Top 10: Mark your calendars for these upcoming Ventura County events
Whether you're looking for family friendly events, food fests or opportunities to explore art and theater, we have you covered with this listing.
Homage to the Mermaid: Ventura Harbor Village will host mermaid meet-and-greets, with photo opportunities for all ages, from 1 to 4 p.m. on March 23 at 1583 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura. In other event highlights, a Mermaid–Merman People’s Parade will stroll around the village the same day at 1 p.m. Parade participants will meet in the Kelp Corridor between Coffee Dock & Post and the Village Arcade & Carousel for a 30-minute walk. Additional offerings include face painting, live entertainment and a mermaid craft station. For more information, visit Venturaharborvillage.com.
Margarita Taco Festival: The Margarita Taco Festival is set for 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. March 23 at the Simi Valley Town Center, 1555 Simi Town Center Way. Tickets range from $25 to $80. IDs are required for those who purchase tickets that include alcohol. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Welcome Home Soldier Foundation, which provides sleeping bags to homeless veterans. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/239649310038617/.
"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time:" The Fractured Actors Theatre Company presents "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" at the Suite J Theater at the Ventura Vineyard Church, 1956 Palma Drive, Ventura. The play is by Simon Stephens from the best-selling novel by Mark Haddon and tells the story of Christopher Boone, an extraordinary 15-year-old boy who loves math and outerspace but is challenged by everyday life. Shows run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. through April 7. Tickets are $18 or $10 for students. Tickets available at bit.ly/fracturedactors-curious. For group discounts and more information, call 805-650-2510.
Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center Grand Re-Opening and 50th Anniversary: The Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District invites the public to bring their families for a fun, free recreational swim time to celebrate the grand reopening of the aquatic center at 1030 Temple Ave., Camarillo. The center has been closed since January for renovations. The event is 1-4 p.m. March 23. For more information, call 805-482-1996 or visit www.pvrpd.org.
The art of Gayel Childress: Gayel Childress, one of the primary artistic forces behind Ojai Studio Artists, will be the featured artist at The Ojai City Gallery and with a companion show at The Ojai Valley Museum through May 31. The exhibit will be open to public viewing during normal City Hall hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and at the museum Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Childress will also be doing hands-on demonstrations at the museum, 130 W. Ojai Ave. For more information, call the museum at 805-640-1390.
Beer, Wine & Blues Train: Fillmore & Western Railway will feature a Beer, Wine & Blues Train March 23. The train will depart at 6:30 p.m. and return at 9:30 p.m. at 364 Main St. in Fillmore. Guests take an evening ride through the Heritage Valley while listening to live music performed by Mudd Foote, The Other Mules and King Fish. Train rides are $35 per person with three tastings of wine or local craft beer included. Guests can also purchase additional beer, wine and food on board. This event is for ages 21 and up. For more information, visit www.fwry.com or call 805-524-2546.
Celebration of the Whales Festival: The 22nd Annual Celebration of the Whales Festival will take place 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 24 at Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. This year’s event will feature family-friendly activities, chalk art and prize drawings that include whale watching excursions. Activities will take place at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, 3900 Bluefin Circle. Admission to the museum is free. At the farmers market at 3600 S. Harbor Blvd., there will be an arts and crafts market, children’s activities and educational booths. Guests can also walk along the “Gray Whale Migration Trail” along the marina path. For more information, visit www.channelislandsharbor.org.
"Fuddy Meers:" Rubicon Theatre presents the hilarious and harrowing, politically incorrect comedy "Fuddy Meers," a play about Claire, an amnesiac, who wakes up each day having forgotten the details of her life. The production continues Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays and 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through March 31. The Rubicon Theatre Company is located at 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. Tickets range from $20 to $55. For tickets, visit www.rubicontheatre.org or call 805-667-2900.
Championship Wrestling from Hollywood: Championship Wrestling from Hollywood Live will perform from 3 to 6 p.m. March 24 at the Oceanview Pavilion, 575 E. Surfside Drive in Port Hueneme. This kid friendly event is free on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call 805-986-4818.
In support of Broken: A Holocaust History in Fused Glass: The Museum of Ventura County will host Women’s Stories from the Holocaust, a panel discussion in the Martin V. and Martha K. Pavilion 2-4 p.m. March 24. The event features Frances Elson, whose fused-glass art is on display through April 27 in the community gallery. Also on the panel are Celina Biniaz, Inga Boldt and Lee Edwards. Donna Granata, executive director of nonprofit Focus on the Masters, will moderate. Admission is free for museum members and $5 for nonmembers. For more information, visit venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.
Have an event you want to share? Email us at calendar@vcstar.com.
