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THE MIDNIGHT COMMANDER WAS HERE
Master singer-songwriter brings new myths to Ventura to tilt at 21st century windmills.

Kray Van Kirk, who will be performing at the NAMBA Arts Center on April 18th, left a career in the sciences to write songs in which everyone, of any identity or history or creed, can know that they are on the Hero’s Journey. A fine finger-style guitarist with a precise baritone and roots in the Celtic tradition, Van Kirk obtained his doctorate in quantitative modeling from the University of Alaska. Coming off five years of living in his van and playing music across the US and Canada, he thought that a career in the sciences might be a bit more secure than playing music for a living, especially as a single parent. Eventually, however, he realized that healing the world was primarily a matter of the heart, not the head, and he put aside his computer, picked up his guitar, and set out again.

“The evening’s act was Kray Van Kirk, whose 12-string guitar and soaring vocals were spellbinding. The Alaskan singer-songwriter, in his Edinburgh debut, was not the reason I arrived early, but was certainly why I stayed late.”
Daily Fringe Review, Edinburgh, Scotland

Van Kirk, however, is not your average crying-in-your-coffee singer songwriter. "We need delight and hope," he says, “and we need new myths and new stories for the 21st century to make it clear that humanity and heroes are all of us. Every single person, of any history or identity, is on the Hero’s Journey.”

“An enviable body of songs.. an intelligent and gifted writer.”
Bob Leslie, Transatlantic Conversations
CelticMusicRadio.net

Thus his songs: Thunderbird resurrects the Phoenix in an empty desert diner in the American Southwest (yes, the Phoenix drives a Thunderbird), The Queen of Elfland plucks Thomas the Rhymer from the English-Scottish border in 1250 and drops him and the Queen into a subway car, The Library Song has Superman moonlighting among the stacks, and The Midnight Commander celebrates an insane old man leading the city of New York to take up arms (and underwear) against hatred.

Of this charming, Quixotic, and decidedly eclectic performer, the Borderline Folk Club in New York wrote “it is what every singer-songwriter should aspire to.”

Embark on a timeless musical journey with local favorite Shawn Jones on Saturday, March 23, 7PM at NAMBA Performing Arts Space’s quaint, comfortable Listening Room, 47 S. Oak Street, Ventura, CA. Tickets are $25 and can be bought on www.NambaArts.com.

Shawn delivers soulful melodies and authentic lyrics that blend seamlessly in a captivating fusion of blues, folk, and rock — touching hearts worldwide. He 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.
Our Listening Room invites music lovers to connect with artists in a setting that transcends the ordinary. Here, the focus is solely on the performance, free from the distractions of clinking glasses and casual chatter, allowing for an immersive experience so the audience can truly listen, reflect, and be transformed.

Join us for a magical evening of colorful and magnetic multi-cultural dance performances in a world-class amphitheater under the oaks in the beautiful valley of Ojai, California. Prepare to be delighted with top notch performances from highly acclaimed artists from around southern California. Join us as we celebrate diversity within the performing arts, support the work of local dance organizations, and elevate our society's cultural fabric by honoring our world traditions.

This exhibition will feature several works made throughout the artist’s career as sort of a mid-career retrospective. Adam Parker Smith has a unique ability to address complex themes in a whimsical, light-hearted way that makes his work incredibly accessible.

Adam Parker Smith is a sculpture and installation artist. He attended the University of California at Santa Cruz (BA Painting, 2000), the Tyler School of Art at Temple University (MFA Painting, 2003), and the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture (2008).

Learn about International Bird Rescue's origin and history of oil spill response and wildlife rescue. Today, in addition to operating two full-time wildlife hospitals and responding to waterbird crises around the world, Bird Rescue aims to give a voice to waterbirds through conservation, advocacy, and wildlife literacy that builds empathy and encourages action.

Bio:
Angie Trumbo started with International Bird Rescue as a volunteer back in 2016. She currently works as the Conservation & Education Specialist to further Bird Rescue’s goal to be a voice for birds in a changing world and engage followers through wildlife literacy campaigns and education programs. Angie is working towards a Master’s degree in Biology through Miami University’s Project Dragonfly. She gears her coursework toward promoting avian conservation by building connections between people and birds and has taken her studies to Mexico, Peru, and Costa Rica.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

Relations between the United States and Russia have been at the center of Global Affairs for most of the past century, continuing to today. From 1946-1991, the struggle dubbed “The Cold War '' reached its apex, with thousands of nuclear tipped missiles and bombs on each side, a small percentage of which would have caused worldwide devastation. The course focuses on the political, technological, military, economic and cultural elements of this historic struggle, as well as the period’s key decision makers. It begins with a brief review of events before 1946, as well as those through present time.

Bio:
From his childhood in a Lithuanian refugee family, Linas J. Kojelis, rose to positions in Washington D.C. including Special Assistant the President (OPL/Defense and Foreign Policy) at the White House and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, as well as service in the U.S. Senate, Pentagon and U.S. Naval Reserve (Lieutenant/Naval Intelligence). Later, he founded and headed the U.S.- Baltic Foundation. His articles on Soviet affairs have been published in the Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times. Later, he headed Kojelis & Company consulting in Vilnius, Lithuania for five years. He received his B.A. in History (highest departmental honors) from U.C.L.A., and a M.P.A. (International Relations) from Princeton University. He lives with his wife in Simi Valley, and his interests include cinema, travel, art and historic preservation.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

The art movement dubbed Regionalism, which primarily existed in the American Midwest and South, began with the Great Depression and ended with World War II. Its artists rejected European modernism, industrialization, and cities. Instead, they depicted traditional rural life, hoping to recover (or invent) a dignified American identity during an economically and socially trying period. This lecture explores the work and influence of the American Regionalist artists, including Thomas Hart Benton, Grant Wood, John Steuart Curry, and Alexandre Hogue. Their lives and work are documented within the context of the social and political issues they faced, as they left their unmistakable imprints upon 20th century art.

Bio:
Eleanor Schrader 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.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

Transformed by King Louis XIV from a hunting lodge into one of the most spectacular examples A rock pioneer? Absolutely! The first of the singing Guitar Gods? You bet! An early hit songwriter? Of course! But despite all of the above, Chuck Berry's life and career was much different from his counterparts: Elvis, Fats Domino, Little Richard, & Buddy Holly. This two-part lecture will examine his music, songwriting, guitar playing, attitude, lifestyle and much more!

John Lennon once said: "If you tried to give Rock & Roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry." Bruce Springsteen also added, "He was Rock's greatest practitioner, guitarist, and the greatest Rock & Roll writer who ever lived!" Come join us and learn why Chuck Berry mattered - REALLY mattered! As always, each lecture is independent of the other; and don't forget to bring your Rock & Roll shoes!

Bio:
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.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

As the story goes: from 1960 to 1963 in a Yale basement, psychology researcher Stanley Milgram conducted an experiment on obedience that gave evidence to the idea of 'The Banality of Evil'. Normal citizens were apparently willing to shock other citizens when asked by authority. However, like many dramatic stories, important details have been left out. Milgram conducted 24 different experiments focused on different levels of obedience. Recent research and investigations by other psychology researchers such as Gina Perry reveal that the famous ‘Milgram’ experiments cited in every General Psychology classroom and documentary on obedience, may not be as Milgram actually reported. Come learn how obedient everyday people apparently were in the 1960s and how new research is challenging our view of these shocking set of experiments.

Bio:
Wesley Tierney, M.S., is currently a PhD candidate in Neuroscience at Arizona State University. He studies the mechanisms of Herpes Simplex Virus infection of neurons. He has worked in various research labs for seven years ranging from social psychology, entomology, regenerative medicine, virology, and neuroscience.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.

The Ashcan School was an artistic movement known for portraying the grittiness and realism of early twentieth century New York City. In this lecture, we explore the maverick group of artists who worked in this style; including Robert Henri, John Sloan, Everett Shinn, George Bellows. Some used the dirty streets of the city as a backdrop to the portrayal of the working class, while others painted images of working class diversions such as nightclubs, circuses, boxing matches, and trips to the beach. These were not topics considered to be appropriate subjects for high art at the time, and for this reason the historian Holger Cahill coined the term “Ashcan School,” as a tongue-in-cheek reference to other schools of art. Our discussion includes the social-political backdrop in which these artists emerged and their populist views towards the art world.

Bio:
Eleanor Schrader 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.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people 50+ years of age, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses (without the pressure of grades) for the sake of learning and social engagement.