at: https://bit.ly/3hakLaI.
WEDNESDAY
LIVING OUT LOUD: THE SECRET OF SUCCESS
| 7-9:30 p.m. through Nov. 3. This series is offered online and in person in Westlake Village with The Global Truth Center. Participants will be guiding by Dr. James Mellon, Rev. Tiffany Milne and others through these consciousness study courses exploring quantum physics and Energetic Mindfulness. $25 per class, $160 for eight week course. Sign up and details are online at https:// www.globaltruthcenter.org/classes
THURSDAY
VIRTUAL COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WORKSHOPS | 6-7:30 p.m.
Sept 15-23 The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a series of informative workshops to assist the public in ensuring they are prepared for the next emergency. The workshops coincide with the development of the County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. Sept. 15 will cover the entire county area. Sept 16 will focus on Oxnard. Sept. 22 is Camarillo and Sept. 23 focuses on Simi Valley. Details and registration are online at www.readyventuracounty.org. Questions? Call 805-654-5136.
GREEK INTENSIVE – THE PHILOSOPHY OF PLATO AND ARISTOTLE | Sept. 16-Dec. 16.
Socrates, the Greek rhetorician, once remarked that what makes one an Athenian is not the blood that runs through one’s veins, but the ideas in one’s mind. How can we access this ancient world, with some aspects so foreign and others so familiar, and discover foundations that changed the trajectory of civilization. The Agora Foundation is offering scholarships to teachers (3 CEU available) for the third section in an online seminar examining the ancient Greek texts of Plato and Aristotle. Applications are open now for the Sept. session. Online classes are each Thursday evening, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Details and registration are online at www.agorafoundation.org/ online-greek-intensive.
COMMUNITY NEEDS, EDUCATION AND RESOURCES
CALIFORNIA COVID-19 RENT RELIEF
PROGRAM | Through Sept. 30. California has increased rental assistance payments to 100% for eligible renters who’ve been impacted by COVID-19 and need help paying bills. Critical eviction protections have also been extended through September 30, 2021. The Westside Community Development Corporation can assist you in determining eligibility, providing application assistance, and even has computers you can use! Learn more at www. HousingisKey.com or call 805-628-3869.
AIR POLLUTION DISTRICT SEEKING
MEMBERS OF HEARING BOARD | The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District has two openings on the agency’s Hearing Board, which hears and considers appeals regarding emissions permits submitted by businesses that produce air emissions. One of the open seats must be filled by an attorney who is an active member of the California State Bar and the other a member of the general public. The Hearing Board meets Monday evenings at 5:30 p.m. when needed and members are paid a stipend of $150 per meeting. Hearing board members are appointed by the APCD governing board. For details contact APCD’s Keith Macias at 805/3033701 or by email at keith@vcapcd.org.
VOLUNTEER WITH VENTURA BOTANICAL
GARDENS | Members of the public interested in helping at the gardens in the foothills of Ventura are invited to apply. “Energetic volunteers” are offered the opportunity to be part of the Member Discount Program at the nonprofit gardens. Contact ncole@ venturabotanicalgardens.com for more information.
PREPARATION FOR COMMUNITY ALL STARS
2021 CAMARILLO CHRISTMAS PARADE | Current through Saturday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District has announced that the full and regular Christmas Parade will be held this year and is encouraging local organizations and groups to plan their entry now and to include their own all-star. An important person in your organization can be featured in your entry in lieu of a single parade grand marshall. Entry is $55. Deadline for applying is Nov. 5. Details online at www.pvrpd.org. DRIVER SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER | The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is increasing patrols over the Labor Day holiday and holding DUI checkpoints periodically beginning on Aug. 27 in Camarillo, Sept. 3 in Moorpark and Sept. 4 in Thousand Oaks. The effort is part of a national program to reduce the number of drivers on the road under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, including prescription medications that can impair driving ability. The checkpoints will be held at undisclosed locations.
VOLUNTEER WITH RAIZ AT PLANNED
PARENTHOOD OF VENTURA COUNTY | Ongoing. A new program aimed at building a sustainable Latinx organizing community to bring issue-based campaigns forward and increase Latinx engagement in Ventura County. Those interested in volunteering can find details online at www.plannedparenthood.org/ planned-parenthood-california-central-coast/raiz.
FALL CLASSES WITH VENTURA PARKS AND
RECREATION | Find a fun class or program for kids, teens and adults. Activity guide is online now. www. cityofventura.ca.gov/2084/Activity-Guide-Archive ♦
AVENUE TACO WEEK | Sept 16-19.
Enjoy murals, vintage cars and of course tacos! From a Naan Taco to a Keto Taco - the possibilities are endless. Stroll along Ventura Avenue on the Westside and sample delicious tacos from the myriad of restaurants and taco trucks who are preparing special recipes just for this event. Come pick your favorite taco and explore the self-guided mural tour viewing fabulous artwork. The event is organized in partnership between the Westside Community Development Corporation, the City of Ventura and the Westside Community Council. For details visit: avetacoweek.blogspot.com
Electricity, exhilaration and gratitude
The Ojai Music Festival returns in 2021
by Mike Nelson
From left:: Ara Guzelimian; Attaca Quartet (photo by David Goddard); Rhiannon Giddens; Víkingur Ólafsson (photo by Ari Magge); Julie Tumamait-Stenslie.
Forgive Ara Guzelimian if he sounds a bit excited — over excited, even — when he talks about the upcoming Ojai Music Festival.
“I’ve had lots of emails with capital letters and exclamation points from the artists who will be performing this year,” chuckled the festival’s artistic and executive director. “The desire to make music for someone else is such a powerful inner drive, and now that we’re having the chance to finally do so again after being idled by the pandemic — well, what we’re feeling, I think, is close to exhilaration.”
An understatement, for sure. The Ojai Music Festival is celebrating its 75th anniversary Sept. 16-19, and its return after the pandemic-enforced cancellation of 2020. This year’s event will be bringing in both new and returning performers, to the delight of music lovers who are thrilled to welcome back a tradition that has received worldwide acclaim.
Under the direction of Guzelimian and music director John Adams, the 2021 Ojai Music Festival is highlighting its California heritage with an array of local artists and composers, while also embracing those from the world stage and maintaining its adventurous spirit and approach to presenting new music. The list of selections includes the world premieres of “Sunt Lacrimae Rerum” by Dylan Mattingly and the revised version of Gabriela Ortiz’s “La Calaca,” along with the West Coast premiere of Samuel Adams’ “Chamber Concerto” and the first concert performance of Esa-Pekka Salonen’s “Objets Trouvés.”
Among those making their Ojai debuts are Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi, pianist Víkingur Ólafsson, the Attacca Quartet, violinist Miranda Cuckson, and recorder player Anna Margules. Returning artists include pianist/composer Timo Andres, the LA Phil New Music Group, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.
The event is a homecoming of sorts for Guzelimian, a native Southern Californian who first attended the Ojai Festival while a college student at UCLA, and served as its artistic director in the mid-1990s. He recently stepped down after 13 years as provost and dean of the Juilliard School in New York City, following eight years as senior director and artistic advisor of Carnegie Hall. He spoke with the Ventura County Reporter by phone prior to returning from New York.
VCR: After a year off due to the pandemic, what’s it
like to be doing live music again?
Guzelimian: It’s pretty thrilling. We’re all so deeply craving things in our lives that put us together and in contact with each other. The few musical events I’ve gone to outdoors recently have had not only an extra electricity, but also such a tangible sense of gratitude that we can do what we love.
How has the pandemic affected your plans for this coming festival?
We’ve all learned to be part-time epidemiologists and public health experts, and we’re very blessed to get constant advice from county health and hospital officials. So we have quite a significant set of fairly strict protocols; we require proof of vaccination and masking, to assure the highest standards of safety and protection for everyone.
Is the festival scaling back or adding more events compared to past years? And what about the tone or focus of the festival?
It’s slightly scaled back, but fairly comparable to the norm of the last 10 years. As far as tone, it’s very positive. This is the 75th festival, and because I grew up in Southern California, and have come to Ojai since I was a teenager, I wanted it to be a homecoming of sorts; that was taking formation before the pandemic and has taken on greater urgency since.
So there is a California-centric element among composers and performers, to honor California’s heritage. John Adams, our music director and a Northern California native, is bringing in six younger composers, two of them native Californians. I also wanted performers who are new to our audience as well as those who honor the festival’s history, like the LA Chamber and LA Phil. Southern California has one of the biggest pools of great freelance musicians in the world, and so many of them suffered in the pandemic and had no income at all, so we wanted to honor them.
I also wanted to honor California’s Native heritage, so Chumash Elder Julie Tumamait will do a blessing before the Friday night concert, and lead a series of events exploring the music, culture and cosmology of the Indigenous peoples of the Ojai Valley, looking at the landscape through the eyes of culture and legend. Because we get the name “Ojai” from the Ventureño Chumash word “Awha’y,” meaning “Moon.”
And we will do recent concerts featuring Mexican music, since this area was once part of Mexico and Spain. Gabriel Ortiz, the leading composer in Mexico today, will be present for the performance of several of her works.
Normally the festival is held in June, so what does September present in the way of challenges and opportunities?
It’s not the month, it’s just a matter of coming back to life, and doing it under these circumstances. There will be the inconvenience of strict protocols, but there is a pretty universal understanding among everyone that this is what it takes to make live music possible.
After having been in New York for several years at Julliard, what does it mean for you to be involved in California once again?
The call of home is so intense. I usually drive into Ojai from Ventura, and my first sight of the Ojai Valley is something I feel deeply. The valley and the festival [are] so wrapped with memory and meaning, and I just want to do all I can to renew that spirit even in the face of challenges.
The 75th Ojai Music Festival takes place Sept. 16-19 at several venues in Ojai, starting with “Prelude to a Festival” on Sept. 16, 9 p.m. at Libbey Bowl. Events will be live-streamed and later archived at OjaiFestival.org. Proof of vaccination will be required for all ticket holders, as will masks and social distancing at all concerts and events. For tickets and other information, call 805-646-2053 or visit OjaiFestival.org.
