Ventura Event Calendar

Family Performance: Peter & the Wolf @ Museum of Ventura County

Whale Watching Cruises

Every year the Pacific Gray Whale migrates 6,000-10,000 miles to secluded lagoons in Mexico to breed and bear their young then journey back to their feeding grounds in the Bering Sea.

Island Packers invites you to observe these magnificent animals as they pass through the waters of the Santa Barbara Channel. Half-day and all-day Whale Watching tours begin December 26th and continue through March.

Photo by Donna Hendricks

7th Annual Ventura Music Festival Art Exhibition

Visions on Screen: Unfolding Art of 12 Women.

For the past seven seasons the VEntura Music Festival has partnered with the arts community to bring you a unique exhibition of local talent.  Artists are selected to create works for display preceding the season and then auctioned at the Festival's spring fundraiser.  This year's exhibition features twelve original works, each crafted by a local female artist, on a 3-paneled screen. 

The distinct and beautiful collection will be on display in local venues until auctioned on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at An Evening of Note: "It Happened One Night" at the Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor.  All of these artists have generously donated their time and talent to support the Ventura Music Festival:

Illona Battaglia Aguayo, Virginia Beale, Christine Beirne, Nina Bobrova, Dorothy Hunter, Tasia Erickson, Hilda Kilpatrick, Christine Leong, Jennifer Livia, Susan Seaberry, Andrea Vargas-Mendoza and Kay Zetlmaier.

Exhibition schedule:

Tall Ships Hawaiian Chieftain and Lady Washington Return to Ventura Harbor

Tall Ships, Hawaiian Chieftain and Lady Washington commence the annual voyage along the California coast and sail into Ventura Harbor on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 and remain through Monday, February 6, 2012.

Schedule of Events:

For Adventure & Battle Sail Tickets call 800-200-5239 or visit http://www.historicalseaport.org/.

First Company Washington Artillery Of New Orleans Civil War Reenactment Camp: Saturday & Sunday, Januar 28 & 29.  living Hisotry replica military camp from 1861-1865 on Village Main Lawn, faturing hospital, tents, muskets, cannons, antique gun display, pistol demos, music by Watermelon Pie & President Lincoln Reenactor.  Free Admission.

Live Music @ Zoey's

Ventura's Premiere Music Venue!   Come see for yourself!

Find out what's coming up at Zoey's Cafe using the online calendar http://www.zoeyscafe.com/calender.aspx

Just Photos! @ CMH

Photography has evolved tremendously in this digital age. Intriguing, touching, innovative.   

"Celebration" @ Red Brick Gallery

Gallery's 5th Anniversary Party and Benefit for Food Share Jan 21st 6-9pm 

Vibrant colors, textures and transformations are expressed in Red Brick Gallery's new show Celebration.  Join us to celebrate our fifth year in business as we give back to the community with a food drive and benefit where 20% of all sales will be donated to Food Share during our anniversary party Jan 21st. In this show each artist expresses a unique moment in time and has captured the personality of their subject through a variety of mediums.  One of our newest featured artist's is Samara Iodice whose photo stars are the adoptable dogs from the Canine Adoption and Rescue League (CARL) of Southern California, Samara works to capture her subjects in a unique manner with the hopes of finding them new homes.  Another new Red Brick artist is Dan Staroff who's abstract creations express an alternate world only seen through his eyes.  

Celebrating Artists: An Intimate Look Portraits by Donna Granata

Celebrating Artists: An Intimate Look features the monumental Focus on the Masters (FOTM) Portrait Series by Donna Granata who has been photographing artists for the past two decades. The exhibition features artists who have lived or worked within Ventura County and illustrates the cultural abundance within our community.  In addition, rare objects from the FOTM archives will be on display demonstrating the importance of the FOTM Resource Library and the amount of in-depth documentation involved with each artist photographed.  Founded by Granata in 1994, FOTM is a highly respected non-profit educational program documenting many contemporary artists of our time. Many of the artists featured in the portrait exhibition are exhibiting in the J. Paul Getty Museum's extensive Southern California initiative Pacific Standard Time. These artists include Beatrice Wood, Otto Heino, John White, Connie Jenkins, Linda Vallejo, Jack Reilly, Wayne Healy, George Yepes and Roland Reiss among many others.

Girls Night Out @ Four Brix Winery

Join the Ladies from Four Brix as they invite special guests for a night of Wine and Shopping.

GNO will held once a month during our regular business hours Fri. 4-8pm & Sat. 12-5pm.  No RSVP required.

Love Red, Red Love Art Exhibit@ Bell Arts Factory

Bell Arts Factory Tool Room Gallery presents "Love Red, Red Love" Opening Reception: Friday, Feb. 3 from 6-9 p.m.

A group show where artists embrace the color red. Red can symbolize many things, and this exhibit each artist gives an interpretation of what is red and love

Ventura County Wine Trail Tours

The Contradictory Queen Victoria Is Explored In George Stuart Exhibit and Monologues

Original Children's Book Illustrations by Acclaimed Author Simms Taback @ Museum of Ventura County

Step into the brightly colored world of children's book author, illustrator, and Caldecott Medal recipient Simms Taback, when the Museum of Ventura County presents Simms Taback: Making Pictures For Children.

The Taback books are acclaimed for their humorous asides and exquisitely designed pictures, inspired by outsider and naïve art. Always a storyteller, Taback was a graphic designer for many years for clients such as McDonalds, for whom he designed and illustrated the first Happy Meal box. After selling his greeting card company, he decided to write and illustrate There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, adapting a familiar folk tale into a new kind of visual story by using die cuts to allow readers to see inside the old lady's stomach each time she swallowed animals of ever-growing size. It was chosen as a 1998 Caldecott Honor Book. In 2000 he was awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal for Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, in which he used the same concept. Over the years, Taback has written and illustrated almost 50 books for children, and was selected twice for a New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award.

See Three Years of Gifts From Museum's Collectors Council

Work by 20th Century Sculptor Albert Stewart On Museum Exhibit

Dorothy Hunter Exhibt @ Harbor Village Gallery

"The Essential Dorothy Hunter" 

Artist's Reception: Friday, January 13, 5 - 8 pm   Dorothy Hunter's oil paintings bring the emotional palette of impressionism to the world of abstract art. She says: "I am usually referred to as an abstract artist but perhaps my work should be called abstract impressionism, because the work comes from memories of things I've experienced in life. The colors and shapes I use refer to places I've seen or music I have heard. These images dwell in my mind and haunt me like ghosts of things past until they compel me to commit them to canvas or paper."  

Fishermen's Market

Fresh catch-of-the-day is offered by local fishermen selling to the general public directly off the boat at Andria's pier with on-site fillet services available. Andria’s Seafood has operated a retail fish market since 1976. We emphasize quality and locally caught “identified” California seafood. Andria’s Retail Fish Market is located next to Andria’s Seafood Restaurant in Ventura Harbor Village. Most of the fish in the retail case is also on the Andria’s menu, so you can actually see the fish you’ve just eaten. And, you can take some home! Cooking suggestions and recipes are available.

Market Place

The Market Place hosts over 300 vendors every Saturday and Sunday of the year. Products range from fresh produce and crafts, to used tools and new clothing. Arts & Crafts, Tools, Antiques & Collectibles, Fresh Flowers, Produce, New and used clothing, School and Office supplies, plus much much more!

The Tuesday Night Poets

Artists' Union Gallery, Every Tuesday at 7:30pm

Host: Phil Taggart
Open-mic January  11  Tim Tipton
January  25  Maggie Westland
February  1  Carol DeCanio
February 22  Sandra Knapp
March     8  Polly Bee
March    15  Gwendolyn Alley
March    29  Joyce LaMers
April     5  Jackson Wheeler
April    12  Chella Courington
April    19  Dorothea Grossman & Michael Vlatkovich
May      10  Mary Rose Betten
also at the Artists Union Gallery  The "Friday on Saturday" poetry series starts up again
at the Artists Union Gallery in January
last Saturday of the month 7:30pm                
host: friday  
open mic  - except for the Erotic Reading  

Future featured readers:

November 22  gauvin December  6   Fernando Castro December 13 Dorothea Grossman and Michael Vlatkovich      January  10   Steve Aguilar January  17   Andre Levi January  24   G Murray Thomas January  31   Sam Harley February 14   Cary Waterhouse February 21   Doris Vernon February 28   Bruce Schmidt March   6    Perie Longo March 13    Carol V Davis March  27   Joyce LaMers

Directions to the reading:

Farmers' Market

EVERY WEDNESDAY Fruits, vegetables, flowers and baked goods.

Open rain or shine.

Downtown Farmers' Market

EVERY SATURDAY Visit Ventura County's oldest certified non-profit farmers' market. It offers country music, vegetables, flowers and baked goods. Open rain or shine.

Free parking in the city parking lot.

Sunday Brunch @ Alexander's

Award Winning Brunch featuring a succulent seafood station, incredible omelette bar and a to die for dessert room... 

Comedy Improv @ Ventura Harbor Comedy Club

We are Ventura's hometown comedy club. Nestledin the beautiful Ventura Harbor, we bring you some of the best comedy shows touring the country every week.  The perfect night out for couples, or for large celebrations. Come and see what all the laughing is about!

Arts & Crafts by the Sea

A variety of fine arts and handcrafted gifts sold by the artists who made them.   Different artists & crafters every week!

Sample of items sold include: Jewelry, Native American Art, Photography, Recycled ARt, Ptaintings, Glass Art, Ceramics, Bark Art and more...

Ventura Food Tours

During the Ventura Food Tours, guests will stop at seven shops and restaurants for tastings and conversations with the chefs, owners, and entrepreneurs behind some of the county's best eats. The tours are informal and intimate, giving a behind the scenes look into the local food scene.

Partnering restaurants include Spencer Makenzie's, Paradise Pantry, Trufflehounds, Watermark on Main, Savory Cafe, We Olive, Jonathan's and Sugar Bears Cupcake Shack. 

Gift Certificates available. Tours run every Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11am.   24 Hour Reservation Required

Live Music @ Bombay Bar & Grill

The Harvest Gathering, Certified Farmers' Market

EVERY THURSDAY.  Certified local farm produce, flowers & plants, artisan breads & bakery goods, fresh ground coffee & tea, raw honey, oils, dried fruits & raw nuts.  Free Range Chicken, Grass Fed Beef and Farm Fresh Eggs. Also available will be handcrafted soaps, candles, incense, jewelry and recycled products.  We will have live music, face painting, cooked food, and kettle corn. 

Live Music @ Watermark Restaurant

Live Music @ Tree House Lounge

Welcome to an all new night at the "Tree House Lounge" A new vibe, new feel, new sounds.  "Stray" Saturday Nights 10pm-2am.

Two Areas of Entertainment, Cabana and Table Service, Plush Indoor/Outdoor Patio.  A world like no other!!

Early arrival suggested.  Dress code enforced.

Grilled Cheese and Jazz Nights @ SideCar Restaurant

"Grilled Cheese and Jazz Nights" Join Chef Tim Kilcoyne and The SideCar Restaurant every Tuesday night.

The grilled cheeses or "panninis" will range from your classic grilled cheese to ones that contain Prosciuto, Salamis and various artisan cheeses and of course vegetarian selections. Along with the sandwich menu will be a few choices of appetizers and desserts.

"This night should be all about the friends you are with" says Chef Tim Kilcoyne. Various local artists and bands will be performing at the Grilled Cheese and Jazz Nights

Reservations are highly recommended. Grilled cheese menu starts at $6 and changes weekly.      Regular menu available.          

Sunday Brunch @ The Side Car Restaurant

Sidecar Sunday Brunch Menu Specially prepared by Executive Chef Tim Kilcoyne

The SideCar Restaurant supports local and organic producers whenever possible. Split plate charge $5 20% gratuity added to parties of 6 or more. 

Wednesday Night's @ SideCar Restaurant

Wednesday Nights's Giant Stuffed Potatoes.  Reservations are highly recommended.  Regular menu available.          

Sunday Night @ SideCar Restaurant

Prime Rib Roast.   Regular menu available.          

Friday & Saturday Evenings @ Tutti's

On Friday and Saturday evenings we offer live music to enhance your dining experience... presenting Fred McFadden on keyboards. He will tickle you and the ivories with his collection of Sinatra and Bennett, throwing in a Beatles or Billy Joel number for good measure.

Come in for a relaxing glass of one of our local wines or our stellar Martinis -- accompanied by Fred -- then stay for Snapper or pasta and finish with one of our delicious "made to order" desserts.

Thursday Evenings @ Tutti's

Thursdays, we have Francine Smith and her light jazzy song interputations on old favorites. Sunday from 11 to 2 for brunch is Rick Reeves playing blues, and then back from 6 p.m to 9 p.m with his jazz trio.

Champagne Bruch @ The Pierpont Inn

Champagne Brunch Every Sunday!

Sunday Brunch @ Tutti's

Sunday brunch in our newly renovated courtyard patio is not to be missed with offerings such as, eggs benedict, florentine and blackstone, waffles with berries, breakfast pizzas and more.

2012 Collector's Choice @ Sylvia White Gallery

Opening Reception Saturday, January 7, 2012 3-5pm

For this exhibition, Sylvia White has invited several of the gallery's collectors, from all across the United States,  to review the artist submissions and select their favorite work.  Each collector was allowed to select up to 10 pieces.  It was for many, the first time ever they were allowed to "curate" a show.  Over 2000 images were received from almost 500 different artists.  The 44 artists with the highest number of votes were invited to participate in the exhibition.

Congratulations to the following featured artists:    Tor Archer, Leora Armstrong, Seda Baghdasarian, David Bender, Ashlie Benton, Tanmaya Bingham, David Bogus, Holly Boruck, Yvette Brown, Suzie Buchholz, Seder Burns, Dennis Carrie, Michele Chapin, Carlos Cordova, Coral DeWilliam Studer, Sonya Fairbanks, Emanuela Harris-Sintamarian, John Haverty, Sandra Heard, Laura Hering, Gjon Izano, Richard Jenkins, Kurt Jordan, Masha Keating, Chad Kipfer, Helen Klebesadel, Kyenan Kum, Yachi Lai, Nori Lupfer, Evani Lupinek, Marcia Middleton, Nancy Mintz, Neil Murphy, Idelle Okman-Tyzbir, Claudia Pardo, Randi Reiss-McCormack, Samuelle Richardson, Naomi Ruiz Ortiz, Mary Sauer, Aida Schneider, Victoria Selbach, Stephen Spiller, Lillian Winkler, Nancy Youdelman

Cesar Nunez @ Sylvia White Gallery

Cesar Nunez in the North Gallery.

Artist Reception: Saturday January 7, 3-5p

Fresh Fridays @ Ventura Improv Co.

The VIC's Friday night shows are intended to showcase the talents of our improvisers of all experience levels!        To that end, we offer up Fresh Fridays, where we mix it up on stage - newer improvisers rock it out with our veteran VIC members.

All shows will be a competitive comedy improv format, where the improvisers are given challenge's by the show's host or director. You, the audience, can judge the action!      Fun for the whole family! Our shows are a fast-paced mix of scenes, improv games and music. If you like Whose Line Is It, Anyway?, you'll love us!

Like a Mirror @ Artists' Union Gallery

Like a Mirror - Members exhibit. Theme: A multi-media art show that focuses on how the artist sees the world through those mirror-like lenses, the eyes.  An then recreates that information from the cerebral to the concrete.

Soft Opening for First Friday Art Talk: January 6 at 6pm. 

Opening Reception: Saturday, January 7th from 6 to 9pm

Zumba Classes @ Bell Arts Factory

Learn Zumba with Ionia!  Just drop by to join the fun!

Zumba Fitness® is the only Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that blends red-hot international music, created by Grammy Award-winning producers, and contagious steps to form a "fitness-party."  Since its inception in 2001, the Zumba program has grown to become the world's largest-and most successful-dance-fitness program.

Swap Meet

Swap Meet Every Wednesday.

Sunday Bruch @ The Cave

Enjoy an outstanding selection of small plate items that are brunch inspired and all only $8. Also enjoy champagne cocktails and mimosas.

Brunch is served from 10am to 2pm. The Cave will remain open until 3pm and the Retail store is open 10am to 3pm as well!

Art Show by Maggie Kildee, Steve Richardson and Rich Brimer @ Fox Fine Jewelry

Artists Reception: Saturday, January 21, 6-9pm

Maggie Kildee, Steve Richardson and Rich Brimer will display their art at Fox Fine Jewelry from January 17 through March 19, 2012.

Maggie Kildee, a mother and public school teacher, eventually became the Chairman of the Board of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. After spending her life shaping lives and county policies, she now shapes clay into expressionistic women.

Steve Richardson grew up surfing and fishing in southern California, and this influence is apparent in his work. He also teaches art, with a focus on people with autism.

Rich Brimer loves the ocean, its shorelines, and the power of its beauty. He enjoys painting his oils in ‘plein air', and often adds more depth later in his studio.

Image: Painting by Steve Richardson

Beginning Swing Lessons and Dancing

 Beginning Swing Lesson at  - $10 (includes dance) 8 pm Dance $5! (unless special event)
(no partner or experience needed) Live Band Events $12 all night (7 -11pm includes Swing Dance Lesson)

Come any Thursday (Drop-In Lesson at 7 pm)

Rex Kochel's "Eclectic Adventure Continues" @ Buenaventura Gallery

Rex Kochel's "Eclectic Adventure Continues" will be at the Buenaventura Gallery from January 31 - Feb. 25 with an opening reception on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 4 - 7 pm.  Kochel's "Eclectic Adventure" includes watercolors, watercolor/collage and some mixed media pieces as well as several drawings.

When asked exactly what "Eclectic Adventure Continues" means, Kochel laughed and commented, "People have wondered if the same artist painted all these paintings because they look so different...it truly is an eclectic adventure."  Kochel continued, "Of course, it can also refer to the fact that a number of the paintings were drawn without looking at the paper: a blind continuous line.  This definitely creates interesting details and unusual shapes."  Kochel's interests and approach continues to evolve, as patrons will notice in his exhibit. His eclectic approach and appreciation of diverse styles will no doubt continue throughout his career.

Kochel's evolution as an artist began late in life.  As a high school and college athlete (he attended Oregon State University on a basketball scholarship) it was nearly impossible to include art into his course of study.  He was well into his 30's when he first enrolled in an art class at Ventura College.  Several years later, at the urging of the administration at Ventura High School, Rex agreed to head the Girls' Basketball Program if his teaching assignment included teaching art classes.  From that beginning, Rex eventually became a full time art instructor at the high school.  Upon retirement in 2004 Rex was commissioned by Remax in Ventura to provide painting (54 in all) for their new office building.  In 2005 Rex was juried into the Ojai Studio Artists.

George Stuart Exhibition & Monologues

A newly created historical figure by artist and historian George Stuart will join Renaissance and Reformation: George Stuart Historical Figures®, on exhibit at the Museum of Ventura County from February 7 through May 20. The figure of Machiavelli will be added after its March 6 unveiling at the first of three accompanying George Stuart monologues held at 3:00 p.m.

The other monologues are April 3 and May 1, 2012

The ¼ life-size sculptural figures are renowned for their expressiveness and intricately detailed costumes. Among the 28 on exhibit are Lucrezia and Cesare Borgia, Lorenzo de Medici, Popes Alexander VI and Leo X, Martin Luther, John Calvin, St. Ignatius de Loyola, Teresa of Avila, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and Mary Stuart. A life-size costume of Juan Borgia, created by Robert Lamarche of Ojai, will be included as well. The exhibition covers the 15 and 16th centuries, which brought remarkable change to Europe, including the Renaissance flowering of the arts and sciences, the religious Reformation, and competition among its rulers to control not only their continent, but the New World.

The three Tuesday monologues by artist and historian George Stuart are at the new time of 3:00 p.m. The High Renaissance is March 6, Christendom Divided on April 3, and The Wars of Religion on May 1. At the March 6 monologue, the figure of Machiavelli will be unveiled to join the exhibition.

Ricardo Rodriquez "Traces" @ Vita Art Center

Ricardo Rodriguez presents unfamiliar images created with a medium that is mostly associated with representing the known, the familiar. Captured directly on photosensitive paper without cameras or negatives, Rodriguez's shadow images investigate photography's nature and try to define the photographer's own experience. Because it is in constant transformation, identity is difficult to pin down-much more so for a person who struggles between two cultures, as Rodriguez does. His work invites a dialogue about our perceptions of reality and identity and how we construct them.

FIRST FRIDAYS

Each month, visual fine art spaces in downtown and midtown Ventura offer a variety of special entertainment to compliment the collectible artworks on display.  Demonstrations, lectures, music, and performance provide an opportunity for everyone to share in this unique Ventura cultural experience.

First Friday's goal is to promote the appreciation and sales of art in a relaxed, supportive and fun environment.

Some of the galleries participating include: 643 Project Space, Bell Arts Factory, Buenaventura Gallery, CSUCI Art Gallery Ventura, Fox Fine Jewelry, Gallery 255 &  Sea Breeze Art Studios, Laurel Gallery, Museum of Ventura County, San Buenaventura Artist' Union, Stoneworks Studio & Gallery, Studio 1317 & Deakins Studio, Sylvia White Gallery, V2, Vita Art Center and Working Artists Ventura (WAV).   

Live Music @ The Wine Rack

1st  Friday: Steve Williams

2nd Friday: Frank Barajas

3rd Friday: Dan Grimm

4th Friday: Hutch (Ian Hutchinson)