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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

Saturday September 2 at 7pm - When the lights come up, and Mary Scholz steps onto the stage, a warmth comes over you that has nothing to do with drink. Barefoot, with dark curls cascading, she is at once whimsical and grounded. Just one woman with an acoustic guitar, but fills the room from the moment the music leaves her lips. The sound seeps into you like honey. You feel seen. You feel human. You feel loved.

$20. Tickets online or at the door.

On Saturday September 9 at 3pm and 7pm - 2 chances to see the encore performance of 'I Can Hear You, Damn It!' by Claudia Hoag McGarry.

$20

Audrey, a woman in a coma after a collapse, is the subject of I Can Hear You, Damn It!. Due to complications in the hospital, Audrey’s family and friends are led to believe that she may not recover from her vegetative condition. As they come to say goodbye, one by one, secrets are revealed, confessions and apologies are made – and Audrey can hear every word

https://www.nambaarts.com/rockin-johnny-burgin/

On Friday, September 8 at 7pm the Ventura Improv Company, a collective of improvisers, will gather to grow in our craft and co-create - to enrich people’s lives through excellent improv education and hilarious shows.

$10.

Our vision is a world filled with laughter. Our passion is creating joy.

​More info: http://venturaimprov.com
Ventura Improv Company is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

On Friday, September 12 at 7pm embark on a timeless musical journey with local favorite Shawn Jones, where soulful melodies and authentic lyrics blend seamlessly in a captivating fusion of blues, folk, and rock — touching hearts worldwide.

Shawn Jones, will perform his first single “Too Hot To Hold” written by legendary Steve Jordan and produced by Niko Bolas in addition to “In My Blood” and other favorites.

On September 9, the Hancock Honors, presented by CoastHills Credit Union, will celebrate three Hancock luminaries who have changed the odds in their communities.

Join us for this elevated evening featuring unique culinary stations, local wine, beer, and craft cocktails, interactive art installations, and live music by the San Francisco collective, Jazz Mafia — all on the outdoor plaza of the new $50 million Fine Arts Complex on Allan Hancock College’s Santa Maria campus.

For more information on our honorees and to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.hancockcollege.edu/honors
Contact for more information: ahcfoundation@hancockcollege.edu or AHC Foundation at 805-925-2004