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Join Ventura County Astronomical Society for our next Star Party on September 9th at 8:00 pm at Moorpark College Observatory.

On September 9th we will provide a presentation on the Autumn Constellations, the Stars, Planets, and Mythology. Visible will be Saturn's Rings, Jupiter's Moons and Andromeda Galaxy.

The evening will start at 8:00 pm with a power point presentation followed by observing through the Dome and member telescopes.

Tickets for the Dome with be on a first come basis.

There will be star maps of the night sky while supplies last. Mark your calendars and hope to see you there.

The “Under the Stars Program” is brought to you by Ventura County Astronomical Society.

Though the Civil Rights Movement is largely associated with the 1950s and 1960s, and while the movement made many gains during that time, questions of civil rights are continuously in today’s headlines and newsfeeds. Politicians and pundits reference CRT and “woke,” and in some circles, references to race can quickly create tension, as “colorblindness” is touted as the best way forward. But what do all these things mean? First, what even is race and what is its history? Then, what is CRT and what is “woke” and why do some find these concepts controversial? What is “colorblindness”? This course will look at many of the theoretical underpinnings of discussions of race today, and will consider why these underpinnings matter in the creation of tomorrow’s society.

Jason Hensley, PhD, teaches religious studies at a private school in Los Angeles. He is a fellow of the Michael LaPrade Holocaust Education Institute of the Anti-Defamation League, a member of Civic Spirit's teacher education cohort, and the award-winning author of 10 books. His work has been featured in The Huffington Post as well as the BBC, and he has served as the historical advisor for a Holocaust documentary.

Primates are a group of mammals that include the apes, monkeys, lemurs, and humans. Apes, monkeys, and lemurs share 96 to 99 percent of our DNA, and are in danger of extinction. In this course, we take a virtual tour to Madagascar and Southeast Asia to meet the lovable lemurs; then on to Africa, Asia, and South America to meet old-and new-world monkeys—the baboons of South Africa’s Cape Peninsula, the langurs of India’s Gir Forest, and the pygmy marmosets of the Amazon. We also explore the habitats of the lesser apes and the great apes—the swinging (and screaming) gibbons, the docile orangutans and gorillas, the brainy chimpanzees, and the “make love, not war" bonobos.

Sharon Boorstin is a contributing writer for the Los Angeles Times, specializing in lifestyle and travel. She was the Restaurant Critic of the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, and edited Gayot Guidebooks for Los Angeles and other cities. She also wrote for magazines including Bon Appetit, Smithsonian and Town & Country Travel. With her husband Paul, she wrote dozens of screenplays for feature films and television. Her memoir/cookbook, “Let Us Eat Cake: Adventures in Food and Friendship” was a selection of the Pulpwood Queens Book Club. Raised in Seattle, Washington, Sharon moved to Los Angeles in 1966 after graduate school in Education at U.C. Berkeley.

Five headlining magicians together on one stage, for one-night only, raising money for the underserved, at risk, and disabled youth of our communities.

Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation (OPAC) along with The House of MAGIC Foundation for the Arts are proud to present, SPELLBOUND: Magic Mashup. This one-night show will bring some of the best names in magic to the stage for a fun-filled, family-friendly evening of magic and entertainment. Through the event, the nonprofits aim to raise funding for their programs that benefit the underserved, children at risk, and people with special needs.

​While other forms of arts and entertainment are well represented in the County (such as live music and traditional theater), magic is a rare, but truly special part of the performing arts. Both OPAC and House of Magic are dedicated to growing appreciation for the art form. Each year OPAC hosts a weeklong summer camp in Oxnard and made scholarships available to underserved children.

​Last year's Magic Mashup was a sell-out performance so make sure to grab your tickets early.

Admission: $15-$60

Friday, September 22nd, 2023
VIP Hour: 6:15-7:15pm
Show starts at 7:30pm

From Ancient Egyptian and Classical design to the Postmodern Era, furniture and ornamentation are a reflection of the various design movements that occurred in Europe, America, and other areas of the world throughout the last three millennia. This course discusses furniture and ornamental styles, especially as related to architectural and interior symbolism and materials, including social, political, and religious influences. Construction techniques and types of materials are discussed, including fresco, tile, glass, metals, woods, inlays, fabrics, and other decorative elements. This six-week course will cover antiquity through the 18th century. Part 2 to come in 2024.

Eleanor Schrader (M.A.) is an award-winning educator, lecturer, and author. She lectures worldwide on art and architectural history, and leads art and architecture tours throughout the world. She has been named a Distinguished Instructor at UCLA Extension, where she teaches history of architecture, interior design, furniture, and decorative arts. She is also Professor Emeritus of Art and Architectural History at Santa Monica College. She has done graduate work in fine and decorative arts at Sotheby's Institute in London and New York. She has served as a Design Review Commissioner for the City of Beverly Hills and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the John Lautner Foundation.

Here’s a class solely devoted to the discovery of the amazing number of Italian performers in American music. From crooners to rockers and composers, we’ll listen, watch, and discuss the longstanding heritage of the great Italian influence on pop music culture. Did you know that most of the white doo-wop groups were nearly all Italian? Or that one of the premier songwriters of “The Great American Songbook” was also Italian? Almost all of these artists changed their names to hide their ethnicity, including Tony Bennett, Frankie Avalon, and Connie Frances. However, we’ll peel the onions, chop the tomatoes, and find out who they were. Join us for some nostalgic fun!

Tony Moon has spent 60 successful years in the music business. Beginning in 1960, he joined the L.A. group Dante and The Evergreens, which was managed and produced by Lou Adler and Herb Alpert. He later moved to Nashville, becoming the guitarist and conductor for Brenda Lee. Tony also began playing on recording sessions and was Nashville's first rock independent music producer, working with five major labels. He scored several big hits for The Vogues, including "5 O' Clock World." Tony has won several awards as a songwriter and music publisher. His songs have been released by artists as diverse as Porter Wagoner, Willie Nelson, Vickie Carr, Pearl Jam, and The Beatles. He currently administers several Music Publishing Companies and a New York Entertainment Company.

Johnny Cash was a force in country music. During his nearly half-century of recordings, Cash created a new language for country music, embracing America’s pioneering heritage by exploring its history, culture, folklore, and traditions through music. Beginning as a pioneering rockabilly singer with the legendary Sun label in Memphis, Cash moved on to Columbia Records where he recorded one stunning concept album after another. Across four lectures (summer and fall), we will look at various aspects of Cash’s life and career.

Note: The fall lectures are a continuation of a two-part lecture in June 2023, but the fall lectures also stand on their own.

Part 1: Live in Prison - A discussion of Cash’s legendary appearances & live recordings at Folsom, San Quentin, and other penal institutions.

Part 2: Storyteller, Activist, Partner - Cash’s recordings of historical events, outlaws, tragedy, and personal stories relating to incidents of his life. Also, his unique performing and personal relationship with June Carter.

Cary Ginell (M.A.) is a Grammy-nominated writer and author of 12 books on American music. After a 30-year career in radio, he has spent the last 20 years as a public speaker, talking about music in classrooms, at conferences, and on cruise ships. Cary brings a lifelong passion for the recording industry to his work and is one of the world’s foremost authorities on his specialty, western swing. Cary previously served as President of the Association for Recorded Sound Collections, an international organization of music scholars and world-renowned institutions. He holds a master’s degree in Folklore from UCLA and a bachelor’s in Radio/TV/Film from Cal State University Northridge.

The 1960s witnessed an explosion of gifted songwriters and musicians. Bob Dylan ranks among the very top in this class. Over the course of a long and productive career, Dylan achieved a quality in his writing that elevated his work to the level of serious literature. Dylan has earned multiple literary awards in his career, most notably the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016. Dylan’s work reflects multiple influences. Arguably, his Jewish background represents one of the clearest and most important influences on his work. His lyrics and poetry reflect a deep connection with Jewish tradition and biblical sources, especially the Hebrew prophets. These lectures will examine the Jewish elements in his work and seek to demonstrate the value a Jewish perspective brings to our overall understanding of Bob Dylan’s art and influence. This two-part lecture will be taught using audio, video, and text analysis.

Week 1: Becoming Bob Dylan: from Obscurity to Icon

Week 2: Poet, Troubadour, and Prophet: The Many Faces of Bob Dylan

Clifford Wilcox, Ph.D., is a historian who focuses on American intellectual and cultural history and Jewish Studies. His courses concentrate on the intersection of culture, ideas, politics, and religion in American history. He is Director of Education and Operations at Temple Beth Torah in Ventura, CA and has taught in the CLU FAB program since 2021. He holds a Ph.D. in American intellectual history from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Ventura-based singer Perla Batalla brings a lifetime of experience traversing musical borders to her passionate programs of traditional and contemporary Latin American music. Her dad, a Mexican mariachi and DJ, and her Argentine mom ran “Discoteca Batalla,” a Los Angeles record shop where Batalla was exposed non-stop to music that cut across genres and languages.

In this concert she will express her love for her mestiza identity and the hybrid musical culture in which she was raised. Expect to hear Spanish-language favorites rendered with contagious rhythm and pure joy.

If Coachella and a Michelada Festival had a baby in Oxnard. Meet CHELITA.

Get ready to ignite your senses and immerse yourself in a whirlwind of creativity, culture, and pure excitement at the Chelita – the ultimate celebration of art, music, and mouthwatering Miches! Join us for an unforgettable day filled with electrifying performances, captivating art installations, delectable culinary delights, and an atmosphere that pulses with energy and inspiration.

​Live Performance on Two Stages
Feel the rhythm and let loose as two dynamic stages come alive with an array of heart-pounding beats, soulful melodies, and electrifying acts that will have you dancing the day away.

​Food Area
Embark on a culinary journey like no other at our Food Area, where a symphony of flavors awaits your taste buds. From traditional favorites to avant-garde delights, our diverse food offerings will tantalize your senses and satisfy your cravings.

Art Vendors and Installations
Immerse yourself in a world of artistic wonder as you explore a gallery of handpicked art vendors, each showcasing their unique creations. Be awe-struck by larger-than-life art installations that transform the event space into a mesmerizing tapestry of imagination.

Kids Zone
Create cherished memories with your family as you explore the dedicated Kids Zone. Engage in interactive activities and games ensuring that attendees of all ages can share in the wonder and excitement.

Admission: $15-$40 (17 and younger come in free when they enter with a ticket holder)

Sunday, October 1st, 2023
11am - 6pm
Location: Heritage Square in Oxnard
715 South A Street, Oxnard, CA 93030