Ojai Music Festival June 7-10

Composer John Luther Adams

Featuring Leif Ove Andsnes as 2012 Music Director and composer John Luther Adams, the Ojai MusicFestival continues its unmatched musical legacy and international reputation for artistic excellence, adventurous programs, and creative artistic camaraderie. Ojai's tradition of inviting a new music director for each season guarantees variety and vitality across festivals. Considered a highlight of the summer classical music season, the Ojai Music Festival is a four-day series of concerts, symposia, and auxiliary events set in idyllic Ojai.  Click here for Tickets and Info 

Harmony Project student concert finale at Sheridan Way June 4

The Harmony Project of Ventura County - which provides instruments, vocal training and music instruction to 60 low-income 2-5th grade children - will offer its culmination concert by students, under the direction of Sarah Hodges, at Sheridan Way Elementary School, 573 Sheridan Way, Ventura, on June 4, at 6 pm. Admission is free and open to the public. Children will perform traditional music and works by Stevie Wonder, Jethro Tull and Queen. The event will also honor its funding sponsors: Jordan and Sandra Laby, Peter Goldenring, Esq., the Sakaroff Family Trust, the Meister Family Foundation, and Alex Chavez, and a City of Ventura Arts Education Award, For more info contact: www.venturacountyharmony.com 

Tickets/volunteers for Music under the Stars summer dance/concert series

Tickets are now on sale for the 25th season of "Music under the Stars," the City of Ventura Office of Cultural Affairs' popular outdoor summer dance concert series in the historic Olivas Adobe Courtyard, at 4200 Olivas Park Drive. Concert goers may bring their own picnic or reserve a catered hot buffet dinner - a full beverage bar is on site - and dance the night away on a majestic wooden ballroom floor to top recording artists performing irresistible sets of R&B, Rock, Latin Jazz, Blues, Zydeco and Boogie Woogie.  

For lineup and brochure call 805.658.4726 or visit www.cityofventura.net/mus. Like us on Facebook! 

Subscribers to the entire series of nine concerts get one free catered dinner plus entry into the "Jaguar for a Day" contest. The winner will pick up a Jaguar from Ventura Jaguar and enjoy it for the day of the selected "Music Under the Stars" concert. Details on website or contact Georgeanne Lees at 805.658.4720.

"Nine and Dine" golf packages are available at www.olivaslinks.com/olivasadobe  or call Nadia Osborn, Director of Sales and Marketing at 805.677.6770 for only $58 per player for nine holes of golf at Olivas Links with cart, dinner and concert all included!

Want to volunteer for this signature series? 

Attend a volunteer meeting on June 26 at 6 pm at the adobe or contact Michelle Godoy at 805.654.7749 or mgodoy@cityofventura.net.

See "Ballet in Cinema" under "Cinema Events" below  

Watch world-class ballet performances captured live and screened in HD at the Roxy Stadium 11, 5001 Verdugo Way, Camarillo. Sign up for the Roxy e-newsletter or click here to check Roxy show times.

• "La Fille Mal Gardée" (Royal Ballet) May 27 at 1 pm (also May 30 at 6:30 pm)
• "Raymonda" (Bolshoi Ballet) on July 1 or 8 at 1 pm (also July 11 at 6:30 pm)

National Day of Dance Workshops June 1-29

The Barranca Vista Center, 7050 East Ralston Street, is sponsoring free workshops every Friday in June from 12:30 to 1:30 pm for all ages to learn one to three routines for "dance mobs" to appear at several community events and the National Day of Dance finale on July 28 at the Community Park, 901 South Kimball Road. RSVP to dance instructor Jackie Ringof at 805.654.7552 by each Thursday before class. View routines online.   

Footworks Youth Ballet presents "Snow White" June 2 & 3

Footworks Youth Ballet presents "Snow White" at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard, on Saturday, June 2, 2 pm, and Sunday, June 3, 2 pm. "Footworks Youth Ballet provides serious ballet students who aspire to a professional career in dance the opportunity to develop their artistry and refine their ballet technique while performing on stage," said Artistic Director Kirsten Oakley. "Please join us in the lobby for The Family Educational Hour, one hour prior to each performance." Tickets ($12, $15, $18) are available at the door or online at  www.FootworksYouthBallet.org. 

Check out the "Useful Links" section of this newsletter below for summer dance camps, classes and other offerings at the:  

     * All American Ballet School & Company www.aaballet.org 

     * Ballet Academy Ventura www.balletacademyventura.com 

     * Oakley Ballet Center  www.oakleyballet.com 

     * City of Ventura Barranca Vista Center  www.cityofventura.net/bvc 

Anna Malia Miller is a Youth American Grand Prix Competition finalist

Anna Malia Miller, a 14-year-old student at the Ballet Academy Ventura placed third in Junior Division in both Classical and Contemporary styles at the Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP) Competition finals at Lincoln Center, New York City, on April 29, 2012. The YAGP is the world's largest student ballet scholarship competition - open to dance students of all nationalities 9-19 years - that awards scholarships to top dance schools worldwide.

For more info contact: Kathleen Noblin at 805.377-6901 or trnout@aol.com

Friday, June 1 at 8 pm is the next scheduled performance of "5 x 5 x 5," an evening of 5 artists, 5 performances, 5 minutes each for First Fridays Ventura, hosted by John White and the Sylvia White Gallery, 1783 E Main St. See "Art Opportunities" to participate. All performance artists are eligible including musicians, spoken word, video and installation.  

For more information, please call him directly 818. 667.1937 or submit a proposal to H8email@yahoo.com

Free theater performances at BVC Park begin June 9

For the 18th year "Gypsies in a Trunk" performance troupe once again brings its fractured "Fairy Tales in the Park" to Barranca Vista Park, 7050 East Ralson Street, this summer on second Saturdays at 4 pm. Bring low back lawn chairs, blankets, picnic and the whole family to enjoy another madcap season of fun and adventure:

•     * June 9 - Cinderella 2: Bibbity, Boppity, Ooops
•     * July 14 - Beauty and the Beast
•     * August 11 - Three Billy Goats Gruff
•     * September 8 - Chicken Little  

More info at www.cityofventura.net/bvc or call 805.654.7552.

"Gem of the Ocean" at the Rubicon through June 10 + 2012/13 season

In August Wilson's mystical play "Gem of the Ocean," a young man named Citizen Barlow encounters 285-year-old healer Aunt Ester and embarks on a spiritual journey aboard a slave ship to discover his ancestors and himself. For tickets and info on the new 2012/2013 season with Pal Joey, Little Miss Scrooge, eXtras, Our Town, Lonesome Traveler and The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe call 805.667.2900 or visit  www.rubicontheatre.org

The Rubicon Theatre Company continues its distinguished Broadway Cabaret Benefit Series with Los Angeles theatre star and winner of Ovation and NAACP Awards Daniel Tatar bringing his solo renditions of Broadway hits and contemporary favorites, joined by his popular singing group, The Company Men, on June 11 at 7 pm. Following the performance, guests are invited to a post-show reception. Tickets at Rubicon box office, 1006 E. Main St (Laurel St entrance). To charge by phone, call (805) 667-2900, or visit Rubicon online at www.rubicontheatre.org. 

Rubicon Theatre Company is still accepting registrations for its "Stinky Feet Theatre Workshop" for children ages 5-7, July 9-21, 10 am-12 pm (tuition: $300). This exciting two-week camp offers young children the opportunity to express their creativity through theatre games, improvisation, character development, mask work, movement, storytelling and performance. Performance material may include singing and dancing as well as dramatic storytelling. Each student is given a chance to shine in performance and cast in roles suited to his/her talent, experience and ability. Perfect for both the fledgling 'star' in your family, or the introvert just finding their voice. The final performance on July 21 at 1 pm on the Rubicon stage is an original production imagined by the students themselves and inspired by great works of children's literature. Financial assistance info/register online at www.rubicontheatre.org.

Enroll children now for
Summer Theater Camps June-August

 

"The Form of Poetry" workshops
with Tree Bernstein May 23-June 27

A six-week immersion workshop of instruction, practice and discussion led by Tree Bernstein covering poetic forms, genres and methods of creating verse is open to up to seven poets Wednesdays, 7-9 pm, May 23-June 27 (fee: $180) at the Ojai Art Center in the Raymond Room. Email treebernstein@gmail.com or call 805-667-7955 to register. Tree Bernstein graduated from Naropa University with an MFA in Writing & Poetics. She is a poetry coach for Poetry Out Loud, a national recitation project, and produces K-12 poetry workshops with California Poets in the Schools (CPITS). She also teaches creative writing at the Brooks Institute. Currently Tree hosts Bohemia Beats at the Bohemia Coffee House the first Thursday of the month. She designs books for her own TreeHouse Press, and has co-written a book of ghazals with poet Randy Roark, titled "Away." She is a regular contributor to the Ojai Quarterly Magazine, which publishes her column, "Ask Ms. Metaphor," also online at askmsmetaphor.com.

Artists Union Gallery Tuesday Poetry Series

Poets and lovers of poetry are welcome to hear the following featured poets and participate in "open mic" at the "Tuesday Poetry Series" hosted by Phil Taggart at 7:30 pm at the Artists Union Gallery, 330 S. California St. www.venturaartistsunion.org 

•      * June 5 Raindog Armstrong
•      * June 19 Richard Newsham
•      * June 26 Friday Lubina

Email ptagga@aol.com to be added to Phil Taggart's monthly literary events distribution list for readings in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.

 

 

Mayor honors 2012 Art Tales winners June 6 at EP Foster Library reading

 

The public, family and friends are invited to hear the winners of the fourth annual Art Tales creative writing contest read from their entries at the library located at 651 East Main Street in Ventura on Wednesday, June 6, 5:30-6:30 pm. Area youth, high school and adult writers submitted 72 short stories and poems inspired by Municipal Art Collection works of art currently on loan at the E.P. Foster Library created by Joseph Piasentin, Cassandra Jones, Bruce Freeman, Lee Hodges and Carol Rosenak. The living visual artists have also been invited to attend to meet the writers; the event will also celebrate the installation of the large new "Tropical Frieze" mural by artist Jack Halbert. Refreshments will be served. Mayor Mike Tracy will present the cash prizes for 1st and 2nd place, certificates to 3rd place, bound editions of the winning entries to all winners and journals to all youth winners:

 

Youth Fiction Prizes

• 1st             Sarah Yenney             Creating This
• 2nd           Alexandra Avila           The Flamingo Mystery
• 3rd            Kaden Pryor                The Coming                        

Youth Poetry Prizes

• 1st            Connor Ames               Deception Flower           
• 2nd           Makayla Ann Pratt        As Their Red Tails Collide
• 3rd            Courtney Caldwell         I Swim

High School Fiction Prizes

• 1st            Annabelle Warren          I Love You, I'm Sorry      
• 2nd           Kienna Kulzer                Colors                       

High School Poetry Prizes

• 1st            Garrett Pupa                  Flowers of Life                       
• 2nd           Cece Castañeda            What the Chairs Saw                       
• 3rd            Marco Cuevas                A Typical Day by the Pool             

Adult Poetry Prizes [no Adult Fiction entries]

• 1st            Maggie Westland           Expectations                                   
• 2nd           F. Albert Salinas             Blind Faith                                    
• 3rd           Tim Pompey                    Raramor                       

The four contest judges were poet/literary journal Askew co-editor Friday Lubina, Head Librarian for E.P. Foster Library Mary Stewart, visual artist/Oxnard College Fine Art professor/City of Ventura Public Art Commissioner Claudia Pardo and Community Partnerships Manager Denise Sindelar, who said, "We thank the judges who evaluated all these works on their creativity and who reported to me they were very impressed with the number of high quality submissions." For more information contact Denise Sindelar at Denise Sindelar 658-4793 or dsindelar@cityofventura.net. 

 

 

Others poetry events

 

Arcade Poetry Series: 3rd Saturdays at 7 pm, Oxnard Carnegie Art Museum, 424 South C St, Oxnard. Host: Jackson Wheeler. June 16 Tim Tipton and Terry Van Vliet

 

Bohemian Beat Spoken Word: 1st Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Bohemia Coffee House, 214 W Ojai Ave, Ojai. Host: Tree Bernstein, 805/640-7210. Open mic sign ups at 7:15 pm.

 

 

Ventura County Writers Club:

3rd Wednesdays poetry workshop; meetings 2nd Tuesdays at Pleasant Valley Senior Center, 1605 Burnley Street, Camarillo. Info:www.venturacountywriters.com 

 

 

 

The Poetry Zone: 2nd Saturdays, 2-4 pm, Karpeles Manuscript Museum, 21 West Anapamu, Santa Barbara. Host: Suzanne Frost, 805/252-1655. Open-mic follows

 

Favorite Poem Reading: 3rd Mondays, 5:15-6:30 pm, The Blue Agave 20 East Cota, Santa Barbara. Host: Lois Klein. Open Mic: All poets and non-poets invited to read a favorite poem (not their own) or two

 

Santa Maria Rhythm & Rhyme: Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 pm, Cafe Noir, 1555 South Broadway, Santa Maria. Open Mic with Host BJ Riley  everlearnmore@yahoo.com 

 

 

 

 

KPFK Poets Café: 2nd, 4th and 5th Wednesdays at 8:30 pm. LA 90.7 FM/ Santa Barbara 98.7 FM. Host: Lois P. Jones 

 

 

 

More Poetry Information:  
www.sbpoetry.net    www.askewpoetry.org  www.poetix.net    www.venturaartistsunion.org    www.poetryflash.org  www.santabarbarapoetryseries.org  

Ventura Film Society screenings June 5 & 19

The Ventura Film Society fourth season continues with screenings on the first and third Tuesdays at 7:15 pm at 420 East Santa Clara Street. "Camille Claudel" starring Isabell Adjani recounts the troubled life of French sculptor Camille Claudel and her long relationship with legendary sculptor Auguste Rodin. The unforgettable documentary "Marathon Boy" chronicles a boy from India with nearly superhuman athletic endurance.
Tickets at: www.venturafilmsociety.com 

     * June 5 - Camille Claudel

     * June 19 - Marathon Boy

London's National Theater Live features Frankenstein June 6 & 7

Don't miss your chance to catch encore screenings of Danny Boyle's extraordinarily haunting production of "Frankenstein" from London's National Theatre as actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternate the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the Creature on two days, June 6 and June 7, at 7 pm, at the AMC Promenade 16, 21801 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills (Hwy 101 exit: Topanga Cyn Blvd). Tickets/info 

This summer enjoy select encore performances from the Metropolitan Opera's award winning series on Wednesdays throughout the summer at 6:30 pm at the Cinemark Stadium 16, 2875 Elba Street in Ventura:

• Donizetti's Anna Bolena - June 13
• Rossini's Le Comte Ory - June 20
• Mozart's Don Giovanni - June 27

Description/tickets:www.fathomevents.com/upcoming

More Fathom Events at Ventura Cinemark 

Shakespeare's "The Tempest"
stars Christopher Plummer June 14

The critically acclaimed production of William Shakespeare's last play "The Tempest," starring Academy Award® Winner Christopher Plummer as Prospero and captured live at Canada's Stratford Shakespeare Festival, screens on Thursday, June 14 at 7 pm.

Experience the very first weekend of the 2012 Drum Corps International (DCI) Tour on Monday, June 18 at 6:30 pm with outstanding performances by six top marching music ensembles captured LIVE just two days earlier from Akron, Ohio.

Ballet in Cinema presents "La Fille Mal Gardée" & "Raymonda"

Ballet in Cinema presents "La Fille Mal Gardée" & "Raymonda" Love in the countryside is the theme of the Royal Ballet's classic comedy "La Fille Mal Gardée" on Sunday, May 27 at 1 pm and Wednesday, May 30, at 6:30 pm with choreography by Frederick Ashton on a classic suite of French airs. Medieval lovers Raymonda and Jean de Brienne, separated by war, are reunited after he rescues her from another knight in this three-act classic taped live at the Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow, Russia, on Sunday, July 1 at 1 pm and Wednesday, July 11 at 6:30 pm with score by Alexander Glazunov and choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich. At the Roxy Stadium 11 (5001 Verdugo Way, Camarillo).

Sign up for the Roxy's e-newsletter and check Roxy show times

Historic Carpinteria Theater reopens with theater, music & film offerings

The historic Plaza Playhouse Theater (formerly the Alcazar), 4916 Carpinteria Avenue in Carpinteria, recently reopened with a full lineup of vintage film screenings, music, theater, and other live entertainment:

• May 26, 7 pm - singer/songwriters Danny O'Keefe and Bob Lind
• June 1, 8 pm - Mystery Movie: starring Cary Grant! - More...
• June 3, 5 pm - Teatro las Americas production of Federico García Lorca's La zapatera prodigiosa / The Prodigious Shoemaker's Wife
• June 9, 8 pm - Latin, Jazz & World Beat Music Fest featuring Solvei & ZumaSOL & Guests
• June 23, 8 pm - Movie: "The Odd Couple", starring Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon

View schedule and purchase advance tickets online at www.plazatheatercarpinteria.comor at Curious Cup Bookstore, 929 Linden Ave. To receive an email newsletter send your name and email address to info@plazatheatercarpinteria.com. More info at 805.684.6380.

First Fridays

Ventura Gallery Crawl on Friday, June 1, 6 to 9 pm.
Info: see "Useful Links" below or visit the website.   

Love Gun by Jason John

Three artists have let their imaginations take "Flight" in their quirky, narrative works that

flee from the stark and often serious world of contemporary art at the Sylvia White Gallery,1783 E Main St, Ventura (W-Sa 11-5) (805.643.8300)  www.ARTADVICE.com. The opening reception for all artists is Saturday May 26, 3-5 pm.

In The Message by Ashleigh Norman

In Plain Sight, 2008 By Gwen Manfrin, colored pencil on paper, 28" x 34"

Gwen Manfrin's solo exhibition "Whet" in Sylvia White's North Gallery features mixed media paintings and drawings exploring moments of unguarded teenage angst experienced by many young girls reflecting both vulnerability and strength of identity

New Orleans City Park by Mike Grahek

Mike Grahek - a signature member of the Central Coast Watercolor Society - will display landscapes and his newest endeavors featuring scenes from the Bible at Dei Gloria Studio & Gallery, 4882 McGrath Street #160, in Ventura with an opening

Jesus teaching from a boat on the Sea of Galilee by Mike Grahek

The art of Tobie Roach  

at ZanZilla through June

Mixed media paintings by Tobie Roach depicting the sacred geometry of the enigmatic crop circles are on display (and for sale) though June at ZanZilla's Emerald Gallery, 2750 East Main St # F in Ventura. View more of the artist's work at www.tobieroach.com . For more info contact Zan Ferris at 805.890.4863 or www.zanzillasyoga.com.

In order to encourage more people to choose cycling as a transportation option and to weave art into the fabric of our urban infrastructure, the Public Art Commission selected five Southern California artists from an open competition in 2009 to design and fabricate bicycle racks that are identifiable, functional, and imaginative to be produced as a series of limited editions and integrated throughout the Downtown Cultural District as well as the Westside, College District and Eastside of Ventura. Bicyclists can now enjoy securing their bicycles at these locations - click here for printable flyer.

     1. Dragonfly by L.T. Mustardseed at Ventura Pier & Promenade

     2. Gears by Douglas Lochner at Bell Arts Factory, 432 N Ventura Ave

     3. Bikerfly by Tyson Cline at Chestnut & Main Streets

     4. Ocean by L.T. Mustardseed at WAV (Working Artists Ventura, 175 S Ventura Ave)

     5. Fish by Douglas Lochner at Surfers' Point, Figueroa Street at the beach

     6. Bike Tree by John Suttman at Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau, 101 S California St

Potters' Guild 53rd annual Ojai Music Festival

sale June 9-10 

The Ventura County Potters' Guild will showcase 30 plus juried members (current membership is 165) for the 53rd year in conjunction with the Ojai Music Festival with a show and sale in Libby Park in downtown Ojai on Saturday, June 9, and Sunday, June 10, 9 am-6 pm. Those who visit will see salt-fired, primitive, raku, and reduction-fired pieces along with many other highly skilled glazes, such as lusters and crystalline glazes. The Potters' Guild was founded in April 1957 and organized by William Winterbourne and 10 other members, some of which were his students from Ventura College. The Guild's monthly programs are held at 420 E. Santa Clara St. and are free to the public. Pottery demos are frequently held at its retail location, The Ventura County Potters' Guild Pottery Gallery at Ventura Harbor Village. For more information, call 805/985-5038.

Focus on the Masters Tuesday Artist Spotlight series on June 26

The popular FOTM interview series - now in its 18th year and filmed June 26, 6-7:30 pm before a studio audience at The Comedy Club at The Harbor in Ventura, 1559 Spinnaker Drive, Ste 205, highlights the career of printmaker, studio and plein air painter Karen Lewis whose subjects include still lifes, landscapes and large groups of people. More artist info at www.KarenKLewis.com. RSVP for FOTM event ($10/adults, $5/seniors-students) and AfterGLOW fundraising dinners ($20/$30) following each event at www.FocusOnTheMasters.com or 805.653.2501.

"Caribbean Sea" Gerri McMillin

Fox Fine Jewelry "Ocean Above & Below"
show through July 9 

"Ocean Above & Below" at Fox Fine Jewelry, 210 East Main Street (805.652.1800) continues through July 9 featuring the work of fiber artist Gerri McMillin, watercolorist Sarah Kalvin and painter Pat Richards Dodds. More info at: www.foxfinejewelry.com 

Barranca Vista Imagination Center, 7050 E Ralston St, is offering a rich menu of visual arts classes for children and adults this summer, as well as dance and theater.  

The very young (4-7 years) can experience painting, drawing and sculpting through the single-day "Spotlight on a Masters" workshops ($20) featuring Matisse on 6/21  

Sign up for the "Let's Get Creative" series that runs 7/11-8/15 with artist Dawn Meyer ($50).  Let's Paint (ages 3-6)  and  Art Adventures (age 7-12), are two of Dawn's five classes. 

A perennial favorite with older children (ages 8-12) is Mr. Scott's "Cartooning" (8-12 years, $50) 7/9-8/13.  

For ages 14 and up, there are Marcia Cummings' many popular drawing and painting classes (6/22-7/27); Adaptive Watercolors, Ceramics and Crafting. 

Or try Japanese style sumi painting and calligraphy (16 years-Adult, $80) with Keiko Horrock 6/5-7/24.  

View all offerings at www.cityofventura.net/recreation 

Museum of Ventura County (MOVC)

100 E Main St in Ventura Open 11-5 Tu-Su

 

Opening Reception for 3 Summer Exhibits, Friday, June 8, 5:30 -7:30 pm

Enjoy refreshments & music and be the first to see the museum's three new summer exhibits. $5; free for MVC Members. RSVP: (805) 653-0323 ext. 7 

Forest Spirit, Soapstone Sculpture, by Carlyle Montgomery

One Time, One Place by Dianne Bennett

"One Time, One Place" features retablos on recycled metal by Ojai artist Dianne Bennett, dedicated to species of birds, animals, trees and plants whose existence is threatened by habitat loss and climate change. For more on her work visit www.beforeourveryeyes.com and www.diannebennett.net.  

Wild in California, Sunday, June 10, 1:30-2:30 pm.  

Meet amazing birds, reptiles and mammals native to the Golden State and learn about their lifestyles and contributions to the environment during this Live Animal Show by the Nature of Wildworks. Featured animals will include an opossum, skunk, owl, hawk, fox and several reptiles. Program best suited for children ages 8-11. $10 adults, $6 children up to age 17. MVC members: $6 adults, $4 children up to age 17.

KCET seeks cultural journalist for its Artbound website

KCET is looking for a columnist (a paid position) to contribute provocative, in-depth articles on the cultural scene in Ventura County for its "Artbound" web pages. Take a look at the latest issue if you are interested in being considered as a candidate, please contact Juan Devis, KCET Director of Production + Program Development at 747/201-5762 or  Jdevis@kcet.org. 

Call for Performance Artists for
John White's 5 x 5 x 5

John White is currently accepting proposals for 5 x 5 x 5, a performance series for First Fridays Ventura, hosted by Sylvia White Gallery. 5 x 5 x 5 is an evening of 5 artists, 5 performances, 5 minutes each. All performance artists are eligible including musicians, spoken word, video and installation. For more information, please call him directly 818.667.1937 or submit a proposal to H8email@yahoo.com 

The Creative Capital | Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant Program supports individual writers whose work addresses contemporary visual art through grants ranging from 3,000 to 50,000 USD, issued directly to individual authors. www.artswriters.org 

Call to artists: Bowl Hop for Westside ArtWalk
July 21-22

Participate in the Westside ArtWalk 2012 by donating a handmade bowl: artist-fabricated from ANY material: wood, metal, ceramic, fiber, paper, stone. 60% of the bowl sales go towards Project Understanding to feed, house and educate our community in need and 40% towards ArtWalk operating costs. Click here for details.

The 2012-13 Cultural Funding Grant Program applications and guidelines are available online.
$90,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis to Ventura-based
non-profit arts organizations, with grants ranging in size from $3,000-$20,000.
The grant deadline is Friday July 6, 2012.

Info online or contact Georgeanne Lees at 805.658.4720 or glees@ci.ventura.ca.us.

The Ventura Chamber of Commerce will once again host "Arts in the Park" - a juried show en plein air featuring fine artists from Ventura and beyond with live music by local musicians - August 18-19, Saturday (10-6) and Sunday (10-5) at Ventura Harbor Village. The Chamber seeks fine arts and fine crafts artists to apply and submit digital images of artwork to www.venturachamber.com or contact Barbara Hinton at 805.650.9858 or barbara@venturaartfestival.com . The fee for a 10' x 10' artist space is $50 and a double space is $100. The host committee will select a featured artist, whose work will be displayed on festival materials and featured in event publicity.

Chalk Art for Charity will once again be a part of the festivities raising funds for local nonprofits through the sponsorship of chalk squares. Last year, a number of talented street chalk artists from around Southern California participated in the inaugural event and members of the public are also invited to participate - there is no charge to the chalk artist - using the web and contact information above.

Support "The Cuba Dance Project" independent film

William Hendricks, Professor of Photography at Ventura College, has been developing an independent film called "The Cuba Dance Project" scheduled to shoot in June. "It's a rite of passage - coming of age - film that follows the journey of three American ballet dancers as they leave their homes in Southern California to study in Havana, Cuba," says Hendricks. "As the dancers and I have been developing this project, friends and strangers alike have been asking us how to get involved. I have set up The Cuba Dance Foundation, a non-profit (501c3) for those who want to be a sponsor or make a contribution." Contact Hendricks at 805.654.6400 x3223 or wmh@west.net.

ENTER "Ventura's Parks + Recreation = Community" Photo Contest by July 31 

 

Celebrate July as National Parks and Recreation Month! Enter by July 31 - it's easy, free and by email! Visit online for contest guidelines. The City of Ventura Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Partnerships (PRCP) invites photographers of all ages to share your best original high-resolution photos taken at any PRCP facility, event, sport, program, or class that illustrates our theme: Ventura's Parks + Recreation = Community. All entries are eligible to be featured in our citywide publications of print or electronic media with photo credit.  

Photo by Jacob Foko

PRIZES: Six gift certificates good towards any PRCP offering: 1st ($100), 2nd ($50), and 3rd-6th ($25). Submit close-up portraits of our residents enjoying themselves in these categories with a model release statement available from the website:

1. City parks and their facilities (such as skate, dog, trail, etc.)
2. Golf courses: Olivas Links or Buenaventura
3. Sports fields (Community Park, Camino Real, etc.)
4. Ventura Aquatic Center
5. Indoor recreation facilities (Westpark, Barranca Vista)
6. Recreation & Arts programs, sports, events and classes

Questions? Call 805/658-4706 or visit  www.cityofventura.net/photocontest

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 

The Representational Art Conference, October 14-17, in Ventura

What is the role of representational art in the twenty-first century? The Representational Art Conference, October 14-17, presented by California Lutheran University, offers three days of lively discussion including keynote speakers (Jed Perl and John Nava), academic papers, panel discussions and exclusive demonstrations by prominent artists, bringing together thought leaders and practitioners who share an interest in the practice of the traditional "realist" studio techniques of sculpture, painting and drawing media as an open-ended exploration of possible new directions into the 21st century. Academic studio artists, art historians, professional studio artists, art students, critics, gallery professionals, art collectors and museum professionals are invited to attend. Info and signups

First Fridays

Each month on First Fridays, 6-9 pm, visual fine art spaces in downtown and midtown Ventura offer art, demonstrations and performances. www.s232036650.onlinehome.us

 For upcoming plays,   

visit www.rubicontheatre.org 

Poetry & Art at the Artists Union Gallery

Art exhibits and Tuesday/Saturday night poetry series at www.venturaartistsunion.org or send an email to ptagga@aol.com with a request to be put on the distribution e-list for Phil Taggart's periodic email calendar of poetry readings in Ventura, the county and beyond.

Office of Cultural Affairs monthly video magazine on the arts.
View schedule here and view shows at www.capstv.org

Bell Arts Factory

Gallery, studios and community room at 432 N. Ventura Ave.
with youth arts, exhibits and calendar at www.bellartsfactory.com.   

WAV/ Working Artists Ventura

State-of-the-art community at 175 S. Ventura Ave. offers affordable living and working space for 77 artists from 21 countries who are painters, sculptors, dancers, musicians, writers, actors and filmmakers with Theater/Gallery space for concerts, exhibits and special events. Studio guide, blog and calendar at www.wavartists.com.

Society805.com  

The Society805.com online magazine launched an Arts & Culture section this fall featuring coverage and reviews of art and culture in Ventura and has developed a significant Los Angeles readership to choose what they want to see in Ventura. For more info contact www.Society805.com or (805) 641-1533 or EricReeL@society805.com

All American Ballet School & Company

Ballet teaching center for all ages and levels
at 1932 Eastman Ave # 105, Ventura, is led by founder Clarissa Boeriu.

For more info contact www.aaballet.org or (805) 650-6316

Director Kathleen Noblin heads this creative movement academy, located at 2750 E Main St in Ventura, for 2 year olds to adults in modern, jazz, hip hop, flamenco and ballet plus summer dance camps.  

Info at 805.652.2800 or  www.balletacademyventura.com 

Footworks Youth Ballet  

Artistic Director Kirsten Oakley heads the Oakley Ballet Center, 1594 Saratoga Ave, Suite A in Ventura (805.676.1600 * www.oakleyballet.com ) which through Footworks Youth Ballet performances "provides serious ballet students who aspire to a professional career in dance the opportunity to develop their artistry and refine their ballet technique while performing on stage." www.FootworksYouthBallet.org